Chapter 10: As The Fates Come
"By the Elder Gods!" Liu Kang exclaims. Raiden and the Earthrealm Monk have returned to the temple and now see Nightwolf chanting desperately in his native tongue. A sky blue light surrounds both the Shaman and Sindel. So bright is the strange light it forces both to cover their eyes from the scene.
Sindel agonizing scream fills the temple with a shuttered pitch. She begins to disintegrate, but, unfortunately, Nightwolf shares the same fate. Skin peels away to reveal flesh, then bones. Then nothing. The light disappears, as does any evidence of Nightwolf or Sindel.
Liu Kang and Raiden stand astounded. Clearly an attack occurred after they had left to seek the aid of the Elder Gods. "Liu Kang…" a weak voice moans. Looking around for the source, Liu Kang quickly spots her. "Kitana!" He shouts in astonished dismay. He rushes to the blue-clad woman's weak form. Kneeling at her side, Liu Kang gently holds her cold hand within his. With no strength to sit up, Kitana merely lies. "Liu Kang… You were right," she struggles to says. Her voice is a dying whisper, "I wish we had met… under different… circumstances."
"Kitana…" Liu Kang softly replies. It is all he can say, the sweet sound of her name slipping off his lips. She gasps loudly, before going limp. "She's dead…" he mutters in disbelief. Raiden watches with sympathy, but comfort is found by Kung Lao. The Earthrealm warrior walks beside his friend. He had watched all partaking and knows his friend's liking for the daughter of Shao Kahn. Placing is hand upon his friend's shoulder, he stand silently beside him, his gesture speaking for him.
Many wounded. Only few of the Earthrealm Defenders remain readily able: Jax, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Stryker. Of all the injuries, Kabal suffers the least. A bruise to the face and waking with a horrid headache are his only pains. Johnny Cage and Sonya suffer major bruising, while Smoke and Sub-zero suffer moderately.
Raiden looks upon his amulet. Despite all done, more cracks adorn the pendant. Is this fate he means to change sealed from his attempts? With their forces weakened will they be unable to stand forth against Shao Kahn and his raging Outworld army? No…. they need aid. But from whom? "I climbed to heaven, now I must plunge into the depths. I will go to Quan Chi. Ally our realm with his against the forces of Outworld," Raiden says suddenly.
"What?" Liu Kang exclaims, "Grovel before Quan Chi? What will he demand! What price will be paid?"
"Would any price be too high to save Earthrealm?" Liu Kang makes to further protest, but decides against it. Focusing his attention on helping Cage, he turns his back to Raiden. "Leave on your hopeless quest," he mutters.
"May the Elder Gods protect you," Raiden silently replies before teleporting himself with a flash of lightening.
-0-
Though the forces of the Earthrealm Defenders weakened greatly, their spirits remain strong. After assessment and medical care, Johnny Cage and Sonya decided to suffer bruises to deep to fight with efficiently. Stryker, Jax, Kabal, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Smoke and Sub-zero, however, are well enough to counsel among themselves. "We should find this 'Shao Kahn' and take him out. His army would weaken without his command," Stryker urges.
"He has many to fight at his side, who would lie down their very lives to protect his," Smoke replies. "We can't stay here. The temple is not safe," Jax notes.
"We should fight! For our honor and Earthrealm," Kung Lao voices.
"We have no choice," Sub-zero adds. Stryker nods his agreement. Smoke still seems hesitate, but it is not fear that holds him. Sacrifices must be made, and if for the greater good, accepted. "Very well," Smoke agrees.
"We fight!" Kung Lao says enthusiastically.
"What of the wounded?" Liu Kang questions, "And the dead?" Silence falls over the group. The sacrifice of Jade and Kitana weighs heavily. "We will mourn the dead when Shao Kahn and his army are no more," Sub-zero finally replies.
"What of the wounded? They will only slow us down if they follow," Kung Lao says.
"Stryker, Kabal, and I will take Sonya and Cage and follow," Jax replies, military leadership immediately taking charge, "We'll use the radios to keep in contact, and update progress."
So it is decided. But first, to find where Shao Kahn will enter their realm…
-0-
"Scorpion, why do you satisfy yourself at Quan Chi's feet? What of your family?" Raiden urges the Netherrealm server that stands before him. The Thundergod has indeed plunged to the depths of hell. Within the Netherealm he stands, requesting Quan Chi's presence. However, Scorpion has abided to meet him. "Do not speak of my family!" He bitterly replies. Scorning hot lava bubbles from the cracks beneath them. Arms wave about threw holes, wishing for freedom from their eternal prison. "Join us, and I will seek counsel with the Elder Gods to restore your clan." Scorpion begins to pace, watching the Thundergod menacingly. This offer was made once before, but Scorpion, himself, went against his word for revenge upon the Sub-zero's brother.
Scorpion has no true desire to serve Quan Chi; his clan, his family was murdered. Restoration of their beings, or the resting of their souls has defined his purpose. To stay loyal to Quan Chi or aid Raiden? The Thundergod would go to the Elder Gods. Divines from above watching over the realms, who better to seek counsel with? Quan Chi would merely use sorcery; capturing the souls of his lost clans and resurrecting them by means the sorcerer had been unwilling to speak of.
Seeing Scorpion's look of consideration, Raiden remains silent. Truly, the man is unpredictable. "Your word?" Scorpion demands after a few moments of heavy silence. "I place my very life upon my word of honor," Raiden responds. The response seems to reassure the resurrected man somewhat. "Very well," Scorpion replies hesitantly. "But should you go back on your word you shall pay with your life." Raiden bows his head in understanding and in agreement.
"Scorpion, you turn you back to me to kneel before the enemy?" Quan Chi's questioning voice lacks surprise and concern. The ninja turns to see the sorcerer leisurely approaching. "What a pity," he adds. "I guess your powers would only suit to be used against me." Surrounding Scorpion in a deep purple and green magical substance, the Netherealm sorcerer sucks away the undead powers leaving only bare kombat talent and… life.
-0-
Upon agreement, Sub-zero, Smoke, and Liu Kang group together to go to the rooftop position where Stryker and Kabal had watched New York succumb to the forces of Outworld. The reasoning behind this placement is that the structure sits in a street where the most Tarkatan action was noted. As well, the clock tower is only a few blocks down should they need to take another position.
As the trio climb threw the stories of the large building, Jax, Kabal, Stryker, Kung Lao, Sonya, and Johnny Blade remain on the first floor. Jax and Stryker help move the wounded, while Kung Lao and Kabal guard their movement.
Sub-zero, Smoke and Liu Kang use little energy rushing towards their objective. With teleportation powers, they simply move themselves from one roof up to the next. To ensure their fellow companions do not find overwhelming trouble should they follow, the group does a light search threw the floors for Outworld forces. Tarkatans upon such a level would be a peculiar sight to behold as it truly would be a curious reason to why they would be there. They run into no opposing forces.
-0-
Mileena stands proud and excited next to her father. Together they shall enter Earthrealm and merge the realm. And together they shall foresee the building of a new empire.
She has attired herself in a new outfit for this forgoing. A long strip of cloth covers her rump and goes down to her lower calves, while knee-high black high heels cover a good portion of her legs. A chest piece covers her chest; it laces across to keep attached. Sleeves that only cover her from elbow to wrist, adorn her arms. Mileena covers her face with a piece of cloth to avoid showing her Tarkatan features. Her hair is held up in a tight bun to avoid annoyance. Her father wears the same clothing as always. Sometimes she quietly wonders if he has a sense of style. Though, she supposes it is a concept that only women know.
As Quan Chi conjures the portal from which they shall emerge into Earthrealm from, Milleena can't help but to notice the intense considering look upon his face. Creating the portal would not create such expression; she knows that doing so is simply done for him. Deciding to let the curious matter to pass, she turns thoughts to Earthrealm. It is such a strange place full of those… what where they called again? Humans. And that rude one; she would get revenge on him.
-0-
Raiden appears upon top the structure. With the help of Scorpion he was able to find the position in which Shao Kahn would enter the realm. Time was at the essence of too great severity for the Thundergod to return to the temple to seek aid.
The newly allied ninja was correct in overhearing Quan Chi. A black-blue-purple portal begins to form at the far side of the roof beside what appears to be throne. Raiden waits with calm expectancy.
Scorpion stands a step behind him. Such a strange feeling it is to be living again. No longer does he have his hellfire powers that made him fearsome and strong, but trained excellently in the ways of kombat, he does not worry of this matter. He can feel the moderately long texture of his hair underneath his mask. Such a strange new feeling… But he is too prideful to reveal his emotions of amazement and wonder. Scorpion contents himself with quietly awaiting his former master's emperor.
-0-
Smoke stops suddenly in his confusion. Raiden stands upon the building watching the Outworld portal being summoned, but this is not what surprises him. The man that stands behind the Thundergod is. What is Scorpion doing here with Raiden? Sub-zero bumping into him from behind breaks his chain of thoughts. Moving out the way, the silver-haired man allows his friend to see the peculiar view. Sub-zero's suddenly tense body foretells of his equal shock, then anger.
Liu Kang's grunt of surprise alerts both warriors of the trio's presence. Raiden nods his acknowledgement, no more. "What is he doing here?" the monk demands, unable to suppress the question that lingers equally amongst them. "Scorpion has agreed to aid us in return for the return of his clan," Raiden replies.
"Master he is a hellfire demon!" Liu Kang protests.
"Was, but is no longer. He is an ally."
Sub-zero steps forward with a look of malice. Unaware of his friend's intentions, but assuming, Smoke places a hand upon his shoulder. "Let us worry of matters more threatening then that of our new ally," he says, gesturing towards the completely formed portal.
The form of Shao Kahn can be seen behind the murky screen of magic. He places a hand forward cautiously through the screen. A figure in deep purple stands behind him. Mileena.
Raiden steps forth to challenge the fate that has been set upon him since blood red had brushed across the horizon as the sun rose upon the day of the tournaments.