The Mighty Warriors

"FIGHT!" yelled Shao Khan. Not that the two needed instruction. They both lunged forward. Scorpion swung both his swords but Sub-Zero swung up both his arms and blocked them with his metal arm-guards. Then Sub-Zero kicked out his leg and kicked Scorpion in the stomach, sending him stumbling back. Sub-Zero kept up his attack and followed after Scorpion.

The former Shirai Ryu twirled his swords in his hand as Sub-Zero approached.

Scorpion was the faster of the two there was no doubt about that. But Jax had been the quicker of the two as well and it turned out bad for him. Scorpion had watched the fight and would not make the same mistakes Jax had. He dipped in and out with his attacks, as if he was playing with Sub-Zero. But Sub-Zero was too big to be anybody's toy. When Scorpion got close enough with his swords the Lin Kuei warrior easily punched them out of his hands. Then the battle turned hand to hand.

"Kill him, Kill him." Mileena cheered for Scorpion. And nobody else seemed to disagree. Sonya wanted to see Sub-Zero die as revenge for Jax. Naruto and Fox wanted to see him die so they'd weaken their enemies ranks. Joseph just wanted to see someone who was on Kabal's side lose. Even Bobby who would not kill anyone even Sub-Zero's own brother knew it would be better for everyone especially himself right now if Sub-Zero lost.

Sub-Zero grabbed Scorpion by the throat and slammed him into the pillar. But Scorpion kicked up one leg and hit Sub-Zero on the side of his face loosening his grip. So then Scorpion swung his leg up again and this time forcing him to let go. Sub-Zero toppled over to the ground while Scorpion managed to land on one knee. Then he turned and kicked Sub-Zero in the torso, then a second time. But when he tried for a third Sub-Zero grabbed his leg and catapulted him into the air. Scorpion landed on his back but quickly jumped to his feet. Arriving there the same time Sub-Zero did.

Then Scorpion shot a fireball from his hands. Right at the same time Sub-Zero shot ice from his hands. The opposing elements met in the room and canceled the other out. Right as the blasts diminished their masters met in the middle of the room in a Greco-Roman knuckle lock. Sub-Zero easily took over. Gaining the upper hand he grabbed Scorpion and flung him into the pillar behind him. Scorpion recovered just as Sub-Zero came diving at him, he moved aside and Sub-Zero crashed into the pillar, bringing it to the ground.

With his back to him Scorpion jumped up and shot his fire at Sub-Zero's back, managing to burn him. But he did not cry out in pain even when he was hit. He simply swung around and kicked Scorpion in the face.

Scorpion swung up his legs to get back on his feet but couldn't as Sub-Zero came crashing down on him. Sub-Zero put one hand cold as ice on Scorpion's face. Scorpion retaliated with the cold by firing a fireball into Sub-Zero's face. But even then the fire did not halt his attack. Sub-Zero brought his free hand down and grabbed at Scorpion's face.

"Now you will die like your family." Sub-Zero growled. He wrapped his entire hand around Scorpion's face." And I will see your face when you die!" He roared as he ripped at the mask. What he saw nobody knew but it was enough for Sub-Zero to stop and stand frozen like the ice he commanded. Then Scorpion shot up with firing shooting from his face.

Sub-Zero was knocked off of Scorpion and onto the ground, covered in fire. As the fire burned and slowly died down from Sub-Zero's rolling around, Scorpion rose to his feet fixing the mask on his face.

Sub-Zero's back was to him now, both his body and his cloths blackened by the fire. Scorpion looked to the ground to see his sword. He quickly bent down and picked it up.

"Stand Lin Kuei!" He ordered with sword in hand. Sub-Zero's head was bowed as he slowly rose up, a noise being released form his body. It started off small but then grew loud, it was laughter. Sub-Zero stood tall to see none other than Tundra his brother standing several feet before him.

"Death is only the beginning." He said as he extended his arms out. And Tundra was sure his brother was smiling beneath his mask. And with one swift stroke Scorpion jabbed his sword forward and pierced Sub-Zero's body. Much to his own surprise Sub-Zero did have a heart.

And just like that the great Sub-Zero was dead. Scorpion withdrew his sword from his body and it collapsed to the floor. With nothing to say Scorpion sheathed his swords and walked away.

Shao Khan sat in his chair and observed the carnage for the day. Two Earthrealm warriors dead but two of his own killed with one defeated. This was all the frustration he could handle for one day.

"The Tournament will resume at dawn's first light." He announced. Then he departed and the crowd began to disperse. Two tarkatans moved into place to take Sub-Zero's body away just like they had all the other's.

"Don't you touch him!" yelled Tundra as he approached them. The two quickly backed away. Tundra then reached down and carried his brother's body over his shoulder. Whether he loved him or hated him Bi Han was his family, the only he had. He would make sure he was buried properly.

Bobby watched Tundra who although injured carried his brother away.

"C'mon." said Sonya to the group." Let's get out of here." She led the group away and one by one they followed after her.

Bobby was in a daze the rest of that day. Even after the fighting from the tournament had ended Sonya had thought it best for everyone to stay on their toes. Bobby himself sat on the sidelines while Fox tried to teach Joseph a thing or two about fighting.

"Now just snap out your leg." Fox instructed Joseph. He kicked out his leg forward and snapped it back into place." Then come forward with a vertical punch." He did just that again, lightly hitting Joseph in the chest." But keep your thumb on top of your fist." He showcased his own to Joseph." It's all about speed."

"I won't need speed." Joseph said darkly." I'll use my gun." He ripped it from his holster and pointed it forwards." And I'll blow his brains all over the ground." Fox casually pointed Joseph's loaded weapon in a direction away from his face.

Bobby watched as together Fox and Naruto spoke back and forward with Joseph. His friend was ready to fight, no he was ready to kill. He wanted to kill Kabal for what he did. And no matter who stood in his way Joseph would do it, Bobby knew that. He was taken from his thoughts at the sound of gravel crunching underneath boots. Bobby turned his head and watched as Sonya sat down next to him.

"You fought well today." She said but without making eye contact.

"You…You too." Bobby answered. He sank back against the tree and rested his arms on his knees.

"But you should have killed that guy." Sonya said, her eyes on the ground." He might come back for revenge. Or one of his friends might." Bobby shivered at the idea of it.

"I…I won't kill anyone. I can't." He said in a soft voice.

"These people here will show us no mercy Hill. Just like they did to Stryker, just like they did to Jax. It could happen to any of us." Jax. The image of his commander being beaten to death ran through his mind. Next time it might be he himself, who" So come on." Said Sonya getting to her feet." We'll spare a little to keep your combat instincts on their edge." But Bobby was not in the mood to spare, earlier that day he wasn't even in the mood to fight.

"I think I'll just sit here." Bobby said resting his head back." And get some sleep." And he hoped when he woke up that this would be nothing more than a bad dream.

This is where he expected Sonya to snap into Officer mode and order Bobby to his feet but she didn't. She knew this was hard on him, hell it was hard on her on all of them. She just nodded her head in acknowledgment and walked away to join the others. And then Bobby drifted into a deep sleep.

Tundra stood out on the balcony by himself. Miles ahead of him were the black, dark mountains of Outworld. And hundreds of feet below was the cold river. The fall would kill him he certainly knew, a thought that now in this dark moment he debated. His brother was dead and he had lost his honor in fighting Bobby Hill, who for some reason allowed him to live. But his soliloquy was interrupted.

"Tundra." said Smoke's voice getting his attention. Tundra slowly turned and faced his fellow Lin Kuei. He knew what he was calling him for, his brother. Tundra left the balcony and entered inside.

There his brother was laid out on the table stripped of his garbs and armor so that his body could be properly cleaned. Tundra walked over and stood over his body.

"What will happen to him?" asked Tundra.

"He will be taken back to the Temple." Sektor told." We will bury his body amongst our fallen warriors." Tundra just nodded his head as he looked his brother over. He knew it was what he deserved and knew perhaps it would not have displeased him." There is some you must do now Tundra."

"What's that?" He cocked his head to Sektor.

"The name 'Sub-Zero' is a sacred name amongst the Lin Kuei. Given to the strongest warrior of each generation." He stretched out his hands to Tundra. In his hands Tundra saw his brothers cloths and armor, the mask on top of the pile." The Lin Kuei needs their Sub-Zero."

Tundra took the mask and observed it in his hands. His brother was a hard man. Never once did he ever say he loved or cared about his younger brother. But Tundra cared about Bi Han and that was all that mattered to him. He ripped his own mask off his face and dawned this new one. He would Sub-Zero in honor of his brother.