Sub Zero watched Noob out of the corner of his eye, not that he had much choice. The auto targeting systems in his visor had painted his tied up brother with a marker that only he could see, so even though his head was turned, a line stretched from the centre of his vision to where Noob sat, serving as a reminder, and after he noticed an oddity, a disturbing peculiarity. The systems within his helmet could analyze most of what he saw and project information about it in his visor. While Sub Zero was a smart man he wasn't so arrogant as to think that he could comprehend all this information scrolling through his vision easily. However, since the modifications made by the cyber-intitiative had improved the processing power of his brain, it was like he was simply reading a book. When he looked at Noob however, the only information that his systems pulled up was rudimentary. Height, 6'2, and weight, 220 lbs with the clothing and armour. Normally he would get information as detailed as heart rates, brain patterns, bodily injuries or ailments whether hidden or obvious, he could even ascertain someone's identity by cross referencing them through the Lin Kuei's massive database if they had something as meagre as an email address. Noob must have been too alien for Sub Zero's systems to recognize. It was like Noob's thoughts were unknowable, and his heart's existence questionable.

With a mental order Sub Zero disengaged the advanced targeting systems and cleared his vision, in a manner of speaking. Even without the depersonalizing touches of his helmet, the overall mood he got from looking at his tied up brother didn't change much. Bi Han's attitude had always been abrasive; he was quick to look down on anyone he believed to be beneath him, of which there were many. When it came to Kuai Lang, Bi Han's distant attitude made him more like an incredibly stern sensei than a brother. He could be even colder than the ice that he created. Every time Kuai Lang would kick, Bi Han would kick harder. Every time he punched, his brother punched harder. Every time he tried to make an ice construct, tried to be stealthy, or failed to finish off a target Bi Han showed his mastery over their shared abilities, moved like a shadow in the night, and killed dually with the skill of an assassin and the ferocity of a beast. No matter what it was he did, Bi Han always took the time to point out all his flaws. Instead of a sensei, Bi Han now seemed more like a domineering but hopelessly disappointed parent.

Sub Zero turned and caught two rebel soldiers staring into the tent. They quickly left but he read their expressions in that one instant; suspicion, hatred, and fear. He didn't appreciate that, but he could understand their feelings. Even as younglings, Kuai Lang was always intimidated by Bi Han. From childhood to adulthood he had a viscousness about him, and seemed to have a hidden desire to surpass everyone in the Lin Kuei. There was not-so-friendly competetion amongst the Lin Kuei for the grandmaster's favour, but Bi Han was absolutely vindictive when another acolyte showed any promise at all. More than once Bi Han severely injured other Lin Kuei during training, with absolutely no remorse.

Sub Zero stared at Noob's shadow that was cast against the fabric of the tent behind him by a lantern. He clenched his metal fists and remained on alert; he wondered if the shadow clone Noob often created in battle could act on it's own, or if it was even sentient without it's master's consent. He was almost certain that he was just being overly paranoid, but it looked like the shadow's head was oddly angled in comparison to how he expected it to be when cast from Noob's body. It looked like it was looking in his direction. He rationalized that it must just be a trick of the light.

Noob sat in the ray of light extending down from nothingness, still unconscious. From the sea of darkness surrounding him and the light, Saibot watched from the shadows. Saibot had no body, no eyes or ears, merely an awareness. It was aware of where Noob's body was, and it was aware that Noob was unconscious. This gave it freedom to wander through the dark recesses of Noob's mind unhindered, although it really had no reason to. Saibot's mind and Noob's mind were one. Through this bond Saibot was forced to experience Noob's unconscious and lost thoughts.

Most of it was what Saibot expected given recent events; namely meeting Scorpion again. Right now Noob was 'dreaming' about the first time he entered the Netherrealm. He had encountered the furious and vengeful soul of Scorpion in that hellish place, and the two fought again. Noob, Sub Zero at the time, was victorious once again, and enjoyed killing his nemesis once again. If Saibot had a mouth right now, it would be smiling. It remembered that time as vividly as if it were yesterday.

Then things started to change pace. Now Noob dreamt of leaving the Netherrealm and how much, for a lack of a better word, lighter he felt. He felt a weightless burden whilst trekking around that evil place, and even after escaping, he had this nagging sensation that something had been stirred up within him, like something was following him as surely as his shadow was.

Noob thought of how Sareena had supposedly died in his arms, and the sorrow, guilt, and loss he felt.

Unacceptable.

Saibot exerted it's influence over Noob's mind, infecting his dreams and thoughts. Saibot turned the hurt Noob felt when he believed Sareena to be dead into a weakness. Saibot reminded Noob that he despised weakness. He hated how weak his brother had been, he hated how weak other members of the Lin Kuei had been. He wouldn't tolerate any weakness in himself either.

Wake up.

Noob's white eyes snapped open. He looked around confusedly for a moment but soon realized where he was. He stood up and looked down at his shadow. Saibot soon materialized from it with it's arms crossed, looking rather displeased. Noob couldn't tell what his darker half was thinking in this state, so he was forced to ask.

"What's your problem?"

You were having those dreams again.

"I can't control dreams." Noob said defensively.

Saibot's eyes narrowed at him, which made Noob angry.

"Remember your place." Noob ordered.

He blinked and Saibot was gone. He felt the familiar fullness in his head, like something was swishing around inside. He could once again feel what Saibot felt...it felt irritated.

My place is here, the same as yours.

Noob opened his eyes groggily and saw a pair of whitish blue metal boots. He sneered beneath his mask as he looked up to find Sub Zero staring down at him.

"Brother." Sub Zero said.

"Sub Zero." Noob replied, ignoring Sub Zero's persistence in reestablishing their brotherhood.

Sub Zero sighed and shook his head.

"You sound like an air vent." Noob said cruelly.

"And your personality still leaves much to be desired." Sub Zero retorted.

They both just stared at each other. Despite not being younglings anymore, and despite everything that had happened to the two of them, at this moment, it was like they were kids again. Their relationship had always been dull, and ice cold. Sub Zero had always thought about it in this sense: if he couldn't keep up he would be left behind.

"Where am I? What is this place?" Noob asked.

"The heart of Edenian resistance base. Very well fortified, very crowded, with more than a few people who wan't to kill you."

"Such as yourself?"

"Evidently not."

"And why is that?"

"I want to help you."

Noob scoffed at this.

He's like a broken record.

"Your naivety is boundless."

"Is it?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Two more people walked into the tent just then. Noob's eyes widened at the sight of them, and Saibot's protests became even louder in his head. Sareena stood next to Sub Zero, holding her arm and looking rather equitable. Smoke looked rather disturbed; this was his first time seeing Bi Han after his rebirth as Noob Saibot. Smoke's distress along with Sareena's impartial understanding and Sub Zero's withdrawn, almost detached composure made sure that every base of the human emotional spectrum was covered. Noob had never cared much for emotion, even before his death.

"Bi Han..." Smoke said whilst trying place his hand on Noob's shoulder.

Noob recoiled away from the Enera's touch like it was an attack. Smoke pulled his hand back in shock; he could've sworn he heard a quiet echo of a slightly demonic, human growl.

"Bi Han, you are among friends again. Everything will be okay." Smoke reassured.

"I have no need of friends Smoke."

"I don't believe that, those aren't your own thoughts. Whatever has possessed you corrupts your mind."

Possession? Hah! The fools.

"You are waisting your time...all of you. Like I already told you, Sareena, you've taken your place amongst the slaughter that is to come in this war by allying with Kitana."

"Reiko's armies are no match for Kitana's or Rain's; you are on the losing side." Sub Zero stated.

Noob snickered.

"That's not my problem. I am on my side, not Reiko's. There are plots at work that you cannot anticipate, and you will be attacked on all sides while you focus on hopeless matters."

Sub Zero suddenly stomped up to him and roughly placed his hand on his arm.

"I hope you're wrong, for your sake." Sub Zero said.

A needle extended from Sub Zero's gauntlet and pierced into Noob's arm. It automatically drew some blood before retracting back into the gauntlet. Sub Zero turned and left without a word, and Sareena and Smoke followed him out.

"Sub Zero..." Sareena said.

"What?" Sub Zero asked without turning, still walking.

"Sub Zero!" Sareena said more gruffly.

Sub Zero stopped in his tracks. Sareena breath caught in her throat at that moment because she feared she may have overstepped her bounds. However, Sub Zero turned to her in a soft way, and despite any of his facial features being hidden, she could tell that he wasn't offended by her. She softened herself as well; this Sub Zero clearly was more humble, and despite his situation, in touch with his humanity.

"I'm sorry if I was being...harsh in there."

"You did seem rather, indifferent." Sareena said.

Smoke glanced at her, clearly not pleased with her choice in words. Sub Zero noticed this and shook his head at his friend.

"I realize it may have seemed that way. To be honest, Bi Han's words tested my faith a little."

"Surely you don't mean that, right?" Smoke asked.

Sub Zero glanced at his gauntlet where the needle had extracted Noob's blood.

"I guess not." Sub Zero answered simply.

"What is that for?" Smoke asked.

"Purifying Bi Han's soul isn't something that can be done easily, certainly not from just a mere talking to. I will go back to Earthrealm and consult with someone who has experience in such things."

"Should we accompany you?" Sareena asked.

"No, you two stay here and lead the other Lin Kuei. I have no doubts that the resistance will need our help again, and they deserve it."

"Very well, stay safe my friend." Smoke said before saluting.

Sub Zero returned the gesture.

"Return with good news grandmaster." Sareena said.

"I hope to." Sub Zero said.

"And, be careful." Sareena added.

Sub Zero nodded to her and turned to leave.

"Oh, what should we do about our other guest?" Smoke asked.

Sub Zero looked towards another tent that had several guards standing outside it. An fiery light glowed from it.

"Scorpion's fate is in Kitana's hands."

Earthrealm

Sub Zero pushed through thick foliage and into a flat clearing. The forest he had come to was far away from the nearest city, even the filth that began the plague every corner of the earth had yet to taint this place. The sun shined bright above, and the leaves and grass were a healthy green, and even the scattered rocks and boulders had a sort of feng shui to them. Having grown up in the Lin Kuei temple hidden deep in the cold and unforgiving Himalayas, he thought this softer scenery was beautiful. After walking around however, he was reminded of the bitter truth; he couldn't feel anything. His cyborg body numbed him to any softness or roughness, like he had been so thoroughly frostbitten that he couldn't feel anything. Even before his transformation, his upbringing had a similar effect on his overall outlook of things.

"Tread lightly, you walk on hallowed ground." A voice said.

Sub Zero turned to it to find a tall and heavily built Native man walking towards out of nowhere.

"Greetings Nightwolf."

Nightwolf nodded to Sub Zero, but that was all. The shaman always had a stern demeanour, Sub Zero had always found that commendable about him.

"Forgive me, I had no idea because of the lack of graves or markings. This place is spotless." Sub Zero said.

"Is that not enough to warrant respect? Purity such as this must be protected."

Sub Zero ejected a vial from his gauntlet. It had Noob's extracted blood swishing around in it. He thought it as fitting of a place as any to do this here.

"That...is something dark, I can tell." Nightwolf said.

"You remember my brother? Bi Han?"

"The wraith?" Nightwolf asked.

Sub Zero wasn't sure if Nightwolf was just being blunt or intentionally insensitive; he had fought Noob once after all.

"The wraith." Sub Zero confirmed quietly.

"I do, the feeling I got from his presence is similar to the one I have now. That's his blood I take it?"

"Indeed it is. I captured him and I wish to purify his soul and release him from whatever has possessed him. I hoped that you could help."

Nightwolf looked at Sub Zero and then at the vial of blood. He then sat down cross-legged on the grass.

"I hope I can as well." Nightwolf said solemnly.

He gestured for Sub Zero to sit across from him, and he did so. He then took the vial of blood from him and opened it.

"Your hand." Nightwolf said.

"What?"

"Your hand."

Sub Zero confusedly extended his hand, but Nightwolf shook his head in rejection.

"I need pure blood to confront whatever resides within the corrupted blood."

"But I'm not...my blood is not pure." Sub Zero said in a self pitying tone.

"Yet you are going to such lengths to help someone that may be beyond help? Few people know themselves for who they really are Sub Zero. Your hand, YOUR hand."

Sub Zero disengaged the locks that held one of his armoured gloves in place. He slid it off to reveal his hand, even whiter than it used to be because of the lack of sunlight. Wires ran amongst the veins beneath his skin.

"Good, now hold still." Nightwolf ordered.

The shaman created a knife out of green energy and used it to cleanly slice open a small but bleeding cut on Sub Zero's hand. It spilt onto the ground and Nightwolf began reciting an incantation in some arcane language. What looked to be water started protruding from the spot where his blood had spilt. Nightwolf poured Noob's blood into the mixture and the water turned black, like oil. It then solidified, like black ice. It had a reflective quality.

"Look into the heart of darkness." Nightwolf said.

Sub Zero looked into the reflective black ice mirror. Instead of seeing the helmet he had expected, he saw a mask covering a face with blue eyes and white skin. He didn't know if he was looking at Bi Han, or himself. Before he could ask, he blacked out.