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Fan Fiction
| Legends of the Lin Kuei |
| Chapter 23: Raiden's Warning |
By: Shaun Penney |
Subzero looked into the crisp old blazing eyes of the Thunder God. His face looked that of a man in upheaval. It wasn’t the look though that Subzero was mainly concerned about. It was that it was directed solely at him that made him seriously wonder what had the Lin Kuei warrior done to earn such a rageful look from the over looker of Earth Realm.
“Raiden. Liu has been hurt. If we don’t find him an antidote soon he will die” said Kitana. Raiden made no look of notice as he kept his sights on Subzero. Raiden made two fast steps and confronted Subzero right in the face. The cold fighter did not budge. He stood his ground to hear what the thunder god had to say.
“Everything you have done had led you hear Subzero. And WHERE is that?” demanded Raiden. Subzero couldn’t understand what was making Raiden so angry. He only knew what he knew, that was the best he could decipher.
“My journies have led me to Princess Kitana and Liu Kang. I helped them so that we could save Earth Realm,” said Subzero. Raiden stood motionless for a split second then brought both his hands up. He let out a single electrical burst and knocked Subzero the ground as his back slid a few feet. Subzero popped back to his feet but did not get into stance. What was Raiden doing? Surely something was not right here.
“And HOW do you plan on doing that?” yelled Raiden. He began stepping fast towards Subzero. Sub took a few steps back before Raiden was once again in his face. Kitana watched as her own eyes dazzled with confusion. She looked over and saw that Liu was still quiet. His body was in reaction to the poison, and soon the ice within his body would melt away and the poison would be right on track again.
This time Sub held his fists up ready to defend himself against the thunder god though he knew that such an act would be unfeasible. Raiden brought his right hand forward with his fingers spread out aiming for Sub’s chest. Sub pushed Raiden’s hand away as Raiden just came in with the other blasting Sub to the ground again with another jolt of electricity. Sub felt it a little more this time. Raiden was serious. Whatever the reason for his actions, he definitely was serious.
“What are you doing Raiden?” said Sub as he got back up to his feet. Raiden came forward again and attacked Subzero. This time Sub no longer held back. He side stepped him and went for a sweep. Raiden hopped over it and grabbed Sub by the back of the neck. He took him and tossed him ahead. Sub rolled with the fall and stood up again.
“What kind of warrior are you Subzero? Are you a traitor like your brother, or are you an honorable fighter willing to give his life for the greater good?” said Raiden. It was then Subzero figured it out. Raiden was testing him. Just like Quan Chi had the last day when he tested him to see if he would join Out World with his brother. Sub clenched his fists tight and glared at the thunder god.
“I am Lin Kuei. I fight for Earth Realm!” he yelled as he leaped into the air with his leg straight out. Raiden made little effort and easily moved out of the way. Sub landed and threw a round house spinning fast at Raiden. The thunder god ducked as he let the ice fighter attack again. Sub kicked with both legs after the other. Raiden slapped each foot down with one arm. Subzero came forward finally throwing his strongest punch. Raiden caught it as a loud slap echoed right into Raiden’s hand. With a single twist of his body Raiden turned over and flipped Subzero on the ground. Raiden then bent his head over and looked down at him as his eyes returned to normal.
“Good. Because you’re going to have the fight of your life” said Raiden. Subzero looked at the thunder god. He wasn’t lying at all. Kitana walked over to the two as Subzero once more got to his feet.
“What are you doing, why is this game being played?” she asked still wanting answers. Raiden turned his body and began walking over to where Liu Kang was lying down. He put his hands together and looked down at the Mortal Kombat champion.
“Earth Realm is in its darkest turmoil. And it’s champion is now out of the fight.” Said Raiden. He then looked up and over at Subzero.
“Now it is up to you to finish this,” his words sounded so intricate as Subzero saw the truth in his eyes. Kitana looked over at Sub then back at Raiden.
“But we have to find an antidote for Liu. Then he can return and help us defeat Out World,” said Kitana. She sounded so sure of herself. No doubt she was still in love with Liu. Raiden only shook his head.
“He’s falling into a coma. The poison won’t kill him, only keep him from returning to combat. There is no cure. All you can hope for is that you find the strength to continue without him,” said Raiden.
“That can’t be. They can’t defeat the champion of mortal kombat” said Kitana as she came back down to stroke Liu’s head. Subzero stood where he was. Words will still ringing in his mind. Raiden put an arm on Kitana’s shoulder.
“He is mortal Kitana. He breaths life and it can be taken from him. You and Subzero must now finish this task that has been set upon you” said Raiden he then walked over and confronted Subzero again.
“Which is why when you see your brother again, you will know that he is your enemy and must be stopped no matter the cost”
Subzero lowered his head. The undefined truth to that statement almost broke him inside. He wasn’t prepared to face that fact yet. Raiden knew this, so he made it known out in the open now.
“I do not understand my brother’s actions. He has forgotten everything he has learned,” said Subzero. This much he felt inside of him. But if the Lin Kuei was disbanded, then why would his own brother follow a dead code.
“That is your weakness Subzero. You cannot accept fate the way it is handed to you. Your brother had consciously made every decision for himself since his choices to save Earth Realm against Quan Chi and Shinnok in the Netherealm. Whatever his reasoning may be, he is not your loyal brother anymore. He as well as Out World must be stopped.” Said Raiden. Subzero looked blankly. His words were tongue twisted in his mind. The more he tried to deny it in himself the more he realized he couldn’t.
“What must be done will be done Raiden. Earth Realm will not fall to Out World,” said Subzero. Raiden had a look of concern on his face. He knew he had to count on Subzero now that Liu was out of the match. It was a gamble he wasn’t sure he was prepared to make. But it became necessary, for everyone’s survival.
“Very well. Earth’s fate is now once again undetermined. Make your choices and paths wisely. For I fear that with every growing day Out World becomes stronger then before” said Raiden. Kitana then approached to two.
“How did this happen Raiden? How could Out World Earth like this?” asked Kitana. Raiden was quiet for a moment. No doubt he must have been asking himself this as well.
“I honestly do not know. Fujin was supposed to replace me as protector of Earth Realm. But I fear he has been destroyed, that is why you have been dealing with me as of late instead of him.” Said Raiden.
“Oh no” said Kitana. She hoped that wasn’t true. Subzero stared between the two of them coming up with his own conclusions.
“What used to keep Earth Realm protected against other realms?” asked Subzero.
“The gates of Out World have always been closed. After the second tournament I saw to it that those gates were destroyed so they could never be open again. When Kahn used Sindel to get to Out World, it is possible that Shinnok used that time to establish a “back door” so that if Out World failed in taking Earth Realm over, he or someone else would have a fail safe device to get back to” said Raiden. Subzero and Kitana looked at eachother.
“Quan Chi” said Subzero. Raiden nodded.
“Precisely. Quan Chi has tried to help Shinnok before. Now he appears to be doing it again. Only this time, it is up to you Subzero instead of your brother to stop him,” said Raiden. Subzero gave an ice cold stare at Raiden. It was a look of unquestionable discipline. Very little pieces were falling into place, but at least it was something.
“And you cannot interfere?” said Kitana. Raiden shook his head.
“No, I cannot. Mortal Kombat for as long as Earth has been around has had its place determining who gained control of territory. Realms are no different. I can only interfere if Shinnok does. And there has not been any sign of him.” Said Raiden. This didn’t bode well for Subzero and Kitana. But they knew this would happen anyway. Raiden then gestured his hand away and looked up at the sky.
“Your concerns are stopping Quan Chi and those who oppose Out World. Believe in yourselves, and you will succeed,” said Raiden. Subzero went up to him.
“Wait. I have to know something. Can you locate my sister Raiden? Can you tell me if she is okay?” said Subzero. Raiden peered into Subzero’s soul. It was a genuine question. Raiden was unsure of the consequences of telling a mortal information that wasn’t meant to be told. But with the future untold, anything was possible.
“Your sister is the same as a path once chosen. Don’t seek it out, just realize it,” he said. Then another crash of lightening came down and Raiden was gone. Subzero turned around as he saw Kitana return to Liu, who was still lying on the ground only breathing. Subzero looked at the mortal kombat champion. With him out of the fight, things were going to get tougher. But Subzero had been at the bottom of the odds before.
“We should get him somewhere safe,” said Kitana stroking Liu’s hair. Subzero agreed. More incoherent thoughts ran among the Lin Kuei warrior’s head. Raiden could not tell him directly the whereabouts of his sister, but he did give him a means to locate her. It was up to Subzero to figure it out. And to top of the grains of truth, he had to accept the fact that if he saw his brother again, he would have to kill him. Subzero picked up Liu and Kitana and Sub made there way back to the temple of light…
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