For my readers in the US: Hope you're enjoying Winter.
For my readers downunder: (Olaf cheers) : "Summer!"
So Anna and Kristoff have finally washed up on the shores of Storybrooke to be reunited with Elsa! – and not at the most fortunate time…
TRIVIA TIME: Season 4 of Once is being directed by Mario Van Peebles, who starred as Kane, the villain in Highlander III: The Sorcerer alongside Christopher Lambert, who played Raiden in the live-action Mortal Kombat!
Furthermore, Mortal Kombat: Conquest was shot at Disney Studios in Florida.
Small world, eh?
In answer to reviews:
I don't want to give away too many spoilers just after a cliffhanger, but suffice to say – there will certainly be a Cyber Sub-Zero, though it won't be either Kuai or Elsa. There is still one other character who could put on the armor…
#SHATTEREDSIGHT
KnightofCelestia – They certainly will fight. bwahaha!
Pan – That certainly is possible since if we remember Sheeva's MK9 ending, the Shokan move to Earth (Australia to be specific. As if there weren't enough problems with immigration policy!) .
Otherwise, the Shokan are definitely making an appearance in Storybrooke (the fight scene I have in mind will be like MMA on steroids)
.
Mortal Kombat is property of Netherrealm Studios and WB.
Once Upon a Time is property of Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis.
CHAPTER 12: "Homecoming"
You built your walls real high
Nobody else dares to climb
But I'm a work my fingers to the bone
All the way to your throne
Catch every arrow in my shield
If it brings you to me
Not in it for the honour
For you I swear I'm gonna
Run through a thousand burning fields
And nothing can stop me
Not in it for the glory
I just hope you're waiting for meNever gonna give up
I won't let nobody harm ya
I'm a fight for your love
Like a gladiator
- Dami Im
.
STORYBROOKE TOWN HALL
"Elsa!"
The scream brought Raiden back to his senses, but he was even more surprised when Anna grabbed him by the collar and spun him so they were face to face.
"You listen to me you son of a bitch," Anna glared, "that is my sister being tortured. And you put her there amongst that gang of psycopaths!" She let go of him. "If you really are Earthrealm's protector, then do something."
She turned on her heel and began to storm out. "This 'tournament' is nothing more than glorified decimation!"
Kristoff ran after her. "Anna!"
Raiden sighed. "Let her go. She is right." He stepped closer to the TV screen, scanning for clues behind the macabre scene everyone could see.
"Raiden, what is it?" Liu asked.
Raiden's eye's were fixed on Sektor. "He's running on AC wiring…" His eyes started to glow bright white. "Elsa, Sub-Zero - If you really are the children of the Niflheim, then please make this work."
.
THE LIN KUEI HEADQUARTERS
Elsa struggled against the restraints. The robotic arms holding scalpels and drills were inching loser and closer to her face. She looked out the corner of her eye – a circular saw already started to cut into Kuai's skull just above the brow.
"Kuai!"
He let out a scream as the saw pierced the bone. It would only be seconds before his brain tissue would be exposed.
A thousand thoughts raced through Elsa's mind:
"Because the first kill is forever…"
"Your attacks are both linear and circular,"
"The descendants of the hybrids… And the rightful custodians of the Lin Kuei,"
She saw something flicker near the wall – a breaker panel!
"The pure-blood Niflheim didn't just master the cold, they could have complete control of electromagnetism at the quantum level," Elsa remembered.
I may only be a hybrid, but I've got no other choice. So here goes.
"Her core temperature is decreasing! She's freezing herself!" the chief surgeon shouted.
"What does she think she's doing?" Cyrax growled.
"EEG is off the chart!" the chief surgeon declared. "Body temperature is now minus two-fifty and dropping!"
Elsa's body up to her neck was now completely covered in a thin sheet of ice.
"I have news for you, Sektor," she said in Frost's raspy voice. "You are not the master of the Lin Kuei..."
The EEG suddenly flatlined.
"…I am!
"
The surgeon's jaw dropped. "Oh shi-"
The magnetic blast ripped through the lab, sending sparks flying and knocking back Sektor and Cyrax, leaving them on the ground while their mechanical bodies twitched and convulsed.
"Arrrgh!" Sektor wheezed.
The medical equipment shut down, allowing Elsa and Kuai's restraints to release them.
"Kuai," Frost said.
"Elsa…" he moaned.
"Don't move," Elsa said. A deep cut ran from Kuai's forehead down to the brow, just mussing the eye by a millimetre. "This will sting just a little."
She rang her finger down the cut, replacing the missing flesh and bone with ice.
"Please don't hurt me!" one of the doctors pleaded.
"You aided them," Frost threatened. "Release the initiates!"
The holding cells opened as Smoke and the initiates – thirty in number ranging from young children through to teenagers – stepped out.
"Nice move," Smoke said.
"It doesn't have a name yet," Frost said. "We need our gear and weapons. We're getting out of here."
"I'll get them. Meet me at the hanger," Smoke replied as his body dissipated into a cloud and slipped out of the room.
Frost turned to the doctors. "Which one of you is the MEDIVAC?"
"I am," one of terrified surgeons said.
"Good. I need you to pilot the Osprey."
"Elsa," Kuai started. "You said-"
"I wasn't joking," she turned to the initiates who were wondering the same question. "It was the Cryomancers who founded the Lin Kuei, having combined the teachings of the Niflheim with their own martial arts. By right of lineage, we are your masters whether Sektor says so or not! If any of you wish to challenge me, do so now!"
The initiates only stared at her in silence. Finally one of the teenagers, a boy, stepped forward.
"We are with you, Queen-Master!"
"More stealthful than the night, more deadly than the dawn!" the initiates declared. They then saluted her: "Silent as snow, fierce as a blizzard, brutal as winter!"
Frost raised her fist in acknowledgement. "Those who oppose us shall know what it means to beware the frozen heart!"
.
STORYBROOKE TOWN HALL
"Did you see that?" Emma asked.
"I did," Jax said. "Some kind of EMP?"
Mary-Margaret shook her head. "Now that is a new one."
"Not exactly," Raiden grinned. "Old science, new trick."
There was the sound of Sektor letting out a scream before the screen went black.
"Did she?" Emma started.
"We can only hope…" Raiden finished.
The TV came back on, displaying the Emergency Broadcast System.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the President of the United States."
The President's face appeared on the screen. His featured worried and brooding.
"This evening, all systems connected to ENCOM OS 14 were victims of a cyber-attack intended to broadcast a threat to the World population. Let me make it clear: the threat is real. These 'fairy-tale characters' are what stand between us and a fullscale alien invasion. Right now our military forces are being mobilised to Maine. For those in the immediate area, you are encouraged to evacuate in an orderly fashion. For the residents of Storybrooke, know that the world stands with you, but we do recognize the reality of the situation. Godspeed."
Mary-Margaret scowled at the TV. "What does he mean?"
"Unless Shao Kahn launches a full-scale attack," Sonya translated, "all we can do is wait."
An air-raid siren sounded from the town centre.
"That's a portal alert!" Sonya said. "Let's move people, you know the drill!"
.
THE LIN KUEI HEADQUARTERS
Sektor struggled to get back to his feet. He pressed a series of buttons on his right arm, activating the backup battery. As his armor came back online, he scanned the lab to find that it was completely obliterated and everyone had escaped.
Cyrax also got to his feet, albeit with greater struggle.
"How many Tekunin survived the procedure?"
"Fifty among the acolytes and masters. We are still yet to configure the software and install the munitions-"
"Bring them online!"
.
Reaching the hanger, Frost, Kuai and the initiates were greeted by Smoke who materialised in front of them, dropping a whole armory of weapons – swords, spears, staffs – at his feet. He immediately started handing them out to the students.
"These might help," he handed Frost her kodachi and Kuai Bi-Han's miao-dao. "Luckily Sektor didn't get this either." He produced the backpack containing the Admiral Erda's armor and the Dragon Medallion.
"You are a lifesaver," Frost said. She turned to the MEDIVAC. "You, get Osprey up and running."
"Where are we going?"
"I don't care, just get us airborne!"
"I'll seal the door," Kuai said, sending an iceblast at the hangar entrance. "That should buy us some time."
.
Tekunin cyborgs, led by the rapidly moving Sektor and Cyrax, stormed through the corridors of the Lin Kuei headquarters. Their march quickened as they rushed in the direction of the low whine coming from helicopter rotors. Sektor's body tensed slightly as, reaching the end of the corridor , he saw that the entrance to hanger was blocked by ice.
"You will not escape me, Kuai Liang!" he roared as he assaulted the door with a rapid series of punches until it shattered. The sound of rotors filled his mechanical ears as he saw the Osprey rise into the air above.
"Storybrooke is no longer a secret. I will find you!"
.
STORYBROOKE MINES
At the entrance to the mines, a dozen soldiers stood in position, rifles aimed at the torrent of energy swirling in front of them.
"What have we got?" Sonya asked.
"Two contacts incoming," a corporal replied. "Signature doesn't match Outworld."
"Could be one of ours from the Enchanted Forest," Emma offered, drawing her own pistol.
"Let's stay sharp," Jax answered. "Hold your fire until we get a clear visual and I give the word."
Two small figures emerged.
"FREEZE!" Jax bellowed.
"I am frozen!" one of them replied.
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS AND GET ON THE GROUND WITH YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!"
"We're unarmed! Don't shoot!"
Sonya stepped forward. She couldn't believe her eyes once she got a clear look at the two beings – one made of stone, the other ice.
"Everyone stand down," Jax said.
"You're Kristoff's grandfather," Emma said to the troll.
"And I'm Olaf," the small snow man said, approaching her and wrapping his arms around her legs, "and I like warm hugs!"
"…I'm sure sure you do," Emma answered awkwardly.
"I must speak with Raiden," Pabbie said urgently. "Sindel has returned."
.
SOMEWHERE IN MONGOLIA
"How much fuel do we have?" Smoke asked.
"Enough to make it to Tokyo," the MEDIVAC answered.
"Head in that direction," Kuai ordered.
"Why Tokyo?" Frost asked.
"Japan still has US Military bases," Kuai answered. "Does this thing have SATCOM access?"
"Who are we calling?" the MEDIVAC asked.
"Let's start with the Pentagon."
One of the initiates, a little girl, tugged on Frost's leg. "Are we going to America?"
"We sure are, sweetheart," Frost answered. She snapped her fingers and her mask dissipated, her short blue hair back to blonde.
"Does that mean we will have to fight?" the little girl asked.
Elsa looked out at the initiates – they were frightened, tired and weary.
So much like myself at their age.
"Yes," Elsa said simply. "You have accepted me as your ruler and master, yet I will give this promise – I will never ask any one of you to do something that I myself will or can't do if given the choice."
She slumped against the cabin bulkhead, and within seconds lost consciousness.
"Elsa!" Kuai yelled from the cockpit.
"She'll be fine Kuai," Smoke said. "She's just taken her powers to a new level she never thought possible. No doubt she's exhausted. Let her rest."
.
.
STORBROOKE MINE
Raiden materialised before the two Arendellians.
"Pabbie, it is good to see you again" Raiden bent down and extended his hand to the troll shaman.
"It's good to see you too, old friend," Pabbie replied. "The vision…"
"I know," Raiden nodded. "Sindel has returned. No doubt Shao Kahn is working with Quan Chi."
"Sindel would never simply hand herself over," Pabbie added. "I suspect that there are darker forces at work."
"You're saying that there's someone other than Shao Kahn pulling the strings?" Sonya asked.
"When it comes to Quan Chi," Pabbie said, "he never chooses to work alone if he can help it. He will either seek to appease someone more powerful, or subjugate someone to co-operate with him."
"Lieutenant!" a Sargent called. "Got someone on SATCOM claiming to be Sub-Zero."
Sonya's eyes went wide. "Put me through!" She put on a pair of headphones. "This is Sonya Blade."
"Lieutenant, this is Kuai Liang… 'Sub-Zero'," Kuai said.
"I'd hate to put it this way," Sonya said, "but last time we saw you and Elsa, you were strapped to an operating table about to get you brains dissected."
"And I still got the scar to prove it," Kuai replied.
"Is Elsa with you?" Sonya asked.
"She's fine, just a little exhausted."
"What the hell happened? The broadcast came from your headquarters didn't it?"
"That's correct, one of our own, Sektor, murdered the grandmaster and launched a coup."
Kuai explained the cyber-initiative, project Naga, the Niflheim spaceship.
"Liang, that is just…" Sonya trailed off.
"It gets better," Kuai continued, "It's obvious that Sektor has been dipping his hand in the Nikkei Index by networking with various technology firms. The software for the Cyber-Initiative was written by the one behind the broadcast: Edward Dillinger."
"ENCOM," Sonya sighed. "He's been using backdoors to every device with OS 14. Listen, where are you now?"
"We're in a V-22 Osprey about fourteen-hundred clicks Northwest of Vladivostok. We're currently on course to Japan where we'll refuel and head to America."
"I don't think the Japanese will be that keen on a Chinese aircraft entering their airspace. How many of you are there?"
"Thirty-three, including children."
"Ma'am," the Sargent offered. "Forgive me for overhearing. But the USS Nimitz is on patrol in the Sea of Japan."
"Good call," Sonya replied. "Liang, we'll send you the co-ordinates."
"Acknowledged," Kuai said. "Over and out."
STORYBROOKE TOWN HALL
7:00AM, DECEMBER 24
At the break of dawn, the town of Storybrooke was awoken by the sound of "Reveille" being played from the nearby National Guard barracks.
Mary-Margaret stepped into the hall on her way to the Mayor's office, only to see Sonya, Kitana and Anna sitting in front of the TV screens watching the news.
"You three have been here all night?" Mary-Margaret.
"I would have thought that the world discovering fairy tales are real would have brought some happiness," Sonya shook her head. "Instead the world is falling apart."
"I've lived long enough to see civilisations rise and fall," Kitana said. "Death is even more tragic when it's even preceded by despair."
"We're not going to make it, are we?" Anna said. "Humanity, I mean. You can't just drop a bombshell like that and spend the rest of your life living as though it doesn't change anything."
"I know it sounds inappropriate," Mary-Margaret started, "but it's still Christmas. I'm not sure if you've made any plans…"
Sonya allowed a smile. "Johnny and I will be catching up with the Earthrealm fighters we have a lot discuss."
"I've never celebrated 'Christmas' before. By the way," Kitana pressed, "are you two…"
Sonya blushed. "It's nothing official yet. Our lines of work make a relationship complicated."
"Anna," Mary-Margaret offered, "David and I were planning on having dinner with Emma and Henry. You and Kristoff are more than welcome to join us."
"Thanks, I'd like that," Anna said.
The three were interrupted as Jax's voice came through Sonya's radio.
"Sonya, do you read?"
"Jax, I copy," Sonya replied.
"Got some good news: USS Nimitz just picked up 'Snowbird 1'. They're on their way to San Diego with Sub-Zero and Frost in tow."
"'Frost'?!" Sonya frowned.
Jax cleared his throat. "Elsa. That's what her followers are calling her."
"She has followers?" Anna exclaimed.
"Acknowledged, Jax," Sonya switched off her radio. "They're calling her 'Frost'?"
"When she said that she was going to China to learn how to control her powers, she forgot to mention anything about evil cyborgs," Anna said. "Much less taking control of the Lin Kuei and bringing a – what do you call a group of ninjas? A platoon? A coven? Whatever it is – home with her!"
"Anna!" Mary-Margaret said. "What's important is that she's coming home."
.
RESIDENCE OF EDWARD DILLINGER JR.
LOS ALTOS HILLS, SANTA CLARA COUNTY
10:30AM EST
A FBI SWAT truck stopped outside the driveway of the 66000-square foot Silicon Valley mansion.
"Let's go people!" Kurtis Stryker yelled.
"So is this a raid or a 'High-Risk arrest'?" asked his partner, Kabal.
"Here's what we know for sure," Stryker said. "We all saw the broadcast. US Army Intelligence received a tip-off last night saying that it was achieved by a hack within ENCOM OS 14 that only the chief software engineers could have done. We have to capture Dillenger alive for questioning."
The Squad advanced forward to the front door. Kabal redied the battering ram – only to find that they door was already open.
"Maybe we should have knocked first?" Stryker said.
"Open doors are never a good sign," Kabal replied.
The squad spread out. The mansion, while massive and extravagant from outside, was rather Spartan internally – basic masonry combined with quasi-Japanase architecture.
"What kind of fortune-500 exec designs their home like a Japanese castle?" one of the team members asked.
"The kind that apparently hangs out with ninjas," another replied.
"Heartbeat sensor is picking movement on the second floor," Kabal said.
"Spread out," Stryker said. "He's probably holed up in the study."
They ascended the stairs. The upper level was like a stereotypical gamer's bachelor pad: an unmade bed, books stacked to the ceiling, half a dozen laptops and consoles all plugged into a single plasma TV.
"Kabal," Stryker gestured towards the door to the study. "On three."
One… two…
"FBI! Get on the ground-"
"Death, is the only way out," a mechanical voice said.
Cyrax stood over the body of Edward Dillinger, a gloved robotic hand covered in gore.
"What the hell…" Kabal gasped.
"He has outlived his usefulness," Cyrax stated simply. "As have you." From 'his' chest popped out a small golden ball. As soon as it hit the ground it started to blink.
"Bomb!"
.
* * *
STORYBROOKE, MAINE
4:00PM
To the casual onlooker, it would have looked like any other school bus filled with kids and a few teachers. Only that this was made of bulletproof armour and had six axles instead of two.
The APC rolled in front of the National Guard barracks where Sonya and Jax, both in full uniform, were waiting. The rear door opened, and thirty youths stepped out, followed by two familiar adults and an older looking man with grey hair.
"Queen Elsa, Kuai Liang," Jax addressed.
"Major," Elsa answered.
"I take it your training went well, Frost?" Sonya asked as though she were giving a new recruit a dress-down. Elsa did indeed look like a soldier who came in straight from battle rather than a "princess fair": her willowy build was now lean and strong, her once-slender hands hard and callused.
"In the time she was with us, she has proven to be a near-prodigy, that and her powers played a hand in it," the grey haired ninja replied. "Excuse my manners, I am Tomas Vrbada. These two are my pupils."
"And these young people?" Sonya asked.
"Our surviving initiates," Kuai replied. "Most of them had parents and older siblings who were either killed in the coup or assimilated to become cyborgs."
Sonya noted their age. "Some of them are just children!"
Kuai stepped forward. "Lieutenant, they have nowhere else to go. They're as much a part of this battle of we are."
Sonya gave a nod. "I'm sure we can arrange barracks."
"Major, Kuai asked. "The intel I gave-"
"Our Asian OIA bureau is in China checking out the starship location as well as the Lin Kuei headquarters. Looks like Sektor and Cyrax decided to pack up and move."
"They'll be coming here," Elsa said. "They're in league with-"
"Shao Kahn?" Sonya finished. "The FBI attempted a raid on Edward Dillinger's house this morning. Dilinger and the squad were killed in an explosion."
"I'd say that fits Cyrax's M.O.," Kuai commented.
"I'm sure we can do a full debrief later," Jax said. "No doubt you two want to see Anna and Kristoff. Do you want us to call ahead and let them know you've arrived?"
Elsa thought about it for a second. "…No. Let's surprise her. Smoke?"
"You two go on ahead," Tomas replied. "I'll make sure the kids get settled in."
GOLD'S PAWNBROKER
Liu Kang entered the old pawn shop to see Belle working behind the counter.
"You must be Liu Kang," she said. "You'll find Rumple in the office."
"Thankyou," Liu answered politely.
Stepping towards, the office, he saw Gold sitting behind the desk.
"Ah, the champion of the tenth tournament," Gold greeted, coming around the desk.
"I know about your history as the 'Dark One', how you used to work with Outworld and Shang Tsung," Liu said.
"Yes, about that," Gold said. "Shang Tsung and I were once close friends."
Liu cocked an eyebrow. "'Were'?"
Gold nodded. "One thing you'll quickly learn about fairy tale characters is that old relationships have their way of catching up with you in unwanted ways." He took a deep sigh. "I need you to tell me how you defeated Shang Tsung..."
.
BJORGMAN RESIDENCE
"So here we are," Elsa said.
"Looks cozy," Kuai said.
Anna and Kristoff's home consisted of a two bedroom townhouse with a large backyard for Sven to run around. As they approached, they could hear rock music blasting out from the yard:
I am immortal, I have inside me blood of kings,
I have no rival, No man can be my equal,
Take me to the future of your world,
Born to be kings, Princes of the universe,
Fighting and free, Got your world in my hand,
I'm here for your love and I'll make my stand,
We were born to be princes of the universe,
No man could understand. My power is in my own hand,
People talk about you,
People say you've had your day,
I'm a man that will go far,
Fly the moon and reach for the stars,
With my sword and head held high,
Got to pass the test first time!
"Kristoff is a fan of Freddy Mercury?" Kuai asked.
Elsa rolled her eyes. "Anna's doing a training session. Follow me."
The sneaked along the fence until they got a clear view of the yard. Elsa peeked over to see Anna training with – Henry Mills.
The boy had grown in the past six months. He had to be fifteen by now; no longer slight, he was now as tall as Anna and athletically built. The two were dressed in fencing gear, both practicing Epee drills.
"Remember, knees slightly bent, keep your weight even on both feet," Anna instructed. Now go for parry – then cut. Parry, cut, parry, thrust! Lunge – and back, cut, parry."
Anna and Henry turned to face each other, raising their swords to salute.
"En garde!" Anna called.
Henry sung a lateral cut at Anna's shoulder. She blocked hard, bringing her sword down before spinning and thrusting her blade at Henry's head. The boy lunged back, enveloping Anna Epee with his own and disarming her.
"Excellent!" Anna praised.
"I guess it runs in the family," Henry said.
Anna picked up her sword. "Let's go again."
They both raised their swords, only for them to be knocked out of their hands as a sharp, whistling noise shot through the air. Anna and Henry both looked down at their swords.
"What the-?"
Snowflake star knives?!
"You know, for someone who's taught three combined generations how to fight, you would think they would know better than to always keep telegraphing their moves," a familiar voice said.
"Show yourself!" Anna demanded. She scanned the backyard – no one was there except herself and Henry.
POOF!
A cloud of smoke appeared next to them, and out emerged a tall ninja brandishing a massive cavalry sword.
"Princess Anna," he said menacingly. "Your Angel of Death has come for you…"
"Henry, run!"
Anna turned to flee, only to bump into another ninja.
"Surprise!" Elsa said.
"Elsa!" Anna gasped.
The two sisters embraced.
"When I saw the broadcast, I thought those cyborgs were going to cut your brains out," Anna said.
"They nearly did," the other ninja said, removing his mask.
"Kuai Liang," Anna said, approaching to give a sisterly embrace. "I take it the first date went well? Wait - what is with that scar!?"
"A permanent reminder of the past couple days," Kuai said. He turned to Henry. "Nice moves."
"Thanks, the boy replied.
"Hows your mom? Elsa asked.
"If you're referring to Emma, she's been busy," Henry answered. "If you're talking about Regina, she's number one on Outworld's hit list."
Kristoff emerged from the back door. "Elsa!"
Elsa threw her arms around her brother in-law.
"Nice haircut," Kristoff said. "Listen, the Nolans have invited us over for Christmas dinner. I'm sure they'd be excited if you came with us."
"It would be our pleasure," Elsa said.
"We've got a lot to talk about about," Kuai said.
"Speaking of which… " Anna started.
Kristoff gestured towards Henry and Kuai. "I could use a hand cooking the ham."
Once the two sisters were alone, Anna leaned close to Elsa.
"So what's this about you having your own gang of child assassins under your command?"
"I had no choice, Anna," Elsa replied. "What Sektor was planning…"
"Sektor? Anna frowned. "That red Darth Vader wannabe?"
Elsa snickered. "He makes Hans look like a puppy."
"We'll know soon enough. So, about you and Kuai…"
"What about…?"
"You plan on him staying with us, right?"
"Is that a problem?"
"No, I mean, I did hook you two guys up after all."
"Which worked out fine."
"So is that sword an engagement present?"
"What?! We are not engaged!"
"Elsa, there's only two bedrooms in this house, so either he takes the couch, or you two-"
"Anna!"
"Even though Mama and Papa kept us apart as kids, they still gave me 'the talk'."
"And I got it before you did!"
"-I got married first."
"Not before you accepted a proposal on the first date."
"That's a low blow coming from you, Elsa," Anna said before kissing her sister on the cheek. "I'm happy for you two."
"So you approve of us…?"
"Just try not to make too much noise during the night."
.
THE BLANCHARD APARTMENT
6:00PM
"So run this by us again," Mary-Margaret said.
"Your powers aren't the result of magic," Emma continued.
"They're natural," David added. "Because your bloodlines are part…"
"…alien?" Henry finished.
"Is it really that hard to believe?" Kuai asked.
"It doesn't explain Aunt Ingrid," Anna said. "She has your powers and could use spells."
"I've been thinking about that," Elsa said. "When the Niflheim made contact with a world, they would try to integrate their science and culture with that of the natives. On Earth, the result was the Lin Kuei through the combination with Asian martial arts. In the Enchanted Forest, the more logical bridge would have been-"
"Magic," Emma said.
Elsa continued: "No doubt Ingrid had access to some form of Niflheim technology which she combined with sorcery techniques."
"What about your escape?" Mary-Margaret asked Elsa.
"It's called the 'Meissner Effect'," Henry said. "We learned about it science class; when a superconductor drops below transition temperature, the magnetic fields around it are expelled."
"You've never done that before," Mary-Margaret said.
"Elsa hasn't," Kristoff said, before pointing at Anna, "but she has…"
.
.
THE OUTSKIRTS OF ARENDELLE
Anna could barely move. Her skin ached as frostbite spread throughout her body. Her hair was now as white as the snow beneath her feet.
She looked ahead to see Hans standing over a kneeling Elsa. Horrified, Anna watched as Hans drew his sword and raised it over her sister's neck. Anna could have sworn she saw him smiling in anticipation.
"Elsa!"
With all the energy she had left, she lunged forward in front of Elsa to block Hans' blow.
"No!"
In that instance, Anna's whole body froze as Hans' sword came down – and completely shattered as an unseen force knocked the prince back.
.
"That's impossible!" Anna exclaimed. "I can accept being descended from space aliens, but you're saying I have powers too?"
Kuai and Elsa stood to their feet.
"Let's find out," Elsa said.
Anna raised her hands. "Wait-"
Kuai unleashed an ice blast at Anna, freezing her from head to toe.
"Are you crazy?!" Mary-Margaret cried.
After a second, Anna twisted and thawed just quickly as she froze.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" She fumed. "That is the stupidest-"
Elsa raised a hand and shot her own flurry at her sister, this one even stronger than Kuai's.
Anna thawed again. Now she was pissed.
"You two are one of the most insane couple I have ever-"
"Anna…" Emma said.
Everyone was staring at the cutlery on the table which was now levitating in mid-air.
"Oh my," Anna's jaw dropped. She reached forward to touch a fork, it only danced away from her hand.
"Just because you can't freeze things doesn't mean you didn't get the rest of the package," Elsa grinned, turning to Kuai, "I think we've just found an equaliser."
"So," Emma said to Elsa. "They call you 'Frost'."
"Show her," Kuai said.
Elsa locked her fingers together and became her Lin Kuei alter-ego, earning a shocked gasp from everyone.
"My God," Mary-Margaret said.
"You honestly look like a Power Ranger on meth," Emma.
"I think she looks awesome," Henry said, beaming at Anna and Elsa.
"I have to agree," Anna said, putting an arm around Frost's shoulder. "Today we're fairytale princesses. Tomorrow we're superheroes."
.
.
THE IMPERIAL CASTLE, OUTWORLD
Like an expectant groom, Shao Kahn waited within his throne room. Rain seated at his side.
After what felt like an eternity, Sindel entered, followed two feminine figures.
"My Queen," Kahn greeted.
"My Emperor," Sindel answered. She approached Kahn and the two embraced in a passionate kiss.
"It has been far too long," Sindel said. "I hope you don't mind, but I brought my own deadly alliance."
Kahn immediately recognized Malificent – the fairy was tall, with a pale, angular face crowned with two horns. Dressed in black from head to foot.
"My Lord," she bowed.
Kahn turned to the other figure – a cyborg. Unlike Sektor and Cyrax, this one was distinctly slender with white metallic plates over black carbon fibres.
"A gift from Sektor?" he asked.
"A token of goodwill and gratitude for your investments," Sindel explained. "His most advanced model combining next generation robotics with cryomancer biology. LK-52O – the Cyber Sub-Zero."
The biomechanical cryomancer kneeled before Kahn.
"My darling, there is no need to be shy, you are among friends," Sindel cooed..
The cyborg rose to 'her' feet, the visor hissing open to reveal a beautiful face with piercing green eyes, the lips curled as though she was always smiling.
"It is an honour to serve, my Lord," Queen Ingrid said.
Sindel gazed at Rain. "I see you have a new protégé," she said to Kahn.
"Prince Rain of Edenia," Kahn said.
Court etiquette would have demanded that the prince rise in honour of the Empress. Instead he just sat there reclining.
"'Rain of Edenia'," Sindel repeated, stepping closer to the purple-clad prince so she could whisper. "We both know that title isn't accurate, is it? I know where you're really from, and what you want."
"At last I shall reveal myself to the surviving cryomancers," Rain said eagerly. "At last I shall have my vengeance and reclaim my honour."
"I trained you well, my young disciple," Kahn said. "Neither Sub-Zero nor Elsa shall be a challenge to you."
"It is Elsa I wish to face in Mortal Kombat," Rain declared. "I intend to break her."
.
A/N:
- The song at the start of the chapter is "Gladiator" by X-Factor Australia winner Dami Im. The music video depicts her as a magical princess trapped in a distant land in search of her sister. Sound familiar?
watch?v=4tGeGEdIVUw
- So the sisters are reunited! And I promised that Cyber Sub-Zero would make an appearance. Hope it didn't disappoint.
- I've heard numerous theories on how Kuai Liang got his signature scar, my favourite being that he got in in his escape from the cyber-initiative.
- Those who've seen the video to Queen's "Princes of the Universe" will spot the pop-culture cross-references.
- With regards to Anna training Henry – I realize that actor Jared Gilmore is growing up on screen, and as of last week's episode of Once he's nearly eye-to-eye with Lana Parilla. To keep him as a child-character would be awkward. I do have a fight scene with him on the drawing board for upcoming.
I'll be taking a writing break over the Xmas period. Otherwise, next chapter: KOMBAT BEGINS!