Alright guys! The time has finally come to enter the world of MK4! In this chapter, we will learn how Quan Chi tricked Scorpion into thinking Sub-ZEro was responsible for his clan's destruction. Enjoy!
Chapter 13: Sorcerer's Bargain
Scorpion meditated in the caves of his layer in the fifth plane of the Netherealm. The caves were his solitude in the retched realm, and no creature ever dared to venture inside. Though the demons and Oni of the Netherealm lacked much intelligence, they were smart enough to realize what dwelled inside the caves. It was Scorpion's Layer by right, and none would take away his solitude.
Scorpion's thoughts during his meditation were of prior events. It had been a month since he sacrificed his physical form at the palace of Shao Kahn. Once the soldiers were finished with the Ninja Spectre, his soul returned to the fifth plane of the Netherealm accordingly. It was the first time Scorpion had ever been so bold in protecting the life of another.
Suddenly, a faint whisper called out Scorpion's name from behind, interrupting his meditation. He stood to his feet and turned around in search of the intruder. The voice repeated his name numerous times and it seemed to be coming from an area of the cave Scorpion hadn't ventured in since the second Mortal Kombat tournament. He slowly walked along the path leading to the great mirror with his Kunai drawn.
Once he finally arrived at the mirror, he could see a living figure in the mirror's reflection. The man had pale skin and wore black garments with metal spikes on his shoulders. The man smirked at Scorpion and took a step closer.
"Greetings, Scorpion," spoke the man in the mirror.
Scorpion narrowed his eyes and said, "Speak your business or remove your presence from these caves."
The pale skinned man laughed and said, "Your boldness never ceases to amaze me, Spectre. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Quan Chi, a sorcerer of the Netherealm and leading general of Lord Shinnok's armies. I seek an audience with you. Step into the portal before you so that we may speak."
Scorpion shook his head. "I am not interested in whatever you wish to say. You have violated the sanctity of my layer. Now leave before I destroy this portal."
Quan Chi laughed once more. "You are quite powerful, Scorpion, but you have not the skill to perform such a task. This portal is the only portal in the fifth plane accessible to the lost souls of the Netherealm. Why destroy it even if you could?"
Scorpion turned his back and started walking away. "Our time has diminished."
"I know who massacred your clan Scorpion. I can give him to you."
The Spectre quickly turned around. Quan Chi's evil smirk remained ever present.
"How do you know about my clan?"
"Oh, I know a great deal about the realm of Earth. I saw who lead the attack on the Shirai Ryu. It was Sub-Zero, the younger brother of the man you killed in the Mortal Kombat tournament."
Scorpion didn't want to believe the sorcerer. "You lie!"
"Step into the portal and see for yourself. I will show you what happened."
Scorpion wanted to believe that this was just a hoax to lure him into a trap, but at the same time he could not resist the urge to make his vengeance complete once and for all. His mind made up, he sheathed his Kunai and stepped through the mirror.
Scorpion found himself inside a fortress of some kind. Quan Chi sat in a chair not far from the portal Scorpion entered and kept his sights on Scorpion.
"Welcome to the fortress of Lord Shinnok."
Scorpion stood very still as he stared into the evil eyes of Quan Chi. There was something strange about the fortress he was in. He could not pinpoint what the disturbance was, but he nonetheless remained very cautious.
"You spoke of my clan's destruction. Show me," demanded Scorpion.
Quan Chi leapt from his throne and placed his hand on Scorpion's face. Scorpion, unable to react in time, was forced to see horrid flashes of his clan being massacred by numerous demonic creatures. These visions were not unlike the flashes he received the in the Prison of Souls the day of his birth. Ninjas were cut down by the blades of the demons and houses were set aflame. Even the women and children were slaughtered like animals by the demons. To add to Scorpion's horror, he saw Sub-Zero personally dispose of Hanzo Hasashi's wife and son. In Scorpion's visions, Sub-Zero even went so far as to rape the wife before he strung up the two helpless victims and slowly mutilated them, ripping off their eyes and fingers and disemboweling them with a rusty blade. With every bit of strength he had, Scorpion managed to shove Quan Chi away and freed himself of the flashes that haunted him.
Scorpion fell to his knees and kept his head low. Smoke began to rise from Scorpion's body as he screamed at the top of his lungs. While Scorpion's sights were on the ground, Quan Chi gazed over Scorpion with a smile.
"Now you know the truth, Scorpion. Join Lord Shinnok's forces and I will grant you the opportunity to finish what you started. I will give you the chance to avenge your clan, but I will also grant you something not even you can refuse." Quan Chi knelt down to Scorpion's level and brought his face next to Scorpion's ear. "Life."
Scorpion turned his gaze to Quan Chi. The sorcerer stood to his feet and sat back down in his throne.
"Think of it, Scorpion. No longer would you return to the Netherealm a cursed Hellspawn. Lord Shinnok has the power to grant that to you, but he will not give it to you so easily. You must prove your worth."
Scorpion stood to his feet. "What must I do?"
"Swear your services to Lord Shinnok and myself. You will be given your own army of loyal followers to serve our needs. Once we feel your services are no longer needed, we will point you in the direction of Sub-Zero and your soul will be freed from the Netherealm after you kill him."
Scorpion thought for a moment about his choices. His mind made up he kneeled to Quan Chi and lowered his head.
"I pledge my services to you, and Lord Shinnok. I am yours to command."
Quan Chi laughed and said, "Good, very good. Your first task as one of my leading generals will be to invade the realm of Edenia. You will be assisted by General Reiko. Your mission will be to take control of the Edenian Palace and capture Queen Sindel, as well as Princess Kitana. Once they have been contained, remain there and await my summons."
Scorpion closed his eyes with guilt. He knew that he would be forced to do something of this evil nature. Swallowing his guilt, he took a deep breath and said, "As you wish."
"Excellent. Rise General Scorpion and meet General Reiko in the armory. My mistress, Tanya, will escort you."
As Scorpion stood to his feet, a dark skinned woman with long black hair and yellow garments gestured for Scorpion to follow her. Scorpion and Tanya left the room while Quan Chi remained in his seat, laughing at his most recent accomplishment.
Well, there you have it! Mortal Kombat 4 will have more chapters than the others, being that Scorpion's involvement was higher in the game. I will update as soon as I can. See ya next chapter!