Love & War 4
Chapter 2: Scorpion's Apprentice, Part 1 of 2
At the Shirai Ryu temple, Hanzo Hasashi was teaching two children. One of them was Takeda, and the other is Fox. As Hanzo watches, Takeda got the worst of a beating from Fox. Takeda was defeated.
"If it makes you feel better, everyone gets their ass kicked on their first day, including me," Fox said. "I'll help you reset your nose after."
"After what?" asked Takeda.
Round two began, but Fox soon wins again.
"Finally you got me for the nose," said Fox.
"Such a big target. I can't believe it took me so long," said Takeda
After the fight...
"Are you proud of losing, Takeda?" Hanzo asked.
"No, Grandmaster. I did my best."
"Your best? Feinting instead of countering?"
"But did you see how fast I was?"
"You're faster than him, that's true. but instead of using that advantage to strike at your first opportunity, you played around. If you won't train like a warrior, we'll carry you into the wild and let Mother Nature test your skills. Out there, playing around will get you killed."
"Respectfully, Grandmaster, in a survival situation, Takeda would rise to the occasion," said Fox.
"Then you won't mind being assigned to protect him."
"Yes, of course..." Suddenly, Fox heard voices in his head. "CAN YOU HEAR ME?" "Who's that?" "YES, YOU CAN HEAR ME! JUST THOUGHTS IN YOUR HEAD..."
"Protect me from what?" Takeda asked.
"I received an unexpected visitor today," said Hanzo. "Unexpected and unwelcome."
Hanzo is seen in a armory with weapons such as axes, swords and some maces. He is visited by none other than the thunder god, Raiden.
"I'm sorry to intrude, Hanzo," Raiden said. "You safeguarded the dagger I gave you. Good."
"You come here to audit me?
"No, I came to warn you. The Netherrealm invasion has damaged cosmic barriers that protect Earth from realms beyond. Before I could repair them, something broke through. A powerful demon from another realm. This being seeks to disarm Earth's champions, and there are far fewer of you than there once was."
"Who's fault do you suppose that is?"
"I must warn the others, beware the one who walks in silence."
"He's a liar and a fool. Once Raiden pays you a visit, people are going to die. If this "demon" shows up, don't dance around it. Kill it before it kills you."
Hanzo walks away.
"He's just trying to scare me," said Takeda.
"No, that was for real," Fox replied.
"But we're safe, right?"
"Safe as we an be, Takeda... surrounded by an army of assassins."
That night, Fox keeps hearing voices in his head.
"THE BLOOD CODE... FULFILL THE BLOOD CODE!"
Fox went to the armory where the dagger was safeguarded, took it and cut open his forehead.
"THE FLESH IS A LIE! THE BLOOD CODE IS TRUTH!"
"Takeda, wake up!"
Takeda slowly woke up, seeing Fox... without a face!
"FOX!"
Fox has him with the dagger to his throat.
"I'm sorry, Takeda, but when I said an army of assassins would keep us safe, I spoke too soon."
The entire room was filled with dead bodies...
"Now let's go find Grandmaster Scorpion and show him that you're not afraid of death!"