Chapter 4: Fiery Vengeance
The tournament continues on. So far, three warriors from Outworld have been defeated, being Baraka, Reptile and Kano. Earthrealm's Johnny Cage fought Jade, but was defeated. Johnny was confused on why his powers could not activate and he tends to question Raiden and Liu Kang on it later.
"Challengers. Behold, the next fighter." Shang Tsung announces. Scorpion appears out of nowhere through the hellfire. His pupils are clear after he died has Hanzo Hasashi and he sports his specter outfit.
"Meet Scorpion. Specter of the Netherrealm. Resurrected by Quan Chi himself. Which one of you warriors of Earthrealm is brave enough to face him." Shang Tsung said.
Scorpion looks around and takes a look at all of the Earthrealm warriors as well as Liu Kang. But Scorpion is not interested in fighting any of them. "Where is he? Where is the Lin Kuei member known as Sub-Zero? He will pay for what he did to my wife, son and clan. I will pay him back and send his remains to the Netherrealm!"
Kung Lao has had thoughts about fighting Scorpion. He remembered that he arrogantly fought him before in the Old Era and lost due to his own arrogance and lack of experience. But thanks to Liu Kang and his ancestor, he is prepared. He tries to step up, but Liu Kang stops him.
"No. Your fight is with more powerful foes, Kung Lao." Liu Kang said.
"I learned from my mistakes. I am ready. Unless you have a plan." Kung Lao said. Liu Kang whispered something into his ear. Kung Lao looks at his friend and mentor and seems to be having a look of doubt on his face. Reluctantly, he nods in response, understanding him.
"Liu Kang. Who do you summon to fight Scorpion?" Shang Tsung asked.
With Johnny already eliminated and Liu Kang having other plans for Kung Lao, someone else would need to step up. And the first person that does so is Nightwolf. He remembers fighting Scorpion in the Old Era and lost on purpose and he is willing to do it again.
"I volunteer as his opponent." Nightwolf said.
"As you wish. Take your places now." Shang Tsung said. Nightwolf and Scorpion head onto the field and face each other.
"I know of your aggression, Scorpion. I can feel the pain. I learned to find other ways of serving the Great Spirit. And that is by letting go of the past." Nightwolf said to him.
"You choose to throw away retribution in favor of service? You disgrace your Matoka Tribe! I will bring honor to my fallen clan!" Scorpion claims before they fight.
Nightwolf fires arrows from his mystical bow, which Scorpion deflects with one of his swords. Scorpion slides under and kicks the back of his shin and roundhouse kicks him in the head, sending him down. Scorpion rolls back, but Nightwolf quickly recovers and dashes forward and shoulder bashes him and throws him down. Scorpion gets back up and they clash with swords and tomahawks. Scorpion blocks both swings and does a fiery backflip kick to the chin, partly cracking his jaw as he is sent backwards. Nightwolf throws his tomahawks, but Scorpion teleports behind him and punches him in the back of the head followed by two fiery punches to the back, cracking it and sending him down.
Nightwolf gets back up. He summons the wolf spirit to become stronger and charges at the specter. Scorpion comes in and Nightwolf blocks his attacks before the latter punches Scorpion across the head, uppercuts him in the air. Nightwolf times his kick to the back right and follows up with a shoulder bash to the back, sending Scorpion back. Scorpion growls and spits fire in the air. Nightwolf jumps and slams his tomahawk down, but Scorpion dodges it just in time and they once more clash weapons. Nightwolf headbutts him and goes backwards, but Scorpion swiftly cuts Nightwolf's chest, making it bleed alongside his right leg. Scorpion punches Nightwolf across the head and does a fiery uppercut and slams a sword into his right shoulder, cracking it greatly as blood comes out. Scorpion defeated Nightwolf.
"Your spirits have forsaken you, Matokan." Scorpion scoffs.
"A humorous and amazing start, Scorpion. Well done." Shang Tsung and Quan Chi smirk.
"Do not waste my time, soul sorcerer! Give me what I desire!" Scorpion threatens him.
"At ease, Scorpion. We promise you, you will get your wish soon enough. Sub-Zero will be yours to destroy." Quan Chi reassures him.
Scorpion is very reluctant to have patience. He really wants to avenge his family and clan so bad, and would do anything for them. But he remains unaware that Quan Chi was actually responsible for their demise.
"For now, we shall regain our strength for the matches yet to come this nightfall." Shang Tsung said. He leaves with Quan Chi and most of the other fighters. The Earthrealm warriors leave with Jax and Johnny helping Nightwolf, but Liu Kang stays behind to speak with Scorpion.
"Scorpion." Liu Kang said, getting his attention. "I understand the pain you endure. But Nightwolf's words stand strong."
"Sub-Zero must pay for everything he's done to me." Scorpion said.
"Fight him. Defeat him if you must. But do not kill him. It will not end well. Greater threats will rise if you kill Bi-Han. He has the Lin Kuei, his own allies Cyrax and Sektor, and his younger brother to support him." Liu Kang said.
"No. He must die." Scorpion tries to protest.
"If you spare Bi-Han, then I will seek council with the Elder Gods. They will decide your clan's fate. Once you defeat Bi-Han, meet me at the monk academy." Liu Kang tells him. Scorpion sighs and slowly nods his head. Liu Kang nods back before leaving with Kung Lao and Raiden, who were watching the entire time. Once the three were alone, they talk to each other.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Lord Liu Kang?" Kung Lao says, suspiciously.
"I will have to agree with Kung Lao. I have asked the same request to Scorpion to spare Bi-Han, but he betrayed my word and killed him." Raiden said.
"Remember. Quan Chi killed them all. Alex and Cassandra told us. So Quan Chi may have more than likely goaded Scorpion into killing him." Liu Kang reminds them.
In the chambers of Nightwolf, Liu Kang enters with the others as Nightwolf is being tended to by Jax and Sonya with Johnny looking on. The fire god walks closer and starts to heal Nightwolf of his injuries from Scorpion. Before Raiden could leave, Johnny follows.
"Hey. Rai-dude. Wait a moment. Something I need to talk to you about." Johnny said. Raiden gestures for him to follow him and Kung Lao.
"Something seems to be troubling you, Cage. Regarding your fight against Jade." Kung Lao said without making a rude joke.
"Yeah. About that. Cassie told you that I mastered my green shadow powers when the team came to be and when I used it to beat Shinnok the first time. I was able to summon it on my own whenever I wanted. But I tried to use it against Jade. What the hell was that about?" Johnny asked.
"I noticed the problem you are facing. Your daughter told me that I have done research on your family history and ancestors. And I mentioned that it woke when you risked your life for Sonya Blade's." Raiden said.
"Yeah, that's what you told me. But I remember how to summon it, yet I can't." Johnny states.
"Hmm. It appears that your powers have not awakened as of yet in this time period. You unlocked them two years after Shao Kahn's downfall and before you defeated Shinnok." Raiden said.
"And yet, he's gone. Like forever without a single goddamn trace. I'm happy that he's nonexistent, but I doubt I'll be able to summon this ever again." Johnny sighs.
"Do not have any fear, Johnny Cage. Have faith in your abilities." Kung Lao said. Johnny is rather surprised by his words, used to Kung Lao being a jerk to him.
"He is right. I believe they will awaken when the time comes in this New Era." Raiden tells Johnny. The former actor reluctantly nods, hoping he'll be able to save Sonya and pass it down to Cassie, should she be born again.
Once Liu Kang has finished healing Nightwolf, he teleports to parts unknown.
The tournament is fixing to resume inside Shang Tsung's throne room, as it is starting to storm heavily outside. Shang Tsung sits on his throne with Quan Chi standing by him. Kitana and Jade talk to each other as the other Earthrealm warriors do the same. Fujin is there with them. But why is he here? Where is Liu Kang?
But Sektor and Cyrax, who are both human again, talk to each other in private.
"I know that the grandmaster's plan has its benefits. I will say that, but it doesn't feel right. It goes against the principles of this clan." Cyrax quietly protests.
"He is my father. And he's the master. We must obey his commands without question." Sektor tells him." Sektor said. But before they could argue further, they see Scorpion approaching them. "You. What do you want?"
"My clan will walk the earth once more. I come to you to warn you." Scorpion said.
"Warn us? About what?" Sektor asked.
"Do not get in my way when I best Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat. And this goes for you, Sektor, since you are the son of the master." Scorpion said. This only leads Sektor to push him away, prompting Scorpion to go into a stance.
"It appears we have a challenge. Scorpion versus Sektor." Shang Tsung announces.
"Your obsession with Bi-Han ends here!" Sektor said before they fight.
Sektor charges for a punch to the stomach and elbow strike upwards at the chin, but Scorpion blocks and dodges them both and does two fiery kicks to Sektor's chest and he slides backwards. Sektor fires two missiles from his wrist-mounted weapons. Scorpion teleports right in front of him as he does a fiery front flip kick to the head, cracking his skull before Sektor flies backwards. Sektor suddenly fires two missiles upwards. Scorpion looks up and his eyes see they're coming down at him He teleports out of the way and goes backwards, but Sektor appears behind him and grabs him, throws him to the ground, face first. Scorpion bounces off the ground, allowing Sektor to do a slide kick to the chest, jump forward and elbow his forehead, sending the specter down. Scorpion teleports away to recover.
Scorpion glares at Sektor. He draws his chain spear as Sektor fires one more missile. His chain wraps itself around the missile and throws it down to the ground, creating smoke as Sektor does not see anything. Scorpion comes forward and does a fiery punch to the chest followed by a backhand strike. He then teleports, does a fiery kick to the left shin, cracking it and uppercuts him in the back, sending him upwards. Sektor teleports, does a back kick to the head, teleports again and knees Scorpion in the back followed by a spin kick. Scorpion stumbles but recovers. Sektor holds out both of his arms and shoots flamethrowers out of them. It appears Scorpion may be burned to ashes. Sektor grins, thinking he has won. But suddenly, Scorpion comes in and does a strong fiery kick to the head, cracking the front of his skull, sending Sektor flying. He fires a chain spear at Sektor's shoulder, cracking it greatly and throwing him down to the ground, face first. Sektor is defeated.
"I have warned you not to get in my way. I will fight Sub-Zero, but I will not kill him." Scorpion tells him as Cyrax helps Sektor up. Cyrax glares at Scorpion, always thinking his clan is inferior compared to the Lin Kuei. Before Cyrax could even stand up to him, Bi-Han's voice is heard.
"Is that right? Is that what I am hearing right now? You will not? Or cannot?" Bi-Han/Sub-Zero mockingly asked him.
"You. You're next." Scorpion glares at him.
"To hell with you and your inferior clan." Bi-Han/Sub-Zero said.
"No… TO HELL WITH YOU!" Scorpion yelled as he grabs Bi-Han and they both teleport away.
Scorpion and Bi-Han have teleported to the Netherrealm. The Netherrealm has always been considered by many, if not all those who are aware of Mortal Kombat and the existence of all realms, to be hell itself. It was also the home/prison for the fallen Elder God Shinnok prior to him being erased from existence.
"The Netherrealm." Bi-Han/Sub-Zero recognizes the place.
"This was where I was reborn. And this is where you will suffer." Scorpion declared before they fight.
Scorpion and Bi-Han shoot fire and ice from their respective hands. Neither side was conquering the other. They reach a stalemate and stop. Scorpion shoots both of his chain spears, but Bi-Han summons an ice wall which blocks the hits and the wall starts freezing the indestructible weapons. Scorpion retracts them as ice spikes draw closer to him. He dodges to the side as he jumps from pillar to pillar to get to Bi-Han. Bi-Han fires icicles from his hand, but Scorpion teleports behind him and draws his swords. Bi-Han summons ice daggers to defend himself. They switch between offense and defense until Scorpion does a horizontal swing, allowing Bi-Han to stab him in the left waist, cuts it, drawing blood. He reaches for the blood, immediately freezes it into a sharp icicle and stabs Scorpion in the back with it, causing him pain. Bi-Han then throws him into the ice wall, breaking it and injuring Scorpion even further. Bi-Han slides forward, does an ice punch to the chest followed by a backflip kick.
Scorpion teleports and lands safely. Bi-Han shoots mini icicles at Scorpion, but he deflects every single one of them with his sword. Scorpion charges at him, only for Bi-Han to slam his hand to the ground, freezing his legs in place. Bi-Han was about to jump and stab him in the face, but Scorpion teleports at the last second and Bi-Han doesn't see him anywhere. But then, he felt a sharp pain in his left arm. He looks and sees it stabbed by a chain spear.
"GET OVER HERE!" Scorpion pulls the chain spear and Bi-Han to him and kicks one of his daggers out of his hand, grabs it and thrusts it down onto his right shoulder, breaking it. He takes the other dagger and stabs him in the stomach and gives him a strong fiery punch to the face, cracking most of his skull. He then pushes him down and stomps on his chest, cracking it greatly and breaking three of his ribs. Bi-Han is defeated as he is bleeding out greatly and dying.
"At last. My revenge is complete. Harumi. Satoshi. This was for you." Scorpion said. He teleports away to meet with Liu Kang at the monk academy.
Alex lays in front of the hourglass at the beginning of time, fast asleep. He must have grown tired from being there for who knows how long. It was not easy for him though. Alex was trying to not be too stressed out by the slow progress they're making with the New Era. To him, all that matters is seeing everyone again, including his fiance Cassie.
Thankfully, Liu Kang or somebody managed to sneak him some food and water so he would not starve or go thirsty. Even at the beginning of time, Alex does need to sleep and eat since he's only half human.
Alex feels shaking around him and hears sand flowing around and starts to wake up. He sees what's going on and activates his powers and glows yellow. He was ready to defend himself. But he sighs when he sees Liu Kang…. And he's not alone. With him is Scorpion.
"Liu Kang. Back so soon?" Alex asked as he deactivated his powers.
"Apologies for the surprise, Alex. But I brought back someone familiar." Liu Kang said. Alex sees Scorpion and immediately recognizes him.
"Master Hasashi?" Alex asked.
"What the hell is this? Where am I?" Scorpion demands. Before he could attack, Liu Kang immediately taps his forehead and begins to remember everything.
Scorpion remembers his time in his first life as Hanzo Hasashi and marrying Harumi and having Satoshi as a son. His clan was at peace until what he believed to be the Lin Kuei that extinguished his clan and believing Bi-Han killed his family. He then remembers himself being resurrected as Scorpion by Quan Chi and being his henchman. He then remembers going through the tournament, killing Bi-Han despite promising Raiden and later losing to Kuai Liang, but was spared and escaped. Scorpion remembers serving Quan Chi and Shinnok and attacking Earthrealm before Raiden frees him, Sub-Zero and Jax from revenant forms and he becomes Hanzo Hasashi once more.
During his second life, he makes peace with Kuai Liang after realizing Quan Chi killed his clan after striking a deal with Sektor and wished to help redeem the Lin Kuei. Hanzo Hasashi remembers taking in Takeda Takahashi and became good friends with Kenshi and made Takeda his chujin. He remembers killing Quan Chi to avenge his family and took part in the time war. He remembered approving of Takeda's relationship with Jacqui Briggs. The last thing he remembers is convincing his past self to join him, only to be poisoned by D'Vorah before she was betrayed by Hanzo's past self and killed and then promised to aid Raiden and his allies.
Scorpion finally returns to the present and stumbles to regain his bearings. He catches his breath and begins to recognize Liu Kang. "L-Liu Kang? You're a god."
"Yes. You have your memories from both incarnations from the Old Era. I fused them together." Liu Kang said.
"I'm…. I'm his slave. His specter again." Scorpion said, looking at his hands.
"Not anymore. You may have the appearance of Scorpion, but your heart, soul and mind are now Hanzo Hasashi again. Your true form will be restored again." Liu Kang said.
"Lord Liu Kang. You have my gratitude." Hanzo nods to him out of respect before turning to Alex. "Alexander? You're here too?"
"Yeah. Trust me, it's a long story." Alex said. He begins to explain alongside Liu Kang everything that happened after he was in a coma, no thanks to D'Vorah.
"I see now. We're in the New Era, but not what Kronika envisioned. And you two killed her and crafted it, knowing it was the only way. Wise. When one stumbles and loses their way, does not mean they are lost forever." Scorpion said.
"That's poetry, I'll give you that. I've been watching everything. Liu Kang made sure to talk to you so he could bring you here before Quan Chi could trick you into killing the first Sub-Zero." Alex said.
Scorpion asked Liu Kang. "Does anyone else know?"
"Only a select few. So far, I have only restored the memories of Johnny Cage. We are working to restore some more for all of our allies and bring back those that were born after Shao Kahn originally died." Liu Kang said. "The Elder Gods also know. I've restored their forms and memories. They hope to restore your family and clan and bring back the newer generations of the Shirai Ryu." Liu Kang explains.
"I see. What about Bi-Han? He was resurrected to be Quan Chi's creation." Scorpion said.
"Listen to everything he has to say. Trust me. You do not want to go a different route or improvise." Alex advises him.
"Alex is right. Once I bring you back, Fujin will bring Bi-Han back to Earthrealm and be tended to by Cyrax and his younger brother Kuai Liang. You will continue to spy on Quan Chi and Shang Tsung alongside Kitana." Liu Kang instructs him.
"And the tournaments?" Scorpion asked.
"Kung Lao must win against Shang Tsung. Quan Chi will demand you to fight him. Raiden will deal with Quan Chi." Liu Kang said. "My visions show me everything. Only I can see since I am the keeper of time."
"I am ready, Lord Liu Kang." Scorpion nods.
"After this is over, I will restore you to your normal form again." Liu Kang said. "Alex. I may need of your assistance. I will let you know if something happens."
"Alright. The sooner the better. But you sure we'll be able to save Sub-Zero's older brother? From what I've seen, he's pretty cold-hearted. No pun intended, I promise you." Alex is unsure.
"Possibly. But I cannot be completely certain. That decision will not be up to me." Liu Kang said.
"Quan Chi. The monster who framed Bi-Han. Murdered my family. He will pay as he once did before. Him and Sektor." Scorpion said.
"Yes, they will. But not now. For now. Let us return to the tournament." Liu Kang said.
"Tell Kung Lao I said good luck. He's gonna need it." Alex smirks. Liu Kang nods as he uses his time powers to return to the New Era and to the tournament.
Note: Not a lot to say about this either, but I loved Scorpion's chapter in MK9. I like to point out that everyone has their MK9 outfits again. Scorpion's was my favorite personally. Who doesn't love a good Scorpion vs Sub-Zero fight. Mine was from Scoprion's Revenge. Now with Bi-Han spared, what will happen next?