CHAPTER 10

Over in some cave, Barnyard Dawg and Foghorn were watching Valerie leading an army of Cyborgs across a bridge. Valerie looked as though she were struggling, using her power.

Barnyard Dawg rubbed his chin in thought. "Those warriors must be headed for Eris's Keep."

Foghorn nodded. "Agreed. But why—I say, why not use the Grim Reaper's fleet? The bridge clearly taxes her power."

"The fleet's bound to the Grim Reaper. It sails only by his command. That it's still moored suggests he won't help Eris."

"In which case, he may help us."

Once the army of Cyborgs crossed, Valerie finally ceased her power and the bridge disappeared.

Barnyard Dawg heard someone scream in agonizing pain from an old-looking hut. "It looks like the Grim Reaper is home, perhaps hosting some unwelcome guests. Foggy, return to Earthrealm. Tell the others we've found him. We'll deploy as soon as I return."

"Are you certain the Grim Reaper will aid us—help us, that is?" Foghorn asked.

"Nope. But he's our best chance."

Barnyard Dawg snuck to the Grim Reaper's hut. The latter was lying on a table wrapped in some kind of slurry. There was another presence climbing down from the ceiling. It was Yzma!

Yzma wore an evil grin. "You should have aided Eris, Grim Reaper. Now you must suffer."

The Grim Reaper grunted as he struggled in his binds. "I am immortal, Yzma. You cannot kill me."

"This One needs only render you unfit to ferry Eris's enemies."

Suddenly, Barnyard Dawg's chained kunai wrapped around Yzma's neck, eliciting a surprised gagging sound from her.

"Get over here!" shouted the Shirai Ryu, before pulling her through the window and into a clearing and challenging her to a fight. "First Pitch, now Eris. Ya fight for lost causes."

Yzma straightened herself up and prepared to duel. "This One ensures the Hive's survival. You will not save the Shirai Ryu."

The fight was on. Barnyard Dawg took full advantage of thrashing the Kytinn, with little trouble.

Barnyard Dawg looked down at the knocked-out Yzma, his arms folded across his chest. "The Shirai Ryu will not fall."

Suddenly, Wraith Barnyard Dawg came at him from behind and punched him in the face.

Wraith Barnyard Dawg snarled. "Yer clan of imposters will indeed fall."

Barnyard Dawg stood back up. "I've restored the Shirai Ryu. Built a clan that's never been stronger."

"On a foundation of pretenders and outsiders! Eris told me."

Barnyard Dawg and his Wraith counterpart engaged in a sword fight. Wraith Barnyard Dawg teleported in a ball of fire and tried to use his chained kunai. However, mortal Barnyard Dawg used his katana to deflect the kunai, grabbed the chain, and used his fire power like and struck his younger Wraith self like it were electricity.

Wraith Barnyard Dawg was down on his knees from the "energy zap," before standing back up. "Without our original bloodlines, there is no Shirai Ryu. Our clan's massacre extinguished them! Eris will revive the true Shirai Ryu in the New Era."

"Do not trust Eris!" shouted Barnyard Dawg. "She uses yer anger to enslave ya, as Freakshow did both of us. I let go my rage, and it saved me. To save yourself, you must do the same."

Much like the fight between young Boog and his present-day self, Barnyard Dawg was indeed evenly matched with his Wraith counterpart. However, after a couple more punches to the face and stomach, he kicked the Wraith, ending the skirmish.

Barnyard Dawg calmed himself down, trying to reason with his Wraith counterpart as the latter stood back up. "It's past time you were freed. We both know what truly drives you. It's not Shirai Ryu pride, it's your wife and child."

Wraith Barnyard Dawg glared at his future mortal self. "Harumi and Satoshi were stolen from me. Moidered. Seeing them again is all that matters."

"We share that pain. I fought through the NetherRealm to end it. But Eris's New Era is not the remedy. She would resurrect Pitch. The same devil who brought death to our family and clan. He cannot be allowed to return. When I revived the Shirai Ryu, I vowed our clan would ensure Earthrealm's protection." Barnyard Dawg then reached his hand out to his Wraith counterpart, the latter looking taken aback. "Help me keep that promise."

Suddenly, Barnyard Dawg groaned in agony and fell to his knees. Behind him was Yzma, now standing and brandishing her retractable sprouts. As she grabbed the mortally injured Shirai Ryu by the face, he used his fire powers to send her sprawling on the ground

"Poison—" Barnyard Dawg gasped out. The injury made him drop to all fours.

Yzma snickered as she walked closer to the fallen Shirai Ryu. "Eris knew your past sins would distract you. Now This One ends your misery."

From behind her, Wraith Barnyard Dawg used his katana and severed Yzma's sprouts from her back.

As Yzma turned around to face her opponent, she gasped in pain before grasping her chest.

Wraith Barnyard Dawg narrowed his eyes, as he watched the life drain from hers. "Now you die."

After the Shirai Ryu Wraith sheathed back his katana, Yzma (while still grasping her chest) dropped to her knees before the rest of her body followed suit. The Kytinn who caused so much treachery was dead.

Wraith Barnyard Dawg rushed to the aid of his future mortal self, the latter grasping at the left side of his chest.

Barnyard Dawg coughed. "Samurai Jack is at the Fire Gardens. Enlist the Grim Reaper's aid. Bring Samurai Jack's army to the Keep. You must!"

The Shirai Ryu Wraith hung his head. "You have my woid."

"The new Shirai Ryu are worthy. It's heart, not blood, that makes them warriors."

Barnyard Dawg died in his past self's arms.

Back at the dojo, Foghorn was walking alongside young Omi.

"Your Shaolin masters, they're ready?" asked the blue-clad Lin Kuei.

Young Omi nodded. "They will fight until the last man."

"That is—I say, that is likely what it will take—take, that is."

"There will not be a fight if the Grim Reaper does not help us. Is there any word from Grandmaster Barnyard Dawg?"

"No. If we do not hear soon, I will return—return, that is—to the NetherRealm."

Just then, Wraith Barnyard Dawg appeared from a ball of fire, the sight causing the two heroes to jump in surprise.

Young Omi gulped. "Wrong Barnyard Dawg. That cannot be good."

Foghorn looked over to young Omi. "Get Samurai Jack."

The young monk ran to go get the thunder god, as Foghorn faced up against the Wraith Shirai Ryu.

"The Fire Gardens, rebuilt?" Wraith Barnyard Dawg looked in awe at what laid before him. "The Shirai Ryu are indeed restored."

Foghorn stood ready to fight. "Why—I say, why are you here, Dawg? Where is Dawg of our time—our time, that is?"

"He is dead."

"And now you have come to finish us." Foghorn then spoke aside to the readers for a quick moment. "That boy's about as persistent as, well, a Dog chewin' on a bone."

"I understand yer mistrust, but I am here to assists you!"

The blue-clad Lin Kuei snorted at the Wraith. "I find that impossible to believe."

They fought. While it seemed Foghorn had the advantage over him, Wraith Barnyard Dawg found an opportunity to knock him off his feet and end the fight.

Wraith Barnyard Dawg panted briefly before looking down at the cryomancer. "You misunderstand my intentions." Just then, he was blasted by a bolt of lightning and sent sprawling to the ground.

That bolt of lightning came from none other than Samurai Jack, now accompanied by young Omi. The thunder god scowled. "Who sent you here, Barnyard Dawg?"

The Wraith Shirai Ryu grunted as he stood back up. "Me future self is dead. I am here at his behest."

Young Omi raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "The Grandmaster sent you?"

Wraith Barnyard Dawg explained. "I honor his dyin' wish. The Grim Reaper will ferry your armies to the isle of Eris. We must leave at once."

Samurai Jack was still suspicious. "Do you have proof of the Grim Reaper's offer?"

"Only my woid."

"Your 'word' is worthless. At the tournament, I trusted you to spare Steelbeak, and you betrayed me."

"A mistake born of rage. I seek redemption."

"Lies, Barnyard Dawg, you are a slave. And Eris is your master."

Soon Wraith Barnyard Dawg found himself fighting against the god of thunder. Samurai Jack proved to be powerful—more powerful than the Wraith Shirai Ryu imagined. However, the fight ended the same way as when he fought Foghorn earlier, with a sweep to the feet ending their skirmish.

"Samurai Jack," Wraith Barnyard Dawg pleaded, "you must listen!"

"Spout your falsehoods elsewhere, Barnyard Dawg!" Samurai Jack snapped as he stood back up. "Eris will not entrap us."

"It is no trap! The Grim Reaper awaits you in the NetherRrealm."

I hope no one minds the one major change I made. Only three chapters to go, everyone!