Chapter Twenty-One: Old Friends

With Kitana on her way to the Flesh Pits, Smoke, Raiden, and Johnny Cage made their way to Sub-zero and the still comatose Cyrax. Johnny bent down on one knee and started poking at the robot's head.

"So, this thing is really Cyrax, huh? Never would've imagined that this was once a hum…"

A fist collided with the back of Cage's head. He fell face-first to the ground and a huge knot was now sitting on the back of the actor's skull. Standing above Johnny, a very irritated Sub-zero has his arms folded across his chest. Even his eyebrow seemed to be twitching uncontrollably.

"I do not think Cyrax would appreciate you poking his head like that."

Behind the cryomancer, Smoke was stifling a laugh. He felt bad for Cage, but the ninja had to admit, Kuai punching him was kind of hilarious.

"I apologize for my friend, Johnny Cage. Since Cyrax is in such a vulnerable state, we are both a bit… overprotective of him."

Johnny slowly got up to his feet while shaking his head. He did not even think about touching his new injury. That would hurt. Bad.

"No problem. I think I'm getting used to idea of being everyone's punching bag."

"And if you are not careful, you will be in a body bag."

Chills went through Johnny's spine. Literally. Sub-zero had once again snuck up behind the actor, but this time, Cage immediately got away. He ran over to Smoke and hid behind the ninja. Kuai glared daggers at Johnny as he peeked around Tomas in fear. Smoke held his hands up as Sub-zero approached him.

"Uh, Sub-zero, I believe that Johnny got the point. You can leave him b…"

"Come out, Cage."

Hesitantly, Johnny Cage crept from his hiding spot and stood in front Sub-zero. He kept his head down to keep from looking the cryomancer in the eye. What happened next, however, shocked not only the actor, but also Smoke. Even Raiden was surprised.

"But you did help save Cyrax's life, as well as mine. So we are both in your debt."

Sub-zero held his hand out to Johnny Cage. At first, Johnny just looked at the hand as though it was going to bite, but after some time, the actor finally shook hands with Kuai.

"Uh… it's no big deal. I mean, anyone else would've done th…"

"No, Johnny Cage. Not just anyone."

Sub-zero let's go of Cage's hand. The actor rubbed the back of his hand nervously.

"So…. we cool?"

Again, Kuai scowled and Tomas mentally face-palmed himself. Johnny quickly realized his mistake.

"No, no, no, no, no! There was no pun intended in that, I swear!"

The actor held his arms over his face and closed his eyes. He expected another blow from Sub-zero, but a few seconds passed and Cage was still standing. He opened his eyes and saw that Sub-zero was walking away with Raiden. The thunder god looked back at Johnny and Smoke.

"Come now. We must return to the tournament."

Johnny Cage breathed a sigh of relief and he and Tomas followed behind Raiden and Sub-zero. The actor turned to Smoke and started whispering.

"That was close. I really thought he was going to kill me."

"Be grateful he did not. Next time, think before you speak."

"Hey, it's not my fault your friend needs to chill."

The air around them suddenly felt colder and Johnny could even see his own breath. In front of Cage, Sub-zero had stopped and his fists were covered in ice. Raiden and Smoke shook their heads.

"Johnny…"

"I'm sorry, okay!? I couldn't help it!"

Before Kuai could lay a finger on Cage, a beeping sound interrupted them. Johnny looked on his wrist, where there was something that looked like a watch wrapped around it. Raiden walked up to the actor knowing what the object was.

"It is the communicator Sonya Blade gave you, correct?"

"Yeah, and it looks like she's calling it. How do I even...?"

Johnny pressed a silver button on the side of the watch and Sonya's face popped up on a small screen. Cage smiled at the blonde.

"Hey, beautiful! Missed you and the big man. Where are you gu…?"

"Johnny, we're back in Earthrealm. Jax was seriously injured and needed medical attention immediately. A guy claiming to be Sub-zero's brother helped us."

"Oh, yeah, he's right here with us."

Everyone turned to Sub-zero and Johnny angled his communicator so Sonya could see him too.

"How is your comrade's condition now?"

"I haven't heard anything yet, but I know he'll be okay. By the way, I didn't get the chance to properly thank you for your help, Sub-zero. And I'm sure Jax will feel the same way once he wakes up."

"There is no need to thank me."

"Well, I just did, so deal with it."

Sub-zero scoffed, but Smoke chuckled at Sonya's words. Hearing his laughter, the blonde turned to Tomas.

"I'm sorry, but have we met?"

"No, we have not. I am called Smoke and I am a friend of Sub-zero's."

Johnny slung an arm around Smoke's neck and started talking to Sonya.

"And this guy beat the hell out of Kano in the tournament. You should've been there to see it!"

"Really?"

Sonya looked back at Tomas, who nodded in confirmation.

"Anyone who kicks that bastard's ass is automatically my friend. I'm Sonya Blade. It's a pleasure to meet you, Smoke."

"Likewise, Sonya."

Now it was Raiden's turn to speak.

"Sonya Blade, I hope that Jackson is alright, but we must talk to you at another time."

"I understand. Oh, before you go, there's someone who wants to talk to you, Raiden. His na…"

Someone pushed Sonya out of the way and stuffed there face into the communicator's screen. He quickly apologized to the blonde, but kept his face to the screen.

"My apologies, young lady. I did not hurt you, did I?"

Raiden instantly recognized the voice. It was one he had not heard in a long time.

"Is that you, Master Bo Rai Cho?"

The drunk finally got the screen right so he could see the thunder god. He smiled.

"Ah, Raiden! It is good to see you, old friend."

"You as well. I see that you in Earthrealm with Sonya Blade. May I ask what brings you there?"

"I would tell you, but that is a long story and I am sure you do not have time for it."

"Unfortunately, we do not."

"Oh, is the cryomancer and fire man there with you?"

Raiden frowned at the names. Smoke sighed and he pulled Johnny's wrist to him and Sub-zero.

"Hello, Master Bo Rai Cho. Are Li Mei and the others alright?"

"Yes, yes, they are just fine. Miss Blade and her friends at the Special Forces have been very accommodating. How about you?"

"We are fine, thank you."

"That is good. You two take care. Li Mei and I will be highly upset if you die. So don't."

The two ninjas laughed, but they nodded. They handed the watch back to Raiden.

"We will speak to you both again soon. Until then, farewell."

"Of course, Raiden. Until then, my friend."

Sonya nodded and turned her communicator off. Raiden then looked up to his champions.

"You all should return to the Coliseum. I am not sure if Shao Kahn has any matches planned at the moment, so it would be best that you do not keep them waiting. I will not be accompanying you."

Johnny's mouth dropped in shock. He grabbed Raiden's arm.

"Wait, you're leaving!?"

"I will not be long. There is an urgent matter I must discuss with Elder Gods."

"Elder what?"

"Do take care. Shao Kahn is known for treachery. There is no guarantee that he will not try to kill you before any of you can reach the final challenge."

Everyone nodded and then Raiden teleported away. Johnny Cage sighed as Smoke and Sub-zero walked up and stood on either side of him.

"Well… looks like it's just us now."

"It seems that way."

Then a thought popped into Cage's head.

"You know, maybe this would be a good time to explore this hell hole. I saw this cool looking bazaar by Shao Kahn's place and..."

"Lord Raiden told us to go to the Coliseum."

Johnny Cage held his hands up to Sub-zero. He should have known that the cryomancer would protest.

"Yeah, yeah, I know what the guy said, but come on. This may be the last time I ever come to this dump, so I want see everything. Besides, I don't think any of us have had a break ever since we got here, right?"

The actor did have a point. They were all exhausted and would probably pass out any minute now. Maybe a little detour would do them some good.

"I do not see any harm in it."

Sub-zero looked at Smoke and shook his head.

"Smoke, what about the tournament?"

"If we are needed, Shao Kahn will find us somehow. This is his realm, after all."

The ninja then walked over to Johnny.

"You said you saw a bazaar?"

"Yeah. I remember exactly where it was, too."

"Then lead the way."

Johnny gave him a thumbs-up and walked ahead. Smoke quickly followed him with Sub-zero behind them. The cryomancer sighed.

"I still do not think that this is a good idea."

Now arriving at the temple of the Elder Gods, Raiden stood on a large platform that had the Mortal Kombat symbol in the middle of it. Six blue, spirit-like forms surrounded him and stared at the god with white eyes.

"Elder gods, I have come to ask for your knowledge."

The Elder Gods responded, but they all spoke simultaneously.

"What knowledge do you seek from us, Raiden?"

"I wish to know more about an assassin called Smoke."

"Is there something of interest about this mortal you wish to know about?"

"In the tournament, he fought against an old ally of his. It seems that in a desperate act to get the upper hand in the battle, Smoke plummeted his fist straight through his opponent."

"And that concerns you?"

"No…"

Raiden went silent for a moment, and even though their faces were emotionless, the Elder Gods were worried. Something was seriously wrong if it left the thunder god speechless.

"What concerns me… is that I do not believe that Smoke was in control when he attacked."

"You believe he was possessed?"

"I believe there is much more to this than mere possession. If I knew about Smoke's past, then maybe I can find answers about this… other being."

Now the Elder Gods were silent. Raiden sighed.

"I could feel this entity's power when it attacked. It felt… evil. Dark. And incredibly dangerous."

"Dangerous enough that it could be a serious threat?"

Raiden thought back to Smoke's fight. The energy he felt… it was real. It was strong enough to put the god on edge. That was saying something, right?

"…Yes. It could be."

"If that is so… then we will tell you everything we know about the mortal called Smoke."