The Deadly Alliance's next order of business was to visit Naknada, the city housing the six armed race of Naknadans that once resided in a realm of the same name as the city they built after Shao Kahn merged their realm with Outworld and left Naknadans with nothing. Their city had grown to a size that stretched across a large portion of the Rolling Dunes, a desert in Outworld neighbouring the Bay of Maul that was covered in ridges which made construction difficult but the Naknadans persevered.
"I've never been here before," Quan Chi realised as he looked around the city, impressed by the architecture.
"There's typically little reason to visit," Shang Tsung told him. "Shao Kahn used to order me to visit Kollector sometimes but it's been so long that I can't even remember where his palace is."
"It will be hard to miss," Quan Chi assured him. "Let's look around."
As the Deadly Alliance strolled through the streets of Naknada, they noticed dwellings crafted from sun-baked clay formed the backbone of the city, their domed rooftops designed to withstand the scorching sun of Outworld. Tower-like structures rose sporadically, serving both as lookout points and cooling towers that captured elusive breezes. The use of vibrant fabrics draped from building to building added a splash of colour to the earthy tones of the surroundings. Narrow, shaded passageways provided respite from the relentless sun, inviting residents and visitors to traverse the city comfortably as civilians would scurry through the tight pathways between the sheer amount of homes that cramped Naknada, so many houses being required to reside almost the entire population.
"A crowd," Quan Chi pointed a slender finger to the end of the street.
"Let's investigate," Shang Tsung decided.
The Deadly Alliance investigated the audience who gasped at the presence of Outworld's new rulers. Countless Naknadans were gathered around Kollector's palace, protesting the city leader's tyranny. Many guards dutifully protected the palace, however, preventing the hostile protesters from breaking in. Their attention had all suddenly shifted to the Deadly Alliance, Quan Chi waving dramatically to the Naknadans.
"Tyrants!" A Naknadan protested.
"Murderers!" Another bellowed as someone from another side of the crowd hurled a rock at the sorcerers.
"Calm down, everyone!" Shang Tsung ordered.
"You won't command us!"
"Oppressors!"
"Monsters!"
Another stone was thrown, this one bouncing off Quan Chi's head.
"Pests…" Quan Chi muttered.
"These insects need to be reminded of their place," Shang Tsung told Quan Chi who nodded in agreement. "Everybody! I give you one chance to kneel before the Deadly Alliance! Emperors of Outworld!"
Nobody in the crowd of protestors complied, they just continued hurling insults and objects at the sorcerers. Then stepped forth the only non Naknadan of the crowd, she was the Tarkatan warrior Karekna who joined her husband Karter in the protest.
"We have Shokan and Centaurs rallying to our cause!" Karekna announced. "Today we expected to bring down one power hungry control freak, we won't complain about getting to kill three!"
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Shang Tsung said as he shapeshifted into the reformed earthbender known as Tremor and slammed his rocky fists into the ground.
Surging up the stairs to the guarded doorways of Kollector's palace was an earthquake created by Shang Tsung. Cracks in the stairs caused the crowd to spread out to avoid falling down large craters that even a novice at geokinesis like Shang Tsung could form massive cracks through the weak clay and sandstone living beneath the city. The crowd tried to scatter, but Quan Chi pulled the powers of the Earth God Geode from Shinnok's Amulet to create rocks that protruded from the ground, some encasing the Naknadans whilst others impaled them like spikes.
Karekna leapt over a ravine between the stairway and landed before the Deadly Alliance. She drew her Tarkatan arm blades and stabbed Quan Chi in the arm he had extended to use the Amulet. Shinnok's Amulet fell out of Quan Chi's grasp and rolled onto the road. Shang Tsung approached Karekna to try and break the attack up, but Karekna sank her teeth into his arm as he reached out, caring not for the flesh intertwined rocks that Tremor's form gave him. Shang Tsung created a small boulder around his fist as he began smashing blows into Karekna's face, punching her away from him. The powerful boulder punch spun Karekna around into Quan Chi who slammed a green energy skull in his hands in Karekna's face, knocking her over and pulling the arm blade from out his arm.
"A feisty one," Quan Chi remarked as Tsung stepped on her and held her down as Quan summoned his broadswords.
"Get away from her!" Karter yelled as he tackled Quan Chi from behind.
Using the advantage of six hands, Karter attempted to disarm Quan Chi, having little other option due to his inexperience in fighting. The sorcerer simply laughed at his efforts and thrusted a kick that launched Karter into the air who then got smashed with a boulder by Shang Tsung right before he reverted to his normal form.
"Karter!" Karekna cried out.
"We already killed your leader," Quan Chi laughed as Shang Tsung helped him to his feet.
"And that wasn't enough?!" Karekna asked. "You're trying to genocide the people of Naknada?!"
"It's nothing to do with race," Tsung assured her.
"It's to do with getting in our way!" Quan Chi said as he blasted her away with a skull projectile. "Now let's pay the king a visit."
"Look ahead!" Shang Tsung pointed to a herd of Centaurs galloping down the streets, led by Nikala who was ridden by Kavalry as per usual.
"What are you two doing here?!" Kavalry asked as he leapt off Nikala's back.
"Who is this?" Quan Chi asked which Shang Tsung shrugged in response to.
"I am unfortunately Kollector's brother," Kavalry introduced himself as he drew his bow and arrow and aimed one between Quan Chi's eyes.
"We're here to speak to your brother," Tsung clarified as he stepped in front of Quan Chi.
"As am I," Kavalry revealed. "Then I'll leave him to the many hands of the public."
"We control what they're allowed to control," Shang Tsung replied.
"Never again!" Kavalry yelled as he shot an arrow.
Quan Chi summoned a portal that consumed the arrow and shot it out a portal behind Kavalry, piercing his back. Nikala neighed before charging at the sorcerers but Shang Tsung shapeshifted into Motaro and used his massive armoured tail to wrap around Nikala's large horse body as she charged at Quan Chi, using the distraction to slam her into a wall. Shang Tsung then began firing energy projectiles from Motaro's tail at the other Centaurs that approached.
"Down the opposite path!" Quan Chi spotted something approaching.
"Shokan too?!" Shang Tsung sighed as he looked over his shoulder.
"I warned you!" Karekna yelled as she lunged at Quan Chi and attempted to pierce his chest with her blades.
Shang Tsung morphed into Kintaro and used his might to pick up Karekna with ease and hurl her into the air before breathing fire that caught her on the way down. Karter scurried past the sorcerers, clutching her wife as he used his many hands to carry her down a narrow alleyway. The sorcerers didn't pursue them, knowing they had more pressing matters to attend to.
"I must fight, Karter…" Karekna said as Karter put her down gently in order to douse the flames with water from a flask he carried
"You're in no condition to!" Karter shouted. "The Centaurs and Shokan will protect my people!"
"But-" Karekna attempted to protest but was interrupted.
"Please put your pride aside so I can take you back to the camp," Karter pleaded. "Nania needs you, and none of the Tarkatans will want to mourn anymore than they already do."
"You're right," Karekna admitted as hard as it was to do.
"C'mon!" Karter said as he lifted her up and began to take her to the stables where they had left their horse.
Meanwhile, the Deadly Alliance fought the incoming Shokan and Centaur forces. Whilst still in the form of Kintaro, Shang Tsung performed the legendary Shokan Stomp into the crowd of Shokan. He spun his fours around whilst within the Shokan, violently scratching several warriors. As Shang Tsung fought the Shokan, Quan Chi used various portals to unleash skull projectiles from all angles in order to repel the incoming Centaurs. Flanking around the path, Nikala managed to get beside Quan Chi and kick him to the floor before pressing her hooves down on his chestplate.
"Good effort," Quan Chi gasped as Nikala continued to apply pressure.
The sorcerer summoned a portal above Nikala and Quan Chi's broadswords fell out of it, stabbing Nikala in the back of her horse body. She immediately staggered back as she cried in agony as Quan Chi stood up and went to continue his attack, but Kavalry rolled into view, firing arrows from two bows simultaneously. Quan Chi summoned a wall of skulls that collapsed and reformed each time an arrow was shot before he could get close enough to unleash a series of Tang Soo Do palm strikes followed by an overhead elbow and leg sweep combination.
"Six hands," Quan Chi spoke as he kicked Kavalry while he was down, "yet none are useful in hand to hand combat."
Nikala reached behind her and boldly pulled the broadswords out her back. She charged at Quan Chi and began whirling both blades at him. The size of the Centaur and the range the broadswords gave her made it a challenge for Quan Chi to do anything that wasn't on the defensive. He contemplated casting a spell that would destroy the swords, but he didn't want to ruin his finest weapons. Instead, Quan Chi snapped his fingers and summoned Puggles the Hellbat to spit fireballs down on Nikala.
"What the-" Nikala spun around to see the Hellbat but before she could react Quan Chi made a portal to the armoury in his fortress.
"Time for a lucky dip," Quan Chi said as he reached into the portal, blindly grabbing whatever weapon he found first. "My old spiked mace!"
Nikala was still focused on Puggles, leaving her vulnerable to a violent strike from Quan Chi's mace to her back. The blow came with such strength that Nikala's legs buckled and she collapsed in pain. The sorcerer contemplated bashing her skull in with the mace, but something more important came to his mind.
"The Amulet!" Quan Chi gasped as he recalled he dropped it.
"Looking for something?!" Kavalry asked as he pointed Shinnok's Amulet at him.
"You don't understand how such an artefact works, fool," Quan Chi laughed.
As Kavalry stood there, attempting to figure out how to unleash the magic locked within Shinnok's Amulet, he heard the palace doors open as Kollector tried to sneak outside, surrounded by guards. Out of frustration, Kavalry spun around and aggressively thrusted the Amulet forth. The motion launched a beam of dark energy from the central gem of the Amulet which exploded before the group of guards, blasting them away. Another beam of dark magic hurled Kollector back inside, crashing into one of his golden statues of himself.
"Your turn, sorcerer!" Kavalry yelled as he pointed the Amulet at Quan Chi.
The sorcerer dropped through a portal and landed on top of Kavalry's head with a stomp that drove him face first into the stairway, shattering his helmet. As Kavalry tried to get up, Quan Chi punted him down the stairs, snatching Shinnok's Amulet from his grasp in the process. Quan Chi then headed up the stairs, swiftly brutalising any guard that tried to stop him with his mace as he entered the hall. Spotting Kollector lying nearly unconscious against a statue, Quan Chi used a portal to drag him towards him.
"Quan Chi!" Kollector gasped, slipping on the polished floor out of shock.
"Lord Quan Chi," the sorcerer corrected him. "Or Emperor Quan Chi."
"I used to call Shao Kahn excellency," Kollector said as he stood up slowly.
"Ooh," Quan Chi liked the sound of that. "Do that."
"Of course… excellency," Kollector reluctantly complied. "What brings you here?"
"My partner was more interested in you than I," Quan Chi admitted. "He wants your services, although I can't imagine why."
"Emperor Shang Tsung?" Kollector asked which Quan Chi nodded to.
As they talked in the doorway, a red dot coming from a scope from upon the roof of a building fell down on the back of Kollector's head. Unfamiliar with such a thing but concluding it was a weapon of sorts, Quan Chi stood in its way as his demonic eyes glared at the source before making a portal to the rooftop. Laying on the rooftop with a sniper at the ready was Bounty Hunter who sighed as he saw Quan Chi.
"Shit!" Bounty Hunter swore as the sorcerer kicked her off the roof.
Deploying a glider, Bounty Hunter landed on the street safely as Quan Chi made a portal down to her. Bounty Hunter raised all six of her hands up in an attempt to show that she wasn't a threat.
"Explain yourself," Quan Chi ordered.
"Emperor, I've actually been in talks with helping eliminate those fugitives you've had posters up of," Bounty Hunter explained herself.
"Kollector was not one of them," Quan Chi said as he pointed his mace at her.
"I wanted to finish some pending jobs I had before moving onto working for you and Emperor Shang Tsung," Bounty Hunter elaborated further. "I wasn't aware that scumbag was with you."
"Sounds reasonable," Quan Chi said as he put his mace over his shoulder. "I believe you."
"So we're fine?" Bounty Hunter asked.
"If you help eliminate these pesky Shokan and Centaurs," Quan Chi pointed to the group of warriors surrounding Shang Tsung who continued to fight tirelessly.
"Say no more," Bounty Hunter said as she clenched her fist, summoning Mimic through a burst of blue flames.
"He's adorable," Quan Chi said as he petted the living chest. "Puggles would adore him."
Bounty Hunter hurled a grenade into the crowd, knowing that Mimic would chase it as if he was playing fetch. The explosive detonated, blowing up several Centaurs and Shokan to brutally incapacitate them. Mimic hopped into the carnage and began spitting out more grenades. To ensure Shang Tsung was safe from the explosions, Quan Chi transported Tsung to them using a portal.
"Thank you," Tsung said in a rare sight of genuine gratitude as he reverted to his natural form. "Who is this?"
"Some bounty hunter who is looking to help us," Quan Chi explained as Bounty Hunter focused on shooting fireballs from a hunting rifle. "She's named Bounty Hunter too."
"My cowboy friend mentioned you," Tsung recalled. "He spoke highly of you and I trust you won't disappoint."
"Is that disappointing?" Bounty Hunter asked as she gestured to Mimic biting off the arms of a Tigrar Shokan.
"Impressive little thing," Shang Tsung admitted. "What about yourself?"
"Now may be the time to test that," Quan Chi said as he looked at the smoke surrounding the street from all the explosions, noticing a large four armed figure walking through the thick clouds.
"Kintaro," Shang Tsung snickered. "How unexpected."
"Shang Tsung!" Kintaro yelled as he marched towards the Deadly Alliance. "Quan Chi!"
Mimic tried to get in the way but Kintaro delivered a firm backhand to the enchanted chest that knocked him onto the pavement. Puggles came soaring in, spitting fireballs. Kintaro replied with his own fiery breath that set Puggles wings aflame and made him flap away in retreat. Bounty Hunter drew six revolvers and fired all six rounds of each into Kintaro. He staggered back a bit and groaned in pain, but Kintaro was quick to laugh off the lead bullets shot into his body.
"Cute toys," Kintaro said as he ripped a bullet out his chest and examined it. "Got something better?"
"A bit of everything," Bounty Hunter told him as she holstered her guns.
More Centaurs and Shokan began rejoining the fight and the Deadly Alliance nodded at each other before charging at them. As the battle continued, Bounty Hunter approached Kintaro whilst putting on a set of armoured hand guards, wrapped around with electrified barbed wire. As Bounty Hunter threw the first punch, Kintaro caught her much smaller fist. That's when the Tigrar Shokan learnt of its shocking properties. The shock made Kintaro's fur stand up as the electricity ran through his massive body. Bounty Hunter then began pounding away with all six fists with Kintaro stunned, creating a never ending series of electric shocks. Through the stinging pain, Kintaro just had to control himself to swing one punch. He thrusted his upper arms forward, but Bounty Hunter sliced his knuckles open with barbed wire. What she hadn't anticipated, however, were Kintaro's lower fists.
The incoming fists pounded Bounty Hunter in the ribs and knocked her back. She shot a harpoon gun that she took from her back pocket to stab into Kintaro's left shin. Using the might of all six hands, Bounty Hunter attempted to pull Kintaro forward, but Kintaro still greatly overpowered Bounty Hunter despite her being one of the largest Naknadans of all time. Kintaro stepped on the harpoon rope before yanking it towards him. This caused Bounty Hunter to be pulled into a double overhead hammer punch that drove Bounty Hunter into the road.
"What else do you have?" Kintaro asked as he yanked Bounty Hunter up by her coat.
"Another one of these!" Bounty Hunter revealed another grenade.
Frightened due to the damage it had dealt to his fellow Shokan, Kintaro pushed Bounty Hunter back which made her laugh.
"What's so amusing?!" Kintaro asked as he grit his teeth.
"I wouldn't blow myself up, kitty," Bounty Hunter said before actually pulling the pin of the grenade this time and rolling it towards Kintaro.
Kintaro had quick reflexes though, and managed to leap over the explosion before going to stomp on top of Bounty Hunter. Kintaro felt a painful cut as the harpoon sliced down his leg as jumping up pulled it out of him. Ignoring the pain, Kintaro started wailing down on Bounty Hunter with his fists. Bounty Hunter used all six arms to cover her face, peeking through to see Mimic approaching.
"Shield!" Bounty Hunter yelled at Mimic who magically spat out a six foot tall rectangular shield that went over Kintaro's head and into Bounty Hunter's arms.
Bounty hunter put each of her left arms through under the handles custom made for her. Kintaro continued punching, but the Outworld Steel shield managed to sustain even Kintaro's blows. Mimic then snuck up behind Kintaro and bit into his back. Kintaro hissed as he began slapping his back, trying to swat Mimic away. Taking advantage of the distraction, Bounty Hunter slammed her shield into Kintaro repeatedly until she had pushed the Shokan off of her.
Bounty Hunter stood up and charged at Kintaro who thrusted his fists backwards, activating the fangs that were hidden away within his Sabre Teeth gauntlets. As Bounty Hunter charged at Kintaro with her shield, Kintaro used his Sabre Teeth to puncture holes in the metal, but found his weapons stuck. As Kintaro struggled to pull the Sabre Teeth out of the shield, Bounty Hunter used the blades to step up over the shield and kick Kintaro in the jaw which pulled his weapons out the shield and caused him to stagger back. The shield began falling over but Bounty Hunter grabbed onto the side of it and threw it at Kintaro. The shield spun around in the air before smashing into Kintaro's skull, leaving a nasty gash on the side of his head.
"Enough of these games!" Kintaro growled as he ripped Mimic off of his back and threw him into Bounty Hunter who caught him.
"Just one more trick," Bounty Hunter insisted as she dug into Mimic's mouth before revealing a gatling gun. "Fire!"
Mimic began spraying bullets at Kintaro who once again leapt over the gunfire. As he came down, Bounty Hunter aimed Mimic up so some bullets would shoot him out of midair. Kintaro lost control and soon slammed back first into the road, creating a sizable hole in the ground. Bounty Hunter then began spraying bullets at the Shokan and Centaurs that fought the Deadly Alliance behind Kintaro. The sorcerers were focusing on evading the hard hitting attacks of their large enemies, waiting for an opportunity to counter and strike with their weapons. Seeing the gunfire, Quan Chi threw his mace into the skull of a Centaur as he tackled Shang Tsung, surrounding themselves in skulls to shield them from the bullets.
"No!" Kintaro cried out as he crawled out the hole in the middle of the road.
"It's nothing personal, Shokan," Bounty Hunter assured her as she mercilessly continued the endless gunfire.
Kintaro then gasped as he noticed movement from the bodies spread across the street behind Bounty Hunter. Nikala used all her resilience to stand up, picking up the broadswords Quan Chi had left behind amidst the chaos. Nikala galloped at Bounty Hunter who was unable to hear her due to the gunfire, and rammed both broadswords through Bounty Hunter's back.
"Traitor!" Nikala yelled as she pinned Bounty Hunter down with her front hooves. "Why do you attack us?!"
"The Emperors… they have… a better offer… than your resistance," Bounty Hunter said between grunts of pain.
Kintaro dove across the floor, reaching Mimic as he tried closing Mimic's lid as he began firing bullets in a random unpredictable pattern. The gatling gun protruded out the chest, however, so Kintaro yanked it out and broke the weapon in half before kicking Mimic aside.
"Are you alright?" Nikala asked the Shokan.
"No," Kintaro admitted as he licked some of his many wounds, "but others are worse off than I."
"Your races making peace is so ridiculous," Bounty Hunter laughed as she lay at their feet.
"How so?" Kintaro asked as he began cracking his knuckles.
"You fought over Shao Kahn's favour of all people," Bounty Hunter recalled.
"When you could've been gaining favour by yourself!" Kollector yelled as he sank all four of his sickles into Nikala's back.
"You coward!" Kintaro yelled as he ran at Kollector who began scurrying away only to be kicked back by Kavalry who had also got up.
"Nikala!" Kavalry cried out as he rushed over to his best friend.
"You again, brother?" Kollector sighed.
"You have more to worry about than just him," Kintaro said as he picked Kollector up by his face.
Kintaro's ears wiggled as he picked up the noise of many more yells and screams growing progressively louder. He looked around, concerned for his allies. Kollector took the hesitation as an opportunity to escape, biting his spiky teeth on Kintaro's paw. Kintaro responded by slamming his face into the road. He then saw the source of the screams as he looked up.
"The Yangese liberate this city in the name of Chaos!" Yelled Myscheff, Chief of the Yangese tribe from Chaosrealm.
Kintaro watched as a horde of Chaosrealmers flooded through the streets like a plague. One Chaosrealmer ran past Kintaro, but the Shokan reached out and grabbed his arm before ripping it off. Kintaro gasped as he saw the Chaosrealmer unphased by being mutilated. The Chaosrealmer began laughing before lunging at him. Kollector began scurrying away as Kintaro caved the Chaosrealmers skull in after slamming him to the ground.
"Nikala!" Kintaro shouted as more Chaosrealmers ran forth. "As much as I hate to admit it… I think we need to call for an evacuation."
"How many are there?!" Nikala asked.
"Too many!" Kintaro grunted as he hit a double spinning lariat to a pair of Chaosrealmers. "Have your people gather the civilians!"
"What about you?!" Nikala asked.
"I'll hold off these things!" Kintaro yelled.
"We are Chaosrealmers!" Myscheff announced as he shot a projectile from his frighteningly fleshy staff.
"Tell the others!" Kintaro ordered Nikala who reluctantly galloped away down the street to rally the other Centaurs.
Once the remaining Centaurs learnt of the plan, they each split up in an attempt to gather as many civilians of Naknada as possible to avoid the wrath of the countless Chaosrealmers. In a showing of their newfound unity, a Shokan was quickly paired with each Centaur to act as a powerful duo capable of fending off any Chaosrealmers.
Kollector tried taking advantage of the crowd of Chaosrealmers to escape the city, but the Deadly Alliance chased after him. Quan Chi managed to make a portal in the way of Kollector's path, causing the Naknadan to inadvertently fall through it. The Deadly Alliance soon joined him, leaving the Chaosrealmers to clean up Naknada. They arrived back at Shang Tsung's Palace and watched as Kollector tried picking himself off the floor of the main hall in a frantic panic.
"I didn't retreat at the attack on Sabar City!" Kollector immediately began defending himself. "My brother dragged me away I'm honest!"
"He doesn't care about that," Quan Chi sighed as he yanked on one of Kollector's many arms, pulling him to his feet.
"I didn't even attend the battle," Shang Tsung snickered.
"Oh," Kollector let out a sigh of relief. "What can I do for you gentlemen then?"
"I'm not sure anymore," Shang Tsung admitted. "I came in hopes of having you as a figure who could rally the Naknadans to our cause."
"Yet the only Naknadans who follow you are the few guards you actually share your wealth with," Quan Chi pointed out which Tsung nodded to.
"I can fix things!" Kollector promised.
"You're going to rebuild a whole city?" Tsung asked.
"What do you mean?" Kollector backed away out of concern and fear.
"Those Chaosrealmers aren't letting that city stand," Quan Chi realised.
"Including your palace, Kollector," Tsung added which made Kollector whimper.
"Then there's no place for my people to go!" Kollector yelled.
"Like you care," Tsung scoffed.
"They're still my responsibility," Kollector replied.
"Not anymore," Tsung told him. "Clearly they didn't want your leadership anyway."
"If they cannot submit then the fall of Naknada is just," Quan Chi iustified it.
"I… I can st-still do… things!" Kollector stammered over his words as he tried to value his worth. "Yes lot's of things!"
"Like what?" Shang Tsung asked as Quan Chi already recalled his broadswords into his gloved hands.
"My name is Kollector, not Leader," he pointed out. "I can help uncover artifacts and relics of the realms."
"Name on that'd interest us," Quan Chi requested.
"The orb containing the essence of my homerealm," Kollector announced. "I've known of its location for sometime, I even made it more challenging to uncover… but with you two in charge I assume you're not interesting in merging the realms."
"We're interested in ruling," Shang Tsung told him. "Merged or split realms matters little."
"Fascinating discovery, Kollector," Quan Chi clapped slowly. "But ultimately irrelevant."
"Let me elaborate!" Kollector got on his knees and begged.
"You have a minute," Quan Chi warned. "Go."
"If I restore Naknada then I can regain the respect of my people. With this newfound trust I can return to using, no, lending their talents to the pair of you. Not only will you have the Naknadan Army, but a whole new realm packed with precious metals to harvest to gain an even greater profit. There's a reason we invented Koins, y'know. We had Koins made of six different metals too!"
"We get the picture, wealth addict," Erron Black said as he entered the room. "We putting this rat down or what?"
"Quan Chi?" Tsung asked for his friend's opinion.
"I doubt his plan would work," the sorcerer admitted as he rubbed his bald head. "However, it'd be harmless to let him try."
"How many of our servants have we said that about now?" Shang Tsung wondered.
"They each offer a slither of usefulness," Quan Chi stated. "Yet simultaneously are too pathetic to be of concern."
"I'm right here, y'know?" Erron Black spoke up after forcing a cough.
"And why is that?" Quan Chi asked the gunslinger. "Shouldn't you be hunting down our enemies?"
"I was gathering my shit," Erron told the sorcerers. "I'll get right on it."
"That Bounty Hunter and those Chaosrealmers have delivered well," Shang Tsung told Erron. "Because you managed to send them off on their duties, I'll let this slacking slide."
"This once," Quan added.
"Whatever," Erron replied as he began walking out of the palace grounds.
"Um…" Kollector was cautious in speaking up. "What does all this mean for me?"
"It means that we accept your proposition," Shang Tsung announced. "You will retrieve the orb that will restore your realm and whether you can control your people will determine whether we spare the Naknadans…"
"Or genocide them," Quan Chi finished the sentence. "The wellbeing of your kind is a far second to servitude."
"I… I understand…" Kollector said as he nervously bowed before the Deadly Alliance.
"Go!" Shang Tsung ordered.
"Y-yes of course, excellency," Kollector said as he speed walked to get away from the frightening sorcerers.
"What is next on the agenda?" Quan Chi asked his partner.
"We still have time before the big event," Shang Tsung stated, "so I reckon it is time to start filling some of these soldiers with souls."
"How do you suggest we do that?" Quan Chi questioned. "Are we going with that one idea we came up with in our last meeting?"
"Yes," Shang Tsung smirked. "Let's do it."
As the Deadly Alliance continued to conduct their evil schemes, Naknada was still in peril from the attack of the Chaosrealmers from the Yangese Tribe. Evacuations of civilians were slowly taking place as Chaosrealmer bodies were strewn throughout the streets. Kintaro was the main culprit of all the violence, determined to hold as many raiders back as he could to help protect innocent lives. He effortlessly tossed numerous Chaosrealmers around and scorched many more with his fiery breath, drawing in the attention of hundreds of Chaosrealmers.
Kintaro began noticing that most of the Chaosrealmers were not even wearing the armour of the Yangese that wasn't a uniform at all but most would wear various pieces of gear made of a dark brown mystery metal from their realm, some having Yangese symbols painted in green on their armour and shields. This was initially the common attire of the invading Chaosrealmers, but as the battle raged on, Kintaro began squashing more and more bizarrely dressed Chaosrealmers who were even less disciplined in combat, showing a complete lack of experience. It began making Kintaro wonder if he was fighting mere civilians.
"There is no honour in dismantling you invaders!" Kintaro yelled as he drove a Chaosrealmer face first into a glass window of a now abandoned store, cracking the glass. "Where do you all come from?!"
"Chaosrealm!" Laughed the Chaosrealmer trapped in his grasp. "The greatest realm to ever realm!"
Kintaro sighed as he slammed the Chaosrealmer into the glass again, this time smashing through the window. A pair of Chaosrealmers ran at Kintaro as he spun around and the Shokan used his lower arms to scoop them up and throw them both over his head simultaneously, impaling them on the glass shards behind him. Roaring in an attempt to deter anymore Chaosrealmers from approaching, Kintaro soon concluded that not a single one of his opponents was capable of fearing anything… not even a Shokan.
Using his Sabre Teeth weapons, Kintaro blindly hacked and slashed through the endless waves of Chaosrealmers that marched down the street, eager to face the wrath of Kintaro. Another thing Kintaro had picked up on with these strange beings was their resiliency. None of the Chaosrealmers he had mauled showed any signs of regenerative powers, but he had noticed that even cutting and ripping limbs apart would only temporarily stop a Chaosrealmer. Even the most inexperienced warriors that stood up to Kintaro were relatively careless of being ripped apart, and found ease in putting their limbs together and snapping bones back into place. This meant that not only were the number of Chaosrealmers growing, but Kintaro wasn't truly defeating any of them. As Kintaro focused his gaze through the crowd of Chaosrealmers, he at last found the source of the constant increase in Chaosrealmers entering Naknada. Myscheff stood on the roof of Kollector's palace, using his staff to cast a row of interrealm portals to and from Chaosrealm.
Leaping over the crowd of Chaosrealmers, Kintaro landed on the already cracked stairway up to the palace. The Chaosrealmers were quick to chase him up the stairs. Kintaro spun around, a pair of elbows knocking one group into the ravine and a charging kick knocked a separate group down another. As Kintaro smashed through the doorway, he was suddenly stabbed in the chest by a spear from one of the palace guards. Another Naknadan soon charged in with a naginata that was also driven through Kintaro's large chest.
"Your leaders… abandoned you!" Kintaro growled. "Why do this?!"
Before either guard could reply, they gasped at the sight of the horde of Chaosrealmers running towards them. Like a pack of Zombies, they dogpiled the Naknadan guards and tore them apart. Kintaro tried to prevent it, but one Chaosrealmer leapt onto his back and began yanking on his pointy ears. Stumbling back, Kintaro smashed the Chaosrealmer into a pillar made of gold which caused the Chaosrealmer to lose grip. Kneeing him against the pillar, Kintaro then stomped his head against the pillar, leaving an indent of his head stained in blood. Kintaro roared in rage as he saw the Chaosrealmer still trying to stand up, still moving. With another powerful kick, Kintaro crushed his enemy's skull whilst destroying the pillar. Kintaro had finally killed a Chaosrealmer, their body going lifeless as chunks of his skull and brain littered the once clean marble floor.
"At last…" Kintaro grunted as he ripped the polearm weapons out of his chest. "I have found a weakness!"
Picking up the piece of broken pillar, Kintaro swung it around which batted several Chaosrealmers back outside, tumbling down the stairs. He then used the pillar as a barricade which was heavy enough to withhold the other Chaosrealmers for a moment, giving him enough time to deal with the ones inside that were busy feasting on the Naknadan guards who were foolishly loyal enough to remain at their posts.
"Over here, freaks!" Kintaro challenged the Chaosrealmers.
The first couple made no hesitation to attack Kintaro. The four armed warrior used his lower arms to push them both back, simultaneously grabbing their heads with his upper arms. Lifting the pair of Chaosrealmers with ease, Kintaro smashed their skulls together which created a vile explosion as their heads burst together. He threw their corpses at the other Chaosrealmers, a warning that they could indeed die.
"I am a more violent combatant than even all of you," Kintaro warned as the Chaosrealmers began circling around him like hungry sharks. "I can and I will slay you all if you continue to threaten my realm!"
The Chaosrealmers ignored his warnings and they all began charging at Kintaro. They lacked a pattern or a plan, however, so each approaching Chaosrealmer came alone. Kintaro swiftly thrusted one of his Sabre Teeth through the skull of one Chaosrealmer, piercing their brain before any others could reach him. Kintaro inhaled deeply, his furious breath pulling in another Chaosrealmer who got smashed into the ground by a double overhead hammer fist. Kintaro then ripped his head off and rolled it like a bowling ball, tripping up another enemy.
Kintaro grabbed a Chaosrealmer by the leg with each hand. He then spun around wildly, making all the Chaosrealmers dizzy. They let out chuckles as if they were on an amusement park ride, which only made Kintaro spin faster. At such a rapid speed, Kintaro splattered their bodies against a pillar which was broken down piece by piece each time one of the bodies was smashed against the golden supports.
This was when Kintaro had an idea that would bring the roof down. He leapt to the other two pillars in the room and ripped them apart with ease. Kintaro then dug his claws into the ceiling and dangled down. His immense body weight paired with the lack of support beams quickly brought the roof down, Myscheff falling into the rubble alongside it. He lost hold of his staff, closing the portals abruptly.
"A most surprising move, kitty," Myscheff commented as he calmly stood up and went to grab his staff.
Leaping over Myscheff's hand, Kintaro landed between him and the staff. Kintaro growled aggressively as Myscheff giggled, unthreatened by the presence of the Tigrar Shokan.
"Surrender now," Kintaro ordered.
"You think I would willingly give into your disgusting Order?!" Myscheff became angry at the demand.
"I can just kill you instead," Kintaro suggested an alternative solution.
"Feel free to try!" Myscheff welcomed it with open arms.
Kintaro huffed before placing a paw around Myscheff's skull and smashing it to pieces against the rubble. Dusting shards of bone from his fur, Kintaro gasped as he saw Myscheff's body still moving. Kintaro then realised that his skull was hollow and didn't contain a brain!
"How?!" Kintaro questioned as Myscheff held a fallen eye in one hand to examine the other as he collected the pieces of his jaw, instantly sticking the pieces together as if he had magical glue.
"It's a hollow old thing," Myscheff's jaw moved as he tucked it under his arm and began rebuilding the rest of his head. "I attach loose hair and put my eyeballs back into the little holes but that's it."
"I would pity you," Kintaro said as he let Myscheff rebuild himself. "But clearly you like it."
"It gives me a distinct appearance," Myscheff agreed. "Plus… you don't know where my brain is."
"I can always find out," Kintaro threatened.
"Very honourable of you to let me do this," Myscheff said as he reconnected the last piece of broken skull.
"There would be no honour in mauling a headless freak," Kintaro replied.
"You're right," Myscheff agreed as he suddenly ripped his own hand off. "It doesn't make you any less foolish for allowing it though."
Before Kintaro could react, Myscheff threw his hand over his head. The hand crawled on its own into clutching its skinny fingers around the gnarled handle of the ancient staff. Kintaro spun around only to be burnt by cursed flames that were spat from the head of a monster-like creature at the tip of the staff. The enchanted bright green fire was too much even for a Shokan, searing his chest which left black marks in place of his white fur. Myscheff then grabbed onto Kintaro's back whilst he was being burnt.
"Get off me!" Kintaro yelled.
"It's magic is most vile, hm?" Myscheff said before cackling as he put his hand under his shirt and began ripping his own flesh to create a strip of skin dangling from his body that he could tie around Kintaro's neck.
Kintaro gagged, disgusted with Myscheff's disgusting usage of the immunity to pain and injury that blessed Chaosrealmers. Myscheff began stepping back, splitting his already dirty and torn olive green shirt in half, exposing his torso. His skin was a sickly colour that made him look bruised all over. Kintaro was surprised he still had skin in the first place, but Myscheff had ripped the skin around his head off purely due to his enjoyment of skulls. Myscheff continued laughing maniacally as the skin from his chest soon peeled all the way down to his hip. He wrapped his hands around the skin-made rope, violently tugging on it which yanked Kintaro's head towards him. This caused Kintaro to spin around, now feeling his back being scorched by the staff.
Digging his claws into the skin around his neck, Kintaro managed to cut through. As Myscheff pulled his skin back, Kintaro grabbed onto the loose end and engaged in a tug of war… which Kintaro obviously won. Swinging Myscheff around by his loose skin, Kintaro began slamming him repeatedly into the rubble and walls of the palace which had quickly become unrecognisable from Kollector's home. As Kintaro assaulted Myscheff, his loose hand revealed a spearhead emerging from the monster's fleshy mouth and Myscheff managed to stab the Shokan in the foot.
The stabbing caused Kintaro to howl in pain and he released Myscheff, allowing him to regather all his skin into a ball and roll it out over his body like a carpet. Kintaro attempted to charge at Myscheff, but a sudden grenade was shot between them and exploded, blasting Kintaro through a brick wall.
"I didn't want your help!" Myscheff complained as Bounty Hunter emerged from the explosion.
"Well I didn't need your kind to make a mess of this place!" Bounty Hunter retorted.
"And yet we have specific targets to deliver Chaos to," Myscheff chuckled. "Imagine the Chaos that Ruen will bring."
"Don't know," Bounty Hunter shrugged with all arms. "Don't care."
Bounty Hunter approached Kintaro as he struggled to stand up. She pressed a gun against his head, but paused before pulling the trigger.
"I'd like some information, four arms," Bounty Hunter told him.
"If it's about my people then I'll tell you nothing!" Kintaro hissed angrily. "No Shokan would be intimidated by you!"
"So be it," Bounty Hunter sighed. "I can at least make a note that your kind cannot be negotiated with."
Before Bounty Hunter could pull the trigger, Kavalry returned after fighting through the horde of Chaosrealmers outside. Covered in cuts from the altercation, Kavalry still managed to fire an arrow that pierced Bounty Hunter in the back. Bounty Hunter refocused her attention to Kintaro quickly, but the moments distraction was all Kintaro needed to sink his sharp teeth in her arm. Bounty Hunter whipped the handle of the pistol she carried into Kintaro's eye, causing him to let go and roar in rage and agony.
"You're so willing to help our own home be brought to devastation!" Kavalry yelled as he approached Kavalry only for Myscheff to stab him with his staff.
"Pathetic," Bounty Hunter sighed. "I don't like this myself, Kavalry, but… business is business."
Kavalry collapsed to the floor as he began bleeding everywhere from his various wounds, his newest one being the main source though.
"Let us finish them!" Myscheff said as he began tapdancing from excitement.
"Hold on," Bounty Hunter said as he looked outside through a massive hole made in the wall by an explosion. "That's more Shokan."
"Eh?" Myscheff couldn't see and so Bounty Hunter handed him a telescope. "More bodies to break!"
Kintaro regained his sight and composure and charged at the Naknadan and the Chaosrealmer, knocking them both down the hole which went up a small hill besdie the stairway to the palace. Tumbling down the hill, many other Chaosrealmers trying to climb it were knocked over. Kintaro scooped Kavalry up into his lower arms before sliding down the hill himself.
"Sheeva!" Kintaro called out as he spotted his friend leading the charge of reinforcements.
"The Centaurs were quick to contact Kuatan," Sheeva explained as the Shokan duo began punching through Chaosrealmers to reach each other.
"They've been a good ally thus far," Kintaro complimented.
"From the description given we didn't think there'd be THIS many!" Sheeva admitted as they looked around at the endless hordes of Chaosrealmers.
"The numbers have kept growing," Kintaro explained. "I shut the portals they were coming from but…"
"We might have to abandon Naknada," Sheeva admitted.
"We do not retreat!" Kintaro reminded Sheeva of the Shokan code of honour. "This city needs our help!"
"And it will get more of it!" Sheeva promised. "But I must advise we join the Centaurs and Naknadans in departing so that we may rally a full force to reclaim the city!"
"What if this was in Kuatan?!" Kintaro asked.
"Then we'd have the entire Shokan army ready!" Sheeva argued. "Look, Kintaro, you're hurt… that Naknadan you're carrying is even more hurt. This isn't the time to fight."
Kintaro sighed.
"The civilians have all been evacuated," Sheeva announced. "The ones that weren't casualties, that is. Let's not have any more."
"You're right," Kintaro finally admitted. "I'll follow you out…"
Regrouping with the other Shokan and what few Centaurs remained, they fought out of Naknada as a unit with the Shokan riding the Centaurs back to their own home of Kuatan City. After a long trip, they had at last returned home. At one of the main entrances that led inside the city walls, many Centaurs were gathered alongside the Naknadans they had helped escort out of Naknada that had now fallen to Chaos.
"Kavalry!" Nikala neighed as she pushed away the Shokan nurses that were tending to her own wounds as she galloped to her friend. "Is he…"
"He's alive," Kintaro was quick to reassure her. "His wounds need treating quickly though!"
"Thank you," Nikala said as the nurses escorted Kavalry away from the busy crowd of villagers.
"You deserve some gratitude yourself," Kintaro extended a handshake to Nikala which she proudly accepted. "You saved my life."
"I know that you would've done the same," Nikala replied with a smile. "You're one of the most revered Shokan amongst your people."
"I am always honoured by such respect," Kintaro told her. "Unfortunately, we have more actions to take instead of dwelling on ones we took."
"Logic like that must be why you're one of the finest Shokan," Nikala noted. "What do you think is next?"
"Both our cities' defences need strengthening further," Kintaro concluded. "Our independence from the Deadly Alliance shall not go unnoticed, and if they have those Chaosrealmers at the helm of their army…"
"It could be disastrous," Sheeva finished his sentence. "I shall tell the royal family of your concerns, Kintaro, they actually asked me to attend a meeting."
"Then you best not keep them waiting," Kintaro said as Sheeva nodded in agreement.
"I can give you a ride," Nikala offered.
"You're hurt," Sheeva pointed her left arms at Nikala's wounded back. "I can't ask you to-"
"I am a warrior too," Nikala replied. "These are the sacrifices we make."
"Then I gladly accept your offer," Sheeva decided as she carefully climbed onto Nikala's back. "We'll catch up soon, Kintaro."
"Farewell," Nikala waved to the Tigrar Shokan who returned the gesture.
As Kintaro watched Sheeva and Nikala depart to Kuatan Palace, she spotted a fellow Tigrar Shokan watching them leave too with a concerned look on her face.
"Katrina," Kintaro greeted. "Is something wrong?"
"Is Sheeva alright?" Katrina asked with visible concern on her face.
"She was unharmed by the attackers," Kintaro assured her. "I'm sure she will catch up with you when she gets the opportunity."
"I respect that she is busy," Katrina replied. "I wish I had come to the protest too."
"Your unique abilities are needed here," Kintaro stated as he placed a paw on her fluffy shoulder. "Do not blame yourself."
"I know that the new Emperors threaten our home," Katrina thought aloud with nervousness in her voice, "but I've just been using my Cryomancy to make temporary support beams and scaffolding for the repairs after the altercation with the Centaur Army."
"Your support is more vital than you may think," Kintaro tried to reassure her. "Although combat is our calling, us Shokan are much more than just warriors."
"I know," Katrina sighed. "Thank you for your help, Kintaro."
"Always," Kintaro replied as he looked around at the crowd. "I hope we do have enough space to house these Naknadans."
"Centaur Hills will no doubt offer some extra housing," Katrina believed. "Just another thing of many on the list of objectives…"
As the Shokan and Centaurs collaborated in order to find a home for each Naknadan, Nikala and Sheeva arrived at Kuatan Palace. Sheeva thanked Nikala as she dropped her off before heading inside alone, quickly being flanked either side by a pair of royal guards who escorted her to the throne room. As she entered she saw King Gorbak, Queen Mai and Goro were all sitting on their respective thrones whilst interacting with Zenkaro as they awaited Sheeva's arrival. Sheeva was surprised to see Zenkaro's presence at the meeting.
"Your Majesties," Sheeva clasped her hands together and bent over in a bow of honour and respect. "I apologies for my lateness, I had-"
"We have been informed of the situation in Naknada," Mai assured her. "You made the right decision to prioritise the safety of others over this meeting."
"Speaking of which," Zenkaro spoke up after clearing his throat, "what is the purpose of this meeting?"
"You have been waiting a while," Mai realised. "Let's not wait any longer to explain. Gorbak?"
"We wish to congratulate you, Zenkaro," Gorbak revealed as he stood up from his throne to shake his hands.
"Congratulate me?" Zenkaro was surprised.
"For your work in fending off the Centaurs when they attacked our great home," Gorbak clarified.
"Your aid was crucial to saving many people," Mai applauded.
"You both honour me," Zenkaro smiled proudly at the praise. "I'm just happy to finally do something right for our people."
"You've done many great deeds, Zenkaro," Sheeva told him. "Do not let your mistakes overshadow that."
"Mistakes?" Zenkaro scoffed. "I caused the death of a proud warrior in the Cobalt Mines!"
"An accident," Sheeva replied, which made Zenkaro groan. "The conditions of those mines were completely unsafe and for that we blame the poor management of Shao Kahn."
"She is right," Gorbak told him. "You have done much to redeem yourself regardless."
"And for that, we wish to reward you," Mai added.
"Reward me?" Zenkaro was puzzled.
"This is why we waited for Sheeva," Gorbak continued to explain as he looked over to her.
"By the way, how are the people after that incident, Sheeva?" Goro couldn't help but ask out of her immense concern as he listened in quietly on his throne. "The Shokan, Centaurs, Naknadans, everyone involved really."
"Many casualties," Sheeva let out a mournful sigh. "Many survivors are injured but they should all make full recoveries."
"I wish I could've helped," Goro replied as he looked down at his bandaged wounds. "I'm so sorry."
"Nobody is to blame, son," Mai reassured him. "Except for those wicked attackers."
"We will make haste with rehoming the Naknadans," Gorbak promised as Mai nodded in agreement.
"Kintaro also suggested that we increase the security of our own city," Sheeva added. "He theorised that the same attack might befall Kuatan."
"I share his fears," Gorbak confessed. "This perfectly leads us into some news about your position, however."
"Oh?" Sheeva raised an eyebrow, curious about the reason she was called for the meeting.
"To help fight against the Deadly Alliance, we need an active law enforcement of our own," Gorbak revealed as he scratched his chin, deep in recollection of his plans. "We can no longer rely on additional services provided by an Emperor or Empress."
"Which means we would like you to lead our new group of constables," Mai revealed which made Sheeva gasp.
"Congratulations!" Zenkaro shouted, genuinely happy for his mentor and friend.
"I am honoured to be given this opportunity," Sheeva expressed her gratitude to the royal family. "I accept this duty with open arms."
"You have earnt it," Gorbak told her as he began clapping for her, Mai and Goro standing up to applaud her too.
"Sorry," Sheeva apologised, "but what of my job as prison warden? I honestly don't think I can manage both responsibilities."
"That is why we're also promoting Zenkaro," Mai revealed. "You are the new warden."
"I can't believe it!" Zenkaro gasped.
"Well done!" Sheeva cheered her friend. "You earned it!"
"You have both served our people well," Goro gave his own praise of the pair. "I shall be ready to return to action soon, Sheeva, I shall accompany you on your first duties."
"Thank you, Goro," Sheeva said gratefully. "I look forward to working alongside you."
"But before we can carry on with any responsibilities," Goro spoke quietly as he stared at the floor with sadness in his voice, "we must pay our respects and mourn the fallen… including the funerals of Baraka and Liu Kang..."