Akuma and Gen
A fiery fist of dark purple flame was thrust forward only to be parried by another fist, protecting who that initial blow was meant for. A kick was made to follow up in an attack of his own, but in response to it the raging demon ducked beneath it to punch up to strike his opponent who only slid back away from the blow successfully evading it.
Steadying his feet and stance Gen watched as Akuma lowered his arm to bring it before his face. Glaring past his forearm, Akuma saw in the middle of his open palm Gen standing there ready to continue this bout. Akuma clenched his fist tighter closing the grasp over Gen showing he was not going to relent.
"Is that all you have for me?" Akuma asked. His voice aggravated, rumbling like an earthquake and on the verge of losing patience.
"No..." Gen replied with a pause "but it is all you have for me." Gen said as if realizing it through the punches and kicks he just faced "You will not be the one to defeat me."
Akuma's scowl deepened "You mock the power of the demon? Of the path I walk." he asked and did not wait to hear an answer "Very well. Words are worthless so I shall show you!" he was ready to leap forward and deliver a final blow to end this fight.
"It is not you forsaken one." Gen said and Akuma halted suddenly. It stopped him if only for a moment.
"More worthless words to prolong your fate." he spat "But they will not prolong my fists!"
"No." Gen said "It's just that you will not be the one to strike me down. Not when there are so many others up to the task." he said as his head went to the sky. Akuma now of all times, paused curious as to what was being said. He received no more answers from Gen and so, like him Akuma looked up to the sky. And that's when he saw it. The night sky they battled beneath had changed. Something else had overtaken it. An aurora borealis he thought at first, but it's waves sharper and more defined. Instead, the sky was in fractures and broken like a glass window yet still in place. "It's begun then." Gen stated as they looked up together.
"Hm?" Akuma bellowed. Looking further himself, he saw the same image. Through the cracks that was the sky they could see closing in through each of them not far off space and stars, but other lands-no. Other realms.
One piece of the sky showed a great ancient palace under a purple sky. One other showed pure chaos and madness everywhere. Their own earthly fragment of the sky showed the regular night, and another showed the daytime. Another still revealed one of molten magma that radiated hellish heat from it and so many more. Yet despite their differences each were all in reach closer than they had ever been before.
"I see." Akuma grumbled turning his head down back to the ground "So it's happening." A great merging of events, of realms.
"How I wonder?" Gen asked aloud brining his own head down.
"It matters not." Akuma growled saying no more. Only the challenge it brings was his cause.
"Perhaps not." Gen halfway agreed "It's no difference to you or I." Gen paused as he looked up to the world as if it was stained glass window and not the breaking down of order "The realms have opened like an old wound." he told as Akuma looked up and around again as if gauging not what to do next but where to do with all the options before him. "With them like this, warriors from all across them can move as they please." Akuma raised his fist again to the sky placing it at the center of it. Looking up it now, it looked as if his fist is the one that shattered the barriers. He gazed up at that sight as if it instilled the power within in. His fists seemed to close stronger. But as he looked, he listened to what Gen spoke of. Out there, there truly must be a warrior worthy of his fists. One who walked the same path. Akuma grumbled and dropped his fist turning his back to Gen. "So you've seen if yourself then?" he asked as he began to walk away.
Akuma stopped only to answer.
"I know there must be a warrior in the realms who can challenge my fist." Akuma told not even bothering to turn around to him "I won't find them my wasting time with the likes of you." he said before walking away. Gen could stay there for all he cared; he was not his concern now. How could he when all the other prospects were out there. Such was his thoughts, but he heard something now to take his attention away from them and the road ahead. The sound of footsteps alongside him.
He stopped and turned his head over his shoulder to glare at Gen who it seems was now following him, walking along the same path only a few steps behind him. When Akuma set his eyes on him, Gen stopped "You challenge me?"
"I fight to find the true death. The one warrior who can grant me that, perhaps they are out there." he said peering off over Akuma's shoulder "Perhaps, they are the same who can challenge even your fist." he set his gaze back on him.
Akuma's permanent scowl deepened, and his hoarse voice roared in an angry declaration "Then they are mine to defeat." he turned to walk off "If you get in my way, I shall cast you down."
Grinning, the folds of his face raising his beard higher Gen followed behind him.
"That remains to be seen."
Fire and Ice
The Fire Garden was as beautiful as he remembered it. Leaves danced atop the trees like embers in a flame. The wind passing through them made the fire seem alive. It was built anew and with it new life came from it.
Yet though he felt at home here, he could not be. For he was not Hanzo Hasashi. That man died long ago. And in his place was Scorpion, specter of the NetherRealm.
All he could do was gaze at the solemn beauty of what was once home. Finding himself a safe spot to marvel at it from. Takeda could go there. But he, his own master could not. His human husk could not hide the demon beneath. White hazy eyes watched longingly on the land he once rebuilt and called home.
The silence of his solitude and yearning was interrupted, but by the wind through the fiery leaves. He heard footsteps approaching from behind. The Shirai Ryu still had many enemies. And so did he. He closed his eyes readying for the kombat to come. It seems it finally reached the Fire Gardens.
Shooting up from his sitting position, Scorpion turned around and braced himself for kombat. Yet who he saw surprised him. It was someone who was just out of place here as he was.
"Grand Master." he greeted the blue garbed leader of the Lin Kuei, leaving his fighting stance for a more formal one.
"Master Hasashi." Sub-zero greeted back respectfully. Though, he addressed him by his name, it was not who he was. Not anymore.
"I wish I could be. But no." he refuted painfully bowing his head "I am Scorpion." he confirmed though there was no joy in doing so, his blank eyes came back up to view Sub-zero as he did. Though his servitude with Quan Chi was terminated by his own account, it did not change him back from a demon to a man. Hanzo Hasashi had lived his life. Scorpion will live his death.
That account was settled on the shores of the sea of blood beneath Kharon's Keep.
"Perhaps." Sub-zero agreed regretfully "But not forever." he said with a hint of hope in it. Scorpion's pale eyes turned up to him, the sorrow for himself replaced with a sort of confusion by what he meant. Understanding that look Sub-zero pressed further "You know what is happening to the realms?"
"I do." Scorpion confirmed.
"Then you know what is at stake."
"Yes." Scorpion confirmed nodding this time "All of them."
"I know the others are doing what they can." Sub-zero said speaking of the Special Forces and Gods "We must do our part as well." he said bringing a hand up in a fist.
"I agree." Scorpion said without hesitation. Man, or Demon, he must do what's right "But where to start?" Scorpion asked, unsure of the first step to take. His eyes became clouded as he pondered.
"Whenever something such as this happens, who do you first suspect?" Sub-zero asked.
Scorpions gaze hardened "Shao Kahn."
"So was my thought." Sub-zero agreed "But he has not moved, not yet." he informed him with a shake of his head "So I thought of another."
"Quan Chi." Scorpion growled, his mask not hiding the burning rage the came from his mouth. No doubt he had a part in all of this, or at least knew what was going on. In agreement Sub-zero nodded.
"If it is from the NetherRealm this crisis emerged from, we must stop it." he told taking a step closer before stopping "But I will need a guide."
"And I was your first choice." Scorpion said, a bit of anger to Sub-zero now. As a former specter in the service of Quan Chi it was insulting as much as it was true for him to be reminded of the state he was bound to.
"MY only choice." Sub-zero stressed stepping closer "There are few chances to take here. I will need someone strong and worthy by my side." he brought is hand out offering it to him. Scorpion studied it grievously and then he brought a hand up to take it "To go where we both have been before." Sub-zero may have been a revenant, but Scorpion had been in Quan Chi's service longer. He was indispensable now.
"But with you gone who will guard the temple?" he asked concerned.
"I left it in the charge of my pupil Frost. She is up to the challenge, I think." he said confidently, but in his mind his thoughts said 'I hope.'
"I would have done the same. It must be done." Scorpion agreed as if sensing his hesitation.
"It must. As must this journey. I think perhaps it may be of benefit to you as well."
Scorpion's eyes turned hazy in confusion "To me?"
"Perhaps there is a chance to regain your humanity down there. To restore what was taken from you." Sub-zero may be right. Quan Chi had many powers. If anyone could restore his lost humanity, it would be him. The one who revitalized him as a specter to begin with. And this cataclysmic event may allow for such things to transpire.
"You may be right. Yes, I understand now." he turned up to Sub-zero, his eyes though plain and pale showed the slightest hope of returning to who he once was. "Thank you Sub-zero."
"No thanks are needed." Sub-zero urged him "It's not only for your sake I search, but for another as well."
"Bi-Han?" Scorpion concluded. Sub-zero nodded solemnly. "Then for both our sakes." Scorpion put a hand to the Grand Masters shoulder "Let us go."
The two began their journey together. Fire and Ice would face this oncoming threat together.
Akuma and Gen Fight Your Rival! Wu Shi Academy
Akuma stood within the shadows of the temple. It seemed every time he came across a warrior so far, they were already known to him or those that were new merely disappointed him. He had heard the boy Ryu was out there now. Testing his skills and harnessing his strength against the storm that raged inside him. The longer it was the better. For that would be a fight worth having.
But he also heard of another Champion. That of Mortal Kombat. So, he came here to where he trained only to find not only him, but his masters gone.
His chances slipping away, he held out hope for another. A demon. One like himself. Who walked the same path. Stoically he stood within the temple waiting for someone worthy to appear.
But he was not alone in his search.
"Tired of waiting yet?" Gens voice called from behind him. Akuma did not stir from his stance.
"I told you to stay out of my way." he warned.
"I'm not in your way. Not yet." Gen told cheekily "But if you want a fight," he said as he took a stance goading Akuma "you can have it with me."
"Heh." Akuma laughed scornfully. He did not come all this way for a dying old man. He came for something worthy.
Darting his head to the gate, he saw it. Two men entered, though only one was truly a man. One was dressed in blue garbs and not Akuma's concern. But the other, he could tell he was no man at all. But a demon.
His last hope for a true battle. The one he waited for.
"Behold." Gen told taking sight of them. Moving from his place Akuma went forward to meet this new warrior. Moving a step behind Gen did the same.
"Stay back." Akuma barked stopping him "This is my fight." Akuma warned. Gen complied, not due to his warning, but to the blue ninja that was moving upwards along the outer walls of the academy.
Sub-zero rose higher along the outer levels of the temple. Coming so high that he stood above the statues in the training ground arena beneath him where Scorpion was. Rising along the banks, he found nothing he came all this way for. But ahead of him he saw an old man in purple clothes. One who was not Wu Shi.
"So, you two travel as one now." Gen commented as he looked to him.
"You are not White Lotus." Sub-zero barked at him, already on edge "Who are you invader?"
"I am Gen." he answered.
"Sub-zero." he answered the introduction with his own.
"Sub-zero." Gen repeated "There have been many who bore that name. Yet they say your elder brother was the better." Sub-zero's brow furrowed in anger.
"That is not for you to decide." he said coldly.
"If I fight him, I shall." Gen told before casting a curious gaze onto Sub-zero "But it was you who trained Frost was it not?" he asked going onto another intruding question.
Confused Sub-zero raised a brow, his scar shifting as he did "I am."
"I trained a young woman myself." he said confidently as he thought of Chun li "She's out there now trying to solve all of this. I wonder if the two will cross paths now?" he pondered aloud.
"Frost is under orders to guard the temple." Sub-zero refuted.
"Is she?" Gen asked knowing otherwise. Akuma and Gen had encountered her on the road and like many others she was not alone. Seeing Sub-zero now, it seems their relationship is strained as his is with his apprentice Chun li.
"That is beyond the point." Sub-zero grumbled "Whether she is at the temple or not," he stepped forward menacingly "You do not belong in this one." Sub-zero warned.
"Neither do you Lin Kuei for this is the Wu Shi."
"I have allies here Gen." Sub-zero reminded him. Ones he saw no sign of.
"Not anymore."
"Where are they?" he asked threatened by Gens demeanor and answer.
"Gone. Out in the world just like we are."
"What are you going here then?"
Gen's beard twisted upwards as a small morbid smile grew on his face.
"I've come seeking a true warrior, Lin Kuei. And I have found you. You are their Grand Master." he peered closer at him "You wear the medallion, increasing your strength. Then you are perfect."
"Perfect for what?" Sub-zero asked skeptically, his arms rising defensively.
"For Kombat! To give me the death I deserve."
"I do not have time for this fight."
"Time is something none of us have. But we all have our own reasons to fight." he said pointing down. Following his finger Sub-zero saw as Scorpion was engaged in a fight below in the arena of the Wu Shi. His battle was against another man, but one that fought like a demon. A fist passed through Scorpion as he teleported away.
"Master Hasashi!" he exclaimed and was about to jump down to him. But Gen held out an arm to stop him.
"Wait! Do you not see it?" Gen asked "The ferocity in their eyes?"
"I see it." Sub-zero said as another harrowing blow was thrown and blocked "And I will stop it."
"Stop it?" Gen asked "There's no stopping him." He nodded to Akuma "or him" their gaze turned to Scorpion "This is their fight. The fight to finally show their true path." he continued before a pause allowing them to see the next few blows exchanged between the two "He must know what he must cast aside if it to reach the path of the divine." Gen told. Sub-zero watched as Scorpion and Akuma traded blows. "They must fight. No different than you or I." Gen said as his eyes turned to Sub-zero. It was only then that he realized it and he shot a forearm up to dodge an oncoming attack. "Give me the true fight. The one to ward off death."
"You've lost your senses old man." Sub-zero said as he shot his arms out to freeze him "The cold impairs your judgement."
"But not my ability to fight." Gen said as he jumped up with a kick. Sub-zero ducked under it and slid away putting distance between the two on a trail of ice. His eyes steadied on Gen, yet he saw what was happening out of the corner of his eye.
Akuma punched Scorpion knocking him down to his knees.
Akuma lunged forward with a fist at Scorpion, but suddenly a freezing sensation came over his raging fist numbing the surging power through it and slowing it down to a sudden halt. Turning his attention to it, he saw his fist encased in ice.
"Tsh." the spat in response, sounding as if he was going to cough something up. Whatever this was he felt only inconvenienced by it. He then slammed his fist to the ground, shattering the ice that restrained his blow and even cracking the grounds beneath it. He looked to Scorpion before him only find that sliding on ice and putting himself between them Sub-zero had emerged. "You as well." Akuma said shaking his head "I have no use for you." he waved his now free hand dismissively.
"I am the Grand Master of the Lin Kuei. Reformer of it to regain its honor." As he spoke Gen came back jumping down at them. He leapt with a kick as Sub-zero now faced off with Akuma. Scorpion from his kneeling position behind him slid forward dashing behind Sub-zero and blocked the kick.
"Ah!" Gen let out as his leg braced against his arm "Perhaps you are more up to the challenge."
"Huh?" Scorpion let out as Gen dropped his leg and backed away.
"Such titles are meaningless." Akuma refuted Sub-zero "Your brother is a true warrior. He walks the path of the demon."
"He has forsaken all for that path. I will not succumb to it."
"Then you shall die!" Akuma declared.
"You have once already." Gen pointed like a dagger to Scorpion "Come then," he moved his hand from a pointed finger to an open palm as he readied himself for kombat "Face me."
Sub-zero and Scorpion looked to each other, they would fight together yet it seemed these two though challenging the both of them would face them on their own. A strange challenge, but one they could not back away from.
Fire and Ice Fight Your Rival! Wu Shi Academy
The Wu Shi Academy was far from the Fire Gardens. But so was the NetherRealm. It seemed even with the barriers between these realms lessened, it only added to their journey and not taken away from it. Yet that still allowed for time to assess the situation. And fueled their desire to change it.
On their journey they had faced many warriors already. Some familiar, but most different and furthermore strange. Sub-zero had given Scorpion all the information he could. But now it was up to them to figure out the rest. And there was still much to figure out.
Standing at the gates of the academy the open gates would normally be a welcomed sight. Yet even here they were reserved.
"This is where Raiden first learned of the conflict." Scorpion stated and Sub-zero nodded.
"Yet Raiden did not return, and Liu Kang went out to find him."
"But the masters may have information on what has happened since." Scorpion proposed.
"At the very least we should ensure their safety." Sub-zero said and Scorpion agreed. The two entered side by side cautiously.
"I must say I am glad that nothing has befallen the Fire Gardens or Lin Kuei temple yet."
"So do I." Sub-zero agreed dryly. But they were no longer there to protect those places now.
The two entered though there was no welcome save for the sound of their own feet, which echoed and put them on edge. The further they got in the less they found and the farther apart they got. Splitting up, they began drifting away from each other. Sub-zero's path eventually took him up to the levels surrounding the arena in the temple. Scorpions meanwhile sent him forward straight into the middle of that very arena.
It was as silent as a grave here. The more he stayed, the more he was unnerved. Sub-zero had long disappeared into the high levels of the temple overlooking where Scorpion was. Yet he may as well have been miles away.
"Liu Kang!" Scorpion called, but heard no answer, save his echo "Kung Lao!" he followed up. Surely Kung Lao would never pass up an opportunity to hear his name called or remind them that they forgot 'The Great' in front of it. But that too soon faded into the distance "Master Bo Rai Cho! Master Shujinko!" he said in quick succession but was no less successful.
Scorpion called out for them. He would get an answer, but not from any voice he recognized.
"They are gone... but you've come to take their place." a deep dark voice grumbled. Scorpion went still stopping in the center of the arena. The voice he heard was rough and violent and most noticeably unfamiliar.
Scorpion turned to follow where the voice came from. Though light shined down onto the temple this shadowy figure stood in contrast to it for his appearance now dark was cast over it. Long fiery red hair fell from his back, and he wore a dark blue gi where was a distinctive symbol written across his back in red.
"I've come. But not for you." Scorpion readied himself sensing this man's demeanor and menace "Who are you and what are you going here?"
Proudly, he answered.
"I am Akuma the Raging Demon! The master of the fist! I've come to seek the true warrior." his voice let out, rough course and violent. Akuma then rotated turning to him now, his arms heavily muscled and still crossed. A squat scowling face of dark complexion and conviction surrounded in a wreath of fire. He looked like a lion with a red mane around his head. "It is I who has been expecting you." he answered with a voice like sandpaper.
"Here?" Scorpion questioned "A strange place to find me."
"Yet here you stand." Akuma pointed to him.
"For what purpose, then?" Scorpion asked cutting to the heart of it. Akuma's face let out the smallest hint of a smile at his voice.
"A true demon. One who walks the path." Scorpion could see the rage burning in his eyes "And it is you I seek."
"Me?" Scorpion replied in disbelief "But why?"
Akuma uncrossed his arms and spoke.
"My feet tread the path of the Demon" he said taking a step forward "Shred humanity for its power. My fists desire strength and challenge." he told with as much passion as fury, and he clenched each fist before his eyes "And that is why I am here! I have faced all that my world can offer, and there is none to quench my desire of battle. My fists require challenge, and the world offers nothing!" he told disappointment and anger in his voice as he lowered his head just a bit "But.." he rose it back up to look at him, the bitterness fading "this catastrophe has brought me what I require." he said setting his hateful glare onto Scorpion "There was a warrior I was told of. A demon of the NetherRealm. I knew there was the challenge I craved; this Scorpion." he then stomped his foot and spoke more aggressively "Now I have found you." he declared, and he began to widen his stance and plant his feet as his arm took their place one above his body and the other before his body "Let us decide our fates now. In one final bout!" he declared as he prepared himself for a fight "Come!" he beckoned him "Prove to me your worth!"
Despite all of Akuma's proclamations, Scorpion stood defiant "No." he refuted him strongly.
"You shrink the prospect of battle?" Akuma raised a fist to shake at him
"I am no Demon." Scorpion refuted. Akuma snarled at his statement. "Nor should anyone follow that path."
"You refuse this strength?" Akuma clenched his fist "You refuse your fate!" his voice rose again.
"I will embark on this path to regain my humanity. To take back what I have lost. Then I will have true strength."
That only fueled Akuma "You will give in." he warned.
"I am not you, Akuma."
"You are! And now, I will show you power!"
Akuma lunged at him throwing a fist. Scorpion misdirected it, but another came at him. It would have truck Scorpion in the face but in the end, it only passed through him as he disappeared into a surge of fire.
Akuma's fist returned to him as he looked at his surroundings. "Fight me!" he roared to no one who was there. Suddenly, he felt a jab at his side and looked to see a kunai stabbed into him and at the end was a chain. Following it, he saw it led to Scorpion.
"Get Over Here!" he called and pulled on it bringing Akuma to him. Once he did he uppercut him sending him to the air.
But Akuma composed himself and when he came down did so on his own power striking down with a kick that Scorpion barely managed to dodge. Scorpion went to strike him again, but Akuma dodged the blow and truck at each. A punch was misdirected by Scorpion who's own was dodged yet again. He brought up a kick to strike Akuma's face, but he brought up a forearm to brace against it. Akuma then propelled himself forward spinning around in the air as his leg swirled towards Scorpion who jumped back away from it. Coming to the ground Akuma's assault continued striking Scorpion in the face and with his other fist following up knocked him to the ground. Scorpion fell to his knees, and Akuma was not ready to relent.
"Do not shrink from me. Face me!" he beckoned as he threw a fist at Scorpion, but suddenly he felt it freeze, numbing the power within it.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Akuma and Gen
This lack of barriers had promised Akuma a true fight against true strength. Unrestricted and unrestrained, he did not want to waste his time in wading water on what he has already conquered. Yet that is exactly what was rising before him now.
Like boiling water rising from a pot with no lid, a head appeared with hair lashing about on top of it. Yet its eyes were still and cold focusing on them as they watched it rise.
"This filth." Akuma said dismissively. Stepping up it seemed Gen had a much different idea.
"Hm." he let out "Intriguing. This challenge." Gen said slyly eyeing the rising Necalli from the ground.
"I have crossed the realms and lands to find those souls..."Necalli gargled to the "those worth devouring!"
"You have crossed great distances to DIE!" Akuma barked "My fists shall send you to a pit so deep and dark you shall never return!" he said taking his stance, readying himself for the fight to come.
"You are not worthy of this fight." Necalli groaned back to him rearing his head up through his long hair like a howling wolf.
"No, it is you who is not worthy of me!" Akuma roared as Gen closed his eyes.
"The pain and anger in your voice.. like the darkness and the voices of the dead." Gen mused aloud "Like so many I've heard in my dreams." he said "Your existence must be painful." he concluded "But no matter that pain, I will not succumb to it. Not to the likes of you!" he declared as he took his own stance beside him.
"I will send you to the pit of my stomach!" Necalli cried.
"I will send you back to hell!" Akuma declared.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Fire and Ice
The Wu Shi Academy had gone silent in the aftermath of that last battle, one more terrible than any they had faced so far on their journey. However, the silence only put them on edge even more. Silence was the prelude to that last battle, and it seemed even the familiar places were not a suitable for refuge.
The silence was broken by a bubbling sound accompanied by gurgling. Sub-zero saw it first rising at the other end of the arena.
"Master Hasashi!" Sub-zero warned as he turned around, getting Scorpions own attention as each looked to the rising figure before them.
"What is this new foe?" Scorpion asked.
"Brother?" Sub-zero asked hopefully as the black puddle took the shape of a man. But the more he saw of him, the less it was familiar to him and couldn't be who he hoped for. "A demon?" Sub-zero asked as Necalli came low to the ground.
"Perhaps." Scorpion said eyeing up this new foe "What is it here for?"
"Perhaps the Wu Shis Jinsei." Sub-zero proposed, as they stood over it, since it was lodged safely below the academy "It must be protected." he said as Necalli's body swayed before them.
"Perhaps" Scorpion said again, this time halfheartedly as he looked into Necalli's eyes and saw they were focused only on them "But I think not."
"What then?"
"Us." he answered sure of it now "Isn't that right creature?!" he called out to it for the first time. Hacking, Necalli answered back.
"You serve the God of Fire!" his voice cried out as he looked to Scorpion then his head snapped to Sub-zero as his hair flailed around like so many withering snakes "You the God of Ice!"
"I serve the Lin Kuei as its Gran Master." he retorted.
"It does not matter who you serve! You shall fall to me! Your souls are mine!"
"Mine is to be reclaimed" Scorpion warned "Nothing can stop that now." he said as fire surged around his fist "You serve your own master." he said finding some sense of himself in Necalli as he served Quan Chi on his own "I pity you for that. But.." he said as his other hand gripped his sword "Pity will not save you from me!"
Necalli roared and lunged at them. Scorpion teleported away in a rage of fire as Sub-zero did so encased in ice. Necalli landed where they once were. He lashed his head around anxiously trying to find them. When he snapped his head over his shoulder, he saw them reform behind him, effectively trading places. Letting out a roar, he came at them again and this time they stood their ground.
Akuma and Gen Ending
His fist was plunged upwards, rising high into the sky just as he was as he stood atop the pyramid. But at the peak of Akuma's fist, Gen dangled lifelessly from it.
"I told you" Akuma's deep voice ruptured beneath him as he gazed up at Gen's lifeless face "to stay out of my way." he said and then shook his arm free of Gen who fell limply to the floor. He did not waste his time with that, though. Instead, he looked to the figure across from him.
Burning red as if fire had come alive. The massive figure across from him raised its two massive arms as if in triumph. But it had no cause to celebrate. Not yet. "Now!" Akuma called to Blaze atop the pyramid "Let out battle commence even if it is the end of all things. Only one can survive!" he cried out as he raced towards Blaze who made the same move against him.
The last thing Gen saw was Akuma's fist hurling towards him. The last thing he felt was that same fist penetrating his chest.
Yet he felt no pain. And looking around he saw no sign of him now. Though the figure of fire stood before him, Gen saw no sign of him either. But he did see fire. All around him. Fire sprouting out from the lava. Rivers of molten mass flowing all around him. He stood as the only semblance of a living thing. He understood how he had gotten here. But now that he was here, what was here that could face him?
He may have had questions about himself, but he was not the only one it seemed.
"What is this?" a deep violent voice lashed out from behind him.
"A new arrival." a calm, but unrecognizably evil voice dripped behind him.
"The first to fall then!" the first voice declared.
Turning around Gen saw standing behind him, side by side were two unwanted demagogues. Urien and the Fallen Elder God Shinnok.
Despite these formidable foes a smile graced Gen's lips at the sight of them. He has been brought here, to the depths of death. But he was not defeated, not yet "So you have fallen as well huh?" he asked looking to Urien.
"It's you who have fallen." Urien said "But you may rise by our good graces." he said crossing his arms as they looked piously over him.
"Kneel." Shinnok commanded pointing a long boney finger at him "You have outrun death for too long. But Death is all that awaits you."
Gen laughed causing the Elder Gods face to curl into anger to resemble Uriens.
"No! My death is not here yet. Not in this place or to the likes of you. I turned my back on it long ago." he declared his voice rising as he did.
"Old fool." Urien spat "In the jaws of death and too senile to recognize it."
"You don't believe me." Gem said assuming his fighting stance "Then I shall show you."
Fire and Ice Ending
The lowest pit of the NetherRealm housed Quan Chi's lair. It was as terrible as he remembered it. But he was here again now, for his own mission. For his own purpose.
They entered cautiously. Scorpion a step ahead for he knew it better, though Sub-zero had his own terrible memories of this place.
Yet it was not empty either. Quan Chi was not here, but someone else was. A young man lying on the table. And beside that table was an endless pit. A pool that Quan chi uses to rebirth fighters as revenants.
Cautiously but concerned together Scorpion and Sub-zero went over to the man on the table. He had long blonde bangs that covered his face, and the patch of skin that hung over the right side. It looked as if it was decomposed. He wore a brown vest and green pants. A dog tag hung around his neck. Moving a hand down Sub-zero looked at it 'Charlie Nash'.
"What is this?" Sub-zero asked confused.
"Poor soul." Scorpion said pitifully when he saw him "Trying to fight Quan Chi's servitude."
"Is there a chance for him?" Sub-zero asked worried.
"No different than there is for your brother." he told as he looked to the pit "Or I." he said as he looked down at it and it seemed to never end. He left Sub-zero side to go to it. Sub-zero remained over Charlie, as Scorpion stopped before the pool. Sub-zero's eyes remained on him, wondering what he was going to do.
Scorpion standing over the pit gazed at it for only a few moments, yet whatever though was running through his mind he did not dwell on it for long. He had their whole journey to figure it out.
In one moment, he was still and in the other, he jumped into the air and down into it disappearing into the bloody pool which swallowed him whole.
"No!" Sub-zero called out after him but it was too late, and Scorpion was gone plunging himself into the abyss far below. He was lost to him now after they had come all this way. Sub-zero dropped his head in defeat. He couldn't save him.
Suddenly the pit began to bubble. Alerted, Sub-zero picked his head up and prepared himself for what would come. The wind picked up and he felt the room began to shake. As if all the power of the Elder Gods was coming down on top of it right now. He heard a groan from behind him and saw Charlie stir on the table. A good sign if anything. But then the room shook again, and Charlie fell from his slab. Diving down Sub-zero went to grab him and soften his fall.
Charlie seemed to regain conciseness if only for a moment "you came for me... he said in a voice hardly above a whisper "Guile.." he said before his head fell limp with his body in his hands.
Sub-zero looked down to him but then another sound brought his attention back to the pool.
Suddenly, sprouting up from the liquid came an arm. It gripped the edge of the pool coming into contact with the ring around it. Then another came up beside it doing the same. Sub-zero was on edge. Cradling Charlie in his arms, but ready to face whatever came out of that pit. If it was truly Quan Chi's doing, then he would have no choice but to fight. But as opposed to the rest of his journey this time it would be alone.
The hands then pushed on the edge pulling up and bringing a body with it. A yellow hood covered the face as did the rest of the garbs over his body. The arms he could see now were plainly human, just as they were before, with no signs of being tainted or lifeless. Sub-zero was relieved at first for it looked like Scorpion had returned, but apprehensive still as he wasn't sure what to expect. Bucking up beneath the arms crouched two legs. The figure crouched there, kneeling where Scorpion once stood. The hood raised itself up and turned to look around the room, but it was still too low for Sub-zero to see his face.
But just as he brought himself out of the pit, it rose itself back to its full height. Standing back upright, he looked around the room, to the hellish landscape he once called home. Then his eyes stopped when he saw Sub-zero standing there with Charlie's arm draped over his shoulders as his other arm held him up. And Sub-zero saw in that moment that the eyes that starred to him were not blank and empty, but black. A human's eyes.
He cautiously peered forward, and even felt brave enough to step up to him.
"Scorpion?"
"No." he said beneath the mask. Sub-zero tensed up, his initial fear proven true. Yet the voice that spoke it was not the low echo of the specter from before. It sounded different, as if full of life now. The yellow figure raised a hand up to his head, skeptically Sub-zero watched expecting the hood to be cast off to reveal a fiery skull. But instead, once the hood was gone all he saw was the face of a man. With skin, a beard and a long-lost expression of relief. "It is I. Hanzo Hasashi."
Sub-zero demeanor changed instantly "Then it has worked!" he said gladly "You are no longer a specter."
"Yes," Hanzo admitted as he looked down to clench his fist. Once he saw and felt it, he looked back to Sub-zero, a grave sense of worry in his voice "but the realms are still merged." he stated "It seems it may have been more than Quan Chi involved in this." he said as they both came to that realization.
Sub-zero was taken back to being serious again. He was right of course. Though Scorpion had been cast aside and Hanzo returned, there was still the wider problem at hand.
"We can stop it now. And save the others." Sub-zero said "If we can accomplish this, there is more we can do."
"I agree." Scorpion nodded.
"Starting with him." Sub-zero said looking down to Charlie who while unconscious in his arms was still very much alive "We must get him out of here."
"He has been through too much, even before he came here." Scorpion told observantly "But this next part of the journey must be for you."
Sub-zero snapped his head back to him "You mean to-"
"If it's your brother you wish to save, I will help you." Hanzo told "But there is something else I must do first."
Sub-zero nodded "I understand." he said.
"Thank you for all you have done for me." Hanzo thanked him.
"The honor is all mine." Sub-zero replied.
Scorpion bowed to him and setting Charlie down Sub-zero returned it. Bringing themselves back up they smiled. But Scorpions smile disappeared like the fire he used to teleport away leaving only Sub-zero behind. It was lonelier and darker now, yet here he was. He heard a groan from behind him and though he did not stir he heard Charlie's voice seep through his jaw. Kneeling down again Sub-zero eased him up.
"You will be fine." Sub-zero assured him and Charlie's body calmed when he heard him "You." Sub-zero said setting his eyes on the fallen Charlie Nash "There is something you can help me with. Someone you can help me save."