Note: I do not
own Mortal Kombat….you know the routine. Sorry for the delay, but
hopefully these next two chapters make up for it. Also, please don't
be upset by Sonya's and Jax's big jump in rank. Remember, they
are the only ones with experience in regards to other realms in the
military (no 'Stargate' in this story) and they need that rank to
be in charge of the OIA. Also once again please forgive me for
grammar and spelling mistakes. I read over this thing five times and
I know I still missed some. Unfortunately, my beta reader is a
little busy right now due to family matters. Guess I need a new beta
reader…sigh Chapter 20: Frosty Meetings
Kung Lao looked around his room one last time to ensure that he wasn't going to forget anything. The odds of him returning to the temple anytime soon were not good thanks to the Chinese government. Sighing he closed the last bag and wondered how life in the United States would be like. From what Liu described it was both exciting and strange…almost like visiting another world. Last time he traveled to another world or realm he nearly got himself killed.
Kung Lao looked out the window to see himself walking up to Liu Kang. "NO!" Kung Lao yelled as he watched the figure morph into Shang Tsung. Lao ran out the door to help his cousin, but arrived only to watch the sorcerer snap the monk's neck.
"LIU!" the younger monk screamed and then bolted up from bed in a sweat. In the darkness of the room, Lao got out of bed and headed towards a small bowl of water on a small table. Washing away the cold sweat, he waited for the pounding of his heart to subside. "Please…please let it be only bad dream, "Kung Lao silently prayed.
(Scene Change)
"Thank God, "mumbled Sonya as she reached the gates to the ranch house. The trip to and from the airport was hell on Earth thanks to that damn LA traffic. She wasn't sure if she was happy with how Liu insisted she leave her gun behind, but if she had it with her there would have been a few less idiots on the road.
She slammed on the brakes of her hummer when she saw her parents suburban parked next to Johnny's SUV. For a few seconds, Sonya considered going back out. She rather deal the traffic than her parents any day of the week. 'Coward, 'she thought to herself as she parked the hummer and got out.
Sonya opened the door to be greeted by a heavenly aroma coming from the kitchen. Investigating it, she found Althea checking something in the oven as pots on every burner steamed and boiled. Closing the oven, Althea turned and said with humorous smile, "There you are. You better go rescue Johnny before you father decides to pull out the torture devices."
Sonya asked tiredly, "Where are they and why are they here?"
Althea checked each of the pots as she answered, "Johnny was giving your parents the tour, my guess they should be in the gym by now. As for why they are here, I believe they said something about needing to see you about some tabloid pictures….whatever a tabloid is."
(Scene Change)
"And this is the gym where most of us train and spar, "said Johnny walking through the gym, "As you can see it's still a work in progress since much of the new equipment has yet to arrive and the floor needs to be redone."
"By us, "said Sonya's father, "does that include you?"
"Actually, since I was so busy with filming I didn't get a chance to use it as much as I should, "answered Johnny honestly, "However, since filming is done I hope to start using it on a regular basis."
"Surely, it would be easier for you to use a gym closer to your home, "said the older man, "That is unless you happen to live here as well…"
"Herman!" whispered Erica.
"Dad…Mom!" Sonya voice rang out from the doorway.
Erica ran over to hug her daughter as Major Herman Blade turned with a glare at Johnny and asked, "Just where do you live?"
Johnny nervously gulped as the Major waited for an answer.
"Well, "said Johnny, "I do have an apartment in town, but I also have a room here as well."
Herman Blade's eyes narrowed as he growled, "Just what is your relationship in regards to my daughter?"
Johnny opened his mouth to answer but Sonya beat him to it, "Dad leave him alone. If you want that question answered you can ask me."
Major Blade turned to see his own daughter glaring at him with her arms crossed. "Sonya, please," Herman Blade started to say.
"Don't start Dad, "said Sonya, "You do this every time you think some guy is interested in me. I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."
Johnny Cage was definitely starting to get uncomfortable as the two Blades glared at each other, neither willing to back down. Well, at least he knew where Sonya got her temper from.
(Scene Change)
Back in the kitchen, Althea picked up a stack of plates she was going to place on the dining room table when a strong breeze filled the room. Next thing she knew, Fujin was picking up one of the lids and saying, "Something smells good."
"If you want you can join us for dinner, "said Althea as she headed to the door, "I have a feeling it's going to be interesting."
Fujin took it upon himself and grabbed the pile of silverware as he followed her out to the dining room. "Ah yes, "said Fujin with a smile, "I heard that Sonya's parents are visiting. Let me guess they don't approve of Johnny."
Althea shrugged as she started to set up the table, "Not sure, but then again I'm the last person to understand how 'normal' families work or act."
Fujin sat down as Althea took the silverware and started placing them next to the plates. "I'm not sure if you can call Sonya's family normal, "mused the windgod, "Unless I'm mistaken, her father is professional military as was her brother."
"Brother?" asked Althea fully understanding what the past tense in regards to Sonya's brother meant.
"We'll leave that to Sonya to explain if she wants, "replied Fujin and he then changed the subject, "Anyways, I'm not here to discuss the lovely lieutenant…"
"Colonel now, "interrupted Althea with a smile, "With the new command came a big promotion."
"Anyways, "Fujin continued, "I'm not here to talk about Sonya but you."
"What did I do this time, "moaned Althea, "If its about the swords tell Kronos I'm working on it, but it will take time since I can't create my own portals yet."
Fujin's eyes flashed briefly as he asked, "Did the Elder God of Time give you a mission?"
"So it's not about the swords…."said Althea with a nervous smile realizing her mistake.
"Let me guess you haven't told Rayden either, "said Fujin figuring out what she was talking about. Seeing the look on her face he continued, "You have to tell him. If he finds out…"
"How the hell am I suppose to tell him that I've been ordered by the same Elder God that nearly got me killed but instead pushed five hundred years into the future, that I have to go to the Neatherrealm to get back a pair of swords I traded so I could help save his life…"said Althea.
"Just tell him, "said Fujin calmly, "Maybe he'll help….no scratch that. And what was that about not being able to create portals…yet?"
"Why are you here?" said Althea.
"There seems to be a problem with you being declared one of Earth's chosen, "answered Fujin knowing she was changing the subject, "Apparently your status on Calorna hasn't been…."
The door swung open and Erica Blade walked in asking, "Is there anything I can do to help with….oh my." Seeing the wind god talking with Althea, Erica knew she was interrupting something but wasn't sure what. Not to mention the strangely dressed man looked familiar but that was impossible, it's been close to forty years….
With a shocked look of recognition when he saw Erica Blade, Fujin said to Althea, "We'll discuss this tomorrow and be sure to tell Rayden." The wind god walked out of the room and quietly closed the kitchen door behind him.
"Who was that?" ask Erica.
"The brother of someone I'm seeing, "said Althea trying to be honest without revealing too much, not sure how much Sonya had told her parents.
(Scene Change)
Sub-Zero wiped the sweat from his forehead as he rested leaned onto the shovel. The burial of his former clan in the rock hard frozen soil of the mountain was finally finished and now questions began to plague his mind. Where to go now and what to do? As he buried the remains he noticed that Sektor was not among the slain. Did Sektor betray the clan as Smoke did or was he just away on assignment when it happened? Smoke seemed to have a new master, one that apparently had no desire to see Sub-Zero harmed but why? What of the Lin Kuei itself? After centuries it was literally no more and no one but the killers and Sub-Zero knew this but for how long?
A sound of crunching ice and snow broke Sub-Zero of his thoughts. Someone was out there, he thought as he quietly put down the shovel and looked around. Another footstep in the icy snow and then a small avalanche rolled down a small hill followed by someone wearing a Lin Kuei student uniform falling head over heals. The student landed face down in the snow right at Sub-Zero's feet. The stranger's mask remained in the snow as he….no she looked up to reveal a very oriental face but with ice blue fear-filled eyes.
Sub-Zero didn't know if he was more surprised by the young woman's arrival or the fact that there was a female in the Lin Kuei uniform. The woman crawled backwards away from Sub-Zero hastily and stood in a flight or flight stance.
"Who are you?" asked Sub-Zero in Chinese assuming that this was her native language.
"None of you business, "the woman nervously replied in English just before sending a flow of ice through the ground to Sub-Zero. The older warrior easily dodged the amateur attack and grabbed the woman's arm, twisting it around her back.
"Look, "he hissed in English into her ear, "I won't hurt you, I just want to know who you are and if there are other survivors."
The woman or more aptly the girl struggled for a few minutes before giving in to the obvious that she was no match for the veteran fighter. "The name given to me by the Headmaster is Frost, "she finally answered as she dropped her head in defeat.
(Scene Change)
Shang picked up one of the swords with an emotionless look on his face. "Yes, "he said, "These will do nicely."
A bandaged Quan Chi sitting at the other end of the table took a sip of from a goblet and said, "And there is two of them, most convenient."
"Have you figured out the medallion?" asked Shang as he re-sheathed the sword.
"I've figured out enough to be most useful, "said Quan Chi, "There is more there, I know but it will have to wait. A recent discovery I made on my way here makes it possible to make our move now with little risk."
"What discovery?" growled Shang
"Tell me, have you ever hear of the Dragon King," answered Quan Chi with a evil smile.
"Only that he ruled Outworld before Shao Kahn took it from him, "answered Shang.
"Took it by stealth, "added Quan Chi, "The Dragon King or his army has never been truly defeated in combat. I found his army and with this…" Quan Chi held up Shinnok's medallion with an evil smirk, "the Dragon King's army will be ours to command."
The End…
Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past…."What is going on?" demanded Herman Blade as he followed his daughter. Sonya didn't respond until they reached the gym and then she said as she slid a martial arts poster to the side to reveal a digital pad, "Let's just say there is more to this place than a martial arts school."