Jaune Arc: Era of Kombat (RWBY x MK Krossover)

MK11 - Chapter 6

Location: Shirai Ryu Fire Gardens

Status: Restored

Time Before Rendezvous: 5.5 hours

In the tranquil expanse of the Fire Gardens, Liu Kang and Sub-Zero walked side by side, their conversation weighty with the challenges ahead. The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the meticulously tended paths.

"Your Shaolin masters," Sub-Zero asked, his tone measured, "are they ready?"

"They will fight until the last man," Liu Kang replied solemnly, his gaze fixed ahead.

"That," Sub-Zero said grimly, "is likely what it will take."

Liu Kang's steps faltered slightly as he glanced toward his companion. "There will not be a fight if Kharon does not help us," he said. "Is there any word from Grandmaster Hasashi?"

Sub-Zero shook his head. "No. If we do not hear soon, I will return to the Netherrealm myself."

Before either could speak further, a sudden burst of hellfire erupted on the path ahead. The flames roared to life, spiraling upward in a blinding display before fading as quickly as they had appeared. From within the inferno stepped Scorpion, his armor gleaming and his aura as intense as ever.

Instinctively, both Liu Kang and Sub-Zero dropped into fighting stances, their muscles taut and ready for battle. Scorpion, however, made no move to engage. Instead, he stood motionless, his head turning as if to take in the restored gardens around him.

Liu Kang narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly toward Sub-Zero. "Wrong Scorpion," he muttered under his breath. "This cannot be good."

Sub-Zero's response was immediate and sharp. "Get Raiden!"

Liu Kang nodded and sprinted toward the temple, leaving Sub-Zero alone to face the unexpected visitor.

Sub-Zero's voice carried an icy edge as he addressed the figure before him. "Why are you here, Scorpion? Where is Grandmaster Hasashi?"

Scorpion's gaze met his, somber and steady. After a pause, he replied, his tone heavy with loss. "He is dead."

The weight of those words hung in the air, but Sub-Zero was unmoved, his stance firm and ready for a fight. "And now you have come to finish us," he accused, his words like frost biting the air.

"I understand your mistrust," Scorpion said, his voice calm but resolute. "But I am here to assist you."

Sub-Zero's eyes narrowed further, the tension crackling like ice underfoot. "I find that impossible to believe," he said, his fists tightening.

Before Scorpion could respond, a shimmering portal materialized behind him. Both warriors turned, their confusion mirrored in their expressions. That confusion quickly transformed into fury as Shang Tsung stepped through the portal, his smile as serpentine as ever.

"What is he doing here?" Sub-Zero demanded, his voice sharp with anger.

Scorpion turned slightly, his body language showing no allegiance to the sorcerer. "We are not together," he said firmly.

Sub-Zero's glare never left Shang Tsung, but his tone carried a challenge as he addressed Scorpion. "If you are here to help, prove it. Join me against the sorcerer."

Scorpion's answer came without hesitation, his stance shifting to prepare for battle. "I shall."

The sorcerer stood still with his hands behind his back, patiently waiting as Fujin and Jaune walked through the portal behind him. Jaune took the sight of his Grandmaster before him as he gave his sensei a grand smile.