Wow, this chapter came out way too long than I wanted. I hope I can dial it down for the next one.
After the incident at downtown, New York was finished Nick Fury had shown up and had everyone hauled up to the Tri-Carrier wanting a full explanation from Spider-Man in the Avengers. He was not at all happy that the wall-crawler disobeyed a direct order to keep the Earthrealm Defenders where they were, but things could've gotten worse, had they not gotten involved with the brief prelude of an invasion they experienced. Now Raiden was fully explaining the situation to Fury and the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D.
"…and it would seem as the after effects of my battle with Shinnok a resulted in this unstable merger of the realms." He finished saying. "This has happened before. As of now, our dimensions collide and are liked a shattered mirror, with fragments of our realms merged into a coalition with each other."
Fury took it pretty well.
"…Not the craziest thing that's ever happened to our world." He said. "But I feel like I'm gonna throw up."
"We have to find some way to reverse this and fast." Captain America said, stepping into the conversation. The rest of the Avengers and the Kombatants stood idly by, listening in on everything. "If what Raiden says is true, than what is happening to both our worlds can effect people as well."
"I've scanned the anomalies around the world and can confirm that allies of ours are disappearing." Iron-Man said. "Due to the shifts of the dimensions that are connected through what I can only call 'large rifts of temporal energy' parts of our worlds are occupying the same time and space and are causing people to go completely off the map, according to my sensors. Strange and Thunder God 2.0 here had managed to suppress the anomaly that was in New York, but my calculations indicate that it will happen again."
"So then, what are our options?" Fury asked. "If there's no stopping the spread of this 'merger', than how do we reverse its effects?"
Raiden turned to his followers and saw saw that all eyes were on him, even from the heroes of this world. He may have an answer to this situation.
"…With the Kamidogu." He stated.
"Kami-what?" Hawkeye said. "What's he talking about?"
"They were mentioned while Raiden was explaining." Widow remarked. "Were you half asleep during all that?"
"…Maybe?" Said the archer, not making eye-contact.
"Vessels that contain the pure essence of our realms." Liu Kang explained. "They had accidentally opened the portal to this realm and it is possible that they might have been scattered here."
"In any of the worlds equivalent to that of our own." Kitana said, meaning the Kamidogu may have been, quite literally, scattered to the wind.
"Alright then. Who's up for a little inter-dimemsional scavenger hunt?" Iron-Man joked, with Dr. Banner stating "I'll start with enhancing the global scanning to try and pick up where the anomalies are the strongest. Could give us a heading."
Then Sonya got in on the conversation, saying that "We should still look for our allies. If they were caught in the blast, than chances are that they also made the trip and could be anywhere near the merge sights."
"Assuming they're not off planet." Johnny Cage added under his breath.
"Well first, we should also determine if we have to deal with any other threats from your dimension." Said Captain America.
"And until that time, none of you are to leave the Tri-Carrier." Fury stated with a harsh tone. "This is officially a S.H.I.E.L.D. operation and we can't have any interference from foreign affairs."
"Fury, with all due respect, these guys already proved themselves as heroes when they helped me and the Avengers out there today." Spider-Man stated. "And if this situation is as bad as we think it is, we need all the help we can get."
"We have plenty." Fury stated stubbornly. "We'll find and regroup with own allies. And don't think you're off the hook, Spider-Man. You disobeyed a direct order to keep them where they were-"
"And Mr. Patriot and his friends here would've bit the dust if we didn't get involved." Johnny Cage remarked, getting some sour looks from the Avengers.
"Colonel Fury, we're not here to be a burden. We're doing our jobs, same as you." Sonya stated. "This situation affects everyone, and as long as Raiden has a handle on the situation, we will do what we have to do. Afterall, we're not under your command."
"But you are under my jurisdiction, Lieutenant." Fury said, walked over to Sonya. "Now, we can handle this in a civilized manner, or we can go the old fashion way. I myself earned a battlefield commission to lieutenant and. had my share of disrespectful soldiers."
"But I bet you've never handled the Special Forces." Sonya said back.
"Don't need it. With me in command, S.H.I.E.L.D. is a close equivalent to your unit." Fury was starting to get too close to the anger-induced SF Agent.
"I've slugged Commanding Officers worse than you." Sonya then got in Fury's face as they two glared heavily at each other.
"This could make for a good comedy scene." Cage remarked.
"Enough." Raiden spoke in an echoing voice of thunder. "We need to focus on the task at hand."
"We still don't know where to start." Stark said back. "It's not like a heading is gonna come bursting through the door."
He was right. The answer did not come through the door…but through a Thunderstorm out of nowhere. A blinding flash of light engulfed the Tri-Carrier before it was over, and then it caught something over radar.
"Sir, I picked up something landing up top." One of the agents said while at one of the consoles.
"Show me. Cameras up on the aerial-module."
To their surprise, who they saw was the Norse God of Thunder from this world, Thor, and he was looking a little worse for wears, like he just came from war. His cape was smoking, his armor had burn marks and Mjolnir itself looked to be covered in…blood. He had the most stoic of faces, scaring all the agents he passed as he made his way inside. Whatever Thor had just gone through, it must've been serious.
"…Let him in." Fury said as they opened the doors.
"This is the other God of Thunder you spoke of?" Raiden asked Spider-Man.
"That's him. The legends do him no justice. He's much more heroic in real life."
"Two Gods of Thunder. I wonder how this is gonna turn out." Johnny Cage said as the Norse God stepped into the room.
"Thor! Where you been, buddy?" Iron-Man asked. "Gave you a call earlier, but you seemed to be running a bit late."
"Mine friends…" spoke Thor. "I would 'twere under better circumstances that I join. Yet alas, I might not but be the bearer of ill tidings."
"What could be so bad as to make Thor bring the worse news?" Hawkeye asked.
"Asgard is under attack from creatures moe demonic than aught we hast faced."
That was troubling news. If Asgard was in trouble by a force that even Thor was having trouble with, then they seriously have a problem that the whole universe will hear.
"You're kidding." Iron-Man said then and there.
"See for thy selves." Thor said, using some of his power, he created a visual of Asgard under Seige. What the heroes saw was horrifying to say the least. The creatures his people were facing were hideous and foul, monstrous creatures possessing sharp claws, wild hair and usually two long horns growing from the sides of their heads; the Oni. Some where even bigger, looked like they were made of stone with glowing eyes and wielding large clubs that bashed through everything they swung at; Oni Warlords. There were even monster that had a horned visage and the skin on its sharp clawed arms and legs have the appearance of molten rock: Orochi Hellbeasts. They were shooting flames from its mouth, immolating themselves itself in fire, stabbing Asgardian warriors and even devouring them.
All of these hellish beasts were followed by demonic warriors. And they were lead by a warrior who was pale white with red tattoos and wearing an attire of leather and spikes (best way to describe it), followed by three woman who were armed with deadly weapons and shadowy figures with hooks.
The Kombatants knew almost immediately what Asgard was under attack from.
"The Demonic Horde of Neatherrealm." Kitana said. "Oni, Orochi, the Brotherhood of Shadow. All lead by Quan Chi."
"I'm guessing that's the bald, chalk-colored guy with voodoo tattoos." Iron-Man remarked.
"Those tattoos are an ancient language, meant to have dominion over armies." Kitana corrected. "It's what allow him to have such an overwhelming force."
"Aye. These fiends are threatening my home, and I receive that they hath had aid from within Asgard's walls." Thor stated.
"I sense the presence of one of the Kamidogu within your Kingdom, Odinson." Raiden said as he then introduced himself to the Prince of Asgard. "Forgive me. I am Raiden, I too am a God of Thunder."
"Aye, I've heard of you." Thor replied, much to Raiden's surprise. "One of thy own hast already begun to help fight back against the demonic horde."
"You mean there is one of our allies in Asgard?" Liu Kang asked.
"Aye. A warrior with golden armor, carries a retractable weapon. Though his presence hath like energy to that of the demons, he fights with a valiant nature."
The Kombatants look at each other, thinking that this guy that Thor described sounded a little too familiar.
"Thou may join if thou like, yet mine priority is the safety and defense of a"Asgard. Only then, shall i fight with thou 'i the protection of Midgard."
"We will aid you, Odinson." Raiden agreed. "If what I expect is involved, this could benefit both of us."
Kitana stood up "Then it is settled. We must go to Asgard."
Thor nodded and had Heimdall bring down a portal. From which the Avengers and Kombatants stepped through and headed to the Nordic Realm. Fury watched as they left before one of his subordinates spoke up.
"Uh, sir? What do we do now?"
"Keep monitoring the situation from here." Fury ordered. "Try to keep in contact with any of our allies and other heroes. We need all hands on deck if we're going to navigate through this crisis…"
While the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. had faith in the Avengers, it's those otherworlders that concerned him the most. He was right about meeting everyone, for they had no idea what they were about to face.
In a split moment, the Avengers and Kombatants went through the portal and soon found themselves on the Bifrost bridge, where just ahead was the Kingdom of Asgard itself. And while many have seen it as a golden paradise for warriors and Gods of the Norse Legends, it was currently under Seige and having its beauty sullied but the inferno that was set ablaze by the demons of the Netherrealm.
"So this is Asgard, huh?" Johnny Cage commented as they saw Thor's home ahead of them. "Gotta say, makes Raiden's place look like an afternoon retreat."
The God of Thunder from Earthrealm glared at Cage with sparks coming from his eyes.
"Your home is indeed beautiful, Prince Odinson." Kitana said as she stepped beside Thor. "I am sorry that our affairs are technically what put it under harms way"
"Nay. None of thou would hast seen this coming." Thor replied, "This invasion is the issue of a force that may be ranker than all of us."
Then Liu Kang stepped up and said "We must do what we can to push this back. If this mysterious ally helping you is who we think it is, then we may be able to push this battle over to our advantage."
"Aye. Now follow me to war!" Thor said as he raised Mjolnir, but just then did everyone hear a familiar "RROOOAAAARRR!" coming from a heavy fighting force of their own. Soon enough, they saw Hulk jumping over their heads and charging into Asgard, where they could already hear the sound of demonic warriors crying out in pain...and some of them flying...
"I think Hulk's already on it." Spider-Man remarked as they all rushed in after him and into the fiery battle. Alongside the oni and orochi, undead warriors that wore menacing armor and handled weapons were also a major threat to the Asgardians, for they were legion and from their shadows, wraith like beings emerged and attacked with vicious sickles. But they were no rematch for the reinforcements brought along with Thor, for the heroes plowed through them with all their might. Hulk can be seen battling against the Oni Warlords, shattering them like stone, before moving on to the Hellbeasts and meeting with heavy, burning challenges. Captain America, Iron-Man, Hawkeye, and Black Widow used their skills to overpower the enemies coming toward them, trying to make sure they were not overrun. But as the Captain fought on, he nearly didn't see the Demon Captain coming at him with a pair of kamas. However, that demon was suddenly stopped in its tracks when a spear-like came right through his chest and pulled him back to the one who through it.
"GET OVER HERE!" roared a monstrous voice as Captain America looked to see the wraith get pulled and sliced in two by the heated blade of a katana, coming from the warrior that Thor described before. Golden yellow armor with a retractable weapon, using hellfire for good instead of evil.
Yep, that's Scorpion alright.
The Kombatants were pleased to find their comrade here and aiding the Asgardians against the Netherrealm forces as Liu Kang did a flying kick against more demons, landing by the Ninja Spectre.
"Scorpion. I'm pleased to see you're alright, but how did you come by this realm?" He asked.
"After the blast, I found myself returned to the Netherrealm, where I was already surrounded by Quan Chi's Legion." Scorpion explained. "He would've trapped me there, had it not been for the aid of another."
While pouring fire on some Shadow Priests, Liu Kang asked "Who?"
"Ashrah. She went over to find Quan Chi. I believe they are in that palace." Scorpion points to the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf, where it seemed like most of the action of this demonic invasion was taking place.
"My father, Odin may be 'i want of mine aid. We might not but fight on and reach the palace!"
Johnny Cage then performed a Shadow Kick to a Warmonger in front of them before saying "Let's get on with it then!"
And with that, they all headed towards the Valaskjaif, Iron-Man was flying overhead until some winged demon came in, looking to tear through his armor with their claws if he hadn't went back down to the ground and fired at them with his repulsors. Hawkeye was doing a better job at doing that, with every arrow hitting each demon with pinpoint accuracy, but while they were down, they were not out and still attacked savagely. But they were no match for Mjolnir coming at them at high speed and destructive force, turning the demons into mush by Thor.
"Make way, Beasts! Asgard will not fall to you this day!" He roared.
But then as they were just continuing, something unsee hit them hard...and sharply. Another one of the brotherhood of shadow, but this wraith was different than most, stronger and faster. The air around the heroes grew cold so suddenly as their new adversary made himself known; like the rest of his dark brothers, this being wore dark clothing that made him look like a reaper, but with an armored look for that of an assassin. Impaled from his back and sticked out from his chest was a sickle that looked more deadly than that of the other wraiths, and he stood in front of all of them, staring at them with piercing white eyes. The Netherrealm knew him as Noob Saibot, but in life, he was called...
"Bi-Han..." Scorpion growled.
"Bi-Han is dead because of you, Scorpion." The wraith spoke in a graveling demonic voice before summoning his shadow cones. "Now, I return the favor. Quan Chi demands your souls, and I believe their deliverer."
"What can you tell us about this guy?" Hawkeye asked and Scorpion answered "Only that his mastery of the dark makes him a formidable assassin. The clones he spawn are no pushover either."
"I'm not worried." Iron-Man said, keeping his arms raised. "No matter how many numbers he has, we'll be able to take him down!"
"How quickly your point will turn against you." Bi-Han said as he sent his clones out against them, as well as more brotherhood members to make sure the odds not exactly in their favor. Then the wraith himself focused on the God of Thunder.
"Death will soon be all you know."
"Not today. Not for as long as I am able to fight!" Thor said as he raised his hammer and Noob Saibot raised his sickle, the two of them now locking themselves in battle. One would think that a shadowy wraith would not stand a chance against a God of Thunder, but Noob has proven that fact wrong before, having faced against Raiden.
Speaking whom, the other Thunder God was dealing with most of Netherrealm's monsters, able to take them all on if he needed to. In case anyone was wondering...
So, Thor found Noob Saibot to be a formidable opponent, one that did not show any relent with every attack, for the Prince of Thunder found himself needing to dodge every so often, or he may lose a body part. And that alone was hard as Thor found himself unable to keep up with how fast Bi-Han was, getting a few cuts on his arms and Noob's sickle sent sparks flying when he slashed across his armored chest. But what Thor was unable to compete with in speed and reaction time, he made up for in strength and control, for he was able to land a few devastating hits against the Wraith, who was one of many in earning the privilege endure Mjolnir's wrath. Most attacks set by the power of that hammer would not even have to worry about broken bones...since their bones would be all but disintegrated from a single strike.
Noob was worried, however. He survived a soulnado.
"Thy skills are powerful, yet they are still no match for Asgard's might!" Thor said as his hammer clashed with the sickle, sending it away as he managed to stagger Noob, but the shadow man regained his footing and continued to fight back.
"Your words hold no bite, for the fate of your home has been decided." spoke the Wraith. "You and all that you love with die."
"Nay!" Angrily, Thor sent nothing but streams of electricity towards Bi-Han, electrocuting him heavily. "I will not have my home be destroyed by likes of a demon like you!"
Noob Saibot, though struggled as he did, seemed to just be tanking all the power the God threw his way, but he surrounded himself with a ghastly white and black aura, which he then sent to Thor in the form of a ghostly projectile, hitting the God dead on and surround him with the same aura, which made him feel restrained in a way, as he could no longer continue to paralyze Noob with lightning.
"What dark magic is this?!" Thor grunted through its painful after-effect.
"The kind that kills you, and in a few moments, your body will realize it." the Wraith then sent doppelgangers towards the disabled God, but even without his power, Thor still had his own natural strength and Mjolnir was still the most powerful hammer in this world, as he quickly bashed away at the clones before any of them came close to landing a punch. That is until the original managed to do it himself, nailing Thor straight in the face, but the God of Thor had managed to return the favor before grabbing Noob Saibot by one of his arms, flipping him by it as he threw him away from him.
The effects of Noob's disabler shot were beginning to wear off as Thor shook off its effects. He could see the Wraith recover from being thrown and had to act fast. Spider-Man and Sonya tried coming into assist, only for Noob to easily knock them both away from him. With his lightning powers returning, Thor spun the hammer in his hand before throwing the weapon at Noob, only for the spectre to move his head out of the way, dodging the hammer with ease as it was now heading straight for Raiden.
"Raiden, look out!" Liu Kang called and the Displacer saw the weapon coming as fast as the element they both represented. With his own speed, Raiden was able to dodge the hammer as well, but before it could hit anything else, he did unexpected and reached for Mjolnir, grabbing its handle. To anyone's surprise, Raiden was able to take Mjolnir out of its flight path, wielding it, before throwing the hammer back to Thor's original target, who wasn't ready to take the blunt force of the mythical weapon straight in the weapon. But he wasn't allowed to hit the ground by Thor, who uppercutted him, retrieved Mjolnir, and struck him hard in the face with a lightning-infused shattered Noob's mask as he was finally given permission to hit the ground, defeated.
Raiden walked over, standing by Thor as he said "I will admit, Mjolnir is a formidable weapon...though, rather top-heavy for my taste."
"Aye. I try not to focus too much towards the weight when working towards the attacks." Thor replied.
"Don't think you've won." Said the downed Wraith Bi-Han. "I was merely meant to slow you down. Soon, Quan Chi will have his way with the All-Father and this entire place will fall to the shadows."
"And as I've told thou, Asgard shall not fall under mine clock, ghastly fiend!" having enough of the shadow, Thor grabbed him and threw him away, making him crash into a building in the distance. "Such a fowl being."
"His existence is mostly my fault." Raiden said. "I allowed him to die and let him become another servant to the very sorcerer who plagues your home."
Scorpion also walked up and said "I am also to blame, for Bi-Han's life was taken by my hand."
"While I do know the story, I shall advise thou to not bear it against yourselves." Thor replied. "That "Bi-Han" made his choice."
And then Iron-Man flew by "Guys, as touching a moment as this is, we still have work to do."
"Aye! Let us forge on!" Thor commanded as they continued to make their way to the palace. Any demons that were in their way, they dealt with quickly. Soon enough, they reached the doors, only to be blocked off by female-looking assailants dressed in sharp, demonic, yet very revealing clothing. While most of them covered their faces with masks, three stood out among them all, Kia, Jataaka, and Sareena, three of Quan Chi's favorite pets.
"The Sisterhood of Shadow, Quan Chi's so-called elite guards." Scorpion explained while brandishing his kunai. "Do not let their looks distract you, for they are monsters on the inside."
"Thanks for the heads up." Hawkeye said, having an arrow ready and waiting to be lanced. "Wasn't there someone else supposed to be helping us here?"
Just as he said that something came bursting through the walls of the Palace, or rather someone, riding a demon while looking to stab it in midair. Another female warrior, humanoid in appearance, yet there was something dark inside of her. She wore almost all white, white kimono-like dress with a gold belt, gold bracelets that twisted around her wrists, a white skirt, long white socks with gold leggings, and matching shoes on her feet; along with gold trim snakes its way up her calves. She also wore a circular white hat with a long veil that trailed behind it. Her hair was dark brown and pulled back in a bun. And right now, she was using a Kriss sword to stab a demon in the heart.
It was Ashrah, and she was here with an axe to grind against her former Netherrealm comrades as she and the demon she just slain smashed through the ground hard and causing the she-demons to break their ranks.
"Well, there she is." Scorpion said, scowling at Hawkeye. "Happy now?"
"Oh, yeah. I guess that'll do."
Raising back on her feet, Ashrah slashed with her Kriss, Datsusha and began wiping out more of her former brethren while her three sisters glared heavily at them.
"Ashrah...I should've carved her heart out, when I had the chance." said Kia.
"You'll have your chance to inflict as much pain as like when I'm done with her." Jataaka replied.
"Remember sisters, we are only to keep anyone out of this place." Sareena told both of them. "Quan Chi needs time to finish his work with the help of that other God."
"This realm is very interesting. Yet the threats we have to face are annoying as ever." Jataaka said. "I'm surprised our master decided to put his trust in that fool with the golden horned crown."
"He was very convincing," Sareena said. "Saying that he only wishes for this kingdom to be his in exchange for other powerful relics Quan Chi can use."
Kia then said "He better hold true to his word, or I will kill him myself."
"We may not have time for that. Look ahead."
The three demonesses say the rest of their sister have their hands full with the Avengers and Kombatants, while it was Thor and Ashrah who powered through and were now confronting the three. Thor was about to step up, when Ashrah stopped him with her sword.
"Allow me." She said before confronting her former sisters.
"Traitorous bitch!" Jataaka yelled as she brought out her own sword and Kia brought out her boomerang blades. They engaged Ashrah while Sareena was left to fight Thor. Doesn't exactly seem like an even fight, right? Well, neither did it seems that way with Noob, but that didn't stop him, did it?
"It would be a shame to crush you, Thunder of God, but it is my duty." She said to him.
"If what thou say is true, then thou'd be wise to stand aside." Thor told her. "I sense that thy soul is not fully collied by darkness."
Though reluctant, Sareena seemed forced to take a stance as she brought out her kamas. "I wish I could, but following the way of my master is the only thing I know for certain. I cannot fail."
"So be it." Thor said as he defended himself against the shark blades of Sareena's hooks. While the demoness was not a great challenge like Noob Saibot, she was still dangerous, fighting like a feral animal, but not enough to deal serious damage against the Thunder God. However, when he decided to attack, one smashing attack from his hammer sent Sareena flipping away from him, but what he saw next was shocking. Upon landing, Sareena's form changed to that of a genuine demon, her body now a hellish red with horns, a tail, fire around her, and glowing cuts around her body. Next thing Thor knew, the demon leaped at him like a jaguar, and he soon felt the sharpness of her claws and even her tail as Sareena was scratching at him, soon to hit bone as she cut through his armor and flesh like butter.
Jataaka came by with her sword, aiming it for his heart. "Hold him!" She screamed as Sareena wrapped her tail around Thor's neck and stretched his out as Jataaka went in for the kill. But the Thunder God was smarter and managed to twist his body fast enough so that her sword only met with his hammer...and shattered against it. This caused the white-haired demoness to stagger back as she was almost met with Kitana slashing her head off. Thor then finally ripped Sareena off of her before moving onto the offensive and swinging his hammer at her angrily. But Sareena was able to cartwheel away from him, but not without a counterattack as she flipped backward, kicking Thor in the face. This only angered God further as he then threw his hammer and Sareena took the brunt of it to the abdomen, sent far away from her opponent.
Kia then came around and threw her boomerangs at her, but they never hit their mark as Thor was able to dodge the razor-sharp blades by crouching.
"Ha, ha!" He laughed triumphantly, but the boomerangs came back and managed to stab him through the back. Kia then shifted to her demonic form with large claws and horns as she grabbed the God by the throat with one hand and was ready to rip his head off with the other. But Thor stretched out his hand and Mjolnir returned to him quickly, allowing him to bash Kia's head, forcing her back as she was then shot at with Black Widow's stingers. Thor then turned to see Sareena running at him on all fours before she jumped high into the sky, having the demon fang sword in hand as she let out a warcry, looking to slice the God in half. But Thor had enough of this and with lightning-fast speed, he dodged Sareena's desperate attack and slammed her to the ground with a swing of the hammer. She, along with the rest of her sisters, were down for the count.
Ashrah walked toward the God and saw her defeated sister, looking rather saddened by how their fates turned out.
"Out of all of them, Sareena was best suited to join me and be a force of light." She said. "It sickens me, how easily Quan Chi manipulated her."
"Aye. I could feel the conflict within her." Thor replied. "There is more good than there is evil. She may deserve better than this."
The others came by when their fighting was over and Raiden spoke "Thank you for your aid, Ashrah. We would find it beneficial if we all join together."
Ashrah crouched down beside Sareena "In do time, Lord Raiden. For now, I wish to be with my sister. Try and restore the light that was within her."
"Very well." And with that, Thor opened the doors to the Palace, where inside there was a disgraced fortress of mayhem and demonic terror waiting for the heroes inside.
Before she left, Ashrah warned them of what they were about to face "Quan Chi has had the aid of a being from this place. We only know him as the Trickster, and that he had a golden crown with horns."
It didn't take long for the Avengers to know who that was.
"Ah...brother." Thor sighed before turning to his allies. "...Raiden, with me. Everyone, defend us from any remaining demonic forces."
"As long as Hulk is still out there, smashing the lot of them, I don't we have much to worry about." Hawkeye remarked.
And as if right on cue, Hulk could be heard roaring, making them all turn to see the green behemoth take care of any more demons that were scattered around the battlefield.
"I think he'll be alright." Spider-Man said.
"Let us finish this!" Thor yelled as they headed inside the palace. He was already hating what the demons did with the place, as the Valaskjalf was no longer the golden hall for the Royal Family, but a hellscape of a lair for the violators behind it all. They soon entered the throne room, where they did not find the throne occupied by the King of Asgard, but instead, it was the Princess of Mischief himself, Loki. Who else could it have been?
"Loki!" Thor yelled angrily. "Why is this no surprise?"
"Because our destinies run together, brother, like two rivers that meet and can never be distinct again." Loki said smugly while holding his scepter, which was glowing red instead of its natural blue. "At every fatal turn, you will find me."
"You ally with dark forces that are out of your control." Raiden told Loki. "What you have done will lead to nothing but destruction and death."
The Prince eyed Raiden and his look almost instantly turned sour, as if he really did not enjoy the very sight of the Protector of Earthrealm
"And you must be the other God of Thunder I have been told about." he said with a mocking tone. "He told me you would come."
"Who told you?"
"Who do you think, Raiden?" came another familiar deep voice, as suddenly, green skeleton warriors showed up and tried to attack the two Gods with swords, but Thor and Raiden were able to easily shatter them before they spotted their summon, the demon sorcerer Quan Chi.
"It was only inevitable that was re-engage where we left off." said the Sorcerer while glaring at Shinnok. "After you nearly wiped Lord Shinnok from existence."
"Your master is gone, Quan Chi." Raiden said as he took a stance. "You are fighting for a lost cause. Surrender I promise your sentence will be swift."
But Quan Chi did not back down, "My master may still be alive. Trapped between the gap between this realm and our own. Soon, he will rise to extinguish all life in both..."
"Thou shall never thy master's plans in fruition, fowl sorcerer!" Thor yelled before throwing Mjolnir at the sorcerer, only for Quan Chi to dodge and as it returned, he sent it through a portal, which then opened behind the God. But having seen that trick before, Thor merely caught his hammer before it could strike him.
"Old Gods like you do not deserve to live." Quan Chi stated before taking a stance. "And one Thunder God is already one too many. An eternity in the Netherrealm awaits you both."
Roaring mightily, Thor raised his hammer at Quan Chi, bringing it down fast and hard, but the Sorcerer wasn't easily slain, dodging the brutish attacks with ease before preforming his own barrage of fast, heavy attacks along with a blast from his hellish green energy. While it did push Thor back a bit, he was not down yet as then quickly dodged a swing from one of Quan Chi's swords. Loki watched this fight from the throne in amusement, but that was interrupted when he had to deflect a lightning bolt, curtesy of Raiden. Soon enough, the Prince of Lies found himself fighting against the Thunder God, who summoned his own stave to clash with Loki's scepter.
"Quan Chi had told me all about you, Lord Raiden." Loki said. "If you are anything like my brother, this will be a quick fight."
"Then, you may acknowledge that in defeat." The Thunder God quipped back, annoying Loki as he advanced.
Thor was put on the defensive side as Quan Chi was swinging every attack threatening to cut him in two. He could see that the demon sorcerer was very well trained with those blades, but they were no match for his strength and that of his hammer. Just as Quan Chi was spinning both swords in his hand, readying himself for another attack, the swords were slammed out of his hands, but he quickly shot skulls out at Thor, keeping the God away from him.
"I will not be so easily deterred, brutish prince." the Sorcerer growled.
"Raiden spoke of a relic that brought thou to mine home!" Thor yelled. "I demand that thou relinquish it to me presently! "
"Who says I have it?" Quan Chi asked with a sly smile, as the fight between Raiden and Loki didn't seem to have one overpowering the other. But then Loki showed the little upgrade that was in his scepter, as its orb was sparking with red energy. He used that power to send crimson projectiles at the Thunder God, who tried using his stave deflect them, but missed the last one, taking it to the chest. It blasted him back, but not off his feet as he recognized the energy.
"The Netherrealm Kamidogu!" He said, seeing Loki smile evil while coursing with the demonic energy.
"Amazing, isn't it?" said Loki. "With this power, I was able to conjure a gateway to the inferno of your realm, making some powerful allies and control over their legions."
"You cannot be allowed to wield that power! You will endanger the very fabric of reality itself!"
"Reality will be rewoven every way I see fit, once I am finished you!" Loki's veins and his eyes started glowing red, the power overtaking him as he then sent a wave of hellfire over to Raiden, who jumped over it and performed his Flying Thunder attack on the corrupted God of Mischief. Thor and Quan Chi were watching this fight, the former in shock by this display of power while the latter watched with a smirk on his face.
"It's beautiful." Quan Chi said. "Never in my life, have I seen the Kamidogu used in such a way. I'm almost jealous."
But this made Thor become filled with fury as he then sent the hammer at the neck of the sorcerer, who tried to hold it back with his own strength, but it was a losing test of might for Quan Chi as Thor looked at him in the eyes with rage and murder.
"Thou attacked mine home! Corrupted mine brother! And now that I've thought of it, WHAT HAST THOU DONE WITH ODIN?!" He yelled.
Quan Chi merely chuckled before getting slammed in the face with Mjolnir. But, he was able to reset his jaw and give the Thunder God an answer.
"Your father still sleeps. It is his energy that is partly the reason for us being here. Able to harness its power, and the gateway to Hell opened in Asgard."
"To use mine Father's power with such vileness! For he and all of Asgard, I shall deliver justice onto you, demon!" And that is when Thor started channeling all his power, lightning coursing through him and throughout the palace, cleansing it of its corruption with his true power. Raiden and Loki saw this, getting out of the way when lightning was about to strike. Loki had just about had enough of his brother, sick of him getting in the way every single time.
"Brother!" he roared. "It's not over! Not yet!"
Overcharged with electricity, Thor faced Loki and aimed Mjolnir right at him, doing the same with the scepter. Without a word, both sent their weapons at each other, but the result shocked Loki to his core (no pun intended). Mjolnir was only as powerful as its wielder, and given how much Thor was unleashing, the hammer had enough strength to break right through the scepter, shattering it completely and revealing the Kamidogu before smashing into Loki, forcing him against the wall, leaving a crater before the Prince was down for good. Now that the fight was over, Thor released himself of all the energy he burnt through, falling to the floor. Quan Chi tried to take back the Kamidogu, but then was blasted by the only remaining God still standing, Raiden, who took the Kamidogu in his hands.
Out of options, Quan Chi was forced to retreat as he casted his own portal back to the Netherrealm.
"This is only the beginning." He snarled with contempt, but was met with Raiden trying to blast him again.
"Do not return to this realm," Raiden ordered. "Or you may not be going back."
Glaring heavily, Quan Chi returned home. Raiden then finally used the Kamidogu to undo the chaos that was brought to Asgard, channeling its energy to send all the demons back as well.
Outside the palace, the Avengers and Kombatants were able to defeat another wave before the demonic legion suddenly found themselves being pulled from this realm. Their battle was over, but this was just the beginning...