We Fight As Men Chapter 11: We Fought As Men, a mortal kombat fanfic

Chapter 11: We Fought As Men

Shao Kahn slips his hand threw the magic slowly then, seeing it is safe, he steps into the realm from which he has not entered for so long. Mileena follows less cautiously. She has already passed threw portals such as these. Standing next to her 'Father', she watches the Earthrealm warriors with disdain.

The Lin Kuei warriors and Shaolin Monk stand shocked as Raiden bows before Shao Kahn. "Ah, Raiden," the emperor says, "You have come to your senses."
"Earthrealm's citizens suffer. Further resistance serves no purpose." Liu Kang seems to alight with fiery at the words of surrender. As he moves forward to protest by means less then polite, Smoke grabs his arm. "Perhaps there is reason to Lord Raiden's words," he reasons, though he is doubtful himself. "What reason? To doom Earthrealm to the servitude of Shao Kahn?"

Mileena giggles at the warrior's dispute, but quickly turns her attention back to the Outworld emperor and Raiden when words are spoken. "All these ages you have fought me. You denied me my rightful claim. Not this time." Ruthlessly upper cutting the Thundergod across the rooftop, Shao Khan laughs in pleasure. "The Elder Gods fear me now!" He exclaims, basking in his long awaiting glory. Deep bloodlust laughter comes again as he picks Raiden up by the neck. "Their pathetic Mortal Kombat shackles me no longer," his voice rings loudly, authoritatively.

Scorpion watches unemotionally. He seems subtle to move to Raiden's aid, as though he awaits something. Smoke, however, lets go of Liu Kang at the sight of Shao Kahn's violence. Liu Kang immediately rushes forward to attack. Fists alight with fire; the monk has the undeniable intent of defeating he who wishes to merge the realms.

Mileena notes this motion with immediate interest. Prancing forward, she bowls him over with a kick to his lower calf. A quick kick to Mileena's legs, however, sends her off her feet as well. Jumping into his fighting posture, Liu Kang seems more eager to finish Shao Kahn than his 'daughter'. However, seems Mileena will not let him pass he decidedly begins mortal kombat with her first.

As Shao Kahn begins to methodically bring powerful smacks to across Raiden's face, Sub-zero steps forth to help the Thundergod. Smoke grasps his hand to stop him. The silver-haired ninja is stuck between two decisions: aid Raiden or wait as Scorpion does. The second decision seems unreasonable. Should they merely stand by as Raiden is beaten?

"Smoke," Sub-zero's voice brings him out of his thoughts. The ice assassin does not understand his friend's resistance. "Perhaps there is a reason to this," Smoke gestures towards Scorpion, releasing his hold his companion. Sub-zero watches their new ally for a few moments. Smoke cannot portray any emotions in his icy eyes, but he immediately follows when he moves toward Scorpion. "What is the meaning of this?" Sub-zero questions bluntly. A trust barrier as clearly arisen. "You will see," comes the reply.

Smoke frowns lightly. The man's voice as change insignificantly, but is noticeable to his ever-observant hearing. Truly, it is hard to believe one who was so recently an enemy.

"I see Lord Raiden being beaten by Shao Kahn," Sub-zero replies.
"Be patient," is Scorpion's tart reply. The voice tone betrays his still present disliking for the Lin Kuei. Despite the light disregard that arises within Smoke, he can understand Scorpion's despise for their clan. He is much relieved that Sub-zero does not react to further worsen the already fragile link.

"I know you can feel it. It is the end of all things," Shao Kahn says as he slams his foot into Raiden's chest. "Elder Gods, where are you? Why do you forsake me?" the weakened Thundergod questions. Ignoring the words, Shao Kahn tosses him across the rooftop. "Ages wasted in foolish resistance." Struggling to his knees, Raiden clearly hears the emperor's words, "I have won."
"Yes… you have won," he quietly, feebly replies.

Smoke goes tense at the reply. What are they waiting for? Raiden's defeat? He glances at Sub-zero. The ninja shares the same reaction, though less obvious. His furrowed brows, however, betray his disliking.

Deciding that Scorpion is not to be trusted, Sub-zero rushes forward to aid his ally. Smoke steps forward, but is hesitate. To whom does he trust? Surely Raiden relayed his plan with Scorpion. "What is Lord Raiden doing?" Smoke questions, hoping to learn the knowledge their new ally does not share.

Scorpion seems to contemplate his response. Noting this with rare impatience, Smoke returns his attention to the kombat before him. He watches Sub-zero narrowly dodge Shao Kahn's war hammer. His friend needs him. However, the strings of reason to know Raiden's plan hold him back. "Such impatience Lin Kuei," Scorpion finally says.
"This is not of our clans, this is for Earthrealm," Smoke replies. The silver-haired assailant knows words well. His own hold truth and reason. Scorpion merely avoids sharing the reason behind this madness. "Tell me Scorpion—". The sentence is cut off.

Narrowly dodging the glowing green spear intended for Sub-zero, Smoke hastily regains posture. Scorpion had dashes away too. Though, annoyance of the situation is readable upon his face. Smoke notes this with slight interest.

How different is must be for the man to experience emotions and facial expressions once more. Pride obviously runs strong within in him, as the man decidedly refuses to show any of it if he can.

Sub-zero's voice brings Smoke's attention to his friend. The ninja attempted to freeze Shao Kahn, but fails due to the emperor's parry. Left off guard, Sub-zero is slammed backwards. Immediately defensive instincts override Smoke. Dashing forward to aid, the diligent man teleports himself. Appearing from his position of Shao Kahn to the opposite side then back again landing a hard well-aimed punch each time he teleports.

As Smoke appears to smack his target the last time, he is roughly grabbed by the shoulder preventing him from finishing his attack. A powerful fist pounding into his face and snaps his head to the side. Pain throttles his cheek and leaves him feeling dazed. Another smack snaps his head to the opposite side.

Throwing Smoke up, Shao Kahn slams into the ninja. Using the power of souls he hits with great effective force. "Pathetic Eathrealm warriors!" the Outworld emperor voices loudly. "Bow down to your new master."

Anger and fear volts threw Sub-zero as he watches Smoke's motionless straggled body. Kneeling, he is still lightly dazed from being slammed. The sight of Shao Kahn approaching his Lin Kuei partner immediately make him force himself to his feet.

Reaching down to grab Smoke, Shao Kahn grunts in frustration as his forearms freeze preventing the motion. Smacking his foot into the Outworld emperor's side, Sub-zero sends him stumbling a few feet away. Rushing towards Smoke, Sub-zero puts his arms under his comrade's shoulder and pulls the man to his feet.

Slamming forward to take both Lin Kuei, Shao Kahn simply feels warm and cold air. Pulling his head back, the emperor narrowly dodges Smoke's heel to his face. Sub-zero's punch, however, hits him perfect.

Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Scorpion watches the kombat. At first he supposed the two would fall to Shao Kahn's might, now it appears they will ruin Raiden's plan. "Stop!" He commands briskly walking forward.

Smoke turns to see their new ally. Why does he command this? Sub-zero and him are defeating Shao Kahn! A horrific blast of pain to his chest cruelly brings the silver-haired man from thought and back to kombat. The Outworld emperor had been intently fighting Sub-zero, why did he so hastily turn his target?

"Stop you fools!" Scorpion's voice rings as he wobbly keeps to his feet. The jolt of being thrown to the ground by firm arms causes him to begin to struggle. Though Smoke's eyesight may be blurred the feeling of a cool form immediately informs him of who had shoved him down. Sub-zero. "Get up Smoke!" the said ninja shouts. Moving his lips to reply, Smoke is cut short by the feeling of rolling to the side. He can feel Sub-zero's body beneath him and a tremor in the ground. Shao Kahn must be trying to crush them with his war hammer.

As his senses return, Smoke is pulled up to his feet with the help of Sub-zero They turn to see Scorpion kombating the emperor.

True enough. The man is their ally. Strangely he avoids doing any physical damage to his opponent. Simply parrying or weaving around Shao Kahn's hits, Scorpion remains firm in his resolve.

"Stay out of this, you're hurt," Sub-zero tells him. True, that he may be bruised to some extent, but Smoke knows he can still fight. The Lin Kuei trained him. Wounds sustained like theses cannot stop him. But something in Sub-zero's voice and eyes causes Smoke to simply nod instead of disagree.

Rushing forward, Sub-zero moves to Scorpion's aid. A timely decision indeed. As Sub-zero does so, the yellow-clad man is knocked backwards by an unsuspecting slam. Slicing Shao Kahn's arm, Sub-zero prevents the emperor from doing further damage.

Regaining his stance and at Sub-zero's side within a few hasty moments, Scorpion sternly tells him, "Don't kill him." Sub-zero grits his teeth in agitation as him and Scorpion dash opposite ways to dodge another the hammer that slams down between them. Killing him rather then becoming killed seems like a much better option.

"We do not have much time," Sub-zero reasons, as he dodges spear. Scorpion hisses in annoyance at the Lin Kuei's persistence, but is unable to answer, as Shao Kahn's hammer smacks his chest and knocks the breath from him. Sub-zero moves to assist. Though Scorpion may have been his enemy once, today they stand as allies fighting for the same cause. However, Shao Kahn has had enough of this game, he smacks Sub-zero backwards with his war hammer as well. With both ninjas in vulnerable in their painful daze he laughs in satisfaction.

By the luck of the fates, Shao Khan does not crash his hammer down upon Sub-zero to kill him. The golden flash of amazing light prevents such. So bright is this light, the emperor is forced to shield his eyes from the sight. Then six more flashes appear each as beautiful and dazzling as the next. Portals emerge where the lightening strikes. For which six deep golden dragons fly, each identical and glowing beautifully.

Smoke stands stupefied. Never before has he seen such as sight. The pure beauty and power of the dragons is magnificent. Surely even stubborn Scorpion and icy Sub-zero are shocked at this beholding.

The dragons fly to Sub-zero's form. Lifting him to his feet, they surround him, weaving and looping around his form. "You violate our will, Shao Kahn. You merge realms without victory in Mortal Kombat. Our penalty is clear," Sub-zero says. Smoke knows it is not his friend, though. It is the Elder Gods speaking through him. A golden gleaming ice ball charges within Sub-zero's hands and is blasted at the Outworld emperor. There is no effect.

Laughing Shao Kahn voices, "An anemic effort from ineffectual deities. Today, I come The Elder God!" Smoke tenses at the words, and he suddenly feels Scorpion's presence at his side. The golden-black ninja seems to take the words as a merely as harmless hot air.

Sub-zero attacks. The vigor and determination that stand with the ninja are true. Shao Kahn seems heedless to the Lin Kuei's enhanced powers. Summoning his hammer, he makes to smash the man. Sub-zero, however, has great agility. Flipping over his advisory, the ninja then uses his ice beam to temporarily freeze him. Sliding into the Outworld opponent, Sub-zero then does rapid simple, yet effective kicks and punches.

Slamming onto his back, Shao Kahn grunts in frustration before quickly regaining to his feet. Throwing his hastily summoned hammer, Shao Kahn smirks in satisfaction as it pounds into Sub-zero's chest.

Smoke flinches instinctively as he sees the weapon crush into his friend's chest. Deep bruises would probably arise from his hit. The silver-haired man is granted the sensation of relief when his comrade returns to his feet in battle stance. Close doges and furious attacks follow in the deep blue-black ninja's wake.

Each kick, punch, and summoning of his ice powers brings Sub-zero ever close to victory. With seemingly ever lasting willpower, the ninja does not falter even when he is forced off his feet to a hard fall or faces the pain of a spear slicing threw his flesh as he narrowly dodges.

The inexplicable undeniable pulse of energy that flows within him immediately tells the ninja he may use his most powerful attack of all: Deep Freeze. Even so, the move is not easily perfected, but deadly and unquestionably and very effective in executed correctly. As his opponent makes to slam into him, Sub-zero freezes his form completely to be slammed into Shao Kahn a few moments later. Taken back by the sheer force of the hit, the Outworld emperor is helpless as he takes the painful blunt of the attack.

All the power, feeling of the magic coursing threw his veins disappears to be replaced by horrific pain. Struggling to his feet, Shao Kahn is overcome by a blast of golden ice. This time, the desired effects are awarded. The dragons come forth and surround the Outworld Emperor's body, sinking their teeth into his vulnerable flesh. Screams of pain echo from the great lord, but in vain. His body is scorched by the serpents' magic.

As Sub-zero is released from the Elder Gods' control, he falls to his knees to exhaustion. At the same time, the Outworld's body explodes in a golden flash that reaches into the heavens. The dragons follow the same light. As the glow fades, the once dark clouds disperse to review a clear sky from which the sun shines from.

Rushing to his companion's side, Smoke pulls Sub-zero his feet holding him close in case he should need the support. Raiden arises too. Looking at his amulet he sees it is whole once more. He says in a voice of much relief and exhaustion, "It is over." Liu Kang moves to Raiden's side. "Forgive me, my judgment was clouded," he says. Having defeated Mileena, he had watched the events portrayed with much amazement.

"Come. Let us tend the fallen. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Our work has only just begun," Raiden informs the group. Smoke and Sub-zero bow in respect to the Thundergod, before Smoke teleports them away. Nodding at Scorpion, Raiden teleports himself with the two warriors.

Atop the roof remains only evidence of OutWorld Emperor Shao Kahn's attempt to merge the realms. A dark throne adorned with cracks and war helm. Objects forgotten by all… except the figure to who walks threw an unseen portal: Quan Chi. Picking up the object he examines it for a moment. "Your plan worked to perfection, Lord Shinnok."

Another figure emerges to stand behind Quan Chi's. "Shao Kahn was blinded into rage. How easily he was convinced that the Elder Gods would ignore his merging the realms."
"Yet the thundergod still lives," Quan Chi replies.
"No matter. Neither Earthream nor Outworld can now withstand the Netherealm's onslaught. It is time. Soon I will be free. Earthrealm and Outworld will be ours."

ALTERNATE ENDING:

Note: Not intended for those who do not like Smoke x Sub-zero.

Sub-zero grimaces and shifts his weight so that Smoke does not hold the brunt of it. A cool breeze breathes passes them, tousling Smoke's hair into his face. Stroking the strands behind his friend's ear, Sub-zero stares into Smoke's surprised slate gray eyes. Grasping his comrade's face guard, the ice ninja gently removes it. A beautiful unscathed face is seen. Tilting his head curiously, Smoke watches Sub-zero remove his own and pulls down his black hood. His face immediately flares with a light blush. Sub-zero is handsome ninja and Smoke cannot deny it. Every time he sees the man it is as the first time. Strong features, and cold eyes, yet he sees the gentle warmth about his comrade. "Tomas," Sub-zero says, ignoring the fact that an small audience watches.
"Kuai?" Smoke replies in a questioning voice.
"Now that you are safe, that this is over," Sub-zero speaks in a voice so that only Smoke can hear, "I want to share something with you." Not awaiting the silver-haired man's reply, Sub-zero leans down slightly, planting his lips upon sweet soft ones. Eyes wide with surprise, Smoke quickly sighs with content, eyes softly closing. Kissing back he accepts the tongue that draws between his lips.

Scorpion watches with unsurpassable surprise. Liu Kang chuckles, but manages to refrain any further emotions. Raiden simply smiles every softly. Seeing happiness and love in the world seems to content him, no matter the form.

As the Lin Kuei break apart, Sub-zero takes a small step back to see Smoke's impression. The silver-haired man's face adorns a burning red blush, but he seems acceptant of the embrace. Offering a smile, the blue-black clad ninja is instantly rewarded with a smile that enlightens Smoke's eyes. "Together," Sub-zero says.
"Together," Smoke echoes.

"Come. Let us tend the fallen. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Then we must help our realm rebuild. Our work has only just begun," Raiden informs the group. Smoke and Sub-zero bow in respect to the thundergod, both Smoke teleports themselves away. Nodding at Scorpion, Raiden teleports himself with the two warriors.

Another figure emerges to stand behind Quan Chi's. "Shao Kahn was blinded into rage. How easily he was convinced that the Elder Gods would ignore his merging the realms."
"Yet the Thundergod still lives," Quan Chi replies.
"No matter. Neither Earthream nor Outworld can now withstand the Netherealm's onslaught. It is time. Soon I will be free. Earthrealm and Outworld will be ours."