Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Mortal Kombat, I just meddle with those worlds for my own fun and those of others.
Authors Notes: And here's the next part in my little story here, I currently have no beta so it is as it is. This chapter should answer some of the questions people had so far, but there is still more to come and have a few interesting twists in mind. I know people want to see certain people involved with Naruto, but most of the girls he will interact with are already set. Also this is not a real Harem story but more a Naruto/Multi. Enjoy reading the next chapter and please review.
NARUTO THE TSUNG SAGE
- chapter two: facing the emperor
"I'm sorry, my Lord… you were right… I under estimated the brat."
"Of course you did Sorcerer, your arrogance towards the descendant of Kung Lao has cost you, and us, quite dearly. Just because he didn't believe his fate it didn't mean it changed his fate. But now… now we have to deal with this situation, one which forced me to break several rules of the Elders."
"Once again my apologies, my Lord… It won't happen again, I pro…"
The clearly worn down sorcerer known as Shang Tsung looked up as he was interrupted by the sound of the doors to the throne room opening. He was displeased with being interrupted and still humbling in shame before his Emperor, not something he wanted others to see. So whomever came to interrupt him was certainly going to be the one paying for it. Though it was the Emperor himself whom beat him to welcoming the guest, or guests.
"I take assassins will never learn to knock…"
He spoke in a mocking manner as he watched the black and yellow dressed ninja walk into his direction without hesitation. It wasn't till then that Shao Khan noticed that the man came baring gifts of some sort.
"Well, well… look what the Scorpion dragged in… one of my Generals in a not so great state and… a boy?"
"My apologies for interrupting, Emperor. But I happened to stumble on something that might be interesting."
Shao narrowed his eyes for a moment in annoyance, seeing the ninja in front of him simply refused to address him as ihis/i Emperor in any way.
"And what would be important enough to interrupt a conversation between me and my highest General?"
"Perhaps the fact that your General here was beaten by this boy… and not did he just beat him, but also that friend of his."
The ninja threw the still unconscious body of Ermac onto the bottom steps of the stairs that lead to the throne of the Emperor, though before the tall man who held that very title could speak up Scorpion continued.
"Now of course such an act would likely deserve punishment by death, but it's an interesting feat for someone whom doesn't seem to be on the other side. So he might hold your interest, of course you can still kill the kid for all I care."
He shrugged lightly at that, as an Assassin he'd seen many lives been taken already and thus one more or less wasn't going to make a difference. The thought of a new powerful ally however had intrigued him enough to bring him to his so-called Employer.
The emperor looked over to the blonde kid whom was still tied up next to Scorpion, pondering what to do with this situation. The child didn't look familiar alright and thus it puzzled him where he was from.
"So… you took out one of my Generals… I haven't seen or heard from you before around here… who are you and what brings you to my realm?"
Naruto stared at the man for a moment, the first thought was that this man looked a lot like Zabuza, but soon dismissed it as this guy was more muscular in appearance and had something about him which asked respect.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto… and yes I happen to have done that… I came here to become stronger, where my former teacher decided to teach someone else instead… he and his lame shadow clone just happened to be the first to attack me, so I fought back. The rest…. The rest is well that.."
He pointed calmly at the still unconscious ninja on the ground for a moment, but didn't take his eyes off the imposing man in front of him. Shao Khan himself took in those words, but mostly the way the kid was saying them. Part of him liked the kid, it reminded him of someone whom had show the same attitude centuries ago. It made him smirk, as he knew he was going to take a chance one way or the other.
"So you want to become stronger? Who doesn't in this world? Let's say I might be able to help you do so… how would I know you wouldn't let me down?"
Naruto smirked.
"Because I'm dedicated to my cause… I want to become stronger and I will become stronger…I need to. This guy here has seen what I am capable of already, but if I get stronger I gladly take it out on people like this."
He managed to pull a photograph out of his pocket and threw it forward as good as he could. As the Emperor looked down on it he smirked.
"If that isn't Mister Johnny Cage… one of those you were supposed to take care of, Sorcerer. He reminds me a bit you."
The last words were spoken to Shang Tsung, whom was still sitting knelt down in front of the throne from his own conversation with the Emperor. The sorcerer was still displeased with the current situation, but that displeasure was growing more and more, to the point he couldn't hold back.
"I'm nothing like this kid, my Lord… I know what I'm doing… he clearly isn't."
"That might be exactly the problem, you 'know' too much and do too little, Sorcerer. And remember your place as I'm not done with you yet after your failure."
Those words hit Shang Tsung hard, making him quickly bow his head in respect to Shao while the Emperor turned his attention to Naruto again.
"Scorpion, release Naruto… and thank you for bringing this to my attention, you're dismissed for now."
The black and yellow ninja nodded in response, withdrawing the ropes which were wrapped around the yellow haired ninja before leaving the room without a further comment.
"If you help me take care of people like the one on that picture, I will help you become stronger in ways you never thought possible."
"In that case… I'm in."
The Outworld Emperor smirked at the way the child responded and then nodded.
"Very well then, I will present you with an unique gift which will make you stronger. As the time of the Sorcerer has ended and begin will the time of the Shinobi."
"My Lord! You cannot be serious, I served you faithfully for centuries. Fought battles for you throughout the universe, this kid won't be able to do that. He might have gotten lucky with Ermac but that's just an arrogant fool and…"
"And nothing, Sorcerer. You failed me and you know what the punishment for failure is. You have been lucky in the past but now… now there is nothing left to protect you."
Shang Tsung rose to his feet getting ready to protest but the Emperor seemed to be quicker, reaching out to the sorcerer as if to grasp the man's vest. But instead of actually grabbing the fabric of it he clenched his fist right before the others chest. As Shao Khan began to slowly pull his hand back the sorcerer began to scream in pain and agony.
An eerie bluish green glow began to appear on the man's chest which seemed to drain all color from his body as it got brighter and brighter. After a few moments the glow started to take more a shape, one Naruto recognized as a goblet. However it seemed ethereal in appearance to him as he could see somewhat through it.
Once it had fully appeared out of Shang Tsung's chest the Sorcerer stopped screaming and simply dropped to the floor lifelessly the moment the glow stopped touching his body. It was almost as if the plug had been pulled out of him.
"Behold Naruto, the Chalice of Souls… my gift to you… though this might hurt a little."
The latter was said with a chuckle, though Naruto was too busy looking at the spectral chalice as it floated in front of Shao's fist. His eyes stayed on the strange object as the Emperor descended the stairs and walked over to the boy. Once he was in front of the yellow haired nin the tall man opened his hand and started to push the chalice forward without actually having touched it.
The moment the chalice touched his chest, an icy chill went through Naruto's body but it soon turned from discomfortable to being painful and though he was fighting it he couldn't suppress crying out in pain.
He didn't know how long it took the Emperor to push the ghostly chalice into his chest, but it sure felt like eternity. By the end of it Naruto was barely able to stand and breathing hard. However Shao wasn't done yet with the shinobi, as without waiting for him to recover the man grabbed Naruto's wrist firmly and dragged him over to the black and red ninja whom was still laying on the stairs before them.
"Let the Chalice do its thing and you'll soon feel better."
The Emperor said in a firm manner, something to which Naruto just could nod as he was feeling a bit tired. That didn't stop him from looking in amazement to what happened as Shao Khan placed his hand above Ermac's chest. A ghostly blue smoke began to rise from the fallen ninja, one which soon became more and more as it flowed into the palm of his hand. The most surprising thing was perhaps the fact that he could feel it revitalize him with every passing moment. By the time the smoke disappeared he was fully recovered and the Emperor released his hand.
"Wow…"
It was all that Naruto could bring out at this point to the amusement of Shao Khan.
"Come, I shall explain your gift to you… but not here, besides there are a few others you need to meet."
Naruto nodded and the both walked up the stairs, heading into the doorway behind the large throne that was at the top of it.