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Fan Fiction
| Legends of the Lin Kuei |
| Chapter 28: Cold blooded climax |
By: Shaun Penney |
Again a dream escaped wildly into Subzero’s blank mind. His essence drifted into storms and black clouds with the purest of white lightening stripping away fragments of a mirrored ground beneath. He felt like the wind. And as the wind, he felt carried off to a river as his body dropped to the ground. He looked at his hands and noticed the dirt and blood etched in like the lines in his palms. The blood seeped through and dripped over to where the river drank. His eyes watched as countless bodies lied in and around this flowing river. Smoke came from one of the bodies. It wore a dark gray Lin Kuei style outfit. Subzero rushed over and turned the body over. It had a robotic face. Crushed and frozen. Subzero quickly looked away only to see more familiar bodies lying halfway into the water. He walked endlessly seeing those who would fight for earth realm lost in this world where good had all but vanished. He saw Kitana, he saw Liu Kang he saw Night Wolf. All of them were dead. Subzero felt so incredibly tired. Every body he came across deadened another muscle in his body. Then he came across a body almost identical to his. Only, this one wasn’t dead.
Subzero knelt down, not by choice, but by exhaustion. He stared at the Lin Kuei, who’s eyes looked at blue as his. It wasn’t his brother, nor was it anyone else he might have recognized as a Lin Kuei. He wasn’t sure who it was. Subzero began to breathe heavily as the fallen Lin Kuei spoke a few words from within his dark mask.
“We are too different Kung Lao” he spoke looking at Subzero. Sub looked strangely at the fallen warrior.
“Kung Lao? The one who fell at the hands of Goro 500 years ago?” thought Subzero. Surely this was too strange to comprehend. The Lin Kuei spoke again in a deeper more sullen tone.
“I was raised to kill”
Subzero’s eyes almost became numb with disbelief. “Raised to kill.” This was Subzero. Subzero from a time long ago. He was one of the firsts to use the old power of the element of cold. And he was dying in this dream. Subzero didn’t know what to say, what to think, what to believe.
“I’m…sorry,” said Subzero.
“Choose your destiny,” said the fallen Lin Kuei. Subzero looked with tired eyes trying to look in surprise. Like the blood on a wall lettering in the same fashion as words spoken. Choose your destiny rung like an echo in his mind.
“My destiny,” said Subzero. Suddenly he felt a sting on his left cheek. Then he felt another on his right. Then he felt another and another and another. His eyes closed, then opened again.
Reptile struck at Subzero’s face for the fifth time when Quan Chi finally rose his hand.
“That will be all Reptile,” said the devious pale faced sorcerer. Subzero opened his eyes to see he was tied down and practically in kneeling position in front of Reptile, Quan Chi, and Khameleon. His face dripped of his own cold blood. It splotched on the ground soaking in the cracks of the depressing city. Sub coughed and looked up, his eyes still urging to kill with whoever he looked at. He looked to the left and right of him. Nightwolf was to his left hanging on the wall also gaining consciousness. Princess Kitana was to the right of him hanging in the same manner also alert to this unfortunate demise.
“Somehow I expected more from a master of the ninja arts,” said Quan Chi snivliing at his own success. He truly didn’t care that his centaurs had been defeated. They were meaningless to him. They were just pawns in a game where only the king and the knights mattered the most. Subzero gritted his teeth and raised his face even higher.
“I am Lin Kuei, remember that when I send you to hell Quan Chi”
Reptile struck Subzero over the head hissing his reptilian like face and spitting his long tongue out in satisfaction. Subzero glared as a trickle of blood came down Sub’s nose.
“Were Lin Kuei my cold young fool. Were.” Quan Chi began looking at his prizes, Nightwolf, Kitana, and Subzero like he had just won it all. “You simply cannot fathom how pointless it truly is to fight against us and Shinnok. His return will mark the end of humanity and the end of the elder gods. This world will be crushed before his might and I will rule you all.”
Subzero could not move an inch. His muscles were on fire. His face vibrated in pain. The others looked just as bad. Quan Chi smiled an evil sly grin.
“As for you Subzero, I will let your friends watch you die in your last fight in Mortal Kombat, then they too will die”
Subzero looked confused as Reptile pulled Subzero by his restraints and threw him onto the middle of the arena at the center of the blank and empty city. Standing at the other end as if waiting for an eternity was Subzero’s brother, still dressed like he did when Sub last saw him. His Lin Kuei garb still worn without a scratch and his dark mask embedded over his face, with just his eyes looking down upon him, cold blue eyes.
Subzero inched to his knees looking at his brother like he was the worst traitor life had to offer. Reptile bent down and cut Sub’s restraints then pushed him towards the hard smooth ground. Sub caught the ground with his hands and pushed himself up to his feet trying hard to ignore the pain that swam through his body like a bolt of poison. His brother stood with arms tightening yet his glare and body posture remained the same. He wanted this fight badly. A fight that was unfinished years ago when his younger brother first learned to use his cold elemental powers. Something swam deep inside the elder Subzero. Something dark was yearning for a release. This fight was a must. Sub caught his breath and tightened his stare at his older brother.
“LET MORTAL KOMBAT BEGIN!” yelled Quan Chi throwing his arms into the air. Reptile and Khameleon stood at opposite ends both folding their arms just in case Sub tried to get away from this fight. But even Sub knew he wasn’t going to walk away this time. Not this time.
Elder Subzero balled his fists and propped himself in a familiar stance. Sub mimicked the same pose and form only he knew his energy was much lower then his brother’s, especially after centaurs had beaten the living hell out of him not too long ago. But he knew if he didn’t finish this now, his brother would not be stopped. No more words, just finish this.
Subzero (elder) wasted no time and immediately drove his strong leg up and into (younger) Sub’s gut. Sub jerked forward and caught Subzero’s leg with both hands. Sub pushed hard against Subzero’s leg. Subzero hopped back on his other foot and arched his back flowing into an easy back handspring. Sub ran forward and threw his right leg up at Subzero’s face. Subzero blocked holding his left forearm out. Sub brought his right leg down and dashed his left leg from the side attempting to connect the side of his head. Subzero anticipated and curled his right arm up by his ear stopping Sub’s second leg attack. Sub quickly brought his leg back and then spun a 360 gliding his right leg around the same area towards Subzero’s head. Subzero inched his head back a little and let Sub’s leg follow through till Sub came full circle. Subzero stepped forward and unleashed a multitude of punches all aimed in vital areas around Sub’s gut and chest. Sub stepped back with each punch and blocked his forearms as best he could trying to keep up with Subzero’s unrelenting speed.
The last punch both Sub and Subzero held tightly against each other, forearm to forearm. Sub let go first and spun his body low whipping his right leg under Subzero, who jumped up high and landed with ease. Sub favored his right leg and forced it up and into Subzero’s upper chest. With a bounce of his foot, Sub connected and struck his lower chest well followed by a snap kick to Subzero’s face. Though the mask held back the swift strike, Subzero still felt the sting from that fast attack. Sub barely had enough time to bring his leg down before Subzero was all over him again.
Kitana watched as her eyes followed every movement, every gesture the two brothers made towards each other. In her mind she knew this was madness. Madness well thought out by the master mind of it all Quan Chi. Quan Chi stood there pleased with the rising outcome aiming towards his favor. His darkly lit smile paid no attention except at the fight. Nightwolf strained and tried to move his hands out of their restraints, but it was no use. He had no choice but to watch and wait for the outcome.
Subzero jumped and drove his right leg deep into Sub’s sternum. Sub clenched and held onto his breath tightly. His body stumbled backwards as he tucked down and somersaulted back to his feet. Subzero brought both his feet together then dashed out leaping a side aerial with his legs scissor swiping hard across the air. One foot, neatly turned in, caught the ridge of Sub’s face and jolted the younger brother’s sight into a momentary blur. Sub rotated his body facing away his brother both out of balance and already heavy into fatigue. His endurance was strong, no question, but his brother had only begun the fight. Sub knew he would not last forever. He would have to end this fight soon before his energy gave out completely.
Subzero came down, both legs tip touching the rough arena floor. Seizing the moment of opportunity, Subzero came in directly behind Sub and flew a roundhouse straight into the back of Sub’s head. Sub, luckily, heard the quick jerk of his brother’s leg and ducked just in time. Subzero’s leg flew up and right over his younger brother so fast he had to turn his body full circle just to gain balance again. It was a mistake too late to correct. Subzero felt his brother’s foot come slamming hard into his gut. His Lin Kuei garb did not protect well against such a straight attack. Subzero bent forward trying to envelope the rest of the blow not anticipating his brother chess piecing his next four moves.
The Princess and Nightwolf silently wished their ally as much luck as one could have. They both knew he was their last hope in this arcane night. Reptile and Khameleon both hissed in concernment, but they knew if the younger one gained too much of the upper hand that their task would be clear. They would kill him without hesitation.
Sub was through holding back now. All his life he had lived in the shadow of his elder brother. Always a step behind until he vanished in the legendary Mortal Kombat tournament. Even now after so much battle, so much anguish and fury, he was still at a disadvantage. Sub flashed his fists out like snapping whips, all cracking over Subzero’s body stinging him all over. Subzero began backing up completely overwhelmed by what his younger brother had to offer. Deep in his heart though, how sad it was, he enjoyed it. The more his younger brother put in the fight, the more elder Subzero would send right back at him. Subzero took the last step back he felt like giving away and tensed up his muscles. Sub jump kicked Subzero in the face. Subzero took the hit and only jerked his head slightly. Sub came back down to a fist full of pain quickly dealt by his brother.
Kitana tensed her body up twitching her muscles almost past the point of aching as she watched the two brothers bounce back and forth between blows. She could almost feel the anger in both Lin Kuei warriors. She didn’t know the history between the two, but she knew enough to realize that this fight would not be settled unless one of them was dead. The only thing she knew she could do, was concentrate and keep hope alive.
Both brothers flew into air repeatedly landing legs and elbows across each other’s backs and faces. Subzero front flipped into the air twisting his body to both feet landed like a corkscrew across Sub’s chest. Sub fell back and hit the ground forcefully. His body simply could not take much more punishment then was already given to him earlier before the fight. His brother had more anger in him then he initially thought. The strength to kill him was slowly dripping away. A passive thought that kept eating at him since the day he knew his brother was still alive.
Subzero came over and backhanded Sub in the face. A string of blood poured out of Sub’s mouth as he turned over and once more met with the pavement of the arena. Subzero took a gallant step over and began gloating over his fallen brother.
“For years I’ve waited for this moment. I’ve hid in the darkness for too long, now I will have my vengeance!” his finished with a swift boot into Sub’s gut. Sub inched down and grabbed his side while his face tensed in pain.
“Vengeance? Tell me, brother…what could I have possibly done to dishonor you so much that you would join Quan Chi and aid in the destruction of our beloved Earth Realm?” said Sub. His body throbbed all over from limb to limb. Sub was tired, and if he could not kill his brother, he at least wanted to know the truth before he died. Subzero’s eyes glared down mean and ice hot blue.
“It is the Lin Kuei who have dishonored me. THEY are the one’s who have wronged me so. And you are still one of them!” yelled Subzero and he threw a leg into the air and aimed his foot down on Sub’s back. Sub narrowly rolled out of the way and shielded a few more front fist attacks by his angered brother. The two suddenly stood face to face again in mortal turmoil.
“You presume too much Subzero. The Lin Kuei has been disbanded. I no longer share their ways or their beliefs. Not since they turned themselves into soulless machines. You cannot blame me for what their actions has done to themselves.” said Sub. Even he was beginning to sound angrier. Angrier because not only was his brother’s madness misguided, but even more so, it has deadened his cold heart more. Subzero’s eyes still remained focused and with intent to kill. Sub did not let his guard down.
“You fool! I know exactly what they have done to themselves. I’ve known since the beginning!” He screamed out swinging his arms out like blades towards his younger brother. Sub stepped back, lowered his stance and ducked as Subzero passed right by him. The two turned full circle.
“I don’t understand.” Said Sub. Subzero clenched his fists and stood straight looking more powerful then ever.
“When I returned to the Lin Kuei after convincing Liu Kang he had killed me, or who he thought was me. I found out that my own brother was sent to finish a job I was once commanded to follow. I wasn’t about to let you gain status over my position in the Lin Kuei. But it was then that my own position never really mattered. Because the Lin Kuei wanted ME to be the first to undergo the cybernetic transfer from soul to machine.” Said Subzero. Sub stood there motionless now. His eyes lightened in a cloud of confusion slowly washing away.
“You?” said Sub, lighter in his voice and less angry then his brother had become. Kitana blinked her eyes back and forth between the two brothers. Everyone surrounding the two Lin Kuei warriors suddenly looked puzzled that the two had not completely beat each senseless. Especially Quan Chi who was getting rather upset by this.
“Yes me. Only I wanted nothing to do with that disgusting change. The Lin Kuei was my life. MY LIFE! It was ALL I knew. If they wanted to become soulless machines, then the whole world might as well become soulless to me as well. I do not share your compassion for living things as you do. I cannot allow such weakness to rule over me if I am to be the strongest.” Said Subzero. He came lashing out one more time dragging his palm up and crashing it down over Sub’s chin. Sub went down hard almost stung out of his conscious state. His breath lapsed over and his eyes almost glazed. He wasn’t going to last much longer.
“So then…you joined Quan Chi so you could…find me and rid the last of the Lin Kuei. Your very own brother who is still flesh and blood.” Spoke Sub. He looked up, blood trickling down his chin and onto the floor, his body aching more and more. Subzero stood like a mountain over his brother, a mountain to a hill.
“You are the last of what remains of my past, a past full of lies and betrayal. I have lost everything, and because of that…” he said holding his hands together unveiling a two foot long ice spike thick and cold in his hands. He held it over Sub’s body. “…I am willing to finish you.” He ended with. Sub looked hard and dead with his brother. Whatever madness had control over him, he knew that his words could not have been true. Because Subzero spoke in a tone that could not be made by a man who was truly evil, just alone without family. Sub let his guard down as if to let his brother finish the final stab.
“I understand brother. I want revenge for what happened to our clan too. But also for what has happened to our family, our sister and us” said Sub. Subzero froze in mid motion with the ice pick dead above Sub.
//Sister//
There was that word again echoing in Subzero’s mind. The one thing he never expected to hear. It still remained a mystery to him.
“I don’t have a sister,” said Subzero coldly.
“Yes, “we” do,” said Sub emphasizing that they were still brothers. “I know this because I have seen her brother.” His spoken words almost made his elder brother tremble. That’s when Sub knew he was finally getting to him. He had to continue. Maybe words were what his brother really needed, not this fight. Not death.
“Seen her?” said Subzero almost scoffing at the possibility of it. But his younger brother only nodded as more blood came down his young pale face. Quan Chi was becoming very impatient.
“Do NOT believe his lies Subzero. KILL him now! Serve your purpose and destroy that which drags you to this realm. KILL HIM!” yelled Quan Chi. Subzero looked up at the dark sorcerer and then again at his younger brother. He lifted the icicle higher. Sub gulped down hard.
“Yes. She is alive, Subzero. Alive and like us. She has our power and she has been trained. Not by the Lin Kuei but by someone. I don’t know how but she found me. She found us.” He said just as his eyes drifted up and saw a shadowy figure drop from the darkness of the sky to the very edge of a boundary wall not too far from the middle of the arena. It stood directly behind the elder Subzero about thirty feet away. Sub immediately knew that by the way the figure presented herself; it could only be one person, their sister. Subzero saw his brother’s eyes drift behind him. He turned his head around to see the same figure standing high and away from the warriors, standing with only an ease of balance.
Sub didn’t know how or why, but this person, his sister, an enigma his entire life, was there bridging the gap between the two brothers, between family. Quan Chi looked stunned, as did Reptile and Khameleon, who looked at each other. Kitana and Nightwolf exchanged glances as well. This was a surprise to everyone. The slender figure up high and away made no sudden movements. She only stood there, as if her only purpose was to be seen, nothing more.
“It’s her Subzero. When we were children, when the Lin Kuei killed our father we were taken by them, and she was left alone. But somehow…someway, she has found us.” Said Sub barely able to pick himself up. He had to believe more then anything now that the woman who had fought him earlier, the same woman the two brothers saw now, was indeed their sister. Subzero had his back turned completely to his brother now, his attention completely diverted towards this female with the same eyes as his own. Sub forced himself to walk next to his brother as the two looked up at their sister, both still locked in sight only. She remained still. Almost like a memory, but real, rather then in a mind.
“Can it be?” said Subzero. He was losing his grip on the ice pick he had just made to kill his brother with. He had already forgotten he even had it still fresh in his hand. His anger almost became numb like the cold in his heart. Somehow, this woman’s presence was emanating a glow. It was a soft blue glow that could only be seen by the Lin Kuei. Sub stood beside him holding his stung arm, looking in the same direction. He then looked at his brother, who still looked straight ahead, almost entranced by this woman.
“I know you once helped Earth Realm by stopping Quan Chi bring back Shinnok. I thought that was the most honorable thing you could ever have done. Don’t erase that mistake by helping your enemy now. We can still be a family. We don’t have to live with this eternal loneliness that the Lin Kuei bred into us. We are warriors Subzero, we will always be Lin Kuei, but for the right reasons, not the wrong.” Said Sub. It was a long shot, but he had to play the last card not truly knowing the truth, but hoping against hope, that this was enough to reach his brother. Subzero dropped the icicle creation as it shattered apart. Quan Chi looked confused, then his confusion turned to rage. Sub had done it. He had turned his brother.
Subzero began to walk in the direction towards where her sister stood. Not even saying a word to his brother. But Sub didn’t need confirmation from his elder brother. He knew that what he said was enough and that his brother needed to know just as badly as he did who this woman was. Quan Chi may have had the reasons to turn Subzero’s heart cold, but he lacked in one thing that kept ice cold blood warm…family. Sub just watched as his brother began walking towards her sister, who still only looked down at the two. Quan Chi began screaming.
“SUBZERO! I told you to kill your brother! What are you doing? Do not disobey me! I command you to face and destroy your brother! SUBZERO!” He yelled over and over again. It was no use. Subzero no longer acknowledged Quan Chi, not as an ally, not as enemy, just nothing. All he concentrated on was his sister, and somehow reaching her. To make sure once and for all, that she was real. Quan Chi made a step in Subzero’s direction as if to stop him himself, but then the younger brother turned around and looked with a dread gaze at the evil sorcerer.
Quan Chi suddenly stopped in his tracks. He had not seen such a cold hard look since elder Subzero had stared at him all those years ago when they fought in the Netherealm.
“As for you sorcerer…” he said holding his arms wide out. Two solid ice spikes came darting out towards Kitana and Nightwolf. Both their restraints were cut simultaneously releasing the two fighters for Earth Realm. Nightwolf smiled and then looked right at Reptile, as Kitana held her wrist and singled out Khameleon for herself. Quan Chi looked around and saw that his captives had been set free, and he had one pissed off Lin Kuei warrior looking at him. “…I am going to kill you myself…in Mortal Kombat,” said Sub, stern and with new breath filling his body. The pain had numbed now that he had something new to fight for. A family. The lines had been drawn, the battles chosen, the warriors known. All that was left, was final battle…
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