Angry Ones: Hanzo Hasashi
Ch1: Starting Over
One year before the final Mortal Kombat tournament outside a temple in Nanda Parbat, John Constantine also known as the Hellblazer walks and talks with one of the monks trying. Constantine is speaking with the monk in an urgent manner.
Constantine: With all due respect great master, That scroll is far too powerful to leave on this mortal coil but I can safely protect it in a world between worlds.
Monk: The House of Mystery is no place for the Demon Scrolls. We shall safe guard them like we have with all of our relics. Our champion will protect them
Constantine: Your champion, is the undead spirit of an acrobat with a crippling gambling addiction! Boston is a good lad but I don't think he-
The sound of explosions and a wood catching fire can be heard in the distance. Constantine runs in that direction. The Hellblazer charges through the door revealing the trophy room filled with priceless artifacts has now been set a blaze and dozens of monks lie dead on the ground. Constantine goes wide eyed when he sees a man wearing yellow ninja garb, the fire clearly not bothering the ninja, and his eyes are a foggy white like jf he was dead. This is specter of Hanzo Hasashi who now goes by the name Scorpion! Constantine knows of the legend and despite knowing better, he walks toward the ghost and into the flames throwing off his trench coat and rolling his sleeves up revealing glowing tattoos of runes and symbols of various religions and magical disciplines.
Constantine: I don't know why your here Scorpion, but leave now and no harm will come to you!
Scorpion: I seek the Demon Scrolls, Hellblazer. You will bring them to me at once.
Constantine: The legendary Hanzo Hasashi knows my name, I should be flattered!
Scorpion: Nergal comes to the Brotherhood often. Tell us all the time about how you failed Astra.
The demonic ninja unsheathes one of his katana's from his back pointing it at Constantine. John looks at Scorpion, smiling mischievously back at him. Hanzo swings his katana at Constantine but the blade is deflected by Constantine's forearm which has a glowing norse rune on it.
Constantine: Are you familiar with Baldur the Brave?
While Scorpion is distracted Constantine punches him in the gut causing the assassin to drop the blade. Constantine goes on to tell him, "Baldur was an Aesir God who was indestructible by all accounts! Not even the gods could kill him!". They exchange fisticuffs but Constantine seems relatively unscathed.
Constantine: It wasn't until the god Loki tricked some poor bastard into shooting Baldur with a mistletoe arrow!
Constantine's forearms stop glowing and Hanzo slashes at the Hellblazer's abdomen. Constantine falls to his knees and looks up at the undead warrior now towering over him.
Scorpion: What is the point of your prattling warlock?
Constantine through pained breathes tells him, "That everyone has a weakness...". Scorpion then turns around him as he hears the voice of a small boy playing in the fire. Scorpion's foggy white eyes go wide with anxiety when he sees his son Satoshi for the first time in centuries is playing in the fire.
Scorpion: SATOSHI GET OUT OF THE FIRE!
As the assassin runs toward the fire Constantine smirks. When Scorpion reaches his son, Satoshi simply disappears. Scorpion frantically searches for his son despite being on a mission for Quan Chi when all of a sudden Constantine's right hook sends the assassin crashing into the burning floor.
Constantine: Everyone has their weakness... You brought up Astra, I thought it be only fair if I brought in someone from your clan that you failed to save.
Scorpion now furious roars with anger impaling Constantine with his dagger and whispers in his ear, "I will seal you in Hell.". Scorpion drops Constantine and goes back to his search for the Demon Scrolls. Scorpion tears through a wooden wall and finds his prize behind the wall on a pedestal. The scrolls are a charred black color and the seal on the scroll is in the shape of a devil. Scorpion looks over his shoulder to see that Constantine is now limping over to stop him, the Hellblazer speaks but he sounds different than before. Instead of speaking in his natural Liverpool accent he now sounds as if he's trying to be British and from New New Jersey at the same time.
Constantine: And where do ya think you're goin'?
Scorpion: You must be the spirit that was supposed to guard this temple.
Constantine: The names' Deadman. Put the fuckin' scroll down, last chance.
Scorpion instead turns around with a ferocious speed and throws his rope spear at Constantine's possessed body.
Scorpion: GET OVER HERE!
The spear sinks into Constantine's ribs and he's violently pulled toward Hanzo. Scorpion grabs onto Constantine's throat ready to crush his windpipe but Constantine just smiles back at the ninja saying outloud, "Thanks for the boost Brand!". Constantine begins to recite a spell in Latin and small portal opens and the other side is a void of pure darkness and it sucks the scroll right up. Scorpion is furious but he decides to drop Constantine and leave him to burn with the rest of the temple.
Scorpion: You will pay in the afterlife for ruining my master's plan! I will be waiting for you!
Scorpion teleports away and Constantine drops to the floor, he tries to crawl out of the burning temple but simply doesn't have the energy and has lost too much blood. Constantine accepts his death and closes his eyes waiting for the fires to take him. Suddenly Constantine wakes up shirtless on the couch in the den of the House of Mystery surrounded by the monk, Zatanna, Night Nurse, Deadman, and his best friend Chas.
Constantine: What the bloody hell happened?!
Chas: You alright mate? The boo brother said you took some punishment!
Zatanna rushes to hug him saying, "JOHNNY!". She hugs him by the neck and tells him, "I'm so glad you're okay!" and then promptly punching him in the shoulder.
Constantine: What was that for?!
Zatanna: Boston told me you used that bogus Baldur tattoo and it stopped working half way through!?
Constantine grimaces at his ghostly ally but Boston Brand responds with, "Don't look at me like that you know how she gets!". The Monk then steps up to Constantine, he kneels down to speak to him.
Monk: Hellblazer, where is the Demon Scroll?
Constantine: In a bloody pocket dimension collecting dust until the end of time! I saved the day!
Monk: For now, yes. Shinnok will be occupied in the coming years.
Zatanna: What does Shinnok have to do with this?
Monk: The story of Hanzo Hasashi is much more complex than one you all know. Let me ask you, why would a vengeful spirit steal scrolls of secret many in Hell have since forgotten. The story of Hanzo Hasashi says the Lin Kuei were the ones that massacred his clan and the people of Nanda Parbat have no affiliation with them... Shinnok has plans, theres a war coming and I fear the coming Mortal Kombat tournament may the Earth's place in the universe.
The others look at each other confused so Deadman says what everyone is thinking, "Old man what the fuck are you talking about?". The Monk responds with, "Nothing that concerns you Boston Brand or any of you for that matter. Boston Brand cannot compete in the tournament and the other three's destinies are not involved in that tournament.". Zatanna raises an eye brow at the monk.
Zatanna: What tournament?
Constantine: You'd know if you weren't busy playing god on that dodgy space station!
Zatanna turns to Constantine annoyed punching his shoulder again. The Monk tells them to stop bickering.
Monk: Enough! Boston Brand come, there is work to be done.
Deadman floats away with the monk leaving Zatanna and Chas with John to ponder on what the monk means.
Chas: Why would a lord of Hell be interested in some Buddhist literature.
Constantine: I'll tell after you let me rest my eyes.
Zatanna and Chas agree to let him rest and leave the room, Zatanna kisses John on the forehead before they walk off just happy that he is alive and resting.
10 years have now gone by and in that time much has happened. Hanzo Hasashi has been fully resurrected and now knows the true killer of his family is none other than Quan Chi. Constantine and Zatanna have recently formed their own "Justice League" that focuses specifically on occult threats. Despite the wildly different paths these heroes have taken they will meet once again...
On the rooftops of the bustling city scape of Los Angeles, the now human Hanzo Hasahi follows a man in a business suit walking on the sidewalk. The man walks into a on old warehouse, Hanzo follows the man into the warehouse by climbing through a window. The man pulls a piece of chalk from his pocket and begins to draw a pentagram on the ground but before he can finish drawing it Hanzo throws ninja dagger at the man piercing his shoulder causing the man to fall.
Hanzo: You disguise fools no one Balthazar.
The man looks up at Hanzo but instead of human eyes they are pitch black. Balthazar smiles revealing fangs have taken the place of his teeth.
Balthazar: The blade of Shinnok! Leader of the Brotherhood of Shadow, Scorpion! What do I owe the pleasure?
Hanzo: That is not my name.
Hanzo grabs Balthazar and forces him against the concrete wall, pulling one of his katanas out from his sheathe pinning the demon into the wall. Balthazar lets out a shriek of pain that no human could make.
Hanzo: Where is he?
Balthazar laughs at the assassin, "HAHAHA! Quan Chi has developed quite the fondess for your wife, they have a cottage together in the Elysium Fields. I was just there for-". Balthazar can't finish his sentence as Hanzo forces his katana deeper into the demon's shoulder.
Hanzo: I have no time for jokes. WhERE. IS. Quan Chi?!
The sound of a door opening in the warehouse echoes giving both Hanzo and Balthazar pause. Hanzo pulls away from the pinned demon and unsheathes his other katana waiting for who's ever coming. The sound of zippo lighter igniting is then heard and out from the shadows is the trench coat wearing British sorcerer himself, John Constantine lighting a cigarette.
Constantine: Well I'll be fucked!
The Hellblazer recognizes Hanzo and very vividly remembers what he did to him.
Hanzo: I remember you.
Constantine: I imagine you would, you kicked my fuckin' arse and left me to die and then told me you'd be waiting for me in Hell! So the rumors are true... You've been, "cured"!
Hanzo: I do not want any trouble Hellblazer.
Constantine: I think our friend back there would disagree.
Hanzo turns around to see that Balthazar has now ripped the katana out from his shoulder and is panting. The demon is still clearly in pain as black blood drips down all over his suit.
Balthazar: You too!
Constantine: I know you're connected to all of this Balthazar! What is the Brotherhood of Shadow doing?
Balthazar: Wouldn't you like to know!
Right before there eyes Balthazar transforms into a monstrous demon with large horns sticking out from his forehead and his skin decaying gray. Balthazar roars back at the two heroes.
Hanzo: Whatever you wish to do with me, we can do after we defeat Balthazar.
Constantine: Couldn't agree more mate!
Hanzo is the first to spring into battle, the ninja jumps at the large demon with a knee to the face catching him off guard. Balthazar tosses Hanzo to the side almost like he's some kind of rag doll. Constantine uses this as an opportunity to throw some fireballs at Batlhazar but this seemingly does nothing to the demon.
Balthazar: I AM OF THE INFERNAL REALM! YOUR FLAMES WILL NOT HARM ME!
Constantine: I wasn't trying to harm you mate!
Suddenly Hanzo repeatedly teleports slashing the demons chest, back, and face with his katana. Constantine conjures a blue fire ball lobbing it like a baseball to the demon's face. The flame sends Balthazar crashing into the wall screaming in pain.
Constantine: Hellfire isn't the only magical fire you wanker!
Hanzo teleports next Constantine reminding him to, "Focus!". Balthazar regains his composure as best he can and charges at the two heroes with the ferocity of a rapid dog. Hanzo teleports just in time but Constantine is not as lucky as Balthazar sinks his claws into his leg. The Hellblazer yelps out in pain as he falls to the ground, Hanzo jumps down from the rafter throwing his rope spear but Balthazar cates it right before it hits the side of his face. Balthazar snarls at Hanzo as he makes his descent slamming him into a support beam. Balthazar begins to cackle madly as he looks down upon the two heroes, Constantine asks the demon "What's so funny?" as Balthazar sinks his nails deeper into Constantine's leg.
Balthazar: Two men who once swore allegiance to the infernal realm have since made a career of fighting it... Only to return to it in death!
Hanzo furiously jumps up and strangles Balthazar with the rope of his spear. Balthazar tries his best to shake Hanzo off but has no luck. Constantine now free of the demon's grip, hobbles upward as he clings to the wall for support before casting to heal his injuries. Constantine looks at Hanzo riding Balthazar like a bull at a rodeo.
Balthazar: You know, Harumi is quite time in the bedroom! I can see why you we're1
Before Balthazar can even finish that sentence Hanzo stabs him from the back with his katana, the blade of the sword drenched in black blood sticking out of his mouth. Constantine runs over brandishing a crucifix at the demon. The crucifix begins to glow with a bright white light, Balthazar tries to cover his eyes but it's too late as a beam of intense holy light shines upon Balthazar. The demon begins to change into his human form, Balthazar pants on the ground but looks up at Hanzo and Constantine with a smirk.
Balthazar: Quan Chi's plan... Is quite the game changer...
Hanzo squats down and pulls Balthazar up by his shoulders demanding to know where Quan Chi is.
Hanzo: TALK! WHERE IS HE!
The fire behind Hanzo's eyes rages on, Batlhazar raises his eye brows smirking at Hanzo responding with, "Only the good lord knows!". Without missing a beat Hanzo stabs the demon in the side with his rope spear causing the demon to fall into a puddle of his tar like blood. Hanzo gets back up to speak with Constantine.
Hanzo: You are the Hellblazer, can you get him to talk?
Constantine: Mate, that's just a dumb name demons call me. I can keep him on this plane but getting him to talk is going to be another thing entirely.
Hanzo: We need him alive.
With a grimace on his face and a deep sigh Constantine tells Hanzo,"There is one person who can help us, but she won't be happy to see me...". Constantine points to window slightly below the ceiling of the warehouse where they both see a billboard in big bold letters for "Zatanna: The Mistress of Magic!" and how she has a month long residency in Los Angeles. On the other side of Los Angeles, Zatanna finishes her show with roaring applause. The magician takes a bow as the curtains close and before she can even turn around her assistant rushes to her telling her "There's someone in your dressing room, they're saying it's urgent!". Zatanna rushes to her dressing room to find none other than her ex-boyfriend John Constantine sitting in her make up chair smoking and Balthazar bleeding on the chair.
Zatanna: Jesus Christ, John! At least Bruce has the courtesy to hide in a vent for a couple hours. What the fuck are you-
Hanzo appears behind Zatanna, his presence catching her off guard. It takes her a second to realize who this, Hanzo can see that Zatanna recognizes the monster he used to be as he solemnly looks back her.
Hanzo: Forgive us daughter of Zatarra, but we had no other choice.
Zatanna: The rumors are true... Scorpion is a human again...
Hanzo: My name is Hanzo Hasashi. And we need that demon alive for questioning.
Zatanna begins to pace around the room, laughing to herself. Constantine gets up from the chair and puts out his cigarette in the ashtray.
Constantine: Zee, we could really-
Hearing John's old pet name for her infuriates her finally causing her to snap. "DON'T 'ZEE' ME! WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT! STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL REMEMBER?!". Constantine raises his hands as if he was trying to show a cop that he's unarmed.
Constantine: I know, I know. Look I'm here on a job, I'm investigating the Brotherhood of Shadow. Midnight told me that Balthazar would lead me to him.
Zatanna: So that's why you're here? The guy that has tried to kill you multiple times was pointing you in the direction of another guy that has tried to kill you multiple times? You don't do anything without a reason John, why are you REALLY here?
Constantine: We're on the same side here! Brotherhood of Shadow are here for a reason and I intend to find out why! Help us stop the shadows Zee, please.
A frustrated Zatanna turns to Hanzo who's been carefully watching Balthazar while the two sorcerers bicker with one another, she now locks eyes with Hanzo.
Zatanna: What do you need me to do?
Without hesitation Hanzo instructs her to, "Heal his wounds but bind him. We require answers.". Zatanna nods but tells the pair that they don't have long.
Zatanna: This is going to have to be quick. The theater is going to want me and my crew out of here soon.
The mistress of magic now stands over the unconscious demon, she exclaims "Sniach ni leah!". Balthazar's limbs are suddenly shackled by ethereal chains adorned with crosses. These chains form around Balthazar's neck, arms, and legs to the couch. The demon opens his eyes as springs into an upright position, panting but unable to move. He looks at his surroundings confused until he sees Zatanna, Constantine, and Hanzo looking down at him.
Balthazar: What have you done to me?
Hanzo and Constantine immediately step up with determined looks on their faces. Hanzo firmly graps the hilt of his sheathed katana.
Hanzo: Where is Quan Chi?
Constantine: Don't play games mate. We're not in the mood.
Instead of giving them information, Balthazar stares back at them in defiance. The demon tries to break free of his chains but has no such luck.
Balthazar: I'll never tell you anything!
The Shirai Ryu Grandmaster and the Hellblazer exchange knowing looks at one another. Hanzo unsheathes his katana as it glows bright with fire while Constantine pulls a flash from a pocket in his trench coat.
Constantine: This is holy water from Euphrates river, mate. I'd start talking if I were you.
For the first time in countless centuries Balthazar feels afraid for his life. He continues to squirm as they inch closer and closer, his eyes wide unsure of what to do.
Balthazar: WAIT I'LL TALK! He's outside the city! Blaine County or Joshua Tree... That's all I know!
Constantine: Thank you mate. That wasn't so hard was it!
Without warning Hanzo cuts the demon's head clean off his shoulder in one swift motion, the black blood of the demon sprays like a fountain over the walls. Zatanna's eyes widen in shock at the ninja master's ruthlessness.
Zatanna: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
Hanzo turns to Zatanna without an ounce of remorse in his eyes. His only mission is to find Quan Chi and he will kill whoever to get to him.
Hanzo: He served his purpose.
Zatanna turns to Constantine for reassurance but instead her ex asks her a rhetorical question, "Do you think if we let him live he'd turn over a new leaf or somethin'?". Zatanna's already weary patience as ran out, her eyes narrowing at the two heroes. Now seething with rage Zatanna demands they leave.
Zatanna: Get. Out. Both of you. Now.
Hanzo: Hellblazer, you seek the Brotherhood as well. I trust you know the way to "Joshua Tree"?
Constantine: I sure do mate. We'll drive out first thing tomorrow morning, the three of us!
Zatanna is about to explode on Constantine as he has successfully ruined good night.
Zatanna: ABSOLUTELY NOT! You two can handle this together.
Constantine: What happened to protecting the innocent and putting your life down on the line for the little guy? This isn't very "Justice League" of you.
Zatanna: John, you are more than capable of-
Before she can finish her thought Hanzo interjects, "During my time as Quan Chi's assassin, I heard many stories of your family. I learned of their powerful arcane abilities and their sense of morality, including your father's. I obviously never knew him but if you're anything like the stories I've heard about him, than I require you for this mission.". Zatanna turns to Constantine who just shrugs back at her.
Zatanna: Okay fine! All I ask is that I am back in time for my show tomorrow night.
Hanzo then turns to the Hellblazer to ask him a question. "Now that we have a general location are you able to pin point where Quan Chi is?", Hanzo sternly asks the cynical sorcerer. Constantine mulls over his response before saying it out loud as he doesn't want to lead Hanzo on, "I have a... 'Sense' for these things. We'll find him.". The three heroes look at one another, affirming they are allies. Constantine with a big smirk on his face tells his former lover, "Zee, they won't even notice you were gone!". The three of them agree to head out into the desert tomorrow morning to find and at least in the case of Hanzo... Kill Quan Chi!
