Angry Ones Hanzo Hasashi

Ch4: Daughter of Giovanni

Our three heroes stand on the shores of Purgatory. Constantine with a wave of his hand opens a portal made of a blood red energy that hovers over the fire he made.

Constantine: Alright, let's not dilly dally much longer.

Right before Constantine steps toward the portal Hanzo asks, "That portal doesn't go back to Earth does it.", this question causes Zatanna to turn Constantine somewhat shocked and the Hellblazer turns around shaking his head.

Constantine: If Quan Chi has the scrolls we're going to need something in order to fight him.

Hanzo: What about Kuai Liang?

Constantine: We'll get there when we get there, now come on.

The Hellblazer then steps through the portal without hesitation while Zatanna and Hanzo look at each other with a mutual uneasiness. The two step through the portal and stand behind John Constantine as they look around they take in their surroundings. The air wreaks of sulphur, rivers molten lava flow through the landscape, the sky is a foggy grey, and the screams of those being tortured echo off in the distance.

Constantine: Welcome to Hell, specifically the Netherrealm. Hanzo I do believe you know the way to Quan Chi's fortress.

Hanzo: What do you need from there?

Constantine: Quan Chi is a demon and was able to craft a human form for him and many of his followers.

Zatanna: Can't demons shape shift?

Constantine: Not all of them. That's where Quan Chi comes in, he's the one that cracked the code which means if he has the scroll to turn people into demons…

Zatanna: He also the means to change them back.

Constantine: Precisely, now Hanzo if you'd be a dear and-

Hanzo marches forward telling them, "This way!", the two sorcerers follow behind as they march through the arid wasteland of the Netherrealm. They continue to march until they find themselves at a cliff and hovering above it is Quan Chi's floating fortress.

Zatanna: So, if you've been here before is there a reason why you didn't just teleport us directly up there?

Hanzo then points upward telling Zatanna, "That would be the reason up there!" as multiple demons with large batwings descend upon them. Zatanna then steps up and waves her wand crying out, Dnib!" causing all the demons to be chained to the floating rock holding up the fortress. Zatanna then raises an eye brow at Hanzo and Constantine asking, "Now, how do we get up there?". Hanzo then steps to the edge of the cliff sticking his hand out and cutting his palm with the tip of his rope spear. Hanzo let's the blood drip down his palm into the chasm below but instead of dropping into the lava, the blood forms a staircase. The three heroes march up the stairs and into Quan Chi's personal library and laboratory.

Hanzo: What are we looking for Hellblazer?

Constantine begins to examine the bookshelf to see if there's anything easily identifiable. "Anything related to demonology or the history of Hell.", the Hellblazer says coldly as he skims through the books. Hanzo and Zatanna immediately start grabbing books and reading through them to see if they can find the spells to counteract the demon scrolls when off in the distance, the sound of angry roars and a fearsome war cry can be heard. The three look down below them to see a resurrected Moloch leading a large horde of demons toward Quan Chi's floating fortress.

Zatanna: He's back too?!

Hanzo: Quan Chi is one of the most adept users of necromancy in all the realms.

The Shirai Ryu ninja goes to grab his sword before Constantine stops him telling him, "I need you here helping me decipher all this rubbish.". Zatanna and John both look at each other already knowing what the other is going to say.

Zatanna: Are you serious?!

Constantine: Zee, you don't understand demons like me and Hanzo.

Zatanna sighs in annoyance but knows that John is right, without a word she flies off to hold back Moloch and his demonic hordes while Hanzo and Scorpion look for the right spell book. The demons roar as they charge at her but Zatanna pays them no mind as she bulldozes over them as a mystic aura forms around. Zatanna hovers over the ground as four devils pounce at her only for them to be blasted backwards by the same aura. Moloch then slings his giant metal ball at Zatanna only for her to halt it telepathically causing it to fall as if it had nothing propelling it.

Moloch: Foolish girl! Quan Chi has the scroll, he will turn your entire planet into soldiers that will follow my orders! I will enjoy making you my concubine!

Zatanna: I liked it better when you were dead!

Moloch rushes at Zatanna pulling his metal ball back only to swing it back her, Zatanna isn't fast enough to completely stop the ball but is fast enough to mitigate some of the damage with a forcefield. The impact of it though sends her crashing into a boulder, she struggles to get up as several imp demons begin to surround her alongside Moloch who towers over her.

Moloch: Any last words daughter of Zatarra?

Zatanna looks up smiling and says, "Yes, Erehwyreve m'i" and dozens of clones of Zatanna circle around the horde of demons picking them off. Moloch swings his metal ball around causing some the clones to vanish but he's overwhelmed by Zatanna's clones and their power. The real Zatanna picks herself up now hovering over Moloch.

Zatanna: You done yet?

The Oni looks up in horror as Zatanna smirks at him before striking him with bolt of mystic lightning. Meanwhile back in Quan Chi's fortress, Constantine and Hanzo meticulously comb over the necromancer's books when the sound of two little kids playing behind them can be heard. Hanzo turns to see his son Satoshi playing with a little girl he has never seen before.

Hanzo: Satoshi?

Constantine turns around to see Hanzo going up to his own son who is playing John recognizes the little girl as the girl he failed to save, Astra Logue. Constantine ignites a ball of hellfire in his palm and throws it at the illusions.

Constantine: Mate stop!

The Hellfire incinerates the illusions of the two children almost instantly, and Hanzo turns back scowling at Constantine. Hanzo angrily marches back looking to fight the Hellblazer but Constantine holds his hands up explaining what actually happened to Hanzo.

Constantine: It was an illusion! You know how many times these bastards have used that little girl against me!?

Hanzo: But they were so...

Suddenly the gentle touch of a woman's hand grabs onto Hanzo's shoulder as he suddenly relaxes and his eyes begin to glow white as he turns to see his wife, Harumi. The illusion of Harumi tells him, "Everything here is real. We have missed you so much!". Constantine lunges at the illusion of Harumi when suddenly Zatanna stands before him putting her hand on his chest telling him, "Easy Johnny...". John looks confused asking, "But aren't you still-", John's eyes begin to glow white like Hanzo and much like Hanzo, Constantine becomes enamored with the illusion of Zatanna.

Illusion Zatanna: Look at how happy Hanzo and Harumi are.

The two look to see Hanzo and the illusion of his wife and son hugging tightly. The illusion of Zatanna asks John, "It's not too late for us to be like that John...". Constantine kisses what he thinks is his former lover. Hanzo and the illusion of Harumi both look on at Constantine and the fake Zatanna when Harumi leans into kiss Hanzo. Back in the arid wasteland below, Zatanna finishes her might with Moloch and his minions. Moloch picks himself back up and begins to swing his chained ball one last time. The Oni marches forward toward Zatanna but she yells at the demon "Knis!" causing Moloch to sink into the ground dropping his ball and chin wit only his head sticking out of the ground.

Moloch: Quan Chi will free me! When I am free from this I will rip out your innards and wear them as jewelry!

Zatanna chuckles at this comment and turns around when she sees a bright white light shining out from Quan Chi's fortress. The Mistress of magic immediately flies back to the fortress and sees the illusions of herself, Harumi, and Satoshi interacting with John and Hanzo. Zatanna sees that both Hanzo and John are glowing white and looking sickly and the illusions are flashing between their human disguises and their natural devil form. Zatanna gasps as she sees the demon pretending to be her kissing John, she goes to save John when she hears a familiar voice asking her, "Where are you going little one?". Zatanna turns to see none other than her father, Giovanni Zatara descending downward with a warm smile on his face. Zatanna's eyes widen in awe as she approaches what she thinks is her father. Zatanna's eyes begin to glow white like her allies as she embraces her father, tears streaming down her face.

Zatanna: Dad...

Zatara: I am here little one.

Zatanna with a reluctant sigh whispers, "Nrub" as bright white flames encompass the fake Zatara's body revealing his true demonic form as he falls to the ground. The demonic Satoshi snaps his head in the direction of the real Zatanna as he transforms revealing his horns and razor sharp fangs, he pounces at her only for her to cast the same spell. The demonic imposters of Zatanna and Harumi both step back revealing their horns and pitch black eyes as they whisper into the ears of Hanzo and Quan Chi to protect them. Harumi whispers in Hanzo's ear, "She just killed our son... avenge him..." while the fake Zatanna whispers in John's ear, "One of Nergal's whores is after us. Don't let her take me from you..". Hanzo draws his blade while Constantine's hands become engulfed in unholy flame.

Zatanna: Guys it's me!

Hanzo: You killed my son!

Constantine: I'm not loosing her again!

Constantine throws to massive fire balls at Zatana but she throws up a forcefield just in the nick of time. Hanzo then dashes up to her swinging his sword with murderous intent, Zatanna just narrowly dodges the blade only for Constantine to cast a spell that created thunderous shockwave that knocks her down. Hanzo then throws his rope spear into her shoulder as she cries out in pain, Constantine walks up and kneels down to her level and begins to choke her.

Constantine: YOU WON'T TAKE HER FROM ME!

Zatanna struggles to speak but is able to get out the words, "Johnny... please..." but John listens to no avail. The two demonic imposters flash their fangs in a sinister grin. Zatanna whispers, "Em fo ffo teg!" sending the Hellblazer and Hanzo flying into Quan Chi's bookshelf. The two demonic imposters now growl as Zatanna as she picks herself and pulls Hanzo's rope spear out from her shoulder. The two demons now assume their real forms and pace around Zatanna like hungry wolves cornering their prey. Each demon strikes with lightning quick tenacity but are deflected by Zatanna's magic.

Demon Harumi: You will not stop our master!

Demon Zatanna: The Elder Gods will tremble at the size of our new army!

Zatanna: Somehow, I doubt that! Thgil eb ereht tel!

Suddenly a bright light peaks through the grey clouds blanketing the sky, burning the demonic imposters. Their skin boils as they shriek in agony, begging for the real Zatanna to stop and with a wave of her hand the light dissipates and the two demons collapse as Zatanna binds them in etherial chains. Hanzo and Constantine then get up their eyes no longer glowing white and see Zatanna nursing her wounds.

Constantine: Zee! Are you alright love?

Zatanna: I'm fine John.

Zatanna leans up against the pillar as she uses her powers to heal her shoulder. Hanzo looks at the dead bodies of the demons that impersonated his family and asks himself, "How could I have fallen for this?". Constantine tells him, "These aren't your average Sucubi mate. They know doubt studied the dark arts directly under Quan Chi, must've learned a whole bunch of tricks!". Zatanna somewhat annoyed asks them, "Did you find the spell book you were looking for?.

Constantine: Actually, I think I did!

The Hellblazer telepathically pulls a leather bound and begins to turn pages about various prophecies of Hell such as the Four Horsemen, the Doom Slayer, and then finally the Demon Scrolls. Constantine begins to read aloud the spell.

Constantine: Argentis mutatio, redde forma...

Zatanna: Is that it?

Hanzo: That should be it.

Constantine: Zee, if you wanna take a moment to rest-

Zatanna: I'm fine John, let's get out of here.

Constantine and Hanzo both exchange looks at one another. The two are thankful for Zatanna saving them just now but in the case of Constantine he's clearly mortified. The demons preyed off of John's lingering feelings toward her and she knows that John still has feelings for her. Hanzo then nods to Constantine telling him to go talk to Zatanna. Constantine walks over to her and places his hand on her shoulder.

Constantine: Zee, are you good?

Without saying a word Zatanna quickly hugs John. Constantine embraces her as well and Hanzo looks on regaining his composure from the counter with the demons pretending to be his family. The two stop hugging and walk back over to Hanzo. Constantine nods at his newfound ally and opens a portal before putting the spell book in the pocket of his coat.

Constantine: Who's ready to fight more demons?