Spells and Louds.
Chapter 521: Meet the Sorcerer.
(Royal Woods Ketcham Park.)
Everything seems peaceful and calm, and not much folks are in the park, most are getting ready for the incoming holiday of the month and the arcade characters seem to be doing the same, they're back at the arcade and doing what they can to make it all look nice.
Which is a good thing.
The Royal Defenders are all positioned at the park, and I mean all of them and Martin looks to his Grimm alpha Megoliath who is wandering around and clearing some snow in search of anything in the grass.
Boomer walks towards Martin and looks to the large Grimm. "What the heck is he doing?"
"No idea" replied Martin. "Could be an animal instinct to scavenge and forage for food, that or he's bored and drawing something."
They see the large empty patches of snow on the ground that all lines up. "Yeah, he's definitely drawing something. At least he has company." They see Slenderman walking alongside it and also Arlo and Dominic.
Lincoln looks to his watch. "Gyro is still not here, he said he'd be here with company. But where?"
"Let's be patient guys, maybe they got into a battle with something and have to fend it off. It is unknown as to where he might be with that wretched sorcerer" said Sergei. Everyone else talks to each other, they mostly talk about the big family get together for Christmas.
Lincoln sighs and he looks around for someone not in the group and he sees her.
Luna is meditating underneath the tree on the hell with Frostmourne floating in front of her and so Lincoln walks towards his mom and sits next to her. "Something on your mind kiddo?"
"You know what I'm thinking about mom" said Lincoln as he leans onto her right shoulder. Luna opens her eyes and she pulls him close, even with snow on the ground they're both immune to this cold. "Things have turned, very unexpected and we've yet to know what happens next for all of us."
"Take it easy Linc, we'll pull through. I know there's much more issues to deal with, and I know it ain't just those ugly hybrid freaks. We have to wait for when we do return to Remnant and help save Mantle" said Luna.
"The plan will work, well Martin's plan" said Lincoln. "But I'm having some second thoughts on the plan we made, I don't know if it will work. We all came to an agreement and we all decided to go with it. But, do we need a backup plan, or another one after that?"
Luna runs her gloved hand through his white hair. "All in good time, sweet child of mine. When it does come, then we can go with whatever plans we have left to save that place and stop her evil. I know we'll all come up with something and then we will win. I know it."
Just then a portal opens, a portal made of fire and two figures walk through and they all look closely. "They're here" said Lori.
Showing themselves from the portal, is the Guardian Gyro and the vile sorcerer, Shang Tsung. Old man form.
They both meet with the heroes, and Shang Tsung closes the portal. "Everyone, I think you who this man is." They all don't seem amused on who he is and what he's doing there.
"We know who he is, and now we wanna know more about what the heck is going on" said Linka.
"Calm yourself commander" said Shang Tsung. "All will be revealed in time, also I see someone among you is missing. Where is the other associate from FutureTech?"
"Not here, had to go and check on the cast from the other Lincoln, or Lincoln Loud from another dimension. He'll be back soon, and if he is late, then we can brief him on what's happened later" said Martin.
"Very well then, we have much to discuss my friends" said Gyro. "And thankfully, I brought us some food to eat." He snaps his fingers and the picnic table nearby is cleared of snow and warm food is set down and some warm drinks. "Looks like my new spell worked."
"Of course it did. Reading what I have known and made has come to bear its fruit and would be a much needed asset when facing her again" said Shang Tsung. "I hope you're ready for round two."
"Against Salem? Hell yeah" replied Gyro. They go with the others and join in the meal.
The food is composed of sandwiches, chicken fingers, hash browns and burgers and pizza, and of course this are some thermoses and cups for some nice hot cocoa.
"Wow! Dude, some of us already had breakfast, but I guess it won't hurt for second breakfast" said Leon.
Neil looks to him. "What the hell are you, the Hobbit?" They all go over and eat.
As Gyro sits, next to him is Michelle Lewis. "I'm glad to see you again Michelle, and I am sorry for not being around much. You know I have a job to do."
Michelle smiles. "I know, and I totally understand. Heck, I have a job here to handle too and I know that job will change when summer vacation hits." She looks to Lincoln and Luna who are both enjoying the food with the others.
Pyrrha then looks to Gyro. "Master, what is this plan that you may have discussed with the sorcerer?"
Everyone else looks to Gyro. "Right, now we all know we have come up with the original plan on taking back Mantle and Atlas and we all came to an agreement on deploying it when the time comes to return to Remnant. But, Shang Tsung and I have come up with a backup plan."
"Should the original plan fail in stopping Salem, helping the Winter Maiden and securing the Staff of Creation, then the Guardian and myself will commence the other plan, we came prepared for what happens next" said Shang Tsung.
Boomer finishes his burger. "Does it involve some Mortal Kombat allies coming in to provide help and diversion while the two of you face of Salem and someone tries to resecure the relic?"
Gyro and Shang Tsung remain silent and look to each other and then to Boomer. "What? What'd I say? Was that the plan?"
"Your ability to make dumbfound guesses questions me very much" said Shang Tsung. "And yes, that is the plan and we know what to do when facing her."
They're all shocked and look to Boomer. "Yeah! I guessed it, I am cool!" But then the Grimm Alpha Megoliath grabs him and puts him on the tree. "Hey! What the hell?!"
Everyone else chuckles at this. "Thanks big guy" said Martin. He then looks to Gyro. "So that's the backup plan? Have more allies come and handle the threat when the first plan fails?"
"Indeed, though the original plan of freeing the Grimm from Salem is a plan that I see no failure. I know it will work" said Gyro. "But be warned, the flying Grimm base of Salem has its way to make more Grimm, some far too loyal to defy her and the keystone might not be able to neutralize them."
"And that is what the backup plan is for, we may secure in freeing the Grimm within Atlas and Mantle, but there will be more and they will be many and truly different than the ones previously fought" said Shang Tsung. "We spoke of this to our allies from Earthrealm, Outworld and all other allies who aided us when we fought Kronika and so they wish to return the favor."
"We warned them of Salem and what she can do and told them that they're help will be needed when the original plan fails" said Gyro. "But, they're not to deploy yet. I will contact them and tell them to rally their forces and be ready when the time comes for all of us to go back to Remnant and secure Mantle and save Atlas."
"They know what to do and I have also informed the allies who will come with us soon. The Tal'Darim, the Purifiers, the Swarm, the Dominion and of course Hollow after I left yesterday."
"And if it does work, and we know it will. Then we will make sure Salem doesn't get her hands on the next relic, which is located underneath the school of Shade in Vacuo" replied Shang Tsung. "She does not know of what we have in store, she won't be able to retaliate once we attack, let it be on the first plan, or the backup plan."
They're all shocked at this plan they have made, but also impressed.
"Now that is something I wanna see, good plan guys" said Sunset.
"This plan doesn't seem to have any flaws" said Jack Cyber. "Chances of casualties would be minimum if we are careful and we know that with the combined powers of the Guardian and Shang Tsung, Salem doesn't stand a chance."
"Which also is the sole reason why we need Shang Tsung in the fight, his illusions will make Salem agitated and truly come for me and him" said Gyro. "After all, she does hate the brother gods of creation and destruction."
They all clap to that one. "That's sure to keep her occupied for sure" said Neil.
"Keeping her at bay so she thinks she can deal with her true enemies, when the real motive is in play. Very deceptive and obvious from someone like you sorcerer" said Martin.
Shang Tsung smirks, then he looks to everyone. "Now, I can tell that some of you have questions about me. Please, ask away."
Jordan asks. "What did Gyro say to you to stop you from betraying the heroes from stopping Kronika?"
Shang Tsung sighs. "Well, that one was not an easy thing for me to go by. He asked me of my betrayal plans and so I told him, which was originally to bring back Sindel and her beloved, Shao Khan, to overthrow Kitana and use the armies of Outworld to besiege the forces of Raiden and then ultimately Kronika."
"Then I would betray Sindel and Shao Khan and then take what I wanted, which was the power to command all of time and destiny. Then, he told me the reason why I was like this, why I always wanted power and to deceive people all the time and the answer, was within me and the island the whole time."
"The true answer was Kronika, her influence made him into what he is and through that revelation Shang Tsung saw his past-self, the one who was a humble man who served to fight against dark forces, the original Shang Tsung should he have not met Kronika and tasked to collect souls for the soul well" said Gyro.
"And because Kronika tasked him with this, it started his corruption" said Simon. "That makes sense."
"Then came Shao Khan, the Elder Gods rule of Mortal Kombat, then Quan Chi and everything else came to play" said Lincoln.
"And therefore making the Shang Tsung I am now, which is a hard thing to believe after all this time. I was nothing more than the creation of lies and deception, in the hands of the wretched titan and keeper of time" said Shang Tsung. "Because of what I foresaw from my original version, I decided not to betray, but instead claim my vengeance and aid in defeating Kronika and restoring the timelines as to what they were, the new era."
Gyro speaks again. "Liu Kang….. Sorry, Fire God Liu Kang has finished fixing the damages. Sonya Blade is alive and well, Jackson Briggs no longer suffers from the loss of his wife and is doing his part to support his daughter and the past versions of those who came during the time merger have returned to their original timelines."
"Though, because of what has transpired, the promises of what happened during those times have been made still and only few returned back and those who stayed remained to fix the problems of the future. Kitana, Baraka and Jade. They remain and help make a brighter future for all those in Outworld."
"Did you forget to say, Kitana Khan?" chuckled Shang Tsung.
Gyro sighs and chuckles. "Please, stop that."
"Anyway, with all of it done, no one betrayed, we didn't suffer much and the timelines are fixed and we stopped Kronika. Fire God Liu Kang is still the keeper of time, but with time back to the way it is, he is now the ardent defender of Earthrealm and by his side is his mentor, Raiden…. Yeah, just Raiden."
"I was shocked he became mortal" said Shang Tsung.
This made sense for everyone. "Well, that's nice and all, but what about the fact of the promise Gyro here said to you? What did he promise?"
The Guardian and the Sorcerer look to each other and then to the others. "Three worlds."
This confuses them, but also shocks them. "What?!"
"Three worlds for him to claim and call his own" said Gyro. "These three worlds are actually former homes of the Legion. Two are the outposts with demons still prowling and now serve him, but one is a unique world and is now the central home of Shang Tsung."
"You all know this world as a world known in the world of Azeroth and where the Orcish Horde came from" said Shang Tsung.
This makes Jack Cyber shocked, for he knows this. "Outland, the former home of the Orcish Horde and the current home of the deformed Draenei."
"Exactly, they let me stay in their world and I helped them restore their homes and temples, though it will take time for them to return to the righteous Draenei they once were" said Shang Tsung. "We had to use the legion who I command to rebuild everything, the best thing I could do for them in return for letting me stay on that world they still call home."
"I have built myself a mighty fortress on Outland, floating close to the former home of the Blood Elves who no longer reside there, I have turned their magic into mine and the Feral and Corrupt orcs living there are now mine to command and there are still more out in the wastelands seeking to destroy more of the Draenei rebuilt homes."
"But I do what I can to give the Draenei assistance, the fel orcs are not as strong as I thought. They aren't superior and have no clue how much trouble they are going to be should they continue to siege the newly rebuilt homes of the Draenei, I treat the Draenei as my people as they treat me as an equal."
"But that is not all" said Gyro. "Shang Tsung has also provided some new forms of magic and power for the Illidari for when they face far more formidable Legion foes."
"The battle and hunt for the Burning Legion continues and I am willing to help, as I am willing to help all of you as best I can" replied Shang Tsung.
They are all shocked to hear this, Shang Tsung has changed and all thanks to Gyro and his words of chance and redemption.
"Wow, so this has been unexpected" said Lincoln. He looks to the others, they're all uncertain of this. "Shang Tsung, we're not so sure about this alliance. But, we've all been down the road of trying to give second chances to others, even if they did to dark deeds from before."
"We're willing to give you a chance to gain out trust. We can tell that you're not lying and that you speak the truth and we understand what you had to go through when you became who you are now" said Linka.
Shang Tsung nods. "Thank you, I will do what I can to gain the trust and respect from all of you, I have already done so with Lich King Bolvar and he told me that banshees have been sighted within the kingdom of the Nerubians."
"We fought there and did what we could to stop the banshees of Windrunner and with the help from Anub'Arak" said Gyro.
"At least you have gotten the kings respect, but from us is not an easy road to drive on. It's a long road ahead" said Luna.
"And I look forward on taking that path, to redemption" replied Shang Tsung. "Also, are any of you aware that Nathanos Blightcaller, the champion of Sylvanas is at his old home?"
They all remain silent and Luna is wide eyed hearing this. "Wait what?" asked Boomer who got down from the tree.
"Indeed, as of now Tyrande Whisperwind and her forces are making their advance onto his cabin, to torture him into confessing where the banshee queen is, or to kill him" said Shang Tsung.
Gyro is surprised, "Huh, did not see that coming."
Then someone arrives from the pylon posts, it's Victor. "Sorry, I'm late. Hey, it's Shang Tsung, so what did I miss? Oh wow, food." He goes over and eats with them and they have a lot to tell him on what he missed.
To be continued….
A/N: Shang Tsung, has arrived to their world and is now an ally. But, trust is not an easy thing to gain and he'll have to earn it, soon. At least they have a backup plan on taking down Salem. Leave a review and tell me what you all think.
Shang Tsung is one of my favorite characters in Mortal Kombat.
Why make him old man instead of young man Shang Tsung? Old man Shang Tsung is hella bad ass and awesome! Young one seems a bit into the vile and evil corruption, also old man Shang Tsung is wise and more cunning.
Date made: 12/1/20 – 12/2/20.