The days passed uneventfully and as each one passed away Subzero asked the same question that continually pounded on his head and prevented sleep and relaxation as an escape from the task at hand, "Is the boat arriving today"
"No... not yet"
Kanashi and Wurrow like two security guards with nothing to protect moped around the warehouse with little to null purpose. Subzero was vaguely intrigued to find out how much of the drugs and snakes venom that were easily distributed amongst the Blackdragon had made its way into their childish hands. Himself he stayed away from the stuff and the strange visions it brought. Subzero although an alkaholic when the chance arose through misery, was always one to avoid the toxic substances of the world that warp and indent the mind to unnatural purposes. Subzero could not fly and had no wish to prove it to himself, nor did he intend to die from a mere tablet. Of course being a vessel of evil as he was often used, Subzero saw nothing wrong with these noxious substances that the Blackdragon puffed and coughed on round every dark corner of the warehouse, it was more the loss of control and mind that displeased him so bitterly. The body in his ideals was made for perfection of strength and ability, not the decomposement of the inside through caffine and nicotine.
It was well known that many members of the Lin kuei indulged in such pleasures even though it was against the code. The Grandmaster again had relaxed on this issue as well ever since he had come to power. Now and again Jarek would inhale some noxious substance and breath it out. He seemed perfectly content with it and in his drugged stupor would smile and say, "There's no boat today Zedy, come try a bit of this and you can sail the rainbow seas"
Hydro seldom appeared but when he did he looked as irritable as ever and strangely confident that no fowl attempts on his life would be made with each insult he passed to Subzero who would merely smile and nod. Each day that passed Jarek informed Subzero with a great boastful grin of all the people he had informed that the great and evasive Subzero was staying at the warehouse.
"Most of the ninja groups know now, although I haven't informed the zeed or any of the southerners. The Blackdragon mostly aren't interested in kicking your arse nowadays like they were last year. Relations between the Lin kuei and Blackdragon have substantially improved with various cooperational missions such as this one. The Russian Mafia on the other hand didn't even know who you were! Imagine that! I've told people to spread the word amongst the underworld gangs as well. Soon everyone on the streets will know and be dying to come and assassinate the great Subzero"
"That's all very nice Jarek, but when is the boat going to arrive? The plan didn't involve actually being killed before I could leave. If I'd wanted to crash the car myself I'd have put the dummy in the back seat"
"Now, now patience Subzero," grinned Jarek, "The boat will be arriving soon. Maybe today or tomorrow. Just be ready"
"So you don't even know the actual time of arrival?" laughed Subzero sarcastically, "Is the Blackdragon always this disorganized or is it too much for your higher ups to count out the number of days on their grubby fingers"
"Its not us master Subzero," began Jarek defensively, "its Shangtsung the legal owner of Mortal Kombat. All we've got to go by is that single manuscript. Kano may know more but he's not telling us any of it"
"I'm going for a walk," said Subzero and turning he walked away down the plastic isles disgusted with the Blackdragon and his own clan for not doing nearly enough to satisfy the organisation needed for such an event.
"You shouldn't," warned Jarek
"Why the hell not"
"Because there's bound to be assassins out there looking for you remember"
"Then I can point them in Hydro's direction," returned Subzero with a snarl. Snatching a Blackdragon raincoat off of a hanger he headed away and out of the fire-exit to the docks wrapped up tightly. The guards paid him little attention as he left. They probably didn't care who he was or what he was doing. He was one of them now as many were, they could trust him to represent the blackdragon properly: As a true thug thief and villain.
The sky above was a drizzly grey with little sustenance in it or anything pleasing to the eye. At least it wasn't thundary; Subzero had learned in the passed that when it contiunally rained lightning bolts wherever he went he was not in the favour of the gods. He wondered grimly whether some of them might seek revenge for his old crimes? He passed down the peers and wooden planking where bits and pieces of cargo were laid down ready to be stowed aboard.
Rubbish blew about by the side of the roads and curbs; eventually it made its way in the wind over the muddy wooden peer and into the water where down below Subzero could see bits of rubbish and plastic bags floating in the mank dirty water. Turning he walked away from the warehouse down a gloomy newspaper blowing sidestreet.
The air felt stale and heavy; the close walls and mutterings of the drunks seemed to push inwards like a deflating hot air balloon. In a strange way he was reminded suddenly of the horrors of the Neatherealm and new in that moment that as dismal as this was it was the real thing. The Neatherealm was the dark putrid shadow and forever would be always worse than any place on earth. His mind wandered to the dark demons that had haunted his dreams for so long after the event. Did Quanchi pull that same sardonic smile when he fell to his death? Was Shinnok even now still pounding his fists down on the stone walls where the portal had closed? His nose twitched.
Faint smells of strange unknown foods and substances floated down the road like the distorted images one creates when putting puzzle pieces in the wrong places. Mud and garbage lined the path, while the walls seemed in sympathy to show similar lack of care and cleanliness, although for them gravity cleaned the worst of their stains. This was evidently the kind of place that most people didn't want to go. The darker parts of town; not surprising since the Blackdragon warehouse was located here. Subzero wondered vaguely how many of the warehouses the Blackdragon did own on this dock. Was it just the one or did they own multiple buildings or multiple sights? How powerful was the Blackdragon as a whole and would they be strong competition to the Lin kuei and more importantly: Did they plan eventually to assassinate him as well after the job was done?
"You bet," he grumbled grimly to himself, "I doubt there's a single mission I can do nowadays where the people involved won't try to do me in at the end of it. I'll as always have to be very careful. I suppose its not surprising seeing how much I get paid these days. Any invester wouldn't want to pay out once the job is done"
Drunks and homeless people sat in the gutters similar to the basketball players on the back of the spare players benchs who only watch the game and never believe that they will ever get a chance to play and climb to fame. Some outstretched hands asking for money or help as Subzero passed by but in truth he had nothing to give them. He did not have any concept of currency throughout the rest of the world. His currency and all of it was Lin kuei. The only money he took with him was what he was given by his clan, and this time he hadn't been given anything. He was almost certain he had overpaid numerous people in different countries with Lin kuei mission money simply because he didn't understand the currency. Still, it wasn't his money he was wasting so no big deal. The Lin kuei couldn't give a damn whether he used their small payment money up or not. Half of the time they never expected arch assassins to come back anyway.
But then again, why hadn't they given him any this time? It was just plain disrespectful. He needed to teach someone a lesson. Did they really think he would not need it? Did they not think it might be polite to give the greatest assassin the Lin kuei has ever had a small allowance just in case transport was not available and he had to pay his own way back?
His thoughts were cast aside suddenly as a begging boy kneeled down in the dirt and pulled on his coat with a sob.
"Get off me," hissed Subzero and pushing him aside walked on. He immediately found himself for some strange reason regretting it. Last year he would have killed anyone who had done that to him, why now was he regretting pushing someone aside to get rid of him? It wasn't his fault the boy had no home or family.
Turning down an alleyway Subzero could see a lot of activity at the end. The garbage was cleaner here and he could distantly see the sea. People were cheering in front of a ring where two fighters were duking it out with each other. One was a dark skinned man with red boxing gloves and curly black hair, the other was a strong but inexperienced looking man with his shirt off and bloodied face. The boxer advanced and Subzero came closer watching them half heartedly swap their badly aimed blows.
The alleyway parted as he came out into this new part of the docks and he stopped just outside of the crowd pulling the black dragon coat tighter round him. Blood streamed down the man with no shirt's neck as he took yet another beating from the dark skinned boxer.
The people cheered as if it really excited them and evidently it did. Subzero looked on in boredom as they continually placed bets on who they thought would win. This to him wasn't real fighting. Nobody was moving with any skill. They just punched at each other fiercely and kicked. In the Lin kuei the warriors were taught to fight in any environment, not just a large ring with plenty of space. The dark skinned man was strong an agile, but he kept making fatal mistakes that the other never took up upon. He started naturally with weak punches but then always seemed to do one huge punch with which he would knock the opponent back and off of his feet. If someone simple blocked or dodged the last punch you could kick punch or twist him anywhere you liked. Subzero sniggered thinking of the idea of grabbing that huge hand, twisting it and then breaking it across the man's back. Even better he would simply polar blast the entire crowd for being so knaive and continue on his way.
"He's good isn't he?" said a voice from beside him. He looked at a member of the crowd he hadn't previously noticed. The man was quite linear but also at the same time seemed quite strong. He was wearing a navy blue shirt with red and black trousers. Dark hair and dark sunglasses: he folded his arms and watched with a grin.
"He makes mistakes," returned Subzero coldly, "A simple punch at the right moment would bring him to his senses"
The inexperienced man after a great upper cut fell to the floor bleeding and the crowd cheer. The referee held up the black man's boxing gloved hand and the crowd cheered louder still.
"Nimbus does it again! Who else is going to take the ring to fight this amazing warrior? Place your bets gentleman! For Nimbus can't keep up the fight forever, how do you feel Nimbus"
"I feel terrible," limped Nimbus moping his head, "I think I've cracked a rib"
"You okay to carry on?" asked the referee in a mock sympathetic voice
"I'll be alright, but this should probably be the last fight, otherwise I'm done for"
"He said that last time," chuckled the man next to Subzero, "He's not hurt at all"
"He will be if anyone half decent takes him on," growled Subzero dangerously.
"Like me of course," chuckled the man with the glasses, "I'm a black belt you know in many styles of martial arts"
"A black belt," began Subzero with a wave of his suddenly prophetic finger, "Is not a black belt until he can make a black bruise"
"Heh, you're a clever guy you know that? What say I take him on"
"You can do what you want," returned Subzero, "If you're going to do it, do it quickly so I can see one of you fail. I'm not hanging around here long to waste my time on this rabble"
"Place a bet on me and I'll bet you anything I'll win"
"I'm not placing any bets," replied Subzero not about to reveal to the man he didn't have any money.
"You would do if you knew my name"
"And what is your name that you think would so inspire me to place a bet on your head?" asked Subzero sarcastically
"Jonny Cage, the one and only. Budge up people I'm going to take him on. Hey fella place the bet on me okay, and I'll win," he called out turning to the wide eyed members of the crowd.
"Your a movie star aren't you?" questioned Subzero with a smirk
"No!" retorted Jonny as if the idea insulted him, "I'm the real thing"
Subzero watched with great scrutiny as 'Jonny Cage, the one and only' barged through the crowd. Pushing people aside he climbed up into the ring and shouted out to the ref.
"Hey, ref! Move aside this is my show now"
"Do we have a challenge!?" said the referee gazing down with a smug grin across the people. Subzero rolled his eyes.
"What's your name son?" asked the Ref
"Jonny Cage is the name don't wear it out"
"Hear that people? His name's Jonny Cage! Jonny Cage here wants to take on the great Nimbus! Lets get this show on the road! Place your bets or miss out on the win of a life time"
The cheers broke out and the ref turned and whispered to Nimbus, "Don't take him out too fast okay? We want these people to think you're on your last legs. Make it look like a close one"
"Sure thing," Nimbus replied confidently and stood up punching his boxing gloves together like mallets.
They circled round each other as the cheering rose and the bell rang. Nimbus grinned as they continued circling round each other, "You make the first move!" he ordered impatiently.
"Cool good guys never make the first move," replied Cage readying himself and shuffling from side to side.
Nimbus looked briefly at the Referee for support who simply shrugged his shoulders, "Fine," he said turning back to Jonny Cage and with a grin who shuffled forward and punched. Cage turned the blow aside with a dramatic kung fu screech and punched the boxer back across the chest at lightning speed. Nimbus backed off shocked at finding a real opponent in the ring.
"Scrap what I said!" hissed the ref realizing his champion was in trouble, "Just got for the kill"
Nimbus nodded and edged in slowly turning his fists in slow circles. It suddenly seemed to Subzero that this man was back in the training ring again doing all the things he had been instructed to do when boxing. Nimbus was no longer the master but the competitor. Edging himself in towards Jonny Cage he swung several small blows which Cage did his best to block. Then as usual came the huge one. Jonny Cage held the fist in place and grinned. Nimbus grunted and punched with the other that the movie star also caught in his hand still with his shades on. With a quick kick and much to the disappointment of Subzero who was waiting for the man's arms to be broken he kicked the man to the floor with a grunt.
"Give it up for Jonny Cage!" called Jonny with a whistle and the crowd cheered louder, "Give me a sec Nimbus while I put my shades away"
Nimbus didn't and with a roar charged forward, "Fine I guess not" returned Cage easily parrying the boxer's rapid blows. He returned with his own punches hitting the boxer several times neatly in the jawbone and face. The movie star spun round perfectly with rapid blows as if each were the hundredth perfected take on the final scene of a movie. Nimbus fought through the blows and again did one of his huge overly extended punches. Jonny stepped aside and twisted the arm.
"Come on!" muttered Subzero. But again he was disappointed as Jonny kicked the man and brought an elbow on his back so that the boxer went face down on the floor.
"Man your breaking me up in a sweat!" laughed the star, "I could swear your trying to hit me"
"Break his bloody arm," grumbled Subzero
Nimbus got to his knees slowly and Subzero waited for Cage to kick him in the teeth but he didn't. Always hit them when they were down; that was one of Subzero's favourite rules.
"Damn you!" shouted Nimbus and charged forward fists in a fury hardly prepared at all. Just as he rounded on the movie star Jonny Cage slid forward suddenly in a blur and kicked the man squarely in the chest. The boxer flew back hit the post and made the bell ring with his head. It was almost possible with a little imagination (and a little snake's venom) to see the tweety birds and stars circling round his head. Dazed his eyes rolled for a few seconds before he slumped to the ground out cold.
The crowd cheered, "Jonny! Jonny"
Grabbing a handful of notes from the grudging ref he made his way through the exulted crowd towards Subzero who stood unimpressed. Cage swaggered forward and took his shades off so that his charming eyes glittered as he deposited the sunglasses in his pocket. He put the blue shirt back on and took a pen off a person near by to sign his name down on paper. Walking up to Subzero he handed him a small card.
"That's to remember me by!" he grinned and with a shrug walked away down the docks with the crowd of cheerers following him. The paper felt light in his hand as he gazed down. It was a photograph of the star all in black with his name signed on the back of it.
"Jonny Cage, the one and only," it said in super flowing italic writing. Subzero's dumb gaze changed to a frown. With a blue glow he froze it then clenching his hand he listened with satisfaction as it broke apart like glass, the pieces fell to the musty earth. Turning he started to walk away.
"Hey fella don't go!" called the Ref crowching by the fallen boxer, "How'd you like to take Nimbus Parrafaux on when he's feeling better eh"
"I've got better things to do with my time," replied Subzero coldly, and wrapping the coat tightly around him he walked away down the road. Tired and weary Subzero headed back towards the black dragon warehouse irrated that he in all truth didn't have anything better to do.
Late night at the dagger restaurant saw many shady characters. The fat bartender was never surprised to see a member of the black dragon enter with wounds bleeding or some criminal on the run. It was why as he drew the blinds up and turned the closed sign he wasn't surprised to a dark hooded figure stumbling up the alleyway. The sky was setting into darkness and the watery vapor of the day combined with the stench of the garbage had created a grey mist that lingered up and down the streets. The bartender smiled and quickly put the closed sign back to open. There was no point in closing just yet if he had another customer to serve.
Hurrying back the fat bartender who was called So-Chin started to wash the dishes with a damp cloth. Grabbing a dirty plate he placed it under the counter making the illusion complete. The air was cold that night, unusually so when the door opened. As the dark robed figure entered it seemed to bring in more of the cold with it so that by the time the stranger had come up to the counter the room seemed as freezing as ice. His steps were slow and uneven and sounded out hollow on the wooden floorboards that creaked awkwardly.
"What can I get you?" asked So-Chin in a jitter. The black robed figure paused breathing heavily it leaned on the counter.
"Subzero"
The hood fell down to reveal a dead pale white face in a yellow mask the same as Subzero's.
"I'm sorry?" questioned the bartender
"I want Subzero. Where is he"
"I don't know what your talking about"
"You know what I am talking about. I know he was here. He has been here, now tell me where he is"
"I don't understand"
"Tell me where he is or I will burn you alive"
"You can't threaten me!" exclaimed So-Chin in a panic; he backed up against the dishes. Scorpion smiled. From the darkness of his robe his hand rose out and gripped his face. The skin stretched a moment as he pulled at the white dead flesh. It seemed to get stuck around the nose and wrinkled as the eyes flattened against the skull and became part of the facemask. The skull underneath smiled resting on top of the shoulders of the dead man as it gazed steadily towards the bartender and the mask that had previously hidden it was now held loosely in the man's hand. The skin mask disappeared into the folds of the robe.
"What in gods name are you"
"Do not defy me," the skull snarled suddenly and flames burst into light in the eyes, a raging fire of pure hate, pain, sorrow, loss and the desire for nothing but revenge were inside.
"I'll do anything you want!" gasped So-Chin
"Where is Subzero?" repeated Scorpion grabbing the man by the neck. The flames sounded out as a roar in the back of the skull and the voice worst of all seemed now as if it had a dead echo.
"What does he look like?" pleaded the bartender, "I don't know who he is unless you tell me what he looks like"
The cloak fell down and revealed the yellow ninja clothing of Scorpion underneath. The chest was split up with black stripes making six segments, three on either side. A black tassel hanged down in-between his legs, which themselves were also yellow with small black boots for footwear just like an arch assassin.
"He looks like me," hissed Scorpion, "Or how I once was. He and I are not so different, we never were except that he is blue, and I am yellow like the flames of hell"
The eyes burned fiercely.
"I know him!" grasped So-Chin suddenly, "He was here the other day with a member of the blackdragon called Jarek and some others"
"Where can I find Jarek? And where can I find Subzero"
"By the docks! One of the warehouses I don't know which! They don't tell me anything the blackdragon! They didn't say anything about you! Who are you"
"I am dead. When I was alive I once lived by the name of Hanzo Hasashi. I once lived also by the name most notoriously known as Scorpion. But now I am dead. I have no life and can only grant death. What is your name bartender"
"So-Chin!" he whispered sweat pouring down his fat face, "God save me"
"There are no gods here mortal. The man who killed me killed them all in his greed. Your name is not So-Chin"
"What is my name?" he shuddered
Scorpion laughed leaning down on him with his flaming eyes, "Your name is the same as mine. You are dead"
Flames leapt out and scorched the bartender. He screamed out in pain as his body and Scorpion's were consumed in the fiery blaze yet Scorpion dead already seemed unconcerned with his own hell spawned body's plight. Tables and chairs were burned to ash as the flames spread everywhere in great gushes smashing the windows and destroying the blinds. So-Chin screamed loudly fighting and swinging from side to side a burning corpse trying to escape Scorpion's death grip but every time he opened his eyes all he could see were Scorpion's gleaming as brightly as the sun with a gaping laughing jaw. Trapped he felt the flesh melt and burn from his body until the pain could go no further and his mind sank into darkness from one fire to another. Late in the night the sirens of the firebrigade sounded out down the streets to find another case of spontanius combustion this time unexplained.
"I'm coming to find you Subzero. And when I do, I'm going to kill you. Your death will be my blessing, and in doing so I shall inflict great pain upon you as you did to me. I'm looking for you Subzero. You cannot run. You cannot hide. Wherever you go I will find you, and when I find you I will kill you. I will kill you. I will kill you"
"Subzero"
Quick as lightning Subzero thrust himself from bed and grabbed. A shout let out in the darkness as he twisted and felt the windpipe under his elbow.
"Its me!" wheezed the voice. Looking down he noticed black hair in his grip. It was Kanashi. Slowly he let go and stood back, his back against the plastic screen.
"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" growled Subzero, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you here and now"
"Master! Please forgive me! Jarek sent me to inform you that the boat has arrived"
"The boat?" muttered Subzero dumbly rubbing his head
"Yes the boat"
"The boat!" repeated Subzero, "Of course the boat. Take me to Jarek at once!"
The four of them walked along the docks. The night was cold and a full moon was in the sky. Mist and fog was everywhere as the ship came in by the peer under the most spooked and mysterious conditions. It had been exactly the opposite of what Subzero had expected. Fog and mist unrolled itself down from the wooden mast, not a steam ship but a ship as old as time.
"What on earth is that!" gasped Wurrow more the statement than the question.
"You can't possibly be serious about going on that," added Kanashi turning to Subzero
"I am being chased by a ghost. I will need a ghost ship presumably to out run him," replied Subzero.
"This thing is unholy!" uttered Wurrow gazing with wide eyes.
"I have to admit," began Jarek gazing up at the huge black boat with ruined ancient sales and blackened port holes, "It is nothing like what I expected," he smiled, "But some how it fits in"
"Are you sure this is the boat?" asked Subzero the mist thick like syrup round his hands, "If I end up in some death trap I swear I'll make those responsible pay dearly"
"What other boat would arrive in the dead of night, directly between yesterday and tomorrow? That was the date I was given"
"You have lied to me Jarek and that is a failiure for now I will tolerate. The fact that you did not tell me you knew something about the timing of the boat can be overlooked as long as you do not fail me in the acidental assassination of Hydro"
Jarek nodded grimly.
Strange looking men loaded supplies too and from the boat as it bobbed up and down on the waves. Ghostly distant faces seemed to gaze out now and again from the shadows of the cabins and undistinguishable objects on the boat only to disappear again a moment later into the shadows.
Subzero turned at the docks before he boarded. He faced Jarek in the eye, "Make sure that what we talked about goes to plan. Remember, when he dies I die"
"It won't take long I can assure you that Subzero, you have many enemies"
Subzero then turned to Kanashi and Wurrow, "You can't follow me onto this boat; it's the rules of the tournament. There's going to be trouble here. Be careful, don't tell Hydro anything about me. In fact don't say anything about me at all to anyone. I want you here and alive when I come back. Perhaps then if you have followed my warnings and advice we can discuss possible payment"
Their eyes lit up.
"Put a good word in with Kano for me," called Jarek
"I will think about it. For now I'll say goodbye"
With little else left to say Subzero headed up onto the boat and disappeared into the thick mist. There on the boat Shangtsung and the other fighters of the tournament were presumably waiting for him. Shangtsung had promised him protection on this island from Scorpion. How long would that last? Why had he done it? Was there a connection between the Blackdragon and Shangtsung that Subzero did not know about?
"One thing's for sure," muttered Subzero as he walked across the boards of the boat and stopped on the other side to look out at the misty moonlight as it fell across the waves, "I'm going back into the arcane"
Figures crossed paths in the mist, some bumping into each other. The men seemed to work with bare chests. Red cloth was wrapped around their faces to hide their face, as Subzero's own mask did. It was only custom and respect amongst true warriors. Something alone with the old code that Subzero would enforce if he ever came to power.
"I'm glad you came," whispered a voice behind him. Subzero turned expecting to meet Shangtsung but it wasn't. A man all in white and decorated blue with a coned straw-hat stood with glowing electrical eyes was in front of him.
"Hello Raiden," said Subzero dryly
"Hello Subzero. Are you ready"
"You have read the Lin kuei code?" inquired Subzero
"Yes, but I wanted to know if you are ready"
"Maybe," replied Subzero after awhile, "I don't know anything about this tournament as yet. I've come here on the run, but I suppose you're going to tell me its destiny or something"
"I wouldn't tell you what you are not ready to hear" chuckled the thunder god with static in his voice, "I already told you Subzero. Only you can choose your own destiny. Not even the gods can alter your chosen path of life. When I said I thought you could reconcile your past I meant it"
Subzero nodded and gazed down at the boards through the mist. He knew he hadn't done much in the way or reconcilement this last year.
"What exactly is this tournament?" he said at length
"This Tournament," returned Raiden, "Is Mortal Kombat. Goro a shokan from the realm of Kuatan is or was the champion. He took the title from Kung Lao the first many years ago. He handed over legal powers to his own master Shangtsung of Outworld who now runs the tournament for the most dark and treacherous purpose"
"What is Outworld?" questioned Subzero with raised eyebrows
"The dark land where king Jerrod used to rule long ago. The emperor Shao Kahn now rules it. This realm would be powerless against an invasion. We must never allow one to happen"
"What do you mean"
"Not now," whispered Raiden, "I will tell you later. For now meet your crew members. Sonya Blade special forces member, Kano of the black Dragon, Liu Kang from the Shaolin temple and Jonny Cage a movie star from Hollywood"
Raiden gestured to them as if each were beside them at that moment and not somewhere else on the huge dark ship. Subzero watched his hand point in turn to empty spaces on the deck.
"I have heard of all of them apart from Liu Kang," said Subzero
"Liu Kang is a great fighter as are all of you"
"I am here to win and serve Kano. What do you think of that"
"I think that is wrong," replied Raiden, "I think you should instead think more about conserving your own life and the lives of those arround you. You may need them Subzero"
"Maybe," he chortled and looked back out to sea, "As much as I have ever needed anybody. When will I meet you again?"
Raiden was gone.