We Angry Few 2: Relapse In Behavior
Ch6: Back to Hell
The group of Zilla's business associates look mortified at one another while the heroes of the group look mostly uncertain at Lo Wang's idea of bringing Hoji back to the realm of the living.
Bruce: I'm sorry, who's Hoji?
Mezu: My brother. He's a fool that would only get in the way!
Lo Wang: Last I checked he was apart of the reason that Dragon you locked up WAS locked up in the first place?
Bruce: Well where is he now?
Zilla: He's dead, he died not too long after the initial attacks of the Collision because he's a fool!
Lo Wang: Jeez Zilla, don't sound too bummed out! It's not like he helped me save the world or anything!
Kratos: In my experience, death can be conquered. How essential is this demon to stopping the Dragon?
Lo Wang: Pretty damn essential. Don't just take my word for it, ask Baba Yaga over there!
Motoko: Yes, I remember the other timeline too Lo Wang but you forget the troubles we went through to find the Vessel that would facilitate the resurrection!
Motoko then points at Lo Wang as a small beam of light shoots out of her pointer finger directly to Lo Wang's forehead. This only is a light sting for Wang she reveals that in the alternate timeline Lo Wang fought what he calls an "Ancient Cock", he points at it and laughs like a middle school boy. The rest of the group turns to Lo Wang not returning his enthusiasm, Rayne even rolls her eyes.
Lo Wang: I might have forgotten about this… and the egg… and the hot spring.
Xing: And we have to assume that because that sequence of events was in a destroyed Japan that beast will not be nesting there and the hot spring may be closed off to us.
Bruce: We live in a world of superheroes, spies, monster hunters, noble monsters, sorcerers and more! Can one dragon really cause all that damage when there are so many people that are capable of stopping it?
Zilla: With all due respect Doctor Banner, you are just one man and look at the feats you've accomplished with your powers! Now magnify the damage by a thousand!
Lo Wang: I have an idea! Hanzo, Quan Chi's dead right?
Hanzo: I killed him myself. Why do you ask?
Lo Wang: You see Quan Chi was this LEGENDARY necromancer who went from one world to the next, not only weakening it's defenses BUT collecting knowledge on that world's arcane arts correct?
Hanzo: I know where you are going with this and my answer is no. We are not going to Quan Chi's fortress and taking his spell books.
Kratos: I have heard several stories of this sorcerer from Hanzo's first hand encounters. Spells that bring the dead back and twist their being into something they are not. Surely there is another way!
Rayne: I hate to say it but I think Wang is right! We're running out of time and options and frankly rummaging through a dead guy's library sounds a lot easier than finding a hot spring in a demon infested mountain range.
Lo Wang: It's the only way Hanzo and you know how to get to Quan Chi's old hideaway! Come on what do you say?!
Hanzo: I wish to speak with you in private Lo Wang.
Wang raises an eye brow at Hanzo nonchalantly saying "Uh okay sure I guess.", the two ninja exit the command center of the Fortress of Doom into the hall. Hanzo grabs Lo Wang's shoulder teleporting them both down to the Fire Gardens.
Lo Wang: What's up dude?
Hanzo: Are you truly so foolish that you would risk your friend's soul?!
Lo Wang: I'm sorry I don't follow?
Hanzo: Quan Chi's magic brought me back but it also warped my mind. I did not have free will and others who have been resurrected and conscripted into Quan Chi's service will tell you the same! Whoever casts the spell to resurrect Hoji will be in control of him and who among us is going to cast the spell? Is it you, because it is certainly not me!
Lo Wang: I mean you got a point, Motoko is the only one up there that does magic tricks. BUT... I counter that with this: Master Leap taught me advanced Chi bending techniques that overcome dark magic. I think I can leave an imprint on the mask, like a guiding light towards freedom!
Hanzo: You're willing to bet your training is good enough to save your friend's free will?
Lo Wang: I admittedly don't use that technique a whole lot but the way I see it, we either risk a flying gecko plunging the Earth into a new ice age or Hoji becomes Zilla's corporate mascot. Both suck but one can be undone.
Hanzo stands there pondering the situation at hand after a few moments of mulling it over he knows that Wang is right.
Hanzo: Do you have anything of Hoji's?
Lo Wang: I have his mask back at the cave!
Hanzo: We will go get it. But know this Lo Wang, if Motoko and Zilla are able to enslave Hoji... it's not an easy process to free him.
Lo Wang: That's a later problem!
The two of them teleport to the Wang Cave. Meanwhile back inside the Fortress of Doom, Zilla has taken charge of the meeting.
Zilla: Mezu, I need you and siblings to go back to Zilla city and prepare it for an absolute bloodbath! The rest of us-
The sound of roaring fire swooshes behind the group, they all turn to see Hanzo teleporting back to the Fortress alongside Lo Wang who now has Hoji's mask in his hand. Lo Wang and Hanzo both walk back up to the table, Wang walks with a newfound swagger unlike ever before.
Lo Wang: Fuck whatever Zilla just said! Me and Hanzo have THE BEST plan!
Hanzo: We are going to the Netherrealm to retrieve a spell book from Quan Chi's library. I will lead a search party that will consist of myself, Wang, Rayne, and Kratos.
Doom Slayer: I will come as well.
Hanzo: Not this time friend. I need you and Doctor Banner here to watch over Motoko and Kamiko while they reach out to the dragon telepathically.
Doom Slayer: Very well.
Bruce: I can help work on upgrading the weapons on your Atlan while they're gone but I would need Zilla's technical know how.
Zilla: What's an Atlan?
Doom Slayer: You may show him but keep a close eye.
Doctor Banner then escorts Zilla to the where giant mechanized suit is being held. The three demons look at each other, Gozu looks visibly confused at what his next assignment will be.
Gozu: So where do we go?
Mezu: You idiot don't listen to Wang! We go back to Zilla City and prepare our forces!
Lo Wang: And get Hoji's body ready!
The de facto leader of the Ancients pulls out a small device out from is pocket that resembles a television remote, he presses down on a button and the three demons are teleported back to Zilla City. Severin begins to ready a portal for his allies to go the Netherrealm but Hanzo tells him, "That will not be necessary. I can bring them to Quan Chi's fortress.", Severin nods back at the ninja master.
Rayne: We're still gonna need you on comms and topography duty.
Severin: Never thought I wasn't going to do that.
Severin then turns over to Kamiko and Motoko to speak with them. "Ladies you're welcome to meditate, project your astral forms, or whatever you have to do to speak to the dragon but because they are going to Hell and I can't promise it won't get loud and busy in here." He tells the pair of telepaths and the nod in agreement.
Kamiko: No of course I totally get that. If the Slayer will let us we can use his man cave again?
Doom Slayer: I actually have a better place in mind, follow me and I will take you to one of the towers. It will be quiet there for you.
The Slayer escorts Kamiko and Motoko to one of the towers where they can focus their abilities. Severin then nods at Rayne and the four heroes all have one last meeting before going to the Netherrealm.
Kratos: Forgive me Hanzo for questioning your plan but I agree with your earlier sentiment. Your stories of being Quan Chi's assassin are eerily similar to my time as Ares' enforcer and Zilla does not seem like a man to trust.
Hanzo: I know, but Lo Wang believes he has the power to negate any foothold Zilla and his witch would have over the resurrected Hoji. We are also running out of time.
Rayne: It's worth a shot. Are we all ready to go Hell?
The rest of the group all nod at one another that they are ready to leave. Hanzo encases them in a ball of fire and when the ball of fire dissipates they have all vanished without a trace. Severin leans over on the Slayer's computer terminals.
Severin: Rayne can you hear me?... Rayne?
The moment of silence becomes increasingly more terrifying by every second until Rayne radios in saying "Sev! Looks like Hanzo teleported us just outside of Quan Chi's fortress. At least I think it is, it's certainly the only floating building here". Severin has a big smile on his face relieved that they weren't teleported into a volcano or surrounded by demons.
Severin: Copy that. I'll keep an open channel for you all. Let me know if there's anything I can do.
Down in the depths of the Netherrealm the four heroes stare up at the massive floating fortress of Quan Chi.
Rayne: Alright Hanzo, is there a reason why we didn't end up directly in the Fortress and out here instead?
Hanzo: Despite killing Quan Chi a few years ago, his Brotherhood of Shadow is stronger than ever! If we were to teleport in we'd be surrounded and potentially overpowered.
Rayne: We have a literal god of war on our side?
Kratos: No Hanzo is right, we were Hell only a few weeks ago. Powerful dark forces are everywhere.
Rayne: Alright that makes sense I guess, but how do we get up there? The whole turning into a bat thing skipped a couple generations.
Hanzo: Simple.
The former Netherrealm assassin walks toward the cliff, he looks up at the stormy skies of Hell where Quan Chi's floating fortress resides and then looks down at the lake of lava below. Hanzo pulls a knife out from his belt cutting the palm of his hand open and dripping the blood into the lake below. The blood begins to float in front of Hanzo and begins to form stairs.
Hanzo: Come, it will only last for so long.
Rayne: Well you sure know how to off for a girl!
Lo Wang was taken a back by this comment, although they were never serious this joke by Rayne really caught him off guard. Kratos sees this and smacks him on the back yelling "We do not have time for your insulted pride now come!". The group of heroes quickly run up the stairs of blood and begin to explore the Fortress. They eventually make the conclusion that this place was abandoned a long time ago.
Rayne: I've been in ghost towns with more ghosts than here!
Kratos: Stay vigilant, you can never be too sure.
Lo Wang: Confuscious say, sneaky enemy is stinky enemy!
Rayne: You are so immature.
The group find themselves in Quan Chi's personal library and laboratory. The group sees shelves filled with books and is glass casing the armor of Shao Kahn. Lo Wang immediately begins skimming the books to see if he can find the book.
Lo Wang: I can't read any of this! What languages are these?
Hanzo: Many of these books have been transcribed into demonic code. But the knowledge in these books comes from all over the universe. Earth, Edenia, Outworld, Asgard, Nirn, and countless others.
Rayne: Sir Tremaine taught me a little back at Brimstone, I can help comb over these books with you if Lo Wang and Kratos play lookout for us.
An unseen raspy voice tells the voice, "You should've had someone looking out before hand!". Suddenly the group of heroes are all restrained by ninjas made of pure shadow. Kratos and Hanzo both try to break free of their restraints only to have even more of these warriors pile on them.
Lo Wang: No way! We're gonna fight the Shadowkhan!?
Suddenly another more regal voice responds to Lo Wang's query saying "Oh no they are not Shadowkhan!". On the other side of the room two figures teleport in one of them resembles the ninjas made of shadow but unlike them was made clearly made of flesh and wielded a serrated sickle and the other a pale bald man with multiple red tattoos and what looked like some sort of neck brace. These two men are none other than Noob Saibot and Quan Chi.
Lo Wang: Holy shit! Guys, it's lord albino!
Quan Chi: Shut up boy.
One Noob Saibot's shadow clones punches Lo Wang in the gut causing him to loose his breath. Quan Chi begins to pace around the restrained heroes smugly looking down upon them.
Hanzo: How are you alive?
Quan Chi: That's thing Scorpion... I'm not! After you decapitated me, my soul was damned to the lowest ring of the Netherrealm. I thought Lord Shinnok had abandoned me, left me me to be damned for all eternity. If it were not for Noob and the Shadows restoring my soul to my body, I would not be here before you!
Rayne: Look we're not here to cause trouble! We came here for a book that probably doesn't even-
Rayne begins to cry out in pain as Quan Chi unleashes mystical lighting upon her. The necromancer has sinister grin on his face as he does this savoring every scream. Quan Chi stops after a few seconds of electrocution but Rayne falls down on the marble floors struggling to get back up, the library returns to silence as the other three heroes watch their ally struggle. Noob Saibot walks toward Rayne and crouches down watching her like a curious looking at ant hill.
Noob Saibot: I see you have new friends Hanzo! Tell me where is Kuai Liang or that traitor Tomaz! Did you trade them in for vampiric trash?
Hanzo: None of your concern Bi-Han!
Lo Wang: If you miss them so much why don't you go looking for them? I'm sure Grandmaster Snow-Cone and the Marlboro-Man would love to fight a symbiote knock off.
Noob doesn't take kindly to this comment and walks toward Lo Wang brandishing his sickle but Quan Chi gets between the two of them causing the undead ninja to halt in his tracks. Quan Chi commands Noob, "Do not listen to this would be ninja! He may have saved the Earth from the Collision of the Shadow Realm but he is still a buffoon.". Quan Chi examines each hero carefully.
Quan Chi: I heard a story Scorpion, maybe you can enlighten me. I heard that you, the Hellblazer, Zatanna, an Avenger, a god, and the prophesied Doom Slayer lead the charge of expelling Felix Faust from all of the Hells surely this is a false story?
Kratos then speaks up to Quan Chi telling the necromancer, "Yes, we did. And we will do the same to you!". Quan Chi raises an eye brow and teleports over to Kratos in attempt to intimidate him but the spartan warrior does not flinch.
Quan Chi: You must be the god in question! When I first heard the story I thought it was Raiden or Fujin but when I was told of the destruction you wrought upon Faust's army I knew it couldn't of been them. I must admit Scorpion, you've outdone yourself! A forgotten god, the bastard daughter of Kagan, and the Nobitsura Kage! The two warriors will make fine addition to the Brotherhood of Shadow, Noob kill the ninja and take his blade!
Kratos: I AM NO ONE'S SLAVE!
The God of War violently shakes off the Shadows holding him back, once freed Kratos enters a state of mind that only knows wrath. He lunges at Quan Chi with the Blades of Chaos but the Blades are blocked by Noob's sickle. While Kratos and Noob Saibot are locked in combat Hanzo begins to submerge his body with hellfire burning away the shadow replicas of Noob that were holding him back. Hanzo burns so bright his skeleton can be seen through his skin, as more shadow ninja try to ambush Hanzo and Kratos this gives Lo Wang the freedom to use his chi powers disintegrating the shadow holding him back. Wang quickly dispatches the two ninja holding down Rayne. He cuts one down with the Nobitsura Kage clean in half and the other he uses his chi to push it into a pillar. He goes to pick up Rayne.
Lo Wang: Yo are you good?
Rayne: I'll be a lot better when that pale prick is on bleeding out!
Lo Wang and Rayne now enter the fray. The library within has now become an all out battlefield, Kratos fights Noob Saibot, Hanzo now fights Quan Chi, and the Shadows now fight Lo Wang and Rayne. Hanzo furiously hits Quan Chi with everything he has, the sorcerer begins to look visibly frightened as each blow is more lethal than the last. Hanzo uses his rope spear to drag the sorcerer toward him and then slams him down onto the floor, the fiery ninja stomps on Quan Chi's spine the sound of a loud snap echoes throughout the room.
Quan Chi: Scorpion please I beg you! I cannot go back down there!
Hanzo then flips him on his back, he sees the fear in his eyes as Hanzo's body is completely engulfed in flame no longer able to hide the rage he has worked so hard to overcome.
Hanzo: NOW YOU KNOW HOW THEY FELT WHEN YOU SLAUGHTERED YOU COWARD!
Quan Chi: NO PLEASE!
Quan Chi raises his arms trying defend himself but Hanzo unleashes a storm of hellfire upon the necromancer breathing it down like a ravenous dragon. While Hanzo exacts his vengeance once again, the others fight a never ending army of ninjas constantly attacking. Kratos is engaged with the real Noob Saibot sparks flying in the air.
Noob Saibot: You are ferocious warriror! Tell me, when you were worshipped what were you the patron god of, barbarism? Perhaps you were the god of savagery?
Instead of words Kratos responds with a swift slash from one of his blades slitting the throat of the dark warrior. Pitch black blood sprays out of his neck like a fountain, causing the shadow clones to fade away as if light was shined on them. Lo Wang and Rayne turn to see Kratos standing over Noob Saibot bleeding out and walk toward them both. Noob quietly says "You cannot kill what is already dead..." as he fades into the floor.
Kratos: Where did he go?
Lo Wang: Don't look me, I kill my villains!
The group turn over to Hanzo still raining down a righteous fire on Quan Chi's who body appear to be engulfed in flame. The skin on Hanzo's head has seemingly burned off as it's just Hanzo's skull visible, the other heroes look on concerned.
Rayne: Holy...
Lo Wang: That's Scorpy for ya.
Kratos: HANZO ENOUGH!
Hanzo closes his mouth and stops breathing fire down on Quan Chi, the flaming skull reverts to Hanzo's face and the fire around his body dissipates. Hanzo is huffing and puffing heavily as this took a lot out of him, he looks at the others disappointed in himself.
Hanzo: I am sorry... I just wasn't expecting to see him.
Kratos: It is alright brother. Come, let's get what we-
The sound of laughter mocking the group can echoes through out the fortress and the fire around Quan Chi is blown away revealing the necromancer's untouched body and the forcefield around it.
Quan Chi: HAHAHAHA! You fools, did you really think it would be that easy to kill me in my own home?!
Kratos roars out in anger charging at Quan Chi as he levitates back up on his feet. The other heroes follow behind as Kratos charges the sorcerer, Quan Chi shoots hellfire and other eldritch energy at the group of heroes pushing them all back except Kratos who moves too quickly for the sorcerer. Kratos jumps at the sorcerer grabbing him in the air, tearing the supportive wires that make up the neck brace before ripping Quan Chi's head off it's stitches from his neck. Kratos lands on his feet while Quan Chi's body slams back on the ground limply, his left leg twitching. Kratos stares at into the eyes of Quan Chi who has been decapitated once again.
Hanzo: Kratos... thank you my friend.
Kratos: You should not have had to relive any moment involving this vile creature.
Kratos drops Quan Chi's head letting roll on the floor to the very edge of the library. Rayne grabs the stack of books that were dropped during the ambush.
Rayne: Hey not to ruin the tender moment or anything but I have the books that should probably be enough for Motoko to work her magic.. if that's what we still want?
Hanzo and Lo Wang both look at each other for a moment, Lo Wang sees the pain Hanzo's eyes now knowing that Quan Chi is functionally immortal as long as Shinnok is hiding. Hanzo also sees a sense of worry in his eye knowing that Noob Saibot, a product of Quan Chi's dark arts is still out there and Hoji could suffer a similar fate.
Hanzo: That is not my decision, it is up to Lo Wang if we move forward or we find another way.
Lo Wang breathes a heavy sigh and tells the group, "Fuck it we came too far to turn back now!". Rayne nods and calls Severin to open a portal back up to the Fortress of Doom. Lo Wang walks up to Hanzo and Kratos who are speaking about their experiences being another's slave.
Lo Wang: Hey are you good?
Hanzo: I will manage.
The portal back to the Fortress of Doom opens up and the group of heroes walk through it with a stack of spell books for Motoko to use. Once the portal closes the tattoos around Quan Chi's body begin to glow red and the body sits up turning to where it's head rolled to. Noob Saibot also returns to the fortress teleporting back seemingly completely healed he watches the body of Quan Chi pick his back up and putting his head back on his neck.
Noob Saibot: Should we go after them?
Quan Chi: No. The Earth seems to be at the center of battle older than our multiverse and the warrior god that fought alongside Scorpion and the rumors of the Doom Slayer are proof of that.
Noob Saibot: Lord Shinnok will not pleased that we failed protecting the spell books.
Quan Chi: You are correct, but there are more important things at hand than retrieving a few spell books.
The necromancer opens a portal to Shinnok's castle and tells Noob, "Come. We must prepare for war". Quan Chi and Noob Saibot walk through the portal to Shinnok's temple bearing bad news. Meanwhile back inside the Fortress of Doom, Kamiko appears to be meditating alongside Motoko but in fact they are actually waging a war against the Dragon on the psychic plane both of them hover over a small pool of water inside the tower of the fortress. Both of their faces are straining as they struggle to even slow down the dragon until both of them cry out in pain and fall into the ankle deep of the pool below. Visions of the Dragon narrowly evading cargo ships and airplanes flood their minds but the beast is now twice the size it was and moving even faster than before.
Kamiko: Did it get, BIGGER?!
Motoko: I do not know child. Go, I will handle the creature myself until the others return from the Netherrealm.
Kamiko raises an eye brow at the witch but Motoko pays her no mind as she goes right back to levitating over the pool of water and closes her eyes. Kamiko walks back into the Fortress of Doom defeated unsure of what to do, she decides to go back into the Slayer's man cave in the hopes that it would be a quiet place to rest like earlier but instead she finds the Slayer there. He solemnly looks on at the framed picture of his wife and child.
Kamiko: Oh my god, I am so sorry I just came in here to-
Doom Slayer: Get away from it all? You came to the right place. It's why I made this room, to decompress.
Kamiko: I see, listen umm about earlier-
Doom Slayer: It's quite alright, Hanzo briefed me about Lo Wang before all of this. I knew what I was getting into when I allowed him here. I'm assuming you weren't able to reroute the dragon?
Kamiko: No, I'm afraid not. The most me and Motoko did was stop the dragon from eating a cargo ship. I feel so useless! I numbed that thing for years I don't understand why it's not working now!
Doom Slayer: Don't if anyone is going to stop that thing it's going to be us.
The Slayer tries to walk away from the conversation but is then stopped by Kamiko who asks the Slayer a somewhat personal question.
Kamiko: I'm sorry I have to ask, those toys on display... are they yours?
Doom Slayer: Some of them. Some of them were my son's. But you already knew the answer to that didn't you? Use your powers and tell me, what do you see?
Kamiko takes a breath in and closes her eyes, she opens them and sees what looks to be the Slayer but he's wearing his Space Marine armor, he's outside in an American suburb. The past version of the Slayer looks horrified through his visor as sees his house in flames and a rabbit's head on spike. The memory of the Slayer runs into the house and Kamiko follows but before she even enters the house she hears the wales of a grown man who lost his family. The past version of the Slayer has now removed his helmet as he stands over the bloodied bodies of his wife and son. The vision then fast forwards a little bit, the bodies of the Slayer's family are no longer in the den and the Slayer now in his Praetor armor along with a handful of Knights Sentinels are collecting some of the Slayer's items. Valen the then commander of the Knight Sentinels speaks with Slayer.
Valen: Why do you come back here for these trinkets?
Past Slayer: Some of it for the time between battles, it's important to be refreshed for the next fight. The rest of these items are to remind me why I fight.
The vision then fades away and Kamiko finds herself back in the Slayer's man cave, she is teary eyed after what she just witnessed. She hugs the Slayer and this admittedly catches him off guard but before he can even think about retuning the hug VEGA interrupts.
VEGA: The others have returned from the Netherrealm with a stack of demonic literature. Please report to the Command Center.
The two of them head back to the Command Center and see Severin greeting an overly enthusiastic Lo Wang while Hanzo, Rayne, and Kratos all trail behind him.
Lo Wang: WE CAME, WE SAW, WE KICKED THE SHIT OUT OF QUAN CHI AND HIS MAKE-A-WISH BATMAN!
Severin: Do you have something Motoko can use?
Rayne: Me and Hanzo narrowed it down to this these books right here!
Rayne put the stack of books on the desk of the computer terminal. Severin looks on somewhat nervous seeing all those books for Motoko to read.
Severin: Is Motoko going to have time to find the right spell to resurrect a god?
The voice of the witch can be heard from behind them saying, "Oh I'll be quiet alright!". Motoko hovers through the air and raises her hand levitating the stack of books as well as bringing them to.
Motoko: I am a quick study.
Lo Wang: Alrighty! Let's call Mezu and see how the grave digging is-
Another portal suddenly opens Mezu, Xing, and Gozu come through it. Gozu carriers a big coffin over his shoulder and drops it on the floor, a thunderous clanging echoes through the halls as makes contact with the ground.
Mezu: Zilla City is ready for war and we have Hoji.
Lo Wang: Alright everyone, who's ready for a weekend at Hoji's?!