Earthrealm-Special Forces Headquarters
Fujin was gone. It hasn't been more than a few days, but it was odd to Kuai Liang that just when Fujin seemed to be on a mission to help Earthrealm, he vanished. He had expected the god of wind to help teleport him to the Netherrealm, but since his disappearance decided to contact Special Forces with the favor. Now he was standing behind General Blade in silence as she worked on the portal device.
"It's a good thing you're looking for Sareena," She says. "She usually reports back to us every day, we were starting to get worried." So was Kuai. If Sareena was the key to figuring out the mystery behind his brother, then he needed to make sure she was safe. A door opens and in walks the General's daughter, Cassie Cage followed by a young man he did not know, but surely looked familiar.
"Sub-Zero you have to let me ride that beautiful beast outside!" She said. He smiles.
"Sonneth only obeys the members of the Lin Kuei," He responds.
"Yeah well if that dragon of yours messes up any of my equipment it'll be obeying the bottom of my boot," Sonya mumbles. She hits a switch and suddenly a portal appears. "You're all set. The portal has locked down Sareena's coordinates."
"So my brother's on the other side of that thing?" The young man suddenly asks.
"That is correct, Private Stryker," Sonya confirms. Kuai didn't even know Kurtis Stryker had a brother, but he couldn't deny the resemblance. The entrance opens again and in walks Hanzo Hasashi, Takeda Takahashi, and Kung Jin. Cassie's eyes brighten as she walks over to hug her friends. Sonya isn't so welcoming. "Why are you here, Hanzo?"
"Because I asked him to," Kuai answers. "Besides myself, he's the only one with enough exposure to the Netherrealm to survive the journey."
"What about Kung Lao?" Cassie asks, turning to her friends. "He was healed right?" Kung Jin frowns and shakes his head.
"I think it's too early to be throwing back in that hell realm," He says. "He still has to heal at the Shaolin Academy."
"I agree," Hanzo says. "This is a task for me and Sub-Zero." Suddenly the machine for the portal begins to beep rapidly, causing Sonya to walk over and investigate. The others gathered around her as she looked up.
"There's a lot of commotion by Sareena's coordinates," She announces. "She could be in trouble. You need to go now!" Kuai glances and Hanzo, who nods his head. Without saying another word they leap into the portal, landing in the dark cliffs of the Netherrealm.
"Kuai Liang!" Sareena screams. He turns to see her limping towards him, broken chains around her wrists. He rushes to her just as her pursuers appear. Liu Kang and Kabal are not too far away. There's surprise in the new emperor's eyes, but it seems to be more towards Hanzo than anything else.
"Well isn't this a surprise," Liu Kang says. "I'll take my prisoner back now." Kuai didn't loosen his hold on Sareena. He sensed Hanzo was looking at him so all he managed to do was slowly nod.
"GET OVER HERE!" Hanzo shouts, throwing his spear towards Liu Kang. Kabal smacks it away with his hookswords, before swiping them at Kuai Liang. He moves Sareena out of harm's way and takes a defensive stance before freezing the ground beneath Kabal's feet, causing the revenant to fall. Liu Kang grunts in frustration and begins to retreat but Hanzo is right on his tail as they disappear from view. Kabal hops back up and shakes his head.
"I've never liked you," He says, before swinging his swords again. Kuai forms an ice sword and blocks off one of the swords before the other shatters it. He ducks from another swing of the male's sword. Seeing an opening, Kuai quickly throws several jabs to the other male's abdomen before slamming an ice ball to his skull. Kabal staggers back, dropping his swords. Kuai takes advantage of this and delivers a final punch to the face, knocking the revenant out.
"How'd you know I was in trouble?" Sareena asks.
"I didn't," He answers. "I just needed to talk to you. About Bi-Han."
"What about him?" She asks, surprise in her voice. Kuai Liang didn't even know what was he asking, Fujin's words so unclear as to what he was looking for.
"Has my brother ever...hidden anything from me? From the clan?" He asks. Sareena averts her gaze. "I guess that confirms it." What could Bi-Han have done that he would feel the need to hide from him? His thoughts were interrupted by darkness appearing out of nowhere, surrounding Sareena. Suddenly what used to be his brother jumps out and shoves a blade in her back. Sareena cries out before Noob Saibot throws her to the ground.
"Time to die, little brother," He says. He's about to attack when a flame shoots towards him. He looks just in time to see Hanzo tackle him to the ground. Kuai Liang takes his eyes off the fight to run to Sareena who is starting to lay in her own pool of blood. He lays her in is arms, panicking about what to do.
"We'll get you help, Sareena," He promises. Sareena shakes her head weakly.
"It's too late for me," She says, struggling to hide her pain. She reaches out with her hands and grabs his face. "You need to listen to me."
"Speak," He encourages.
"Bi-Han has a child. Our child," She reveals, tears falling down her face. "The child was born just before he joined the first tournament. I don't even know if I had a baby boy or a girl."
"What happened?" Kuai asks.
"Bi-Han was gone and a demoness becomes severely weak after pregnancy," she reveals. "I gave the child away, sent it through a portal to Earthrealm with a strong sorceress. If the child stayed any longer during that state, I would have consumed them for energy. I gave up my only child and I could never go back to Earthrealm to see how they've grown." She's sobbing now and Kuai begins to shush her as he continues to cradle her.
"You did what was best for the child," He assures her. "But you need to remember where the child is. I have to find them."
"I didn't want my baby involves with our world, Kuai Liang," She says. "The sorceress took it to the city of New York in America. There's a group of youth there known as the Lost Kids. They protect themselves, they avoid people like us. It was the only way."
"I know, I know," He whispers. Sareena's cries are getting softer as more blood continues leave her wound.
"Find my child," Sareena begs. "Tell them I'm sorry Bi-Han and I couldn't be there for them." Kuai Liang nods as he watches Sareena struggle to breath. Hanzo appears, Noob Saibot and Kabal nowhere in sight. Kuai Liang just continues to hold her. He holds her even long after she's took her final breath.
Vaesternus- The Royal Moroi Palace
As soon as Raiden disposed of Fujin he and Skarlet teleported to the realm of vampires. Moroi have long lived among the other realms but after a massacre by one of their own, Shao Khan had easily invaded their realm. However, they were basically ignored ever since since the vampires avoided most conflicts with their magic. The palace was quiet as they walked to the throne room. Raiden spots a male guarding the throne, where Queen Nitara is watching everything. The male takes out his sword. Raiden sees Skarlet tense up as well.
"State your purpose," He demands.
"I've come to speak to your queen about an alliance," Raiden says, looking passed him as he catches Nitara's eye. "An alliance with Earthrealm." The male also looks back at her. Raiden knows that vampires are able to communicate through their minds, so long as they make eye contact. The male nods his head and turns back to him.
"What are your terms?" He asks. Raiden answers him, but still speaks directly to Nitara.
"Kotal Khan will be hosting another Mortal Kombat tournament in Outworld," He explains. "I ask for the refusal of your realm's participation to help Earthrealm's chances of victory." Nitara sighs and shifts in her seat.
"I'm aware of the tournament, Lord Raiden," She says, nodding towards the male. "Ethrot here was going to be our champion. Kotal Khan is a generous emperor, why should we betray him?"
"During my visit to the Netherrealm I felt the presence of a powerful weapon, one that brought much pain to your people," He says. Nitara's eyes grow wide as Ethrot's gaze turns into a glare.
"The Datusha," He says. "It's power would not have been felt unless it was wielded by a living host. A mind it could slowly corrupt." Raiden nods his head.
"I'm aware of the sword's lore," He says. "Help my cause and not only will I reveal the host's location, but I will also free Vaesternus once I successfully invade Outworld. You will be under my protection." Ethrot glances at Nitara again, but the queen is studying the god. Finally her lips curl into a smile as she arises from her chair.
"How could I deny the opportunity to align my people with a god," she says at last. "We will not participate in the tournament, Lord Raiden. And please, if you ever need another favor Ethrot and myself will personally see to it to help you in any way we can."
"You are very wise," He says. "The Datusha has taken the demoness Ashrah as it's new host. She is no longer in the Netherrealm, most likely already in Outworld."
"We will find her," She says. "Ethrot's tracking abilities is beyond extraordinary." He nods, deciding that now was the time to leave. He waits until the throne's doors have closed shut before turning to Skarlet.
"Now we must go back to Earthrealm," He informs. "It is time for us to recruit."
Earthrealm- Black Dragon Headquarters
From up above his study, Kano watched as his new team of elite members trained below. After escaping from Special Forces, Kano felt it was time to pass on his legacy to new, younger minds. Just like Johnny Cage and Sonya did with their daughter and her friends, Kano would train these new members to take on the Black Dragon's name with pride, and kill anyone who tries to taint it. He thought finding them would be difficult as he wanted the best of the best. He first tracked down his own son, Claude, back to Australia. His mother was some hooker Kano had made himself acquainted with after Shao Kahn's invasion failed. When he found him, he found Piezo and Opal. The trio were apart of a pretty known rock band, but it's what they weren't known for that caught his attention. They were thieves. Opal's minimal hypnosis abilities would be used to distract guards, cashiers, and security while Claude and Piezo made way with the loot. If they got in trouble, Piezo had developed a calling for makeshift bombs. Claude was the brains of it all, their leader. However, they were barely just realizing their potential then and still lacked certain skills. His son was eager to reunite with him and the other two followed him wherever he went. When he returned with them to the Black Dragon, he made sure to put them through so much pain, so much torture to make sure that they would never break. They almost didn't make it, but that's when Tremor stepped in to push them to their limits. It apparently had worked, his son and his team performed to their fullest potential during their last test. They were well on their way to becoming the most dangerous members of the clan, aside from him of course.
"Kano," grunts Jarek, who had just entered the room. "You wanted to see me?" Kano tears his eyes away from the scene below to look at his other member.
"I did," He says. "I needs you to go to our Outworld hideout and get some supplies."
"That it?" Jarek asks. Kano glares at him.
"Yeah," He replies. "Make it fast before I change my mind about your current ranking." Jarek straightens up and nods, leaving the room immediately. Kano laughs before taking out a cigar. He's just about to light it when a portal suddenly opens up, two figures walking through before it closes. Kano smirks at his guests, taking a puff before addressing them.
"If it isn't the emperor of the Ntherrealm," He greets, looking from Liu Kang to Noob Saibot. "And his new pet."
"I'll snap your neck, human!" Noob hisses. Kano laughs as he walks over to his chair.
"What can I do for you?" He asks. Liu Kang steps closer and that's when Kano sees the other is a little battered up. "Seems to me you've been playing rough."
"Just a small set back in my plans," The revenant says. "I have a job for the Black Dragon."
"Won't be cheap," He says honestly. Almost instantly a bag of coins is dropped on his desk. Kano smirks as he takes it in his hands. "You know I always knew there was a little bad in ya. What can I do for ya?"
"We need you to have your members track Sub-Zero," Liu Kang expains, glancing at Noob Saibot. "He's going after someone we want and since we cannot be in Earthrealm too long without Special Forces noticing, we need you."
"And this person you want us to find," He says. "You want them alive or dead?"
"Alive," Liu Kang says. "If they aren't, you'll regret it." Kano notices the threat in his voice. He clears his throat before putting out his cigar.
"You're in luck," He says. "I have a new team of members who will be perfect for the job, but it's going to cost you double if you want you friend alive."
"You'll get the rest of your money when you've succeeded in your mission," Liu Kang informs him.
"Deal," He says. He watches as the portal appears once again, the other two stepping inside to return to their realm. As soon as they're gone he walks out of his study, standing over the stairs as he watches his son train. "Claude!" He calls out. The boy quickly flips Piezo to the ground before turning to face Kano. Piezo mumbles something but is also paying attention. Not too far away, Opal puts down her weights.
"Yes, father?" Claude calls out.
"I have your first mission," He says, smirking at the deadly trio. Time to reveal the new terror of the Black Dragon.
Hey, everyone! Here's another update. As a response to a guest's question, I'm here to confirm that yes Bo' Rai Cho will be in the story and has already made an appearance, however he's more of a supporting character (similar to his role in Mortal Kombat X). Unfortunately Triborg will not be in the story because I had already planned everything out before his character's reveal and as much as I'd like him to be in, he doesn't really fit anywhere in terms of plots. But Smoke is in the story, even though he sees himself as Enenra. If this story is successful and I decide to write a sequel I'll definitely put Triborg in the storyline, though. Please keep the reviews I appreciate and accept all critique.