Notes: This story takes place a few weeks after Chapter Two: New Student. It really helps if you read the previous chapters.

Chapter Three: Unique Heritage

Morning at the trading post had become almost a ritual. Althea would wake up early and start the fixings for breakfast. Kung Lao would then come down to join her and then they would head out to the yard to warm up and get some basic exercise. While they were outside, Taja would wake up at the sound of their work out and then go down stairs to grab a plate. Then it was most likely Siro who would show up next, still half-asleep and nearly stumbling down the stairs. Once breakfast was over, Kung Lao would clean up while Taja opened the store and Siro would go check around town for signs of any trouble before it showed up on their doorstep. The only problem was….there was no trouble.

Kung Lao and Taja, really didn't mind since they both had serious work to do, but Siro was bored. There was only so much training at a time he could take, and seeing what sort of stuff Althea was putting herself through only made his body ache. He knew in his mind that he was slacking due to the lack of action recently, but his heart just wasn't in to constant training. He was walking down the street, wondering if he should just return to the trading post, when he heard a crash from behind an empty stall. Siro went around to investigate and then….silence.

"Hey handsome, "said a mysterious white haired woman, "You know you really should be more careful." She then pointed to something behind him.

Siro turned around and saw a man holding a knife, completely still as if he was a statue. The woman walk towards the attacker and gave the knife a look, "Now that would have definitely left a mark."

The former bodyguard noticed that she was wearing an outfit similar to his, but the colors were black and gray. "You must be Rayden's friend, "he said as he slowly backed away, not sure if he moving away from the man or her.

The woman laughed behind her scarf and then said, "So you are not as dumb as you act. That's a relief, for a while there I was getting worried. By the way, there's no point of trying to walk away. Once everything goes back to normal, you'll be back in the same place I found you. Just a little wiser as to what's behind you."

Siro stopped moving and said, "I thought gods couldn't directly interfere in mortal affairs."

"Depends on the interference, but then again I never claimed to be a god. And even if I was, this conversation is not really happening at not at least in your time thread. Any rule that can not be broken…wait of minute did I already tell you this or was it party boy?" The woman scratched her head as if trying to remember. "Ah never mind, it's not important…What is important is WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!"

Siro jumped surprised at the sudden tone change in her voice and replied, "What do you mean? I was just…."

"Walking around moaning about how bored you are…you definitely need a hobby. Hmmm. Why not practice your investigative skills?" She said as she walked around stranger, studying him for some reason.

"What do you mean?"

The woman shrugged and then pointed to a strange mark on the knife. Siro approach and looked…there was engraving of a stylized dragon, the symbol of the Black Dragon. "That's impossible, "said Siro, "We defeated them months ago, their leader is stuck in the cobalt mines of Outworld."

"Is it, well if you're not interested in this mystery there is another one living under the same roof you do."

"You're the one that recommended her, why don't you tell me…."

The women yawned and then said, "And take away all your fun. Talking about fun, I hope you have a plan on how to deal with him. See ya!"

The sounds of the city began again and Siro found himself facing the other direction. He quickly turned, knocked the knife from his attacker's hand and punched him in the throat.

(Trading Post's Courtyard)

Back at the trading post Althea was practicing with a fighting staff in the yard. Kung Lao thought her basic hand-to-hand was acceptable for now, but her weapons training was somewhat lacking so he showed her some basics and told her to practice as he help Taja with something in the store. Attack, attack, defend….attack, attack, attack and defend. She fought a non-existent opponent as sweat started running down her face. Suddenly her staff was caught on a back swing.

"Careful with that thing," said Rayden holding the end of the staff, "You might take out someone's eye."

"Well if you stop sneaking up on people, "Althea replied, "There would be less chance of you getting hit." She then took the staff and leaned on it, holding it with two hands.

"If you're looking for something, the stores up front," She said as she as she looked the gray haired man over. Wondering who he was and if what she was sensing was true, that this was a local deity.

Rayden just smiled and said, "Let me guess, Kung Lao and the others haven't mentioned me yet."

"No…but I believe an old mentor of mine did, "replied Althea. "Lord Rayden I presume?"

Kung Lao entered the yard and seeing the thunder god said, "Rayden! Is there something wrong?"

"Only that you haven't introduced me to your student yet." Rayden replied.

Althea just slapped a hand over her eyes and sighed. Then she held out her hand, "Hello, my name is Althea and you are Rayden right."

Rayden took the hand and shook it, "Why yes I am, I am so please to finally meet you."

"Ha, ha Rayden, this can't be the only reason you're here," said Kung Lao.

"Why do you say that?" asked Althea.

Kung Lao only gave Rayden a look that if he wasn't immortal, should have left burnt marks. Rayden sighed and said, "You mean I can't just show up to visit you guys once in a while."

"Kung Lao, have you seen the…," said Taja as she looked out the door. "Rayden! What wrong now?"

Althea started laughing and Rayden just got a long suffering look to his face. Just then Siro returned and seeing everyone there said, "Guys, we might have trouble."

(Inside a few minutes later)

"So after I knocked the guy down, I came back here, "said Siro, completing the story of what happened to him in town. He then took a drink out of the mug that was in front of him on the table.

"This is strange….she has never anything like this before, to my knowledge," said Rayden.

"How would you know? If everyone but whom she wants to talk to is frozen in time…"said Taja.

Althea shook her head, and said, "From what you are describing the people are not frozen, this woman and the one she is speaking to are in a time bubble."

Everyone looked at Althea and Kung Lao asked, "You know about this?"

Althea shrugged and said, "It's a theory from my old school. Some mages have some ability over time. The more powerful ones are said to be able to create what is called time bubbles. Time bubbles are literally like bubbles in water. You have time all around you, but inside the bubble there is none. Thus whatever happens inside this bubble technically doesn't happen."

Rayden frowned and asked, "Would these time bubbles allow someone to travel through time and/or change history."

Athea shook her head, "No. History is considered immutable, unchanging. Only the present and future can be changed. The stories of attempts being made are known; let's just say they don't have happy endings. The time mages can only slow down or speed up time, but are unable to change the direction of the time flow."

Siro then said quietly, "Any rule that can not be broken…."

"Can be bent," finished Rayden.

Siro looked to the thunder god and asked, "You're the one she called party boy?"

Everyone else looked at the thunder god for a few seconds, but then Althea spoke up.

"Whoever or whatever she is, she does make a point. I think it's about time you learn a little bit about me, "said Althea.

"I'm not really sure where to begin,"said Althea as everyone but Rayden sat around the table. He was walking around looking through jars and canisters as if in curiosity.

"Why not start at how you are able to use sorcery?" said Siro.

Althea looked slightly insulted by what the former bodyguard said but responded, "It's not sorcery, per say. Its called chi, or my life energy, focused into a useable form,"she sighed, "Where I come from some people are born with the ability to do this, but they must be trained to fully utilize it. The better trained or more skilled the more they can do with their chi. Also, a few are able to draw additional energy from certain elements around them. Such as fire mages can draw additional power from a campfire. An extremely rare few are able to pull energy from more than one element."

Kung Lao asked, "Can you?"

Althea shook her head and said, "Not anymore. I lost that ability at the end of the war. The only energy I can still pull on is my own personal chi and even that is difficult."

"Why is that?" asked Taja.

Althea sighed and glanced towards Rayden briefly. "A god was killed and the backlash burned out the ability from me and others. I guess I was a lucky one, most didn't survive."

Rayden paled, but didn't say anything. "How is it possible to kill a god?" asked a surprised Kung Lao.

(Outside)

Outside of the trading post a hooded figure approached the gates. He touched them as if to analyze them. A slight nod and then…..

(Back in the Kitchen)

Both Rayden's and Althea's heads suddenly went up as if hearing a sudden noise. Rayden yelled, "Everyone down!"

Althea was already down on all fours and crawling under the table. The others were a little slower but followed her lead, not sure as to what was going on.

(Outside)

A bright light-blue blast flew from the hooded figure's hand. The heavy gate doors exploded inward. Bits of wood and stone flew across the yard with the light-blue blast as it hit the doors to the building destroying them as well.

Rayden flashed out for a moment and reappeared in the yard between the doorway and the gateway. His hammer flashed into existence as he prepared for battle. Kung Lao and Siro were knocked unconscious by the blast, but Taja and Althea dug themselves out from the debris.

"YOU DARE TO ATTACK THOSE OF EARTHREALM!" Rayden roared with a voice filled with thunder.

The figure stepped forward through the gateway and said, "No, I do not intend to attack Earthrealm or those who belong here. So long as they do not get in the way of me claiming what is mine."

Althea paled, recognizing the voice. "No, it's impossible, "she whispered.

Taja heard her, but didn't bother to ask her what she meant.

The figure lifted his hands to push back his hood to reveal the dark haired man with cold blue eyes. "Well granddaughter, "he said in a cold voice, "are you not going to say hello to your Grandfather Kuravan?"

"I have nothing to say to you, "she yelled in a shaky voice. Throughout all of this, no one seemed to notice the darkening sky.

Kuravan laughed and said, "It seems you're not so brave anymore. What happened? Did you lose your powers….or your nerve?"

Rayden moved to block Kuravan's view of Althea. "It seems she's not interested in talking to you, "he said.

"You dare to interfere, Protector of Earthrealm? She is not of Earth thus you have no right…." Kuravan raved.

"From the moment she was accepted as a student of Earth's Champion of Mortal Kombat, she acquired his protection. Due to this, I will also protect her as I would him," said Rayden in a calm, but dangerous voice, surprising everyone, "This is not your domain, you have no right even being here."

Kuravan laughed a cold cruel laugh. "Your information is slightly outdated thunderer." He then threw out his hand and a large ball of light-blue energy flew out towards Rayden. The thunder god deflected it with a thunderbolt and then swung his hammer. Kuravan was hit squarely in the chest, causing him to fly through the air and crashing into a wall. The wall crumbled on impact and buried the invading diety. A light-blue light appeared from under the pile of rumble and then the pile exploded outward. Then….silence.

"DAMN YOU RAYDEN!" yelled a white haired woman standing behind Taja and Althea. Taja jumped in surprise and turned to see the source of the noise. There she saw the woman wearing clothes similar to what Taja was wearing, but only in black and grey. "He's falling for the same damn trap again?" Taja could see the worry in her crystal blue eyes in spite of the exasperation in the strange woman's voice. A sigh made the scarf she was wear flutter slightly as she looked around.

"I guess it's up to you," said the woman looking at the frozen Althea.

Taja asked, "Can't you do anything?"

"Sorry, but I'm kinda stuck in this time bubble and can only bring a person in once in a while and almost never the same person more than once a human lifetime. Almost everyone else have already received their quota. You'll just have to remind Althea of what she can do."

"What?" exclaimed Taja.

The mysterious woman looked straight into Taja's eyes and said, "Look, you need to remind Althea of how she defeated the Insane One."

"Who?"

"IT DOES NOT MATTER!" the woman yelled, but then calmed down, "Remind her that it wasn't her old elemental abilities that defeated him, but her chi. There were other mages who were way more powerful than she, but they died. There is something about HER that did it."

"What good…"began Taja.

"This is the only chance you guys got. Kuravan is NOT of Earth and should not be able to use his powers. Look closely at Rayden and you will see that he is slowly losing his."

Taja's eyes widened at those words.

"Okay, I'm going to send you back now. Just remember what I said…and please tell Rayden he's an idiot. A cute idiot, but still an idiot."

The sounds of battle resumed. The explosion knocked down everyone, including Rayden. He dropped his hammer as he jumped back up. He threw his hand forward….and nothing. "Oh, crap, "he mouthed.

"Rayden, move!" yelled Althea. The thunder god dropped and rolled out of the way just as a large stream of light-blue flame passed by. It struck Kuravan full in the chest. At first it didn't seem to have any effect on him, but then his entire body began to glow and he fell to his knees. When the glow dimmed, he rasped "What have you done?"

Rayden seeing his enemy's weakened state picked up his hammer and made his way to finish him. However, from the shadows a winged creature flew down and grabbed Kuravan. They both disappeared in a flash of darkness. Once they were gone, the sunlight returned and Rayden felt his powers start to return. He turned to see that Althea had collapsed to the ground. "Taja, see to the guys. I'll check on Althea, "Rayden ordered and Taja nodded in agreement.

He was shocked by what he 'saw.' Her physical body was uninjured with the exception from a few bruises and scraps, but her life energy was almost completely gone. It dawned on him that she must have used almost all of her chi in someway to weaken Zuravan. He gently picked her up and then teleported to her room. Once he placed her on her bed and made sure she was comfortable, he returned to help Taja with the others. Aside from being out cold, they seemed okay. But one thing was on both Rayden's and Taja's minds…What the hell was that all about?

The End…

Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest….

"Is there anything we can do?" asked Siro, "She's been out since that fight."

Rayden sighed, "Perhaps, but its dangerous and might end up killing her.

"So, Kung Lao has acquired a godslayer as his student, "said Quan Chi, "That could prove useful."