Chapter Three: A Journey
AU: Uhhh… helloo again… I kindda change Sub-Zero's name a bit…. I hope there wouldn't be too many flames because of this (laugh nervously). If There is a real name (albeit like Hanzo Hassashi for Scorpion) for our favorite ice master then please send me them so I could change his name ^^;
Hope you all liked it. If you do, tell me about it! If you don't, tell me about it too! If you think I should stop this fic and hang myself from a tree, just push the little button on the bottom that says REVIEW and rambles away!!!! =p
Anyway, enjoy!
The next day Sub-Zero eagerly leap out of his bed and peaked from his balcony, cathing the sight of Scorpion leaning on one of the tall poles near the entrance gate. Sub-Zero eagerly changed into his traveling clothes and swiped up a bundle with his sword, tying them both on his waist. And the sun has just risen, yet he was to eager to stop his own accord.
Meanwhile the more used to be than one millennium ninja was leaning on the giant gate pole. The ornaments are made from jade and rhinestones telling a story of how the Raiden stroke his lightning at the demons of Netherlams in defending Earthrealm, showing how the earth was shaking underneath him. Scorpion didn't admire the amazing work of art, he didn't even glance at it. He was to busy to pay any heed to anything.
He was going to travel with a Lin Kuei. What would his elders say if they knew, a tiny voice in his head squeaked accusingly at him.
They won't say anything because they are long dead. He squashed the tiny voice like an ant inside his head, pitying that he wont get a mental image of it. True enough, a Shirai Ryu like him trying to help a Lin Kuei like Sub-Zero is enough to wake the spirits and oni of Nethrelams and make them go bananas. 'Heh,' he scoffed ' it's not like they could get any crazier down there.'
Hanzo don't know why is he convinced about Sub-Zero's journey to get away from his clan so easily. Hanzo Hasashi was no fool, and not someone to fool around with either. Whatever game the Lin Kuei was playing, he decided that he was going to try and play along. It's all because of his vow that he had even bothered to look at the Lin Kuei, it's all about responsibility. Without that, Hanzo Hasashi had no life to live. He might as well as kill himself rather that live without a reason. And after getting his mortal body back, he strive more and more to prove that he exist, that he was not a mere specter anymore. He need someone to remember him, someone to not to let his days go unnoticed. That's why he will go with Sub-Zero, either he will enjoy it or not. It's because he need him to remember, nothing more.
'Liar.' The tiny voice squeaked accusingly at him.
I thought I killed you yesterday. He hissed inside his head. I cant believe I'm talking to myself.
'Well you better believe it! Maybe you're on drugs...' The voice said back.
Annoying little…
He didn't have time to reply as he snapped his head up upon hearing the pitter patter footsteps of the two figure in the distance. He looked at the direction of the temple where the Lin Kuei was talking to the thunder god Raiden. The god put his hand on Sub-Zero's shoulder, his smile playing on his lips while he give the Lin Kuei a medallion, putting it into the palm of his hand. The Lin Kuei looked doubtful for a moment but he nodded when Raiden give him a scroll, determination now visible in his eyes.
Sub-Zero's eyes meet his, a smile graced his lips as the Shirai Ryu indicate a finger to him, motioning him to hurry. Within seconds the young ninja was beside him, wearing his usual attire of standard Lin Kuei uniform, but Scorpion notice that the symbols and marking of the clan had been removed, save for his mask.
"Day greet master Shirai Ryu." He greeted him, bringing himself back to his distant demander, putting his hand above his heart. Scorpion rolled his eyes and took his hand and take it off from his chest.
"If we're traveling together Lin Kuei, let us make it clear. Call me by my name, Hanzo Hassasi, not my title and stop being so bloody formal." He said stoically but eventually he smiled to the younger ninja. "I am not your enemy, nor will I betray you. I am your protector, so trust me."
Sub-Zero blinked for a couple of times before taking his mask off, returning the ninja's smile. "Then you have to stop calling me Lin Kuei and start calling me Kaika-sama, Hassasi-san." They stared for a while before chuckle in each other's amusement. "Yes I understand but without the '-sama' I can handle."
"Fine then, Kaika it is." The younger one grumbles, ignoring the amused smiles that the elder ninja kept giving him.
"Where are we heading your majesty?" Scorpion asked him with a mocking tone, while snickering at the glares that the ninja keep shooting him. "How nice of you to call me that my dearest servant." He shoots back, and grumbles when he got no reaction from him.
"We're going to England, to a Wizarding school called Hogwarts. Raiden said that someone wanted to learn some fighting techniques. And the headmaster of that school also said that he needs some new teachers to teach the student defense." Scorpion snicker and murmur something that sounded like 'who wants to teach a bunch of snotty kids?', but kept a straight face when Sub-Zero glared.
"They're not ordinary children. They're trained to be wizards."
"Wizard? Oh, I've heard of those kinds of sorcerers and witches…No better than that slimy reptile." He grumbled again. Sub-Zero can only chuckle and tried to stifle a laugh. Then out of nowhere came out the ascending Oni Ashrah, jumping from one tree to another, her white robes fluttering about.
"A Shirai-Ryu and a Lin Kuei traveling together? This is most unexpected!" She squealed. "Where are you going ninja masters?" she asked curiously. Scorpion as just going to snap at the disturbingly cheerful Ashrah, but the Lin Kuei cut him short first.
"We are going to England Ashrah, I'm sure you've heard of it from Raiden" He smiled to the woman clad in white robes, who smiled back with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
"Yes, yes I've heard of that. Well then, I'll leave you all to your journey then. And Kaika-kun, please remind your companion to not to burn the students when you all got there yes?"
"I will Ashrah, farewell." Sub-Zero bid her goodbye while trying not to laugh at her comments, watching Ashrah white robes flutering behind her.
"I won't burn them." He said defensively. Sub-Zero only nodded in approval and said, "You'll only shis-kebab them.' while breathing softly, trying to hold up the laughter that was building inside of him. A pouting Scorpion is just to much for him.
Two days they walked together, encountering many other fighters from the tournament. Many of them are going home to their own realms, while some of them are in a quest from Raiden, Fujin, or other primordial beings. It's quite hilarious when they accouter Havik and Hotaru together sitting across a fire one night, each bickering about their own theories of how the world should be. The two ninjas decided that they will join them, knowing that they will able to stop one of them if they started attacking and hurt some innocent bystander . And besides, it's not like they're in any hurry or anything.
Havik Happily welcomed the two of them, especially the ice master, knowing that the general of Seido used to tried to catch him tirelessly. Hotaru only scorned and start bickering something about their schedule, eating the broth surprisingly made by his companion, only to complain of how chaotic the taste is. The two ninjas rolled their eyes, what do you suppose to come out from Havik's hands? Daisies and butterflies?
"Now I am convinced that Raiden is mad, sending those two together will only create more chaos than order." Scorpion muttered behind his bowl. Sub-Zero nodded in silent agreement, watching Havik stole Hotaru's Naginata and write with big letters saying, 'MY OWNER HAVE A FLAT ASS' on it with permanent marker. Scorpion doubt that the General would even wield hat weapon again or even touch it. Now the prized Naginata of the general was ruined, filled with cartoon drawings and unreadable graffiti. Hotaru screams in frustration when he realized what had happened to his weapon, especially the big letter that mostly true (I mean, the armor that hotaru wears doesn't shows curves!). He began to throw things at the cleric of chaos, who is now crackling and laughing in delight at the broken composure of the used to be untouchable general.
"I can't believe that they could be so childish." He commented quietly while avoiding a stray hot pot and a burning helmet that used to be aimed elsewhere. The culprit, who is now crackling at Hotaru's red face, is no other that the harbinger of chaos himself.
After that incident, Sub-Zero quickly excuse himself followed by a very irritated Scorpion. Surprisingly the ninja didn't manage to avoid the helmet from hitting his head, and have to restrain himself from burning the two alive. Sub-Zero waited patiently, leaning on a large boulder. The cryomancer tried to stop himself to not to laugh, saving the other ninja's dignity. Scorpion can only glares dagger that promise painful torture if he does laughed.
They had talked about many things during their walk. Scorpion founded out that Sub-Zero the elder have a very interesting fear towards mice, and chuckle when the younger of the one told him a prank that he pulled on his brother. Sub-Zero had also found out that Scorpion, despite his intimidating figure and (ususaly) stern facial features, liked kids. Not that he's a pedophile, but a normal liking to kids, usually the ones under ten or so. 'they are much more innocent, and their feelings are true. Looking at them keeps me sane after a brutal mission, they remind me that I do those thing for them.' He said. They discovered that the way they harness their elemental powers are mostly the same, by directing the chi from the core with your aura to produce the said elements. Scorpion also admit that he likes sugar snow, AKA ice cream, despite his obvious antagonist towards the cold. Sub-Zero also revealed that he is afraid sleeping in the dark alone, pushing himself wills only result him hyperventilating.
"It's a childhood thing brought to adult hood." He said sheepishly.
"Let me guess, it's because a Elemental program design from the acoytalte of the east?" he said, finally sounding his suspicion.
"How….how can you tell?" he asked in bewilderment. "Don't tell me you went into that program too." He joked lightly, but his smile faded when the ninja nodded his head.
"All Shirai-Ryu elemental users were required to went to the program. Almost half of my village went there to level up their control, and only a handful came back, heartless and ended up in the monastery where all ninja's are trained and worked. Including me." He said, his voice lowering down into the ususal gruff and deep baritone that he usually used.
"Me and my brother went there too. I was taken to an older program, so it wasn't as hard and as crude as the others, but my brother… He went though the worst, The latest ones design specially to create the perfect killer. He passed though." He said in a poignant voice. Noticing the strain in Sub-zero's voice, he swiftly dropped the subject and continue to walk silently beside he ice master.
After hour of silent hiking, they effortlessly reach the peak of a mountain; the ones so high that it practically creates it own snow, much to the elder ninja's discomfort. Scorpion snaps his fingers together to create a tiny flame, a ration to reserved him from the cold nature. Sub-Zero, however, was Cleary enjoying being in his own turf. The older ninja melted the block of snow that Sub-Zero pointed out, revealing an altar filled with inscriptions and runes, some are still readable while the rest of them are either faded or destroyed from the rash wheatear of the mountain.
"This is where the pin point?" The ninja asked, clearly impatient.
"Yes, we must wait until sundown, then the Portkey will activate." He answered, taking out the medallion that Raiden had given him earlier.
"Great." He muttered gratefully, knowing that the sun will set in only a couple of hours away. "And what's a Portkey?" he asked, eyeing the medallion in cation
"It's a transportation device that wizards use to travel. Almost like a portal of realms, but these things could travel though worlds. The only thing is you must know where exactly is your destination. At least that's what Raiden said" he explained.
"Hm.. remarkable yet unbelievable. But if Raiden was wrong and we ended up Netherrealms, I'm blaming and killing you for good ice boy." He playfully glared at the Lin Kuei, who only chuckled uneasily.
Sub-Zero smiled, who could of though that they could be so close in a short time. If only they had known each other from the first place, if only they had grown up together… the possibilities are endless. 'And maybe… just maybe we coul-'
"Kaika, do you want some?" Scorpion snapped him out of his mussing. He held out a cup of steaming rice with chopsticks. In front of them are served a full course traditional Japanese dinner, complete with a warm miso and a small kettle of warm green tea.
"How…did you make all this?" he asked, bewildered out of his mind. The ninja shook his head and pointed to a piece of cloth underneath all the plates and cups. "When you wrap something inside of this, it will shirk to the size to out liking. That way, you can carry everything in you pocket. That's why we, Shirai-Ryu always travel light, because all that we need are reserved right here." He explained.
"Where did you get that bag?" He asked curiously, taking the rice and began eating noting of how good the rice is. "My sister weaved it for me, and she enchanted them at the festival of the moon." He said, smiling at the memory of little Takane smile when she gave it to her brother.
"Sister? Your sister is a shaman?" Sub-Zero asked in mild surprise.
Scorpion shook his head and reply, "Every Shirai-Ryu women's magic awakened at age nine, so it's every obligation of the mothers to take care things like this for every son that her family had. But my mother died in a mission, so my sister made them for me as a gift after I've been accepted to the ninja school." he explained.
"Hm… Interesting…So every male have magic too?"
"No, only they who can wield magic become out shaman or master ninja. Besides, we are not like those wizards and witches, because we harness the power of nature. Just like you harness the ice, I control the fire. But it is just a portion of our power, or is it?" he shot back, challenge evident in his voice in his voice.
"Oh? Whatever do you mean?" Kaika answer with a question of his own, yet in their eyes shared a common secret. "Oh, and I must say your cooking is really not bad. Perhaps you can make dinner for me afterwards, what do you say?" he asked, nudging him on the ribs suggestively.
"I'd say don't push your luck kid." He glared back while munching on his rice, making the younger one chuckle in amusement.
They chatted for awhile before Scorpion realized that the shadows are getting longer. He quickly packed up and shove bottle of potion into his companion's hands.
"What is this?" the ice master asked confusedly.
"Drink it, it's a potion that I made last night. I assume we are ging to travel to places where we must learn their languages. It seems that I was right. I assume you don't know English? Then drink it." He explained, hands full of dishes that he quickly washed with the snow. Sub-Zero eyed the potion warily and eyes glazed over to Scorpion. He took out the medallion that Raiden gave to him.
Scorpion scrawled at him seeing he still hesitates to drink it. "Kaika!" He sanpped at the young ice master, who look at him with the medallion in hand and the bottle of potion that he just gave. Irritated beyond belief Scorpion grabs the potion and emptied the bottle, before putting their mouth together and gave Sub-Zero half the liquid into his mouth.
Before the two of them know what had happened, they felt a strange pulling feeling at their navel as they were jerked off the ground. Seconds later they landed hard on a wooden floor, the older ninja atop of the other one, lips still close but not touching. They heard a chough from above them, and in instant, both of ninja were on their feet. Ready in their fighting stance and weapons. They were greeted with the sights of a very old man, with beard longer than Shujinko's. The other is a black haired man, with greasy hair and a nose to big for his face. The other seems to be a scrawny teen, with untamed black hair, and a lighting bolt scar on his forehead.
Then the old man began to speak, "Masters Sub-Zero and Scorpion I presume?"