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Fan Fiction
| Legends of the Lin Kuei |
| Chapter 30: Lin Kuei legends live on |
By: Shaun Penney |
The smoke of dawn rose with a strong powerful rise giving light to Earth and its realm. The dark tides of evil chaos had been held at bay once more. Broken pieces of the world began letting out breaths of ease knowing that the threat that had nearly taken the world by storm, had been halted. At the temple of light, the sacred monks folded their hands together in unison and smile deeply in their minds. They prepared for the return of Earth Realm’s saviors, the Princess of Edenia Kitana, the Native American warrior Night wolf, and the Lin Kuei ice powered assassin Subzero.
The three had all but worn their bodies out. As they approached the temple of light, they stopped to admire all that they saved. The warmpth of the sun actually felt good on Subzero’s back. It was the first time he’d every felt good to be out in the light. Together they found their way towards safety in the temple of light.
Each of their wounds was attended to as the reality of accomplishment kept those in temple up beat and eternally grateful. Kitana watched the quiet fighter Subzero as they each rested. She saw a deep sadness burrowed in his eyes. She herself had that same sadness in her heart for what had happened to Liu Kang. The poison in Liu’s body kept him in a deep coma not knowing if it would ever be possible to be awakened from. NightWolf remained silent as well, breathing in the white of his spirit and easing the tension in his soul embracing his ancestors words like the wind. Together they each took their victory in a small but equally separate way.
“Are you feeling well Subzero?” asked Kitana approaching him as he stood next to one of the taller domes of the temple of light. It had been hours later since they had returned. He didn’t stay in bed for long. Images were still plaguing him past the point of sleep. He just stood and stared out into the calm lake that flowed like the ease of Earth had nothing left to worry about. Sub turned his head around keeping his manner positive to the princess.
“I am better Princess, I feel I will be leaving here soon,” he said holding back a fair amount of thought in his voice.
“Will you not stay a while longer? Their hospitality is the leased they can do for you for helping to save Earth Realm. You are welcome you know that,” said Kitana, her voice calm and sincere. Sub smiled quietly as he lowered he lowered his eyes.
“I am grateful for their help, but I fear I am more lost then I ever was. And the questions I need answered have all but changed to new questions.” Said Subzero.
“Perhaps we can help you find them,” said Night Wolf walking up from behind the Princess. Sub raised his face again. He saw Night Wolf was just as bandaged up as he was, but prepared to help a friend find what he seeks. Sub nodded as if he was in agreement but then changed to a mild shake of his head.
“I am honored Night Wolf, but I fear that my destiny lies alone. These past events have all but made me look in darker places I never knew existed. The threat to Earth Realm may be gone, but you and I as well you princess all know, that this is not the end” said Subzero stern in his voice.
“You are correct my cold friend” said a familiar voice from behind Subzero. Sub turned around and saw it to the thunder god himself, Raiden. Subzero and the others bowed in respect. Raiden, in his calm white cloaks and long streaking white hair nodded to them.
“I must say, I am proud of each of you. Not only have you saved Earth Realm, you’ve insured its survival and its faith in those you protect. But as you’ve stated Subzero, it is not over.” Said Raiden.
“What do you mean?” asked Night Wolf. Raiden began circling around the three with his arms down and neatly folded together.
“Quan Chi is still out there. Though mortally wounded, he will strike again. He has access to this realm and most likely will strike again when we least suspect it. Out World is still an enemy of Earth Realm, danger is always a constant” said Raiden. The Princess sighed.
“If Quan Chi means to return, then I will make sure he never leaves alive. That I vow Lord Raiden” said Subzero. Raiden stopped and looked at the cold warrior. He studied his posture, his face and his soul. He quickly realized what was troubling the young one.
“You’re afraid you’ll never find out what happened to your family aren’t you?” he said. Subzero looked almost surprised, but then just looked sullen. He knew asking for the truth from the thunder god would be too much. So he went with what he knew.
“For whatever reason, my brother helped me escape by facing Scorpion. My sister is out there somewhere but she will not reveal herself to me. My clan is no more, I have lost my brother, I too am lost, but I will find a way to make things right.” And with that he turned around and began to walk as if ready to leave the temple of light that very second. But He only made a few steps before he stopped and breathed a deep breath. He wanted to rest, he truly did. He felt so close at knowing his true family, and just as fast, it was all taken away from him. Raiden looked at the cold warrior and then sighed himself.
“Your brother is alive Subzero,” he said. Sub turned his head around as Raiden nodded. “You and your siblings are all linked together more then you know. I know you will find them again. But know this, your brother may have joined Quan Chi for whatever reason he told you, but there is more to it then that” said Raiden. Sub walked closer to the thunder god.
“What do you mean?” said Sub. Night Wolf and Kitana listened closely as well.
“Your brother once saved Earth Realm by retrieving a sacred amulet that Quan Chi attained by hiring your brother to steal it. It turns out that the amulet I received was not the real one. Quan Chi is still in possession of the real Amulet.” Said Raiden. Sub began to truly wonder what his brother’s true intentions were now.
“Did my brother know this?” said Sub. Raiden shrugged.
“Guilt is a powerful weapon, your brother also lost his clan, his family, and failed in retrieving the real amulet. It is possible he was trying to find the right moment to steal it back and redeem himself for what happened years ago.” Said Raiden.
“Then why would he fight me…then help me to escape?” said Subzero confused.
“Like I said, guilt is a powerful weapon, but so is family. In any case, Quan Chi has possession of a rare artifact, he’s going to throw a lot more to Earth Realm then we’ve ever seen before.” Said Raiden. Everyone seemed to be sighing now.
“So then what do we do?” said Night Wolf.
“I must contact Sonya Blade and Jax, they must know what happened to Liu, I know they will help us when the time comes” said Princess Kitana.
“And I must leave as well, there are still issues regarding the structure and protection of the gates of Earth Realm, there is still much damaged to be amended” said Raiden. He walked out then turned to face everyone one last time.
“You have all done well. You’ve given Earth Realm and myself a new sense of hope. Together there is nothing you cannot achieve. Fight well my warriors,” said Raiden. Then he vanished into the air leaving the three to think about everything they would do from here on out. The Princess walked up to Subzero, who’s face returned to the calm lake.
“Subzero?” she said concerned. Sub let his eyes stay on the water.
“My brother is alive. I must find them. I must find them both” he said also referring to his sister as well. The ripples in the lake remained silent, but ever flowing towards a calm peace.
The Princess made sure that Subzero took a bundle of supplies with him so that he could avoid what towns he needed. His solitude was important to him, this she knew. Night Wolf and Kitana walked the Lin Kuei wanderer to the border of the Temple of Light and prepared to say their goodbyes.
“We will need you again Subzero, without Liu, protecting Earth Realm will still be difficult” said Kitana. Subzero nodded.
“I will return Princess. I promise,” said Subzero.
“Where will you go Subzero?” said Night Wolf. Subzero put the bundle over his shoulder, his Lin Kuei garb still as blue as ever on him.
“My sister found me…now I’m going to find her. As for my brother…Lin Kuei blood is strong, he will survive” said Subzero.
“Good luck Subzero, thank you for your help,” said Kitana. Subzero kept his face plain but in his eyes, he smiled. He would have said goodbye, but with the assurance that one day he would return to help Earth Realm’s fighters protect the world again, no more words needed to be said. Night Wolf and Subzero nodded at eachother, warrior to warrior. And with that Subzero walked away, stern and mindful of his future.
Thoughts of his siblings ranged from eyes, to ice in his mind. Scorpion the undead ninja was still out there, and if revenge was still in his dead heart, then no doubt he would run into him again too. Something was said to his brother by his sister, something that made him rethink turning against his family. Someone trained her very well, someone brought out the ice powers within her. Someone knew their secret. And then there was the message on the wall, the message that read “Choose your destiny” in blood. Someone else had their eyes on the young Lin Kuei warrior. Another pair of eyes in the dark was watching from somewhere. Subzero kept his sites to the mountains, where the snow would soon accompany him. Night Wolf and Kitana watched until the Lin Kuei could no longer be seen. And just like that, he disappeared in the snow, in the ice….in the cold…
EPILOGUE
Quan Chi spat at the ground as he tightened his wound closed. From there he fastened a piece of his spike armor over the left side of his shoulder to keep his wound protected. The anger in him was great. Earth Realm had been denied to him, and the Lin Kuei brothers had defeated him not once, but twice. He looked down at is belt as he then tightened a familiar looking amulet to it. The amulet would sustain him for now. At least he still had possession of that. All was not lost. From the darkness, a lone figure spoke with an ancient tongue both evil, and kin of magic.
“It appears your plan was thwarted…just as I said it would be Quan Chi”
Quan Chi’s eyes glowed an evil white as he growled a low rumble. He knew the figure was right. To admit defeat was harsh for the dark sorcerer, something he wasn’t planning on letting happen again.
“An unexpected turn of events. I do not intend to let them get away with this. This time I will strike at them all and burn their beloved realm to ashes” said Quan Chi as he stood. His body looked whiter then ever. His chest mostly exposed with red tattoos covering his arms of some ancient design. The figure in the darker drew closer to the light that shined above Quan Chi.
“Perhaps a different approach is necessary to attain our same goal.” Said the darkened figure. Quan Chi scoffed.
“Our same goal? We do not share the same goal you and I” said Quan Chi. He could see though that the figure in the dark was smiling. A nasty smile as he threw from out the darkness a long staff with an opened mouthed head at the top. Quan Chi caught it and immediately felt the raw power from it. It almost shook in his hands. Then the figure came into full view of the light.
“Oh yes we do” said Shang Tsung. “We both want immortality, and now I believe we are closer to this goal then ever before” he said. His body was covered in a thick dark red gold embroidered cloak and garb. His jet black hair parted perfectly in the middle and his eyes just as evil and glowing as Quan Chi’s.
“What is this?” said Quan Chi amazed at what he was holding. Shang Tsung smiled.
“Think of it as a living weapon. It’s knowledge of great power lies in the lower planes. If you are willing, I have just the plan we need to finally attain not only our revenge against those in Earth Realm, but the highest power we can possibly have to rule every realm with” said Tsung. Quan Chi’s devious smile finally came out.
“Im listening,” said Quan Chi already seeing things in his twisted mind. Things he would do to his enemies in Earth Realm, and things he could do with both the amulet and this living weapon staff in his possession. It felt good in his hands. Tsung crossed his arms and smiled darkly as well. He had waited in the darkness long enough. His long thought out plan was flawless, he knew it to be more true now more then ever. And with Quan Chi to aid him, he could finally rid himself of his merciless ruler Shao Khan, bring about the dark legend of the Great Dragon, and destroy Raiden and those who would oppose him in Earth Realm. The two sorcerers collaborated well into the darkness. It was indeed the start of an alliance…a Deadly Alliance…
THE END? NO…THE BEGINNING
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