The gray stone and dry soil began to get stained a darker shade by the rain. For the rebels that made this canyon their base of operations, this was a welcome change of weather from the almost constantly arid and hot climate. That was until the pleasantly refreshing drizzle quickly grew into a heavy downpour. Soldiers and non military workers alike scrambled to hoist rain tarps over all of the many tents before they became so drenched that they collapsed under their own weight. One individual stood on a stone precipice, staring up into the violet Outworld sky as the rain crashed into him. Unable to blink the water away, he had to wipe it away with his hand, leaving slight water marks on the hardened glass like material covering his eyes. Sub Zero let the water cup in his hand, and then squished it between both his hands. He felt no sensation. He let out a heavy sigh, and even that was alien to him. He tried to find some humor in a joke one of the Lin Kuei initiates had made in a kind hearted attempt to cheer him up; that when he sighed or breathed he sounded like Darth Vader. Sub Zero took it upon himself to actually watch the movie; needless to say he wasn't amused by the comparison. Despite that, he appreciated the initiate's intentions and remained a good sport.
"If you keep standing out here you might rust." Someone said behind him.
He recognized the voice, and knew the comment wasn't meant to be offensive, but rather a very clever shot at his situation, indicative of the woman's intelligence wittiness.
"How long have you wanted to use that one Jade?" Sub Zero asked while turning to here.
She was wearing a hooded cloak, likely to protect the bandages she had from the rain.
"Since I found you standing out here moping in the rain."
"How can you tell?" He asked, trying his hand at poking fun at himself.
Jade smiled and shook her head at this, but it exuded more empathy than amusement.
"Body language can show more than a facial expression. That you are standing out in the rain makes it more dramatic."
"I wasn't moping, I was just….remembering." He said solemnly
"Remembering your human self, or your brother?"
Sub Zero was surprised that she would suspect that he was thinking about his brother, but he was, and he was the fool for underestimating Jade's intellect again.
"Both." He stated.
A small silence lingered between them for a few moments, and Jade had decided not to press the issue further.
"Come one, everyone is assembled in the command tent." She said and she lead him to the tent.
The tent was larger than the others, and inside there were chests with weapons, documents, as well as the same strewn about. Dominating the space was a large table, with several maps as well as dossiers. Already in the tent were Smoke, the second in command of the Lin Kuei after Sub Zero, and Princess Kitana, the ruler of Edenia and leader of the rebel forces.
"Can your assassins get to him through this pass?" Kitana asked smoke and placed her finger on one of the maps.
"They can go anywhere; the problem is them getting back. Taking this route is a long trip, should they fail in their assassination of Reiko, we won't know about it for days." Smoke told her.
"And that will give him plenty of time to prepare a counterattack." Kitana said to herself in frustration.
Sub Zero and Jade joined them around the table.
"Must we try to eliminate Reiko so soon? Rain is a bigger threat." Jade said.
"Overall yes, but Rain is relying on brute force and our location gives us an almost impenetrable defense from him. Reiko would be easier to take out; his forces are less numerous and he has no officers to speak of." Kitana explained.
"But Reiko is being backed by Quan Chi." Sub Zero added.
"Quan Chi is using Reiko as a figure head to expand his influence. With Reiko gone, his stake in this war is lost. I don't want to drag Netherealmers into this fight."
"Well they have joined on their own." Jade said and gestured to her injuries.
"Indeed, Quan Chi cares enough about this war to provide protection to even a simple supply caravan." Smoke stated.
"Noob Saibot's involvement does not mean Quan Chi is willing to step up as the leader of Reiko's forces. When we will Reiko, if Noob Saibot intervenes he will be dealt with as well." Kitana said.
"What?" Sub Zero asked.
"Sub Zero, I know you think that your brother can be saved, but I can't put the lives of my rebels at risk over a cause that may be hopeless."
"With respect Princess, we did have an agreement. You agreed that if the Lin Kuei aided you in this civil war that we could deal with Bi Han as we deemed fit." Smoke said in a calm and reasonable manner.
"But he has proven a threat even to you, shown that he cares nothing for his old affiliations." Kitana reasoned.
"Wouldn't you try everything you could to save your mother?" Sub Zero asked boldly.
For a second, the air of authority broke and revealed the women unaccustomed to being in a leadership position in Kitana. She let out a heavy sigh from her full red lips, and looked at him right in the eyes.
"Do you really think you can save him?" She asked seriously.
Sub Zero faltered for a moment, unsure. He wanted to say yes, but he didn't think he believed in it enough to give her back the steadfast answer that her question demanded.
"Yes Kitana, I do." He said.
"As do I." Smoke stated.
Kitana eyed Jade and the bandages she had.
"What about you Jade? Do you believe this, 'man' can be redeemed?"
"I would be a hypocrite if I said no." Jade said, alluding to both of their time under Shao Kahn's control.
"Very well Sub Zero, you have my full support in trying to save your brother. This meeting is over." Kitana ordered.
Smoke and Jade left into the rain first, and Sub Zero was about to exit when Kitana called him. He turned to her, and she stood with her arms under her large breasts and wore an expression of both frustration, and knowing how he felt.
"I would have done everything I could to save my mother, and more. The problem was not in the effort though; it was because there was nothing to save. Recognize a lost cause sooner to avoid hurting yourself, and others." She told him.
If he still had a face capable of expressing emotions, he would have been frowning knowingly. Instead, the never changing blankness of his faceplate was all Kitana got before he left. Smoke was waiting for him outside the tent.
"So, what do you really think?" He asked Sub Zero.
"I think….we have a difficult time ahead of us. Has Sareena reported back yet?" Sub Zero asked.
"No she hasn't. She must still be in the Netherrealm, I hope she knows what she is doing."
"She is a native of that place, she should be fine."
"But Bi Han isn't himself anymore, who knows what he is liable to do."
Rain inspected Tremor, walking around him. Baraka, as a security measure, stood next to him in an attempt to intimidating so as to deter any funny business. The attempt seemed lost on Tremor, who dwarfed the larger than average Tarkatan and looked, if nothing else bored. Reptile was perched up on a ledge overlooking the room, Mileena sat with both her legs crossed on the seat of an ornate chair.
"So this is your weapon Kano? Well he certainly is big." Rain said.
"Yeah he'll eat you out of house and home, plus he is a snappy dresser to isn't he?" Kano said and slapped Tremor on the back.
Tremor was dressed in brownish orange attire. His tunic and pants were covered in thick leather, and dulled spikes protruded from his knee guards, bracers, and shoulder pads. His mask was larger than what most ninjas wore; it extended downward past his chin almost resembling a shield or the beak of an eagle. Parts of elaborate tattoos, similar to Kano's Black Dragon tattoos, could be seen on what skin was exposed on his chest.
"He smells too…clean, not like a fighter should." Baraka said to Kano.
"Well he's been locked up in a tank of water for awhile now, what do you expect? You see, those Special Forces bastards knew that they couldn't just lock him up in just any cell."
"Why is that? Tell me Tremor, what can you do for me? You can talk can't you?" Rain said, starting to think that he really couldn't.
Tremor stomped his foot on the ground hard, startling Baraka who extended his blades as a precaution. For a second they felt a rumbling in the ground, and then a sharp spike erupted from the stone ground, almost skewering Kano.
"Son of a bitch watch it!" Kano exclaimed.
The sudden demonstration of Tremor's abilities intrigued everyone. Baraka now watched the ground with paranoia. Reptile decided that staying off the ground was best, though he wasn't sure if that power applied to the stonework in the walls as well. Mileena practically jumped out of her seat to come inspect the spike. Rain, unwilling to show his shock, remained stone faced in his response,
"I see why you suggested recruiting him; you've certainly earned the rest of your payment Kano."
"Well yes I have, for getting him here." Kano stated.
"Excuse me?" Rain asked, secretly taking offence to Kano's bolder tone.
"Our old agreement was for me busting him out and brining him to you. A payment plan with more longevity is required for me to stay on give him orders."
"And who says you are the one that will be ordering him about?" Rain said with silently growing rage.
"He was a part of the Black Dragons before he was caught. I am the head of the Black Dragons. Put the two together, it makes sense doesn't it? I think it would be best for the sake of our partnership."
"Partnership? I would have hoped that this was evident to you by now smuggler, there is no partnership. There is my word, and your obedience!" Rain said as he approached Kano threateningly.
Baraka snarled and followed suite. However, the both of them stopped when Tremor stepped in their way, his silent force giving them pause. Mileena, somewhat eager to see a fight brake out but wary of the extent of Tremor's power, put some distance between them and herself. For several long moments, Tremor stared down Rain and Baraka while Kano laughed triumphantly. His sandy brown eyes stared defiantly into Rain's, who was now contemplating killing the both of them because of their insolence.
"Now you see where his loyalties lay. Now, if you want to continue our business partnership…" Kano began.
At the sound of his words, Tremor's gaze suddenly lightened up from defiance and changed to menace. With unexpected speed, he turned and grabbed Kano by his collar and hoisted him into the air.
"What the hell are you…gah!" Kano screamed as Tremor brought him down onto the still protruding stone spike.
With his intestines wrapped around the spike, Kano grabbed hold of it so as to prevent his own weight from dragging him down the spike further. Blood rushed up his throat and out his mouth, and he could only watch Tremor approach him, his eyes devoid of emotion.
"You..You…you fucking…" Kano tried to say weakly.
Tremor bent over and placed his hands on the ground. Using his power, he commanded the stone slab to detach itself from the others in the floor, and he then lifted it from the ground like it was a cardboard box. Still holding the slab, Tremor stared at Kano a few moments longer, taking in his horrified, knowing expression.
"Consider this my two weeks notice." Tremor said before he raised the slab and smashed it down onto Kano.
The slab destroyed the spike, and crushed Kano underneath it on the ground. Only his feet, hands, and part of his head stuck out from beneath it. His fingers twitched for a moment, the light from his cybernetic eye shined a second longer before dimming completely, indicating that Kano was dead.
"Wow…" Mileena said between small chuckling at the savagery and treachery of the kill.
"What….why did you do that?" Baraka asked anxiously.
"I wanted to make a good first impression." Tremor stated.
"You certainly have." Mileena said pleasingly.
"Can I expect this kind of 'loyalty' from you Tremor?" Rain asked threateningly.
"I am a man of simple tastes, sir. From I heard from Kano, working for you promises power and wealth…..as well as a whole lot of killing. I am happy to be of service." Tremor said and he bowed his head.
Rain, swayed by Tremor's respectful way of speaking to him, consoled Baraka so that he retracted his blades.
"I am glad that you know your place better than that swine did. Everyone leave us, Tremor must be brought up to speed with the details of our next attack." Rain said.
Reptile jumped down from his perch and exited the room along with Baraka. Mileena remained, deliberately being oblivious to the extent of Rain's command.
"Mileena…" Rain said.
"What? I want to be more acquainted with our new friend."
"Now Mileena."
"You don't really consider me to be among the likes of those two do you?"
"I actually consider them to be above you; you don't recognize true leadership or power. Now leave before I start debating why I even keep you around at all!"
Hissing slightly and baring her teeth beneath her mask, Mileena turned and made her way to the door. She caught Tremor's eyes for a second; he was looking at her with interest.
You don't recognize true power Rain. She thought just before leaving.
The familiar furnishings of the Brotherhood of Shadow's sanctuary greeted Noob as he approached it. The portal he found had taken him to the outskirts of the major Netherrealm city that the sanctuary resided in. Even in his beaten state, the demonic citizens feared him and those he was affiliated with enough to decide against making him their next victim. Despite the many fires burning, the sanctuary had a lowlight condition, the darkness always miring one's eyesight. He walked down the long hallway which started from the entrance. He kept true to the path, not turning down any of the side passages. The architecture, which in the Netherrealm was almost always twisted and adorned with horns grew more elaborate as he approached his destination; Quan Chi's chamber.
So what do we tell him?
"You were there, you know what."
Your going to tell him that a woman thrashed you and that before we could finish her off, brother dearest showed up and scared you off?
"I wasn't scared off damn you!" Noob snapped at Saibot before he entered Quan Chi's chamber.
The sorcerer sat in his throne atop a small staircase elevating it off the ground. He seemed to have been expecting Noob's arrival.
"I expected you to be done your mission sooner, why did you take so long?" Quan Chi asked him.
"There was a complication master." Noob answered.
"A complication indeed." Quan Chi said and took note of Noob's injuries.
"The supply convoy was protected as was instructed. It was attacked by a group of easily defeated Lin Kuei assassins. However, one of Kitana's lieutenants, Jade, was among the assailants and I fought her."
"So Kitana has enlisted the help of the Lin Kuei…." Quan Chi said thoughtfully.
"Yes master, but we were close to the end of our journey when they attacked. I am certain the convoy arrived safely once I ended them."
"And Jade?"
"What?"
"Is Jade among those you killed?"
"No master, she yet lives."
"She defeated you then?" Quan Chi said with minor annoyance.
"No master."
"You come to me with open wounds and dripping blood and inform me that your opponent is alive, but you insist that she did not defeat you?" Quan Chi said more angrily now.
"There was a….complication." Noob said quietly.
You said that already.
"You've already said that!" Quan Chi said as he stood up from his throne.
Noob mentally heard light laughter from Saibot's far off voice.
"I was about to deal the final blow…..but my brother…"
"Your brother?" Quan Chi exclaimed as if the word brother was profanity.
"Sub Zero intervened. He was prepared to defend Jade, and I was, I am in no shape to fight him." Noob said.
The beginnings of what looked like a smile tugged at the ends of Quan Chi's lips. The sorcerer only ever smiled when he got what he wanted or when he had something particularly cruel in mind.
"No you are not. Allow me to remedy that."
Green energy gathered in both the sorcerers hands, and when he raised them, twin blasts left his hands and into Noob. Pain afflicted his entire body, all the pain he had experienced in his fight with Jade in one second, and then the next second, and the next. Noob fell to his knees, yells of pain escaping his mouth despite his best efforts to hold them.
Here, let me help.
The pain started to turn into anguish and sadness, then to thoughts of power and rage, and soon the pain was simply a slight numbness. Noob had retreated back into that dark dead place that he had awoken in when Scorpion killed him. It was the intensely quiet place, the realm where he had first met Saibot. A few moments later the familiar light shined down from above, illuminating him. The light cast a shadow off his body, and that shadow took it's more organic shape as the blacker mirror of Noob, Saibot.
I think he's angry. The dark being joked.
"I suppose he believes this is his way of disciplining us."
How much longer must we suffer his ownership?
"This war offers many opportunities. With Quan Chi directly supporting Reiko, he is using resources that he may need when we make our move. I am, however, curious to see how this war ends. Do you know why?" The question may as well have been rhetorical.
Should Reiko come out as the victor in the Outworld civil war, then overthrowing Quan Chi could solidify our control of both this realm and Outworld. I know your desires better than anyone
Coming back to reality, Noob opened his eyes and stood back up. The feelings of intense pain resonated within him even as they started to diminish. All of the injuries he sustained had been healed, and even his clothing was repaired.
"Are you not thankful for my aid?" Quan Chi asked with cruel satisfaction; demanding someone thank him for pain.
Noob bowed his head, feigning respect while gritting his teeth in anger beneath his mask.
"Thank you for your generosity my master." He said biting off every word.
"I do not condone failure Noob, consider this the only respite you shall receive. Now I have new orders for you. I am turning you over to Reiko, you will report to him and carry out his orders."
"I am to be one of Reiko's soldiers?"
"A mere soldier, no. The news that the Lin Kuei has joined the fight is most concerning, and Reiko is unprepared to face such a foe. You will be a, call it a specialist, that Reiko can order as he sees fit."
"Very well master, I will report to Reiko as soon as possible." Noob said and he turned to leave.
"And Noob.." Quan Chi said.
Noob stopped and turned around slightly.
"Should you encounter any of Kitana's officers, or Sub Zero again, make sure that only one of you comes back alive." Quan Chi said in a way that suggested he really wouldn't mind if Noob was the one that was killed.
Lingering for only a moment more, Noob left the chamber, exited the sanctuary, and then even left the city to wander the hellish wasteland of the Netherrealm.
Quan Chi remained in his chamber, sitting in his throne until a figure stepped through a purple void. The sorcerer respectfully allowed the tall man to sit I his throne, while he stood to the side.
"You risk much on the wraith's shoulders." Shinnok said.
"I realize that, but it may be for the best. I suspect that he is not completely loyal to me."
"You would be a fool to believe otherwise. I can sense his intents, but only that there is an intention at all. Whether he plans to spread subterfuge or leave, as the specter did, I cannot tell."
"Scorpion is now our enemy because he discovered the truth behind the deaths of his family and clan. Noob however has known about the reasons for his demise and has not yet acted against us. It is, puzzling. My lord, why did you have me send Noob to the front lines with Reiko?"
Shinnok leaned more comfortably in the throne, a small smile on his face.
"When he was resurrected, something happened to him, something that I do not fully understand. I do, however, see the potential that his power has. The problem is that he is not completely ours yet, there is a light inside him."
"Then I can simply snuff it out."
"You tried that with Scorpion and now he is trying to kill you! No, the only way to make someone truly bend to your will and become subservient is if they snuff out their light themselves, and give in to the darkness."
The burnt ground covered with a constant thin layer of ash and fiery gravel crunched beneath Noob's heavy footsteps. The occasional oni or demon could be seen, but in the never ending plains of the Netherrealm, one could walk far enough and be completely alone. In Noob's case, almost alone.
So now we are taking orders from Reiko? I almost rather be kept standing next to Quan Chi's thrown for the day.
"Reiko is just a soldier. He isn't cunning enough to combat Lin Kuei. That is why Quan Chi has ordered us there."
You and I both know that isn't even the half of it.
"What are you talking about?"
You know.
"Stop being so damn cryptic."
I know you know, you just don't know how to realize that you know it yourself. Or maybe you do, in which case you are being too proud or stubborn to accept it.
"Out with it!" Noob demanded inwardly.
A deep, almost tired sigh followed first from Saibot.
Kuai Lang, Sub Zero, formerly your brother. This is the second time that he has bested you, and Quan Chi is getting suspicious. As am I.
"What you are implying is ridiculous. That part of my life is over, the man I used to be is long dead and buried."
It is hard to lie to one's self. Especially when yourself, me, can literally call you on your bullshit. I know all you know, remember all you remember. Have shared all your feelings, actually, rather I have been forced to experience your feelings.
Saibot's words annoyed Noob, he didn't enjoy having someone, something, explaining him away like he were a book.
I'm annoying you aren't I. I can't tell you how many times you have annoyed me to no end. During the ferocity of battle, the satisfaction of assassinating a target, and the knowledge that you were the most powerful of the Lin Kuei, there was harmony between us! But then there was those instances where I felt so distant from you. You coming to regret killing Scorpion in cold blood, wasting your time training your half wit brother, and taking pity on that woman...
Noob had had enough.
"Enough!" Noob inwardly shouted in rage.
"I am in control of myself! Not Quan Chi, and not even you can dare to presume to know my soul better than myself."
He had tried to overcome Saibot's rousing, but his fit of rage if anything made Noob feel closer to Saibot, like the shadowy being had grown to fill him more. Despite this, Saibot had gone silent again, and Noob had finally been able to really take note of his location. Almost immediately he had spotted the silhouette of something moving towards him. It's frame looked unfit for being in this part of the Netherrealm. It wasn't large or armored; it was lean and wearing revealing clothing. It was a woman, a human looking woman. And despite this, she walked as if the Netherrealm itself would bend to her. When she was close enough, her details could be made out. Predominantly black leather clothing, shapely body with very appreciable curves and bust, black shoulder length hair with large white highlights. The woman made Saibot tense and hostile, while Noob felt something he wasn't able, or willing, to describe. He could only speak her name.
"Sareena?"
Sorry for another long wait for an update. I hope in this chapter you saw the beginnings of new plots being set in motion. Next chapter will have more action. Read, review, and suggest.