Look who is back! I did promise a chapter for you guys but I also want to make an announcement: there will be fluffs and other pairings besides Nash in this story as I have stated in previous chapters. And no, anonymous guest, Nash will not have a lemon scene with Kristina. Because I don't want him to get his nuts ripoff from the athlete girl. I certainly wouldn't if I value my family jewels. So, let's get on with the chapter!
Chapter 30
Never thought I would be on a quest with company. Just us Disciples along with Sub Zero to investigate the Cyber Initiative where Sub Zero used to be when he was a cyborg. Speaking of cyborgs, I was hinted by Bryan that Cyrax and Sektor were perished there. Is it possible to be haunted by spirits of metallic humans?
"So now you're stuck with a midget and a hulk gorilla?" Kristina asked as we walked. We walked next to each other, Azril said nothing but following his mentor's lead while Riana and Bryan chattered behind us like a pair of sparrows. What were they talking about which made them giggled?
"Yeah and I thought the banishment was bad enough," I sighed. "Everyone in town hates me while Riana had been given the same treatment as well. It's not her fault! It's just….all of us came into this world for a reason."
"Like you screwing every girl you see in a Meet N' Fuck game on Newsground?" Kristina retorted. "We may be transported into a game but this is a fucking fighting game where decapitation and murder is a Tuesday thing! Sometimes, we got to be careful."
I really want to argue but Kristina's right. Video game characters are just as humans as we are. Well, except the Shokans or Reptile since they are not entirely human to begin with. I will have to delve deeper into understanding my sister's weird lust for something scaley and cold-blooded. We carried on until all of us reached a fortress that seemed long abandoned just by the rusted metal door and vines growing out of control.
"Is this really the place?" Riana asked, a bit wary of what's behind the door. Everyone is either excited or cool like Azril but Riana seemed to be afraid of something. I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry," I assured. "We have our weapons, right? And we are here to accompany anyways."
I hope I was right because the five of us entered but Sub Zero placed a hand in a halting position, preventing both Kristina and Riana from entering. All of us were confused by this action. Why can't the girls follow us? Riana was as confused as I was while Kristina was pissed. She would punch the lights out of us if she missed out an an action. This happened one time where Bryan and I went for a match at a stadium and Kristina wanted to join. However, we only had two tickets and the price for each will make both of us broke. So, she kinda attacked us and almost put us in hospital.
Reluctantly, the girls guarded the door while the three of us and Sub Zero went in. I'd looked like something between a James Bond villain hideout with Blade Runner technology. Bryan doesn't looked so scared but excited as if someone has fed him three sacks full of sugar.
"Sweet!" Bryan squealed. "If only I can take some of these home! It could earn me some dough or make it into another gadget. I could use a modification…"
"We're not here to scavenge, Bryan," the Grandmaster scolded him gently. "The four of us are here for a mission. The Black Dragons would want this technology to control not only this realm but others as well. Our job is to destabilise the computers, and create a form of virus to malfunction some of the devices."
"Even better!" Bryan cheered, bumping his hip into mine, much to my dismay. "Can I hack into this place? I want to know if there's any juicy browser history~"
"Bryan," Azril sighed. "Let's just get this over with. Not only to protect any information from leaking out to the Black Dragons, but we also are protecting our own units. You with the Special Forces, myself with the Lin Kuei, Kristina's association with the Shokan army and finally both Nash and Riana with Edenia. Well, used to be."
Ouch. I didn't know Azril can be colder than the cryomaster himself!
Eventually, I only watched because I am shit with technology. I can only play and consume them when it is handed to be but fixing and rebuilding it is not my thing. So I leave it to a loose wire like Bryan and cool Azril to settle everything. In a way, I'm their bodyguard inside this hideout. But I'm getting a weird vibe off this place. Like someone or something is watching us…
"What's up with you, Nashie Boy?" Bryan poked my ribs. He seems to think this is just another funfair. He was deconstructing a prototype meant for a cyborg, I think. But it's all metal and no signs of flesh on it.
"Do you ever get the feeling we're being watched?" I asked.
"Nothing surprises me anymore," Azril shrugged. He was tapping some kind of code on the keypad. I may take the same classes as Bryan before this but I couldn't make the cut when it came to computers and building softwares. Neither was Kristina for she almost set the computer lab on fire!
"Still," I looked behind my back. "The atmosphere feels a bit weird. Like something unknown is about to spring before us."
Bryan laughed and patted my back. He assured me nothing's going to happen and reminded me the girls are outside guarding the entrance of the Cyber Lin Kuei. Speaking of which, I wonder how are they faring outside. Well, I shouldn't be worried about them since Kristina has her guns and can throw punches while my sister's venom can work if she's close to them. Like in a hug or something like that.
"Seems like you're picking up on something, Nash," Sub Zero nodded, his eyes trailing to the corner, where glowing white eyes were staring back. Now it was Bryan's turn to yelp and hide behind me like I'm a shield. The glowing figures stepped forward, all of us getting ready in a stance.
They were Lin Kuei cyborgs. They were the ones who wiped out other members of the Lin Kuei except the Grandmaster himself and after a sacrifice, he was given a chance to rebuild the clan with new members. I guessed that includes Azril now that he's Sub Zero's disciple. The question is who turned them on?
"Hey, don't give me that look!" Bryan glared at Azril. "I just deconstruct them! But never switched them on. Do they even have a special button to turn them on?"
"Grandmaster," Azril called his mentor. "Do you think it's either Cyrax or Sektor?"
But Sub Zero shook his head. "No. Cyrax sacrificed himself to destroy the Cyber Initiative which led to killing other cyborgs in the process. Whoever is controlling these cyborgs must be a rogue."
"Technically, a CPU damage or A.I. gone crazy?" I asked.
"No shit, Nash."
But one cyborg that was at the centre looked different from the rest. His or it's paint job is more dark grey colour than the others who were either cyan-blue or they mirror the same crimson or yellow colours of the previous mechanical fighters of Mortal Kombat. I assumed he's the leader of these cyborgs.
"Who are you?" Azril demanded without raising his voice or change his expression. "Are you a rogue?"
"You are correct," the cyan cyborg droned. "My designation is Triborg and I will rebuild the Cyber Lin Kuei to it's former glory. I knew you would return, traitor. Deciding to wipeout every last data clean and extinguish our race? You organics are pathetic and violent without a sense of logic."
"You don't understand!" I stood close to Azril. "There are people who do have logic. But now we have to have a clean slate because another group of organics are going to use you as a weapon for mass destruction."
"Logically, that's why you are here as well," the cyborg pointed out. He then approached Azril and a glowing light came out of his eyes. He was scanning him! But Azril looked calm and waited for him to finish.
"Interesting," Triborg hummed. "An organic yet 85 percent has logic while the remaining 15 percent shows you still have emotions. Did you make this one into an organic, traitor?"
"I did no such thing!" Sub Zero retorted. "Azril is my disciple and he was always like this. The Cyber Lin Kuei was not my plan to begin with. My brother had wanted this but after the corruption and his death, I vowed to destroy and clean up the mess he has made."
"Then you are a fool," Triborg droned. "Our race will flourish and we will erase all organic life in all the realms. What is the point of the necessary violence, the lust, the need to hate something that doesn't follow your ideology?"
"Because that's what makes us human!" I yelled, now this guy is grinding my gears for not cooperating and insulting Sub Zero who had his reasons to shut down the Cyber Initiative years ago. Azril was ready to aim his daggers at the cyborg's filament wire hair. Bryan wasn't scared but not smiling either.
"Step aside, Triborg," Sub Zero told him. "These disciples may be inexperience but they have hidden talents we have yet to see. Especially when one of them is a master hacker."
I can actually pinpoint the part where Bryan is going to explode out of happiness because he was praised for something of his expertise. Well, besides fashion of course! But Triborg only has his eyes on Azril. Azril stared back without any change of expression.
"I will battle this one," the cyborg stated. "If I am victorious, then I might cooperate."
"I don't think 'might' is a strong word to believe," Bryan whispered in my ear. I just nodded, watching what is Azril going to do. The silence was worst than us fighting because we don't know what Azril is going to do. Bryan was even quiet and in my mind, I could hear the announcer from the game shouting 'FIGHT!' in my head.
The scene was happening fast! Both cyborg and disciple clash their weapons together. Azril not changing his expression and neither does Triborg. In fact, both of them are alike in terms of logic but different in terms of flesh and metal. I could only do was watch both of them battling out. Azril was getting more creative with the dagger. Was Triborg once a human to begin with?
"Join our cause and I will spare you, disciple of Kuai Liang," Triborg offered before kicking Azril at the throat. I'm surprised Azril can still stand after that heavy blow. He clutched his throat, mouth having a little blood dribbling out but he had a small smirk that looked like a black hound mauling his prey.
I hoped he doesn't become a sociopath with his skills.
"I am needed elsewhere," Azril replied calmly with his free hand tangling into Triborg's filament hairs. He twisted it to bring Triborg close to him to slash an eye. The cyborg groaned in pain but before Azril's reflexes could save him, Triborg did something that made all of us wide-eyed.
A glowing light was emitted from Triborg's hands until his whole body was surrounded with light. April's face has changed from stoic to wide eyes. He was in fear. We watched as both of the bodies combined together, flesh and metal becoming one in a fusion. The only sound I could hear was Azril's gasps of pain as he was merged forcefully.
"AZRIL NO!" Bryan cried at the new creation that was formed.
"We can't stand by and do nothing!" I turned to Sub Zero. But the Cryomancer's eyes were focused on his disciple. I could detect a hint of concern for Azril and anger.
Before any of us could do anything, a new figure stood before us. A cyborg much like Triborg but can I say muscular yet still have Azril's lithe body shape? The figure has needle-like hands that reminded me of claws like Riana's gloves but deadlier and sharper. His bodywork has a dark tint to indigo and grey as the paint job was suppose to be something that blends in the shadows or the night sky. What almost made me piss my pants like Bryan was the face.
It was smooth silver with a mouth shield that hides the actual mouth and red visors to masked the optics. Could it be organic or cybernetic? I couldn't tell because the figure was all hunk of metal.
"Azril!" Sub Zero called to the new figure. "I know you are in there. Fight it! Let your mind be the dominant one in the CPU. You mustn't let Triborg control you and take over your body! Remember your friends and family!"
But the new cyborg did not listen to Sub Zero. He pointed a mechanical finger to signal the other cyborgs to attack. Bryan screamed once more but instead out of fear, it was out of spite and anger. I have never seen him so pissed before. Hell, Bryan and Azril never really interacted before. I got ready with my hammer while Sub Zero's hands glowed whitish-blue to freeze some of the cyborgs.
"Tekunin," the monotone voice came out of the fused cyborg. "All on arms. Operation: organic genocide."
Oh fuck…
…
3rd Person's P.O.V
Outside, Riana and Kristina were guarding the entrance in case Black Dragons decided to show up. Kristina was still huffing in anger, missing out on the action the boys were into.
"This is bullcrap!" Kristina exclaimed angrily as she trudged her shoes on the earthy floor. "How come the boys get to go in and we have to stay out here?! 'Oh yes, Master! Let me hold the fort while you go in and get all the credit!' Bunch of sexist-"
"Kristina!" Riana interrupted her, already having a small headache. "There's a goddamn reason why Sub Zero told us to be a guard. Both of us aren't as tech savvy as the guys. Well, you are better than me in Photoshop but I think we'll leave it to the professionals."
Kristina calmed a bit and took a deep breath. "Still….I don't want to miss out all of the action. If anything, high tech stuff would probably invade us if we get too comfortable with it."
Riana couldn't help but think that Kristina does have a point, seeing how even in university everyone at least has two gadgets at hand and losing them would be the end of the world. Now in this world, the only technology they have was manufactured and invented by Bryan since their phones are back in the real world.
"So far," Riana sighed. "I don't see anyone. Whatever the boys are doing, they better hurry up. I can't stand this suspense of waiting."
"You and me both," Kristina agreed. "How long is Kurt going to come back from spying on the trees while hunting?"
So the two girls talked to ease the mood of the situation. Riana wanted to ask Kristina something that piqued her interest. She wanted to know how it all went with Ermac and Erron Black.
"You know I've always wondered what's going on with you and those to," Riana mused. Kristina sniffed, trying to ignore Riana's comment but the short woman grinned. "Are the rumours true from Bryan's mouth or are you three just friends?"
"Look, we are just friends!" Kristina exclaimed. "Just because a girl hangs out with guys, doesn't mean they are dating!"
"I know," Riana nodded while smiling mischievously. "But the way their names were mentioned, your face is redder than it was when you're mad. Something tells me there's more to that. I'll tell you about mine after you tell yours."
Kristina was hesitant about telling Riana but since Bryan will somehow leak out and sensationalise her friendship with Ermac and Erron Black, she decided it's best to tell someone who might keep it a secret. Nash is hopeless with his harem of women he's fucked, Bryan would make a story out of it and Azril….he…nevermind!
"Fine," Kristina sighed. "They're pretty cool once you get to know them well. Ermac hangs out at the library a lot so I could share some books with him. The damn cowboy however is all over the place! He's either at the Outworld market, near Shokan territory where I trained or even damn well sunbathing near the Kove."
"Sounds like you are in a tangled," Riana giggled, thinking how Kristina was smiling when talking about Ermac then blushed at describing Erron Black despite 'disliking' his attitude. Kristina glared at her.
"Not a tangled!" Kristina exclaimed. "You know how I feel about relationships! Not making that mistake again. Sure, they are cool but we are nothing more than friends! Don't get me started on Nash and his fantasy of owning a harem of MK women. You better not tell anyone about this!"
"Okay okay, I promise!" Riana raised her hand and
Riana wished she knew what went on with Kristina and her ex but she decided not to pry as she figured Kristina needed some time off. But from the way she interacted with the two Outworld men at the gala, she thought it was sweet. Those men are genuine with her and they seemed cool to hang out with. In fact, her good terms with Erron Black sealed the deal.
"Anyways," Kristina exhaled from her rant. "What's up with you and Reptile? Or is it just Bryan's failed attempt at gossip this time."
Riana wished she would shut up and think about the consequences of making certain promises and offers. Well, there's no way backing out now since Kristina has confided her secret with her. Then again, she wouldn't want Nash to know the whole detail, knowing he would patronise and disapprove of her choice. Bryan would turn it into a documentary while Azril would be casual about it. So, she told her the details of her interactions with the Zaterran warrior and their little 'fun' the both of them have at the gala.
"Riana!" Kristina gasped, still a bit shocked from the story. "I can't believed you fucked a lizard!"
"I know!" Riana yelled back, thankful Kurt is not an earshot away or else things would be awkward. "But…I like him. He's sweet once you get to know him and is a good listener when Jade became distant or Nash is on his FuckTown adventures."
"But?" Kristina raised an eyebrow, knowing there's a catch to her friend's human-raptor relationship.
"I want to help him find his race," Riana said quietly. "I'm happy if he finds others of kind but…I don't know. I get sort of selfish when I imagined him with a female Zaterran. I'm not pissed but I want him close to me. He…never makes fun of my love for nature or wildlife."
Kristina saw how much Riana cared about Reptile. It's strange because no one likes and and who the fuck mains him in any gaming tournaments? If this is what Riana's going for, she hoped it will end on a positive note. But let's be real, he must have done that out of pity since his instinct was to follow orders and be a servant to that bastard Shao Kahn.
"But," Riana sighed. "If he really wished to be with a female of his kind then I accept it. I guessed it's better that way and I can still act as a sort of brood mare service for him if he needs a release. I don't mind. At least I got something out of this trip."
'You fucking fat liar!' Kristina thought angrily. Of course Riana minds! They way she spoke about him sounded like something from those European romance movies where one of them will die in the end. Hopefully not. Riana did not liked him. She LOVED him.
"Don't degrade yourself!" Kristina gripped the short woman's shoulders, forcing her to look right in the eye. "What kind of family do you grow up with?! Do you know you're going to hurt yourself more if you keep pursuing him, realising he doesn't feel the same way."
Riana shoved Kristina off roughly, her face red with anger and stress. "Don't you fucking dare say that! You think I don't know about because I go off into my pretty fantasies? I do and damn well it hurts but can't I at least get through with my coping mechanism of creating my own world? Like I'm wearing my own 3-D glasses?! Without me doubting myself all the time or look behind my shoulders thinking everyone is coming after me?!"
Kristina watched her, a bit surprised at how Riana can have an irritable temper. She always thought Riana was quiet and the one who follows through despite anything. She saw Riana drawing a sharp breath.
"Kris," Riana called her by her nickname. "At least you're lucky. Hell, all of the Disciples in our group are lucky they have confidence and a sort of special relationship despite obstacles thrown at them? Mine is just a 50-50 chance as much as me living with my parents at the age twenty, not ready to move out or get a decent fucking job!"
Kristina wasn't expecting hot tears to come out of Riana as she crumbled to her knees, sniffling a little while covering her face in shame. Kristina felt bad for her but now she wondered, has Nash ever experienced something like this before? He's always neutral but trying to score at school. Both grades and broads.
"Okay…" Riana whispered, nodding to herself. "I'm okay now. Sorry, you had to listen to me in this mess. Typical of me stupidly crying instead of sucking it up and charging head on. Most of the time….I follow leads because I am not sure of myself."
But Kristina placed a comforting hand on her friend's back and just gave her a hug. She has heard or was taught in Health class about mental breakdowns but never in her life she will see one right in front of her. Kurt the bearded dragon, who came back from his hunt quickly rushed to Riana's shoulders to nuzzle her. Riana soon calmed down, her breathing becomes slow and steady.
"It's okay to let it all out," Kristina soothed the older, distressed woman. "We all bottle up our emotions sometimes. Some are pretty damn good at it. Some bitches I know would fake it to get favours from our senile male teachers."
Riana smiled a bit. But before the both of them could reclaim their friendship and post, they heard shouting and barking of orders in the distance. Kristina was already ready to investigate but Riana held her back.
"What about guarding the entrance?" she asked, hesitating whether or not she should follow her for backup.
"Just a quick peak," Kristina told her. "You can guard the entrance by yourself if you like."
Unconvinced of the young girl's confidence, she whispered something to Kurt which made the little lizard scattered away in the direction that led to Bo Rai Cho's dojo. When Kristina asked, Riana just assured her not to worry. Both girls followed the sound and hid from view, trying to take a glimpse at the scene.
Apparently, some Tarkatan soldiers were forced to team up with Black Dragon scouts to infiltrate the Cyber Lin Kuei fortress. All seemed like a plan to take them out until Kristina's eyes widened with shock, anger and betrayal. She was going to interrogate this traitor.
"Why the fucking hell is that damn cowboy doing here?" Kristina hissed. "I never thought he would stoop this low for the dough."
Just before the girls could do anything, pairs of arms grabbed both of them and a ragged cloth was placed in their mouths. Riana's eyes widened when her nose caught a whiff of chloroform, which made her dizzy and slowly slackened in the kidnapper's arms. Kristina was thrashing despite the chloroform's effects. When she wouldn't succumb, she was knocked out immediately. The Black Dragon scouts chuckled and leered over the unconscious girls' body.
"Who needs the Lin Kuei technology when we could bring Kano these two disciples," one of them grinned as he squeezed Riana's breast. "Damn, for a fatty, she's got a nice set of tits that could feed the army."
"My dibs on this spitfire," another laughed, trying to slip his hand in Kristina's shorts. He was about to reach for her wet treasure hidden by her panties when a gun was cocked to his head.
"I suggest you two bring the girls back to Outworld," Erron Black told them sharply. "In mint condition."
This made the men stopped, knowing the gunslinger never misses a shot or aim at anything whether near or far. Erron Black watched them walked past him without a moment at taking a glance at Kristina's unconscious form.
'Don't worry, Princess,' he promised her in his thoughts. 'I'll get you and little bear-girl outta here.'
Oh no! Azril was fused forcefully into a cyborg! I wished Frank Welker could voice the fusion cyborg if this was real! How will the boys help him get separated? And damn, what's up with Riana and her breakdown. And troubles about to fall like a meteor shower when the girls are brought into Outworld. What will Kano do to them. *coughs* And Erron, where does your loyalty lie?
Don't forget to review, please? I have oneshots too!