Article: 13307 of alt.games.mk Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!lard.ftp.com!news2.near.net!news.delphi.com!usenet From: Steve Karstensen Newsgroups: alt.games.mk Subject: Outworld (part 2) Date: Fri, 2 Sep 94 20:04:20 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Lines: 382 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1b.delphi.com Outworld: The Kombat Continues part II "KAAAAAIIYAAAAA!!!" The ninja's tabi-clad foot swung in a wide arc, connecting soundly against its target: a badly scorched and bruised face wrapped in a black ninja hood and white facemask. Inferno stood over his fallen opponent. Tornado writhed under him as he planted a derisive heel into the fallen ninja's groping hand. "Inferno...mercy.." Inferno kicked out again, but before his foot could strike Tornado's face, he was stopped by a sudden, piercing agony. "Enough, Inferno." He spun to meet his new antagonist. Buried in his foot was a spearhead, attached to a thick cord that was drawn tight, gripped by another ninja, whose uniform was emitting puffs of thick vapor. "Go ahead." Smoke's eyes narrowed. "Strike at me. I can see it in your eyes, Inferno. Strike me down. Or do you only kick at those who are already down?" Inferno, his uniform an angry red over black, said nothing. "You have recovered from your battle last year with Sub Zero. Is that what you were trying to prove? Once again, you have broken form and engaged in Mortal Combat. Had I not stopped you, you would have killed him. Do not deny it." The flame ninja shook with barely contained rage. "You are henceforth an exile from the Lin Kuei. If you wish to contest the matter, I will add a death mark to your sentence. Now go." Smoke yanked on the rope, and the spear pulled from Inferno's lamed foot. "Master." Shin Tsu snapped out a quick bow as Smoke approached. "What is it, Shin?" Smoke wiped the blood from his spearpoint in the dirt. The younger ninja, not having mastered his Power enough to be given his elemental name yet, fell into stride alongside Smoke as the elder walked through the compound. "It has been a week, and Sub Zero has not returned from the Shaolin Tournament." "And Mr. Wu?" "Angered. He called your front office in Tokyo, demanding to know the results of his contracting Sub Zero to assassinate Shang Tsung." "And what did you say?" "I told him the truth. Sub Zero is missing. We are not responsible for whatever money Wu lost on him. I said the Ice Ninja either lost, or disappeared with the down payment." "Sub Zero would not do such a thing." "No. But I do not want to think Sub Zero is dead." "There are new problems." Smoke looked out over the courtyard, where the match for Master of Elements had just taken place. Pity neither of the two were eligible this year. Tornado would need some time in the hospital to recover, most definitely. "Shang Tsung is not dead. In fact, he had sent me a letter just yesterday. I was pondering what to do about it when I had to intervene in the Match." Shin Tsu regarded his master quietly, waiting for him to continue. "He wants to contract the Lin Kuei as his personal group of bodyguards. The man is rumored to be leader of a sorcerers' sect. What does he need us for?" Shin Tsu said nothing. "I need a messenger to return to his castle to negotiate. Or, I could contact Mr. Wu and ask him if he had another assassin in mind, and would like us to again attempt the kill." Shin looked up, then pointed. "Master! On the road, coming over the hill!" Smoke followed Shin's finger, and his eyes widened. Coming up the road to the complex was a ninja in black, with definite blue markings on his uniform. He smiled to himself under his mask. "Sub Zero...you still live?" "Hail, Lord of the Khashigei. Or should I say, General of my newfound army." "Hail to you too, Shao Kahn." Baraka's blades snapped into the extended position as he bowed gracefully. "I called you here to remind you of something." Shao Kahn's voice was low and ominous. "Your tribe belongs to me now. I expect utter obedience from you and your kind. Do not cross me." "Never, my Lord." Baraka grinned, and it was hideous. "Never." It was quiet. Quiet, yes...but uncomfortably warm. The Honor Guardsman shifted, and scratched at his gold-flecked robes. The room behind him, the Tower's vista, was normally quite cool, as the huge circular window bore no glass. Shang Tsung and his sorcerers used the room to look out over the Wasteland that bordered the Living Forest...and there was a member of that sect in the Tower now. The Guardsman had bowed to him when he entered. The silent man in purple robes had not chanted a spell, that much he was certain. Where was the heat coming from? The robed one clasped his hands in silent prayer, reaching out with his mind. He sensed a disturbance in the events to come. Just what, he did not know...but things boded ill for his Master's proposed Tournament. Dare he speak out in protest, concerned as he was? And where was that heat coming from? The sorcerer turned, to note the marble was chipping and splintering in the floor. The surrounding tiles were also getting quite hot, and the red velvet rug was smouldering. Suddenly, as if rammed from below, the floor exploded upward in a shower of hellfire. Lava gouted into the air, raining brimstone and ash. The sorcerer cried out, covering his eyes with his forearms as something stood in the midst of this inferno. The sorcerer staggered back...one step too many. His thighs struck the empty sill of the paneless window, and gravity took over as he plunged an ungodly distance to the ground below. Upon hearing the scream, the Honor Guardsman flung open the heavy mahogany door, then shouted aloud in fear. The form in the fire threw one arm outward in a sweeping motion, and the whistling twang of a cord drawing tight sounded in the air. The guard, who had spun to take flight, was struck in the back by the spearpoint at the end of the line, and crumped to the ground. Scorpion dragged the lifeless form toward him as his eyes glazed over. A single tear formed, and fell as the hideous chanting in his mind grew louder, clouding his entire being. "He has risen again...seek and claim the life of your hated enemy...for we shall not let you rest until the Ice Ninja is dead...." Scorpion shook his head weakly as his hands went through their own motions, pulling the spearhead from the dead guard's spine. It had gotten stuck, and took two tugs to remove. "We have given you life...you must obey us! Kill Sub Zero...Finish Him...forever..." "There, in the clearing." Liu Kang brushed aside a thick cluster of vines to view the ornate palace where a terrifying tournament had taken place. "It looks evil enough." Kung Lao stepped into the short grass of the clearing, then nodded. "How do you propose we reach the Outworld from here?" "I don't know. Look!" Kang pointed as a small form stepped through the bent bars of the front gate, then disappeared into the courtyard. "Whoever he is, he's either up to no good, or about to be in big trouble. Come on!" Kung Lao grimly broke into a sprint, with Liu Kang following. "It appears your plan to split your enemies up is not going to work, Shao Kahn." Shang Tsung said, pointing at the small globe in which he could see the two Shaolin brothers running toward his old castle. "Not quite." Shao Kahn motioned with his hand, and the view changed to Johnny Cage, rubbing his rear and standing. His trip from his dressing room to the Living Forest had been rough, uneventful, and had lasted all of two seconds. And as Shang Tsung watched, the movie star had caught a glimpse of green among the trees. "Jade will lure Mr. Carlton into our trap, as instructed." "Why did you insist on summoning her?" Shang Tsung growled. "After all, you killed her so long ago. Her daughter may find her, and if they speak, she may find the truth!" "Jade's unlife does not concern me, nor does Kitana." Shao Kahn countered. "And if Kitana does learn what happened to her mother, then she will die as well." Liu Kang and Kung Lao skidded to a halt near the palace gates. "Where did he go?" Kung Lao lifted his gaze to the main building. Liu Kang surveyed the now-empty courtyard. "I don't know." They entered cautiously. Kang saw the statues in the Warriors' Shrine were still intact, including his own. He shivered involuntarily. "The time has come, Shang Tsung. Bring them." "Kung Lao. If any passage to this Outworld exists, it would be underground, in Goro's Lair." Kang stood, a throwing knife caked with dried blood in his hands. "Kung Lao?" He turned around, but his Shaolin brother was nowhere in the courtyard, where he had been moments ago. And as he watched, the air began to swirl, as though it were mist. It took on an orange hue, twisting in a conical shape. The center of this vortex became black as night, with a few plays of static electricity jolting across the void every so often. Liu Kang covered his face and screamed as an incredible vacuum began to drag him forward with increasing velocity toward the Vortex. Johnny Cage stood up. What the fuck was going on? When he found that little Bruce Lee...hello, what was this? A tall, shapely woman in a green bodysuit stepped from behind the nearest tree. Her face was concealed with a green mask from the nose down, but her eyes were wide and innocent, radiating a seductive beauty like none Johnny had ever seen. As he watched, she snapped open two gleaming metal fans, bowing formally and sweeping one fan behind her back, the other pointing down. And then, she vanished in a puff of red, flaming smoke. Johnny stared. Wow. He nearly jumped out of his skin as the tree next to the spot where she had stood suddenly grinned at him, then growled. It had a face on it, and that arboral mug regarded him viciously. As Cage jumped backward, a shout of surprise escaping his throat, he bumped into something warm and soft. A pair of hands encircled him, and he turned to meet the angelic, seductive gaze of the green one's twin. She wore blue, and traced his features with one gloved finger. "You are the one they call Cage." She purred, her eyes never changing expression. "I've been waiting for you." "You have?" He said, intelligently. "Yes. I know all about you, and I need your help." Her eyes flicked to one side as if looking for something. "You are a powerful warrior." She moved against him teasingly. "I need someone like you." Johnny regained his composure, pushing away from her. "Not until I know where the hell I am." He adjusted his sunglasses, which had slid down his nose. He also noticed he was still in his Otomo tights from the workout earlier that day. Odd attire to wander around in. "This is the Outworld. I can help you, as you are a prisoner of Shao Kahn. He means for you to die here." Cage clenched both hands into fists. "Well, you can tell Shao whoeverthefuckheis..." "..Master of the sorcerer Shang Tsung." Kitana supplied. Johnny suddenly got very weak. "Yes, he who tried to arrange your death in the Shaolin Tournament one week previous." "I am NOT gonna deal with that asshole again." "Yes, you are. You are a prisoner in the Outworld unless you escape through the Vortex, which you can only do by defeating Kahn. You must get through Shang Tsung to do it." "Ah, well Tsung was an old guy, so I think I-" "His youth has been restored. You do have new hope, however. Your powers here are twice what they were, for the Outworld is inherently magical. Master your inner strength and you can be the most powerful champion the Multiverse has ever known." Kitana suddenly caught sight of a flash of purple. Mileena stepped out from behind a tree, a hundred yards or so away. Johnny's back was to her. Mileena raised one sai, slowly moving it about in her fingers until it was in throwing position. Her gaze was cold. Kitana shook her head imperceptibly. "What do you have to do with all of this?" Johnny was getting interested now. "My purposes are my own, but rest assured your rewards will be...great." She sidled up to him, her eyes becoming as soft and promising as a young lamb's. Cage melted. Kitana started as, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mileena draw back her arm and let the metal weapon fly. It distorted in the air, taking on a bluish hue and stretching, as though made of energy. Cage was suddenly on the ground, shoved there by Kitana. Her fans were out in less than an instant, and the sai splattered against one, the glowing blue muck dripping into the soil. Mileena vanished into the trees. "What the fuck?" Cage stood up. "Leave this area now. I will be in touch." Kitana narrowed her eyes at the spot where her sister had stood, then she began to walk in that direction. "Wait!" Johnny called after her as she was about to disappear into the foliage. "What is your name?" She paused, and turned back. Their gazes locked. "Kitana." Then, she was gone. In Shao Kahn's throne room, Shang Tsung distorted his features in puzzlement. What was that all about? Kitana appeared to be deviating from her assignment. He leaned closer to the transparent orb that floated above its gold pedestal. Within, Kitana was stalking through the trees, the features of anger clearly visible through her mask. Had she seen? Shang Tsung grimaced. Nobody had planned on Kitana leaving the complex, and her running into Cage as he was about to be disposed of by Jade was a risk. Had she seen? Kitana moved among the trees, not making a sound. Her sister would not come between her and her goal, no matter what. Tears began to form, but she steeled them back. Her mother...damn Shao Kahn! Kitana caugh a flicker of purple, then crouched. Catlike, she sprang into a small clearing. Mileena hit the ground, Kitana pinning her with both knees and a spread, razor-sharp fan at her throat. Mileena's eyes registered no fear, and stared impassively. Shang Tsung felt a smile come to his lips. This was going to be interesting. "You will not interfere," Kitana hissed at her sister, moving the fan so the edge touched Mileena's jugular. "If you attempt Cage's life again, I will kill you. Do you understand?" Mileena said nothing. "Nod your head, you mute bitch!" Mileena nodded. Kitana stood, then quickly swiped with the open fan as her sister regained her feet. Shang Tsung's eyes widened in surprise as Kitana's fan opened a thin gash across her sister's chest. In seconds, the assassin was before him, crumpled on the ground in a pool of her own blood. "Rise." He touched her hair with two fingers. No longer bleeding, Mileena shakily stood. "Feel better?" Shang Tsung smiled reassuringly at her. "My magic extends to healing as well as destruction. Death, however, is another story." Mileena was looking at her bloodstained hands in wonder. The crimson began to fade. "I cannot bring you back to life should you die. Shao Kahn is capable, but he would not do so on my command. I will warn you, Mileena." Tsung's voice grew hard. "He considers death during an assignment to be failure, and rarely saves those who fall." He paused. "Your sister seems to have taken favor with the movie star. I daresay she should be taken as security risk. You recall Shao Kahn's request? To dispose of any risks. Watch over Kitana. Should she prove unfaithful, kill her." Mileena nodded carefully. "Do not let this happen again. I may not be around to help you a second time." She nodded a second time, regaining her composure quickly. Sais were drawn, and Mileena spun them into her traditional salute. Shang Tsung laughed. "Good girl. Your father always did love you best." "Kitana. So nice of you to come." Shang Tsung reclined on Kahn's throne, basking in its feel. Of course, should Shao Kahn find him there, it would mean his head...but when the cat's away... "I came quickly upon your summons, Tsung." Kitana nodded curtly, noting his presence without her usual flourishing bow. "I was watching you in the Living Forest earlier...Cage is quite a handsome man, is he not?" "His looks are acceptable, for an Earth dweller." Her voice registered not the slightest waver of surprise, or fear. "Why were you spying on me?" "Curiosity, love." Kitana flinched noticably at that comment. "I am speaking to you now to remind you where your loyalties lie. Your obligations are clear, are they not?" "Crystal, Tsung." She stood patiently, waiting for him to finish. "If that will be all?" "Yes, Kitana. You may go." As she strode from the throne room, Kitana laughed inwardly. If it had an audible component, it would have been sarcastic. Yes, Shang Tsung..I know EXACTLY where my loyalities lie, she thought. If only you did as well. Liu Kang looked around in surprise as he stood. The trip through the Vortex had been quick, but what was at its end was very disturbing. It could only be described as a Wasteland. Broken ruins of former stone structures littered the area, as did decayed bodies and weapons. The sky was a purplish hue, and all in all it did not look promising. Moments before he caught sight of it, his ears told him something was flying toward him. He brought up both arms in a parry, and knocked aside the blue projectile. It splattered to the filthy ground in a mess. What the heck was it? Liu Kang turned. Standing before him was a woman in purple. "Who are you?" He adopted a defensive posture as she circled him like a jungle cat. Kung Lao adjusted his hat before surveying the surroundings. Sprawled before him was a muscular black male in black tights and combat boots. Each leg of the tights bore red and white marking, denoting the United States in a stylish fashion. Jax groaned as he stood. "What the hell happened?" "I don't know." Kung Lao looked around a bit, and did not like what he saw. The Wasteland didn't look any better from his point of view, but the castle complex in the distance did. It was evil and foreboding, but at least it was something to focus on. "Mind if I ask you a question, son?" Jax was behind him, and he turned quickly. "Go ahead." "Who the fuck are you?" "My name is Kung Lao." He spoke quickly, his tone defensive. "I am a former Shaolin Monk and member of the White Lotus Society. Who are you?" "Major Jackson Briggs of US Special Forces, United States Army. Second question. Where the hell are we?" "The Outworld." "What?" "Another dimension. I am in pursuit of the murderer of my great ancestor...as well as those who slaughtered my brothers." Jax nodded, slowly. "Last thing I remember was walking through the gates of some old palace." "So it was you that we spotted." Kung Lao regarded him carefully. "What was your business?" "A member of my team disappeared on that island. I'm looking for her." Kung Lao nodded, then turned and began walking away. "If what you say is true, you pose no threat to me. Go about your business." Jax watched him leave. "Wierd motherfucker." "....so you see, Seggithei..it's in your best interest to take my offer seriously." Shang Tsung smiled at the hunched, reptilian form before him. It snarled, then pushed the bag of gold away. "To this day, I abhore you for taking my son from me. I will not deal with you a second time, sorcerer." "Your son came willingly." "An infant tends to object little when kidnapped from his crib." Seggithei hissed, baring a wide display of needle-sharp fangs. "My warriors are not for hire." "Then your tribe will kneel before me as slaves!" Shang Tsung's eyes flared with a white light for a moment as he snatched his offer back. "I do not fear you, sorcerer." "The time will come." Shang Tsung's eyes suddenly became vicious. "Especially when the life of your precious son rides upon it. Bow to me and my rule, or Th'etikai dies. You can count on that." "You wouldn't DARE!" "Try me." Shang Tsung's dimensions narrowed until he was no longer visible, leaving Seggithei alone in the clearing. And in the Living Forest, a mere meter or two away, Reptile clenched his own fists in anger. This was his origin? The words were unmistakable. He knew he was not like his Master...these creatures... His yellow eyes narrowed in anger. So his given name had been Th'etikai? And this elder reptile his father? Green drool oozed from the corners of his mouth as he tore his green facemask away, his vision clouding. Muscles in the throat contracted, and Reptile spat. The vile substance splattered against the nearest tree, hissing and bubbling as it ate into the living wood. Never, Tsung. Never.