|
|
|
Fan Fiction
| Return of the Lin Kuei |
| Chapter 1 - The essence of Mortal Kombat |
By: Shaun Penney |
Leaving his hard plated mask on his chamber bed, Subzero pinned his dragon medallion on his chest and followed Frost out into a corridor leading across a hall towards a look out section. The look out hung outside like a large balcony with a view of one of the compounds Subzero created. Below the snow had hardened in the cold but the human body heat of his students kept the training course flowing and structured.
Subzero stepped outside and immediately noticed the back of the thunder god staring out along the compound with his hands folded behind his back. He wore his hair behind a black cowl with a wide tipped hat covering his head. He was dressed in all white accept for the dark green gambezon which wrapped around him. His shoulders held heavy guards connecting a large cape to his back. If Subzero would have known better, he would think that elder gods would not have any need to wore such combat gear, unless…
Raiden turned around and greeted Subzero with a smile. His eyes remained normal yet fixated on the Grandmaster. Fixated like a hawk. The wind kept still high on the lookout.
“Subzero. I see you’ve made well with the new place. Looks like you’ve been keeping busy. Training a new group of Lin Kuei?” Raiden stepped forward. Frost came to Subzero’s side but Subzero raised his hand.
“Return to your training Frost.” Subzero said calmly. Frost bowed her head and stepped back.
"Yes Grandmaster,” her voice just as cool. She vanished quickly behind the hallway leaving the two to talk amongst them selves. Subzero folded his arms still not sure how to approach the elder god, much time had passed since their last meeting.
“You know much time has passed since our last meeting, you never wrote back. I was beginning to think you had found what you were looking for.” Raiden still had a light smile on his face. Subzero read that instantly as a face trying to hide something. Something he was going to tell him rather shortly.
“Not quite. My sister never looked for me again. As for my brother, he simply disappeared. I had no choice but to move on and revive my dead clan.” Subzero looked out and studied for a moment one of his students down below jumping onto a thin log, wide as two palms, and carefully flipping over it landing on the other side. Raiden looked back out as well placing his hands on the banister.
“And what a clan indeed. Led by the only surviving member. Your battle with Sektor no doubt earned you the rightful title of Grandmaster. Question is, what are you training these new members for?” Subzero shook his head.
“Sorry Raiden, the Lin Kuei can’t divulge all our secrets. But I can tell you that the old way is dead. I will not let my clan fall again. Never again.”
“Good. It takes a strong person to lead a group of followers. Now that you have the dragon medallion you’ll be the strongest Lin Kuei ever.” Raiden looked on watching the students put them selves through their daily rigorous training. One section had a circle of members with one in the center dodging blades meant to thrust into him in all directions. In another section, two students paired up performed a Tong Bei kata style half naked on the ice. Hardly a word was spoken between all the students. They knew their course, their practices, but even more important their deadly silence. The Lin Kuei had honed an art of silence. Like the Ninja all their actions were swift and without sound. These students made no footprints in snow, did not show fog in their breath, or showed fear in their eyes. These students were the very heart of the Lin Kuei.
Subzero looked on as well for a moment then cut to the chase. He knew better then to expect a visit from the thunder god just because he was bored.
“What are you doing here Raiden? If you’re here to send me on another wild goose chase like last time I can tell you right now—,”
“Liu Kang is dead.” The words came plainly put like the river flowing spoken clear by the thunder god.
“What?” Subzero felt the unconventional barrier of truth shatter before him. Earth Realm was safe from harm, so long as the champion of Mortal Kombat had breath in his body. But if what Raiden has spoken was true, then Earth Realm was in great danger. “How did this happen? Who is responsible for this?”
“Shang Tsung…and Quan Chi”. That last name grinded in Subzero’s mind like a raging storm. Quan Chi who had methodically drawn his brother out of hiding and convinced him to join him for a short time before Quan Chi’s plan was ruined and his brother vanishing during a fight with Scorpion. Subzero remained calm.
“How?” Subzero knew Liu Kang had recovered from the poison that was cut into him during an attack from Quan Chi’s men. He thought everything would be at ease for a while. Apparently he was wrong. And Shang Tsung was alive as well? That really didn’t surprise Subzero. Sorcerers had an infinite amount of ways to cheat death in the eye.
“They killed him at the Wu Shi academy in Outworld. The both of them attacked him. Tsung broke his neck. There is no honor left in those vile bastards. There was nothing we could do. I stressed to the elder gods that this direct act has caused serious violation in the rules of Mortal Kombat and that our intervention was assuredly required. But they do not listen. They will not take action and because of this…I have stepped down from elder god status.” Subzero nodded his head. Though his stomach turned hearing that even the elder gods won’t interfere in Earth realm’s affairs, he knew Raiden would not abandon them. “There’s more. I’ve also found out that Tsung and Quan Chi have also disposed of Shao Kahn. And if that is true, then that means their powers combined are more dangerous then anything Earth Realm has faced before.
“And that’s why you’re here then. You need my help.” Raiden nodded. Subzero sighed and looked out at his precious compound. Blood sweat and tears made his new home. And now unexpectedly it was in danger from the two most sadistic individuals in Earth Realm history.
“Your students are not ready but they will have to do, I must make sur---,”
“They’re not going anywhere,” said Subzero. His voice was firm and careful but to the point. Raiden cocked an eyebrow. “I’ll go. The Lin Kuei must prove them selves, but this is too important. I can’t have my students flying into combat when their training still has much to go. Besides, I have my own score to settle with Quan Chi,” Subzero clenched a fist as Raiden walked towards him.
“I had a feeling you’d say that. To be quite honest, we need every Earth Realm fighter capable. But if you are sincere then I won’t force them. I know you care for these students a good teacher should. There isn’t much time though. I’m having everyone meet to go to Shang Tsung’s island. From there we’ll take ship to Outworld. There’s a portal in the ocean I can open. We’ll meet in one week. I do not know what Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are planning, but I do know that they will strike Earth Realm. But I intend to strike them first.” The thunder god’s eyes blazed an electric white just then.
“We’ll make it to the ship Raiden,” said Subzero. The wind slightly picked up a bit around the two on top the balcony.
“We?” said Raiden. Subzero pointed out towards the main arena. There stood Frost finishing her Yuan Yang kata style. With a quick jump she landed quickly on the center of the icy gravel as a number of students all surrounded her.
“My best student. Her name is Frost. She will go with me to aid in Earth Realm’s attack. The two watched as Frost sized up her opponents.
“Is she capable?” asked Raiden folding his arms. Subzero nodded.
“Her heart burns a warrior’s spirit. She’s fast, eager, and headstrong. She’s capable.” Said the Grandmaster. As the two set their sights, Frost readied to face her challengers.
The first came quick with a flying kick straight at Frost’s head. Frost moved her body and struck her leg out faster hitting the student in the gut. The next fighter came to from behind her. Frost turned around lifting both arms over her head. Her legs darted out low kicks all spitting out into the fighter’s legs and gut. Her last leg strike came out snapping up into his chin knocking the man down. Two more fighters came together flanking around Frost. Frost turned her palms out as she parted her legs a bit. The first fighter started to move only to feel Frost’s fast hitting palms knock upside his head. Even when the second fighter dove in, he met with a heel crunching hard across his brow. Both fighters met their other respective students on the icy gravel. Raiden smiled.
“She’s got spunk. You’ve been training well I see” he said. Subzero stuck a finger in the air.
“She’s not done yet,” he simply said. Raiden was about to question the Lin Kuei, but looked on. Below, Frost turned to see the last standing fighter approach with a staff. He spun the long stick impressively around himself then stood straight looking at Frost. Frost held her arms to her sides waiting for the student to make his first blow. The student came forward, staff pointed down towards her shins. Frost did not budge but rather spun her hands around in front of her and let a cold sheer of white ice envelope her hands. Both hands soon held jagged daggers made of ice. The fighter held out his staff stabbing it straight at Frost. Frost slapped a dagger down and sliced a foot straight off the staff. Her other dagger came up and cut the staff straight in half. Her body spun around jabbing her leg directly into the fighter’s stomach. His weight sent him back to the edge of the gravel arena floor. All the fighters were now motionless or staggering off the gravel pit. Frost bowed her head and made the daggers re envelope back inside her hands. Then she walked off herself to continue onto another course.
“Impressive. One of your students is already eliciting the power to control ice. Tell me Subzero, how long did it take to train her to do that?” he asked curiously. Subzero shook his head.
“I didn’t.” he said looking out. Raiden tilted his head.
“She did not learn this from you?”
“She’s an enigma. When I first saw her do that I thought for sure she was my sister. But she’s too young and her eyes do not look familiar. Still I brought her here and here she has honed an art that only my family possesses. I tried asking her about her past, about where she learned how to do that. But she only tells me she learned of it only a few months before I found her and that she had no previous trainer.”
“Do you think she’s holding the truth from you?” said Raiden. Subzero nodded.
“I know she is. But she has shown me nothing but the want to learn and have a home. I do not feel any deceit from her. Maybe she just doesn’t want to remember her past.”
“Or maybe she knows more then you think” said Raiden.
“Either way, I want her with me. She’s dedicated, she can help,” Subzero turned to walk back inside the hallway. Raiden did not follow. Subzero turned around.
“I’m not going to lie Subzero. I wouldn’t be going with you if I thought Earth Realm could handle this alone, but even with my help we may not be enough to stop this threat. But I am glad you will join us. I know the Lin Kuei have dishonored you and your family by their actions in the past. But this will make a difference. Thank you.” Subzero bowed formally.
“We’ll stop them Raiden. We’ll stop them both.” With that Raiden vanished with the oncoming thunder and Subzero turned to visit his students out still training.
As he walked outside his mind filled with a lush of memories. He never wanted to believe his brother really betrayed him, his own brother told him that the Lin Kuei were the ones doing all the betraying. For the most part he was right. But now the Lin Kuei was different. Now the Lin Kuei had Subzero as their leader. He knew what the old Grandmasters generations ago expected, only he would not use his clan for evil or for the services of Outworld like some Grandmasters have done in the past. Subzero walked to an old bell and sounded it off signaling all the Lin Kuei to return to him. They came as quick as the wind all kneeling and waiting for his words, including Frost, his only female Lin Kuei.
“Earth Realm is in trouble. Lord Raiden needs the help of the Lin Kuei and I’ve decided to go myself to aid him in our fight against Outworld. Shang Tsung and Quan Chi have joined forces and are planning an attack on our world soon. I know you are all ready to fight, but it is not your time. Frost our best student will join me. I will assemble tasks for all of you while we go. I need to know if there are spies in Earth Realm working for Shang Tsung or Quan Chi. Our presence will once again be known to the world soon. See that is doesn’t. We are Lin Kuei. No one knows of us, no one ever sees us. We do not exist. The moment you exist, you stop being Lin Kuei. Our time runs short. I will address each of you shortly. Frost.” Subzero motioned for his best student to follow him into his study room. Each of the Lin Kuei did not move a muscle till their master was out of sight, then they returned to their duties. Each of them knew these words that their master spoke. The Lin Kuei were assassins, spies, and if necessary protectors of Earth Realm. And they would do whatever was needed to accomplish their missions. The Lin Kuei were coming…
|
|
|
|
Back
|
|
|
|
