Article: 18517 of alt.games.mk Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news2.near.net!news.delphi.com!usenet From: Steve Karstensen Newsgroups: alt.games.mk Subject: OUTWORLD: part 4 Date: Sun, 27 Nov 94 03:04:54 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Lines: 392 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1d.delphi.com Outworld: The Kombat Continues part VI Jax whirled defensively as a trio of men stepped through the gate and into the arena. "Peace, Major." Kung Lao raised one hand in a calming gesture. "You are among friends." "Yeah, looks like we're all in this together." Johnny Cage spat, not taking his eyes off Liu Kang. "And I wonder why?" Kang opened his mouth to protest, when Sonya cut him off. "We're all 'guests' of Shang Tsung. In case you didn't know, he's still alive and has his youth back." "I knew that." Cage interjected, but was ignored. "How is it Shang Tsung was able to do this?" Liu Kang asked, his features truly puzzled. "I defeated him, and in the display that followed, the souls he had stolen were released. I saw it with my own eyes." "There is obviously a higher power at work, here." Kung Lao answered him. "Shao Kahn." "Who?" All eyes turned to the movie star, who had spoken the name. "Shao Kahn. Kitana told me who he was... Shang Tsung's boss. He rules this place." Cage looked at the empty throne. It was huge, and quite nasty looking. "Who's this Kitana?" Jax folded his arms to look at Johnny. "Um." Cage suddenly realized something. "Well, white boy?" "I, err.." Johnny studied his sneakers for a second. "I don't really know. She just kinda..appeared out of nowhere." "I'm sure we'd all love to hear this one," Sonya replied. "But can we do it somewhere else? This damn arena is too open." "I agree." Jax nodded. "We're on Kahn's friggin' doorstep here." He paused to look at Scorpion's armless corpse. Blood was still soaking the dirt beneath it. "Let us return to the forest." Liu Kang started for the gate. One by one, the others followed. And as they left, a figure unfolded from nowhere. Shang Tsung knelt near Scorpion, one finger dipping into the blood that dripped from a torn arm socket. He nodded appreciately to himself, noting Jax's strength. This would be a soul he would love to have. A light sound drew his attention from behind, but he did not turn his head. Standing, Tsung picked up both of Scorpion's arms, noting the heaviness of their death flesh. "Excellent attempt, Scorpion." Tsung murmured to himself, steadily ignoring the soft footsteps behind him. "But the Major is beyond your skill, it seems. And now, no arms to fight with. We shall have to remedy that...for your particular crusade makes this predicament interesting to me." Tsung dumped the arms onto the corpse, and it twitched. He made several signals in the air with two fingers, and Scorpion's body faded from sight. Tsung gazed into the sky for a moment. "Hello, Reptile." The sounds behind him ceased. "I know you're there. Those weak ninja tricks I taught you may fool a mortal man, but I am not as dense." He turned around, and a dull thump sounded in the dust about ten feet away. A noxious orange vapor roiled from out of nowhere, and the green-clad ninja stepped from its midst. "You know as well assss I...that issssss not my name." "True, Th'etikai. Eavesdropping on my conversation with your father, were you?" Tsung's smile was tight-lipped and strained. "Not an intelligent thing to do." "You assssked me to protect you...how wassss I to do sssso without being closssse?" Reptile's yellow eyes narrowed slightly. Not enough to be noticed, but Tsung caught it. "I understand. You did what you felt was necessary, right?" Tsung's smile was almost fatherly. "And now, I must do what I feel is necessary. I hope you've enjoyed your life, Reptile...because it's about to end." Reptile's eyes widened as Tsung raised his hands. A yellow glow was coming to them. Clawed fingers moving quickly, Reptile pulled the green fabric away from his jaws. Throat muscles contracted, and a thick stream of greenish liquid sprayed toward the sorcerer. "ARRRGH!" Tsung caught the full brunt of the venom's attack, his skin beginning to sizzle and smoke. He crumpled, hands going to his eyes as the sickening smell of corroding flesh filled his nostrils. Blood began to splatter into the dirt. Reptile took this opportunity to run like hell. Shang Tsung reclined on Kahn's throne, no longer with a satisfied and amused smile playing his lips. He was pissed. One eye was now colorless, a transluscent orb that stared blankly ahead. Most of his shining black hair had been burned away, as had most of the flesh on his face and neck. Ribs and sternum peeked through ragged holes in his chest: every place the venom had hit was now corroded and scarred. It would take time to heal, but until then, it hurt. He used Kahn's globe to view the fugitive's flight from the palace. Reptile was heading into the Wasteland....no matter. Even as he watched a group of Kahn's most efficient assassins was making its way toward the Saurian's locale, promising a swift and clean demise. Shang Tsung let the globe's view shift to the Wasteland surrounding the castle's far side. He sighed inwardly as he spotted a quiet figure picking his way among the ruin. This game with the Lin Kuei was becoming tiring. He watched as Sub Zero emerged from the mist, his eyes alert for danger. Shang Tsung clenched a single fist as he recalled the assassin's comment to the movie star, Cage. "I have come to try for a second attempt in assassinating Shang Tsung." The words echoed in his mind for a brief instant. Then, it came back to him. A second time? That would mean that his entry in the original Shaolin Tournament had been for the same purpose. The Lin Kuei, whom he had not only contracted several times over the years, but had just propositioned to be his personal guardians, were against him? Fire began to play over the surface of his fist, smoke seeping out from between the fingers. Smoke. He recalled the letter he had written and sent only days ago. The Lin Kuei, with their Elemental Masters, were among the most powerful of the Earthworld's dwellers. Mere mortals when compared with the Outworld's inhabitants, but still... And he would have needed them to complement Seggithei's tribe in order to deal with the Khashigei, and Kahn's honor guard. Well then, Tsung thought to himself. If you will not be my ally, Smoke...you will be my enemy. And you cannot live as my enemy. The globe clouded, then cleared. Baraka's scarred visage was visible in the mist. "General, gather your bravest and most vicious warriors. I have a job for you." Smoke lifted his head to gaze into the candle. His meditations had come easier since Inferno had been cast from the clan, and he knew that if Tornado could recover, he would become one of the new Masters. And yet, the Circle of Power was worried. Those who sought to master the Power were growing increasingly reckless. Those eldest of Masters, Smoke among them, knew that Inferno was only one of many. Few petitioned to study the more benevolent ways of the Power, such as the air or water. Many looked to it for offense. Fire, earth and its molten magma, cold...ash. Smoke shook his head. Originally the Power had corrupted. It drove insane the one who had first learned of it. His attempts to harness its strength failed, and such explosive force ran unchecked that it struck him dead. But eventually control was learned. Control was very important. Being at peace with oneself, and gentle manipulation of controlled portions of energy would bring results, not the dangerous and often reckless experiments of the youth. His mind wandered. Had he done the correct thing? Shang Tsung would be expecting a reply regarding his contract proposition soon. The Lin Kuei offered allegience to no one, but he knew that if he did not make the Sorcerer happy, retribution could be swift. A sudden, agonizing scream cut through the air, causing him to jolt from his reverie and dash to his chamber window. There was commotion in the courtyard. Students and ninja alike dashed about, attempting to secure the main gates, which were vibrating and jolting as if being repeatedly struck with a huge weight. The origin of the scream was Sabaki, a ninja pupil whom Smoke himself had sworn in only days before. He had fallen from the wall's catwalk ledge and landed on the ground. A hideous-looking arrow with a flaming head had impaled his shoulder, and the long razorblades on the shaft was making it impossible to pull out. Smoke flung open the door to his chamber and raced down the hall. The courtyard was a mass of confusion, even more so than what he had seen from his chamber. Shin Tsu appeared at his side. "Master! We are under attack!" "I can see that." Smoke tried not to snap as his uniform's shade grew a touch darker. "Who are they?" "We do not know, Master...but-" Shin's voice was cut off as several terrified shrieks split the air. A hail of arrows was threatening to block out the sun, the deadly shafts striking the dirt with a savage randomness. A swirl of black nothingness opened in mid-air, and Vortex was standing by Smoke's side moments later. A fellow Master of the elemental Antimatter, his uniform glowed with a thick black sheen. "Smoke. Our opponents number many more than our entire clan, all of whom are not even present. Defeat looks imminent." "Like hell. Gather the-" Smoke's words caught in his throat as the main gate tore from its hinges and struck the ground with a thunderous boom. When the dust cleared, their attackers could clearly be seen. Hunched and hideous, the scarred and disfigured faces of the Khashigan mutants were an alarming sight. A form broke from the main pack, leaping midst the Lin Kuei like a wolf. It landed on all fours, then rose to its hind legs and bayed at the sun in a bloodcurdling war cry. Many more followed, surging forth like an evil tidal wave. The terrified shrieks and dying howls of the ninja began to fill the air as Smoke took an involuntary step backward. "I repeat..defeat is imminent." Smoke's mind flashed on what he had been thinking about before. "Gather the Circle in the Holy Shrine." "The Shrine? For what reason?" Vortex's black eyes were puzzled. Smoke paused, watching the carnage. Several Khashigans bearing swords had pushed to the front of the pack and were making their way toward the spot where the Smoke and Vortex stood. "No time to explain. GO!" Vulcanne clenched his fists defiantly as Smoke explained his plan, flame leaping from his body. "NO! What you propose is utter insanity!" "No." Smoke drew aside the curtain, pointing toward the battle below. "THAT is utter insanity. Unless you wish to return down there and join your ancestors, we must attempt this Call." Vortex shook his head. "Do you think we can contain him once the creatures are defeated?" Aqua met his gaze. "I agree with Smoke. These beings cannot be fought man to man. They outnumber us. And the longer we debate this tactic, the closer the Lin Kuei clan comes to extinction. Now are we in agreement, or not?" Vulcanne sighed. "We may become extinct anyhow, as a result of this." "Kneel in prayer, Circle of Power," Smoke commanded, his tone firm. "Join hands and meditate on the soul of He who first opened the way of Mastery." The Circle meditated, trying not to let the din of the slaughter in the yard below distract them. They reached out with their minds, calling to Him from beyond. Smoke stood in the center of the circle of kneeling Masters, his arms outstretched to the sky. "Nedrof, Eiksog, Legov..." His chant was loud and strong, the mystic syllables carrying over the screams of the dying. More mystic words poured forth from his lips, his body shaking with the effort. Suddenly, Vortex slumped. His head went limp and lolled on his shoulders. Next, Vulcanne toppled onto his back. The circle was breaking.... But it had happened. An acrid smell of ozone filled the air, and Smoke's body was struck out of the circle as though by a heavy weight. He rolled over upon hitting the room's far wall...and he fought to keep his vision focused. The other Masters were lying still on the floor. What had he done? A rapid wind was picking up. The candles on the altar flickered, then went out. A faint giggling was heard. It grew in volume and strength until it became a maniacal, howling laughter that rang in Smoke's ears. His skin crawled to listen to it...and his heartbeat began to accelerate as the adrenaline pumped through his system. For the first time in his life, Smoke felt panic. A figure was forming amidst the fallen Masters. Vapor, pouring forth from all of their bodies, was coalescing into a humanoid shape. The heaving of its shoulders indicated that it was the one producing the laughter. Lightning struck outside as the wind whipped at Smoke's garments. The figure that now stood was completely black; a void in the fabric of reality, its outline suggesting that it was a man wearing the uniform of the Lin Kuei. Its head was thrown back, its clawlike hands outstretched in front of it...and it howled in hysterical laughter. "We...summoned you..." Smoke dared to speak to the creature, knowing the words may be his last. "You...who..first found the Power..." The thing's howls gradually ceased as it listened. Smoke's blood froze as he locked gazes with it; not a void, but its features were almost impossible to see. Yes, it was a man, and wearing the Lin Kuei garb...but its eyes were wild, with the cold glare of one insane. "Noob Saibot...Save us." Smoke's heart threatened to burst with the pressure, then stopped altogether. Saibot stared at the dead ninja for a moment, then began to laugh again. Finally, he spun to face the window. "Yess..." Noob fixed his gaze on the slaughter taking place below, then faded from sight, leaving the Shrine silent, and still. "All right, white boy." Jax turned to face Cage the moment Liu Kang had decided the group had moved far enough into the Living Forest. "Spill." Johnny looked at the line of expectant faces, then sighed. "So basically, this wench has been stringing you along to take on Kahn." Sonya folded her arms to stare directly at Cage as his story wound to a close. Johnny was silent. "When are you to meet her again?" Kung Lao lifted his head to glare directly at the movie star. "I dunno. It's like I told you before...she just kinda pops out of nowhere." Johnny shook his head in resignation. "Hey, it's not my fault, all right?" "We're not blaming anything on you, Cage." Liu Kang stared off into the forest. "But I suggest that you be a little more reserved when you speak with her again. Or perhaps the rest of us should ask her some questions ourselves." Kitana eased open the heavy mahogany door, her gloved hands moving swiftly and silently. A quick glance around the room confirmed that it was unoccupied, and she padded softly inside. She approached the bookcase that spanned the far wall, trying to ignore the stained metal table that took up most of the room, and the unspeakable contents that littered it. Fingers brushing lightly across cracked leather bindings, she located the tome she had suspected was here. A slight creak sounded behind her, causing her to jerk around in alarm, eyes wide. The room was empty. Shang Tsung would skin her alive (twice) if he caught her in his laboratory, and yet recent developments had aroused her suspicions to the point where she felt the gain would be worth the risk. The book thumped softly as she placed it on the lectern, dust rising in little puffs as she opened it. Her mind wandered for a moment, and she paused to think, head bowed. Yes, what she was doing to Cage was unforgivable. Kahn would rip him in half should the movie star challenge him. But the end justified the means, in the grand scheme of things. It would all sort itself out, somehow. Her eyes scanned the light, slightly flowered cursive script written on the yellowed pages before her. "...I have yet to see proof that Sergeant Kahn is unloyal to the throne, but my husband feels differently. Kahn's insubordination during the battle of Shokan has brought us a major victory, although the fact that he disobeyed direct orders to withdraw disturbs him." Kitana flipped ahead, feeling her temper rise. This was exactly what she had been looking for all this time. To think that Tsung would be so brazen as to keep it in his own library, in plain view. Who would have expected it? The handwriting changed in this part of the tome. It was a cramped, angry scribble that was barely legible. "I grow weary of Kahn's frequent bouts of fury. His rescue of me from the Purgatory in T'Levarik is a welcome relief, and yet he expects me to be his personal whipping boy. He grows sloppier as his ego expands, and his temper shortens. Kahn made a mistake in not killing Jade's firstborn. Kitana is heiress to the throne of the Outworld, and yet even at the age of ten, she shows remarkable drive and ambition. Her interest in gymnastics and martial skill may prove useful, if she is properly trained, but I fear that it she is too old to be reprogrammed." Kitana frowned. This she did not expect. She flipped farther ahead. "Kitana is an able assassin, but she is too strong-willed to kowtow to Kahn's rule. He barely keeps her in check, and I fear that someday she may rebel. It is time to take drastic measures. Perhaps one with her skill, her physique, but a fresh mind that can be properly shaped?" "The experiment was a success. I sparred with Kitana today, and an 'accidental' strike to her jaw during gunsen training spilled her blood. The embryo is growing as I write... although the fact that I was forced to use a Khashigen female to serve as a surrogate disturbs me." Kitana raised her eyebrows in confusion. "The clone has been birthed. Pity that the female died during the procedure... and damn it all! My suspicions were correct... Mileena's visage has been disfigured due to her blood mixing with that of the mutant's. She will be trained apart from her sister, and the two introduced when the time is right." Kitana suddenly jerked upright. What was that sound? She slammed the book closed in fright, shaking. Still the room's emptiness seemed to mock her. Nothing was there. She eased the book back into its space on the shelf, her mind wandering. The puzzling image had been jarred loose and was now rattling around in her memory. It had plagued her for years... "Master Tsung, who is this?" The young girl paused in her gymnastic maneuver to right herself, dropping lightly to her feet to study the person before her. Master Tsung was a nice man. She liked him. "Your sister, Kitana." Shang Tsung smiled, and it was reassuring. Kitana returned it. "You have not seen her before, as she has been away for some time. But now the two of you will train together as a team...." Kitana clenched her fist. She had never quite believed Tsung, and she had not liked the quiet, masked girl who wore purple and never spoke. And there was that final day during their instruction... "Master Tsung, who is this?" Kitana stole a glance at Mileena, her sister, then looked to her Master for a response. "Your final test." Tsung bodily hurled the man to the floor, and he skidded across the marble to the training mat before springing to his feet, angry. "This man is a criminal, and also an able fighter." Tsung intoned. "Use what I have taught you. Engage him in battle, sisters." Without hesitation, the twins sprang. He was a strong one, and fended off their kicks with the strength of an unmoving stone wall. As the fight raged on, Tsung watched with a grim, expressionless look on his face, intent on the display before him. Kitana pursed her lips in concentration, puzzled. This man was holding both of them at bay quite well... obviously beyond the capabilities of both of them. What was Tsung trying to prove? Mileena's foot snapped upward, connecting with the man's groin. A second snapkick followed to his chin, and Kitana froze in mid-strike, eyes wide. A dishonorable hit to say the least! The criminal doubled over in agony as Mileena delivered a chop to his neck, driving her knee into his face. Tsung raised one hand and gestured to Mileena as she gripped the criminal by his throat, lifting his pain-wracked face to glare into her cold, unfeeling eyes. Kitana still stood frozen, her hand raised in an open-handed attack that never landed. She watched, and waited. "Excellent, Mileena. And now, finish the job. Kill him." Mileena's other hand struck with the speed of a cobra, the heel of her palm cracking into the man's nose. His eyes rolled back in his head as blood poured from his nostrils, and she released her grip, letting the corpse drop to the floor. Kitana stood, frozen with horror at what she had just witnessed. Finally, she comprehended. Shang Tsung did not move as she spun to face him, her eyes blazing fiercely. "You BASTARD!" She spat at his feet, then swung her fist. Tsung caught the punch with the palm of his right hand, and tightened his grip. "It is time to level with you, Kitana." Kitana spun to face the door of the lab, suddenly furious. It had all fallen into place. And the last piece... -- ===================================================================== = Steve Karstensen == "Why does it always have to be water?!?" = karz@delphi.com == - Ranma 1/2 = == = == If you can name the object = == In that Baggie over there, = FINISH HIM! == Then Mister, you're a better man than I. = == - "Weird Al" Yankovic =====================================================================