Chapter One:Unfortunate Events

Bright, silver orbs looked up at the ceiling tiredly. He knew he should try to go back to sleep, but his mind would not allow that. There was just too much for him to think about and those thoughts were keeping him awake. Sighing, he sat up on the mat he had been sleeping on and stretched. It was almost dawn anyway. Might as well start the day early.

He got up and turned the lights on in the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, he cupped his hands to get some of the water and throw it in his face. He did that a few times, turned the faucet off, and looked up in the mirror. Combing his hair back, he examined his face, which was now dripping with water. He was more alert now, but he still felt exhausted. Fortunately, it did not show.

"At least that is one thing that has gone right this morning. Good for you, Tomas."

Tomas Vrbada. Not many people called him by his real name. He preferred it that way, at least until he figured out who exactly "Tomas" was. The silver-haired man suffered from amnesia and he only managed to remember his name. No other memories had resurfaced over the past twenty-three years since he had been recruited by a ninja clan called the Lin Kuei. After he took a quick shower, Tomas started to put his uniform on and reminisce about the time he had spent here in China.

When he was found by the Lin Kuei as a boy, they were intrigued by his power over smoke. It was for that reason that the man was given the codename "Smoke." A bit lazy, but that name earned him respect not only from his fellow clanmates, but the Grandmaster himself. The Grandmaster, Oniro, had promised to help Tomas find his missing memories if he joined the clan, but he has not learned anything more about his than when he was on his own.

Smoke quietly stepped out into the hall and closed his room door. There was no need to disturb anyone else's much needed hours of sleep. He managed to make it to the dojo without his black boots making a sound. Not that it made any difference once Tomas realized there was someone already inside the training area. He stopped and saw that the person was hitting a punching bag. More tears appeared on the sack the more the warrior attacked, and sand was starting to leak from it.

The fighter had short, black hair and wore a blue and black uniform. His sapphire eyes were narrowed in concentration as he continued to beat on the bag with sweat starting to form on his forehead. Eventually, the chain that held the bag up broke and the force of the man's punch sent it flying into the wall. Smoke whistled in amusement.

"I hope you were not imagining me as you were assaulting that bag. That is the fifth one you have destroyed this week, Kuai."

Kuai, or Tundra for that was his codename, simply smirked and picked up a towel he had laying on a bench. He also grabbed a bottle of water and unscrewed the top.

"No, I was not imagining anyone. I guess I am just a little excited."

"Excited? You?"

"Yes, ME. I overheard the Grandmaster talking to one of his guards and he said that the warriors who had been sent to participate in the tournament should be coming back today."

"You mean Bi-han and Cyrax are coming home? Are you sure?"

"Of course. I would not mistake something like that. But that also means that Sektor is coming back, too."

Unless he died in the tournament, Smoke thought to himself. He did not wish death upon the man, but if death did take him, it was probably because of his own arrogance. Sektor, who happened Oniro's son, uses his father's position to make others bow down to him. It annoyed the spoiled ninja that Tomas was the one person in the world who did not care whether he was the son of the Grandmaster. That fact never scared the gray ninja.

But going back to the other two ninjas, Tomas knew that his friend was happy to hear that Bi-han, known better as Sub-zero, would be coming home. He was happy about Cyrax too, but Sub-zero was Kuai's brother and the only blood relative he had here. The two brothers had been in the Lin Kuei longer than Smoke and Cyrax have. Kuai was a baby when he arrived while Bi-han was two. Both of them had power over the element of ice, hence their codenames, Sub-zero and Tundra.

Cyrax was originally from Botswana in Southern Africa and unlike his comrades, he had memories of his family before being recruited. The Botswanan was a genius when it came to technology and weaponry, therefore the Grandmaster appointed him head of the Lin Kuei's armory. Although Cyrax lacked any kind of powers, his intelligence and skills more than made up for that. Smoke, Tundra, and Sub-zero were honored to have the yellow-clad warrior by their side.

"After I heard the news, it was hard for me to go to sleep, so I came out here to train. Why are you up so early, Tomas?"

"Just could not sleep. No other reason."

Kuai nodded and sat on the bench while drinking some water. He reached beside him and grabbed another bottle of water he had brought. He tossed that one to Tomas.

"Thanks. You must have known that I would be coming."

"I knew SOMEONE was going to be coming."

Smoke took a seat next to his friend on the bench. He propped his elbows on his knees and leaned forward while Tundra wrapped his towel around his neck.

"So, what do you think about this tournament, Tundra?"

"I have not really thought about it actually. I just hope my brother and Cyrax are alright. The Grandmaster says it is an honor to be chosen to fight in Mortal Kombat, though. I was a bit disappointed that neither you nor I was chosen to participate."

"I am not. Although I do not fear dying, I do not want our lives to be put on the line just fame and glory. Whatever reason the Grandmaster has for entering the Lin Kuei for the tournament must be a good one."

Kuai suddenly went silent and looked down at the floor. Tomas noticed and mentally face-palmed himself. How could have been so insensitive? The silver-haired man placed a hand on Tundra's shoulder.

"I am so sorry, Kuai. I did not mean to upset you. Bi-han is going to be fine, and Cyrax too. You said yourself that they were on the way, right? Everything is going to be fine, alright?"

Kuai smiled at his friend and nodded in agreement. Tomas smiled back, relieved. The ice ninja hardly showed any emotion on his face, but Smoke could tell that his best friend was worried. He was, too. Tundra, Bi-han, and Cyrax were his family and he did not want to think about what he would do if he lost them.

"Hey, you want to have a quick sparring match to get your mind off the tournament? Or is that a bad idea because you know you will not be able to beat me? I would not want to hurt your feelings and your pride."

Smoke started laughing and Kuai punched him on the arm playfully and started laughing, too.

"Is that a challenge, Vrbada? I accept and just so you know, I am going to imagine you as that punching bag that I broke earlier."

"What exactly did that sack do to you!?"

Meanwhile outside the temple, someone had just gotten to the start of the bridge that lead to the entrance doors. He stomped his way across the wooden walkway and before anyone could see who it was since it was still dark, the man was stopped by two guards with swords pointing at him.

"Get those things out of my face immediately!"

The sentries' eyes widened when they recognized the newcomer's voice. They did as they were commanded and lowered their weapons. They then placed their fists over their chests and bowed.

"Our apologies, Sektor. We were not expec..."

"My father. Where is he!?"

"He has retired to his chamber, but we shall get him at o..."

Sektor, not caring enough to listen to his clanmate, pushed past the two sentries and headed inside the temple.

"I shall get him myself."

"There is no need, my son."

Standing down the hallway, Oniro had his hands clasped behind his back. His guards kneeled before him, but Sektor just glared at his father.

"Father."

"Welcome back, Sektor. You two may take your leave."

The sentries bowed to the Grandmaster and then made their way back to their posts. When they disappeared, the Grandmaster's son started to speak.

"Father, we have..."

Before he could finish his sentence, his father had punched him across the face. Sektor had faltered, but he managed to keep himself standing. Oniro was an incredibly powerful warrior despite his appearance and he made sure everyone knew that, including his son.

"You will address as Grandmaster in front of your comrades. I do not show favoritism to anyone, especially you. You are Lin Kuei and I am your superior."

The red-cladded ninja rubbed his jaw and looked down in embarrassment.

"Forgive me... Grandmaster."

The last part came out as more of a sneer, but the old man ignored it. He was curious as to why the young man was in such a poor mood. Not that he cared, but his son's stories did amuse him.

"Now, what did you want to discuss with me that was so urgent."

As he tried to ignore the pain in his mandible, Sektor continued what he was saying earlier.

"There has been a few...complications with the mission to eliminate Earthrealm's warriors in the tournament."

"What sort of "complications?"

"After failing to complete his mission to kill the actor Johnny Cage, Cyrax declared his resignation from the Lin Kuei and I engaged him in combat."

"And you lost."

"Unfortunately, yes."

What a disappointment, Oniro thought. Cyrax had been a great addition to the Lin Kuei and the Grandmaster had to admit, he had grown fond of the Botswanan. If there was one thing Oniro admired about Cyrax, it was his loyalty. Which was why the Grandmaster was confused about his underling's sudden change of heart.

"That is unfortunate. I will send search parties out immediately to search for Cyrax and bring him back here. Alive."

"I have already done that. I thought you would want to judge him yourself. We should here from my scouts soon."

"Excellent. So, what are your other concerns?"

Sektor suddenly went silent. That did not bode well with Oniro.

"Well? Speak."

The Grandmaster's son had been contemplating about how to tell his father the terrible news ever since he left Shang Tsung's island. Truthfully, it was good news for him, but this was a major blow to the Lin Kuei. To Oniro's pride. Who was going to fear the Lin Kuei now that TWO of their best warriors did not get anywhere in the tournament due to their emotions getting the better of them? Sektor had a temper, but he made sure to keep it under control while he was fighting or completing a mission. If he had not, the Grandmaster would have killed him a long time ago, not caring that they were family.

"It is about...Sub-zero."

"And? What about him? Where is he now?"

He could hear that Oniro was getting slightly irritated. The old man wanted answers and he wanted them now. There was no use in trying to beat around the bush anymore.

"Bi-han was...killed in combat. By a warrior from the Netherrealm."

"The Netherrealm? Do you know of this warrior?"

"He is a specter of Quan Chi and he has the ability to control the very fires of Hell. I believe Shang Tsung said his name was Scorpion."

"Hmm..."

"And, Grandmaster..."

"What now?"

"...Scorpion murdered Sub-zero to avenge his clan...the Shirai Ryu."

Wonderful. Not only has one of Oniro's subordinates gone rogue and his most powerful warrior is now deceased, but a specter of the Netherrealm, who also happens to be a member of the former Shirai Ryu, is out for revenge against his clan.

"Sektor, you must be ready for tomorrow evening. The Cyber Initiative will commence a bit sooner than I had planned."