Chapter 36
Land of Darkness Salem Lair
In what would seem like an Infirmary, Kabal is seen lying down while Kana has just finished placing a mask over his face. Kabal's skin is scarred heavily from the burns, but it's no longer looking like charcoal. He begins to wake up, groaning as he does so.
"Easy there, mate. You've had a rough one." Kano said watching him
"Kano?"
'Heh heh, in the flesh."
"I was... on fire…" Kabal said holding his head
"Burned to a crisp, if you ask me." Kano said as Kabal touches the mask on his face.
"I'm hideous…"
"Cinder's magic healed the rest of ya. But your lungs? Yeesh."
"Cinder?" Kabal asked
"Yeah, girl was hell bent on making sure you lived."
"I don't know if I should be pissed or grateful. Can you take it off?" Kabal asked
"Can't. It's permanent."
"What?"
"No mask, no breathing."
"I'm... a freak!"
"That makes you and Cinder." Kano holds up a pair of hookswords. As Kabal is looking at the rest of his attire, Kano offers the weapons to him. "Go on. Give 'em a whirl."
"I don't know if I can use those anymore."
"Well you better get started. There's a tournament on the way and we're going to be on the winning side." Kano said
"Tournament?"
"Yeah, fate of the world level tournament." Kano said heading for the door. "Come on, we've got a meeting going on."
Signing, Kabal started following him. "How long was I out?" He asked
"Two days."
Meanwhile
Open on a close-up of a pool of black slime in a dark red and purple land. A large paw emerges from within the slime and a Beowolf gradually crawls out, slime sliding off of it and onto the ground.
We see Emerald Sustrai reflected in a window, watching from inside a high building. Emerald has her hand to her mouth slightly disgusted. A gloved hand appears between two purple crystal formations and snaps its fingers.
A wide shot reveals a large windowed room, at the center of which is a long purple, crystal table. Four people sit at the table with seven chairs. One of them is Cinder Fall. Emerald move away from the window.
There's a close-up of the man sitting across from Cinder, Arthur Watts. He is looking at his Scroll.
Next is the man to Cinder's right, Tyrian Callows. He sits in a crouch casually on his chair, resting his arms on his knees.
Across from Tyrian is Hazel Rainart. His arms are crossed, and he looks asleep.
Cinder sits quietly, while Emerald move to her side.
"Yes, yes, please keep your posse in check." Watts said causing Emerald to grunt and make a move toward Watts, but Cinder holds her back. "You hear that? Silence."
Hazel gives Watts an unimpressed sideways glance.
"I've half a mind to thank the person that bested you." Watts said
"If I were you, I'd hunt him down." Tyrian snickers. "Find him and, well, he took your arm, didn't he?
Cinder only stares at Tyrian while he cackles at her. Cinder wanted to speak but make quiet exhaling noises.
"Pathetic. Why did you even-" Watts started before the sound of a heavy metal door unlatching caught his attention. The doors open and everyone stands just before Salem enters. She glides alongside the table with soft footsteps before reaching the head of it, jewels jangling from her hair. Salem stops, facing away from them and toward a candle and crystal display.
"Watts." Watts straightens, looking toward her. "Do you find such malignance necessary?"
She then gestures for all to sit down.
"I apologize, ma'am. I'm not particularly fond of failure." Watts said, as he and Salem sit simultaneously.
"Then I see no reason for your cruelty towards young Cinder. She's become our Fall Maiden and destroyed Beacon Tower. So I'm curious, to what failures are you referring?" Salem said as Kano and Kabal stepped into the room
"Kabal." Cinder mutters, looking at the Mercenary
"Heard you saved me? Guess that makes us even." Kabal said walking close to her. "That dude really did a number on you."
"Yes. How is it a novice Huntsman in training, was able to best one of us? Two even…or was it three? Maybe four? Do we still count the dead?" Tyrian asked causing Emerald to ball her fist
"My thoughts exactly. Even without her new power, it should have been effortless." Watts said
"That was not a novice. Dude looked like something from hell." Kabal said before noticing Mercury wasn't present. "Where's Mercury and Hsu Hao?"
"Mercury didn't make it." Emerald muttered. "That thing killed him."
"Hsu Hao got killed by Jax's adopted Daughter." Kano said leaning on his chair. "Also cut them some slack. We all know Kabal can run circles around you lots."
"Can he even run anymore?" Watts said before noticing Kabal was already behind him with his Hookblade behind his throat
"That's enough Kabal." Salem said causing Kabal to leave Watts. "Cinder, you hold the key to our victory. But your newfound strength brings with it a crippling weakness. Which is why you will remain by my side as we continue your treatment."
Cinder is unhappy about this and lowers her head. Emerald looks at her in sympathy.
"Dr. Watts, you are to take Cinder's place and meet with our informant in Mistral." Salem said as Watts was still rubbing his neck
"Very good." Watts said
Just then a portal appeared in the room as Quan Chi stepped out of it, causing everyone to turn towards him
"Greetings Salem." Quan Chi said
"Quan Chi." Salem muttered in an annoyed voice. "What brings you here?"
"Shao Kahn has requested I aid you in preparing for the tournament." Quan Chi said
"And how do you intend to aid me?" Salem asked
"I'm sure some of your men are familiar with my Spectre, Scorpion." Quan Chi said as Scorpion walks out of the portal
"You!" Cinder growled while standing up
"You can't be serious." Emerald said standing besides Cinder. "He killed Mercury."
"Really now?" Watts said eyeing Scorpion. "So you sent a Demon to Beacon."
"Hey asshole, ready for round 2?" Kabal said glaring at Scorpion
"That would be unwise of you." Quan Chi said. "The only reason you survived was because his classmates interfered. They will not be here to save you if he is provoked."
"Well now." Watts said walking towards Scorpion with a stretch hand. "Anyone who can humble Cinder is a friend of mine."
Ignoring him, Scorpion refused to shake his hand. "Okay…you're those silent type then." Watts muttered
"Didn't you just call him a novice?" Kano smirked as Watts tensed up slightly
"That was me." Tyrian said raising his hand
Watching Scorpion with calculative eyes, Salem then spoke. "Tell me Quan Chi, how did you obtain such a powerful warrior?"
"He was murdered along with his clan. I merely resurrected him." Quan Chi said causing some eyes to widen
"So basically you created a Zombie." Kano joked
"More like a dog on a leach." Tyrian said with a smirk, causing Scorpion to glare at him
"Thread carefully what you say next" Scorpion said as a portal formed under Tyrian's chair causing the Faunus to gulp
"Refrain yourself Scorpion." Quan Chi said as Scorpion made the portal disappear with a grunt
"I don't think I can work with him." Emerald said
"The feeling is mutual." Scorpion shot back
"You poor child, what did Quan Chi promise you?" Salem thought. "Very well, we shall accept Shao Kahn's aid."
"Excellent." Quan Chi said. "Also, Shao Kahn would require your presence in Outworld for the tournament."
"Very well." Salem reluctantly answered
Forest
"So let me get this straight..." Nora says as she and Ren emerge from behind a tree, walking together. Some members of Team RWBY, TSKK and JKHL are also seen walking with the Duo. "Weiss dad took her home yesterday and Kung Lao went where again?"
"Kung Lao has gone back to the Wu Shi Academy to get Kai and Shujinko." Liu Kang said
"What about our Ninja duo?" Nora asked
"Assassin's." Blake corrected. "Kuai and Tomas are going to speak with their Grandmaster to mobilize the Lin Kuei for the tournament."
"Makes sense." Ren said
"So why are we here again?" Johnny asked before yawning
We're helping Ruby with her objective. Haven't you been paying attention Cage?" Sonya asked with sign
"Hey Johnny, how's your leg feeling?" Pyrrha asked
"It's alright now, thanks for asking." Johnny said
"That's good to hear." Pyrrha said before noticing Liu Kang looked distracted. "Liu Kang, are you alright."
"I'm fine." Liu Kang giving Pyrrha a fake smile
"Okay, but if you need someone to talk to…" Pyrrha said
"Thanks."
"Guys!" Jaune called causing the group to turn their heads toward him. "We need to focus."
Johnny was about to speak, but instead just groans. That was when they felt a rumble.
"It's here." Liu Kang said as they group saw a scene of Ruby Rose flying backwards from trees, firing Crescent Rose in the direction she came from.
A collection of floating boulders with a Grimm mask moves the trees aside, clearly chasing her. Ruby falls, crashing against tree limbs along the way.
"Bad... landing... strategy!" Ruby muttered as she lands on her feet on a big tree branch strong enough to hold her weight. She uses her Semblance to fly past the Grimm.
"Let's get that thing off her." Sonya said causing the group to split up in different directions
"Don't forget me!" Nora pulls out Magnhild and shoots it at the ground, propelling herself into the air with excited whooping. She lands right besides Ren in his branch.
"We need to draw its attention away from Ruby!" Ren said as a stream of rose petals, Ruby flies past them.
"Could use some help!" Ruby yells as Nora shoots the Grimm in the back. Ren hops around on branches. The Grimm tries to hit Ren. Ren runs up its rock arm, flies into the air, and comes down upon the Grimm, striking at it with StormFlower. It's ineffective. The rest of the group began blasting the Grimm from all sides causing it to stagger
Ruby then loads a magazine with an image of a lightning bolt on its side into Crescent Rose and fires. Electric bolts encase one of the Grimm's arms. The red lines on the arm glow brighter, and the Grimm slams it into the ground. All are sent flying backwards by this
"The Grimm's arm is a tree! His arm is a tree!" Jaune said as Liu Kang started to gather energy into his hand before firing a large stream of fire at the Grimm causing it to scream. Johnny and Sonya then did the same thing as the Grimm finally fell to the ground dead
"Another victory for the Team!" Jaune said pumping his fist in the air as Pyrrha walks towards him with a smile
Schnee Mansion
Weiss Schnee's reflection becomes visible watching airships fly by through a window. She is sitting in a cushioned chair with her hands folded in her lap. There is a knock on the door.
"Yes?" She asked
A wide shot of the room reveals a large, open space on two levels. On the upper level are two arched bookcases built into the walls and a picture of a knight resembling the Arma Gigas hangs between them. A gilded mirror hangs above the mantle of a fireplace on the lower level. The door opens and Klein Sieben, a butler, enters.
"Pardon the interruption, Miss Schnee, but your father wishes to speak to you." Klein said
"Thank you, Klein." Weiss said with a sign
Weiss looks out the window once more before getting up and walking out. Her heels clank across the floor and the door slams shut.
Lin Kuei Temple
As Sub Zero and Smoke walked through the Lin Kuei grounds, both assassins seem to be on edge as since entering the temple, they haven't seen any Lin Kuei member. This was beginning to bug Tomas as they started approaching the Grandmaster chamber, as he is seen sitting in a lotus position.
"Kuai Liang, Tomas, you have returned." The Grandmaster said as the duo approached him
"We live to serve Grandmaster." Smoke said as they both bowed
"Forgive us Grandmaster, we were unable to retrieve the Amulet." Sub Zero said
"A minor setback Kuai Liang, think nothing of it." The Grandmaster waved there concern
"Thank you Grandmaster." Sub Zero said
"Grandmaster, forgive me for asking, but where are our fellow brethrens?" Smoke asked
"Ah yes, during your departure, the Lin Kuei have been experimenting. Sektor, Cyrax." He called as said individuals stepped forward. Smoke gasped as he saw they were now Cyborgs.
"Sektor, Cyrax. What have you done?" Smoke asked unable to contain his disgust
"The mortal body is fragile, weak. So, we enhanced them. Technology and skill combined to make the perfect warrior." Grandmaster said
"The perfect monsters!" Sub Zero growled
"They're the future, Kuai Liang. And the future is now. So, who's first?" Grandmaster asked with a smirk
"This goes against Lin Kuei principle's. Bi Han would never-" Sub Zero tried to say before getting interrupted
"On the contrary, he was in support of this. Bi Han and Sektor agreed that if any of them were to ever perish, we should kick start the Cyber Lin Kuei program." Grandmaster said
As the Cyborgs begin to approach them, Smoke tosses a smoke bomb on the ground, covering their track.
"You cannot run, foolish children. Bring them back." Grandmaster ordered as Sektor began to scan the area instantly locating the duo running
As Sub Zero and Smoke are running in the hallway, Sub Zero trips as a laser string ties his legs, courtesy of Sektor. Seeing this, Smoke turns around to engage the Cyborgs as Sub Zero is trying to free himself. Closing the distance between the Cyborgs, Smoke throws an overhead punch at Sektor, but the Cyborg easily evades the attack before delivering a bone crushing kick to Smoke's chest that knocks him into Sub Zero who has just freed himself.
Stretching his hand, Sektor then releases a massive stream of flame towards the duo, but Sub Zero was able to counter the attack with an Ice beam of his own. Trying to overpower each other, Sub Zero and Sektor were stuck in a stalemate, until their resulting attack caused an explosion that destroyed a nearby wall. Seeing a new escape route, Smoke grabbed unto Sub Zero before using his powers to fly out of the temple. While in the air, Smoke noticed Sektor and Cyrax were also flying after them.
"Great, they can also fly." Smoke complained. Not a moment later, Sektor fired four missiles that struck Smoke in the back, causing him to fall with Sub Zero into the forest. Slowly getting up, Sub Zero and Smoke quickly dove out of the way from Cyrax attempted bull rush.
"I am Lin Kuei. More silent than the night and more deadly than the dawn. You will come back and begin your transformation." Sektor said in a mechanical voice.
Smoke got into a fighting stance. "That is not going to happen."
Sektor also got into his fighting stance and said "That wasn't a request."
Sektor then moved faster than Smoke could keep up with and he gave the former Lin Kuei three punches to the gut before finishing his combo with an uppercut that sent Smoke flying in the air. Smoke then turned into a cloud of smoke and teleported behind Sektor for a counter attack only for the cyborg to dematerialize out of existence and teleport right under his jaw sending Smoke once again in the air only this time he landed on his back.
Smoke got back up just in time to see Sektor try to curb stomp him. Smoke then backed away and charged at him again and Sektor blocked every punch before he grabbed both his hands and said "You are slow, weak. Come back to the temple with me and you will understand what true strength is."
Smoke then jumped up and delivered a drop kick to Sektor's chest which pushed him back and replied "I refuse to sacrifice my humanity in a fool's quest for power."
Meanwhile, Sub Zero is also engaging Cyrax.
"This Lin Kuei unit is designated L-K-4-D-4. You will come with me for your assimilation." Cyrax said causing Sub Zero to sign
"I'm sorry for what they did to you my friend" Sub Zero said as he then got into a fighting stance and Cyrax did the same.
Cyrax charged first throwing a fist at his opponent, but Sub Zero dodged the attack and grabbed the offending arm and threw him over his shoulder and onto the ground. Zero then tried to stomp on his head only for Cyrax to roll to the side and use his leg to sweep Sub Zero of his feet which he succeeded on the ground Cyrax jumped up and tried to land on his opponent and when he did he found himself frozen solid. Sub Zero then appeared next to the cyborg and using his powers created ice gauntlets to deal with his metal foe and gave him a punch to the face knocking him to the ground again, but freed him from the ice.
The Ice warrior ran up to the cyborg assassin and the two of them began to trade blows. While Cyrax was faster than Zero thanks to his 'upgrade' and he was able to get a couple of hits to his opponent's ribs, and torso. But Sub Zero was able to fake him out and was able to make counterattacks that as a cyborg he couldn't predict, and he was able to get a several hits to his metal opponent before he kicked them away. Cyrax then stood up and fired a green energy net from his chest trapping Sub Zero in it, Zero was able to create an Ice knife and was able to cut himself free and move out of the way before Cyrax could run up to him and punch him while he was down. When he got back up Sub Zero fired an Ice blast freezing the cyborg, he then used an ice slide to get near him and he uppercuts him into the air. Zero then jumps up and delivers several punches before doing a drop kick in the air using his enemy as a spring board and preforming a back flip where he lands on his feet, the same could not be said for Cyrax. The cyborg got back up and began to fire grenades at him from his chest but Sub Zero jumped into the air and tried to hit him with a dive kick only for Cyrax to grab him by the foot and spin him around and smash him to the ground. Cyrax then tried to stomp on him, but Sub Zero fired an ice ball hitting him and freezing him again he then backed flipped and used an Ice sword to cut Cyrax up getting through his tough armor and on the last slash he was sent back a couple feet.
"Cyrax I know the real you is still in there, you don't have to do this fight against your programming." Sub Zero said
"This unit's mission is to bring the escaped Lin Kuei back for cyberization." Cyrax said as he then attacked, while Sub Zero blocked, dodged and counterattacked all the while trying to reason with his friend
"Cyrax you're stronger than this, you can fight against your orders. You are a man not a machine." Cyrax then stopped his punch midway and Sub Zero pushed kick him away. Cyrax didn't resume his attack he then grabbed his head and said "Must…bring…Lin Kuei back….for."
Cyrax started moving sluggishly until he let out a scream and teleported away from the scene. Sub Zero sighed and said "I hope you're able to someday come back to us, Cyrax. You were a good friend."
With Smoke, Sektor tried to charge him but smoke threw a smoke ball at the cyborgs feet sending him into the air and Smoke jumped up into the air to kick him back only to teleport behind him and kick him back to the ground. Smoke then teleported in a cloud of smoke to avoid Sektor teleporting behind him where he tried to use his flamethrower on him. Smoke then attack him with four quick punches to the face before teleporting and sweeping his feet from under him Smoke then kicked him back and teleported behind him and use a smoke ball to teleporting into the air Smoke the turned into a cloud and teleported to Sektor and began to beat him everywhere he could think of. First he delivered a couple of kicks to his body only to appear behind him and deliver punches high kicks him further up into the air Smoke teleported behind Sektor and kept on kicking him further and further into the air when he was high enough Smoke then appeared above him and gave Sektor a strong punch to the back of the head and while the two of them began to fall back to the earth Smoke grabbed Sektor's head and slammed into the ground head when the landed.
When Smoke got back up Sektor wasn't moving, Smoke looked at Sektor with anger and said proudly "I will never submit." But before he could walk away he was surrounded by other Lin Kuei cyborgs who put him in some form of stasis field and when Sektor got up he looked at his former comrade and said "You don't have a choice."
Sub Zero was also facing the same problems as multiple Lin Kuei cyborgs placed him under a static field. When it looked like all hope was lost,
Someone fired a stream of electricity at the Cyborgs. When the lightning hit the cyborgs they began to short circuit and were forced to let Smoke and Sub Zero go. Seeing this Sektor decided to retreat.
"It would seem the spirits have guided us to you." Smoke and Sub Zero looked up to see their saviours. The first being the Wolf Faunus Nightwolf while the other being Kenshi Takahashi. (Both are 18, also Nightwolf has white wolf ears and Kenshi isn't blind)
"Thank you." Smoke said as he stood up
"Who are you?" Sub Zero asked
"I am Nightwolf. My friend here is Kenshi." He said
"I am Tomas, he goes by Kuai Liang but you can call us Smoke and Sub Zero." Smoke said
"We should leave. I'm sure those robots will be back." Kenshi said
"Where are you headed to?" Nightwolf asked
"We're going to Vale." Sub Zero said
"In that case, let us accompany you there." Nightwolf said