(insert dance track)
"Choose your Destiny"
"Flawless Victory"
"I will find you!"
"Test Your Might"
MORTAL KOMBAT!
FIGHT!
In response to reviews:
I've seen the early drafts for Elsa's design and yep, she was originally supposed to look and sound terrifying rather than the beautiful Elsa we all know and love from both Disney as well as Georgina Haig in OUAT Season 4.
(Though if you want to really see a "Emo Elsa", you should all watch Channel 7's INXS: Never Tear us Apart, a biopic about Michael Hutchence featuring the lovely Ms Haig as Paula Yates).
I suppose the obvious question last chapter asked was "Is Elsa's training really helping her?" Is she really learning how to control her powers (and in turn, herself) or is it making things worse? And what do the Lin Kuei really have to gain (or lose, bwahaha) from her?
In response to PM:
Is it possible for someone to get a martial arts black belt (or equivalent rank) in the time frame that Elsa is training?
Short answer: no.
In for example, Shotokan Karate, assuming the prospective student trains consistently twice a week and passes each grading, it may take up to 4-6 years to go from 1st kyu (white) up to 1st Dan (black).
As Kuai said, the full Lin Kuei arts take a lifetime to master. In Ch1 he had just finished his own training, and in this fic he's the same age as Elsa.
On the other hand, if you look at Military training, boot camp with the US Marines lasts for 10 weeks – and even then it is considered the longest training programs in the US military – after which they are deemed "combat ready". So I'm assuming the same for Elsa's training; she's receiving training in "the abridged book of ninja fighting". A basic foundation, with supplementary bits and pieces from here and there, and last but not least a major/specialty (Tong Bei).
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Mortal Kombat is property of Netherrealm Studios and WB.
Mortal Kombat Legacy developed by Kevin Tancharoen
Once Upon a Time is property of Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis.
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CHAPTER 7: "Sui Ta Ba"
"If you are not progressing along the true way, a slight twist in the mind can become a major twist. This must be pondered well."
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings
I got my head
but my head is unraveling
Can't keep control
can't keep track of where it's traveling
I got my heart
but my heart's no good
You're the only one that's understood
I come along
but I don't know where you're taking me
I shouldn't go
but you reaching back and shaking me
Turn off the sun
pull the stars from the sky
The more I give to you
the more I die
- Nine Inch Nails
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SOMEWHERE IN KANSAI PREFECTURE, JAPAN.
WINTER, 2011
Hanzo Hasashi ran as fast as he could, trying keep his footing on the melting snow surrounding him. He glanced over his shoulder; no sign of his pursuer, even though he could hear the sound of footsteps getting closer and closer-
WHACK!
Hanzo fell face first onto the snow. He rolled onto his back to face his attacker: a four year old boy holding a bamboo shinai.
"You're mine, daddy!" the boy said.
"Yes, very good Jubei-chan," Hanzo replied. He couldn't help but smile in pride. "But you revealed your feelings. In battle, you must never let your enemies know how you feel or what you are thinking. They will only use it against you."
The boy nodded in understanding, which only made Hanzo's smile grow wider.
"You show much improvement!" Hanzo said.
"Enough to train with the kunai? Or the katana?" Jubei asked.
Hanzo's smile slowly faded from his face. "You are still too young."
"I want to be just like you, Daddy!" Jubei said. "One day, I want to be Grandmaster of the Shirai-Ryu!"
Hanzo let out a sigh. In most clans, shinobi training typically began the moment a child could run on two feet. Hanzo couldn't even remember when his own training started. Yet he deliberately chose not to train Jubei in the same manner.
"As your father, my wish is that you would have the life which you want-"
"But that is what I want to do," Jubei pleaded.
Hanzo thought about it. "Then I will train you myself. And when you are old enough, I will present you to the clan leaders to see if your dedication makes you eligible to join the clan proper. Prove your dedication, and should your heart long for this life in the future, I will try my best to ensure you gain entrance." He rose to his feet.
Jubei bowed. Hanzo returned the bow, still smiling.
Teacher and Student.
Father and Child.
Wolf and Cub.
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THE LIN KUEI HEADQUARTERS, 6:30PM
52 DAYS UNTIL TOURNAMENT
After dinner, Elsa ran back to her quarters. She couldn't wait to tell Anna! She finally got her Black Belt-
1 Message received.
"Who could that be from?" Elsa said to herself as she saw the notification on her tablet. She swiped the screen to bring up her email:
Elsa,
Meet me on the rooftop after dinner?
K.L.
Elsa smiled. Maybe Anna was onto something...
She tossed the tablet onto her bed and rushed up the stairs to the rooftop. It was her first time up here. The view was breathtaking. A clear view of the stars above; below in the valley was the city of Zhu Zin. Kuai sat at the center of the rooftop, a blanket laid out with candles, a fondue set and-
"Chocolate," she said aloud, sitting next to Kuai. "My number one weakness. How on Earth did you find out?"
Kuai gave her a sheepish smile. "Would your number two weakness happen to be a younger sister who talks a lot?"
Anna!
"She put you up to this?!" Elsa's eyes narrowed with mischief.
"…Yeah," Kuai admitted. "She's actually very nice. You're very lucky to have her and Kristoff."
"More than you know," Elsa replied, taking a strawberry and dipping it into the chocolate.
"I have a gift for you to celebrate your 'graduation'", Kuai said. He presented her with an object wrapped in silk linen. "Smoke and I prepared it as soon as we found out you passed the grading and that you were going to specialize in Tong Bei."
Elsa unwrapped it, her blue eyes going wide as she now held a sword in her hands. She unsheathed it: Japanese in design and orientation, the smaller 19-inch blade that of a wakizashi, yet with the 12-inch two-handed hilt of a katana.
A kodachi. The short-sword would allow ample defence against a full-length weapon, while allowing for closer-range techniques in line with what Shujinko had taught her. Yet what caught her eye were the three Mandarin characters engraved onto the base of the blade.
"Sui Ta Ba," Elsa read. "Now you're making fun of me."
"When I was little and my powers started to show, my mother would read to me and Bi-Han the story of the Snow Queen. If I ever got scared of something, I would simply imagine myself with the Snow Queen and her sister in their kingdom, free from whatever was worrying me."
Elsa sheathed the sword. "It's beautiful Kuai."
"Beautiful and deadly, just like the Ice Queen I always imagined meeting."
"Let me know if you meet her. My Aunt Ingrid can be a real pain in the ass," Elsa joked.
That earned her a laugh. "Seriously," Kuai said. "When I first saw you in Storybrooke, I felt like I had stepped into a dream. Knowing that you were actually real…"
Elsa leaned forward and cupped her chin. "Well, you clearly know my story. You're still yet to tell me yours."
Kuai shuffled closer to her and lay on his back. "My father was chinese. Mom was American. My brother and I grew up in San Francisco where mom raised us by herself mainly. Dad was rarely home."
"Your father," Elsa asked. "He was Lin Kuei?"
Kuai nodded. "Bi-Han's abilities started to show when he was twelve; with me I was eight. Mom decided to enroll us in Kara-te lessons just to help us take our minds off our powers, but it only made them stronger. When Bi-Han finished High School, Dad decided to take us to China."
"To start training," Elsa said.
"The decision ended Mom and Dad's marriage," Kuai continued. "My father died just after my twenty-first birthday during a failed mission. When that happened, something in Bi-Han snapped. He became more distant, ruthless…"
He brought the topic back to himself and Elsa. "When he was killed by Scorpion in Mortal Kombat, I thought I was the only cryomancer left."
"Then fate brought us together," Elsa said, the two of them rising to their feet. "Tell me something: what part of my story did you enjoy the most?"
"Bié ràng tā men, jìn lái kàn jiàn," Kuai started.
"Zuò hǎo nǚ hái, jiù xiàng nǐ de cóng qián," Elsa continued.
"Yǐnmán, bù juédé bùyào ràng tāmen zhīdào..."
"Now they know," Elsa finished, wrapping her arms around Kuai as he bent down and pressed his lips against hers.
Sui Ta Ba.
She ran her fingers through his black hair.
This is what it truly feels like.
Love.
"Elsa, I need to tell you: the final test," Kuai warned. "Not everyone makes it out alive."
Elsa only held him tighter as she moved for a second kiss. "We're not everyone."
"I was afraid you would say that," Kuai answered. "It's time to see what you can do."
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KANSAI PREFECTURE, JAPAN.
WINTER, 2011
Hanzo and Jubei returned to their townhouse within the small rural village that had been home to the Shirai-Ryu for nearly six centuries. The isolation allowed the clan to live and train in peace. Visitors were few, but when they came, they were not here for pleasure or tourism.
"Mommy!" Jubei called as he and Hanzo stepped into the dining area of their home. "Daddy said I can be a ninja when I grow up!"
Kana Hasashi shot her husband a chastised glance.
"We'll talk later," Hanzo whispered.
The family sat at the table where Kana distributed lunch. Jubei was about to take a chomp out of a meatball, only to receive a slap on the wrist from his mother.
Jubei placed his hands together and lowered his gaze. "Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu," his parents repeated.
"Have preparations for the Prime Minister's arrival been completed?" Kana asked.
"Nearly," Hanzo replied. "The Kyoto offices can be very busy at this time of year."
"And Jubei," Kana asked. "Are you prepared to sing a song for the Prime Minister?"
"But Mommy," Jubei said. "I do not have time for singing anymore. Ninja do not sing."
"Is that so?" Kana asked, looking at her husband.
"Jubei," Hanzo smiled, "It is a great privelage for Kansai to host the Prime Minister. Now, would you care to honor your mother and I with your gift? As I will surely teach you: practice bears nothing but good fruit."
Jubei stood and began a tune:
Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Do make tomorrow a sunny day
Like the sky in a dream sometime
If it's sunny I'll give you a golden bell
Teru-teru-bozu, teru bozu
Do make tomorrow a sunny day
If you make my wish come true
We'll drink lots of sweet sake
"One day," Kana whispered to Hanzo. "He will learn that his life will not have to include the Shirai Ryu."
"One day," Hanzo replied. Soon.
Jubei's singing was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door. Kana peeked through the window to see a rental car parked outside.
"I'll get it," Hanzo called, opening the door to see a man the same age as himself, dressed in a black uniform with a blue tactical vest. The man was clearly Chinese, save for his piercing blues eyes.
"Bi-han!" Hanzo extended his hand.
The Lin Kuei acolyte shook the Shirai-Ryu sensei's hand in return. "Good to see you too, Hanzo," Bi-han replied.
"We were just having lunch. Please, join us," Hanzo offered.
"I'm afraid I must decline," Bi-Han said politely. "I'm here on behalf of my Grandmaster. He's arranged a meeting between the clan leaders and requests your presence before we all meet with the Prime Minister."
Already? "Give me ten minutes. I'll be right behind you," Hanzo said.
"Take your time," Bi-Han replied. Hanzo went to his room and changed into his uniform: an all-black gi with a gold vest. "Must you go?" Kana asked. "I should be back by tonight," Hanzo replied, kissing his wife. "By tomorrow, this feud between our clans will be over once and for all."
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THE LIN KUEI HEADQUARTERS, 8:30AM
45 DAYS UNTIL TOURNAMENT
"You have far surpassed the expectations of your teachers," the Grandmaster said.
Elsa wore a charcoal-grey acolyte uniform, her new kodachi tucked into her belt at the hip. Under the tunic was a heart rate moniter that registered her pulse. Over her uniform she wore a utility vest containing a knife, smoke pellets, a grappling hook and a grenade.
"I am ready, Master," Elsa said.
"Make your way to the basement level," the Grandmaster instructed. "There is a door with a finger-print scanner. Once it opens, the test will begin. The course is inside an old bomb shelter; a tunnel eight-hundred meters long, divided into four chambers. You are to make your way to the final chamber using any means necessary – including lethal force. Good luck."
Elsa made her way to the basement where she saw a glass door. She placed her index finger on the scanner and counted back from ten.
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"Why does she hesitate?" the Grandmaster asked.
"She's making a calculation," Smoke said.
The two along with Kuai, Sektor and Cyrax were in an observation room adorned with TV screens showing every square meter of the obstacle course.
"Safeties are disengaged," Cyrax said.
"Three… Two… One."
Elsa tossed a smoke pellet into the chamber. The targeting lasers immediately appeared, followed by the signature Rrrrrrrrrr of gattling guns feeding ammunition.
Elsa leaped towards the nearest gun and aimed it at the others. Her hands were barely able to handle the storm of rounds the fired forth.
Live rounds, she frowned.
Elsa guided a stream of fire into the guns' ammo packs. Moments later, in a cloud of fire and smoke, the guns fell silent then collapsed. Checking that the chamber was clear, she sprinted forward.
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"That was new," Cyrax said. "Most people try to dodge the guns rather than camp out and shoot back."
"Next chamber is Project NAGA," Sektor said.
"That was one of your most expensive projects. Sure you want to waste it?" Kuai teased.
"The golden rule of weapons manufacturing," Sektor replied. "A weapon left unused is a useless weapon."
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The second chamber had to be at least as big as a football stadium. It seemed to be empty, except for-
You've got to be kidding me, Elsa thought. Someone seriously plays far too many video games.
NAGA stood just under three stories tall; a cross between a dragon and an armored tank. But instead of arms, it had twin turrets featuring a Gatling gun, a grenade launcher and sidewinder missiles.
"TARGET ACQUIRED," NAGA said.
"Damn!" Elsa ran. There was no place to take cover, and even if there was, there was no chance she would withstand any of the gigantic robot's arsenal. She raised her hands, using her powers to create a solid wall of ice as she had done on the outskirts of Storybrooke.
KA-BOOM!
The explosion of an incoming missile shattered the barrier, forcing shards of ice to fall to the grounds.
Elsa raised another wall, then another and another. She ran through the length of the chamber creating walls of ice at every ten meters. As she ran she could hear NAGA gaining on her.
Stay too far, he'll shoot. Let him get close, he'll stomp me, Elsa thought.
Perfect.
Let's see if you're built for winter.
NAGA crashed through the final barrier. He raised his foot to squash Elsa, only to have her run underneath.
"Come and get me!" Elsa yelled.
By now the floor was covered in shards of ice that was beginning to melt. NAGA turned around to begin pursuit, only to lose traction and slip, his "head" crashing down. Elsa jumped onto his back and drew her kodachi.
NAGA rose and tried to shake her off. Elsa held on tightly. She froze what seemed to be the cover of the onboard CPU and kicked it open with her foot.
"Let's see what makes you tick."
She drove her kodachi into computer, causing NAGA to roar. Sparks flew from NAGA's head until he became limp and collapsed.
"Don't you know?" Elsa said to the fallen robot. "Dragon's are cold blooded, They hibernate in winter. I could have raised my own monster, but this turned out to be more fun."
She made her way to the door at the back of the chamber leading to the third stage. In stark contrast, it was narrow, with a maze of large metal containers lying around. Above was a row of lights dangling from a metal beam that illuminated the whole area.
Elsa heard the distinct sound of someone cycling the bolt of an automatic rifle. Seven people entered via a door on the right. They each had distinct accents: An American, an Australian, Bristish, Russian, Israeli, Japanese and Korean. All uniformed in military fatigues with respective insignia.
A Navy SEAL, SAS, Spetsnaz, IDF, TSG and KPA, Elsa identified. Modern Warfare's most feared, trusted and despised.
"Just one target," the British SAS soldier soldier said.
"Flanking positions," the SEAL added.
Behind them, something whistled from the shadows and the overhead lights shattered, immersing the chamber in darkness. The soldiers jerked around, raising their weapons. The thing that had hit the lamp fell to the ground and the Russian lifted it, trying to see exactly what it was in the darkness-
A Snowflake shuriken?
"Switch to thermal imaging."
"Where is she?" Smoke asked.
"She's in there," Kuai answered.
"She's not showing up on infrared or thermal imaging," Cyrax said before it clicked in his head. "…Oh, right. That's actually pretty clever, she must have seen Predator."
"Sonar motion tracking?" the Grandmaster asked.
The screen showed a layout of the room. The soldiers had huddled closer together. Finally, a PING!
"She's back up against the wall," Sektor said.
A second PING!
"Anyone else in the chamber?" the Grandmaster asked.
"Shouldn't be," Cyrax answered, turning to Kuai. "You taught her your ice-clone move? I thought asking just one Ice Queen out on a date was enough."
Kuai just sat there relaxed. "She added her own spin to it…"
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"There!"
A stream of bullets shattered the frozen clone of Elsa's frame.
"A decoy," the Australian said. "She's got to be around here somewhere…"
TRAMP! TRAMP! TRAMP!
"What the hell?"
"Holy Sh-"
A legion of a dozen frozen decoys were marching towards them, each one holding an icicle sword.
"Shoot! Shoot!"
The room was briefly lit up by quick muzzle flashes, but for every decoy that want went down, another appeared in it's place and kept coming closer.
"Reload!"
"I'm running low, man!"
Click. The floor beneath the soldiers was littered with spent cartridges and magazines.
"She's messing with us!" the Israeli said. As soon as he said it, he screamed as he was sucked into the shadows.
"I don't like this one bit," the British SAS trooper said. "Where are you?!"
He heard a whisper in his ear: "Right here."
The SAS trooper turned his head and was looking into a woman's face, inches from his, hanging upside down. Something grabbed him and he was thrown face-first to the ground.
Elsa dropped down next to the Korean. Before the soldier could react, Elsa drove her foot down hard on his kneecap. The trooper screamed as his leg gave out. An uneven strut of bone burst through the wounded man's fatigues. Elsa finished him with a right to his temple.
She saw the SEAL, the Australian and the Japanese. Elsa jumped forward and snapped a side kick toward the Australian, striking him in the groin, crushing the soft organs and breaking his pelvis. Turning to face the Japanese TSG, she whipped around and caught the soldier in the neck, throwing him so hard he left a dent in the nearest wall. The Australian tried in vain to throw a punch; she caught his fist and threw him over her shoulder; turning the wrist so that his arm broke like a twig as he hit the ground.
"There you are!" said the Russian Spetsnaz. The soldier was massive – at least six and a half feet tall, muscular and sinewy. He drew a machete from it's sheath.
"Just you and me, witch!"
Lucky last, Elsa thought, drawing her kodachi. The Russian swung his knife in a vicious cut towards Elsa's head, missing only by a fraction. Elsa felt her hair go loose; she caught a glimpse of her platinum blonde ponytail breaking free from the base of her neck and falling.
"That's it!" Elsa yelled. "No one touches the ponytail!"
The Russian swung the machete again, slow and clumsy. Elsa sprang off her back foot and parried, using her free hand to attack. She launched her entire weight as her Tong Bei strike smashed into the man's wide chin. The Russian's hands came up to keep her at bay; Elsa stepped in, and followed through with a Tiger-Claw to his floating ribs. Bones split.
"Krovozhadnyy ved'ma!"The Russian cursed. "'Bloodthirsty witch'!?"Elsa's eyes narrowed. "I'm the Ice Queen." Three more punches and the Russian stopped moving, his arm, chest, leg and neck twisted at unnatural angles.
She picked up her ponytail off the ground. It took her years to grow to the length and volume it had. She tucked it into her vest; it may come in handy later.
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KANSAI PREFECTURE, JAPAN.
WINTER, 2011
Hanzo drove down the narrow dirt road; Bi-Han's own car directly ahead in front.
Bi-Han's car sped up ahead and disappeared.
"What in the world-" Hanzo said to himself. He was about to accelerate when he saw a lone figure in the middle of the road. He slammed the breaks and honked the horn.
"Hey! Get off the road!"
No answer. The figure stood as still as a statue. Hanzo got out of the car and slowly approached. It was a man, covered head to toe in ice. He must have been dead for at least a day-
The Prime Minister?!
"No…" Hanzo said. But who could…?
Sub-Zero.
The Lin Kuei ninja appeared, wearing his signature blue uniform.
"Bi-Han, you dared kill the Prime Minister? Do you realize what you have done?!" Hanzo demanded.
"A necessary step," Sub-Zero replied flatly.
"My village…"
"Left defenseless," Sub-Zero answered. "And your inferior Shirai-Ryu will finally meet it's end!"
Bi-Han lashed out with a front kick. Hanzo blocked; Shirai-Ryu kempo relied upon keeping oneself balanced on a level surface. If you were on snow or mud, dig your feet in and avoid kicking. This was no problem for a Cryomancer like Bi-Han who darted across the ice like an Olympic skater.
"Come here! " Hanzo shot his rope-dart at Sub-Zero. The weapon lodged itself in Bi-Han's arm. Hanzo pulled hard, snapping his free hand up for a clothesline, sending the Lin Kuei to the ground stunned.
There was no time to spare. Hanzo drove back to the village. Along the way, he saw more frozen bodies.
No…
Reaching the village, he saw houses on fire. Screams could be heard.
"Kana! Jubei!"
Arriving at his house, he kicked the door down. If Bi-Han so much as-
Kana lay on the floor of the dining room, her body covered in ice. Her beautiful face locked in an expression of shock and fear.
He reached Jubei's bedroom. He found the boy still clutching his Shinai. Unlike his mother, he wasn't frozen. His face was bruised and bloodied. Around his neck was a kunai.
He tried to defend himself and his mother as I would have, Hanzo realized. And was punished for trying.
His legs gave way and he collapsed. Everything he had learned and taught about keeping his emotions in check was lost as tears flowed down his face.
"Did I not tell you that your clan was inferior?"
Bi-Han-
A sharp pain shot through Hanzo's abdomen. He looked down to see the blade of a knife plunged deep into his stomach as an excruciating chill quickly spread throughout his whole body. He looked up to see Sub-Zero, staring back at him, friend turned enemy.
"The legacy of the Shirai-Ryu dies with you, Hanzo Hasashi. May you and your family rot in hell!"
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THE LIN KUEI HEADQUARTERS, 8:57AM
Elsa opened the door to the final chamber – a small room the size of her quarters, empty except for a small vent in the low ceiling. She stepped inside, not sure of what to do. Was there something hidden here that she was supposed to recover? Or was it a patience test?
She checked the vent. A cool breeze came down. It was obviously connected to the headquarter's airconditioning system.
"Hello?" She yelled into the opening, suddenly realizing the mistake she had made. Epic fail, Elsa. You just gave away your position to whoever may be watching. The instant she thought this, a thick green mist shot out from the vent into her face.
Gas!
She tried to cover her mouth, only to end up coughing. The room started to spin and her head throbbed in pain.
Get out of here.
She dashed back to the door, opening it wide and leaping out back into-
The Arendelle Royal Castle?
Elsa found herself standing in the ballroom of her former home. Through the windows, the Northern Lights danced across the sky.
"This can't be real…" A dozen thought's raced through her head. A dream? An interdimensional portal? A hologram?
The door leading to the living chambers creaked open and two small figures creeped in.
"Oh God…" Elsa gasped. It was herself and Anna, aged eight and four.
"Do the magic! Do the Magic!" little Anna said.
Snow flakes dropped high from the ceiling.
"This is amazing!" the red-haired toddler cheered.
"Watch this!" the older sister stomped on the floor, a layer of ice forming to turn it into an impromptu skating rink.
Young Elsa rolled her hands and formed a snowball that grew into a humanoid shape. " 'Hi, I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs!' "
Little Anna threw her arms around the snowman. "I love you, Olaf!"
Elsa knew what came next in what seemed to be a harmless game. She ran forward towards the two little girls, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
The two girls were completely oblivious to the adult Elsa as hills of snow sprang up and little Anna jumped from one to the next.
"Anna, slow down!"
"Catch me!"
"You don't know what you're doing!" Elsa yelled at her younger self as a stray ice blast shot up towards Anna's small body.
"No!" She jumped up to block the blast with her own body, but it was too late. Anna's head was struck and her body fell limp onto the icy floor.
The King and Queen burst into the hall to find their young daughters huddled in the icy landscape.
"Elsa, this is getting out of hand!" the King said.
"I'm sorry!" young Elsa cried, "We were just playing. I didn't mean it!"
"Papa! Mama! I can control my powers! I can save her! Why won't you listen to me!"
The King and Queen gathered the children and whisked them away from the hall. Elsa felt compelled to follow, running towards the doors that opened to reveal-
Her Ice castle.
"This can't be real," Elsa reasoned. "This isn't happening!"
Her thoughts were halted when she heard a familiar voice singing:
When I met you in the summer
To my heartbeat sound
We fell in love
As the leaves turned brown
And we could be together baby
As long as skies are blue
You act so innocent now
But you lied so soon
"Olaf?"
The little snowman came into view. "What about yellow? No, not yellow. Yellow and Snow? Brrrr. Don't go together. How about red? Actually red snow is kinda scary – Elsa? Elsa! Do you like red snow, Elsa?"
"Olaf, you're not supposed to be here," Elsa said.
"But, I've always been here," Olaf replied.
"What are you talking about?" Elsa asked. "Olaf, is this part of the test? Is there something I need to do?"
Elsa was shocked as 'Olaf' transformed from his small, innocent self to the massive "marshmellow" monster she had created.
"You… We…," the monster growled. "Are One…"
"What?!" Elsa frowned.
The monster disappeared. In it's place stood a slender, feminine figure dressed in a scarlet bandit's tunic and matching breeches, her face and identity concealed by a cowl and veil, leaving only a pair of teal eyes glaring. From a belt hung a dagger and a bastard sword. The outfit didn't look like anything worn by the Lin Kuei, but rather that of a common thug from the Enchanted Forest.
Elsa gripped the hilt of her kodachi. "Who are you?"
The bandit unsheathed her own weapons and pounced. Elsa dodged, simultaneously drawing her blade and cutting. The bandit parried hard; despite her smaller frame and size, she wielded the heavy bastard sword in her right hand with the dagger in the left with an unnatural dexterity. Unlike conventional fencers, Elsa noticed, this bandit kept her head down, stance low.
Elsa struck again with a two-handed cut aiming for the collarbone; the bandit merely ducked and tumbled out of the way before springing back to her feet with a series of rapid thrusts. Despite Elsa's attempts, there was simply no opening. She had only studied kendo for six months; this person moved with the speed and precision of an expert maestro.
The low stance, cautious footwork and tumbling, Elsa noticed. There was something eerily familiar about the way this person moved-
No, that's impossible…
This person could have only been trained in Arendelle.
"It's time to end this!" the Bandit taunted.
"Do your worst!" Elsa shot back.
The bandit brought her straight blade down—then, when Elsa stepped to block, the bandit feinted and cut low. Elsa countered and thrust forward at her opponent's centre line, letting the tip of her kodachi pierce the jugular vein and exit via the base of the skull; an instant kill. She reached forward and pulled off the bandit's cowl-
"Anna?!"
Anna's body collapsed into Elsa's arms as she dropped her kodachi.
"What have I done!"
All of the training, all of the harsh discipline, the friendship with Kuai, Serena and Tomas; all so that she and her own sister could duel to the death?
What have I become?
She took one final look at her sister as tears streamed down her face.
Killer.
She felt like ripping herself apart.
Monster.
"I came here to learn how to protect you…"
She picked up her sword. She undid her vest and took off her tunic, positioning the tip of the kodachi over her abdomen in the direction of her own heart.
"Oh Anna, forgive me…"
.
KANSAI PREFECTURE, JAPAN.
WINTER, 2011
"You witnessed the death of your wife and child. Your code demands blood for blood."
Hanzo's body stood frozen, his face unmoving. The person standing over him leaned closer; his eyes dark as night, skin alabaster white; a tattoo covering the right of his bald head.
His hunger for vengeance will cloud his honed sense of logic and reason.
"I come with an offer of redemption," Quan Chi said gently, placing his hands on Hanzo's shoulders.
"Fight for me... For the netherrealm, at the final Mortal Kombat... And in return, I promise to help you find Sub-Zero. You can avenge your brothers, and you will find peace for what he did to Kana and Jubei..."
He pressed his cheek against Hanzo's and whispered into his ear. "Can you do that for me, Master Hasashi?"
Hanzo's body thawed as flames engulfed his skull.
"My name… is SCORPION!"
.
.
"Elsa? Elsa, can you hear me?"
"She's coming around, Kuai."
Elsa's eyes flew open and she let out a scream. "Olaf! Anna!" She was back in her quarters, laying on her bed. She reached under her tunic – no cut. She looked up to see Smoke and Kuai.
"The test… it wasn't real?" she gasped.
"If you're referring to destroying the gattling gun array, turning Project NAGA into a scrap heap and taking down a group of hired mercs, then yes it was real," Kuai answered.
"The gas…?"
"A psychotropic hallucinogen based on a plant native to the Himalayas," Smoke explained. "The drug is derived from it's flower perfume. The hallucinations typically take the form of Freudian archetypes associated with your instincts, your values and your fears."
"But why?" Elsa demanded.
"Elsa, there are those in Outworld like Shang Tsung who have the ability to shapeshift. Others like Quan Chi from the Netherrealm can actually employ mind control. When either happens, it is important that your training does not falter but allows you to engage."
"How long was I out?" Elsa asked.
"You went into the final chamber around nine a.m.," Kuai answered. "I pulled you out five minutes later and brought you here. It's now six in the evening."
Elsa smiled. "And you've been here ever since?"
Kuai bent down and kissed her forehead. "Where else would I be?" He ran his hand through her hair. "The new haircut suits you. It's cute."
"My sword?"
Kuai pointed to the footlocker. Her ponytail had been wrapped around the sheath to form a sageo cord.
Elsa looked at Smoke. "So… did I pass?"
"In terms of required competancies, you passed with flying colors." Smoke answered proudly. "As for your… 'psych test', that's for you to decide."
Elsa sighed. "I don't know, Tomas. The things I saw… what I did…"
Smoke pointed to her forehead. "All up here. Now, your Presentation Ceremony is being prepared as we speak. Be sure to make yourself look… royal. It will be your moment."
Breaking martial tradition, Elsa reached forward and hugged Tomas. He returned the gesture, for she had indeed come far.
"Ten minutes. I'll give you two a moment," Smoke said, dismissing himself.
Elsa climbed out of bed and embraced Kuai. "I love you, Kuai Liang."
"I love you too, my Ice Queen," he answered. He looked down at her beautiful face. "You can tell me…"
She rested her head on his chest as she told about seeing Arendelle, reliving her childhood and facing Anna.
"You probably think I'm evil," Elsa said.
"You're not evil, Elsa," Kuai replied.
"When I return to Storybrooke," Elsa started. "…Will you come with me?"
He kissed her passionately. "We're the only two who share our kind of power. I don't want to alone any more than you do."
"So let's do this," Elsa said. She stepped back and snapped her fingers. An icy mist enveloped Elsa's body. When it cleared, she was wearing her light blue gown with it's flowing shawl.
"Wish I could do that," Kuai said.
"You can borrow the dress anytime," Elsa joked.
"Just one adjustment…" Kuai ran his hand through her shortened hair, his powers flattening it out into a straight gel.
"Thankyou, kind sir," Elsa said. They walked hand-in-hand to the main dojo. "So what does the ceremony involve?"
"The Grandmaster will formally welcome you into the clan," Kuai explained. "You will be required to take on a new name."
A new name? Elsa thought. "Like a secret identity?"
They entered the main dojo where everyone of all ranks was gathered. The Grandmaster gestured for Elsa to come forward.
"When you were first brought to us, you were as a storm upon the seas: powerful, yet restless," the Grandmaster said. "Yet in the past few months, you have gone beyond expectations, learning skills that will prove effective in the dark days ahead. Now, tell us your given name."
Elsa lifted her voice. "Queen Elsa of Arendelle; protector of dominion, keeper of royal doctrine and the government thereof."
The Grandmaster continued: "As the inner transformation has been completed, so to the face that is shown to the outside world must change. Ageless, but new. Untried, but deadly. Her approach will be as silent as new-fallen snow. Her attacks, as fierce as a blizzard. Her devastation as brutal as winter's relentless kill. She is… complete. Now, Queen Elsa, by what name shall you be known among us as your fellow clansmen?"
Elsa glanced towards Kuai – Tundra, Sub-Zero – who gave an affirmative nod.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her hands and locked her fingers together. Her blue dress swirled and shifted, turning into a black sleeveless gi with azure trimmings. A blue mask covered the lower half of her face. Her skin which was already fair became white as chalk; her short blonde mane turned into an upswept crown of arctic-blue spikes. Her eyes now gave off a violet glow.
When she finally spoke, it was not in her soft soprano, but a hoarse, raspy whisper.
" 'Queen Elsa' is dead. I am… FROST."
.
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A/N:
- The Hanzo/Scorpion scenes are taken straight from MK: Legacy. As much as I thought Chris Casamassa was a great live action Scorpion, Ian Anthony Dale just has that kind of presence that I felt was appropriate for Scorpion's origin story. Come to think of it, the episode in question did have a similar feel to the flashback scenes in OUAT, don't you think?
Though I thought Quan Chi was downright creepy compared to how he looked in Conquest. Whenever I see Adoni Maropis in the makeup, I honestly can't help but think of Keanu Reeves in Bill and Ted. (Please refer to my other MK fanfic "Melvin" that parodies this).
In the coming chapters, Hanzo is going to learn "the truth", and it will cause all hell to break lose.
- For those who want to know what Elsa's sword looks like: watch?v=Ew-3cmr88TI
Fan's of Rurouni Kenshin will remember the Kodachi as Aoshi's weapon of choice watch?v=jWbldgKDnz8
- It should be obvious what inspired NAGA. If you're an MK fan, I highly recommend Metal Gear: Rising. It is mindblowing!
- Olaf was singing "Summer" by Calvin Harris.
- The appearance and fighting style of "The Bandit" was inspired by the ending cutscene from The Witcher when Geralt (who would make a great OUAT addition) foils the assassination attempt of King Folstice..
watch?v=oo_tyITA40Q
I was honestly taken aback in OUAT S04E02 when we learn that Anna was the one who trained David – and Charming certainly does know how to fight. Let's be honest, in Frozen, she's an adorkable klutz so I thought it was quite a twist that she can be a badass.
- Yep, I had to include "the song" in there as I wanted this chapter to be about Elsa confronting her own demons. If you were to use psychological terms:
a) Her powers are an expression of her id, her natural inclinations (remember, "born with, not cursed")
b) Olaf is childhood fun incarnate; he has no sense of his own mortality as he just wants to give everyone and everything a big warm hug. He is what Elsa could be if she never let fear dominate her so easily.
- I thought it was obvious from the moment I introduced Kuai Liang that I'd pair him with Elsa. Not just because they have similar abilities, but they both bear deep emotional scars.
The way to fix this fixer upper
Is to fix him up with you!
- The Grandmaster's speech is taken from the MK:Conquest episode "Cold Reality". As for Frost, I figured that there is too much of a time gap between the 10th tournament and when Sub-Zero becomes grandmaster for the MK-canon version of Frost to work, so why not have 'Frost' be Elsa once she finally learns to Sui Ta Ba?
I certainly do intend to explore the origins and nature of the Cryomancer race in coming chapters. I do have my own take on it, and will hopefully try to weave Ingrid (Elizabeth Mitchell's character) in as well. If you want a potential spoiler, go to the TED talks website and watch talks/boaz_almog_levitates_a_superconductor?language=en
EDIT: I just watched the previews for OUAT S04E07 - It looks like Emma's own powers are getting stronger and Ingrid (the Snow Queen) is taking her down the same emotional roller-coaster I've taken Elsa through here. Let's hope Emma does come to grip with her own magic, because during the tournament, Storybrooke will need more than just a champion to prevail against Shao Kahn, it will need a SaviorUntil then, please rate and review!