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Fan Fiction
| Legends of the Lin Kuei |
| Chapter 24: Evil is done waiting |
By: Shaun Penney |
A day in china us mostly spent in the kindness and respect for the day. For many days now, nothing short of fear had replaced such values. Subzero and Princess Kitana returned to the temple of light where they placed Liu Kang in the hands of his grandfather and family. It was their care that would look after him now. Kitana felt a deep sadness in her heart. She knew that without him, defeating Outworld would be no easy task. Learning to let go of even the most unacceptable of possibilities was difficult for her. But she had to set that example for herself and for others who only knew the fear that had been brought to them these past few days.
When Kitana returned from where Liu had been resting in, she came into a separate corridor connecting to a blank looking room circular in shape and empty accept for a table, two chairs and a few candles wrapped out the plainness with some food resting on top. Kitana approached and noticed that Subzero’s mask was resting on the table as well. As she entered she saw Subzero posed by the sill where a window with no glass stood. He stared out with his arms folded neatly around him. His eyes kept wandering for answers outside that window showing only the river and a few old towers decaying slowly through time. Kitana studied his pose for a moment debating what was truly on the Lin Kuei fighter’s mind. To be sure, she knew she had to ask.
“What is troubling you Subzero?” she said as she came in further and sat down at the table. Subzero made no cause of movement yet. His mind truly was in deep thought. Even though the last few days had him running from enemies, killing ninjas and facing old foes he didn’t expect to see, all he could think about was the image of what his sister possibly looked like. His own trembling theories produced so many images he didn’t know what to believe at this point. It was frightening and new to him both at the same time. He kept seeing a girl so young in the world surrounded by assassins and killers all ready to slit your throat for money or pleasure. What part of the world did she become engulfed in? Who found her? How did she survive? The question he neglected to the most though was would she even want to know her family if she could?
Subzero finally turned and looked at Kitana as he came to sit down to keep her company. Together they felt like a pair of weary souls surviving all but the biggest war yet to come.
“All this time I always expected that Mortal Kombat was never truly over. Now in the past few days, I know for sure that this is such a case. My own brother has turned against me and joined a side that he used to fight to stop. The only honor I have left is the honor I use to stay alive with. The honor the Lin Kuei had taught me before they decided to become soulless assassins. I fear that in the end I am alone, with no one to guide me in this world.” He said. His own reflections became a part of his ongoing truth, that his family was all but gone and a shattered Earth was what would remain in the near future. Kitana looked down and in her own way sympathized with Subzero. It was all she could do at this point.
“When I was a young girl thousands of years ago, I had to learn the life from a wicked Stepfather. My parents were slain and I was forced to be a part of a cruel future. But I didn’t let that stop me. I became a stubborn proud woman that had no intention of letting Shao Kahn take over other worlds. But as I stood and watched him do so I realized that I was just fooling myself and really only saving my own life just so I could watch others be destroyed by a ruthless emperor. It was then that Earth became it’s new target that I found a new sense of hope for my world, and your own. Earth was a lot like Edenia, and I didn’t want to see Earth end like my world did. I kept a single thought in my mind alive no matter how many times the emperor tried to break me. That thought was a love that I cared more for others then myself. I met Liu Kang and knew that he would save us. And he did. It is hard sometimes Subzero, but we all must face certain truths that define us and help us go on in out lives. I am sorry about your brother and for your loss in family. But you must stay true to yourself. That is what you must make matter first. A strong heart will defeat any evil that crosses you no matter it’s strength. You must stay strong Subzero,” said Kitana.
Subzero listened well to the words of the Princess. He always respected her in many ways and knew she held great wisdom within her. He couldn’t have begun to imagine in her many centuries of existence what she has seen. Her courage had always fascinated him. That was why he chose to help her when Earth realm was under invasion by Shao Kahn and Shinnok.
“Earlier I had run into who I thought was your friend and servant Jade. I was tricked and found out that she was just Khameleon on the side of Reptile. She had told me before I found out that you and the others were here at the temple of light. What happened?” he asked. Kitana took a deep breath.
“I only had hoped that the others had survived. But I do not think they did. Jade is dead, as are other of Earth’s fighters. Liu and I left as soon as we had heard the rumors and we set out to look for those who would join us in battle. Then we were attacked until you came to save us. I fear there are not many of us left” she ended with a calm sadness growing inside of her. Subzero empathized, but knew he couldn’t stay long in this place, not while he knew his brother was still out there planning some demise with Quan Chi.
“Listen Princess. It is imperative that we find and destroy Quan Chi before he finds some way to resurrect Shinnok and bring Earth to its knees again. The centaurs have already begun attacking populated cities. If we don’t hurry, there won’t be anything left to save” he said. Kitana looked up at the warrior. She gave a kind smile towards him as Subzero only looked with a little unease.
“I understand now why Raiden was testing you. He wanted to make sure that you had the same fighting spirit that Liu Kang had. It is you who must go and find those worthy to fight by your side against the forces of Outworld. It is you who must finish what Mortal Kombat has started ten generations ago. We’ve lost so much Subzero, your world and mine. We can’t lose anymore, or the future will never know beauty again.” Said the Princess. Subzero for once was in agreement. Earth realm had to be saved. He stood up and grabbed his mask. He looked at it for a moment studying its shape and content. He then looked at Kitana and gave the mask to her.
“I don’t need to hide my face anymore from the world. As Lin Kuei, I was bound to a secret life where no one knew my identity and those who died by my hands never knew their assassin. But my life as an assassin is all but finished now, I have my training and my honor always instilled in me, but right now I just want my life back. And I will fight for it all to get that back.” He then headed towards the door and turned one last time to see the Princess.
“I will not fail Earth Realm Princess Kitana. I promise you that. I will find a way to stop our enemies and put an end to these invasions. Mortal Kombat will end soon” he said. He then turned and left again. Kitana watched as the proud Lin Kuei warrior left the temple of light and began his own quest to fulfill where others had failed to finish. The princess felt a strange hope inside her then. Not because of what Subzero had said, but because in an odd way, she already knew that because of such courage shown by someone other then the chosen one, that this planet really would go on, no matter what. Kitana returned to Liu’s room and cared for him. She would stay by his side to care for him as long as it took. That was her place now.
The monks from the temple of light were more then willing to lend Subzero a boat so he could travel down the river with and make better time with his travels. Subzero had his own intentions to infiltrate Quan Chi himself, but to do so would have been foolish. He needed help. The first person that came to mind of course was the first person that helped him gain knowledge that he had other family, Nightwolf. If the shaman joined him, they would have a greater chance.
Along with his travel towards reuniting with Nightwolf, another lingering thought stayed with the iceman. If and when this final battle occurred, when would Scorpion make his appearance? Would he stop Subzero just to end his dark curse? Would a dead ninja care about what happened to Earth Realm? Subzero knew that he had more then just his enemies to face, he had his family to both confront and find, and then only then did he have his worse fears to acknowledge. Subzero kept a steady pace on his way towards the mountains that he found Nightwolf in. Hopefully time had not run out yet…
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