Deadceptmageddon

by icyraven93

Summary:

Don't think the original timeline was safe from the cast of Mortal Kombat, either! This may feature a few characters from the second timeline as well.

Chapter 1: Test Your Might

 "I apologize, Sonya, but the Lin Kuei is, to put it simply, broke," Sub-Zero began.

 

 "How can an entire clan be broke?!?" Sonya asked incredulously.

 

 "It takes a lot of money to convince Shinnok to not turn us into revenants. Add the fact that we are still working on renovations and it is easy to see how we are in danger of bankruptcy," Sub-Zero explained.

 

 "Don't forget the right to loot the Krypt!" Frost added.

 

 "Between all the dying, renovating, and grave robbing, how do you plan to get out of the red in your natural lives?" Sonya asked.

 

 "Luckily, there is indeed a solution for the Lin Kuei's money troubles. Frost and I signed up for a game show called Test Your Might. Maybe you and my brother participated in a similar contest in the past?" Sub-Zero answered.

 

 "I will admit, there was a similar competition on Shang Tsung's island. However, I don't remember any cash prizes there," Sonya said. "I can only guess Johnny Cage convinced the studio he works for to pick it up and turn it into a game show."

Chapter 2: Sub-Zero Slide

Summary:

Sub-Zero tries and fails to perform his Fatality.

Notes:

Let's face it, we've all had trouble figuring out how to do a Fatality at some point or another.

"FINISH HIM!" the announcer shouted. Sub-Zero, however, took a moment to turn to Frost, who was in the audience.

"Now, Frost. I need you to watch this very carefully. This is how you finish your foes off in style," Sub-Zero told her before returning his attention to the dazed Quan Chi. He would pay for ruining his brother's life… if he could figure out how to perform his Fatality, anyway. The actions Sub-Zero performed ended with him delivering a light punch to Quan Chi's torso, which knocked him out cold.

"Sub-Zero wins!" the announcer yelled.

"That was your finisher? It looked kind of flat," Frost commented.

"I normally finish my foes off much more impressively," Sub-Zero replied. "I suppose I was too caught up in the fact that the man who caused my brother's death was at my mercy."

Chapter 3: Best Served Cold

Summary:

After Shang Tsung kills Frost, Sub-Zero steps in to avenge her.

"FINISH HER!" the announcer yelled. Shang Tsung laughed evilly as he prepared a spell to steal Frost's soul.

"Your soul is MINE!" Shang Tsung yelled as he lifted Frost into the air and began stealing her soul, oblivious to a very angry Sub-Zero in the audience. After he was finished stealing Frost's soul, he dropped her limp body to the ground and stomped on her back, finishing her off.

"Shang Tsung wins! FATALITY!" the announcer shouted with glee. Sub-Zero ran down from his spot in the audience to challenge Shang Tsung to a match of Mortal Kombat, icy sword forming in his hand.

"I demand a match with you! You killed my star student, so I must avenge her!" Sub-Zero yelled. Scorpion, who was seated next to Sub-Zero in the audience, gave an approving nod.

"Good luck, Sub-Zero! I hope you succeed in your quest for revenge," Scorpion called out, hoping to encourage his former rival.

"Round 1… FIGHT!" the announcer announced after Shang Tsung returned to his Snake stance while Sub-Zero got into his Shotokan stance.

Chapter 4: Crowned

Summary:

After finishing his training for the day, Rain is interrupted by Johnny Cage.

 Rain emerged from a bell tower that stood tall on White Lotus Society grounds after he had finished his training for the day. As he made his way to the bridge, he could feel something flowery on his head. He quickly turned around to find a giggling Johnny Cage.

 

 "What is the meaning of this, Cage?" Rain asked in an exasperated manner.

 

 "Well, long story short, me and several of my buddies found out that you're the Edenian formerly known as Prince Rain," Johnny Cage explained as Jax, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Stryker, and Smoke all joined him. "The jokes practically write themselves!"

 

 Rain cursed his luck. It wasn't his fault purple was the most appealing color to him. And he couldn't exactly help the circumstances of his birth, either! The Earthrealmers he formed a tentative alliance with would pay, Armageddon be damned. However, because of these extenuating circumstances, he would have to exact his revenge in another timeline... if his alternate self remembered this, anyway.

Chapter 5: Another Lesson

Summary:

Upon noticing that Frost has the ability to freeze, Sub-Zero takes it upon himself to teach her a method of annoying her enemies.

 "You have the ability to freeze, do you not?" Sub-Zero asked Frost as the two made their way to the frozen lake that doubled as an arena.

 

 "I guess? I think I might've frozen a guy during the tournament to decide who became your student and whatnot," Frost answered. Sub-Zero nodded; it was obvious that while Frost had the same gift he did, her control over it was far weaker.

 

 "First, I need you to summon the ability to freeze," Sub-Zero instructed once the two reached the frozen lake. Frost took a deep breath and summoned a cold energy to her hands. When she fired it, the ice traveled along the ground.

 

 "This is what you had in mind, right?" Frost questioned.

 

 "That's it. Today, I will show you a way to annoy your enemies into submission," Sub-Zero answered. "Simply freeze them, then send them flying into the air. In your case, however, the timing will have to be slightly different than mine considering the different ways our ice travels."

 

 "Who or what will I test this method on?" Frost questioned.

 

 "Try it on me," Sub-Zero offered. Though his expression was calm, he was inwardly ecstatic at having finally found another like him and his brother.

Chapter 6: Of Smoke and Water

Summary:

Smoke and Rain have a brief conversation before the former faces Motaro.

 During Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm, it was pitted against Outworld. Though most Outworlders did indeed oppose Raiden's champions, they had a handful of allies from there.

 

 The most obvious one was Princess Kitana, who had recently learned many secrets that had been kept from her for over 10,000 years. Once Jade caught up to Kitana, she also readily joined the Earthrealm resistance.

 

 Rain, a third Edenian warrior, had been persuaded to turn against Shao Kahn when Kitana told him the (partial) truth of his parentage. He and Smoke, a former member of the Lin Kuei who had escaped from his cybernetic shell, were at the doorway to Motaro's lair. Rain had a large bag of coins in his hands.

 

 "Well… I'll be facing Motaro," Smoke began grimly. Motaro had killed Johnny Cage when the invasion began and was currently leading efforts to eradicate the rest of the resistance in Earthrealm. Smoke felt the bag of coins being shoved into his arms.

 

 "You'll need these to bribe Shinnok," Rain explained. "I managed to grab these right from under Kollector's nose after Kitana told me the truth about my past."

 

 "Something tells me this bag will be empty by the time I'm finished with Motaro," Smoke said, a shaky hand slowly making its way to the door handles.

 

 "Be careful! Motaro is the leader of the Extermination Squad for a reason," Rain called out as Smoke opened the door. He turned to face Rain once more.

 

 "If I fall, tell Sub-Zero I fought bravely," Smoke told Rain before turning back to the battle that was to come.

Chapter 7: Our Tournament Now

Summary:

Aided by the warriors Smoke and Rain, Ermac briefly takes over the Mortal Kombat tournament.

 Sub-Zero was in Goro's Lair preparing to face off against a tag team consisting of Liu Kang and Raiden when he saw three masked figures running past him. He couldn't recognize the ones wearing red and purple, but he paused a moment when he noticed the one in gray. Wasn't that Smoke? How did he get here and what were his intentions? Sub-Zero pushed that thought out of his mind and focused on the Shaolin monk and thunder god before him.

-----

 "We have taken over the announcer role in your Mortal Kombat tournament," Ermac announced. "We are Ermac, or as Kano and Johnny Cage like to call us, Error Macro."

 

 "I am Smoke, here on Lin Kuei business," Smoke added.

 

 "And I'm Rain, a warrior of Outworld," Rain finished. The three were currently in Shang Tsung's throne room, with Ermac seated on the throne. An unamused Shang Tsung was in the crowd with seven other people.

 

 "How did I lose my tournament to one of my subordinates?" Shang Tsung asked.

 

 "Never trust tea made by someone with an inability to taste," Raiden answered.

 

 "We are willing to give the tournament back to you under one condition, Shang Tsung," Ermac began. "We require 100 dollars each. That is our condition."

 

 "When it comes to you, does someone only have to give you a hundred dollars once or do they have to give you a hundred dollars for each soul?" Kano asked.

 

 "It was going to be 100 dollars once, but since you asked, we now demand 999,900 dollars for a grand total of 1,000,100 dollars," Ermac answered as a wide grin formed on their face. "Until you give us the money, we will be in here on the throne."

 

 "Smoke, what the hell is going on?" Sub-Zero asked in an exasperated manner.

 

 "I figured I could help your brother out. He hasn't been getting missions lately," Smoke answered.

 

 "I admire your eagerness to help, but your place is back in the Lin Kuei headquarters," Sub-Zero replied.

 

 "I'll leave for 100 dollars. I'm not budging on that," Smoke countered. They were interrupted by the sound of a massive vault door being opened.

 

 "Just get in the vault and take the goddamn money so we can get back to the tournament already," Sonya ordered.

 

 "My money…" Shang Tsung sadly said as Ermac, Smoke, and Rain entered the vault to steal the money inside.

Chapter 8: Sisters

Summary:

After Edenia's liberation, Kitana takes in Mileena.

Notes:

I just want Kitana and Mileena to be friends, okay? Both of their MK11 Friendships alluded to such a future, after all.

 After the events that led to Edenia's liberation, Kitana took in Mileena with the aim to rehabilitate her. It was seen as a futile and dangerous move by many, but the two had once shared a sisterly bond, and Kitana wanted to salvage it.

 

 "Mileena, you can't just chew on anyone who displeases you anymore. This isn't Shao Kahn's court," Kitana told her one day when she found her chewing on an unconscious guard's left foot.

 

 "But I'm hungry and she made fun of my face," Mileena protested. Kitana managed to pull Mileena off of the guard with some difficulty.

 

 "I will go on a hunting trip here in a bit to bring you food you can eat instead. Behave yourself and don't attempt to eat anyone else while I am gone," Kitana said to her. She called upon another guard to take the wounded guard to the infirmary and explained the situation to her.

 

 "You are taking on a great burden, Princess Kitana," the guard stated before leaving. Kitana left the palace after grabbing a hunting bow, leaving Mileena alone. Mileena thought about what she could do to pass the time. She could scare as many Edenians as she could… or she could have a little tea party with her teddies.

 

 Mileena ran into her room, ignoring the strange looks the castle's residents aside from Jade and Sindel gave her. Once she reached her room, she immediately found her three favorite teddy bears on her bed; they were dressed in magenta, blue, and green outfits.

 

 "At least I'll always have you three," Mileena said to her teddy bears as she set everything up for her tea party. "You calm the constant voice in my head that's been there since I was created. I just want to be Kitana's sister, but the voices keep telling me to kill and replace her."

 

 After everything was set up, she poured tea into four teacups; one for herself and one for each of her teddies. She was so caught up in the little tea party she was hosting with her bears that she didn't even notice Kitana dropping an entire deer near her until her sister cleared her throat.

 

 "I brought you some food, Mileena," Kitana spoke up. Mileena immediately descended upon the deer's carcass like a vulture, having ignored her stomach's persistent grumbling while hosting her tea party.

Chapter 9: Robot Rescue

Summary:

As Sektor and Cyrax are lining up to watch a Johnny Cage film so they can make fun of it, Cyrax is kidnapped by an oni serving Quan Chi. Sektor must rescue him.

 Sektor and Cyrax were on the streets of New York City walking to a movie theater so they could make fun of the latest Johnny Cage movie. This activity helped them reconnect with the remnants of their humanity. As Sektor was paying for the two tickets to the B-list film Ninja Mime 3 , an oni snuck up behind Cyrax, grabbed him, and started to run off.

 

 After Sektor had paid for the tickets, he turned to Cyrax only to notice an oni running off with him. Infuriated by this development, he took off in hot pursuit. He weaved through the people on the streets, uncaring of their protests. Cyrax's safety was all he cared about. Unfortunately, however, a second oni jammed both Sektor's tracking systems and Cyrax's distress beacon, and Cyrax and his kidnapper had gotten lost in the crowd.

 

 Sektor cursed this turn of events. He wandered the streets of New York City, searching for any trace of Cyrax or the oni that had kidnapped him when he saw a stray wisp of smoke. He almost immediately recognized it as Smoke, who had somehow managed to reverse the automation process he had undergone. As strained as his relationship with Smoke was, he was likely his best bet in finding Cyrax before anything bad happened to him.

 

 "Hello, Sektor," Smoke flatly greeted as he rematerialized. Sektor understood that the feeling was mutual; he was the one who forced Smoke to undergo cyberization, after all. Still, Sektor hoped that Smoke at least hated onis enough to at least point him back in the right direction.

 

 "Help me find Cyrax. He was taken by an oni and I lost track of him," Sektor requested. Smoke motioned for Sektor to follow him into a nearby alley, which he hoped wouldn't lead to his being dismantled. To his relief, Smoke had no discernable intent to mangle or disassemble him. Instead, it seemed like he had merely wanted to talk in private.

 

 "So, you want to find Cyrax," Smoke began. "I do believe I saw a hideous demon drag him off toward a jagged tower near the Statue of Liberty. Honestly, I'm still a bit surprised at how uninteresting the average person finds sights like this."

 

 "Thank you for your cooperation, Smoke. I will head in that direction momentarily," Sektor said to him before activating his jetpack and flying in the direction of the Statue of Liberty. But he had no intention of seeing the statue. He was on a mission to rescue Cyrax. He entered the jagged tower near the Statue of Liberty and began firing missiles at any nearby oni he saw. Leaving a trail of demonic corpses in his wake, Sektor scaled the tower until he reached the top, where Cyrax and Quan Chi awaited.

 

 "So good of you to join us, Sektor," Quan Chi began as he stepped toward Sektor.

 

 "Sektor! Am I glad you're here," Cyrax shouted.

 

 "I'm just here for Cyrax. Return him to me and I might spare your life," Sektor demanded as he revealed his wrist-mounted flamethrower. "Failure to comply will result in your death by incineration!"

 

 "Well then, I accept your challenge," Quan Chi countered as he unsheathed his leaf dao and pointed it at Sektor. Sektor guarded against Quan Chi's slices, keeping an eye out for any windows of opportunity to free Cyrax and run.

 

 "This is your second warning! Return Cyrax to me or face the consequences!" Sektor warned. He jumped backward to avoid Quan Chi's kick, then countered with several missiles. He kept up a defensive fighting style, focusing on Cyrax's welfare. After knocking Quan Chi to the ground, Sektor quickly took the opportunity to free Cyrax from the chains binding him. The two cyborgs fled through an open window while Quan Chi lay unconscious on the floor.

Chapter 10: Floating Ice

Summary:

Sub-Zero entertains Frost's curiousity when she questions a strange phenomena.

 After a match between Sub-Zero and Kano that ended in the former's victory, Frost, his student, ran toward him.

 

 "You know, I've been wondering something for quite a while now," Frost began.

 

 "A good student never hesitates to ask questions about the world around them," Sub-Zero answered.

 

 "How is it that when you freeze someone, they're still floating in the air?" Frost began asking. "You'd figure that when someone gets frozen midair, they'd just fall to the ground like, well, someone who is frozen, right?" To further demonstrate what she meant, she dropped a Johnny Cage action figure onto the ground.

 

 "A fair question to ask," Sub-Zero began. "Perhaps a thread of ice so thin as to be imperceptible suspends them in the air." The two unknowingly stepped on the action figure as they walked, crunching it beneath their boots.

Chapter 11: The Warrior That Was

Summary:

While fighting Cyrax, Kung Lao ends up fighting a foe believed to have been killed by Rain as he was defecting to Earthrealm's side.

 Kung Lao deftly dodged Cyrax's net when a chill ran down his spine. Quickly dismissing it as anticipation of the battle against Shao Kahn, he refocused his attention on him when Cyrax again fired his net… and caught a mysterious entity.

 

 "What did I even catch?" Cyrax asked. The entity he had caught rapidly alternated between a glob of blood and a ghostly Kano.

 

 "Sonya finally did it… she finally killed Kano," Kung Lao commented, hoping his words held some truth. However, the being leaped on his back with the full force of a female Shokan warrior.

 

  "Foolish Earthrealm monk! You and the cyborg shall meet your end here!" the entity shouted. Kung Lao turned to Cyrax only to find that the cyborg had already fled the scene. Why did its voice sound so similar to that of Sheeva's? Didn't Rain kill her when he defected from Shao Kahn's forces? He pushed those thoughts aside and faced his new foe.

-----

 When Nightwolf and Sub-Zero found Kung Lao, he was huddled near one of the street lights.

 

 "What is the trouble, Kung Lao?" Nightwolf asked. As he approached him, however, Kung Lao jumped in front of a glowing green tile on the ground.

 

 "Do NOT step on that tile! Sheeva lives!" Kung Lao warned.

 

 "You are clearly in need of assistance, Kung Lao. Let us head back to the temple so you can be treated," Sub-Zero replied as the three began their walk through the empty streets to the temple Earthrealm's champions and their Edenian allies used as their base of operations.

Chapter 12: Krypt Raider

Summary:

While prowling through the krypt to find treasures for the Lin Kuei, Frost has an encounter with its keeper.

 Frost was creeping about the Krypt in search of treasure when she heard a second set of footsteps. Initially dismissing it as a mere echo of her own footsteps, she inspected her lantern. Everything seemed to be in order except for the continuing sound of footsteps.

 

 "Damn… if I don't find something soon, the Lin Kuei will be no better off than it was before," Frost muttered, holding the lantern in front of herself once more. "Now… how does Sifu Sub-Zero deal with another person in this Krypt?" As she slowly lurked between the coffins, she came face to face with an ancient, outright withered-looking figure.

 

 "Begone…" the figure said to Frost, who was weighing her options. The Lin Kuei desperately needed money, but she had no intention of taking her eternal rest in one of the many koffins scattered throughout the Krypt. Having made her decision, Frost set her lantern aside before forming her daggers and preparing to fight. After all, the Krypt Keeper never truly intended to allow her to leave, and she at least wanted to go down fighting...

Chapter 13: Dead Man's Chest

Summary:

Taven tries and fails to get a chest.

    As Taven made his way through Arcticka, he spotted a treasure chest that was being guarded by a group of spinning blades.

 

    "As the son of Argus, nothing will stop me from reaching this chest!" Taven declared before charging into the blade trap, which led to his head getting sliced clean off his shoulders. However, he reappeared shortly afterward in a golden blaze.

 

    "Perhaps I should handle this more tactically," Taven said to himself. He tried creeping through the trap, but his legs below his knees were severed, and he died from both blood loss and shock. He attempted various ways to get through the blade trap over the course of two hours, but all his attempts all had the same outcome for him: death.

 

    Unknown to Taven, Rain was on a nearby ledge observing Taven's repeated deaths. If he hadn't known any better, he would assume that the golden blaze that frequently appeared was the result of a gas leak.

 

    "S-Sub-Zero... sh-should we kill the blade trap for a bit?" Rain asked into a walkie talkie, shivers beginning to wrack his body.

 

    "No. The trap is working as intended. You should either head indoors or make your way to one of the bonfires we set up for this purpose. It is clear the cold is beginning to impair you," Sub-Zero answered on the other end of the walkie talkie.

Chapter 14: Apprentice's Ransom

Summary:

As Sub-Zero wonders why Frost is late to class by her own standards, another clan member hands him a note.

 As Sub-Zero was preparing to teach the evening classes, he thought it odd that Frost was absent. After all, she was by far the most eager and diligent of his students, always arriving at least thirty minutes early. He was hoping that she was merely on her way back to the headquarters, but another apprentice made her way to him obviously shaken.

 

 "Grandmaster… some mummified creature I had never seen before told me to give this to you," she said before shoving the scroll on him and fleeing. Sub-Zero unfurled the scroll, pushing aside the dread building up within him. He took a deep breath as he read its contents.

 

 To the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei,

Your star pupil is currently in the Krypt. She remains alive for the time being, but the koffin she is in will serve as her tomb before long. The only way I can guarantee her life is for you to meet me in the Krypt and bring me 208 ruby koins in an unmarked bag. Failure to comply will result in an unfortunate end for your precious student.

 

 "So that's how it is," Sub-Zero remarked after reading the scroll, the calmness in his voice betraying his fury. "I should have a pouch of ruby koins hidden beneath my pillow." As he made his way to his room, he offered a silent prayer to any gods that might listen. He could only hope he would be able to save Frost.

Chapter 15: Falling Lotus

Summary:

Victorious in Mortal Kombat, Liu Kang returns to the White Lotus Society temple only to find it under attack. He is immediately thrown back into battle against Shao Kahn's forces.

 Liu Kang ran through the besieged Shaolin temple looking for any sign that any of his fellow monks had survived. He was especially worried for his dearest friend Kung Lao, whom he had left behind in the temple while fighting in Mortal Kombat. He fought off a being with blades in its elbows and a maw filled with razor sharp teeth. As the creature fell to the ground, Liu Kang felt himself being pulled into the bell tower.

 

 "Liu Kang! I was beginning to worry that Shang Tsung had executed you," the monk hiding in the tower exclaimed.

 

 "And I was worried that there were no survivors," Liu Kang replied. "I am glad to see you made it, Shin. Do you know of any other survivors?"

 

 "When the attack started, Master Bo Rai Cho took the rest of the masters to Lord Raiden's Sky Temple. They are currently taking sanctuary at the bottom floor," Shin began. "The rest of us stayed behind to cover their escape, but our numbers are fast dwindling. I do not know what became of the rest of us."

 

 "You hide here," Liu Kang suggested. "I will search for any other survivors and bring them here." He then left the bell tower after Shin hid behind one of the larger gears.

 

 As he frantically ran through the training grounds, he spotted Kung Lao locked in deadly kombat against the apparent leader of the invaders. Thinking quickly, Liu Kang summoned a fireball in the shape of a dragon and lobbed it at the invader.

 

 "Liu Kang! I was starting to wonder if you were even alive," Kung Lao said. "Where are the masters?"

 

 "Master Bo Rai Cho has escorted them to Lord Raiden's temple," Liu Kang answered. "I saved everyone else that I could, but our numbers are dwindling quite fast."

 

 "Thank you for telling me this," Kung Lao replied before turning his attention back to the leader of the invaders. "We just need to deal with him and the others should scatter."

-----

 After the surviving monks had driven away the invaders, the remaining three apprentices had joined the masters in the Sky Temple. Raiden allowed the refugees to reside in his temple and appeared before Liu Kang and Kung Lao.

 

 "Where will you two go?" Raiden asked them.

 

 "Before we drove him away, the leader of our attackers mentioned someone called Shao Kahn," Liu Kang answered. "We intend to stop him and avenge our fallen brothers."

 

 "As for afterward, we will remain on the academy grounds," Kung Lao added. "We intend to rebuild the White Lotus Society."

 

 "I shall accompany you," Raiden stated. "Shao Kahn will not take this defeat lightly, especially as he was counting on that victory to be his doorway to konquest."

 

 "Then I wish you all the best of luck," Bo Rai Cho said to the trio. "As much as I would like to join you, it isn't safe for me to return to Outworld yet. The most I can do is pray for your success."

Chapter 16: DRAW!

Summary:

After a match between Shang Tsung and Quan Chi comes to a stalemate, Shao Kahn must determine the winner by another method.

 Shang Tsung and Quan Chi were fighting in Shao Kahn's coliseum. Despite everything both halves of the Deadly Alliance were throwing at each other, however, they proved to be evenly matched.

 

 "DRAW!" Shao Kahn, who was seated on his throne, announced.

 

 "What shall we draw, Shao Kahn?" Shang Tsung asked, knowing he risked death for asking such a question. And yet, he couldn't help indulging in his often neglected artistic side. To his surprise, however, Shao Kahn was seriously considering this question.

 

 "Draw… that tree in the distance!" Shao Kahn commanded, pointing at a tree on the horizon. While he fully embraced his reputation as an iron-fisted conqueror of realms, he could also appreciate good art. Besides, if Shang Tsung and Quan Chi were evenly matched in kombat, he needed another method of deciding a winner of their impromptu match.

Chapter 17: Eye of the Storm

Summary:

Rain chooses the worst possible time to visit Earthrealm. Luckily for him, however, he isn't alone in the storm.

 While Rain was roaming the wastes of Outworld, he spotted a portal to Earthrealm. Figuring it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit, he slowly approached the portal, uncaring of the storm raging all around him.

 

 When he landed in Earthrealm, a storm was brewing there as well. Bracing himself against the fierce winds, Rain pushed onward, hoping to figure out where he landed. As he made his way toward one of the pillars supporting a nearby palace, he came to the conclusion that he had landed on Shang Tsung's abandoned island. Before he could reach the pillar, however, Rain found himself being pulled along. At first, he thought he was being blown away, but he noticed that his feet were still on the ground. Who else was insane enough to be out here in what was becoming the storm of the century?

 

 "Remember me?" A strangely familiar voice asked him. It took a few moments for Rain to register that it was the former Lin Kuei warrior Smoke who was presently pulling him toward a boat in the distance.

 

 "You… you're Smoke, right?" Rain asked. The two had worked together twice, once during Shang Tsung's tournament and the other during Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm, which he regrettably assisted in until Kitana had revealed the truth of his past.

 

 "Yep, that's me. I'm guessing you're Rain, right?" Smoke replied. "I still wander Earthrealm these days. In fact, I'm not here alone." The two had reached the boat when Jax opened the door leading below the deck.

 

 "Smoke, I hope you managed to find what you were looking for, 'cause we gotta leave. Now," Jax commanded.

 

 "Jax, I hope you don't mind another passenger," Smoke began as the boat left the dock. "I couldn't just leave Rain alone in the storm, so I brought him aboard."

 

 "What is happening here?" Rain asked, bracing himself against a wall as he felt the boat being tossed by the waves.

 

 "Long story short, it's the storm of the century out there. I know it ain't your fault. You just picked a bad time to drop by, is all," Jax answered. "I'll go ahead and try to phone Liu Kang, see if you can stay in the Wu Shi Academy until this calms down. We're trying to head to New York right now." The three men braced themselves as the seas raged all around them, tossing the boat around.

 

 "I still don't know what I want to do with my life. I've wandered for months, almost got kidnapped by Noob, but I still haven't really decided yet," Smoke said.

 

 "Hey, man, don't worry too much about it. When I turned 20, I moved out of my parents' home. Took me a bit to decide what I wanted, but ultimately, I answered the military's call," Jax assured Smoke. "You'll find your thing sooner or later."

Chapter 18: Mileena's Choice

Summary:

Mileena makes her decision in the midst of a battle between Kitana and Reptile.

 As Mileena watched Kitana fight Reptile, she found herself torn. On the one hand, she wanted more than anything to be her sister, though the voice in her mind told her to assist Reptile in slaying her. Even if most of the rest of Edenia still doubted her despite her relative docility, Sindel still treated her as a daughter, and Jade still treated her as a friend.

 "SHUT UP!" Mileena yelled at the voice in her head telling her to betray Kitana's kindness despite everything. With her mind made up, she threw one of her sais at Reptile before he could attack Kitana again.

 "Mileena?" Kitana asked as she took the opportunity to create some distance between herself and Reptile. Brandishing her fans, she summoned a gust of wind to trap him.

 Mileena summoned the sai she had thrown back to her hand.

 "Kitana, I don't think I'll ever fully understand why you decided to offer me a home, but I do know that I don't want to lose you and Jade again," Mileena replied. "If this means I have to betray Shao Kahn and all of Outworld, then so be it. But I hate being alone!"

 "So you've chosen betrayal, Mileena. I have no choice but to treat you as an enemy now," Reptile hissed. Emboldened by Mileena's decision to remain by her side, Kitana faced him with a renewed zeal.

Chapter 19: Reptile's Brood

Summary:

Reptile realizes that it was Shao Kahn who conquered his homeland and killed his people.

“Shao Kahn, I've finally learned the truth behind my people's disappearance,” Reptile began before pointing an accusatory finger at him. “It was YOU who ordered their deaths! Mileena and the Edenians were right to turn against you!”

 

“Mileena dares turn against me? After I ordered her creation?” Shao Kahn asked indignantly before hefting his hammer. “After I deal with you, she's next! To think everyone would turn traitor on me... does no one in Outworld know of loyalty anymore?” In a rage, he swung his hammer down toward Reptile, who braced himself against the impact.

 

Reptile spat a glob of acid into Shao Kahn's face.

 

Undeterred and unaware of a second Saurian presence, Shao Kahn lifted Reptile off of the ground by the neck. He then threw him onto a catapult that was about to launch some flaming rocks at a mass of Edenian soldiers in the distance. Shao Kahn hummed as he heard a splattering noise moments later. As he began to leave the area in search of his traitorous daughter, Khameleon, who had long been a thorn in his side, decided to reveal herself.

 

“You will pay for your crimes against Zaterra and countless other realms! Prepare yourself, Shao Kahn!” Khameleon announced as she got into a fighting stance.

Chapter 20: I Brought You into this World...

Summary:

In a continued string of disloyalty, Shang Tsung learns of Ermac's betrayal when the amalgamate of souls challenges him.

 "Shang Tsung!" Ermac challenged as they hovered before the sorcerer. "We are finally free from Shao Kahn's tyranny! We have come to take you on in single kombat!"

 "Do you truly forget who gave you life in the first place, Ermac? I can snuff your life out as quickly as I granted it to you," Shang Tsung countered as he drew his sword. In response, Ermac drew their axe as they descended to the ground.

 Shang Tsung summoned three fireballs from the ground.

 Ermac tried to dodge but got caught in two of them. They quickly recovered from the impact and lobbed a wave of soul energy at him.

 "We owe our freedom to the Earthrealm warrior Kenshi! His foes are our foes," Ermac declared. "You deceived him and robbed him of his vision, so we shall rob you of your life."

 "It's a shame, really... you were my third favorite champion after Reptile and Goro," Shang Tsung said somberly even as he thrust his sword into Ermac's chest. "To think you, Mileena, and Reptile would all choose to betray Shao Kahn... it breaks my heart a little."

Chapter 21: A Cold Sign

Summary:

Sub-Zero observes a very intense blizzard.

"Could this blizzard be too intense for even a Cryomancer?" Sub-Zero wondered as he watched the snow falling rather rapidly onto the already frozen ground.

 

"I hate life sometimes," Frost grumbled as she fought against the fierce winds to bring a ladder back into the temple. "Just when we finally get a break from being broke and can actually afford things, the entire world starts falling apart. Blizzards, storms, heat waves, earthquakes... you name it, and I can guarantee you that it's utterly annihilating entire cities!" Sub-Zero nodded as he helped her move the ladder back into the new storage closet. After all, as he and Frost were leaving with a crate filled with Onaga's gold, Nightwolf and Kitana both warned of an incoming Armageddon. Was this blizzard a sign of the end of the realms?

 

"I worry for our allies," Sub-Zero stated. He and Frost were walking back to the mysterious doors they found while touring the temple they called home. One door was opened, but the other remained locked. What lay beyond the locked door, and why could neither of them unlock it? Where was the key? "Liu Kang and Kung Lao should be okay, for they live in the mountains like we do. I fear for the others' lives, however, for they either wander the realms or live in highly populated areas."

Chapter 22: Choose Your Destiny

Summary:

Liu Kang reveals his true reason for fighting in Mortal Kombat to Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade.

Notes:

As the original canon went, Kung Lao was originally supposed to fight in Mortal Kombat instead of Liu Kang, but he refused.
In this fic, while Kung Lao didn't really refuse to take part in Mortal Kombat, Liu Kang volunteered to take his place in an ultimately failed attempt to protect him from the war of the realms.

Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya were all resting up in the cottage they were sharing for the tournament. Tomorrow, they were to fight Goro himself.

 

"This wasn't originally my destiny... but it is the one I chose for myself," Liu Kang said. This got his roommates' attention.

 

"I'm gonna need you to elaborate on that thought, Liu," Johnny Cage began. "Because this is some next-level plot twist you just brought out."

 

"I really don't understand what you mean, Liu Kang. You fight like you've been training for this your entire life," Sonya added.

 

As much as Liu Kang still didn't like Johnny Cage's inability to take Mortal Kombat seriously, he respected his talent as a warrior. Besides, if they were fighting Goro, he at least owed him and Sonya his true motivation.

 

"I chose this destiny to protect my greatest friend from it," Liu Kang explained. "It is true I have been training for Mortal Kombat my entire life. All Shaolin monks train for this tournament. We are meant to be the protectors of Earthrealm."

 

"So... why take your best friend's spot?" Johnny Cage asked.

 

"He's getting there, Cage. Let him finish," Sonya scolded.

 

"Kung Lao is a gentle soul. He is the water to my fire," Liu Kang answered. "To imagine such a kind spirit being eternally used to fuel Shang Tsung's ambitions... it infuriates me. I had to do something, even if it meant risking my life!"

 

"So you're not the chosen one, but you're fighting like a chosen one to protect the real chosen one from a horrible fate," Johnny Cage stated. "Did I get that right?"

 

"That is the general idea, Cage," Liu Kang answered. "We need to get some rest. The three of us are Earthrealm's last hope."

 

Outside the cottage, Raiden grew nervous. Not even Liu Kang would be able to stop fate.

Chapter 23: Prodigal Blooms

Summary:

Three of the masters discuss the two newest additions to the White Lotus Society.

Notes:

The White Lotus Society is traditionally made up of eight of the most skilled monks in the Shaolin monastery. Normally, potential candidates for joining the White Lotus must be at least 30 years old, but Raiden himself saw the vast amount of skill Liu Kang and Kung Lao possess. This has caused an uproar among the more staunch traditionalists.

"What are these children doing here?" Master Han questioned when he noticed Liu Kang and Kung Lao practicing their daily katas in the arena reserved for members of the White Lotus Society.

 

"Bo must see great potential in them to personally vouch for their presence here to Lord Raiden himself," Master Wu replied. "The fact that Lord Raiden accepted Bo's proposal must mean that he, too, sees their potential."

 

"But to have them join the White Lotus before either of them have even seen their thirtieth year? Has Bo been drinking too much again?" Master Han asked.

 

"Lord Raiden works in mysterious ways. I have been in the White Lotus Society for 50 long years, and even I cannot fully grasp his wisdom," Master Wu replied, bowing his head.

 

"None of us can," Bo Rai Cho stated as he took his place in the center. "Still, though, Liu Kang and Kung Lao have shown great potential. Perhaps the key to Earthrealm's salvation lies with one of them."

 

"The White Lotus Society has long restricted membership to prevent inexperienced youths from simply throwing their lives and souls away," Master Han argued. "As promising as young Liu and young Lao are, they need more time to blossom into their full potential. Furthermore, they have been known to chatter into the dawn."

 

Though Liu Kang and Kung Lao were outwardly calm, inwardly, they felt as if they were trespassing on sacred ground. Did they truly deserve to be in the White Lotus Society? Out of everybody Master Bo Rai Cho could've possibly vouched for, why them?

 

"Long and Zhao have passed away before they could be chosen for Mortal Kombat. Experience will no doubt temper these prodigies into Earthrealm's finest warriors," Bo Rai Cho said as he took another sip from his cup. "The training for them will be extra brutal, even more so than it ever was for you and the other masters. They will be pushed to their absolute limits, and they will break those limits. Mortal Kombat is nearly upon us once more."

Chapter 24: Missing You

Summary:

An old cherry tree causes Liu Kang and Kai to think of their childhood best friends.

"What's the matter, Master Liu?" Kai asked when he saw Liu Kang looking glumly at a cherry tree. He sat on one of the gnarled roots and invited Kai to take a seat next to him.

 

"Are you seated, Kai?" Liu Kang asked. Kai nodded. "Whenever I gaze upon this tree, I cannot help but think of him... of our childhood."

 

"You miss that Kung Lao guy I've been hearing about, don't you?" Kai questioned. Liu Kang solemnly bowed his head.

 

"I do. It was at this very tree where we always pretended to fight in a Mortal Kombat tournament. We took turns being the great Kung Lao and Shang Tsung. Those were more innocent times," Liu Kang told Kai. He leapt up into one of the sturdier branches. "He is the water to my fire, kind and tranquil, but with great power resting beneath the surface. Save for Shang Tsung's tournament, the two of us have been together for as long as I can remember, and now..."

 

"I suppose it makes sense. When you've been friends with someone your whole life, the separation can take quite a toll on you. I know that feeling all too well," Kai said as his mind took him back to the day Jarek joined the Black Dragon. "Jarek's chosen path is dark, but I still care about him. I just hope he's okay, wherever he is. What happened to Kung Lao?"

 

"We were fighting Shao Kahn in New York City," Liu Kang began in a soft, somber voice. "Kung Lao... he went in first. He fought valiantly, but I... I had to step in or he would have finished him off. After Shao Kahn died, his tower started to crumble. I knew I had to escape with him... Lord Raiden ended up having to rescue us both. It was Jade who suggested bringing him to Edenia. The choice was difficult, but Edenia is said to have tremendous healing properties."

 

"I just hope Jarek and Kung Lao are okay, wherever they are," Kai said. Master and student offered a silent prayer to the gods together.

Chapter 25: Shaolin Trap

Summary:

Liu Kang leaves the camp on a solo search for Kung Lao and finds himself falling into a trap.

"Continue eastward for five more minutes and you will find a cavern. I saw some demons carrying a monk in there. Perhaps that monk is the companion you've been seeking?" a young Edenian woman informed Liu Kang.

 

"Your help is very much appreciated. I will investigate the cavern you mentioned," Liu Kang replied.

 

"One final thing. Lord Shinnok has traps everywhere. Be cautious," the woman called out to Liu Kang, who was already making his way to the cavern she mentioned.

---

Liu Kang grabbed a torch from the wall and cautiously made his way through the cavern. He had slipped out of the camp where the Forces of Light were staying for the night, and he had hoped to return with Kung Lao.

 

"Please... please be alive, Kung Lao," Liu Kang chanted as if in prayer. His words took his mind back to that fateful day in Shao Kahn's tower.

 

Seeing Kung Lao broken and unconscious in the throne room awakened the rage Liu Kang had long kept hidden within his heart. He had swiftly defeated Shao Kahn, uncaring of his own injuries. After the battle, the tower had begun to collapse. With Kung Lao in his arms, Liu Kang frantically searched for an escape route until Raiden teleported them both out.

 

"Focus, Liu!" Liu Kang scolded, more to his mind than anything else. "Kung Lao can't be too far away now. Wandering into the past will not free him from Shinnok's grasp!" As soon as he stepped into a strange part of the cave, Liu Kang dropped his torch.

 

Kung Lao was chained to the wall furthest from the entryway. As Liu Kang approached him, he had a sinking feeling that all was not well. He ignored that feeling and continued his cautious approach. The chains rattled, and Kung Lao focused his attention on Liu Kang to the best of his ability.

 

"Liu, is that you?" Kung Lao asked.

 

"Oh, thank gods you're alive," Liu Kang said. "It's me. I'll get you out of here." He grabbed a key from the wall and returned to Kung Lao. "I am aware that this is likely a trap, but I can't just leave you here to die."

 

As the chain came undone, an iron door slammed shut, trapping the monks in the chamber.

---

"Master Liu, I knew something was off when you weren't present at the roll call," Kai began. "Jarek just planted the explosives. On my count, Tanya will light the fuse. Step away unless you want to join the door!"

 

At this, a relieved Liu Kang dragged an exhausted Kung Lao away from the iron door. Within several seconds, he heard Kai counting, and seconds after that, the iron door was sent flying in a purple explosion.

 

"Honestly," Tanya said. "Earthrealm is doomed if it relies on you alone to be its champion. Had Kai, Jarek, and I not arrived when we did, this room would have been yours and Kung Lao's tomb."

 

"I am grateful for your aid all the same," Liu Kang told Tanya. The five began their escape from the cave.

Chapter 26: Magenta Sai of Fate

Summary:

While wandering through the wastes of Outworld to clear her head, Mileena throws her sai and makes a new friend.

Mileena was on a walk through the wastelands of Outworld. She still couldn't believe she actually turned against Shao Kahn for Kitana's sake! She needed some time to herself so she could find a safe way to permanently silence the voices in her head. In frustration, Mileena threw one of her sais... and accidentally hit Tanya with it.

 

"Mileena, wasn't it? Be more cautious with your sais," Tanya reprimanded even as she returned the sai to her. "Luckily for you, I'm feeling merciful, so I'm letting you off with a warning."

 

"I'm sorry, er, Tanya?" Mileena apologized. Tanya nodded. "I was hoping I didn't hit anyone. The voices are quiet for now, but they're always present, always telling me to kill and eat people. I need them silenced, but I want to live!" She looked around for anything she could use to bandage Tanya's wound.

 

"Given Shang Tsung's cruel streak, I'm not sure what you seek is even possible to achieve alone," Tanya informed Mileena, who became crestfallen. "Help me dress my wound, and I'll do my best to help you silence the voices." She was surprised at the feeling of a soft cloth being wrapped around her injured thigh.

 

"I truly am sorry, Tanya. Will this help any?" Mileena asked.

 

"This is much better. Thank you, Mileena," Tanya answered. "We need to look for Rain. He'll be a good start, assuming he even remembers either of us." She and Mileena set off to search for the amnesiac water ninja.

Chapter 27: Frozen Together

Summary:

Sub-Zero accidentally freezes Rain to himself.

"What's that attached to your arm, Sifu?" Frost asked, having turned her attention away from the hole in the wall she was currently patching.

 

"I kind of accidentally froze Rain to myself while we were sparring at the Wu Shi Academy earlier. He's been stuck to me ever since," Sub-Zero answered. "He's taking a lot longer to thaw out than usual. I just hope I didn't kill him."

 

"Grandmaster, we finished installing the furnace," a female Lin Kuei apprentice called out.

 

"Excellent work, Fade! I'll be there to make sure it works as intended," Sub-Zero told her. "We have an accidental guest frozen rock solid to me and I'm hoping this'll be enough to thaw him out."

 

"So that explains your odd walk and the man-sized chunk of ice stuck on you. Looks like we have an excuse to see if it works properly," Fade said. She helped Sub-Zero keep his balance while he made his way to the furnace to hopefully thaw Rain out harmlessly.

---

As Rain awakened, he realized that he was no longer in the Wu Shi Academy. How did he get here, and how long had he been asleep? He remembered sparring with Sub-Zero, but after that, he had no clue. Tightening his grip on the blanket he was given, Rain decided to look for Sub-Zero.

 

"Oh, good. You're awake," Smoke began. "I was worried I'd have to use my robot bits as a makeshift heater for a minute, and that would've been very dangerous for both of us."

 

"You haven't seen Sub-Zero, have you?" Rain asked.

 

"He's been looking at that strange locked door again," Smoke answered. "Follow me, and keep that blanket around you. It's a bit drafty, but Frost and some other apprentices are taking care of it."

 

As Rain followed Smoke to Sub-Zero, he looked at his surroundings. The architecture was weirdly familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen it before.

Notes:

Fade is an OC of mine. She was the same frightened apprentice who gave Sub-Zero the ransom note.

In addition, Smoke ultimately chose to rejoin the Lin Kuei. He missed Sub-Zero too much.

Chapter 28: Neo Black Dragon

Summary:

Stryker pays a surprise visit to the Neo Black Dragon and offers his assistance.

Stryker looked at the slip of paper he had been given as he approached a weathered apartment complex.

 

"Apartment 103... I hope this is the address," Stryker said as he scanned the doors. 101... 102... 103! He nervously knocked on the door.

 

"We're the Neo Black Dragon, and-" Kobra began, only to freeze in his tracks when he saw Stryker in uniform. "Holy shit..."

 

"You okay, young man?" Stryker asked.

 

"You're a cop! I gotta warn Kira and Kabal!" Kobra shouted before running into the building. Stryker had two options: run into the apartment after Kobra, or wait outside like a normal person.

 

Stryker chose to wait outside. His patience was rewarded when Kabal arrived at the doorway.

 

"Kurtis? What are you doing here?" Kabal asked.

 

"To be honest with you, Kabal, I have a deal in mind," Stryker began. Kira readied herself to throw one of her knives at Stryker's head, but Kabal stopped her.

 

"Let's hear him out first. He and I used to be on the force together," Kabal told Kira.

 

"Fine, but he better not try anything funny," Kira grumbled, fidgeting with her knife.

 

"I knew at least one of you would be willing to listen to me," Stryker said. "Anyway, I was wondering if you guys needed any help."

 

"Well, the Neo Black Dragon is seeking recruits," Kabal offered. "If you're here because you've grown weary of how the NYPD handles things, we'll gladly welcome you in our ranks."

 

"Kabal, can we really trust him?" Kobra asked.

 

"I don't know about you or Kira, but I choose to trust Kurtis. He's the one person who believed in me after I left the original Black Dragon with Erron," Kabal answered.

 

"I promise, you won't regret your decision, Kabal," Stryker reassured the trio. "I was wondering if you needed someone to help sort things out with the police when you carry out your business, because I think I can help you there."

 

"You're... not here to arrest us?" Kobra asked.

 

"You'll have to do a lot of work to earn our trust," Kira warned Stryker.

 

"I know, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn that trust, ma'am," Stryker told her.

 

"As long as you're honest, you're an honorary member of the Neo Black Dragon," Kabal said. "Please forgive Kira and Kobra. They're just kids. They don't know what we've been through together."

Chapter 29: Lifesaver

Summary:

Ermac saves Kenshi and Sub-Zero from Scorpion's wrath.

"We won't allow you to harm him!" Ermac shouted as they deflected Scorpion's katana with their axe.

"You are a lifesaver, Ermac!" Kenshi exclaimed as he got back onto his feet. Sub-Zero lay unconscious nearby.

"Take Kuai Liang and find safety, Kenshi. We will deal with Scorpion," Ermac ordered. "Your foes are our foes. He cannot be allowed to continue to harm you."

"Tch... if you stand in the way of my vengeance against Quan Chi, then I'll cut you down!" Scorpion shouted, sheathing his katana as he twirled his rope dart. 

Ermac summoned swarms of souls to their hands.

Scorpion threw his rope dart at Ermac.

"GET OVER HERE!" Scorpion yelled as the dart dug into Ermac's chest. He pulled them toward himself and summoned a pillar of hell fire to burn them.

Undeterred by this, Ermac flew into the air, soul energy slowly gathering around them. They them slammed themselves hard onto the ground, throwing Scorpion off balance.

Scorpion sliced Ermac several times with his katana.

Ermac dug the blade of their axe into Scorpion's head.

Scorpion staggered from the impact. He found it difficult to focus, but nonetheless tightened his grip on his rope dart and swung it at Ermac once more.

Ermac, sensing Scorpion's disorientation, deftly dodged the rope dart. Once he fell to the ground, they flew up the stairs of Shao Kahn's new tower and rejoined Kenshi and Sub-Zero.

"Scorpion is incapacitated at the moment," Ermac began. "He will not harm either of you. We should, however, flee before Shao Kahn and Reiko arrive."

"What happened, Hanzo? You were making progress in taming your anger," Sub-Zero wondered. "Are we destined to be eternal foes?"

Chapter 30: Goro's New Lair

Summary:

With Jade's help, Kitana makes her escape from Goro's clutches.

Kitana paced the length of her cell. It was a lavishly decorated cell, but it was preventing her from finding Mileena, helping her people, and rescuing her mother a second time.

"This entire situation with Quan Chi and Shinnok is infuriating me. I should be out there, helping my people and searching for mother!" Kitana ranted. She heard footsteps and quickly got into a fighting stance.

"You there! If your intent is to bring me to Shinnok, then I will show you that I am a force to be reckoned with even without my fans!" Kitana shouted.

"Keep your voice down, Kitana!" Jade whispered. Kitana relaxed her stance upon seeing her best friend with a keyring on her finger. "I can help you escape, but only if you listen to me."

"Jade? How did you-" Kitana began.

"Let's focus on getting out of here for now," Jade interrupted. "I'll answer your questions once we're back outside."

Kitana quickly stepped outside her cell after Jade unlocked it. The two Edenian women began their escape from Goro's lair.
—
"Return to your cell, Princess Kitana," Goro ordered. "As much as I'd like to let you roam free, Kuatan's safety depends on your imprisionment."

"And how do you know that Shinnok won't put your people on the chopping block if I remain in my cell for eternity?" Kitana asked.

"I am a bit suspicious, but I see no other way to protect my people," Goro admitted. "Don't worry. I'll let Jade accompany you this time."

Jade threw a razorang at Goro's head. No one was putting her or Kitana in a cell for as long as she lived.

Chapter 31: From Winter to Spring

Summary:

Liu Kang and Kung Lao are given leadership of the White Lotus Society after Shao Kahn's defeat.

 "It is done," Liu Kang began as he and Kung Lao set foot into the Sky Temple. "Shao Kahn himself has been defeated in Mortal Kombat."

 "At last, I can return home to Outworld," Bo Rai Cho replied. "I have accomplished my goal here. The tyrant has faced justice."

 "I always knew the two of you could save our realm," Master Wu added. "I have grown to like it here, so here I shall remain."

 "I was wrong to doubt the two of you simply because of your youth," Master Han stated. "Master Bo always did have his best ideas after a few drinks. It seems like this one was no different."

 "What did I keep telling you, Han? You won't find a finer pair of students in any realm!" Bo Rai Cho cheerfully shouted.

 "Much like winter gives way to spring, we leave the task of rebuilding our order to you, young masters," Master Chao told them. "My place is here, in Lord Raiden's Sky Temple. Your place, on the other hand, is back at the Wu Shi Academy. The two of you are the heads of the White Lotus Society, and by extension the Shaolin, now."

 "What'll happen to you and the other masters, Master Chao?" Kung Lao asked.

 "You still don't get it, Master Lao?" Master Han asked, taking him and Liu Kang by surprise. This was the first time either of them had been addressed as Master since joining the White Lotus Society on Bo Rai Cho's recommendation. "With Master Bo returning to his home realm and the rest of us remaining here, it falls to you and Master Liu to rebuild our order!"

 "Master Han!" Shin yelled, bowing as he did so. "I wish to return to the Wu Shi Academy and aid Liu Kang and Kung Lao in their task."

"Then do so, Shin. Master Liu and Master Lao will need all the help they can get in restoring our order to its former glory," Master Han replied. "They are your masters now. You are to refer to them as Master Liu and Master Lao from here on. Understood?"

"It's going to feel a bit weird calling them Master when we all three grew up together," Shin admitted.

"And being called Master Liu will take some time getting used to," Liu Kang said as he, Kung Lao, and Shin left the temple together.

Chapter 32: Mending Wounds

Summary:

Sindel and Jade come across several wounded warriors in the Dead Pool.

Notes:

I picked Mortal Kombat Deception back up the other day. My first attempt at Chess Kombat in over fifteen years ended horribly.

"By the Elder Gods... what happened to you people?" Jade asked as she and Sindel entered the Dead Pool.

Frost was creating ice and applying it to people's wounds. Bo Rai Cho was passing his wine gourd around to whoever was in the most pain at the moment. Ermac, who seemed to be in the best shape among the injured, was helping pass medical supplies around. Smoke was using his cybernetic parts to check vitals.

"Darrius happened," the group all said in unison.

"As leader, I take full responsibility for this scene you see here," Sub-Zero added. "I should have seen his ambush coming, and yet, I proved to be the inferior warrior in the end."

"This is proof that we are nowhere near ready to battle Onaga," Sareena added. At this, Sindel focused her attention on this group of people.

"You seek to slay Onaga as well?" Sindel asked. "We must join forces at once! He has enslaved my daughter Kitana and her allies!"

"If I may ask... how did you get yourselves involved in this mess?" Jade asked.

"Seidan soldiers led by a man named Hotaru ambushed Sub-Zero and myself," Kenshi began. Sub-Zero nodded in agreement.

"We helped Kenshi and Sub-Zero fight off the ambush," Ermac added.

"Noob tried to drag me off to the Netherrealm. He said something about serving a new master," Smoke explained. "Sareena and Frost stepped in before he could succeed."

"I found my Sifu and some other people I had never met in the Golden Desert after traveling with Smoke and Sareena," Frost stated.

"Smoke and Ermac both warned me of his plans," Sareena said.

"I was warned by Shujinko, a former pupil of mine," Bo Rai Cho said.

"Shang Tsung nearly transplanted my soul into the last soldier in Onaga's army," Li Mei finished.

"Hmm... I see," Jade said once she and Sindel pieced together how this group of warriors had united and involved themselves in this crisis.

"We may need to find Shujinko," Sindel stated. "If his goals align with ours... we could use all the help we can get."

Chapter 33: Kryptic Deal

Summary:

Sub-Zero enters the krypt with one goal: rescue Frost.

Sub-Zero opened the creaky wooden trapdoor and descended into the cool, damp krypt with a bag of koins in hand.

"Where is this... Krypt Keeper?" Sub-Zero quietly muttered to himself as he prowled between the koffins. He spotted the lantern Frost had brought into the krypt with her when she had entered earlier and quickly tiptoed to it, fearful of somehow waking the dead.

"If this is Frost's lantern, then-"

A woman's scream interrupted his thoughts. Sub-Zero grabbed the lantern with his free hand and ran toward the source; he was fairly certain that was Frost he heard screaming just then. He froze in his tracks when he spotted a hooded, wraith-like figure standing next to a shaking koffin. In the wraith's fingers was a needle filled with a translucent amber liquid.

"You actually came?" the Krypt Keeper asked. "This... guest... is so loud and shrill. I was getting ready to make her sleep forever."

"How many of these people resting here have suffered a similar fate at your hands, with no one able to rescue them in time?" Sub-Zero demanded as he set the lantern down, a calm fury in his voice.

"That is irrelevant. Give me the bag of koins, and I might not harm your student," the keeper said.

"You promised she wouldn't be harmed if I brought the Lin Kuei's emergency funds to you," Sub-Zero argued.

"I only promised she'd still be alive. I never said she would be unharmed. Besides, those who disturb my krypt must be taught a lesson and you've also been creeping about here recently," the keeper countered.

Sub-Zero was warily observing the situation around him. He heard scratching noises coming from inside the koffin. This definitely had to be Frost; he needed to find a way to open it and set her free.

"What would Bi Han do in this situation?"  Sub-Zero thought to himself as he weighed his options. He could either fight the keeper or distract it. He would not allow himself to abandon any of his fellow Lin Kuei, so fleeing was not an option in his mind. As he looked down at the pouch of koins in his hands, a plan began to formulate in his mind.

"If you allow me to open the koffin, my student and I will never set foot in your krypt again," Sub-Zero offered.

The keeper seemed to be considering his words.

The scratching noises within the koffin stopped.

"Do you swear on your elder brother's grave?" the keeper asked, shocking Sub-Zero. How did it know of his brother's murder, anyway?

"I... I swear on Bi Han's grave," Sub-Zero answered, trying to push his creeping fear aside. This krypt was starting to give him the creeps, and he wanted to grab Frost and run. "Please, open the koffin and release her."

"You said the magic word, so I will uphold my end of our bargain," the keeper said before opening the koffin.

Frost took the opportunity to run behind Sub-Zero.

"Let's just go home," Frost said.

"I will gladly uphold my end of the bargain," Sub-Zero replied as he and Frost left the krypt and started their journey back home.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Between the Deadly Eras
• Part 1 of Deadceptmageddon