Shang Tsung's Island.
Sasuke bought in his hands and let loose a mighty fireball that engulfed all the operators. The smarter veterans simply chose to stay put behind secure fortifications and let loose with a hail of bullets. Sasuke grunted in annoyance at the ferocity of these alien weapons and quickly merged into the ground below while they directed their fire at a genjutsu he quickly placed over the area.
"Delta 1 to all HQ, intruder seems to have vanished. Awaiting orders!" The lead operator radioed from his cover.
"HQ to Delta 1, fan out to search him but don't wander too far, reinforcements are on their way!" The voice replied.
"Roger HQ. Over!" The operator said and signaled for his team to fan out and search the area.
"The bastard is using illusions and undoubtedly has outworld magic. Switch to IR goggles and shred anything that moves." The team lead said as the troops surged from their locations. Unfortunately for them, they had no idea of the kind of powers Sasuke could wield. He activated his Sharingan and saw better in the dark than any IR goggles could afford to provide. Being careful not to get caught in crossfire, he chose stealth. Sauske lept down from his hiding spot on the tree and landed on the operator's shoulders. The soldier panicked but Sasuke quickly slit his throat before he could alert his mates.
He grinned in anticipation as the rest of the troops came into his sight. A guard's bloody gurgle caught his attention as he had yet to attack. Sasuke's eyes narrowed in annoyance as a figure carrying a broken scythe emerged from the ground and cheekily saluted him.
That thing's going to be a problem. Sasuke thought. Pulling out a pair of kunai he jumped on trees tops and went to work before Saibot could ruin his stealth.
"6 minutes and thirty seconds. You are getting slower in your old age, little shinobi." Saibot chided as he stood in the middle of the courtyard inside. "Perhaps a training session is in order?"
"Gee, I wonder what caused me problems. It couldn't have been you alerting the guards over our presence." Sasuke spat as he flipped an MP5 around in his hands. The weapon had grown on him as much as his new warhammer safely tuck away in a sealing scroll. He must ask Naruto later on about their potential.
"If you can't handle alien life forums while getting the drop on them, you are in the wrong business little shinobi. But fear not, I am here to save you from shortcomings. It wouldn't bode well to disappoint our Lord Quan Chi." Noob said as he swung his scythe.
"I am sure, Naruto, would be most interested in hearing the island has yet to be secured." Sasuke said. He deliberately flaunted his privilege of using Quan Chi's true name to annoy Noob Saibot. Calling him the lord of anything would still take getting used to when he still remembered him as a midget scrambling for Sakura and getting detentions from Iruka. Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps pounding on concrete ground. Both shinobi exchanged a look with each other. Saibot dove into the nearest pool of shadows and vanished from sight.
Show off. Sasuke muttered as he gathered his chakra and jumped on the wall. The troops flooded in a large squad, their "rifles" pointing in all possible directions. A few of them scanned the rooftops. Sasuke couldn't help but admire their training, they knew to scan in all directions. He pulled out a kunai with an explosive seal attached to it and lobbed it at the troops. He didn't wait to see the outcome as he jumped away from his perch. A powerful explosion went off and the screams of the troops told him that some had been caught him in the blast radius. Sasuke stood crouched on a rooftop and prepped seals to fire off another katon jutsu but was interrupted by a hail of bullets fired at him.
They are good. Sasuke couldn't help but admit. He surged chakra within his limbs and went faster than eyes could catch and jumped between the group. With his now summoned warhammer in hand, Sasuke swung at the ground in midair. A large crater was formed as multiple soldiers went up in the air while being electrocuted. Sasuke used the opportunity and clapped his hands together, a massive tornado of fire surrounded him and then blasted away in all directions, roasting any and all survivors before they could react as much as react. A few seconds passed by as the last of the screaming of the troops died down, he scanned the surroundings with his eyes. There were no survivors. He glanced up to see Saibot stared down at him with a tilted head. He winked at him cheekily.
"Do try and keep up, specter. Us living have living things to get to as well." Sasuke said and entered deeper into the island.
The Hive
Naruto smiled in grim satisfaction as his henchmen tossed in a few "sacrifices" and a swarm of bugs instantly descended upon them. They wasted no time in tearing into the still living victims' flesh and burrowing inside. A grim price to pay to meet the queen bee of a grim race.
"As we live and breathe, Quan Chi." A voice greeted him.
"D'Vorah." Quan Chi acknowledged.
"Last time we were together, Scorpion took your head, no? So how is it that you still live?" D'Vorah said.
"It is not for the likes of scorpion to kill me D'Vorah. You should know that by now." Quan Chi said.
"Most amusing, Quan Chi." D'Vorah. "You know what's not funny? The death your failed war has bought to the hive has nearly bought us to the brink of anhilation."
She threateningly raised one of her many poisonous limbs, daring him to contradict her any further.
"All to the contrary D'Vorah, things have never been better. Victory has never been as close to us as it is now." Quan Chi said and dodged a claw gleaming in unknown liquids strike where he previously stood.
"You dare mock us, Quan Chi?!" D'Vorah screeched letting all façade of a humanoid form fall away as the insectoid roared at him in all its filthy glory.
Quan Chi sighed in frustration and summoned a glowing green shield around himself as D'Vorah's swarm charged at him furiously.
"Enough!" A loud voice called out causing the combat between the Kytin and the Brotherhood to cease. D'Vorah's face faltered at the sight of the new entrant. Shinnok stood before them in all his macabre glory and glared down at the sight of the two disruptive servants.
"Lord Shinnok! You live?" D'Vorah gasped.
"Oh, Ye of Little Faith." Shinnok mocked and D'Vorah pressed her forehead to the ground in a reverent bow.
"Fret not, D'Vorah." Shinnok said. "The hive will be restored to its glory and feed on Raiden's corpse. The hour of our triumph has yet to come to be."
"Whatever Lord Shinnok demands, the hive will provide." D'Vorah pledged and Shinnok nodded in satisfaction.
"Come with us daughter. We have much to discuss." Shinnok commanded and conjured a portal. With a few moments of hesitation, D'Vorah stepped through the portal with her handmaidens following her. Shinnok or not, she refused to go without protection anywhere where Quan Chi walked. Her instincts first grumbled in alertness as she came into the new realm. Her team spying for the dark brotherhood told her that it was Shang Tsung's island. Why would Quan Chi bring her to Shang Tsung's island? The other alert occurred when the island showed signs of a struggle and craters in its midst. She released pheromones that signalled to her handmaidens that something was wrong.
D'Vorah withdrew her arms when the handmaidens didn't respond in kind. She instantly flicked the dagger in Shinnok's back and her worst fears were confirmed when the figure simply vanished with a poof.
CHIDORI! A voice roared and the sound of a dozen hummingbirds chirpin at once filled her. She bought out her limbs in a protective stance, but the attack wasn't aimed at her. A lightning quoted fist impaled one of her maidens through her hearts. Another had her throat split by a shadowy figure that she recognized as Noob Saibot. It was three against one. D'Vorah had no delusions about her odds of survival.
"The hive is a dangerous enemy to make, Quan Chi. You have deceived us for the last time!" D'Vorah spat out as the three men circled her, but Quan Chi ignored her.
"Your henge does you justice, Sasuke." Quan Chi complimented the raven-haired boy who merely grunted in response. It was then Quan Chi turned his complete attention on her,
"As for you, dear…." He trailed off and brought down his hand. A scrambling sound followed and D'Vorah saw more men surround them. These walked with a bit of lethargy and clumsily aimed their weapons at her. A barking sound of gunfire followed that D'Vorah tried to block with her limbs to no avail. The last thing she remembered was a massive blunt force striking her on the back of her head, knocking her out.
"Restrain her." Quan Chi ordered the zombified Earthrealm special forces.
Outworld Shokan Lair.
"Why should I not have you executed on the spot, Quan Chi?" Sheeva demanded, her voice laced with hostility.
Quan Chi raised his hands in a placating gesture. "My dear Queen Sheeva, I implore you to listen to reason. The Shokan are in a precarious position since the demise of Shao Kahn. The civil war between Kotal Kahn and Mileena has left Outworld in a state of chaos and uncertainty."
Sheeva's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent, allowing Quan Chi to continue.
"Consider this, Your Highness," Quan Chi continued, his voice earnest. "Mileena's mental instability makes her a ruler without remorse, a tyrant who would bring only devastation and suffering to Outworld. On the other hand, Kotal Kahn will never forgive the Shokan for their neutrality in the conflict. They would forever be at a disadvantage under his rule."
"And how does this not favor the Shokan, Quan Chi? With both sides weakened, we would have the strength to claim dominion over Outworld ourselves." Sheeva said.
A snake-like smile crossed Quan Chi's face.
"You forget, my dear Queen, that Raiden will never tolerate anyone but Princess Kitana on Outworld's throne. The forces of Earthrealm are ever vigilant, and they will not allow the Shokan to seize power without consequence." Quan Chi said. "Just this last week my people cleared a detachment of Earthrealm's special forces stationed at Shang Tsung's island. One can only shudder at thinking the nefarious plans Raiden has for that place."
Sheeva's expression darkened, a flicker of frustration passing over her features. "You speak of treacherous waters, Quan Chi, but the Shokan will not be swayed easily."
Quan Chi bowed his head respectfully. "I understand your concerns, Your Highness. But know that I offer you a solution that could ensure the prosperity and security of the Shokan for generations to come."
Quan Chi clapped his hands, and two of his henchmen dragged the bound and gagged form of D'Vorah, her chitinous limbs writhing in futile resistance. Queen Sheeva's eyes blazed with fury as she demanded an explanation.
"I present to you, Your Highness, the perpetrator of a great injustice inflicted upon the Shokan," Quan Chi declared, his voice cool and composed. "D'Vorah, on behalf of Shao Kahn, orchestrated the assassination of Jerrod, the former ruler of Edenia, and his beloved queen, Sindel."
Sheeva's jaw clenched, her fists tightening at her sides. "You dare bring this traitor into my court, Quan Chi? What game are you playing?"
Quan Chi's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "No game, my dear Queen. I offer you a chance for closure, a means to avenge the betrayal that has haunted the Shokan for far too long." He gestured toward the struggling figure at their feet. "D'Vorah's head is yours for the taking, a token of retribution and justice for the loss that your people have endured."
A glimmer of grim satisfaction flickered in Sheeva's eyes as she regarded the captive D'Vorah with a steely resolve. "And what of the truth, Quan Chi? How do I know this is not another one of your treacherous ploys?"
Quan Chi inclined his head, his expression devoid of guile. "You are welcome to interrogate her, Your Highness, to extract every last morsel of truth and lay bare the full extent of her crimes. The choice, as always, rests in your hands."
Sheeva's gaze hardened, her resolve unwavering. "So be it. D'Vorah shall face the judgment of the Shokan for her treachery."
"You are being awfully generous, sorcerer. What is your play here?" Sheeva said.
Quan Chi laughs at this and exposes his left shoulder and Sheeva gasps in shock seeing the glowing mark of the Elder God Cetrion on his shoulder and with he claps his hands again and henchmen deposit trunks filled with gold in front of Sheeva.
"The goddess Cetrion has her eyes set on realms ripe for conquest, lands fertile and abundant with resources that shall fuel the glory of the Shokan. With your allegiance, the Shokan can revel in the spoils of conquest far from the barren deserts and treacherous politics that plague Outworld."
Sheeva's brow furrowed in contemplation, her mind racing with the tantalizing possibilities that lay ahead. "And what assurances do we have that you speak the truth, Quan Chi? That this is not just another ploy to further your own ambitions?"
With a solemn reverence, Quan Chi reached out to unveil the mark of Cetrion on his shoulder, allowing the divine symbol to bask in the flickering torchlight. "If my words were false, my dear Queen, the goddess Cetrion would have struck me down for such blasphemy. I offer you only the truth and the promise of a new beginning for the Shokan."
Sheeva's eyes gleamed with a newfound sense of purpose, her resolve solidifying. "Very well, Quan Chi. You have my attention. But what is it that you require from us in return?"
Quan Chi's gaze flickered to the trunk of gold, a symbol of the wealth and prosperity that awaited the Shokan under the guidance of the enigmatic goddess. "All that is needed is a detachment of your finest warriors for a mission that will pave the way for our glorious future. In return, the spoils of conquest and the riches of new realms shall be yours to claim, my Queen."
With a final, thoughtful nod, Sheeva turned her attention to the trunk of gold before her, the weight of Quan Chi's proposition settling upon her shoulders.
Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits.
Sasuke shook his head in the bizarre display around the island. The dead special forces with glowing green eyes worked round the clock in restoring the island back to its former glory. As bizarre as his realm was, this was something else. His shinobi senses screamed at him, and he moved just in time to dodge an 8-foot, four-armed woman in scantily clad armor walk where he was standing earlier. She winked at him as she marched forth where the blacksmith was located.
"Quite the creatures aren't they." Quan Chi said as he appeared behind him. "I remember my first time encountering one, it tried to fleece me of my gold."
"I doubt he succeeded much." Sasuke said.
"I enjoyed his soul with some tea and fine chianti." Quan Chi said. They both laughed, a shared moment between long lost brothers.
"I see you have gathered everything you needed here in outworld." Sasuke said.
"So, it seems. The last stop is now back to that place." Quan Chi said. To him it had been almost millennia since his involuntary exile for the hellscape that was Konoha and Elemental realm.
"We will need blood and flesh samples if the flesh pits are too work, Sasuke-kun." Quan Chi said.
"I know. I believe Orochimaru of the Densetsu Sannin has accumulated significant amounts of it in a bid to replicate our kekkai-genkai." Sasuke said.
"You have seen our forces here. Both living and undead. Do you think we can take the Sound Village?" Quan Chi asked.
"A full-frontal assault would be bloody and costly." Sasuke admitted. "Luckily, I have spent the last ten years of my life in Sound, I know most of his major operations centers like the back of my hand. A surprise assault with our numbers will greatly damage him. Along the way, we can free numerous prisoners he keeps sow further chaos across the countryside."
Quan Chi nodded in agreement; Sasuke's tactical acumen was shining quite brightly. Truly the brightest shinobi of his age.
"However, taking Sound Village or even killing Orochimaru is not the issue here." Sasuke said and Quan Chi raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"The other villages have their own spies in Sound despite Orochimaru's best efforts. You can't maintain a village of that size without logistics and trade relationships which are prone to espionage. While none are in Sound proper, they are in the forward operating bases. Once the main village goes offline, they will be immediately messaging their handlers about the news-" Sasuke said.
"And the villages will send their own forces to secure Orochimaru's genetic bounty and field research." Quan Chi concluded Sasuke's train of thought. Sasuke grimly nodded in acceptance.
"We simply don't have the manpower needed to maintain an effective occupation of any large stretch of land in Elemental realm." Sasuke said. "And I doubt even with Lady Cetrion's help, the newly awakened Uchiha will be ready in time to reinforce you."
Quan Chi let out a frustrated sigh before throwing up his hands in frustration.
"We can't remain in Outworld indefinitely before either Earthrealm or Outworlders find out our plot. Netherrealm is out since the taint of that place will have an adverse impact on your souls." Quan Chi said and punched a nearby tree in frustration.
"Are there no other clans in these realms that we can rally under your banner?" Sasuke asked.
"None that we can approach without alerting other enemies. What if we just struck Sound and then retreated when we have collected the blood information?" Quan Chi said.
"We would lose a crucial beach head in the chakra realm. The village is located at vital crossroads between many major powers. That is why Orochimaru chose it." Sauske said and wiped his hands over his head. "Look- let's just move in on Sound and take over it. If anyone other than Konoha alliance comes knocking, we will see if we can recruit them over to our cause." Sauske said.
"Then you best get back to your drills with the Shokan. Help them familiarize themselves with the ninjutsu used in their old realms. Meanwhile I shall attend to the portals and run last minute checks on the flesh pits." Quan Chi said.
The First Assault.
Working in the village hidden in the Sound was a drag. There was so much going on everywhere all the time that one didn't know who foe or friend was. Their command had ordered them to confirm with them before retaliating to any combat engagement. The ground commanders had different ideas, if it wore weird outfits, had tentacles or multiple appendages, was drooling, or moving near you- you were to flatline it unless you wanted to become the fecal matter of whatever pet project Orochimaru lost interest in. As such, when a bunch of shinobi in torn attires and fangs assaulted their positions, Yuro didn't waste anytime in fighting back. Unfortunately, for him he was too late. One kunai to the throat and he fell dead.
"Brotherhood onwards!" The lead oni commanded and her squad swarmed the checkpost letting down the barriers and removing sensors. A few shinobi pursued to follow them but a rapidly moving mass of black struck them down with a few lethal blows from his scythe. Noob couldn't help but shudder in excitement as he took in the sights and sounds of the new world, a bloodshed awaited it the likes of which it had never seen. The remaining brotherhood of shadow shinobi placed transportation crystals around the area to summon a portal directly to Quan Chi. The shinobi didn't bother acknowledge the activation of the crystals as they moved forward to eliminate any patrols that could send word of their presence. They needed to maintain the element of surprise for as long as possible.
With a whirling of green energy in air, the crystals tore open the fabric of space and time and from them emerged monsters seen only in children's fairy tales.
In the dull afternoon of the hidden shinobi outpost, the silence was shattered by the thunderous approach of the Shokan warriors, their massive forms casting ominous shadows against the walls. The shinobi, at first, regarded the towering figures with a sense of disbelief, as if the sight before them was nothing more than a macabre jest.
"This has to be some kind of trick," one of the shinobi muttered, his voice laced with incredulity.
In an attempt to dispel the illusion, they focused their chakras, attempting to break free from the genjutsu's hold. But to their mounting horror, the colossal Shokan remained steadfast, their towering frames unyielding to the shinobi's techniques. Panic surged through the ranks, and the shinobi snatched their weapons, bracing themselves for the impending clash.
"Prepare for battle!" the commanding officer bellowed, his voice edged with urgency as he gripped his katana tightly. With synchronized precision, they unleashed a barrage of Katon jutsus, conjuring searing infernos that engulfed the battlefield. But the Shokan, unfazed by the scorching flames, roared with laughter, their bellowing voices echoing through the outpost.
"They're not even flinching!" another shinobi cried out in disbelief.
With thunderous footsteps that shook the very ground beneath them, the Shokan charged through the fiery onslaught, their hulking frames barely slowed by the flames that licked at their skin. As the distance closed between the two forces, the melee erupted into a whirlwind of chaos and carnage.
"Stand your ground!" the commanding officer shouted, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle. The shinobi Taijutsu was all but useless against the mass frames of the shokan, a few got in a lucky hits by infusing their strikes with chakra but it was too little too late. The shokan simply grabbed the offending appendages and ripped them away from the troublesome body. The metallic clang of weapons met the brutal impact of sharpened claws, and the air was rent with the pained cries of the shinobi as they grappled with their towering adversaries.
Amidst the relentless onslaught, the shinobi struggled to regroup, their formations crumbling under the relentless onslaught of the Shokan. With each devastating blow, the outpost was plunged deeper into turmoil, its defenses buckling under the brute strength and unyielding ferocity of the towering giants. The giants spat fire to close in when in ranged combat and fighting them in CQC was suicide.
"Reinforcements!" one of the shinobi called out, his voice tinged with desperation.
As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded, the shinobi found themselves on the brink of defeat, their outpost ravaged, and their spirits broken by the nightmarish encounter with the fearsome Shokan warriors. Their last memories were the victorious roars of the giants as they drank the blood of the fallen Sound Shinobi.
The Final Confrontation.
Orochimaru grunted in sheer annoyance as the last of IV drips were pulled out of time. He levelled his assistant with a demonic death glare that promised immense torture unless he explained himself right here, right now. The assistant sensing her impending demise, immediately complied.
"My lord, we are under attack! The shinobi forces report all sorts of nonsense over the coms about demons from hell invading them." She said and Orochimaru nearly shrieked in a mixture of pain and fury. His possession ritual hadn't been completed. He knew that he was about to be hit by some sort of attack and had sent for Sasuke to be brought to him. It was time he took over his body and claimed the fabled Sharingan. Unfortunately, that ungrateful brat had abandoned him a while back. As soon as the assistant started administering him with pain medications, the door to his throne room burst open and a kunai impaled itself in the back of his attendant. Orochimaru hissed in fury as he saw the new entrant. It was a bald man with weird tattoos who radiated an intense evil that matched quite his own.
"And who might you be?" Orochimaru said, hoping to buy a few more moments before he figured out a plan of action.
"I happen to be your salvation, Orochimaru." The man chuckled and adopted a loose fighting stance while Orochimaru glared at him.
To be Continued…..
Author Notes: A silly little story not to be taken to seriously. For my best work, check out "The Serpent Shedding Its Skin."
Will continue whenever I feel like adding more to it.