Close call
Justice Heroes Elite
CHP8: Close call
Baraka along with a couple Tarkadens barges into the room which Shang Tsung works in. The sorcerer glances up from what he is doing, presenting a face of agitation.
"If you have come here to talk, it will have to wait till later." Shang Tsung looks down over the brackets. "If you're that anxious, Pythena and Shao Kahn are just in the next room."
Baraka signals the two tarkadens to have a seat on the nearby sofa. He strides over taking a seat across from Shang Tsung at the lengthy table.
"I just spoke with prince Goro, and he informed me that he will begin fighting against tournament participants who make it past round 3. Shouldn't he be fighting sooner?" Baraka asks.
"You of all people should know Goro loves a challenge, he is waiting for a handful of the weaker fighters to be eliminated." Shang Tsung looks up from what he is doing. "If it is those super powered fighters you are worried about, don't worry. Pythena has orchestrated a plan which includes them all being demolished."
Baraka sits back with a wide smile across his face.
"That's great, but that does nothing. The real problem is Raiden and his group of earth defenders that is who Pythena should be targeting. Those meta humans have nothing to do with our world."
"I guess Kahn didn't let you in on the whole plan, but we are going to take over this globe and the one they come from. Pythena came to us directly for help to accomplish this plan."
Much excitement runs throughout Baraka, but he still does not fully trust their new found ally. Over two hours pass and the sun has fully set over the mountain tops. Logan reaches over turning off the water handle. He steps out of the shower wrapping a towel around his body. He opens his nearby hand bag, getting ready to shave. He doesn't spend more than five minutes in there before finishing up and leaving. When in the hallway, he looks over to see Batman.
"If you are looking for any of the others, you probably won't find them. They all left for the primetime event." Batman informs.
"I already knew, but thanks for telling me any how. Not to assume anything, but youaren't going are you?" Logan asks almost certain.
Batman looks down pulling something out of his utility belt, throwing it to Logan.
"Here are some coupons I picked up earlier from the stadium; you can use them tonight or on something in one of the gift shops."
The avenger/Xmen glimpses through them, seeing what discount each of them gave in depth. He looks up from the slips to an empty hall. A nearby window is open in company of the wind from outside brushing against the plants.
"Now I can see why this guy hasn't been killed yet, his awareness and technique is crazy. For someone with no super human abilities, he is a bit impressive."
Afterwards Logan walks off into his room getting dressed.
Lin Kuei temple
Subzero along with many of the other Lin Kuei fighters spar amongst each other. Standing before them is the grand master, who takes notes of each individual fighter. After doing so he calls time, which ends the training session.
"I'm glad to see that most of you are showing improvement from the past few weeks, but loads of you still have a long road ahead of you. Our goal by the next mortal kombat tournament is to have at least ten of you representing along with Subzero."
The grand master has the entire group of rookies step aside, he sends a veteran fighter out to the middle of the room to face off against Subzero.
"I want you all to watch them carefully, pay close attention to their execution of moves."
Outside of the temple reptile runs through a forest jumping over a log. The resonance of splashing water is present seeing that the ninja continues crossing through a lake. He looks around, making sure he isn't being followed before proceeding. When coming to a stop Baraka awaits him by a camp fire. Another individual steps from behind a tree.
"I'm glad to see you made it on time, we must hurry and discuss the future plans before anyone gets suspicious." The sorcerer Quan Chi leans a bit on the tree. "Baraka has some information that is sounding promising."
"Oh really, and what might that be?" Reptile asks, not sounding too intrigued.
Quan Chi steps forward putting a hand in front of him.
"Patience Reptile let Baraka speak before forming your opinion. This looks to be a perfect opportunity to resurrect lord Shinnock."
The ninja decides to listen taking a seat on a nearby rock. Baraka clears his throat before speaking. He starts off by telling them about the new alliance between Pythena the outsider, Shang Tsung, and Shao Kahn. Across from the tournament dome, many people enter the building where the revelry will take place. Most of the attendants are directed outside through the back doors, with many tables set up and a view of the beach. Clark and Diana enter with wrapped arms taking a seat near the beach front.
"Wow that really is some view, it sure is stunning tonight." Clark sits back, opening a menu. "So do you think we should start off with some appetizers first?"
The princess stares into the night sky, seemingly lost in her thoughts. Diana wears a pink dress with long pink gloves, while Clark wears the casual black suit and tie. He takes a moment to observe her; she notices a smile from him.
"Is something wrong?" Diana asks.
"Ah it's nothing really; you just look so beautiful tonight. Where did you get that outfit?"
She looks away from him blushing.
"Tony Stark purchased this for me just an hour ago, I'm glad you like it."
"Figures, I should have known it was him. Tony's got so much money it's amazing, just like someone we know."
Diana rests her elbows on the table's surface.
"I really wish Bruce would have come, sometimes it just feels like Batman has completely taken over his life."
"Yeah maybe so, but that is a part of who he is. Both Batman and Bruce are the same individual, just two different sides trying to bring some good to the world."
Bucky walks across having a seat next to Diana, it is than that Clark changes the subject.
"So are the others all here yet?" Clark picks up a menu. "There certainly are a lot of things to choose from."
"Yeah most everyone should be making their way through the front entrance, but I do believe Wolverine and Batman might be running a little late. I didn't see either of them." Bucky replies.
Wally enters alongside Peter, the two of them head right over to the bar area.
"Don't worry about reaching for your wallet, this one's on me." Wally tells.
Both of them order large sprites, sitting at the stools in front of the bar. Tony, Carol, and Hal make their presence known walking across the cement floor finding a table.
"You must enjoy having that super speed; I bet you're never late for anything. I can't even count how many times if I had just been there minutes earlier things could have been different." Peter reveals.
"You'd be surprised, because even with my immense speed even I haven't made it on schedule every time."
Most everyone's attention is taken away from what they are doing, with the sound of booming music. It is then that a DJ enters the main stage along with his crew. Through a microphone they encourage everyone to come out on the dance floor, which a lot of people do almost instantly. Wonder Woman stands up from her chair, grabbing Bucky by his wrist.
"Come dance with me, it will be a lot of fun."
He smirks looking optimistic at the princess.
"It would be my pleasure." Bucky replies.
"While the two of you are out there I will order some buffalo wings and nachos as an appetizer." Supes tells.
The two of them leave the table holding hands while walking out onto the dance floor. Tony steps onto the dance floor as well, he just looks around finding a woman who stands alone. Hal and Carol just sit at the table watching.
"The two of them sure have taken a liking to one another, it's almost like love on first site wouldn't you say?" Carol asks.
Hal rubs his chin for a few moments reflecting on it.
"I guess that means I'm not the only one who noticed, so what do you have planed for tomorrow? I think I'll just sit back and relax, training won't be necessary for most of us."
She sits forward resting one of her legs over the other.
"I haven't really decided yet, but I might just go on a little tour of this island."
Hal stands up from the table walking forward.
"I've decided I'll go for a few rounds, if you change your mind you can come on out." Hal tells.
He disappears into the crowd of dancers. While the bar tender looks the other direction, Peter webs a can of Pepsi pulling it over to his side. He leaves money in its place. The fast paced music switches over to a slow pace. Diana relaxes her head on the shoulder of Bucky as they dance around in circles.
"Hey Pete I'll be back in a minute, I need to ask Superman something really fast. You should really go out there and dance, it looks enjoyable." Wally tells.
Not far away up a hill and on the pinnacle of a brick temple is Batman slouched over, looking down on the entire event through his binoculars. He looks in all directions, making sure there isn't any form of deception. But he appears to come back to a certain someone, the princess of Themyscira. Her appearance of much attractiveness seizes his concentration. The dark knight finally comes to a realization there is nothing gruesome about the party, deciding to take his search for answers elsewhere. He places the binoculars back into his utility belt gliding off of the roof top.
"I saw you looking down on the dance, what are you some kind of assassin? You're good at sticking to the Shadow's but so am I"
Batman looks over to see a suited up fighter with crossed arms standing up against a tree. He takes a few steps forward to get a clearer view.
"I remember you from the tournament, your that ninja. Isn't it Scorpion you go by?" Batman asks.
"I see you have a good memory as well, but I have to tell you something. I don't like guys who sneak around, why don't you cut to the chase and tell me what you're really here for."
"I'm sorry but that's just none of your business. I'd back off if I were you; you're getting into dangerous territory." Batman replies.
Scorpion laughs at his comment seeing it as a challenge. He pulls out his rope spear twirling it around.
"I don't know what it is your thinking, but I'd put my weapon away if I were you. Take my word for it; you don't want to fight me." Bats tells.
"I've heard enough of your talking, and you're obviously hiding something! Maybe If I beat on you enough you'll have a change of heart." Scorpion says.
"As I said before it's none of your concern, but if you insist just try me."
Scorpion smiles under his mask, seeing as the dark knight has accepted his challenge. Hanzo wastes no time, throwing the rope spear out at Batman who jumps out of the blade's lane. As a quick counter he pulls out four batarangs throwing them at the ninja spectre. Two of them pierce Scorpion in the shoulder as he dodges the other two remaining. Both Scorpion and the dark knight perform a flying kick, knocking each other to the side. Scorpion once again throws his rope spear out at Batman, who just knocks it down with his gauntlets.
"Had enough yet? Quite honestly you're just wasting precious time of mine. I have things that I have to do other than fighting." Batman notifies.
Scorpion leaps forward into a front flip, coming down behind Batman kicking him into a bush.
"I don't care who you are or what you want, we will fight till the end. Either you will kill me, or I will kill you."
The Dark knight gets to his feet knowing that he won't kill Scorpion, and really has no desire to fight him either. The battle continues as Scorpion races over toward Batman, throwing a few punches and kicks. Some of which are blocked, while others he lands perfectly. Batman steps back putting power into a round house kick, knocking Scorpion off balance. Batman steps into it punching him across the face, watching as Scorpion goes down hard. The ninja shows signs of dizziness, but is quick to get up kneeing bats in his left side of his ribs. The dark knight yells out in pain as he is uppercut fourteen feet into the air. The ninja spectre takes the opportunity to throw his rope spear up. It tears right through the stomach of Bats, but doesn't quite make it out of the other side. Scorpion pulls it out and watches as Batman falls to the ground in a somewhat bloody mess.
"Well it looks like this fight is over, quite honestly I expected a much better match." Scorpion says.
He looks down on Batman, and can tell he is in tremendous pain.
"You really are pathetic; I guess I'll take the liberty of beating on you some more before I finish you."
It is obvious Batman cannot get up after Scorpions previous attack. Hanzo walks over stomping on the dark knight's chest, watching as more blood squirts out from his body. He then picks him up by a bat ear on his cowl brutally striking him in the face, before slamming his head to the ground. He now bleeds from his nose and mouth.
"I could just leave you here to die like a dog, but I'd rather finish you off with something remember able." Scorpion tells.
He steps back a few yards spinning his rope spear at a high speed. He focuses looking down at Batman's chest, in the area of his heart's location. The rope is thrown with more than enough distance but the blade just drops to the ground. It all happened so fast, but Scorpion notices the rope had been sliced while air born. He looks up in time as he is slashed across his chest and punched to the ground.
"You messed with the wrong man bub!"
Scorpion jumps up putting some space between him and this unknown person.
"And who are you supposed to be? I take it you must be a friend of that bat." Scorpion asks.
"The name's Wolverine and you don't have much longer to live! How dare you attack and kill Batman! I'm goanna cut you open and watch as the roaches feast on your dead carcass.
"I think I'd rather not waste my time on another worthless fighter, who knows maybe you'll fight against me in the tournament. Until than, so long you fool."
Logan watches as Scorpion disappears into thin air. The avenger falls to his knees, punching at the dirt in rage! It destroys him within; given the reality he didn't show up sooner. Many thoughts float through his mind, but what sticks out most is what he would have to tell the others. And how would he do so. The sound of Batman calling for him can be heard within. But after a few seconds, he realizes something. Standing and turning to his other side, Batman lays in the dirt alive calling for him. Logan immediately makes his way over to his side.
"Batman can you hear me?" Logan asks.
"Help me u..uu.. up. No wa..Wa..way will I d…..d..di.e like this." Batman struggles to say.
Logan takes off his tuxedo vest, wrapping and tying it around Bat's stomach to stop the bleeding. After doing so, he puts Batman's arm over his shoulder lifting him up and walking slowly.
"The infirmary is near by; it is the same one that the participants in the tournament earlier in the day went to if needed. After they patch you up and everything, I'll take you back to the temple. Just don't die before we get there."
Logan proceeds down the hill with Batman slumped over on his side. Back in the party area Peter and Wally have moved over to the side of Superman.
"Besides going by Superman, what is your civilian identity?" Peter asks innocently.
All he gets from the big man is a smirk.
"You most likely won't get an answer from him; he probably wants to keep it private." Wally says.
The three of them sit back, but it isn't too much longer before they are served their food. Over another four hours pass before the event ends. It is than that everyone exits from the premises.
"Wow that was actually really fun, hopefully they have more of these parties. Heck there was a lot of fine babes in there as well!" Wally says.
Bucky puts a hand on his shoulder laughing.
"Yeah I'll have to agree with you, that was a lot of fun. It took off a lot of the pressure from the tournament."
The group talks amongst one another while on the way back to the temple. Back across from the stadium, Logan looks through the glass window watching over Bruce who lies on a comfort table hooked to oxygen. His wounds have since been cleaned and patched up. The nurse by his bed side after some time finally leaves exiting the room.
"It's a good thing you brought him when you did, if it had been five minutes later he would have passed on. He will be just fine; all he needs now is a lot of rest. Your friend won't be able to get up on his own for at least two or three days. Do you have any idea how this happened?"
"No clue misses ah umm." Logan looks down at her name tag. "Ms. Deana, I just found him this way." Logan replies.
She lifts up her clipboard writing something down.
"Well I have another patient to check up on, you can stay here as long as you wish. He probably won't be up and back to 100% for two weeks at quickest."
"That can't work; he is a participant in the tournament." Logan replies.
"I'm sorry but that's just the way it is, he will have to be taken out of the event. Just let him rest, that is the best way for a nice speedy recovery."
Deana puts the clipboard down to her side walking down the hall. Logan looks downward at her legs and backside whistling. She turns around as a response, but he hastily looks the other way. Logan then looks through the glass to see the eyes of Bruce open. But what happens next surprises him more. Bruce sits up taking the oxygen off of his face, hopping off of the table. It is then that Logan enters the room.
"What in the name of god do you think you're doing, in your present state you shouldn't be up?" Logan asks.
Bruce takes off the hospital pajamas throwing them to the side. He steps over to the chair located by the table picking up and getting dressed into his bat suit. Logan watches at the side amazed, at how Bruce moves around as if he hadn't been injured at all. Bruce puts the cowl back over his head last, turning to Logan.
"Let's get out of here before she makes another round to this room." Batman says.
Logan wants to say something but is at lost for words. Instead he just shakes his head agreeing. Batman takes the lead as they hurry through the hall to the exit. Once outside they are almost soaked down with the heavy rain all around.
"We will just call it a night and make our way back to the temple. Let's just keep it between us what happened tonight." Batman tells.
Logan shakes his head agreeing walking through the downpour.
"Hopefully you don't have another encounter with that ninja; you might not be so lucky next time."
The comment seems to have the dark knight stunned, or perhaps angered. Whatever it may be it is known that he puts much thought into it.
"There is one thing you don't know about me Logan, and that is I don't repeat the same outcome twice. I'm sure you understand what I'm saying, but if he and I meet again it won't be the same."
"Whatever the case, I'm glad you made it ok. Just try and be more careful when sneaking around, I won't always be there for your assist."
Back at the temple Diana finishes up in the bathroom, slipping into a long tea shirt returning to the room. Both Carol and Bucky are sound asleep. She tip toes across the carpet over to Bucky's bed. She looks down at him having much desire in her eyes. Rubbing a hand across his face, she bends down a bit bringing her lips closer to his. Feeling a bit uneasy she pulls back standing, walking across the room and getting into bed with Carol. At Shao Kahn's fortress Shang Tsung looks over his completed round two brackets.
"It all looks good; you have done a fabulous job as usual. I'm about to go get some shut eye." Pythena emphasizes.
Shang Tsung looks over to see her wearing a robe in the midst of her bra and thong revealed. He does a proficient task of trying to hide his interest. She blows him a kiss goodnight leaving the room.
To Be Continue