Even Scorpion was impressed by Shang Tsung's throne room. From the outside the throne room was outstanding in size and decorative pieces. Golden trim covered the building and Massive oak doors, adorned with wrought iron, stand sentinel, hinting at the opulence within. Banners of silk and velvet, emblazoned with heraldic symbols, flutter proudly in the breeze, while stained glass windows depict scenes of valor and conquest. The air is heavy with the scent of polished wood and ancient stone, echoing with the whispers of history and the weight of authority that lies beyond its threshold.
Scorpion could not admire it for long as he felt a few raindrops begin to fall. Shang Tsung was right, it was about to storm. It seemed most of the fighters on both sides had already made their way to the throne room, but one suspiciously stood outside.
"A word?" Spoke the thunder god as Scorpion passed by him.
"What do you want, Raiden?" Spat Scorpion as he stopped.
"I imagine this will be the last time we speak, Hanzo." Began Raiden. "I know Quan Chi plans on having you face off against Bi Han tonight, and you will not win."
"I would not be so certain, Raiden. I have been preparing for this moment since you allowed that menace to annihilate my clan."
"I cannot interfere with the lives of humans. The destiny of mortals must be shaped by men." Spoke Raiden.
"I was supposed to participate on the side of earthrealm, was I not?" Began Hanzo. "You abandoned me in favor of Bi Han, who led the attack on my village to wipe out my clan!"
"Yes and your family was taken from you, and you've used this as an excuse to serve the netherrealm ever since."
"I've had enough, Raiden. You could never understand my pain when you've refused to live amongst men. To fight beside them. You don't know loss." Accused the specter.
"I know it plenty, Hanzo." Raiden said Calmly. "I did not want to fight with you here either. Instead, I hoped to apologize, since I don't know if I will get another chance."
"Apologize!" Exclaimed Scorpion. "If you think that you can undo any of the damage done by your champion then you are wrong! Bi Han will die today, and once I'm finished with him I'll kill the monk, and everyone else fighting for you!" Finished the specter.
"So you say, but you spared two earthrealm champions already." Began Raiden. "I know you resent me, but earthrealm is your home. Don't you feel any guilt fighting to destroy it?"
"Maybe…." Said Scorpion. Genuinely calm now, Scorpion had Raidens full attention. "But my guilt is outweighed several times over by my overwhelming hate. This might be my only chance to get revenge on Bi Han, and I cannot waste it." Finished Scorpion before stepping into the throne room.
Raiden was clearly confident Bi Han would win this rematch between Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuei. However, Scorpion knew Raiden had yet to grasp an understanding of loss in such a way that Hanzo had. His hate fueled him, burned away at his soul, and left only Scorpion. Hanzo was dead, and if he'd been speaking with Raiden, Hanzo would have agreed that earthrealm comes first. Scorpion doesn't have the luxury of fighting for earthrealm. No, instead he had the punishment of serving the netherrealm. The one thing he had to gain from eternal service was his revenge. Bi Han had killed him and his family when he was still human. It was true they were close in skill, but Bi Han was a cryomancer. Hanzo had no abilities he could draw on in that fight, yet he'd still almost killed him when they'd last battled. This time as Scorpion, he'd use his hellfire to burn Bi Hans' tainted, black, evil soul to its core. Then his soul would be trapped In the netherrealm with him, for eternity.
He stepped into the throne room where the remaining champions from all sides had gathered. All except for Sub Zero. Scorpion scanned the room, but he was not yet here. He did notice two of the other Lin Kuei looking at him angrily. Sektor and Cyrax were discussing something when they and everyone else turned their attention to Scorpion. Scorpion couldn't help but wonder where the other Lin Kuei had gone. Not just Bi Han, but Ryker and the two wind warriors. He'd hoped to kill all of them before the tournament was over. Rain hit the glass hard, with thunder finally breaking the silence in the now full room.
"Where is Sub Zero?" Scorpion asked the entire room. No one wanted to answer until…
"Your obsession with Sub Zero ends here." Spoke Cyrax as he and Sektor approached.
"He didn't think you were worth his time, after all, he did kill you once already." Spoke Sektor.
"Maybe he'll reconsider once I've killed both of you." Said Scorpion.
With a nod Cyrax and Sektor leapt into action. Both attacking with combinations of kicks and punches as Scorpion dodged and blocked every move. The duo were clearly a strong team, but it wouldn't matter. A dozen Lin Kuei could have attacked him in the throne room and it still wouldn't matter.
Scorpion raised his arms as fire burst through the ground burning both warriors. Scorpion turned towards Sektor, his first target. He attacked with a kick to the knee and several blows to the body and head as Sektor tried to back away. Cyrax came in to help, but Scorpion flame ported out of the trajectory of his net. He reappeared behind Cyrax grabbing him. Scorpion bent back bringing Scorpion over and slamming his head into the ground. As Scorpion stood above Cyrax, a small explosive hit him in the back. He turned to see Sektor the assailant. He unleashed his kunai, and Sektor was far too slow to dodge as it went straight through his shoulder. Scorpion pulled Sektor in close before connecting with a huge uppercut.
It was clear that Scorpion was winning this battle. Sektor was on the ground, fighting to stay awake, and Cyrax was holding his ground even if just barely. Scorpion would have to draw out Sub Zero somehow. Killing his friends would be the perfect way to do it.
Looking around the spectators, Scorpion could see they were either all terrified or impressed with the way he fought. Not that he cared. Scorpion would finish this quickly, and move on to the real prize. Just as he was about to unleash his kunai again….
"Hanzo!" Announced Sub Zero as he burst through the large doors to the throne room. Rain poured in as he stepped through. Scorpion was honestly shocked that he'd appeared. Hanzo didn't believe Sub Zero had the honor to face him again. "Your fight is with me and only me. Let them go." He demanded.
Scorpion admittedly didn't really care about the duo of lesser Lin Kuei now that Sub Zero had arrived. He turned his attention completely away from Cyrax as he helped Sektor back to his feet. Technically the fight was unfinished. Scorpion may yet get to kill them later anyway. For now he could restrain himself so that he could focus on his true objective.
Cyrax helped Sektor over to where Sub Zero stood and they exchanged some words. Scorpion had waited so long, he didn't mind an extra minute. Weirdly, he actually needed it. He wasn't tired from his previous fight. No, he was feeling the pressure of his current fight as thoughts of his wife and son rushed through him. He needed to clear his mind or he'd be destined to repeat history.
"What have you become, Hanzo?" Asked Bi Han in disgust.
"I am what YOU made me. A specter of the netherrealm. Scorpion."
"I did not do this. I killed you, yes, but your soul falling to the netherrealm is not my doing." Stated Bi Han.
"My clan was innocent! You slaughtered them like cattle!" Yelled Scorpion.
"To hell with your clan!" Spoke Sub Zero confidently.
"No, to hell with you!" Scorpion yelled back as the duo fell through a portal.
"What have you done, Hanzo?" Asked Sub Zero as he scanned his surroundings. Lava rivers surrounded the duo, fires burned through rock, and Oni screeched in the distance.
"This is where I was reborn. It's where you will die." Stated Scorpion.
"You were always pathetic, Hanzo, but at least before you had a shred of honor. Now you're just a slave." Insulted Bi Han.
"Honor matters to you now! What about when you slaughtered my family? My Clan?"
"I killed you, and your friends, but only the fighter. I never laid a finger on your family, Hanzo." Sub Zero argued.
"Enough lies!" Scorpion yelled before unleashing a fireball that Sub Zero blocked with a shield made of ice.
Bi Han attacked with an ice slide taking Hanzo's legs out from under him. The specter hit the ground with a crash, but returned to his feet and unleashed his kunai. Sub Zero caught the spear with an ice shield, this time pulling Scorpion into a kick. Then Sub Zero followed up the attack with a hit from his ice sledgehammer that sent Hanzo spiraling through the air. Scorpion returned again only to be met with a elbow strike to the face, a kick, and an ice covered punch. Scorpion counterattacked with a flaming fist Combo before kicking Sub Zero back and throwing his spear into him.
"GET OVER HERE!" Yelled the undead warrior as he pulled Sub Zero into a flaming overhead kick. After knocking Bi Han down to his knees, Hanzo lodged his kunai into the Cryomancers back before kicking him into the air and pulling him into the ground. He rushed again, but this time Bi Han stabbed him with a short ice sword. Sub Zero quickie broke the blade off into Scorpions stomach before headbutting the specter and smashing an ice block over his skull. Scorpion stumbled and Bi Han threw an ice ball. It would have connected but Hanzo flameported behind Sub Zero, striking with several kicks. Bi Han broke the combo and quickly formed an ice sword and Hanzo drew his own swords and the duo clashed. Neither able to overpower the other.
"Even if you win, you still lose." Said Sub Zero between heavy breaths. Hanzo didn't care to talk any longer. He headbutted Bi Han and attacked with his swords again. This time Bi Han threw another ice ball freezing Scorpion solid. Then Bi Han shoulder charged into the frozen man and knocked him back to room temperature. Scorpion still wasn't finished as he went for his sword. Bi Han quickly used his ice blade to remove Hanzo's right arm as he reached for his weapon. Now so close, Hanzo lodged his Kunai into Bi Hans' foot. With a shout Bi Han kicked Scorpion away.
"That's it, Hanzo." Began Sub Zero between heavy breaths. "You can't win with one arm."
"I already told you, Hanzo is dead." said Scorpion as he pulled himself back to his feet. "I am Scorpion!" He Shouted as he pulled off his entire face revealing a flaming skull. Bi Han jumped in shock and prepared another ice shield. Scorpion unleashed fire breath so strong the shield evaporated in second and Bi Han was roasted alive. His skin charred and his blood boiled as the hiss of the flames overtook him. In the end Scorpion stood over a charred corpse, victoriously.
That is what he thought at least, until he saw Bi Hans chest rise with a terrible attempt at breathing to go along with it. Scorpion approached the burned warrior and looked down to see he was completely burned. He likely only lived now due to his naturally lower body temp. Any normal human, or even any meta human would've been completely sizzled to dust. Scorpion wondered what he was thinking in these last moments. Was he sorry? Was he afraid? Was he even aware that he was still alive? Scorpion couldn't ask him. Bi Han was barely breathing, and he wouldn't be for long. It did seem like he was trying to mumble something.
However, Scorpion couldn't help but feel disappointed. The fight was over, he won. And he didn't expect to feel closure or even like any justice had been done. No, Scorpion felt something he couldn't have expected. He was almost sad to see Bi Han dead. His only goal in this second life was to kill Sub Zero and now that he was dead, he had no purpose other than his service to Quan Chi. The challenge of defeating Bi Han was all Scorpion had thought of for so long, and now…
"Something wrong, Scorpion?" Quan Chi asked, appearing through a portal. "Is this not what you wanted?"
"It's all I've wanted since you resurrected me" Spoke Scorpion.
"The fight is over Scorpion. Now all you must do is reach out, and claim your victory." Spoke Quan Chi.
In the throne room the heroes waited patiently for the return of Bi Han. The duo disappeared before the fighting had commenced. Raiden told the group that they were fighting in the netherrealm.
"So the netherrealm is like hell, and Scorpion is like a demon?" Asked Art Lean.
"A specter. Demons are different." Answered Kung Lao.
"So there's demons too?" Asked Stryker, concerned.
"Yes, but not like you'd expect them. There's also zombies, revenants, ghosts, vampires and much more." Stated Liu Kang.
"This reminds me of my series, Johnny the vampire slayer. I was going around…." began Johnny.
"Shut up, Cage." Said Stryker to which Johnny glared back at him.
"Silence, all of you." Raiden spoke. "The fight is over."
Before anyone could ask who won, Scorpion appeared in the center of the throne room holding a skull with a spine still attached. With one arm still missing, Scorpion displayed the charred bones to the entire room. It was obvious the outworld fighters were just as uncomfortable as the earthrealm ones as everyone watched in shock.
It was Johnny who broke the silence. "Ouch," he said. Scorpion dropped the skull and it shattered. With a demonic scream he disappeared.