Chapter Fourteen: The Path of a Brother

Coming into the Wasteland, Smoke and Tundra, now in proper fighting outfits, looked around at their surroundings. It surprised the two warriors that Li Mei was able to make their new clothes in the short time they were there. Perhaps some magic was involved since they now knew the woman had superhuman abilities. Smoke's outfit was all black and consisted of armor on his upper body and legs with gauntlets on his arms. He also had a black mask and cowl that covered his head to show only his eyes and a black loincloth.

Tundra's attire was black and blue with silver garments on his upper arms, belt, and above his tabi boots and he also had gauntlets, like Tomas. He wore a blue loincloth and had a cowl and a blue mask to match. The clothes reminded him of his brother, even though they both wore similar outfits to go with their codenames and abilities. Much like Smoke wore black or gray because of his power over smoke and Cyrax wore yellow because of his weapons. The Lin Kuei were so original.

As the ninjas walked along the beach, they noticed how the air smelled of burning flesh and the water was polluted. Bodies of dead soldiers were put into a huge pile and some were littered across the coastline with blood reddening the sand. There was even a temple that was on fire in the distance. As much as Smoke and Tundra saw death in their missions for the Lin Kuei, the terrible sight did not phase them.

"Smoke?"

Tomas stopped when his friend called his name. He turned around to face the cryomancer.

"Yes, my friend?"

"… I have been thinking about this ever since we left the Lin Kuei temple and I believe now is the right time to do so."

"What do are you talking about?"

"In honor of my brother, I will take up his mantle as Sub-zero."

For a minute, Smoke said nothing and that worried Tundra. Did he say something wrong? He opened his mouth to speak again, but Tomas held up his hand to stop him.

"… Are you sure that this is what you want to do?"

"Of course. I want to defeat Scorpion as Sub-zero, not Tundra. I believe Bi-han would have wanted it that way."

"I am asking if you want to do this, not Bi-han."

"Smoke, what are you trying to say?"

Tomas sighed. He was not sure how to put his recent thoughts into words. He did not want to anger Kuai.

"I am saying that… I understand that you looked up to Bi-han all your life and you have strived to be like him, but…"

The gray ninja shook his head. He needed to get his thoughts straight.

"You will never be like Bi-han, Kuai."

"What?"

That was the wrong thing to say.

"I do not mean it like that. It is just…"

"So you are saying that I will never be as good a warrior as Bi-han? That I will forever be second to him!?"

"No! I am saying that… You are Kuai and Bi-han is Bi-han. You two are completely different people and you think differently, but you always think as your brother does because you always think he is right."

"My brother was an exceptional warrior and he came to be so because of the way he thought."

"I know, I know. But you could be so much better if you just… thought for yourself for once. Stop thinking about what Bi-han would do and think about what YOU want to do!"

Kuai scoffed. Tomas just threw his hands in the air, aggravated. Perfect time to bring this up when they are literally about to face off against a dangerous sorcerer and possibly the emperor himself if they crossed paths. This was no time to be angry with each other. The two looked away from each other and stood in silence for a good minute or so.

"You are saying I do not think for myself?"

Smoke let out a deep breath and nodded. Tundra crossed his arms and kept his eyes on the ground.

"You are right."

A small gasp escaped from Tomas' mouth. He did not expect that from the cryomanced.

"… What?"

"I said you are right. Ever since Bi-han was named Sub-zero, I was immediately put in his shadow. Even the Grandmaster did not think that I could become as great a fighter as my brother. I suppose he was right as well."

"Kuai…"

"No. He was right. I tried so hard to be like Bi-han. I never realized that that way of thinking was holding me back. I could have done much more. I could have…"

Tundra lifted his hands up and clenched them into fists. Smoke did not realized until now that his comrade blamed himself for his brother's murder. Maybe if he was stronger, the Grandmaster would have sent the cryomancer to the tournament as well and he could have done something to save Bi-han. The one time his brother needed him and he was not there. Tomas put his hand on Kuai's shoulder in an effort to comfort him.

"Kuai, I had no idea that you felt this way. I am sorry for not realizing it sooner."

"I did not want you to. It is my burden to bear."

"No, it is not. You cannot blame yourself for what happened. It was not your fault."

Tundra continued to look away from his friend, but Smoke grabbed the cryomancer's shoulders and forced him to look up.

"Listen, Kuai. I am not going to let you do this to yourself. You may think you know Bi-han better than anyone, but I know that he would say the same things that I am saying to you now. The person responsible for Sub-zero's death is here, but that person is not you. When we find Scorpion, we will make him pay for what he has done."

"But now I am not so sure that I will be able to defeat the specter. He came back from the dead for revenge and Bo Rai Cho even said that his rage makes him stronger."

"His rage will also be his downfall. We can use it to our advantage."

"But if he was able to defeat my brother, then…"

"I told you, you are not Bi-han. Do not limit yourself."

Even though the cryomancer was wearing a mask, Smoke could tell that Tundra was smiling underneath it.

"Why do you always have to be so optimistic?"

"It is not optimism. I truly believe that we will accomplish our goal and you should too."

"So if I just believe, I can do anything."

"Ha, ha. You do not need to be sarcastic."

"You are right. That is your job."

"Yes, it is."

The two friends laughed and for a second, they forgot about their current mission. They savored the moment for it may very well be the last time they could laugh like this.

"Are you alright now?"

Tundra nodded and unclenched his fists. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Yes. Thank you, Tomas."

"Anytime. I told you, anytime you want to talk, I am always here to listen."

"I know and I should have talked to you back at the temple. If we were to encounter Scorpion, I would not have been in the right state of mind. I am sorry."

"Apology accepted, not that there was any need for one. You were grieving and I understood that you needed time alone."

Finally, Smoke let go of Tundra, but not before patting the cryomancer on his back a few times.

"So, are you ready to move on?"

"Yes, but I stand by what I said earlier. I still am going to take the name Sub-zero."

"As you wish. Although, assuming your brother's identity will draw attention. Not all of it welcome."

"You are right, Smoke, but assuming Bi-han's identity is the best way to honor him."

"Let us proceed then… Sub-zero."

For some reason, the name felt right to Kuai. Like it belonged to him all this time. Tundra was no more. In his place, Sub-zero will be the one to finish off Scorpion just as he should have in Mortal Kombat. Determination was in his eyes and he was ready to take on any challenges that stood in his way.

"We should separate."

"Do you think that is a good idea?"

"It is extremely likely that are presence in Outworld is known to not only the emperor, but the Lin Kuei as well. If either of them find our location, it would be better if one of us gets caught than the both of us. At least one of us should escape their wrath or all our efforts will be for nothing. Besides, we can cover more ground and find Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, or Scorpion faster. We are bound to run into one of them."

"You have a good point. I just wish we did not have to go through all this trouble just to find one person."

"You always were lazy."

"Hey, I am not lazy! I am only saying that it is taking a lot of effort to find one person. At least the Lin Kuei gave us intel on our targets beforehand."

"I agree. Now, we are in unfamiliar territory. Even if we do manage to get inside the palace, we have no idea of its layout. The sorcerers or Scorpion could be anywhere and we would not know it until they have a knife to our throats."

As much as they hated to admit it, the two ninjas were prepared for this journey. Of course, their decision to come to Outworld was made in the heat of the moment. There was no proper planning before leaving the Lin Kuei temple. If Bi-han or Cyrax were here, they would probably scold Tomas and Kuai for that. Not that it was their faults.

"We will find them, Kuai. They will pay."

"Right. If I get my hands on Scorpion, he will die. I swear it."

When Sub-zero started walking past him, Smoke called out to the cryomancer.

"Sub-zero!"

"Yes?"

"… Be careful, alright? I cannot always be there to save you, you know."

"Ah, yes. My knight in shining armor. Please, I'd rather be taken than to be rescued by you. I will never hear the end of it."

Tomas laughed, but deep down, he feared for his friend's life. He knew Kuai could take care of himself, yet Smoke could not shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. He hoped it was all just paranoia. Sub-zero nodded to his friend and then left the beach and Smoke watched him as he departed. Once Kuai was out of sight, an annoying pain shot through his head. The pain has definitely dampened after the gray ninja's last talk with his mind friend.

"You did the right thing, Tomas. Kuai needed to hear that."

"I was wondering when I would hear from you again, Pyros."

"What? Did you miss me?"

Smoke scoffed at the telepath.

"Not a chance. But is everything alright? Nothing to worry about in my head, right?"

"Nothing to worry about. I told you I would handle it."

"I admit, I had my doubts."

"I would have been concerned if you did not. It is good to be cautious, especially with something as precious as one's own mind."

"I could not agree more."

"Good. Now we should… oh, dear."

"What is it?"

"Someone is approaching. Be ready."

"Who is this pe…"

"The emperor was wise to send me here."

Smoke turned around to see who the voice belonged to. A woman in a revealing blue outfit was walking towards him. She did not seem the least bit intimidated by Tomas.

"The Lin Kuei do walk uninvited in his realm."

So, the emperor did know that they were Lin Kuei. Now all of Outworld was probably on high alert.

"Wise though your emperor might be, he was foolish to send his housemaid to interfere with Lin Kuei business."

He did not care the she was a female, but Tomas wanted her to think that he did. Back in Earthrealm, most woman are belittled because of their gender, especially in the Lin Kuei. The only women their were housemaids and nurses, no fighters. There has never been a female Lin Kuei member and at first, Smoke wondered why. He himself has seen what women can do and he knows they are capable of being just as good a warrior as men. The Grandmaster, however, did not see things in his perspective. Looking at the woman, Tomas knew he had angered her.

"I am Kitana, Princess of Outworld! And I deal harshly with sharp-tongued intruders!"

She was Shao Kahn's daughter? Despite knowing this, Smoke could not help but feel a bit of excitement. If she truly was the princess, maybe she would put up a good fight after all.