Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat

Chapter 7: Liberation, Part 2

"Whoever takes him down gets to destroy this sick place to oblivion after we rescue his victims and rig this base with explosives?"

Grinning darkly under her mask at that, the kunoichi drew her fans. "Agreed!"

Having sensed that the time for screwing around was over, Cyrax quickly went on the offensive. He rushed towards the blue-clad adversaries and extended his arm to his side ready to use his buzzsaw on his wrist as he uses explosives in his other hand.

Both blue-clad ninjas reacted fast and dodged the first swipe of the buzzsaw before Kitana parried the buzzsaw in Cyrax's hand. This gave Kuai Liang a chance to counter attack, so he raised his Kori Sword to slash Cyrax on the torso but the yellow Cyborg teleported out of the way just as the blade neared his chest.

Both Kuai Liang and Kitana widened their eyes and jumped away from their spot just as they saw Cyrax from above, ready to skewer them with buzzsaw.

Kitana was quick to try and slash the spy again with her fans only to meet the steel of his buzzsaw once more. As both of them were struggling against each other, Cyrax ducked just in time to avoid the slash of Sub-Zero's Kori Blade aimed for the Cyrax's head but wasn't able to dodge an attack that landed a kick on his side by the former Outworld Princess as he skidded away.

However, Cyrax quickly used the momentum from the blow to right himself up and get back into a combat stance. ''I have to be careful, otherwise I will not survive this.'' Evaluated the Cyborg.

It was clear that they had an advantage against the Cyborh in a two versus one match, but that was about to change when all the ruckus from the fight alerted several Cyber Lin Kuei in the base and they teleported to their location.

Twenty Cyborgs entered the room and stood stunned beside Cyrax, not expecting at all to have intruders in their base. "LK-4D4, we have detected your distress signal, what are your orders?", Said one of the Cyborgs as they all readied themselves to fight.

"We have unwated visitors on our operaions", Said Cyrax emotionlessly as as the others like him except Sektor. "Our mission is to remove intruders on our order and we are to cyberize Sub-Zero and re-negotiate an alliance with Outworld by giving Kitana to Mileena Kahn", Added Cyrax regarding the blue-clad ninja, which made the rest of the Cyborgs now put all of their attention on the intruders.

Kuai Liang and Kitana were on edge. The yellow Cyborg was already crafty enough by himself, now things were going to get much harder with reinforcements.

''Kitana, take the others. Cyrax is mine.'' Sub-Zero said as he saw the Cyber ninjas starting to surround them and taking position to strike in unison. ''If we all focus our attention to them, Cyrax will find an opportunity to pick us off as soon as he has the chance while fighting these guys.''

Kitana looked at him in worry, unsure if it was wise to let him fight Cyrax by himself. She was confident that he could handle the Cyber ninjas, but Cyrax was already a skilled Lin Kuei even before the Cyber Initiative, and was good enough to be the right hand of Sektor; she knew that he wasn't going to be easy. ''Are you sure about this? The way I heard it, Cyrax is not someone to take lightly.'' Said the former princess to her Cryomancer partner.

Kuai Liang nodded. ''That's precisely why we can't leave him room to do whatever he wanted to do. Follow my lead, I know what I'm doing.'' Replied the Cryomancer with finality.

Kitana agreed as she went on to charge against the group. She first dodged a fist from a Cyborg before turning around to stab both folded fans onto his back before forcing it downwards, spiling a large amount of blue-black substance of her form before stabbing both on another before releasing throwing both of them towards a third member.

Then all of a sudden, the rest of the Cyborgs came after her where she sliced and diced every member that came contact, resulting of scattered limbs and various parts on the floor before chanelling Edenian magic into her fans. As she did, began to twirl arround gracefullycas parts, blue-liquid became one with her own vortex. Channelling enough energy, she released where the Cyborgs were blasted away with such force along with some parts. Luckily, none of it hit any of the test tanks, so the civillians were unharmed. Glancing at them one more time, Kitana shifted her attention towards Kuai Liang, who was currently fighting Cyrax.

Kuai Liang ice slidded towards Cyrax who jumped over him and threw a grenade at the Cryomancer. Sub-Zero narrowly jumped away as the said projectile exploded but he did not notice Cyrax teleporting behind him where the Cyborg threw the Cryomancer headfirst to the ground. Groaning in pain, Kuai Liang widened his eyes as he saw Cyrax about to slash him with his buzzsaw to which he backflipped away as the buzzsaw met contact with the ground. But just as he did, the buzzsaw managed to inflict a deep cut on Kuai Liang's arm, with the Cryomancer applying ice to it to relieve the pain for the time being.

Undaunted, Cyrax fired his Advanced Net where Kuai Liang countered with an ice beam which froze the said projectile but Cyrax teleported from above where he launched another net at Kuai Liang, who was caught before Cyrax landed two jabs on him before delivering an axe kick on his ribs. Cyrax then teleported at him with a grenade on hand but Kuai Liang managed to form an ice wall and froze the grenade from Cyrax's hand, forcing him to jump away before it could freeze his hand before it exploded, resulting of the two skidding away from each other.

Kuai Liang was contemplating a way to turn things around when out of nowhere Kitana appeared in a swirl of blue wind beside the yellow Cyborg and brought her folded tesen to stab him on he head but he teleported just in time.

Cyrax barely dodged the strike of the former princess. He hadn't expected Kitana to come to the Cryomancer's aid so soon. After a moment the answer became clear to him; just as he was having the advantage against the Cryomacer when he overwhelmed him with sheer numbers in an enclosed space, the same applied to Kitana. While he had been fighting him, the Edenian made quick work of his felloe Cyborgs by exploiting the fact that they couldn't turn away from their orders regarding their targets in this place.

Meanwhile, Kuai Liang took advantage of the distraction and ice slidded for his Kori blade at Cyrax's feet and after taking it, he slashed at the cyborg in an attempt to bisect him.

Cyrax noticed too late the movement of the former Lin Kuei and couldn't completely avoid the slash, which resulted in him getting a nasty deep cut on his stomach or rather mechanical torso. He grunted in pain and jumped backwards to put more distance between him and the blue-clad ninja.

Kitana glared at Cyrax from across the room before looking at Kuai Liang in concern. ''Are you alright, Kuai?'' asked the Edenian.

The Cryomacer shrugged off the matter. ''It's nothing. I got careless and he got my arm, don't worry about it.'' He wasn't proud of that but at least they now had Cyrax right where they wanted him.

''Enough of this Cyrax.'' Said the Cryomancer sternly with an angry Kunoichi behind him ready to end the Cyborg's life should he continue pressing the fight.

Cyrax knew that he had been beaten. His wound was too deep, and he needed immediate repairs back at the Lin Kuei Temple though he will have to face punishment from Sektor. Without saying another word, Cyrax teleported away from the two, leaving an angered Sub-Zero behind.

''He got away.'' seethed Kuai Liang in anger at letting one of his enemies escape. Not because he failed to kill him, because they would have to face the Cyber Lin Kuei in the future knowing their survival. Kitana placed a hand on Kuai Liang's shoulder and his anger subsided upon seeing those hazel irises to his blue ones.

''We'll get him the next time we see him, Kuai, we'll make sure of it ''Said Kitana with a grateful sigh.

''At least that should be all of them. But still, he is controlled by Sektor at this moment and knowing them, we are both targets now" Replied Kuai Liang mortified of the thoughts but Kitana's expression was that of determination and consolation.

''We'll face them together, Kuai if we needed to. Besides, now we can finally free these people from those things.'' Said the woman pointing with her thumb to the still trapped villagers.

Kuai Liang widened his eyes in realization. He had forgotten about that for a moment. ''We still have to save them.'' He felt a little ashamed to have forgotten his original purpose, even if only momentarily and Kitana smiled at this, seeing his thoughtlessness to be cute at times.

After that, both blue-clad ninja approached again the test tubes and stared at them clueless.

''So, how do you think we get them out of there?'' asked the Edenian. She didn't exactly know hot to operate this kind of machine.

Kuai Liang had a thoughtful frown as he stared back and forth between the glass and a nearby crowbar.

''Oh no, you can't possibly be thinking of just smashing the glass, right? We could hurt them'' Asked Kitana alarmed after she picked up on what the Cryomancer was planning.

''We might, but I think is more likely that we end up hurting them more if we start tinkering with the machine. We aren't sure what Cyrax was doing, maybe this is a delicate process. So I think is best if we just get them out of there bluntly.'' Kuai Liang explained his reasoning. He never liked technology honestly, so his reasoning was also a way not to be involved with suh things.

As much as Kitana wanted to argue with the Cryomabcer, she couldn't. He was right, they didn't know if they could make the machine do something bad to the poor people being used as guinea pigs. So even if it wasn't ideal, maybe breaking the glass was their best bet.

''All right. But we need do it quickly.'' Said the woman with resignation as she no longer sees any other choice.

Kuai Liang nodded warily before preparing his crowbar to smash a hole right trough the tube. ''Stand back.'' Said the Cryomancer plainly before swinging the weapon and shattering the glass with a loud crack.

As soon as the glass broke a great quantity of the green liquid came gushing from the giant tube and left the woman trapped inside laying on the floor as she coughed the sickly liquid.

''I think she isn't fully awake yet. Help me get her up.'' Kitana asked to the Cryomancer.

Kuai Liang complied and did just that, and after getting the brown haired woman into a sitting position he took off his cloak and wrapped it around her to cover her lack of clothing.

The woman continued to cough the liquid until she finally started opening her eyes numbly before going into a panic. ''Get away from me, you psychos!'' Attempted the woman to struggle and free herself from the blue-clad ninja.

''Please calm down! We're here to help!'' said Kitana while trying to keep her from running away from them and getting herself hurt in her confusion.

''She is right, you have nothing to fear anymore. We are here to help you!'' Added Kuai Liang, joining in the effort to keep her calm.

For a moment, it seemed like the woman wasn't gonna listen, but she stopped herself for a single moment to take a better look at her liberators. ''You don't look like them.'' Realized the confused woman.

''That is what we are trying to tell you, we are your friends.'' Said Kitana with a comforting grin.

''D-Do Y-you mean it?! This isn't a trick?!'' Asked the woman in disbelief. However, she still seemed hopeful.

Both ninja nodded at her question and Kitana elaborated.

''Everyone in your village is worried about you ever since your disappearance. We came to find you and take you back.'' Said the fomer princess while putting her hand on the woman's shoulder.

Said woman stared at them wide eyed for a moment before breaking into tears and enveloping Kitana in a hug. ''Thank all heavens! You have no idea how terrible this place is.'' Said the woman between sobs.

Kitana was stunned in the woman's embrace, clearly not expecting the action. Not knowing what to do she just settled for patting the back of the older womab to try and calm her down. She then turned to look at Kuai Liang, but she just found the Cryomancer smiling warmly at the scene and clearly glad that things were fine, so she couldn't help but smile herself.

''I felt so bad for my husband and Lan. They must be so worried about me.'' Added the woman before continuing to stain Kitana's clothes with her tears.

Now that statement made both ninja look at each other with a surprised look. Now they could rest easy knowing that their mission was over. But first, they still had to free everyone else.

Kitana signaled Kuai Liang to do just that as she continued to support the crying woman.

Kuai Liang eagerly nodded and proceeded to smash the rest of the water tanks to free the remaining villagers.

After having woken up everyone and trying to calm the villagers to keep them in order they went back to the armory and grabbed their clothes that they previously saw and outfitted all the prisoners with them. They they exited the hideout with Kitana guiding them and Kuai Liang managed to plant several explosives at every sector of the hideout and he detonated it once all are out, sealing away the Cyber Lin Kuei base forever.

They all traveled to the village at record speed and as soon as the town was close enough, the villagers couldn't help but cry out in happiness at seeing their home.

''We are back, everyone!''

''We managed to come come back!''

''That nightmare is finally over!''

''I can't wait to see my family again!''

Similar thoughts were voiced loudly among the group, which caused some of the town inhabitants to notice the large group approaching them. They quickly recognized their friends and family members and cried in joy at seeing their loved ones safe and sound.

The commotion made the rest of the people realize what was going on and soon all the inhabitants of the village gathered in the outskirts to cheer and celebrate the return of their friends and family.

All that made Kitana and Kuai Liang find themselves being greeted by a large number of people laughing and cheering joyfully when they arrived, a stark contrast of how they first found the little town. As soon as they arrived, the villagers didn't waste any time and they meet with their people as they embraced each other with joyful tears in their eyes.

Both blue-clad ninja smiled warmly at seeing the people happy at last and internally congratulated themselves for a work well done. But before leaving they still wanted to check on someone.

They didn't take long to find her when they heard the voice of Lan. ''Mommy!'' They turned around to see the little girl run to the first woman they saved and wrapped her little arms around the woman's waist before bursting into tears at seeing her precious mother alive and well.

''Lan! I'm so sorry for making you and your father worry about me.'' Replied the woman, also with tears in her eyes and returning her child's embrace.

The little girl shook her head while she was still burring herself in her mother's lap. ''I'm just glad that you are fine, mommy! I promise I won't give you trouble anymore, just please don't go again.''

''I promise I won't, sweetheart. I promise I won't.'' Said the mother trying to comfort the girl, but failed as she also cried harder.

''Honey! You are back!'' Said the same man that the two met before at the store as he approached them in a sprint.

''I am, darling. I'm sorry for making you worry. I'm not leaving you two ever again.'' Said the woman as the man joined his family in their hug.

''We'll talk later, honey. Right now I'm just happy to have my precious family together again.'' Responded the man as he held the two girls tightly as if he was going to lose them if he let go of them.

Kitana and Kuai Liang smiled at the heartwarming reunion before looking at each other with satisfied grins and a thumbs up.

''I think we should leave. Let them enjoy their time together, you know.'' Kuai Liang whispered to Kitana to which the girl nodded.

''Yeah I think we are done here. Besides, there doesn't seem to be any problem coming anytime soon. So I guess it's safe to continue our trek towards the Sky Temple.'' Said the former princess in agreement.

They both turned to leave when they were interrupted by a voice. ''Wait! Where are you going?''

They turned around and found Lan running towards them with a frown before stopping in front of them. ''You are the mercenaries that brought mommy back, right? Why are you going already?''

Kitana smiled down at the girl and put a hand on her head. ''We have somewhere we need to go, but don't worry, we'll be return someday.'' Responded the Edenian.

''Lan is right. We really would love for you to stay a while longer. However, if you really need to go we can understand that.''

Kitana and Kuai Liang saw Lan's father approach them too, and behind him were most of the town's inhabitants.

''Though even if get you have important stuff to do is a shame that you can't stay.'' Continued the man. ''But we don't even know your names. I'm sure everyone here would like to know the name of our heroes.'' Said Lan's father and the rest of the villagers agreed in unison.

Both ninja got a bit red in embarrassment at being called 'heroes' since they had only been referred to as assassins for years. Kuau Liang put a hand behind his head with a smile and Kitana scratched her shoulder in an effort to downplay her action.

''Kuai Liang. And I just did what I thought was right, so do not worry about it.'' Replied the Cryomancer.

''Kitana. Like Kuai said, I just did what felt was necessary.'' Said the woman, trying to not sound plain, but considering her nature it was a bit hard as she was never recognised as such, not even during her time as Princess of Outworld.

''Then, big brother Kuai, Big sister Kitana; I'll be waiting for you, please return soon.'' Said the little girl with glee.

''We will, you have our word'' Replied Kuai Liang with a smile.

''Keep your mother and father safe, okay?'' Added Kitana with a smile.

''I'll try to become strong like you. Next time you see me I'll be able to defend my mom, and no one will bother us again.'' Said Lan with determination.

''I'm sure you will.'' Finished the Edenian girl giving a pat on the head to the small girl. ''Well Kuai, I think we need to get going.'' Said Kitana turning her head to the Cryomancer.

"You're right.'' Answered Kuai Liang before turning again to the crowd. ''Farewell, I hope to see everyone soon.'' Replied the Kuai Liang with a wave along with Kitana to the grateful people.

''Come back soon and stay safe on your travels!''

"Bye Big brother and sister!"

"Farewell!"

"Thank you again for everything!"

Both ninja turned away as they heard the cheers from the people they just helped, and once again they felt good about their deed. Now they proceeded to resume their trip back at the Sky Temple to complete their mission for Raiden.

However, as their silhouettes started getting smaller and smaller from the village, a figure went out of invisibility. It was the form of Reptile, as he heard of the entire exchange.

"Empress Mileena would want to hear of this", thought Reptile as he went back to Outworld for his report.

AN:

Aaand Cut! Wow, I kinda enjoy writing this from time to time and I appreciate the reviews and rate. So far, so good we got them both as targets and I intent to focus on expanding their relationship! Please RR, Spectre, signing off!