A/N: Johnny's up! I apologize for the long, long wait… I hope y'all don't mind the change of pov. =) I miss Kuai already…
Rated: M
Disclaimer: I own nothing! All characters and properties belong to their respective owners.
"Guys, c'mon! You can't wait two seconds?" I wailed.
I watched as my so-called friends and fellow Defenders continued walking on without me. So sue me that I had to take a leak. I mean, it was unnatural that they could walk for hours without having to make a pit stop…
Grumbling, I hurriedly finished my business and jogged back over to Sonya's side. She was having some discussion with Jax about defense strategies and other things that didn't interest me. The three of us had been walking together since we left the forest - and I know these two have a close bond or whatever - but I really, really wanted Jax to leave.
Not that I was jealous or anything. I just wanted to be alone with Sonya.
I wanted to get to know her better. Not only was she hot, but she could also kick some major ass. And she was nothing like those Hollywood bimbos I usually date. I genuinely liked her. And I'm pretty sure she likes me, too.
But what's not to like? Hehe.
"So, what do you guys think of Scorpion?" I wanted to change the subject. And the new guy was a good enough topic.
"I don't trust him," said Sonya.
Jax just shrugged. "The more the merrier, I guess."
"You were a lot more enthusiastic this morning," I told him.
"Yeah, but it's not like I'm gonna become best buds with the guy. He'll just be useful to us. Like a tool."
You're a tool, I thought. Okay, maybe I wasn't a fan of Jax. But I'm still not jealous. I'm not.
Sonya sighed. "I just don't know what Raiden's thinking. Scorpion could turn on us on a whim. Especially if some better deal for him comes along."
"I don't know…" I said quietly. The dead guy kind of gave me the creeps, but he wasn't so bad. I mean, he was tricked and all into doing bad stuff. Right?
"And how could he do that to Sub-Zero?" she continued, aggravated.
"Who?" asked Jax.
"Raiden!" Sonya exclaimed. "After everything Sub-Zero's been through, and then to bring his brother's killer into the group? That would be like if he suddenly told me Kano was going to join us. I'd flip."
Jax rolled his shoulders, which caused me to wonder if those robot arms of his were heavy. I could hear all the gears and crap whirring around in them as he walked. It was a little freaky, and I suddenly felt guilty. He sure seemed to like his new arms, and the strength that came with them, but I'd hate to have any part of me ripped away.
"It is kinda complicated," said Jax. "But I think Subs will be alright."
"Yeah. That would suck," I commented. Sub-Zero basically found out his life was a lie a few hours ago. Jeez, I don't know what I would do.
We walked a bit more in silence. I looked ahead of us to see Raiden still in the lead. I sure hoped he knew what he was doing. The thunder god may be the protector of the Earthrealm or whatever, but he sure can make a lot of mistakes.
"Do you think Raiden would get mad if I asked him 'Are we there yet?'" I wondered out loud.
Sonya laughed. "Go for it."
An hour later and we were still walking. Well, the others were walking—I was dragging myself along. But Raiden promised that the village wasn't too far off now.
I turned my head to look behind me and saw Smoke helping Sub-Zero walk with his arm around his shoulder. Poor guy - Sub-Zero, I mean - it looked like he was having a hard time of it.
After the battle the night before, I thought I had twisted my knee or something, but it felt pretty much fine now. I bet Subs would need some stitches. Yikes.
"Need some help back there?" I asked the two ninjas. Assassins. Whatever.
"No, I got it," replied Smoke. He and Sub-Zero sped it up a bit to join Sonya, Jax, and I.
Jax looked around us. "Where's the yellow one?"
"Scorpion? I don't know. I guess he likes to disappear," said Smoke, he seemed indifferent. I spared a glance at Sub-Zero's face and his lips disappeared into a straight line. Alrighty then.
The five of us talked about this and that, nothing really important; we were all pretty tired. And I was starting to get bored. I just didn't understand why the others had to be so serious and somber all the time! Life is supposed to be exciting and fun.
My stomach growled and everyone had a nice chuckle over it. Good. I didn't mind it being at my expense, I'd take any kind of laughter right now…
Hmm. Either our little group was moving faster or Liu and his group were walking slower. In any case, it looked like we were all in one group now with Liu, Kung Lao, Jade, and Kitana caught up.
Raiden was still marching some feet in front of us. I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him.
"I'm kind of excited," blurted Kung Lao.
"For what?" I asked confused.
"Civilization! Doesn't it feel like it's been forever since we've seen other people? Well, people that aren't trying to kill us-"
"Don't hold your breath that these villagers won't want to either," interrupted Liu.
Kung Lao ignored him. "And we'll get real food! And a proper place to rest, hopefully."
Jax smiled. "Yeah. That's something to look forward to."
Oh man… If we were given real beds to sleep on I might even cry.
"We'll need the strength," said Kung Lao, decidedly. "I believe the upcoming battles we're going to face will be tough. Personally, I can't wait to meet this General Reiko." He made some lethal gestures in the air.
"Don't forget about us," Liu said grinning. "I'd like a chance at him, too. See if my skills match up to his. Should be fun."
"Some pacifists you are!" I shouted. They weren't the kind of monks I picture in my head.
The two of them laughed, though. "This is what we've been training for," explained Liu. "We were raised knowing that we'd someday have to defend the Earthrealm. If we believed this whole situation could have been handled peacefully, well, we would have tried that a long time ago."
"And there was nothing peaceful about Shao Kahn," Jax agreed.
"It's honorable to fight in the name of something good," said Kitana.
The princess looked sad to me. She had been kinda down lately. Maybe she'd feel better once we took her back to Edenia. Then she could become Queen. How awesome is that?
But thinking of traveling to the Edenian realm made me think of portals, which made me think of teleporting, which made me think of our very own thunder god over here.
"Say uh, Raiden," I started carefully. "The last time you went to the village, you came and went pretty fast right? And when we were trying to stop Shao Kahn? We moved from place to place quickly, didn't we?"
He stopped and turned around. Everyone else stopped walking too.
"Yes…" He answered, the realization dawning on his face.
I tried really hard to stifle a laugh, but I could feel myself smirking. "So, um, can you just teleport us the rest of the way there?"
The thunder god looked shocked, and I broke down into full on laughter. My friends all groaned. And I thought I heard someone say something like, "-fucking kidding me?" But I wasn't completely sure who it was because I was laughing so hard. Almost hysterically.
I took a few breaths to make myself calm down. The others looked so exhausted, but most of them were grinning, too.
"It's cool, Raiden," I told him. "Old age hits everyone sooner or later…"
"My deepest apologies," he said, somewhat sheepishly. "I don't know what I was thinking."
I wasn't going to rub it in his face, but I sure wanted to. How many times can our fearless leader fuck up? Many times, you say? Oh well. This isn't the worst thing to happen. I went to stand next to him and the others gathered around closer.
Raiden cleared his throat and nodded. "All right. Let's go."
We all appeared in the middle of the village in a bright blue flash of light.
It always gives me a queasy feeling whenever I teleport somewhere. Kind of feels like an amusement park ride when your stomach drops, but it doesn't last long. And it seems like I've had a lot of practice to get used to it lately. The only sad part is that I don't have that power for my own. I'd use it all the time!
There were a few screams and shouts of fear as I saw men, women and children run to hide in their homes. I looked around and could tell this particular village was a poor one. We were in the middle of a road, with homes and various shops on either side of us.
Looking down toward the end of the road I could see a much larger, fancier house. An inn maybe? Everything here was definitely on the oriental-style side. Come to think of it, looking at the villagers peeking faces from the doorways and windows I'd say Liu Kang and Kung Lao should feel pretty much at home here. Haha, I'm mean.
"This way," Raiden motioned towards the big place down the road. More of the natives started to slowly come out to watch us. They must have recognized Raiden.
"Howdy," I waved and smiled. Didn't get much of a reaction, though. Pff, Outworlders…
When we finally reached the gate to the house a couple of villagers ran out and bowed their heads to Raiden. A really fat guy followed after them and he shook hands with the thunder god.
"Master!" Kung Lao and Liu cried out at the same time. They ran to him and the fat man laughed heartily. What the helllll….
"What do you mean, 'Master'? Who is this guy?" I asked.
"This is Bo' Rai Cho!" Liu said excitedly. "He's the one who trained us!"
I never would have guessed.
"Come, my friends!" Bo' Rai Cho said happily. "Come on inside and we'll take care of you." He motioned to the two villagers to help with Sub-Zero.
We all started to walk into the building together and I just had to ask. "Is this your house, uh, Bo' Ram Sho?"
The man laughed again. "Bo' Rai Cho, please. And it is now. It used to belong to the prefect of this province. A very greedy man. He's dead now."
"Oh. I see. So what's the deal with this place?"
"Well, these people are trying to rebuild, as best as they can of course. It seems this village is too insignificant now to be much of a bother to Reiko and Baraka." He said the latter's name with a lot of venom. Heh, I think we'll get along just fine.
"So, you run this place now?" I asked him.
"Oh, yes. I try to be fair to everyone. There are so few of us here. And usually Outworlders like to keep to themselves, but in these desperate times we all must work together."
"Are you from Outworld?"
"Yep," he replied. Man, did this guy never not smile? "Born and raised. But I've trained many humans in the Earthrealm. Like those two fools over there." He pointed at Liu and Kung Lao and they laughed.
"We missed you, Master," said Kung Lao. "Have we got stories share with you."
"Later, later," Bo' Rai Cho laughed. "First you all must get cleaned up, we can mend your clothes and armor…" he looked around at us. Not too many wearing armor. "Well, your clothes. And then we'll have a feast in your honor. And do not worry about the sleeping arrangements. There are more than enough rooms for each of you."
I sighed as I looked out one of the many windows. Turns out there were four floors to this house, and man, I love a good view.
It'd been many days since I felt this relaxed. The bath was amazing. I didn't realize how dirty and smelly we all were until Bo' Rai Cho pointed it out. And the feast! Real food! That had been fun. I even got to sit next to Sonya.
We were given fresh clothes to change into. They were like greyish-blue tunics with a dark blue trim, with matching pants. Not my style, but hey they were clean and soft.
Sonya came into the room and stood next to me to look out the window. It was a little day room, I'm assuming, I'm not sure, there were so many rooms in this place. Jax and Smoke were playing some game at a table nearby. I resigned myself to the fact that I'd probably never be alone with this woman.
"Nice pajamas," I winked at her.
She smacked my arm playfully then pulled at her top a bit self-consciously. "Takes a bit getting used to."
"Yeah."
"Looks like the suns going to set soon."
We both looked out the window again and I happened to see Sub-Zero limping around the grounds outside with Jade. I nodded at Sonya to take a look. She smiled.
Jade was smokin' hot. I didn't understand why she liked the blue ninja so much. He was a bit uptight.
"Hey, what does a guy like him have that I don't?" I asked Sonya.
"Well…he does have pretty blue eyes." She batted her eyelashes at me and we shared a laugh. It was good to see her happy, even a little. I loved her laugh.
I stood up straighter. "I have blue eyes, y'know."
"Yeah, but his are prettier." She looked at me and gave a little shrug. "He's not really my type, though…"
Uh-oh. Were we having a moment? Yes!
But before I could say anything witty she spoke again.
"I think I'm going to turn in early," she said. "I couldn't really get good sleep out in the woods." Dammit.
"Well, good night..." I watched her go like an idiot.
Hesitating, I finally decided I'd be sneaky and follow her to see what room she was staying in. I left the day room or whatever and walked swiftly through the hallway.
A burst of hot flame erupted right in front of me and I almost died.
"Gahh!" I yelled. Scorpion was now standing in front of me.
I almost felt bad that I'd forgotten about him. Almost.
"What the hell, dude! I mean seriously! What are you doing?" I couldn't think of a good reason for him to want to scare me.
"The people of this village still know me as a follower of Shao Kahn. I could not let them see me," he explained. He looked around like he expected to see more than just us two in this hallway. "Where is Sub-Zero?" he demanded.
"I don't know, dude," I was still clutching my heart. "Smoke's in that room back there. Ask him."
I watched as Scorpion stomped heavily into the room I directed him. That guy had some serious problems.
I wonder where's he's gonna sleep. Do dead guys sleep? What was I doing? Oh right! Stalking Sonya!
Still in the hallway, I decided to forget it. I couldn't catch up to her now. It sucked. And was all Scorpion's fault. Time for revenge.
Kung Lao came walking down the hallway towards me and I stopped him. "Kung Lao, buddy! Do you know where Liu is?"
"I'm not sure. Around here somewhere."
"Ehh, forget about Liu. Wanna help me with something?"
He looked at me warily. "With what?"
"Just a little prank… Do you know where Sub-Zero's room is?"
A/N: Thank you everyone for you reviews! They're all so kind and funny. Just the motivation I need! I hope I didn't lose anyone because of taking too long to update. Next chapter will be with Kuai again! *throws love at everyone*