Life as a Sonic OC Redux

*Zoey's POV*

Ugh... My head... I woke up before I found myself in a cell with Nazuna, Applejack, Baraka, Teermakus, Soulfire, Diddy Kong, Knuckles, Falco, Kenshi, Johnny Cage and Kung Lao as Baraka tried to pry the cell doors open.

Kenshi spoke “You've been at that for hours.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Kenshi spoke “My eyes hurt. *To Bakara* Keep talking, will you? To keep my mind off this. Tell me about life before you got sick.

Baraka spoke “I was doing well, trading goods up and down the Fartakh coast. My family was comfortable, happy. *Dejected sigh* Then Tarkat came. It took my wife, then my children. Cruelly it lets me life for now. I think it enjoys ravaging my body more slowly.

Johnny spoke *Wakes up* Ugh. This hangover. *Remembers what happened* Kenshi! *Sees him still having his eyes* Phew. How bad's the pain?

Kenshi spoke "Excruciating.

Johnny spoke "You saved me. I won't forget that.

Baraka spoke "But you may just regret it."

Johnny spoke "What're you ta-"

But then we heard distant screaming as we found ourselves in a very disturbing place.

Johnny asks "What in the f... When did we take the left turn into survival horror?"

Baraka spoke "This is Shang Tsung's real laboratory.

Kenshi spoke “We're beneath where we were before. That was a false front.”

Knuckles spoke “No kidding.”

Falco asks “Yeah, what was your first clue?”

Johnny spoke “Reminds me of this cheap-ass film I did in my early days, The Flesh Pits. God that was trash.”

Nazuna spoke “I tried using a warp ring, but it looks like an anti-warp ring barrier is in affect.”

I tried teleporting out, only to find myself still in here. "Great, this cell has an anti-teleportation barrier."

But then we heard a heavy door swing open, followed footsteps.

Teermakus asks “Who's coming here, Baraka?”

Baraka spoke “Our jailer.”

Someone showed up, throwing meat to a prisoner as it ate ravenously before the jailer faced and approached us.

The male asks “How is he?

Johnny spoke “His eyes were gouged out. Guess.”

The person spoke "*Gives Johnny something* That will dull the pain.”

Baraka spoke You're vile to be part of this.

The person spoke "You are Shang Tsung's prisoner... I'm his slave. He has my family. He'll kill them if I don't obey.

Johnny opened that something while bringing out a red bandana as he applied what looked like ointment to it on a spot before wrapping it around Kenshi's head, making the ointment touch his eyes, helping him sigh with relief.

Barakaspoke Why did he pick you?

The person spoke "So he could learn how I shapeshift.

Kung Lao spoke He learned that from you? We saw him do that. It was unreal.

Johnn yspoke So how does it work? You just shapeshift into anything you want?

The person spoke "I can shift only between this and my natural form.

The man turned into a giant humanoid lizard.

Johnnyspoke Whoa.

Diddyspoke Ooh...!

Barakaspoke You're Zaterran. Your race can shapeshift?"

Zaterranspoke None can except me.

Zaterran... I know I've heard that before.

Knuckles asks "Don't the names Kiri and Ankha ring any bells?"

Zaterranspoke Yes, they were friends, but they have gone missing.

Huh. Explains a lot. But then the Zaterran went back into his human form as Shang Tsung appeared. "Are they ready? It's time."

Soulfire asks "Time for what, buster?

Shang Tsung spoke Replication experiments. They begin with your vivisection. I'll use your harvested parts to build new creations. The process is fatal, of course.

Johnny spoke Liu Kang and the others won't let you get away with this.

Shang Tsung spoke *Chuckles* That presumes he will ever learn what happened. But when I am done, there will be no trace left of you. I shall return soon to check progress. I have other matters to which I must attend. *Vanishes*

I tried calling, but communications were cut off.

Barakaspoke "You don't have to do this.

The Zaterran spoke "It's either you or my family."

The Zaterran approached a cell before he opened it by pulling a chain, releasing what looked like Tarkatan Klones.

The Zaterran spoke "Put them in the chambers."

Our cell opened as we started fighting the Klones as Baraka and Teermakus killed the ones they were fighting, but Kenshi was captured and put into a chamber that closed after enter as Applejack, Johnny, Diddy, Knuckles and Nazuna were thrown into chambers as well. Kung Lao, Falco and Soulfire broke free and beat some Klones as the human grabbed his chakram hat and threw it, decapitating a Klone before catching it as he, Falco and Soulfire joined the three of us as the six of us fought some more Tarkatan Klones, soon defeating them.

Baraka spoke "There is nothing more foul."

But then the chambers that had our friends had electricity zapping.

Kung Lao spoke "You spoke too soon, Baraka."

"We got company." I noticed with twitching ears before something stomped on the Klone's head, crushing it as we saw some kind of Super Tarkatan Klone. Baraka, Teermakus and I then fought the klone with Kung Lao, Falco and Soulfire's help before knocking it down.

Baraka spoke "*As the Super Tarkatan got back up* You're an unwelcome glimpse of the future for me and my brother."

We fought the enemy again with our friends help as we soon defeated it.

Baraka spoke "Enough distractions."

Baraka and Teermakus went to the chambers and pulled the doors open, freeing Kenshi, Applejack, Johnny, Diddy, Knuckles and Nazuna as we helped the blindfolded man before we started leaving.

The Zaterran spoke "I'm ruined! Shang Tsung will punish me for this by torturing my family! *As Baraka, Teermakus and I faced him with Kung Lao, Falco and Soulfire backing us up* You'll pay... for their suffering, Tarkatans and otherrealmers!"

The three of us fought the Zaterran before we soon knocked him down.

The Zaterran spoke "*Gets back up* You won't escape. I won't let you!"

We then fought him again as we soon defeated the Zaterran.

Baraka spoke "We are leaving."

The Zaterran spoke *Throws mask away, revealing his face* Then kill me. If I die, maybe he'll spare my family."

Baraka spoke "No. We won't murder you."

"None of us will." I confirmed.

The Zaterran spoke "It's mercy. not murder. Not that what I've done deserves any of yours."

Baraka spoke "You were protecting your family. I would've done the same."

I growl "You can't do this! I'm a princess!"

The Reptile stood up before Shang Tsung reappeared as I growled with him noticing us free.

Shang Tsung asks "What has happened here?"

Johnny grabbed Sento as he joined us in surrounding Shang Tsung.

Shang Tsung spoke "Syzoth, you fool. You've let them ruin everything!"

Baraka spoke "*As he and Teermakus extended their wrist blades* We're going, sorcerer."

Johnny spoke "And we're taking you with us. Liu Kang would like a word."

Shang Tsung spoke "I cannot be apprehended so easily."

Shang Tsung chanted a quick spell before he started filling the room with poisonous gas.

Johnny spoke "Yeah, I got a bad feeling about this."

Shang Tsung spoke "I bid you all farewell. Cheer up, Syzoth. I'm reuniting you with your family."

Syzoth gasps "*Shock and dread* They're dead? You killed them?!"

Shang Tsung: Many moons ago. I do hate loose ends.

Syzoth charged in rage before Shang Tsung vanished, escaping us.

Soulfire spoke "We need to move, now.

Some of us started coughing as Reptile found and pounded the door.

Kenshi asks "What's wrong?

Reptile spoke "The door must have sealed when the gas was released."

Baraka spoke "*Withdraws wrist blades as Teermakus did the same* Stand aside."

Baraka pounded the door, followed by Teermakus attacking it, before they both charged at it, making the door explode as all of us made it out of that death trap alive.

Teermakus spoke "Let's go!"

All of us then started heading out.

Syzoth spoke "Follow me. This way."

Kenshi spoke "Leave me. I'll just slow you down."

Johnny spoke "What? Shang Tsung finds you, he'll kill you."

Kenshi spoke "Look at me, Cage. I'm useless right now. Don't risk your lives to save mine."

Johnny asks "Hey. You are not giving up. The Taira needs you, remember? We are gonna get back home and figure out how to help you. Got it?"

Later, we were outside, walking a path through a forest.

Syzoth spoke "We can't linger. We'll be captured.

"Since communications and warp rings are still out of commission, we need help getting Kenshi to Sun Do's portal." I informed.

Baraka spoke "Teermakus and I can take you only to the city's gate. Tarkatans are forbidden inside.

Syzoth spoke "I'll see you the rest of the way. It's the least I can do to make amends.

I spoke "Dren's probably worried sick about me... Being this far apart from him is..."

I collapse from a high fever.

Applejack gasps "Princess Zoey!"

*Soulfire's POV*

Okay, that takes worried sick to a new level. But then we saw what the forest looked like.

Johnny spoke "*As Nazuna helped carried Zoey* God this reminds me of Wicked Planet. We had this forest in the second act-

Kenshi asks "*Holding his left hand onto Johnny's right shoulder* The manticore battle?

Johnny spoke "Yes! It was a pain to shoot, but man did it come out epic.

Kenshi spoke "I can picture it exactly.

Applejack spoke "Somethin' ain't right..."

Baraka spoke "This is the Living Forest."

Diddy asks "Eh? Ooh ooh? {Eh? Why the name?}"

Falco spoke "I think monkey brain was asking why this place has the name."

Kung Lao asks "I have to agree, aren't all forests living, Baraka?"

Baraka spoke "No others have trees that house the souls of the dead."

Johnny asks "*Surprised* Wh-Whoa, wait a tick. We're talking ghosts?"

Teermakus spoke "Don't worry yourselves, only good souls are housed in this forest."

Knuckles asks "Anyone you know being here?"

Baraka spoke "Some distant relatives."

Syzoth spoke "You will find no Zaterrans."

"How come?" I asked.

Syzoth spoke "Warm-bloods don't welcome us. So we keep to ourselves, living underground in Zikandur province.

Nazuna asks "What about Shang Tsung?"

Syzoth spoke "That I could take human form made me a freak among my people. Despite Kiri and Ankha accepting me for my ability, I was terrorized and run out. Starving and beggared, I joined a traveling carnival. Turned out there are many who would pay good money to see my "gift". Back then, Shang Tsung was a huckster."

Applejack spoke "Somethin' tells me he was a flimflammer."

Syzoth spoke "One could say that. We crossed paths and he saw what I could do. When he began to learn real sorcery, he asked to study me. When I declined, he took my family hostage.

Johnny spoke "Well. That's an offer you can't refuse.

Syzoth spoke "He's dangerous. And he has plans. He, General Shao, Rain, they are conspiring.

Something tells me that Rain joining in was because of his ambition. But I'm sure he'll see the error of his ways soon enough.

Kenshi asks "To do what?"

Syzoth spoke "I can't say for sure. I've only overheard fragments.

While carrying Zoey on her back, Nazuna spoke "We have to get the cat out of here before she and her bonded alien both die."

But then roaring was heard in the distance as Syzoth shifted to his real form before he, Baraka, Teermakus, Diddy Kong, Knuckles and I rushed forward, soon finding a woman killing Tarkatan Klones before noticing us after she killed all the klones in the area.

The woman asks "Quan Chi sends more demons?!"

Baraka spoke "Wait! We're not-"

The woman leapt at the six of us with bladed wings made of light, knocking Syzoth, Knuckles and Diddy back as she landed, facing the three of us as the other three got back up.

The woman spoke "With each of you I kill, my absolution grows nearer. Shedding your blood brings me closer to the light."

Baraka, Teermakus and I fought the woman with Syzoth, Diddy and Knuckles giving us some assistance before we soon managed to knock her down.

Baraka spoke "*As the woman got back up* Stop this. Killing us won't absolve your sins."

We fought the woman again as Syzoth, Diddy and Knuckles helped us here and there as we later defeated her.

Baraka spoke "Whoever you are, we are not demons."

The woman asks "*Gets up while picking up her sword* If not demons, what are you?"

Baraka spoke "*Refers to Syzoth* He's Zaterran. The others here are from other realms. Teermakus and I are Edenian. Or the two of us were before our Tarkat affliction."

The woman spoke "*Surprised* Outworlders?! Otherrealmers?! Apologies. I'm glad I've caused none of you permanent injury."

The rest of our group showed up.

Kenshi asks "*Sniff!* What is that?"

Johnny asks "Just keep swimming. So. Who's our femme fatale?"

The woman spoke "I am Ashrah, demon of the Netherrealm."

Johnny asks "Demon? You look human, mostly. And what's a Netherrealm?"

Kenshi asks "The monks covered that with us. Did you sleep through every lesson?"

Johnny spoke "That one, apparently."

Kung Lao spoke "Netherrealm's hell, but real."

Applejack spoke "Not ta mention also Tartarus."

Johnny spoke "No shit."

Ashrah spoke "I appear nearly human because I've purged most evil from my soul. When I'm done, the last vestiges of my demonic form will fade away."

Nazuna asks "What doesn't explain is why were demons chasing you?"

Ashrah spoke "They were sent by Quan Chi, my former master. I was part of his Sisterhood of Shadow. He wanted... still wants, dominion over the realms. I renounced him when I realized that I could not help him defile them."

Syzoth spoke "And now he wants you dead."

Ashrah spoke "Precisely. I followed Quan Chi from the Netherrealm, here. He's building devices that steal souls on a mass scale. He's testing the first on the dead that reside in the forest."

Baraka asks "Why steal souls, Ashrah?"

Ashrah spoke "To harness their power. To what end, I don't know. But I do know that it's to aid the designs of another sorcerer... Shang Tsung."

Johnny growls "Dammit. That guy's everywhere."

Nazuna spoke "We need your help Ashrah."

Ashrah asks "How so?

Nazuna spoke "As you can tell by the catgirl on my back, she's too far from her husband and now... she's fallen into a sickly state and won't wake up."

But before Ashrah could reply, a glitchy portal appeared as Dren was thrown out of it.

Noe spoke "*Pokes head out of portal* Just be glad that my portals can get through anti-portal and anti-warp ring barriers, even for a few seconds. *Goes back into portal before it closed*"

Dren spoke "Ugh.... I'm never leaving Zoey's side again... But with her still not waking up... We need Twilight's help..."

“We can’t get that as long as we’re in Outworld.” I pointed out. “Not to mention we’re taking the long route.”

Kenshi asks "You’re sure Quan Chi is here?"

Ashrah spoke "*With her sword glowing* My kriss senses him. He’s nearby."

Johnny spoke "Nope, no. We’re getting you home."

Dren spoke "Same with Zoey."

Kenshi spoke "We have a job to do. Quan Chi could lead us to Shang Tsung."

Baraka spoke "Your Liu Kang is right. Shang Tsung’s a danger that must be dealt with. I will aid you."

Syzoth spoke "As will I."

“Same here.” I nodded as the others agreed.

Johnny spoke "*Sigh* I guess the ayes have it. Motion carries. Ashrah, lead the way."

We started moving out, following Ashrah.

A thud was heard since Noe got launched out of Applejack's shadow.

Noe groans "Crap... I forgot that damn barrier was glitch proof!"

Noe looked a lot different than he normally looked.

End