I'm SO sorry for how long this took. I had serious writer's block for this chapter, and then my computer started to screw up when I started getting creative. However, after I received a few death threats, I decided I better put this up soon. The lesson I learned? There is no problem that cannot be solved by threatening bodily harm. As always, enjoy, and reviews are welcome.
Chapter 12
There was a cult who's dedication bordered insanity. They were a group of zealots so fanatically committed to a long fallen god, what few knew of their existence feared them more than any other warring power of the realms. Their ranks were filled with the most vile and corrupted demons of the Netherrealm, the most horrific and wicked denizens of Outworld, and the most sadistic and despicable humans of Earthrealm. They were a cult that embodied evil in every form. They were the Brotherhood of the Shadow.
Once, their membership had numbered in the thousands. At their peak, they had been one of the most powerful forces that were never known to the vast public. But in the past month their numbers had fallen daily. Dozens had been slain, hundreds maybe, none were sure. And now, what few of the Brotherhood remained had gathered in Outworld.
But this murderer, this scourge of fiend and evildoer alike, was not a zealot of the Realm of Order, nor a champion of the Realm of Earth. Instead, this cruel creature that took such joy from killing demons was a demon herself. Of-course, one would never suspect it at first glance. Rumors stated that this crazed killer wore nothing but white: boots, pants, a tunic, and a wide brimmed gasa hat. She was also said to be remarkably beautiful. This apparel and gorgeous appearance gave this killer a purely angelic appeal.
Her name was Ashrah. In just a short time she had slain more demons than even the greatest of human warriors. At first, this rampage was done for rather selffish reasons. She had no thoughts of punishing the guilty or some higher, noble purpose. She simply knew that every demon she killed brought her closer to escape from the vile Netherrealm. But, the more fiends she dispatched, the more a feeling within her grew. She began to feel pride in her work, something foregin to her when she served the Brotherhood of the Shadow blindly. She had long been freed from the Netherrealm's grasp. Now she hunted her former breatheren because she felt it was the right thing to do.
Ashrah had been in Outworld for several days, following the trail of a foul wraith, one of the cruelest creatures she'd ever encontered before. She thought she'd killed it in the Netherrealm, but soon enough discovered the fiend still lived. Briefly, she feared she wasn't strong enough to slay it. Perhaps her holy skills were insuficent. Luckily, she found an ally in a strange, dark skinned green clad Edenian. She called herself Jade, and she said she was hunting a monster as foul as the wraith Noob Saibot. So Ashrah decided to join in an alliance with this Jade. Together they'd kill their respective rivals.
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If Noob Saibot still felt loyalty or love, or any trace of humanity, he may have felt a sickening sensation as Smoke finished the last of his former allies. The Brotherhood of the Shadow put up little fight against the wraith's robotic minion, not that they could. The cyborg tore through their ranks in minutes. The temple, dedicated to the fallen god, a sancuary for evil, became a graveyard.
The only thing close to an emotion Noob Saibot could feel was a lust for power. And that's exactly what he'd have. The Brotherhood of the Shadow had forged a weapon that could slay a god: destroy a diety's essence. The Brotherhood planned to bestow it upon Shinnok, so he may slay Raiden and the Elder Gods. That would never happen. Shinnok was weak, he was not deserving of such an awesome weapon. Noob Saibot claimed it now, lifting the dagger off of an finely crafted pedistal and examining it carefully.
It looked…ordinary. Amazingly simple, disgusting infact. A short stubby, rusted blade with a tattered handle. It seemed poorly crafted as if it may snap in two at any moment. The wraith pondered if it could slay a god.
No matter, he thought, placing it into a sheath on his belt. His power rivaled that of the Elder Gods, of that he was sure. With Smoke as his faithful minion, he was unstoppable. He had nothing, no one to fear.
Except for the demon who wore white.
Her name was Ashrah. Noob Saibot knew this because because they were both formerly a part of the Brotherhood of the Shadow. Why did Smoke refuse to fight her, he asked himself, looking over his cyborg. It was probaly just a one time glitch. Yes. Smoke retained nothing of his humanity just as Noob Saibot didn't. When he next met the demon in white, she would fall to his superiority.
Smoke seemingly lashed out at the air. Another glitch, Noob Saibot guessed. Perhaps his programing wasn't as useful as the wraith thought.
But then the cyborg wrapped mechanical arms around something solid, some one that slowly took a form of a Raptor.
Reptile struggled against the unescapable grip: clawing and flaring wildly. How the robot had sensed him, he didn't know, he didn't care. All he could think was of escape. Finally, his long tail wrapped around the cyborg's knee and pulled him to the ground. They both fell, but in the moment of contact with the ground Reptile was able to slip from the the grip.
The Raptor scurried along the ground, gained a distance, and drew his Kirehashi blade from his back.
"You are a stupid creature Reptile," Black-fist, Saibot, muttered, having met the Raptor in both his lives.
"Give me the dagger," he hissed.
"Why, under orders from Kahn? Or perhaps you now serve Shinnok."
Reptile grunted. Subtely, his front claw moved closer along the ground and he prepared to leap.
"You are a fool to demand something of me. Lay down your sword and I'll kill you painlessly."
Another inch closer, Reptile came, to gentle for one such as Saibot to notice.
"Do you believe you may defeat us alone?" the wraith asked.
The answer came when a slender leg swung into Smoke metal head, sending the cyborg to the ground. A foot struck Saibot's black chest, and he stumbled back.
Nitara's wings settled behind her as she graceful took a stance beside the Raptor.
"No matter," the wraith muttered. "A blood sucker and an overgrown lizard have no hope of defeating Smoke and I."
Reptile quickly leapt forward, bringing a rear claw at Smoke, who parried and threw the Raptor away. Nitara leapt at Noob Saibot, jabbing him with quick blows.
Before either duo could triumph, a blast of magic blew the enemies apart. Reptile was thrown along the ground, his Kirehashi blade skidding out of his grip. He lifted both arms over his face as a familiar staff swung down upon him. Rolling to his feet, he entered a stance, watching as Green-staff held her shaft out before her. Behind her, a creature in angelic dress but that held a demonic scent, fought with Black-fist and Nitara. Reptile wasn't sure where the Smoke cyborg was. Jade leapt forward with her weapon. Reptile prepared to fight.