Chapter 8: Brother

Smoke and Sub-zero observe the situation cautiously. They remain hidden in slow rise behind the some of the graveyard's tombstones. Kabal and Johnny Cage voted to return to base, and movie star had been especially persistent after learning what a soulnado was. Smoke smiles under his mask at that his words. Though he may seem to lack the seriousness to deal with situations, he did have a notably humorous personality. "What's a soulnado?" he had asked. To which Sub-zero had replied, "A tornado consisting of souls."
"Oh right… kind of self explanatory…"

Sub-zero shifting beside him brings the black clad ninja out of his thoughts. His counterpart seems especially intrigued by a hooded ninja attired completely in stark black. The man is willingly assisting Quan Chi with his spell, immediately foretelling his side. "The spell is nearly complete," Sub-zero notes, "We have to delay." Smoke peeks over the hill. Nightwolf may be to late when he arrives… something must be done. "I will move to attack, you counter should I need help," Sub-zero says. Not awaiting Smoke's reply, he boldly moves from their hidden position. "Who is that?" Quan Chi questions, immediately noting the Lin Kuei's presence.
"The one Kano warned about," Noob replies. "He is mine."

He walks towards Sub-zero. "You are not worthy of the name Sub-zero," he bitterly comments, scrutinizing the uniform. "Who are you to judge?" Sub-zero retorts, though his voice holds slight aggression he is otherwise unaffected. "I wore those colors before you." Sub-zero takes a step back in obvious surprise. "Bi-Han!" His voice assures of his shock.

Smoke nearly stands up in his utter astonishment. Impossible. Sub-zero's brother was no more… he perished at the hands of Scorpion. Shifting he watches the scene fold before him with newfound interest. "Yes, Kuai Liang. It is I. Quan Chi has restored me."
"Restored? You are a flawed copy of your former."
"I have no flaws. Quan Chi has perfected me."
"For what end? To Serve the Netherrealm and Outworld?" Sub-zero demands. He tries to alter his brother to see the error of serving Quan Chi, but he is not so easily persuaded. "It suits my purpose," he replies.
"But brother, we—"
"We share blood. We are not brothers." The words are harsh, and Smoke tenses as he can see the pain cross Sub-zero's face. "Then I will not regret your defeat." Spoken without hesitation, yet without real force. Noob chuckles as the words, but does not comment.

Both ninjas move into their ever-familiar kombat positions. Sub-zero jumps to the offense. Rushing forward, he uses his ice puddle to freeze Noob's foot in place. The blue-black clad ninja smacks hard with the purpose of winning the painful aftermath, but his face reveals his disgust when he fails. Noob parries the hit and breaks free of the puddle. Kicking Sub-zero in the chest he causes him to stumble backwards. While his opponent is recovereing, Noob then creates a blackhole from below. Sub-zero falls helplessly into it, only to reappear falling from it a short distance above. Noob throws a shadow-like form of himself at Sub-zero as he drops to the ground. It hits him squarely, forcing him farther backwards.

Noob Saibot's strange black powers take Sub-zero by surprise. Quan Chi's sorcery has given his former brother reasonably dangerous new skills. To be a ninja, however, one must adapt to the situation set before them. Striking back with diligent ferocity, Sub-zero flips over another one of Noob's clone and lands in front of his former brother. Punches and kicks send the black clad ninja tumbling backwards. However, Sub-zero is far from finished. Freezing his opponent with an icebeam, he then rushes forward to slice multiple wounds.

Deep blue blood weeps from the cuts. Noob Saibot, however, pays no heed. He, too, is ninja. Pain is either enemy or ally. One must use its presence wisely or be overcome by it.

Saibot immediately takes offense. Using his powers, the dark ninja goes down into a blackhole while grabbing Sub-zero only to reappear a height higher than the average man. Once more they go into through the pattern, before Noob thrust Sub-zero onto the ground roughly.

The pain is extravagant, but Sub-zero will not yield. Saibot chuckles coldly at this show of determination. He is quick to regret letting down his guard, however, as Sub-zero slides into him using ice to harden their impact. Noob shuffles backwards unsteadily, but does not fall. As he regains, the Lin Kuei warrior dashes forward. Smacking Saibot's masked face to render him temporarily vulnerable, he forms an ice sword. He thrusts the blade into his brother's chest with all the strength he can must. Blood drips thickly from the devastating wound, staining the light blue sword and dark dirt below.

Pain curdles thickly in Saibot's eyes. Sub-zero seems sustained from further attack upon seeing the agony he causes his brother. Hollowed ice returns to Sub-zero's blue eyes quickly, however. The man before him may share blood, but not brotherhood. The prowess of power that surges before him will finish this battle. Without further thoughts, Sub-zero mindlessly executes a Deep Freeze.

Smoke bows his head in respect. The fight before him tolls upon him as well. As Noob Saibot's body is flung into the clammy hard dirt motionless, he senses Sub-zero's eyes upon his position.

Before further events can partake, however, Quan Chi finishes his chanting and magic weaving. Delta 1's souls are absorbed into the massive soulnado. The shear size of the looming green mass is most intimidating. Sub-zero takes a hesitate step backwards. His eyes may lack fear, but he knows a challenge he cannot overcome when he comes upon one. Deciding that to kill Quan Chi would antidote the whirling green mass, Sub-zero makes to move forward. A firm grip upon his shoulder subdues him. "Go! Your soul is not safe!" Nightwolf yells to the ninja.

Heeding the shaman's advice, Sub-zero jumps past the tombstone next to Smoke. Grasping his counterpart's arm, he pulls the gray-haired ninja behind him. Smoke glances behind him to see Nightwolf kombating Quan Chi. The battle is fresh yet and the outcome is not visible. The insistent pull of Sub-zero upon him, forces Smoke's eyes from the view. He allows Sub-zero to lead him back to the temple with hand clasped tightly on his arm guard. Registering that his friend's lose of his brother is clamping a painful emotion over his heart, Smoke pulls them to a stop a short distance from the temple door. "I'm sorry…" Smoke slowly says, "I did not foresee such treachery would befall."
"It's not your fault," Sub-zero replies. His voice is tight. "He is no longer who is formerly was…" Smoke places his hand upon the warrior's shoulder. They share a grieved gaze. An embrace ushers out the pains temporarily. Seeming braced for to once more return to the mission at hand, Sub-zero walks towards the temple. Smoke accompanies him at his side closely.