------------------
The sorcerer finally found his energies failing him since he had come here.
Silently, he cursed his luck. Yes, he had escaped into the Outworld from his supposed eternal damnation, and he had found the opportunity of a lifetime-and yet, he had eventually realized, this would take far more work than he had initially imagined. His body still weary and pained from the many attacks he had suffered from Scorpion over the past few weeks, Chi felt his legs begin to give out on him. It's nearly over, damn it….he will be in but a few days' reach. Hopefully sooner. But I thought THAT…a few days ago, hadn't I?
Chi had come to the saddening realization that he could not make thisplot, this grand scheme he had quickly and diligently devised while recovering for a day in the mass grave he had teleported into, come to fruitition by himself. He still had been reassessing his strength and magical abilities ever since he had been tossed into this realm, and he was sure that they were still not quite at the level they once were. He needed allies, power. Fortunately, though he had not been in this dimension for centuries, the orders and balances of power and government had not seemed to have changed since he had left-in Outworld, for all the chaos and sorrow it festered and caused, had surprisingly little change in beauracracy-and dictatorship. Chi knew who to find, who could prove to be the catalyst needed to revive the legendary piece of history he had found.
And so it was for that damned catalyst he had found himself walking throughout the Outerealm for two days now, lacking the most basic and needed of supplies, hunger and his body's overwhelming urge to rest overtaking his mind's demands to keep going. He had talked-or rather as he remembered with a smirk, forced-several locals and villagers along his journey to tell him where the mansion of the man he sought was, but was given only rumors and seeming half-truths-it seemed no one in the area knew the exact location of the residence, and had been kept in the dark for a long enough span of time to have simply not troubled themselves on the matter anymore. The fellow sorcerer seemed to relish his secrecy. Chi could never blame a man for that, but with his current state, he allowed himself an exception, sat down onto the ground, panting and gasping for breath to revive his exhausted muscles, and began to curse out the git as loudly as he could.
It looked to be a most long day ahead of him.
----
He was a ninja, a skilled warrior, who had a long list of accomplishments behind him. Bodyguard to emperor Shao Kahn's high priest Shang Tsung, a secretive, deadly, and near-undefeatable opponent of the last five Mortal Kombat tournaments in the Earthrealm, and then a decorated soldier of Kahn's army and even a full-fledged general of fallen Elder God Shinnok's hellspawn troops. Yet that was all ignored now; or scoffed at when it was actually remembered, he had lost to mere Earthlings too many times to salvage his reputation-and now his biggest weapon was his hideous appearance! He could not even practice all the tactics and exercises of ninjitsu properly anymore thanks to it. Instead of fighting in honorable combat, he was now a mere errand boy, this time sweating like a mutt as he climbed over steep hills and scampered around thorn bushes-sometimes on his hind legs, other times on all four limbs as he saw fit-to keep from being cut as he rushed to accomplish his latest mission of delivering an urgent message to master Tsung.
Screeching as he leapt over crevices and vines, not containing his voice's volume due to the fact no one was around to hear his troubles, 'The Reptile', or more simply 'Reptile'-who had been given that moniker due to his real name having been full of clicks and hisses that were unpronounceable in most other species' tongues-let his mind lose itself once more in the now jumbled thoughts that made up his mind. The name had never fit him better than now. He had since lost his species' ability to blend their appearance into another creature's look years ago; and it angered him that he did not know why. Perhaps it was being away from master Kahn so long, as he had suspected? But he had found him again years ago! Yet try as his now frustrated might allow him to, he could only manage to transform himself into a human shell for only extremely short periods of time. He had felt more anger take over in him over those years he had been lost from master Kahn's service, more spasms of emotion. When years ago he still had a fully developed larynx, he had discussed the matter with master Shinnok and his high mage, master Chi, on it; they had told him he was away from his source of strength and promised to restore this power to him.
They never did. Reptile was since glad to have left them. He had been humiliated by his looks when he had finally learned master Kahn was alive and presented himself to his service once more. His snout, jaws and tail had fully taken shape into their original form and stuck out far from his line of vision. His claws and teeth had also regained their old serration and length, and though very much useful in slashing apart any meaty-looking prey he found in the forests, the claws hindered his grip and forced him to abandon his gloves in his assassin's uniform. His scales had finally overtaken his former, smooth human skin, but at least they offered slight protection to his body now. His feet had also grown outward and garnered the sharpened, bladed toenails, and forced him to give up his leggings. He was not happy. He was ninja. But now…he was a freak. No one was around who was like him.
He had spent the better part of two days attempting to get to his former immediate lord's home under master Kahn's orders, hissing and screeching over the situation. Why must master Tsung be so far off from master Kahn? They were supposed to be friends, allies. Why did they not live closer, to share information or work more closely together, benefiting them and the people both? Why did master Tsung live in such hard terrain to climb over? Why? Did he not trust master Kahn? He was needed immediately, needed now! He knew there was a conflict going on!
The Raptor shook his head. He wished to fight in this war, to engulf the enemy in his corrosive saliva, to slash them apart and feast on their hearts….but he could not. Master Kahn had forbade him, he had said, for he needed Reptile at his side as a bodyguard. Though ecstatic to serve his emperor directly, he had felt he could have been put to better use elsewhere, like the front line...
...no. To think like that at all was treason. Master Kahn was always right. It had always been others who would cause his mistakes to happen. They had nearly taken the Earthrealm, had they not? They had even breached the gates of Hell for a short time! The master was infallible! It would be others who had always caused his downfall!
----
"Gods," Quan sputtered out as he leaned downwards to catch his wind, holding his chest in his hand and breathing in deeply. The magician had forced himself to take a quicker pace once he had finally figured he couldn't be too far off. Shifting through the information the villages had given him, he knew that Tsung's villa could not be too much of a distance by then. His hunches and luck had proved their worth to him again, in any event: though the search had taken all day and it was now well into evening, the sky an ever deepening sea of reds and oranges, in front of him was a mansion of the highest luxury.
Damn him. DAMN HIM. He doesn't deserve this, not without the failures he's caused and all the bloody help he needed…Chi took in another deep, needed breath…MY help. He raised his eyes upward to take everything inThe place even had a moat. Though only two stories, it was certainly still imposing-built with what seemed to be painted marble, decorations carved into these walls, golden dragons encircling the entire house inside the moat. His potential friend certainly knew how to live in style-in his opinion, all the unpractical did.
After all, they usually had no other worthwhile talents assigned to them in life.
----
The sorcerer looked into the mirror. Ignoring the shining gold and ornate woodcarvings that framed the glass, a scowl took its now-daily hold on his face. Wrinkles had begun to line his face, his cheeks flush from breathing, less taut, and more bone showing through the skin.
Looking into and about the giant throne room of his emperor, Tsung felt extremely small. It had been a month since their retreat from the Earth, and nothing had happened to him-yet. He had lived in constant fear and apprehension for his eventual punishment, however, and today would finally be it. He did his best to conceal the shuddering his body was clearly doing…
Shang Tsung had lived like this for months, and the months eventually merging together into years. Secluded in what was suppose to be a mere seasonal residence, the desire and sensible decision to escape his lord's wrath had turned it into his new home. Perhaps not to anyone's surprise, Tsung's change of location was not challenged by Kahn-Tsung knew he was more than likely satisfied by the sense of fear instilled into his highest magician. The mere realization of the fact gave Shang another reason to scowl into his reflection. He had no longer been able to rely on his lord for youth, of course, and had been forced to mask himself in the guise of a peasant and kill any locals foolish enough to wander about or away from their villages during the night. But eventually the populace had grown wise to the killer, the brave became the timid, and he had found himself gradually wishing he had not been cursed so long ago by the gods for benefiting himself by his spells.
"Tsung, we shall be frank. You failed me. How did you?" Kahn calmly asked the figure in front of him. Two muscular, masked guards flanked both his sides from his throne, spears with a most curved blade topping them in the hand of each.
"I….had conceded another plan that has failed to take the Earthrealm. I have caused the deaths of thousands of your troops. I…have failed in the tournament myself and directly allowed the infidel Kang another step toward his amazing feat of defeating you. I-"
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Tsung. I have heard enough of the many mistakes you cost me. You will not get another chance. You shall pay."
Tsung began the hurried stroll down the hall toward his chamber that he occupied every evening for his studies, knowing that the practice of his arts would occupy his mind for some time. It had been some time before Kahn had begun to regain any sort of favor with him. Finally released from his prison-literal and otherwise-he had been forced to do so much on very little, for a much longer time than he cared to admit. The memories were too much for the sorcerer to bear at times, and reminiscing how small and terrified he was at the time…
Kahn arose, his hands on hips, eyes glowing, the face-Tsung could tell, even with the mask on-grim.
"You will now learn what happens when you fail me, Tsung. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. For that, you pay."
"But my lor-oo…aaAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Tsung's screams echoed on. Being physically transformed was always a most painful scenario to be a victim to, especially when it is forced. Tsung could feel with the utmost sensitivity his skin becoming more brittle and the blades beginning to tear through his skull and wrists. The teeth were growing, his muscle mass shrinking….the pain was becoming too much. It had lasted moments, but he was now cowering in his original form, before he cheated creation with his black magic: a scrawny, almost laughable excuse of a Tartakan.
"Your unease pleasures me. GUARDS! Put this beast into a cage. I have no further use for him."
Being changed back into a vile, ugly, stupid Tartakan…no….no, Tsung thought, practicing one of the many katas stored deep within one of his spiritual prisoners' minds. He wouldn't think of those days again, certainly not.
…eh? His ears caught an odd noise.
…. what was that creaking sound? An intruder? No one should be here.
He paused in an instant, his eyes toward the giant doors that opened up into his training room. He could hear it now…footsteps…the floor groaning under the weight of the invader, an odd clacking sound following soon after-
-Assassin, it has to be an assassin. The thought both chilled and pleased him as he decided that was what this threat was. He could more than likely overtake him; even with his body at this current ebb of strength…a new soul would always be most welcome to rejuvenate himself….
With a long, slow swing of both doors being pulled away to open into the room that took far too long in Tsung's mind, he readied himself to go into one of the easiest styles for him to execute -he knew that an assassin wouldn't fall so easily to mere fistcuffs-
-GODS!
A Raptor!?
The shock lasted only a moment. With a yell that attempted to intimidate, Shang Tsung then immediately uttered out a curse on the killer and readied himself with the position of the Crane.
The Raptor seemed perturbed. So much the better. It readied itself by bending itself at the knees and elbows. Amusing….
----
Why was master Tsung attempting to attack him?! Why? It had been years, but surely master Kahn had told master Tsung that his servant had returned! Why did he not? Why were things so confusing now?
Reptile hissed, slowly, at the magician. He did not want to battle him….he looked older, but the lizard had seen him enough in combat to know that he was very formidable, no matter how small or hairless he appeared at a time.
He noticed master Tsung slowly beginning to inch toward his left, obviously attempting to find a suitable moment to rush at him when he could not properly repel any attack. With another slow gurgle of warning, Reptile began to match Tsung in his footsteps, both circling the large, empty room. The space was ironically suited for a battle, and the thought fleeted through Reptile's mind that perhaps his master had envisioned such a scenario eventually happening. The master was indeed clever; for there was nothing in the way to retard movement nor anything to grab as a weapon…just a wide, long, open chamber…
Erm? An idea. Perfect.
The scaled one began to slowly pace backwards, clawed toes clattering against the hard wood, his tail no longer swishing side to side in warning to his opponent. Rather, he crouched, and but for a moment, stayed that way. His tail began to smush up against the floor…
Eyes widened, Tsung had no time to then dodge-
-CRCK-"GAAAFH!" was yelled out as he felt himself get thrown back-first against the wall, a slam echoing through the chamber, books toppling from their shelves placed high above. Several fell onto him, one falling squarely onto his cranium. Had the situation not been so life-threatening, Shang would have laughed at such a situation that had just befallen him.
DAMMIT! That thing….his Most High Mage had had certainly not expected the reptile to spring at him like a ball, much less spring into a ball and slam into him at frightening speed. He had not expected that….a glance saw his newfound enemy several steps away from him, the beast's teeth glared, almost grinning from the looks of it. Damn him!
Tsung grunted as he pushed himself up with the help of a knee and one hand. He had to fake an injury…fake looking helpless to pull this one off…another grunt and some quick wheezing told the Raptor it had apparently won the match already. Tsung held a hand upwards to indicate to stay away, stay back….his opponent would never expect to look closer, towards his chest, and find an orange magick swirling and building up in the hand held close to his chest. The lizard was moving closer, closer….arrogant swine….
"HAAAAAH!" Tsung yelled out, throwing his left arm out in front of him when the reptile came into range. The orange blast-his fabled, feared skull fireball, formed from the very darkness of his soul-screamed out as the vortex of energy slammed into the enemy chest, giving reason for the howl that graced his ears. Another yell came out, this time Tsung's, and he took a quick leap upwards, touching ground with a sneer plastered on his face.
The beast still seemed most afflicted by the attack. Good. With the stride of confidence, Tsung walked over to where his enemy lay, his chest clutched in obvious discomfort. Tsung knew his fireballs always left a burning effect, sometimes permanent….
…. in an instant the reptile's neck was in his hand, the grip tightening…this would be an excellent one to take, an excellent way to give himself youth, even if but for a mere week…he looked downwards at the lizard's clothes, noting he was attired in the suit of ninj-
…"REPTILE!?"
The beast screeched out and began to flail, obviously recognizing the name.
No. No. NO.
Tsung found himself gingerly letting go of his decommissioned bodyguard. "Reptile. By the gods, I apologize. I am sorry. I had not attempted to recognize you by your clothing. What has happened?"
Reptile took his throat gently in his hands, massaging and attempting to soothe his injury. Tsung silently cursed himself, it was obvious Reptile couldn't speak right now. He had never thought Reptile would…well…become reptilian, but how could he know? It was years! He had not seen a Raptor in millennia, much less his own subordinate! He should have known, damn it….Reptile had used some moves he HAD recognized…
But what if he told Kahn of the attack he sustained? What if Kahn decided he was now a troublemaker, alongside being a seemingly-incompetent sorcerer? He had to do something…anything, to keep that from happening…
"Reptile…." He put an arm around the neck. Damned creature, you don't deserve to live among higher life-forms. "You know I am now in debt to you for causing such an injury. Stay the night. Help yourself to provisions from my storerooms and the smokehouse. You are in obvious need of refreshment."
Suddenly the lizard perked up, his tongue flickering in and out at a rapid pace. Of course…the stupid thing wants food. Reptile took a step back from him, put his hand behind his back, and then pulled out a rolled-up parchment. "Eh?"
Reptile jutted the scroll closer to Tsung. It seemed he wanted him to take it. With a snatch it exchanged hands.
"You are free to begin feeding yourself, Reptile, and if you must, you may also come to me and I shall give you any medicine you need. I wish to read this in peace for now." With a bow Reptile then obliged, claws clattering against the wooden floor as attempted to do his master's bidding as quickly as he possibly could.
It was a most fortunate thing the ninja had his back turned, for he did not see the look of disgust Tsung had as he saw him out. He sighed as he turned to view his partially destroyed alcove…skid marks and scratches cut deeply into the floor….books and tomes laying messily in a pile from where he had been slammed against the wall by Reptile's surprise launch…he could not force Reptile to fix this up, or else he would have to explain to his lord what had happened-and why he attacked Kahn's most loyal servant.
He cocked an eyebrow, turning his attention to the paper he held. He unfolded it, and what he saw made him curse the gods even further:
MY high mage and MOST LOYAL SERVANT Shang Tsung, of KARRTUA in TARTAKA Province:
I require your services in rendering a magic that will allow my troops to be shielded, even if but for a day. You know as well as I that our latest war against our many enemies has not been a success; especially with the latest, most cowardly campaign they have recently launched. They, as you also know, have recruited many a traitor to their cause, and even the Shokan, Zionghaian, Jishangese, and the Centaur provinces have risen up against me. This is wholly unacceptable, and once crushed, all who dare turn against my vision shall feel my full wrath.
I am, as mentioned, in need of a magic that shall allow my mighty armies invincibility or something that will nearly achieve the same effect. The longer the magic may last, the better. Perhaps the longer it is to continue for my troops, the longer you too shall have in being able to live in the obvious decadence and luxury you enjoy but do not deserve. Do not fail me. The consequences if you do shall be most dire.
PRESENTED BY HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY SHAO I, OF THE GLORIOUS DYNASTY OF KAHN, LORD OF ALL THE OUTWORLD, PROTECTOR OF HUMANITY, FRIEND OF ALL.
…. even if he had read the title of the bastard, he could never help but be disgusted anew as he saw it. The emperor had NEVER earned such a title….now with the renegade movement at a newfound peak and new rebellions popping up almost weekly, it was almost laughable to read….
Hm. He knew that the Rebellion was in a current alliance with Edenrealm in order to take over as the new government of Outworld and all its subservient realms. The Rebellion was strong, Edenia, even freed but a mere seven years, had an enthusiastic patriotism that had governed it in the time it was under Kahn's tutelage and in current day. They had been a most powerful and threatening force together….in the mere two years Queen Sindel had declared war the empire was under a constant state of siege from her forces. He had wished to stay far away from the war, to hopefully not worry about being conscripted into it and possibly displeasing Kahn for an action he never had any wish to do in the first place….
Gods….shall life never be as I deserv-….something that sounded like scream suddenly pierced his ears. Now what? Gods, what a day….
Tsung found himself pacing to the nearest window to find out.
----
"Eh?" she mumbled, her interest perked by an almost childish shriek. She was perched on one of the many draconic gargoyles that lined each window's side. Silently, so as not to attract any attention to her, she took the pack from off her back, spread her wings to their full length and began to glide above the roof of this gaudy hellhole to the other side-she wanted to find out what was going on.
----
"BACK! BACK! GODS DAMN YOU TO HELL, YOU…"he sputtered for a suitable word…."DEMON!"-he squarely threw his fist into Scorpion's facemask. Despite the loud crack in the mask and having been pushed back, Scorpion seemed rather unfazed-"WHY WON'T YOU BLOODY DIE?!"
Quan Chi was having a most long and frustrating day, indeed.
He had come full circle around Tsung's palace, the sky an ever-deeper crimson. It had been frankly depressing to take it all in. Chi knew that this man was attempting to hide his shortcomings with the grandeur and intimidation the mansion carried on every inch of its being. And here! HERE, in the very behind of it all-another acid moat within the larger original one…surrounding a giant annular courtyard…tall statues of a fat Earthling prophet encircling it! He did not know which one, and certainly did not care. The Earth had some of the more sillier interpretations of the gods, and were egotistical enough to raise missionaries and voices of the deities to an equal status in the pantheon.
He strode into the court slowly, cautiously….beautiful, it certainly was…and dangerous. The corroded, skeletal remains of some poor fool floating about in the moat told him that. Perhaps Tsung had just consumed another soul to keep his undeserved youth?
Bah! Tsung should have been rotting in the Netherealm…he was even suppose to have blood from there, wasn't he? It made so much sense….that damnable place with its desolation and sultry heat…heat…
….he looked down and found embers beginning to flicker about his feet. A small yelp found its way out of his mouth, eyes widening with shock. What? How the bloody heck could this-
….those flames were growing faster by the second!
A quick leap back kept him from being engulfed in the rapidly expanding fireball. By the gods, whoever had the power to do that? Surely some flame elemental; the ground was stone tile….a flame couldn't come out of just nowhere….
….he heard a snort from behind. A quick turn, complete with a flurry of emotions that primarily registered as shock and aggravation, told the necromancer who it was that almost caused him to burn up.
Scorpion.
"Did you think you would get away, fool? DID YOU?!" Scorpion then yelled out. "You are pathetic….you left an excellent trail to follow…"
More frustation rushed through Chi's mind. Damned ninja….he had never been one to know the art of stealth, and he certainly never had reason to. And of course, he never expected Scorpion to get lucky enough to track him down…
A gloved fist came hurling at him with astonishing speed; and he turned his head to the side just in time. His mind was racing for a quick solution to this dilemma. Even though since having been out of the Netherealm had given him almost all of his strength back, Chi was amazed at how relentless the blasted asshole was. The specter had to have been traveling for days as well, on top of the beatings he got from the two oni. Yet he was still as energetic as ever, not even seeming to breath hard during this fight. Why did he not give up…!?
A right hook flashed by him, missing him by centimeters, but Chi's mind then flashed to him an idea.
With the ninja's arm fully extended, Chi then grabbed hold of it as fast as he could, one hand over the fist, the other hand grabbing hold of the elbow. Cocking his eyes to his right, he smiled inwardly as he saw Scorpion's normally enraged demeanor take on a look of confusion, even if for but a moment.
Perfect.
Chi then pulled Scorpion's arm into as much a one-eighty degree turn as he could, mustering all his strength and ardreline into it.
The scream that emitted from his rival was indeed music to Chi's ears….stepping back to let Scorpion wallow in his pain and attempt to massage his worthless limb, the sorcerer then started one of his oft-used chants, complementing it with swirling his arms and hands about in ovaloid shapes. Within mere seconds, the green energy began to take shape and crackle into being in his palms; he intended to knock Scorpion away as far as possible and give himself breathing room.
The chant ended. Chi tossed the ball of his essence, a scream emaciating from both him and the viridian fireball.
….wmpf "Aaah!"
PERFECT!
Another yell escaping his lips, Chi rapidly rushed up at Scorpion, fists clenched. The ninja had absolutely no idea the projectile had been coming at him, and now he was doubled over, barely on his feet, hacking up blood and staining his mask. Without any hint of mercy Chi drove his fist into Scorpion's eyes, knocking him back up. Even without pausing for the end of the specter's scream he threw his knee into the stomach, causing Scorpion to bend down once again. Another step was taken back; again, Chi began to form another of his greenish projectiles. Yet a smile was on his face, and he actually allowed himself to take his time in muttering the spell, the discipline and sense of emergency dominating his mind moments before now fading. Scorpion was obviously out of his league, now. Wasn't in the Netherealm to augment his strength…he was like a fish out of water….
….another shriek, another fireball. Another hit, one the sorcerer knew hurt very much.
Chi almost laughed, impressed his latest attack caused the ninja to actually fly off of his feet and slam onto his spine, perilously close to the moat's border. A small smirk on his face, he began to slowly walk up to his possibly unconscious opponent, who was twitching ever so gently. Slowly. Even with the excitement of battle, the sorcerer attempted to remain calm and calculating. He was a ninja, he could be planning something….
"HRAAAAAAAH!"
"GODS!" Chi shouted, throwing his arms out in to shield himself from his opponent's surprise lunge at him. Immediately he locked hands with Scorpion, who was already attempting to crush them in his own. He was at the same time dodging the myriad kicks the ninja was tossing almost without any thought to connecting them. Dammit. The man…never…bloody…gave….UP!
He felt himself pushed back, though thankfully nothing else had happened to him. He had to think…fasthe looked about, looking with little hope for something that could conceivably be used as a weapon…no suck luck….what could I….gods, no…
It looked like Scorpion was readying himself for another one of those goddamned spears.
The oni felt tightness in his chest. What could he do...
The spear was thrown.
Almost inexplicably, he found himself roaring and running toward it. With a silent prayer to the deities Chi suddenly ducked and forced himself to slide under it, slide closer, slide with his leg bent at the knee.
He raised it as soon as he got close enough, and felt his boot slam into Scorpion's chest.
And so, with a scream, he then had the unexpected result of hearing the specter bellow with terror as he fell toward the acid, and then a splash...a splash soon accompanied by the sound of flesh crackling and sizzling from corrosion.
He got up, slowly, panting hard, attempting to assess what had happened. The one thought that kept flashing into his mind above all others told him Scorpion was dead, again…eroding away. He was lucky….his luck was now back, it had to be….
….
A single clap could be heard. Then another. Someone was ever so slowly applauding him.
Quan Chi, still breathing hard, turned quietly to see his audience. He knew there was only one person around to be giving this cheering, but his addled mind still had to take a moment to register who it was.
"Very nice," Shang Tsung calmly called out. "Are you always that desperate to end things?"
----
It took a moment to realize Tsung was being sarcastic. Once it dawned on him, however, it made Chi angry.
"You are in no room to talk, sorcerer…" he sputtered. He took a moment to grasp at anything that could possibly give Tsung insult. "Look at you," he continued, knowing this would be laughable. "Your age has begun to show. Wrinkles on the face…obviously have not been getting what you so crave…obviously, the master has stopped feeding his dog…"
Tsung's face grimaced. Oh. That went better than he expected.
"Quiet. You are a trespasser. I am still very much alive and able to destroy you, stranger. And I know the only unrecognizable persons here are ones that attempt to kill me." With that his sneer curled downward more, and Chi saw he began to ready a stance for an apparent fight.
"WAIT. I…am Quan Chi, former arch-mage to his lord Shinnok."
Tsung paused, and he immediately dropped his aggressive stance. "….lord Shinnok, you say…."
He's already impressed. "Yes," he said, beginning to smile.
Tsung still kept quiet for a second, taking it in. Then he did to Chi the unexpected: he threw his head back and started to laugh. Loudly.
"Ah!" he managed to get out. "I HAVE heard of you! I remember! You needed me for the location of the amulet! It has been so long. Obviously the years have been hard on you." He began to chortle once more, but stopped himself. "So how did you turn into the miserable wretch you are today!"
"Listen…" Chi mumbled, keeping the anger at bay. "You…are hardly one to speak, with all your failed plans, much more costly and pathetic by mine…Shinnok died with his own plan, not mine…the same…" he gulped, still trying to keep from rushing and strangling his fellow sorcerer…"…and all you have to show is an angry lord and embarrassment for the ages. No doubt you have been mocked enough."
Once more Tsung looked annoyed, though it was clear he was still attempting to look important. "You have no idea on what goes on with my plans. They would never have been failures had they been executed proper-"
"-maybe if they weren't so GODDAMNED IDIOTIC AND HALF-BAKE-"
"SILENCE! You are obviously in search of my life!"
"No, now listen. I-"
"You have no hope with reasoning with me, dog-"
"THAT MAN I ELIMINATED WAS GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"…what?"
Even Chi found himself taken aback. He hadn't planned on shouting that out. But…
"…yes. You and I know of each other. And that man…his name is Scorpion…"
"…I know who he is, I have had the misfortune to have been forced to work with him before…"
"….yes. But he was to kill you. I had come to your grounds as well, but for different reasons. I know he despises you. You will not believe me? You would do well to do so. You would have had no clue he had come, and he would likely have succeeded in assassinating you, especially at your state, with no one to protect you."
"I have guards, and as we speak I have a powerful ally and master of nin-"
"….who wouldn't have known of this either. You are in my debt, sorceror. With that in mind, I come to you with a proposal."
"Proposal?" Tsung cocked an eyebrow. "So now you come to me expecting a reward for killing a potential assassin with a cheap shot."
…that comment would rankle on his mind, but Chi forced himself to continue. "I…do not expect a reward. I come as an equal."
Tsung's smile came back. This was getting good. "A tired, bloodied, dirty man cannot expect to be my equal." His tone had already become extremely conscending. "What do you plan to do? Be a fellow mage? I'm sorry, but I only have servants, not partners."
"Not even if they can offer you…immortality?"
A moment's ponderance passed, then Tsung to laugh. "Hm, hm….oh? And how will you do that? Pray to your dead god? Ask him to kindly come back from wherever the gods go to and make sure I'm not going to die? Please. I have better chances with my alchemy than whatever you have to offer."
"You have control of souls. I…have the location of an army."
"What?"
"You were alive during his reign. As was I. Onaga. The Dragon King."
"….what?"
"I know the location of his troops, where they were mummified. The ones that never lost a battle. The ones that won every province and city in this miserable place, and who would have conquered much more had Onaga ordered them to."
"You're…you're trying to fool me….you're nothing but a wretched liar…a mutant would be such a thing…"
"FINE. Do not believe me. Age and wither away, fellow mage. Rot in Hell as I find another one with your abilities. I am sure there are more." The disgusted look on Tsung's face told Chi there was.
"And what shall I do?"
"Once we have a source, we shall have you revive the…spirits of the army. That is all I need."
"And how will we get such a source?"
"With this," the oni said, pointing to his belt.
A jaw suddenly dropped. "…that is…the…"
"Amulet. Shinnok's amulet, the one that caused so much grief for the Elders. And it is mine. How else do you think Liu Kang could defeat such a powerful adversary? I held it, all this time…"
Tsung's eyes had enlarged quite
a bit upon being told of this. He had known where the tablet was, had
always had the itch in the back of his mind that told him he should
search it out…but now…here it was. A device that could give him
power, the stuff he needed to take what he knew should be his…he
eyed it quickly, but for just a second. He could not allow himself to
look desperate for it, no…
"Tell me. Will you join me, or no?
Rot, or prosper?" Chi held his hand out, a completely emotionless
look on his face. Obviously, if he was anticipating anything, he was
now showing it.
There would be problems….he shouldn't risk it….the emperor would kill him slowly for this…
…but wasn't he essentially doing that already? Yes, yes he was…it was time to end this, to be FREE again…
"Very well." Tsung took the hand with his own, and shook.
----
He screeched happily, loudly.
The Reptile had come up from the cellar with a bulging sack of food that would last him the journey back to master Kahn's palace. He had been most appreciative of master Tsung's offer of refreshment, and realized how foolish he had been to think that master Tsung would attempt harm. He wished to make up for his aggressiveness, but did not know how.
But now he could not find master Tsung anywhere. Where could he be?
He had been searching for him all about the mansion, and was beginning to lose hope. Had he gone off? Left him behind? Was he perhaps going to master Kahn now? Yes…that would be it. Master Tsung was a hard worker. Perhaps he could catch up with him on the trail back.
…eh?!
In an instant he had stopped. He snorted inwardly twice-his snout had suddenly picked up the scent of blood. Fresh blood. Someone had just been fighting….had something come for master Tsung…?!
He forced himself to stay still, attempting, failing, to keep his excitement at bay. Whatever altercation had happened was now apparently over. He was both saddened and elated by that fact. He was happy the threat was over, but now he could no longer be a part in eliminating it…
Still unmoving and vigilante, he now began to hear voices. Calm ones, two of them!
….one person speaking was master Tsung, the other's voice belonged to…
…master Chi?!
Immediately he began to stumble and run over to where he heard the talking. What was master Chi doing? Was he not dead? Was he not gone? What could he be doing with master Tsung? He would protect his lord at all costs!
The voices grew closer, and closer. Ah. He could now hear them without effort. With the window nearby, he took a look out into the majestic courtyard that made up the back area of master Tsung's palace.
….odd…why did master Tsung talk to master Chi as if they were friends…? Most peculiar…
…they seemed to be in good spirits…both were beginning to smile, yet they seemed immersed in their discussion…apparently planning on some military expedition….portals…
…enemies?
"….yes. Enemies. You and I know there are many who wish to do us harm," Tsung said to his ally, his voice blurred to Reptile's senses by the window and the distance he was from it. The green ninja pressed his face almost against the glass, in a futile attempt to listen better.
"…yes…you're right….but who in mind? Who's important right now?"
"My lord Kahn. And Liu Kang."
"What?! Are you crazy, man?!"
WHAT?! Master Kahn?! Danger?!
"Yes. Do you not see? Liu Kang has been the reason Earth has not been taken. Kahn has since become an incompetent buffoon, yet still holds control over a vast empire. Eliminate them….and our plan can be marched out with almost no trouble. These two are by far the most dangerous people to live, and yet they have at times proven to be beatable. Let us attack now. Let us destroy them before they can react."
"Others will come. Why, we might as well add Lord Raiden to the list on whom to kill, and that is nigh-impossible!"
"Inconsequential. With these two gone he will suddenly have no one to turn to so as to do his dirty work."
Reptile was drooling, anger overtaking his mind. He could not, yet did not wish to help it. He wanted masters Tsung and Chi to PAY….
"…okay. So when shall we strike?"
"Two days."
Wha…?!
"What?! You're overreaching! Don't be a fool!"
"Ah, but it is in fact the perfect time. We are ready and energetic for the plan. But much more importantly, he has ordered me to come to him with a new magic for the army facing Edenia and its allies. Hence an opening to get into his court, to get close to him."
"It is too grave a danger…"
"If this is to succeed, the better. Before doubts set in. Before anyone learns of this."
"….fine…but you and I will discuss this very carefully on how to do this. And we will discuss this every waking moment until then. Do you understand?"
Tsung smiled. "I would not have dreamed of any other way."
Reptile found himself pacing away quickly, thoughts coming into his mind here and there, about master Kahn, his safety, on why and how master Tsung could somehow fathom betraying master Kahn, on how he had to protect master Kahn….
….how he had to kill both mas….Tsung and Chi in order to protect master Kahn…how he would make them suffer, make the mammals beg for mercy and squeal with pain as he tore their flesh off, and ate it in front of their horrified eyes…
It suddenly dawned on him he had to begin journeying to master Kahn's palace as soon as he could. Within moments he was heading toward the doorways in the front of the building, knowing he could keep his master safe.
----
By the time the two men had finished discussing their plot, Nitara had noticed that the evening had already turned into a dazzling, starry night sky. Had she spent so much time here already? She hadn't expected to…. but at least what she learned was most defiantly a most welcome change of pace, and she was thinking as fast as she could on how to take advantage of the revelation.
She knew that good fortune had been coming to her for some time now, and was ever-thankful for it. She had persuaded master Blanque to allow her to begin trailing a particularly stupid member of Kahn's court when she had proven he was beginning to become careless and negligent on stealth and secrecy. It was an opening to a great blow against Kahn, and Blanque finally realized it.
That idiot was Reptile, and he would be the key to the Vampires' freedom.
She was a member of their resistance against Kahn and was a proud one at that. She had been with it since her early years, joining up with it back when it was part of the rest of the rebellion against Outworlder domination…thank the gods that the Vampires broke off from the the rabble when the ranks became bloated due to the surge of recruits after Kahn's Earthrealm invasion. They didn't need others' help, they had and would always be self-reliant.
She had, of course, grown in importance to the resistance thanks to her innate cleverness and her skill in martial arts. She had always thought of new ways to infiltrate an enemy position, a new hiding place if someone actually caught sight of her, a new way to escape or kill someone if need be…she was a very powerful cog in the machine, indeed. She had never had to worry about any real close calls during any spying, and she didn't plan on one of those now.
She had been trailing various Outworlders for some time now. There was, of course, Reptile. Scrunching her nose in disgust at the thought of him, she had learned he was blindly loyal to Kahn, but he was becoming so grotesque now….ugh. There was that odd brightly-colored yellow being, who was essentially walking in circles through the forest near the city of Shian…oh…and near that the Edenians and the rest of the Outworld resistance, besieging the place. That there were so many important and varied characters in the same general area had been most interesting. She had been trying to wrack her brain on how to take advantage of this all, how to give that oversized cretin of an emperor a smack he'd never recover from…and then her race, the planet, would be forever in her debt thanks to her single-handedly winning them their freedom. Forever! Nitara….the Brave? The Beautiful? The Clever? A twinge of a smile touched her lips as she ran through the list of titles she'd receive once more when posterity would mark her for the tomes and times.
It disappeared, however, into a frown as she snapped into reality and the cold hard fact she would have no title for posterity if she didn't come up with a plan. But what could she use? She had the pieces, she felt….she just needed to put them together.
…well, the news of Tsung and that other guy…that could be the catalyst she needed….but…how…hm.
….maybe this could work…
….and speak of the devil, there's the lizard now.
The Vampiress watched him immediately dash out into the night, the darkness apparently not hindering his speed or gait at all. Well, animals were made to be like that.
She took a graceful leap off of the rooftop of the palace, limbs straight, eyes closed, her chin pointing upwards to the heavens. Within a moment her wings had spread out to their full height and were flapping laboriously to begin rising her body into the air high enough for a vantage point over the terrain. She opened her eyes to see the beast already a good distance away from her. Damn.
With a grunt she began gliding toward him as fast as she possibly could, cursing the fact she had to begin talking to him a lot sooner than she had wanted to. The stupid animal was a lot faster than she thought, and she was carrying a large pack in her hands…she didn't like that, but she had to take the pack off of her back to give her wings the spread and distance they needed to fly…beads of sweat had begun to form around the top of her forehead, and she knew she wasn't going to look pretty when she came down into contact with him.
….IF she could come into contact with him in time. With a sigh, she realized the direct approach was best. At least she had finally caught up to him; several large, brambly vines had entangled and slowed him down.
"HEY! HEY!"
He paused, his head turning every which way imaginable and tongue flicking in and out of his mouth. He was obviously confused at where his caller was. Dumbass.
She allowed herself to glide down gently so she could land on one foot, her other leg bent, her arms both bent at the elbow, with hands in front of her holding the bag that held the bait for the beast. Even if she was perspiring right now, she still wanted to make a grand entrance. It was the proper thing for a woman of her caliber to do.
Reptile hissed. She merely cocked an eyebrow.
"Hold it. I come in peace, friend. My name, Nitara," she said, extending a bow to him. "You see, I too heard what you had. I know of the plot to assassinate our dear emperor."
He visibly calmed down upon hearing those last two words. Obviously, he was also gullible as sin.
"I…wish to help you, but not necessarily in just defeating those two mages. I have information that may prove useful to you."
He hissed, arching himself into a straighter position. She admittedly didn't know whether to take that as a good or bad sign, but she continued her speech nonetheless.
"I know of the precise location of the Edenian expeditionary force. I know where-"
He roared, loudly, and actually began to drool. Oh, my lord Dracul, yuck….he's beginning to go into a damned frenzy…
"…CALM DOWN, YOU!"
He did, looking at her with mild shock. She was impressed. Stupid, blindly loyal, and timid! How he got to be so influential in Kahn's court, she could never wager.
"Yes. But I…ah…require you to travel with me, as I am not…good at pinpointing the distance nor in explaining it in…words. I admit I am also in need of a…partner…" He's never going to believe this…"…to help me in getting back and to the army base safely. I require your services, and would be most appreciative of it."
…he paused, a quizzical air about him. Shit, he's too clever for even tha-
-he nodded, and bellowed upwards into the heavens. HE BELIEVED IT! LORD DRACUL, YES! But stay calm.
"Ah. As a sign of our newfound camaraderie, as well as a way to guarantee you will help me, I have this." Finishing those words, she began to shuffle the giant bag in her arms, flustering for its opening. Finding it, she reached inside and began to shake the bag off of its contents, which to Reptile looked very shiny and pretty and…
…..he snorted. The blade! THE BLADETHEBLADETHEBLADE-
"I take it you know what this is," she mumbled to him, holding the large serrated sword in her hands. Ye gods, the thing was heavy. And ugly. But it was something that'd be dear to him, and she knew it, and she was happy the resistance allowed her to take it from their storage. That kirehashi…kirehami….yeah, kirehashi sword was used only by those lizards' royalty, and he seemed to recognize it for what it was-
-"HEY!"
Reptile had snatched it out of her hands in ecstasy, much quicker-indeed, much more in general-than she had anticipated, and with snorts and yelps was swinging it all about. She took a step back-she sure as hell didn't need to be cut up in his little world he was now engrossed in. He was supposed to be of an intelligent race…how did he let himself turn into a virtual child over this thing?
A minute had gone by when she rolled her eyes and sighed. "You. Listen. I still have more to offer. Do not forget what I mentioned earlier."
He stopped waving the sword and once again looked up quizzically at her. Seeing this made Nitara think of how this must be nannies feel like.
"You know that the Edenian force has been besieging and attacking Shian on and off. As I have said, I know exactly where the area of their camp is. How would you feel if you would be the one to tell our ruler their location, and thusly be the one and lead a counterstrike?"
Reptile roared, once again beginning to flail. Obviously, she had him in the palm of her hand now.
"I shall show you the path. As I have already said, I am in need of a friend to help guard me and help keep me safe."
He nodded, eagerly. He began to reach into his bag and then took out a large slab of meat. He began to push it toward her face, in his mind offering it to his newfound companion to show their friendship was sealed.
Ecch! "I…don't quite need refreshment now. But let us make haste."
With that she wagged a single finger for him to follow her, and began to think of how she could now expand upon this. Great things were rushing through her mind, and she was determined to make them all work. If she could get what she was thinking of doing to work…
She smiled to herself. Nitara the Clever was the best sounding.