The Past is in the Past

He could remember watching it as a boy even now. And although it had been many years ago, the images still burned clear in his mind.

One by one they all charged at him. And one by one they were all tossed aside. With greater strength and speed than men twice his age Bi Han was everything you'd expect of a Sub Zero. He was brutal, ruthless, without mercy or compassion.

The training yard was used just for training but with Bi Han it might as well have been the real thing. He jumped forward and with one punch broke a jaw and shattered a few teeth. Quickly he turned around to kick another opponent across the face, sending him to the ground. And the third thought he could grapple with him but found that a poor choice.

Bi Han wrapped his arms around the smaller man and went to the group with him, managing to grab his arm by the elbow and wrist. Kuai could remember seeing the man's pain and seeing him tap Bi Han's leg but it didn't matter. In one swift move Bi Han manage to break the arm not only at the elbow but completely rip it out of it's socket.

When he was done he rose to his feet, towering among his conquered. He was the greatest warrior the Lin Kuei had. The Biggest, the strongest, the fastest. And Kuai was only a pale imitation.

Kuai Lang watched as a figure red as blood and silent as death walked past the carnage and towards the fighting.

"Sub Zero." The Grandmaster spoke in a voice as old and soft as the wind. Bi Han tilted his head towards the old man." I have a mission for you. There's a Tournament coming up being held by the Sorcerer Shang Tsung."

Suddenly Kuai Lang found himself gone and away from that cold and distant past. And when his eyes opened he felt nothing but the cold air on his face. Above him was a ceiling fan and to his left was an open window with a clear view to the sea.

He jolted upright and the first thing he realized was the pain that shot up his body. Looking down he saw that he had been bandaged up from his battle with Erron Black.

"It's alright." A smooth voice said as a hand rested on his head. Now he realized he was not alone. He felt the hand run through his hair and he learned that his face was exposed. Looking over he saw Kitana sitting down and next to him.

It was the first time she had ever seen him without his armor. He was clean-shaven under that mask. And his hair was black as night.

"My armor." He groaned sitting up." My mask-" But he stopped when she reached out her hand and it hit against his chest.

"Will be waiting for you when you're ready." She finished. Sub Zero could not argue with her, she would have it her way. Also because the pain couldn't allow him to sit up for much longer, he quickly sat back down.

"My medallion?" he asked.

"It was crumbled to pieces in the battle." Sub Zero's eyes flared open and it all seemed to come back to him.

"Erron Black?" Sub Zero questioned.

"He is dead." Kitana replied. She knew there would be no point in lying to him. Erron Black had raised his sword to cleave Sub Zero in two and as he swung down nearly managed too, cutting Sub Zero along his right collar bone. But in those split seconds Sub Zero also acted and stabbed his ice sword right through Erron Black's stomach. After the reply he let in a sharp hiss of air and she watched as his chest slowly rose only to fall." You cannot blame yourself." She said." You had not choice, otherwise he would have killed you."

"That is not why I shudder." He said to her." Erron Black knew the score as well as I. I don't imagine if our roles were reversed that he would feel anything for me."

"Then why?" she questioned." Why does this pain you so?"

"My brother." He responded.

"Your brother?" she repeated." You never talk about your brother." And while that was true, over the past few days that had been the person on the Grandmaster's mind most.

"He was everything expected of the Lin Kuei." Sub Zero said." Bold, Strong and willing to do anything for the sake of the clan. But he was different. My brother always had an unusual talent for violence. Everyone in the clan respect him. Respected but not admired, feared. The things he did were not for our clan but for his own amusement." He shivered in remembrance. Men, women, children, animals. Nothing was off limits for the elder Sub Zero. " Some of which I dare not say even now." His breath became deep and heavy as if the shadowy figure of his brother was hovering over him right now, squeezing both hands around his throat." That is what drew your Father's attention to my clan. He admired the brutal nature of my brother." He paused a moment longer breathing in a few more breaths. "He gave me this." He pointed to his blind eye." And that's why I wear these." He motioned to his armor." To remind myself that I'm not cruel for the sake of cruelty. That I'm not a monster, that I'm not my brother!" With a few more huffed breaths he sat back down, his chest rising and falling.

"You are as much your brother as I am my sister." She said moving down next to him. She put both her hands on the side of his head." We cannot let these shadows form our destinies for us. But step out into the light and make our own, Sub Zero." That sounded strangely familiar.

Sub-Zero had been his brother's name. The name of a killer, a demon. The Grandmaster had his own name entirely.

"It's Kuai Lang." He said to her." My name is Kuai Lang."

"Kuai." She said. His one eye black as night met both her ocean blue ones. He slowly traced his arm up and along her neck." Kaui." She said again. Then she leaned down and pressed her lips against his as he did the same to her.

Up at the Palace the Tournament continued and the battles raged on.

"Sister has left the scene." Mileena said strumming a finger along her chin. Her eyes shifted to the only fighter left, Ermac." That makes this simpler. Rain."

"Empress." He said appearing at her side.

"Finish them off." Rain eyes shifted over to Kitana's last fighter. He knew what she meant and he knew who he would fight. He took a step forward." But don't be hasty." She said halting him." I want this losing streak of mine turned around, and you've seen how I've rewarded failure so far." But her threats did not shake Rain.

He was a Demi-God, a son of Argus, master of water and lightning. There was nothing he couldn't handle. He began walking forward and towards Ermac.

"Ermac." Rain said pointing a finger at him. The creation's green eyes flared when he saw him." Step forward."

"You offer a challenge?" Ermac asked.

"Come forth and test yourself." Ermac moved past Reptile and into the center of the room, to square off with Rain. "Are you ready creature?" Rain asked. He held his right hand out by his side and electricity zapped between his fingers.

"Are you Demi-God?" Ermac responded. His eyes glowing green as he levitated into the air.

This was delightful for Kotal. An enemy of his would be destroyed this match. And right now after Erron's death he'd prefer it be Ermac's.

"Next Battle." Kotal Khan said." Ermac versus Rain!"