-1Chapter 6: The Warriors Dance
"Sub-Zero…you…came…" Han said weakly as he lifted his head off the floor of the tent and looked unbelievably at his brother with bloodshot eyes.
"Han, stay low. I am here to finish this." Sub-Zero replied as he edged closer to Scorpion in fighting form.
"Unlikely." Scorpion replied as he focused on Sub-Zero. "You see, I cannot be beaten, it is fated that I shall win."
"Is that so? Let us see how fated you are to dodge this!" Sub-Zero yelled as he swung his fist directly at Scorpion's face. Scorpion sidestepped the oncoming attack and stuck his left foot out to catch Sub-Zero's legs out from under him. Sub-Zero dodged this attack, just barely, by leaping high into the air. He then threw his elbow with all his might downward, right onto Scorpions head. Scorpion was on the ground as Sub-Zero landed softly next to Han and then immediately bent down to untie his younger brothers hands.
Suddenly there was a rush of noise by the tent entrance as three yellow-clad ninjas came in disturbed by the noise of the fight.
"Stay out!" Scorpion commanded as he rose and pointed at the ninjas. "This is my fight, and you will not interfere!"
"Yes…sir." They murmured as they slowly backed out of the tent back into the camp. The yellow tent flap closing behind them, sealing the three warriors inside the large tent once more.
Han was now untied, yet to weak to stand. He slumped to the floor as he promptly passed out from exhaustion and shock. Sub-Zero now stood to face Scorpion with a look of hatred that pierced even Scorpions soul.
"I will kill you slowly for this Scorpion." Sub-Zero said very calmly as drew his sword and walked toward Scorpion.
"What? The Ho'Chi are not known for vengeance Sub-Zero, what are you trying to do…become me?" Scorpion sneered.
"If it means your suffering and death for what you have done to me and my clan, then yes I am." Sub-Zero replied angrily.
"Fine then. So be it. That is what I want anyways, a true test of spirit. Now we shall see who is stronger and more ruthless." Scorpion replied as he pulled his sword out and brandished it at his opponent.
Suddenly, Sub-Zero struck with such lightening speed that Scorpion barely had time to parry. He struck over and over again, having the early advantage of surprise and force over the subdued Scorpion. Quickly though, Scorpion caught the rhythm of his adversary and was soon forcing attacks of his own. The two danced sword by sword for what seemed like an eternity with neither gaining a decisive advantage. For every thrust there was a block, for every parry there was another parry of equal strength. The Katana's were locked in mutual embrace of equal ground. Neither one was gaining the advantage.
On the ground, Han was slipping in and out of consciousness. He heard the sword battles, but could barely make it out with his bloodied vision. Suddenly as though he was reminded by a dream, Han felt the ninja star protrude from his pocket. The very same star that Scorpion had thrown at Han the day of the Ultimatum and pierced his flesh. They had never taken the star from him when he was captive. Now it was there for him to use. He summoned all his strength and grabbed the star from under him. He looked up and with bloodied vision, waited for his opportunity. Neither combatant had noticed him. He would have his chance at vengeance as well.
Sub-Zero was losing strength. Scorpion was a agile fighter, with a lot of stamina. Sub-Zero was just too young and inexperienced to survive this for much longer, he knew he must find a way to end it on his terms. Suddenly he had an idea. He quickly brought up the image of the ruined village, the smoldering bodies and the screams of his tortured countrymen. He now knew why Frost sent him to his ruined clan village, for fuel of his power.
Scorpion knew he was winning. It was already a matter of time, he could tell. Many a warrior before had tried to out duel the clan leader of Da'Run. Their heads now adorn the perimeter of his camp. Sub-Zero was getting tired, Han was near death and he would soon be victorious.
Han saw his opening before he even knew he did. There was a flash of lightening within the large tent, and in that moment Han had perfect vision…and a perfect shot. He threw the ninja star with all his remaining strength at Scorpions hand wielding the deadly Katana. The ninja star bounced off it, just as it turned to ice. Everything became black once again.
Sub-Zero had focused all of his new-found Frost power from his heart, to his hand, through his sword, and onto Scorpion. It happened very fast, just as their was a brilliant flash of light in the tent. When the flash had subsided he saw the frozen katana drop from Scorpions frozen hand. It shattered on the ground. Suddenly there was a noise like metal cracking stone as a ninja star flew into the frozen arm of Scorpion, chipping it. Sub-Zero turned to look as Han collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Sub-Zero then turned to the other warrior preparing to fight, but Scorpion was slowly backing up looking down in horror as the ice was slowly spread up his arm.
Wha…what kind of demon sorcery is this?" Scorpion demanded to Sub-Zero as the ice crept higher to his shoulder. "Make it stop!"
"I cannot, and even if I could…I would not." Sub-Zero replied icily as he stepped towards Scorpion who backed up against the wall of the tent.
"Foul demon! What have you done?" sputtered Scorpion as he dropped to his knees when the ice reached his neck. Half of Scorpions body was now frozen in various places.
"I have done what is right, and when you are dead I will shatter your frozen body so that you can never become whole again. Prepare to die Scorpion and prepare to suffer for all the evil you have spread." Sub-Zero said smiling.
"You…what price have you paid for this power…" Scorpion whispered.
"It is you who will suffer, we will meet again in a much darker land and place…" Scorpion sputtered off as the ice overtook his mouth, then his face. In a mere matter of moments Scorpion, ruthless leader of Clan Da-Run, was a frozen statue on his tent floor.
True to his word, Sub-Zero raised his katana to shatter the frozen remains, but before he could do it they de-materialized from his very eyes. Where Scorpion once was, there was now nothing.
Suddenly, there was another crack of thunder and a figure in white stood before Sub-Zero.
"Warrior, you have paid the ultimate price for your vengeance. I, Lord Rayden, am now here to deliver a warning as well as your fate."
"What, Rayden? Why are you here, this is no affair of the God's!" Sub-Zero said a bit angrily.
"Hold your tongue!" Rayden rasped. "You have chosen to use a sacred power, Frost, for vengeance. You now are a slave to that power Sub-Zero. All your actions, thoughts and deeds are now tied to the Frost power. And even more, you have attracted the eyes of evil."
"What….I…how do you know that!" Sub-Zero demanded.
"I know all mortal! Now listen, for now you have a task to contain the evil you have unleashed that this realm has never seen." Rayden explained.
"Evil? Realm? Whom or what do you speak?" Sub-Zero asked softer now.
"The evil of the Emperor Shao Kahn. Scorpion was his gateway into the world, and now he is immortal." Rayden said then stopped.
Sub-Zero let his sword drop. Han was breathing heavily on the floor gasping for breath. Outside the sky became unnaturally dark and thunder rumbled in the distance.