Ghostly: I hope so as well. But just think of him as a fusion of every Scorpion to have existed, except Kuai Liang Scorpion. I believe I speak for the entire Scorpion fan community when I say, we don't recognize Kuai Liang as Scorpion.

wowen.ruiz: Cassandra, sure. Damian, nah.

Chapter 6

Shirai Ryu Forest, Mid-afternoon (Two Months after the recruit's arrival)

"I have eyes on him." Whispered Forest Fox, as he hid behind a tree.

Fox is of African descent and one of few to be handpicked by the new Shirai Ryu Grandmaster himself. He has short black hair and dark brown eyes. Another thing to know about Fox is that he is a metahuman, with the ability to create clones of himself

"Of course you have eyes on him." Jason said drying, while sitting on a tree. "He's literally just standing there, menacingly."

True to Jason's words, Scorpion was just standing on an open plane in the forest, with his eyes closed and arms folded, waiting for something to happen.

"This is not going to end well." Rachel said, as she levitated in a meditating position behind some bushes

Earlier…

" The test is simple," Scorpion said, as he took out two bells. "all you have to do is take these bells from me."

"Grandmaster." Fox said, "there are only two bells."

Rachel and Jason nodded in agreement.

"Very observant of you Fox." Scorpion said, "For this test, no matter what you do, one of you will fail." He heard Jason gulp. "The two that successfully retrieve their bells pass, the one who doesn't fail. Are there any questions?"

The three ninjas in training shook their heads and stood up, readying themselves.

"Good, you are all to find me." he said, "now begin." Scorpion added before teleporting away

Present Time

"Come on Rachel, you should be a little more confident." Fox said

"Easy for you to say, you both have powers." Jason said

"Well, you have a new armour and weapon." Fox said, referring to Jason's attire (For reference, his attire and weapons are the ones Fujin gave to Takeda in the MK X Comic).

"We all have new weapons, even Rachel." Jason said, referring to the extendable metal staff on Rachel's waist.

"You know if you keep complaining, he's going to hear us." Fox said, as he brought out his swords for their sheath

"He already knows we're here." Rachel said

"In that case, I'm heading out." Fox said, before creating six clones of himself, before they all charged at Scorpion

"You know, nine out of ten times, I thought you would be the one to charge first." Rachel said to Jason, as she watched Scorpion easily dodge Fox's attacks

"Hey!" Jason yelled, slightly offended. "Okay, maybe you're right, but this is the Clan's Grandmaster we're talking about."

"I guess you're right." Rachel said, as she and Jason watched as Scorpion single-handedly defeated all Fox's clones. This left Fox panting from exhaustion.

Fox then tried to reach for the bells on Scorpion's waist, but when he got close, it turned out Scorpion had left behind an after image of himself and was now no where in sight.

"Damn!" Rachel and Jason thought.

"Damn it!" Fox yelled, "Where are you?" Fox looked around, frantically searching.

He stopped turning only to find that their teacher was behind him. "Never let your enemy get behind you," Scorpion said to him.

Fox was too shocked to move as Scorpion grabbed him by his vest before sending Fox flying, only to land into the lake next to them.

As Fox got stood up from the water, a chain suddenly hauled him upside down, and left him hanging from a tree.

"Out of tricks?" Scorpion asked as he started walking towards Fox

While this was happening, Rachel thought this was her chance! She sent multiple projectiles Scorpion's way who immediately dodged it.

"No point hiding anyway." Rachel thought as she flew out of her hiding spot to face Scorpion.

Seeing this, Jason wanted to join in but stopped. "Wait—no! I have to figure out his plan! Ugh! I hate being useless."

Using Rachel's distraction to free himself, Fox came close and tried to land a kick onto Scorpion's waist, but he caught it smoothly. He also tried to punch his teacher, but that too, was caught. Scorpion threw Fox off him and stood there.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" Rachel chanted, as she sent her soul form towards Scorpion. But, alas, Scorpion dodged that too.

While Scorpion was momentarily distracted, Fox took a dive for the bells. An act Scorpion noticed, before grabbing Fox's wrist as he tossed him at Rachel, sending them both into a tree.

As Scorpion began walking towards the duo, Jason's whip suddenly wrapped around Rachel's and Fox waist, before pulling them into the forest.

"You guys should work together and get your bells." Jason said, before charging at Scorpion with his sword

"Finally decided to fight?" Scorpion asked. "You do know that you'll fail if they both get their bells?"

"Doesn't matter, if they both pass then it was all worth it." Jason said, before Scorpion caught his sword in his hand

Meanwhile…

"Ugh!" Fox groaned as he got up "What the hell is Jason up to?"

"I think he's onto something." Rachel said

Fox arched one eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"It's clear we can't take him alone."

"So he want us to work together?" Fox asked. "Can't believe he figured that out before me."

"Well Jason is Jason." Rachel said smiling slightly

"Still, even if we work together, there's no guarantee we'll get them." Fox said

"Jason might have a plan on taking him on." Rachel said

"Really? This I have got to hear." Fox said.

The duo then made it to the battle field, where they were surprise(well, not really) to find Jason tied to a tree with his own whip, with no sign of Scorpion.

"A little help?" Jason finally asked.

Rachel smirked, "In a bit, just let me enjoy the view."

Fox sweatdropped, "You just love torturing him, don't you?"

"So," Rachel said, trying to change the topic, "Got a plan to take him on?"

At this question, Jason seemed irritated and says, "I don't know Rae, it's really hard to cook up a plan with all the blood rushing into my head right now."

"Fine." Rachel said as she used her powers to free Jason

"Thanks."Jason said

"So, what's the plan?" Fox asked

"Honestly, I've got nothing." Jason admitted, while scratching his head

"Well that's just great." Rachel signed. "Guess we just have to fail together."

"You know, when you put it like that, failing doesn't sound that bad anymore." Jason said

Their talk was interrupted by the footsteps of Scorpion, "Excellent work you three" he said, "I couldn't have said it better myself."

"Hold on, does that mean we passed?" Jason asked

"Indeed." Scorpion said. "This training was never about taking the bell, but rather working as a unit, to succeed or fail." He eyed his three students respectively, "always remember that."

"Am I good or what?" Jason asked, causing Rachel to roll her eyes

"I believe it's high time you all get your Shirai Ryu names." Scorpion stood before the three warriors, his eyes burning with pride. "Rachel, Fox, Jason. You have proven yourselves worthy.

Jason's eyes shone with anticipation, his hands clasped together. "What will our names be?"

Scorpion's gaze fell upon her first. "Rachel, you shall be known as Raven - the darkness that brings light, the shadow that forges steel."

Next, his gaze fell upon Fox. "Fox, you shall be known as Shadow - the silence that moves unseen, the darkness that strikes without warning."

Finally, his eyes turned to Jason. "Jason, today use showed great will and courage in putting your allies well being over yours. You shall be known as Red Hood - the flame that burns bright, the shadow that walks the fine line between light and darkness."

Scorpion's hand extended, a small, intricately carved amulet dangling from his fingers. "Jason, Red Hood, I give you this gift."

Jason's eyes widened as he took the amulet, feeling a surge of energy course through him. "What does it do?"

Scorpion's mask glinted with a hint of a smile. "It allows you to manipulate fire, to wield it as a weapon or a tool. You shall be the master of flames, Red Hood."

As soon as the amulet touched Jason's skin, he felt a strange sensation - as if his body was infused with a burning energy. He raised his hand, and to his amazement, a small flame erupted from his fingertips.

"Whoa!" Jason exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "This is incredible!"

Scorpion nodded. "Use your newfound power wisely, Red Hood."

Jason grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Don't worry, Grandmaster. I'll use it wisely."

"Try not to burn the temple down." Raven said with a smile

Fire Garden, later that evening

Scorpion sat cross-legged in the fire garden, flames dancing around him as he meditated. His eyes were closed, his mind focused on the sound of nature. The warmth of the fire soothed his muscles, calming his mind.

Suddenly, he sensed a presence behind him. He opened his eyes to see Raven walking towards him, her eyes fixed on him with a somewhat nervous expression.

"Rachel, is something wrong?" Scorpion asked

"No." She said simply

"Your expression says otherwise?" Scorpion said

"The other clan members…" Raven paused before continuing. "They've been talks."

"About what?" Scorpion asked

"They think I'm your daughter." She said

"I…, did not know about this." Scorpion said after a while. "Does it offend you?"

"Honestly, I don't mind it." Raven said. "It's just I've been keeping something from you."

"It's about your mother, I presume?" Scorpion asked

"Am I that easy to read?" Raven asked

"You don't owe me an explanation." Scorpion said

"Maybe, but I want you to know." Raven said

"Very well." Scorpion said, before looking at a particular tree in the garden. "Jason, you can come down."

"Hey Rae." Jason greeted, after leaping towards the duo

"How long have you been there?" Raven asked

"The entire time. Guess I'm getting good at hiding my presence huh?" Jason asked sheepishly. "I'll leave you two alone-"

"Stay." Raven said, cutting him off.

"You sure?" Jason asked

"I don't mind." Raven said, before opening a portal. "This way." She said leading the ninjas through said portal

Stepping out of the portal, the Ninja's were greated by the site of a desolate wasteland. The sky was a sickly yellow, and the ground was cracked and barren.

"Where are we?" Jason asked

"This is Azarath, my home." Raven said. "What's left of it at least."

"This is Trigon's doing." Scorpion deduced

"What's a Trigon?" Jason asked

"He's my fath-" Raven paused for a moment. "No, Sperm donor."

"Can relate." Jason said, making Raven raise a brow at him. "My dad was a no show. Only had my mom until one day she just kinda disappeared."

"Guess we're not that different huh." Raven said

"I guess so." Jason shrugged. "So what's this about your mom?"

"Right, I guess it starts with my mom." Raven started. "She was young, rebellious and gullible. Of course she wound up in a cult. Anyway, they decided to do the classic bride of Satan rite. And guess who got to be the lucky bride?"

"Your mom." Jason answered

"I doubt anyone expected it to work." Raven continued. "But the ancient ceremony turned out to be the real thing.

So, Mom, with her great powers of judgment, didn't hesitate to hook up with the guy who emerged from the smoke."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down." Jason interrupted. "So, your mom did it with Satan?"

"His name is Trigon." She corrected. "But basically, yes. Anyway, it gets weirder. Mom fled the cult and was on the run with nowhere to go, when she gets saved by these people from another dimension." She paused, before continuing. "The people of Azarath. A realm of beauty, peace and tranquility where, needless to say, I did not fit in. And I must have inherited my mom's terrible judgment because I thought if I found out more about the monster who made me, I'd be able to make sense of myself."

"You sought him out." Scorpion said, to which she nods

"Poor Mother, poor Azarath. I became its Trojan horse." Raven said. "I did this to Azarath."

"It wasn't your fault." Scorpion said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You were a child, you still her."

"It's still not an excuse." Raven said

"The only one here that has no excuse of his sins are me." Scorpion said. "You're aware I'm not from this world, but do you know what I did before coming here?"

"You killed people?" Jason asked

"I did more than kill." Scorpion said. "I was once part of an invasion that almost destroyed the earth."

"You tried to destroy the world? Why?" Jason asked

"To bring back my dead wife and son." Scorpion said. "I was made an offer, that if I helped conquer earth, my family would be restored. In the end, the man who made that offer was the one responsible for their deaths."

"That's…" Raven started, not knowing what to say

"Guess we all had it rough." Jason said

"You know Jason, you're taking this a little too well." Raven noted. "Aren't you a little bit scared of us, now that you know what we are?"

"Seriously?" Jason asked. "I've lived with you guys for months now. You're basically family now."

"He's right, we are your family now." Scorpion said. "Never forget that."

"Then I hope you don't mind me calling you father?" Raven asked, smiling slightly

"It would be my honor." Scorpion said, before Raven suddenly enveloped him in a hug

"Thank you…Father." Raven said

"Do I join in?" Jason asked

"Get lost Todd, family members only." Raven monotoned

"Oh come on!" Jason said throwing his hands up, an act that caused Scorpion to chuckle slightly, before patting Jason on his head

"Is this what you felt when you rebuilt our clan?" Scorpion thought, while remembering Grandmaster Hasashi.

Meanwhile

A Deep-Sea submarine drifted through the Marianas Trench.

In the main control room, an officer was staring at a photo of a young woman and a small boy, who was holding up his new action figures of Superman and Flash.

"Is that your son?"

The officer twisted around to look at his commanding officer, a soft smile on his face. "Yes, sir."

"Big fan of the Justice League?"

"Yeah. He used to play with a toy submarine I gave him, but not anymore… His dad can't compete with heroes like Superman around."

The commanding officer chuckled, "Well, not all heroes wear capes."

"Yes, sir."

"Take us. Investigating an SOS beacon in the middle of the Atlantic. That's pretty heroic."

Suddenly, the alarms began to blare, prompting the commanding officer to lean forwards. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Sonar has inbound, sir."

"Impossible, it's open ocean for miles."

"Computer has fifteen- No, twenty-two separate inbound!"

"Evasive manoeuvres! Now!"

The submarine quickly changed course, but that didn't seem to help.

"Captain, the inbound…." Stated another officer, "… they've changed course!"

The alarms began to blare again.

"Sir, thirty-seven... Now fifty-five inbound still on target!"

"We have to return fire Sir!"

The commanding officer frowned, "At what? We don't know what's chasing us!"

"Coming in hot Sir. Impact in T-minus 15."

"They look like..."

"Like what?" asked the CO.

"- T-minus 10."

"Like people Sir!"

"- Brace for impact!"

The submarine rocked violently from side to side as the craft went dark.

"We've lost propulsion Sir!"

The CO raced to the phone, "Engine room, report!"

"Taking water, captain! We-"

The radio crackled before all went silent.

"Engine room? Engine room!"

Suddenly, there were several loud bangs as the bulkhead door started to concave, as though someone strong was striking the door over and over again, trying to get in. With armed guards taking up positions, the Captain raced over to the phone that would put them in contact with the surface world.

"SOS!" he yelled into the phone, "This is the S.S. California with an emergency SOS! We are under attack! I only hope someone hears th- "

He was cut off as ocean water flooded the compartment.

As the submarine floated down to the bottom of the sea, a photo of a mother and a son quickly became soaked, disintegrating into little pieces.