The past year had been a trying time for the Lin Kuei. Ever since becoming aware of Raiden's drastic change in demeanor, Grandmaster Kuai Liang knew this was not the same benevolent Protector of Earthrealm he once knew.
The very moment he looked into those furious red eyes, Sub-Zero knew something was wrong.
Even worse, was that he knew that Raiden would try to make the Lin Kuei a part in whatever came next. It was ironic, really. Before Raiden's turn, the two had actually been rather close allies. Raiden was one of the two people who helped encourage Kuai Liang to remake the Lin Kuei into something better. From assassins, into protectors.
The other person... was Cyrax.
His old comrade from the original Lin Kuei, who had fallen victim to the Grandmaster's Cyber Initiative. The old Grandmaster was now long gone. He had been slain by his own son, Sektor, who had willingly subjected himself to the cyberization process.
All of that was now in the past. The Lin Kuei of old had been destroyed. Kuai Liang himself had made sure of that, along with Cyrax, who after freed from his slaving protocols, used his last moments of humanity to help bring down the Cyber Lin Kuei, and christened Kuai as the new Grandmaster.
As he worked to rebirth the Lin Kuei into a force for good, Kuai Liang often wondered if he had lived up to his comrade's expectations.
It was in thinking of Cyrax that an idea struck him. Reconstituting his old friend, granting him the renewal of a life that had been cut short.
He had already recovered Cyrax's body, as well as Sektor's, from the wreckage of the original Lin Kuei HQ. While Sektor's body proved useful for information, Cyrax's served as a constant reminder of the man who gave his life to put an end to the Cyber Initiative.
Kuai Liang would not allow Cyrax's life to end there.
It took weeks. Months. Painstaking work that eventually paid off.
Cyrax was restored to life, ready and willing to aid Kuai Liang just like old times.
But the issue of Raiden still lingered. Where once, Sub-Zero would have gladly followed the Thunder God into battle, he now saw no other option but to flee from him. He could not allow his clan, his family, to be pulled into this conflict. Especially if they were to aid Raiden.
Or worse, become his enemy….
After preparing everything they needed, the Lin Kuei vanished into the night, their temple standing abandoned.
As expected, Raiden would one day visit the empty temple, attempting to recruit the Lin Kuei into his crusade. For that exact occasion, Kuai Liang had personally written him a note. A sort of farewell message:
Raiden, Thunder God and Protector of Earthrealm
You were once a good friend of mine. Not long ago was the time where I would have followed you into battle without hesitation. But that time has passed.
You know of my time as both a slave to my predecessor as Grandmaster and the accursed sorcerer Quan Chi. That they stripped me of my will to enact theirs mindlessly. I still remember how they looked at me and saw not a person, but merely another asset for their foul ambitions.
You have looked upon me and my Lin Kuei with those same eyes.
I will never again be forced to serve an immoral cause. And I will not bring my Lin Kuei to fall back into the dishonor that we have only recently begun to leave behind us.
I pray for the day when we may yet again fight as allies. When you recover whatever fragment of your being that has been stripped of you. When you return to the protector of Earthrealm, not its tyrant.
Sincerely,
Kuai Liang, Sub-Zero III, Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.
After that, nothing between them remained. Much as it pained him, Sub-Zero had left another ally behind.
Just like Smoke.
Just like his own brother, Bi-Han.
It had been so long since he had last seen either of them. As far as he knew, Bi-Han was truly dead, while Smoke was something worse. He was what Sub-Zero himself had once been. A revenant. An undead servant to masters who were now dead. He wondered what it must be like, for the man he once called his best friend.
Much as Kuai Liang still hoped Smoke could be saved, he could not afford to dwell on the past. He had to look toward the future. His new Lin Kuei, his new family.
And yet, the past still weighed on his mind. Especially now, as he sat in the underground base of operations the Lin Kuei had built for themselves after leaving their temple, trying to restore another old comrade.
Sektor.
Having already performed the procedure once and been a cyborg himself for a time, Kuai Liang had considerable knowledge of the circuitry and technology that made up Sektor's crimson-plated mechanical body.
He was also well aware of the human mind he was dealing with. One who had volunteered to become a cyborg, and then forced others to become the same.
Even still, Kuai Liang held out hope that all Sektor needed was a second chance.
Cyrax had a decidedly different opinion.
"This is madness!" He exclaimed, standing just behind Sub-Zero with his arms crossed. His unmoving mechanical eyes still somehow conveyed disapproval as he glared down at the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.
Kuai Liang ceased his work briefly, before turning his head to look back at Cyrax and giving him a coy smile.
"That's the third time you've said that since you walked in here," he pointed out. "And you haven't tried to stop me either."
"I'm hoping I don't have to," Cyrax replied. "C'mon Kuai, you of all people should know what you're risking here."
"And you of all people should know that there must be some hope for him." Sub-Zero retorted. "I thought you two were friends."
"Yes, were." Cyrax responded. "And if we were still friends, I wouldn't have let you kill him in the first place.
Sub-Zero sighed. "I did what I had to in that moment."
Cyrax shook his head. "I just don't get it. Sektor forced you into cyberization just like he did me."
"The Cyber Initiative was his father's vision." Sub-Zero pointed out.
"Yes, and it was a vision he carried out to the letter," Cyrax responded. "You know he only killed his father because he thought he wasn't going far enough, right?"
Sub-Zero sighed. "Would you like to know why I'm doing this, Cyrax?"
"Isn't that the point of this entire conversation?" Cyrax asked back.
"Because I understand what it must have been like for him," Sub-Zero explained. "Trying to live up to someone else's legacy ...and their expectations."
"You're talking about Bi-Han." Cyrax assumed.
Sub-Zero nodded.
"I think there's a difference between you taking your brother's codename and him turning people into slaves," Cyrax argued. "But...I see your point."
Sub-Zero looked up from his efforts again, surprised at Cyrax's reaction.
"You're right," Cyrax admitted. "I was his friend. And I remember how hard he worked to please the old Grandmaster...to please his father. Not that the old bastard ever seemed to care. He seemed to always make Sektor feel...like he wasn't good enough."
"I see." was all Sub-Zero could muster in response.
"It got worse after his mother-the Grandmaster's wife, died." Cyrax continued.
"I...I didn't know." Sub-Zero admitted. "I was younger when that happened, and frankly I didn't meet the Grandmaster in person very often. Nor Sektor, really."
"And even without that knowledge, you were going to give him another chance?" Cyrax asked.
Sub-Zero nodded.
Cyrax didn't respond. He wasn't sure what to say.
"You had no idea I'd help you that day, did you?" he finally decided to ask.
Sub-Zero shook his head.
"You were willing to free my mind even if it turned out I was on Sektor's side even without the slaving protocols?" Cyrax asked afterward.
Sub-Zero nodded.
"I think I understand now." Cyrax said.
"Understand what?" Sub-Zero asked.
"Kuai… Before your brother left for Shang Tsung's Island, he asked us to look after you," Cyrax explained. "He said you were the best of us."
"He did?" Kuai Liang was genuinely shocked. Bi-Han had never been the type to share his feelings explicitly.
"Yes," Cyrax answered. "And I finally understand why. You don't give up on anyone, do you?"
Sub-Zero contemplated for a moment. "I try my best not to. There are some I feel I have abandoned."
"Bi-Han and Smoke." Cyrax concluded.
Kuai Liang nodded slowly, before putting his tools down. The work was finished.
"Alright, he's ready." he spoke aloud.
Cyrax was clearly a bit surprised, abandoning his previously staunch demeanor. "Have you switched him on yet?"
"No." Sub-Zero asnwered as he stood up.
Cyrax looked away from him for a moment, stuck in thought, before resuming eye contact.
"Let me do it."
"Are you sure, Cyrax?" Sub-Zero asked.
Cyrax nodded.
Sub-Zero stepped away from the currently unconscious Sektor. "Alright, go ahead."
Cyrax knelt down, flipping a carefully hidden switch on the back of Sektor's neck.
Within seconds, the cyborg's systems sprung to life. His blue mechanical eyes lit up, and Sektor assumed a sitting position.
"[Confusion] What… [Query] Location?" he asked, clearly confused. Looking around, his eyes settled on Sub-Zero and Cyrax.
"[Hate] The traitors." Sektor recalled, climbing to his feet.
"Wait, Sektor!" Sub-Zero pleaded.
"[Hate] I have waited long enough," Sektor replied. "[Dismissal] Location irrelevant. [Hate] You will pay dearly for your transgressions!"
Sektor pointed his arms at the two, the nozzles for his flamethrowers flipping up. However, when Sektor gave the mental command for them to fire, nothing happened.
"[Confusion] What?" he exclaimed, looking at his own arms.
"Sektor, there is much we need to explain." Cyrax said in a surprisingly calm voice.
Sub-Zero was silently pleased that they didn't immediately begin fighting one another.
"[Scanning]," Sektor said aloud. "[Confusion] Based on thermal readings, your hands remain at room temperature. [Conclusion] You have no immediate desire to attack me."
"We just want to talk." Sub-Zero insisted.
"[Mocking] Then by all means, I am listening." Sektor said, still assessing the situation.
"Do you remember our last battle?" Sub-Zero asked.
"[Loading] Memory systems booting up," Sektor admitted. "[Processing] Wait...yes. [Data Analysed] You...you killed me!"
"He also rebuilt you." Cyrax pointed out. "And he did the same for me!"
Sektor merely stared at Cyrax for a moment, before turning his gaze to Sub-Zero. "[Conclusion] You repaired me. [Confusion] Why?"
"Because everyone deserves a second chance, Sektor," Sub-Zero explained. "Even you."
Sektor stared at the ground for a moment. He had no idea what to think.
"[Confusion] You… you really think I am worth the risk?" he decided to ask. "[Query] Even if I could easily kill you right now, even with my weapon systems deactivated. [Diagnostics Complete] I still have my cybernetic implants to enhance my strength. [Conclusion] I could crush you in seconds before Cyrax could stop me. [Query] And still you trust me?"
Sub-Zero nodded. "I do."
"[Mocking] Then you are a greater fool than …" Sektor began. "[Acceptance] Fine. I will accept your offer of new life. [Defiance] On one condition."
"Name it." Sub-Zero requested.
"[Hate] My choices are my own," Sektor explained. "[Hate] I am not beholden to be your ally because of your generosity. [Dismissal] Whatever you've built for yourself since my death, Kuai Liang, I am not a part of it unless I choose to be."
"A little ironic, isn't it?" Cyrax chimed in.
Sektor glared at him. "[Query] What is?"
"You," Cyrax clarified. "Asking for free will. The thing you'd so readily deny so many others."
"[Pain] I…" Sektor couldn't muster a response. "[Hate] Enough. [Hate] Your opinion is irrelevant to me."
"Sure it is." was all Cyrax said.
"Enough arguing." Sub-Zero commanded.
Sektor looked at his killer...and his savior. How strange that one man could function as both.
"[Observation] You wear the Dragon Medallion," Sektor observed. "[Conclusion] You are now Grandmaster."
Sub-Zero nodded. "I have taken that responsibility, yes."
"[Disagreement] Surely as my father's heir, I would be more suited to the task." Sektor argued.
"This is not your father's Lin Kuei," Sub-Zero retorted. "I have birthed a new clan. We are no longer assassins. We are protectors of Earthrealm."
"[Dismissal] How noble," Sektor responded. "[Mocking] Very well 'Grandmaster', do as you wish, but do not presume to command me. [Hate] You are not my Grandmaster."
"Very well," Sub-Zero responded. "You are free to choose your own fate. But for now, even if you are not a member of my Lin Kuei, you are our guest."
"[Indignant] Guest?" Sektor asked. "[Hate] Do not dare demean me."
"He's not," Cyrax interjected. "It's called courtesy."
"Come on," Sub-Zero said, opening the door and gesturing for the two cyborgs to follow, also hoping to get their attention focused on something else. "I need to fill you in on what you've missed."
As he showed Sektor around the Lin Kuei's new base of operations, Kuai Liang explained the demise of the old Lin Kuei, the formation of the new Lin Kuei, as well as the lingering threat posed by Raiden, his reconstituting of Cyrax.
To Sektor, all of the information was certainly a lot to take in. Knowing he had been dead for years, what the Lin Kuei had become. He wasn't sure what to even think. He wouldn't admit it, but he felt indebted to Kuai Liang for granting him this second chance at life. He felt he should do something to thank him, even if he wasn't going to stick around. Perhaps spare his life following what in Sektor's mind was their inevitable confrontation.
Perhaps he could aid this new Lin Kuei, or eventually seize control of it… but it was so different from the one he had known. There was far more emphasis on emotion, something the old Lin Kuei viewed as a hindrance, but Kuai Liang saw as a strength. The Lin Kuei had once been assassins, and now their Grandmaster described them as protectors.
It was idiotic to him, to say the least, but Sektor was fairly confident he could begin to understand it if he had to remain here for any prolonged period of time. Understand enough to tolerate this Lin Kuei.
Eventually, at least…
To conclude his tour of their current base, Sub-Zero brought the cyborgs to the training grounds, where many of the students faced off against one another in sparring matches.
"Let's see…" Sub-Zero said as he scanned the room. "Ah, there she is."
"[Query] Who?" Sektor asked.
"My protege, Frost."
Frost was currently in the middle of a training session herself. Her sparring partner was a young man from Ghana in a standard Lin Kuei uniform, albeit with a greenish tinge to it as opposed to the traditional blue.
The two were clearly rather evenly matched when it came to martial arts skill. Parrying and countering each other's blows with impressive precision.
Witnessing the battle, Sektor took notice of Frost's trademark frozen hair, icy blue and coming off in spikes. Upon further inspection, he noticed the paleness of her skin. Just a shade or two away from being white as snow.
"[Observation] She is like you," he concluded. "A Cryomancer."
"Indeed," Sub-Zero responded as he watched her fight. "That is why I chose to train her personally."
And that training seemed to have certainly paid off. After a quick trade of blows, Frost managed to knock her opponent to the ground.
The man groaned as he sat upward. "Alright, you win." he said in defeat. "Again."
Frost offered him a hand. Her sparring partner took it and allowed her to help him up.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Sleet," Frost advised. "You're pretty good. Why, I bet one of these days you will beat me. Just keep practicing, ok?"
Sleet chuckled. "Yeah, maybe. And thanks, I will."
Sub-Zero began walking over to her, his cyborg comrades in tow.
Frost noticed this. She patted Sleet on the back. "You go ahead and rest now, looks like Sifu wants to talk to me."
Sleet nodded, walking over to a nearby bench.
Frost spun around to face her mentor. She then removed the mask which covered the lower half of her face, smiling at him.
"So, how did I do?" Frost asked.
"Your skills have improved greatly, Frost." Sub-Zero complimented. He passed a glance over at Sleet before his gaze returned to Frost. "And I am not merely referring to combat."
"Before you ask, the answer is yes, I am finally starting to make friends." Frost told him.
"I am pleased to hear that," Sub-Zero responded.
Sektor silently observed their discourse. Kuai Liang was so different from any Lin Kuei teacher he had experienced. He was almost ...fatherly with Frost. Their bond seemed far stronger than the one he shared with his own father… a fact that stirred a rage in him.
"Oh, and I should introduce you to our new companion, if he so chooses to be," said Sub-Zero, gesturing to the red cyborg just behind him. "This is Sektor."
Frost looked at him with surprise and a hint of fear, recalling all her mentor had told her of him.
"You mean the same 'Sektor' that…"
Sub-Zero nodded.
"[Query] She is aware of me?" Sektor asked.
"I make sure that my students are aware of our clan's history, my protege especially," Sub-Zero explained. "So that the mistakes of the past do not repeat themselves."
Sektor decided against responding.
"Sifu, are you sure about this?" Frost asked next, clearly worried due to her knowledge of her mentor's past with Sektor.
"I wasn't sold on the idea at first either, Frost," Cyrax admitted. "But Kuai Liang is willing to give it a chance, and it seems Sektor is open to the idea himself, given that he hasn't attacked anyone yet."
"[Indignant] Do not presume what I think," Sektor said irritatedly, before turning his attention to Frost. "[Admittance] But, yes, young Cryomancer, for the moment, I am, as your master described, a 'guest'."
Frost looked at him questioningly, before sparing a gaze at Sub-Zero and Cyrax. Finally, she shrugged and offered Sektor a hand.
"Alright, if Sifu trusts you." she decided.
Sektor looked down for a moment, before shaking her hand.
"[Pleasentry] Thank you," he replied. "[Dismissal] However, the courtesy is unnecessary."
"I was being nice." Frost said as if it were blatantly obvious.
"Besides, you don't have to worry too much," Cyrax chimed in. "I'll be keeping an eye on him."
Sektor and Cyrax stared at each other for a moment, before the latter decided to clarify:
"Just in case."
Frost could just feel the tension between the two cyborgs. Luckily, Sub-Zero decided to change topics.
"Anyways," he said as he put himself between Sektor and Cyrax. "I require your aid for a mission, Frost."
"What is it?" Frost asked.
"We will be venturing to Outworld." Sub-Zero explained. "I wish to continue my study into our...family history."
Frost quickly realized what he was talking about.
"[Query] The Cryomancers?" Sektor asked, less knowledgeable himself.
Sub-Zero nodded. "I have been researching their history for the past year, hoping to discover the origins of the power Frost and myself possess."
"At first, we looked through what we could get from information the old Lin Kuei had. That's how we found this cave." Cyrax explained.
"[Observation] I thought this place was familiar," Sektor said as he looked around. "[Recollection] I believe my father discovered it years ago."
Sub-Zero nodded. "Yes, and the portal to Outworld contained within it."
"[Recollection] That was how we entered contact with Shao Kahn," Sektor recalled, before breaking eye contact with Sub-Zero. "[Recollection] Hence Shang Tsung inviting your brother to-"
Sektor stopped himself. For the first time in a long time, he felt ashamed of his past actions.
"[Regret] Kuai Liang…" he began.
Sub-Zero put a hand on Sektor's shoulder. "What became of Bi-Han isn't your fault."
Sektor nodded. "[Regret] It's not just that." he then said, before looking Sub-Zero in the eyes again.
"[Shame] I have to confess ...I was always ...jealous... of your brother." Sektor explained. "[Pain] My father always seemed to favor him. [Regret] He would call upon him for the most important missions. [Shame] I was almost glad when he was ..."
Sub-Zero didn't respond at first, merely taking the information in.
"I mean no disrespect to you, Sektor," he decided to say. "But your father was a cruel man. Neither you nor Bi-Han is to blame for him disregarding his own son."
"[Acceptance] No disrespect taken," Sektor assured. "[Acceptance] My father is gone. [Satisfaction] I made certain of that myself. [Hate] I am well aware of the man he was."
"Good," Sub-Zero replied, before turning to Cyrax. "Cyrax, I am leaving things here in your hands while Frost and I are in Outworld."
Cyrax nodded in acknowledgement. "Understood."
The Grandmaster then turned back to his protege. "Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Frost replied, before putting her facemask back on.
Sub-Zero smiled, before leading her to the portal. It was hidden in one of the deepest tunnels of the cave, evidently to be kept away from any who might misuse it.
As the master and student approached the portal, Frost eyed it curiously.
"Ever wonder why it's here?" she asked.
"My research suggests that the Cryomancers, our ancestors, built portals like these when they fled Outworld to escape Shao Kahn." Sub-Zero explained.
He then removed the Dragon Medallion, the symbol of the Lin Kuei's leadership and a powerful Cryomancy-enhancing artifact, from his clothing.
"It seems that the Dragon Medallion was originally created as some manner of key." he continued, holding the medallion up to the portal, which caused it to burst to life almost immediately, creating a bright bluish-white vortex of energy within the portal's frame, which had the appearance of an arch made from ice.
"Woah…" was all Frost could say as she beheld the portal.
"Come now, we must be quick." Sub-Zero instructed.
Frost nodded, walking towards the portal. She placed herself side-by-side with her mentor before the two entered. When they came out the other side, they were in a snowy mountainous region of Outworld.
"We must be careful not to be seen," Sub-Zero cautioned. "We Lin Kuei are not welcome in Outworld. Not after we engaged Kotal Kahn's forces to aid Cassandra Cage and her team."
Frost remembered that battle as well. She had been part of the charge, her first real experience in helping to defend Earthrealm. Frost had wanted to aid in the defeat of the main threat, perhaps a way to thank Cassie and Jacqui for saving her life a few years prior, but the Outworld forces had kept her and the Lin Kuei contingent she'd been given command of quite occupied.
Deciding to shift her focus to the present, she simply said "Right." in acknowledgment of her mentor's advice, before proceeding to follow him along their path.
"So...where are we going, exactly?" Frost decided to ask. She had ventured with Sub-Zero to Outworld once or twice before, but this time he seemed to have a specific location in mind rather than merely seeing what they could find.
"A temple I discovered during my last trip to Outworld," Sub-Zero answered. "I believe it to be a tomb for Cryomancers."
"A ...tomb?" Frost asked. Her expression was mostly hidden by her mask, but her eyes certainly conveyed a level of shock and unease.
"I know the subject of death is discomforting for you," Sub-Zero acknowlegded, recalling what Frost had once told him of her past. "But this tomb may contain the secrets of our heritage."
Frost stopped in her tracks, just thinking for a moment. Sub-Zero sounded so sure, but she didn't feel very sure. At all, really.
"Frost," Sub-Zero said, drawing her attention. "You are stronger than you realize. Never forget that."
Frost took a few moments to think about his words. Sub-Zero always showed such faith in her...why did she never feel like she had faith in herself? This uncertainty ruling her mind. A while ago, Frost had elected to abandon disguising it with an arrogant demeanor. It had occurred to her how much acting this way seemed to alienate her from people. Before finding the Lin Kuei, she would've justified this to herself as a defense mechanism. Now, Frost finally had found herself somewhere she felt like she belonged, and the last thing she wanted to do was push this new family of hers away.
And in this new family, Kuai Liang had been like a father to her. If he believed in her, surely she could believe in herself, and that's what she decided she'd try to do.
"Thank you," she said to Sub-Zero. "Now let's go."
Kuai Liang simply smiled at her, and the two continued.
A few hours later, the two Lin Kuei reached the Cryomancer tomb. It was a large building, not unlike the Lin Kuei temple. There was almost something regal about it. But it was also dark. And empty.
Definitely a tomb.
Sub-Zero walked throughout the tomb, Frost following cautiously behind, wary of anything that might occur. Within it were row upon row of caskets, all containing cryomancers who had died long before either Kuai Liang or Frost had been born.
There was something haunting about this place. Yet also ancient. It was almost like an abandoned cathedral. Tall and proud, but also empty and desolate.
As master and apprentice descended into the tomb's depths, they discovered things Kuai Liang had not had time to uncover during his cursory exploration of the tomb. Strange hieroglyphs lined the walls, telling a tale neither of them could decipher. A few corpses lacked caskets to hold them, frozen over skeletons lying bare except for whatever remained of their clothing.
Upon closer inspection, Sub-Zero recognized the remnants of the garb of Shao Kahn's soldiers, while Frost recognized the Lin Kuei's symbol on a few.
"What happened here?" the protege asked.
"I am uncertain," Sub-Zero told her honestly. "It would seem that some altercation took place between Lin Kuei and the warriors of Shao Kahn."
"A battle?" Frost inquired.
"Aye," Sub-Zero confirmed. "One that ended long ago, no doubt."
Sub-Zero continued to look around. He examined the walls, trying to discern the meaning of the symbols based on what he could piece together from his prior research.
Frost looked in a decidedly different direction, before coming across something of interest.
"Uhh ...Sifu?" she said, pointing towards a doorway.
Sub-Zero walked over to her. "What is it?" he asked.
"In there," Frost explained. "The chair."
Sub-Zero looked inside the room. At the center of it was a chair, and sat on it the body of a man.
A man in armor.
"It looks Lin Kuei." Frost discerned.
"I know this armor." Sub-Zero said.
"You do?" Frost asked.
"I do," he answered. "It was worn by my grandfather. The first Sub-Zero."
"I thought your brother was the first Sub-Zero." Frost pointed out, noticeably confused.
"He is my predecessor, yes," Kuai Liang acknowledged. "But not the first to bear the name."
"So...that's your grandpa?" Frost asked, eyeing the skeletal corpse before them.
Sub-Zero nodded. "Yes."
"Probably not the family reunion you were thinking of..." Frost surmised.
"My grandfather died long before I could ever know him." Kuai Liang explained. "I had heard he was a great warrior."
"Was he...like us?" Frost asked.
"He was said to be one of the best practitioners of cryomancy to have ever lived." he told her, looking over to see her looking down with uncertainty and doubt.
"At least," Kuai placed a hand on Frost's shoulder. "Until the day when they tell stories about you."
Frost couldn't help but smile beneath her mask. "You really think so?"
"I see great potential in you, Frost," Kuai Liang replied. "I always have."
Frost examined the armor, never one to make it too obvious how much her mentor's reassurances meant to her.
"Say...looks about your size." she pointed out.
"Hmm..." Kuai Liang mused. "I suppose I could give it a try."
After Frost courteously stepped out of the room, Kuai Liang got to donning the armor of his grandfather.
Frost waited patiently outside, leaned against a wall, expecting her mentor to step out any moment.
Until….
"FROST!"
She rushed into the room to see what was going on.
"Sifu?"
Sub-Zero was now donned in the rather impressive looking suit of armor. But something was clearly wrong. An icy cloud seemed to be emanating from his body, parts of him looked to be freezing over. The Dragon Medallion glowed intensely, the scar he had received from Kano years prior glowed a bright blue as if his blood were becoming ice. Most distressing of all, his skin was getting greyer with every moment that passed.
"The...the armor…" Sub-Zero said, struggling to even speak. "It enhances my power...like the medallion. T-Too much...at once..."
"Is there anything I can do?" Frost asked.
"Frost...you must ...take ...the medallion." Sub-Zero instructed.
Frost was taken aback. "Me?" she asked. "B-But…last time I tried to use it, I almost froze myself! If you hadn't been there to stop me, I-"
"I.. believe.. In… you…" Sub-Zero choked out. "You… will... master...the medallion's power."
Frost stood there, figuratively frozen as her mentor became literally frozen. Kuai Liang removed the Dragon Medallion from his person, and held it out to his protege.
"Please...Frost…"
Frost closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and grabbed the medallion.
Kuai Liang's condition began to normalize, as Frost struggled against the immense power. She could feel herself on the verge of freezing over. She was terrified that this was going to fail.
"Frost, listen to me!" Sub-Zero shouted. "You must control the Dragon Medallion's power! Do not give into your fears! Focus your mind. You can do this!"
Frost nodded, not responding verbally, instead focusing on following his instructions and not losing herself to this power. But still the uncertainty plagued her. As she felt her fingers stiffen and frost over as ice formed beneath the skin,she could only ask why she was too weak to fulfill her master's trust in her.
And then, a voice broke through her doubt.
It was Sub-Zero's.
"Listen to my voice Frost. Focus only on my voice. Forget the Medallion. Forget your fears. Focus only on my voice. Focus on me, on my belief in you, if that will help."
"Okay…" she said slowly, taking another deep breath. "Okay…..I can do this."
She closed her eyes, focused on concentrating. On the fact that for what felt like the first time in her life, someone believed in her.
And finally...after what felt like hours, she'd done it.
Frost felt the cold that had been creeping in begin to recede, she felt the power within her stabilizing. She opened her eyes, and looked at the Medallion in her hand.
"I...I did it." She said,
"Yes Frost," Kuai Liang confirmed. "You did."
She took a sigh of relief, before fastening the Medallion to her uniform. She'd actually done it. She'd controlled this power.
"Let's get back to the others." Frost spoke with renewed confidence. Real confidence.
Kuai Liang removed his helmet and smirked. "Looking to show off already?"
"Hey, I won't be the one coming back in fancy new duds." Frost retorted.
Sub-Zero chuckled. "Fair point. Alright, let's go."
The two Lin Kuei made their way out of the tomb and back to the portal. The trip back felt shorter than the trip there, though perhaps it had to do with the renewed energy that came along with the enhancement of their cryokinetic abilities.
Once they reached the portal, Kuai Liang allowed Frost to do the honors of activating it. They stepped through and returned to the Lin Kuei hideout.
Frost continued to hold the Dragon Medallion in-hand, something Kuai Liang took notice of.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Just wondering," Frost said. "You really want me to hold onto this?"
Sub-Zero nodded. "The medallion is yours now. You have earned it. Use its power wisely."
Frost nodded. "I will. And thanks."
"Think nothing of it," Sub-Zero responded humbly. "I won't be needing it anymore, anyways."
"No, I meant ...for believing in me." Frost clarified.
"Of course," replied Sub-Zero. "It is a teacher's duty to have faith in their students."
He then paused. "I must confess however, with you it's a bit different."
"What do you mean?" Frost asked.
Sub-Zero removed the helmet of his new armor, allowing his protege to see his face.
"Frost, you are like a daughter to me." he admitted. "That is why I will always believe in you."
Frost wasn't sure what to say. She had always known her mentor to be fond of her, that he had always sought to help her, their misunderstanding of a first encounter not withstanding. But this was ...unexpected. But also extremely flattering. As she considered the matter, Frost realized that much as Sub-Zero saw her as a daughter, she had always seen him as something of a father.
As such, Frost settled for the only response appropriate of a daughter. She rushed up to Kuai Liang and hugged him. It lasted only momentarily, but she'd gotten the point across nonetheless.
The two Lin Kuei then went to reunite with the rest of the clan. Sub-Zero's new armor and Frost's wearing the Dragon Medallion quickly grew the attention of the others, who quickly rushed over to welcome them back and ask about what happened.
In the midst of all the discourse, Kuai Liang noticed Cyrax and Sektor observing from the other side of the room. Moving past his fellow Lin Kuei, he approached the two cyborgs.
"So, how'd things go in Outworld?" Cyrax asked.
"Quite well," Sub-Zero answered. "I think it was very productive."
"[Confusion] [Mocking] So is she the Grandmaster of your Lin Kuei now?" Sektor asked.
"This armor enhances my abilities much like the medallion," Sub-Zero explained. "I could not wield both at once. The Dragon Medallion is now Frost's to utilize."
"[Irritation] [Pride] It is the symbol of the Lin Kuei's leadership, not some mere trinket." Sektor reminded.
"Then it is all the more fitting that she wear it," Sub-Zero responded. "I believe that one day Frost will succeed me as Grandmaster."
"[Dismissal] She is a child." Sektor argued.
"This 'child' can freeze your tin-plated ass," Frost retorted as she walked over. "Extra chilly now that I have this thing."
"[Dismissal] Such idle threats are exactly why you are unfit to lead." Sektor said coldly.
"Not like you're any better."
Sektor's head spun around to glare at Cyrax after hearing his comment. Frost made an effort to stifle laughter.
"That is enough," Sub-Zero said commandingly. "Sektor, while you are our guest, you will treat my students with respect. Frost, Cyrax, you are expected to reciprocate that respect."
Cyrax didn't respond. He felt no reason to treat Sektor with any respect at all, but he didn't want to dispute Kuai Liang either.
Frost merely acknowledged the command by nodding.
"Moving on then," said Sub-Zero. "With the enhancement of both my and Frost's abilities, the Lin Kuei will most certainly be ready for whatever battle lies ahead."
"You sound so certain that we'll have to fight this battle alone," Cyrax pointed out. "What of our allies?"
"Unfortunately, we are on our own for now," Sub-Zero explained. "Approaching the White Lotus Society would bring us into Raiden's line of sight, and the Special Forces are still allied with him."
"What about Hanzo?" Frost chimed in. She had once considered the Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu an enemy, no less dangerous to the Lin Kuei than his prior self, Scorpion. However, Frost had since recognized her error in attacking him and accepted Hanzo as an ally. It had been Sub-Zero who sought to make peace with him in the first place. As such, it struck Frost as odd that her mentor would not go to him for aid.
"Hanzo has not yet seen what Raiden has become," Sub-Zero explained. "I pray he will before it is too late."
"[Confusion] Wait…" said Sektor. "Hanzo...do you mean Hanzo Hasashi?"
"Yeah…" Frost said, already worried about how the cyborg might react.
"[Bafflement] A member of the Shirai Ryu is your ally?" Sektor asked. "And not any Shirai Ryu, but the same man who killed your brother?"
Sub-Zero nodded. "Hanzo has changed much. He is no longer the specter of rage known as Scorpion."
"I thought he was bad news once," Frost admitted. "But the guy's not so bad once you get to know him."
"[Distrust] He is still Shirai Ryu." Sektor argued.
"Hanzo has rebirthed the Shirai Ryu as a force to defend Earthrealm," Sub-Zero clarified. "As I have the Lin Kuei."
"[Rage] You...you have made peace with our oldest enemies?!" Sektor shouted. "And you call yourself Grandmaster!"
"Sektor, calm yourself," Sub-Zero pleaded. "The animosity between our clans is over. It died with their prior iterations."
"[Indignant] You mean my Lin Kuei." Sektor corrected, before looking over at Cyrax.
"[Query] How can you just accept this?" he asked.
"Because I accept that times have changed, Sektor." Cyrax answered. "I hope one day you will as well."
Sektor clenched his fists. There it was again. That hope. Why did it bother him? He considered the possibility that it was because his own father had never displayed such faith in him. And yet, here were two men with every reason to hate him, and a young woman he had never met...all willing to give him a chance.
As he thought on the matter, Sektor identified what the root of it was.
Compassion.
They were showing him compassion.
What incredible fools they were. They knew his threat and yet allowed him into their midsts. This would certainly spell their doom. And yet… there was something almost… touching about their efforts.
"[Query] Are you certain this new Shirai Ryu is not a threat?" Sektor decided to ask.
"Absolutely." Sub-Zero answered without hesitation.
"[Contemplation] Then…" Sektor began to say. "[Compromise] I suppose they are not of concern. For now." Sektor needed time to regain access to his greater capabilities. Until then, he would bide his time among these traitors until he had gathered enough resources to escape and rebuild his Lin Kuei.
"I hope you're right, Sifu." Frost said.
"About what?" he asked.
"About Hanzo," she elaborated. "I hope he'll make the right choice."
As the Lin Kuei adjusted to changing times, the Shirai Ryu were as well. While Kuai Liang saw him as a threat, Hanzo Hasashi felt indebted to Raiden. After all, it was Raiden who managed to save both of them, as well as Jax, from the Netherrealm's corruption.
Hanzo was acutely aware that he had made mistakes. Killing Bi-Han, who as it turned out, had not murdered his family and the original Shirai Ryu. Becoming allies, perhaps even friends, with Bi-Han's brother made his guilt even worse. As did the fact that Bi-Han had been transformed by the Netherrealm like he was.
And then there was his family's true killer. Quan Chi. Hanzo had sought nothing more than vengeance upon the sorcerer the moment he learned that he was the one truly responsible for the deaths of his family and the destruction for his clan. The same single-minded vengeance that drove him when he was the specter known as Scorpion. In his uncontrollable rage, Hanzo killed Quan Chi. His family had been avenged...but others had potentially been doomed. Quan Chi could have been the key to the Forces of Light restoring their now-revenant former comrades. And Hanzo had destroyed that key. He had condemned others to a hellish fate not unlike the one he once knew.
Hanzo now sought nothing more to atone for his sins. He would continue to lead his Shirai Ryu in Earthrealm's defense, determined to bring down any who would cause further suffering.
But for the moment, Hanzo was attempting to gain some peace of mind. In the center of the Shirai Ryu temple, he sat with eyes closed and legs crossed, meditating. It was a fairly regular ritual for Hanzo, something he had begun doing after Shinnok's defeat in order to keep his rage in check. He would not allow it to blind him again. He could never again make such a critical mistake.
Alas, Hanzo's meditation and reflection on his follies would be cut short.
He heard a loud sound. A crack of lightning, and dangerously close. Mere feet away from his position.
Hanzo needn't even open his eyes to know what, or rather who, had just arrived.
"Lord Raiden." He spoke, before standing up and turning to face the unexpected visitor.
"Hanzo Hasashi," Raiden responded. "I have need of the Shirai Ryu."
"How may my clan be of service to you, Lord Raiden?" Hanzo asked.
"I wish to bring an end to the continued conflict in the realms," Raiden explained. "So that Earthrealm might finally know peace."
"And so that there will be no further loss of life," Hanzo assumed. "Like our former allies who fell victim to Shinnok's deviltry...or my family."
Raiden nodded. "Yes."
"I can assure you Lord Raiden, you will have the Shirai Ryu's aid in any capacity you require them." Hanzo promised.
"Thank you, Hanzo Hasashi," Raiden said gratefully, before pausing to consider his next words. "Has Sub-Zero attempted to contact you?"
"No," Hanzo answered. "I have heard nothing from him since the Lin Kuei's disappearance."
"I see," was all Raiden said at first. "I am doubtful we will require his aid. I have other allies at my disposal."
"The Special Forces?" Hanzo assumed.
Raiden was silent for a moment. "Among others."
"I see…" Hanzo responded with a hint of uncertainty.
"You will learn all you need to know in time," Raiden promised. "I must depart. There is much work to be done."
"I wish you luck, Lord Raiden." Said Hanzo, giving a traditional bow of respect.
Raiden merely nodded, before calling down another bolt of lightning. And like that, he was gone.
"Do you really trust him?"
Hanzo turned around to see a woman with short blonde hair donned in traditional black and yellow Shirai Ryu garb.
His second-in-command, Peron.
"Of course I trust him," Hanzo said, his tone conveying surprise that she would even ask. "Raiden is the one who saved me from my fate as a slave of the Netherrealm."
"Yes, you've told me all that," Peron acknowledged. "But you can't deny that he's been different lately."
"He grows weary of these threats to Earthrealm," Hanzo explained. "Frankly after dealing with monsters like Shinnok and Shao Kahn for centuries, I can't say I blame him."
"I suppose, but-"
"If only I had not let my anger continue to drive me…" Hanzo said before Peron could finish, sitting himself on a nearby bench. "Perhaps Raiden could've found a way to save the others, as he did me."
Peron sighed, before sitting down next to Hanzo. "You can't keep beating yourself up over that," she insisted. "Quan Chi was a monster, you've made as much explicitly clear to me."
"And yet my guilt still hangs over me," Hanzo said solemnly. "I put my personal revenge before the potential salvation of others."
"You avenged your family," Peron reminded. "And the original Shirai Ryu." she then sighed. "If only I could've done the same…"
Hanzo looked at her. "Yes...your husband," he recalled. "Taken during Shao Kahn's invasion."
Peron nodded slowly. "Monsters like that take good people away from us…."
"And sometimes good people can be saved," Hanzo reminded her, before looking down. "And we fail them all the same."
"Look," Peron said, grabbing Hanzo by the shoulder and turning him in her direction. "I know you. You don't give up, you don't stop fighting. That's why you rebuilt the Shirai Ryu and that's why you agreed to let me, and Takeda, and everyone else here help you. I know you miss your family, Hanzo. I miss mine to. But this clan is our new family."
"Then…." Hanzo said, looking up at her. "I hope I will have my new family's support."
Peron nodded. "Always. Just promise me something."
"What is it?" Hanzo asked.
"If...if my worries are right, and Raiden has changed somehow...maybe even lost his way," Peron said carefully. "Promise me you won't lead the Shirai Ryu into the fires of oblivion following him."
"Peron, I have complete faith in Raiden," Hanzo responded. "And the way of the Shirai Ryu is to fight to the end, not to retreat."
Peron sighed. "Alright…." she said, before getting up. "If you're sure."
"By the way, have you heard from Takeda?" Hanzo asked.
"He's still with the Special Forces," Peron informed him, as she began walking away. "Don't worry, I'm sure that fiance of his is will keep him safe. Takeda picked the right woman if you ask me."
Hanzo chuckled. "Yes, Jacquiline seems perfect for him indeed. I look forward to getting to know my top student's future wife better."
Peron pretended to scoff. "I thought I was your top student."
"You are no mere student, Peron," Hanzo reminded her. "Not anymore."
Peron smiled. "I know. Speaking of which, I have to get back to my group of trainees. I'll let you get back to your meditation."
Hanzo returned the smile, albeit briefly. "Thank you, Peron."
Peron bowed, before leaving.
She walked to another part of the temple, where a group of Shirai Ryu trainees were sparring. One was particularly notable. He wore a primarily black garb, and strangest of all ...a mask, in the shape of a duck's bill.
The other students evidently found it odd as well. Exactly as this warrior had intended. He used their confusion to control the battle. Every mocking "quack" sound was repaid with a swift knockdown, his movements incredibly fluid.
Fitting, given his powers, and his codename.
"Aqua, I see you're still wearing that silly thing." Peron observed.
Aqua turned to her and bowed. "I like seeing my opponents underestimate me. It puts the battle in my hands."
"You look ridiculous." she pointed out.
"But I am no less capable." Aqua argued.
"Fair point." Peron admitted.
"So…" Aqua paused. "How is the Grandmaster?"
"Still meditating, last I checked," Peron explained. "Raiden stopped by. Apparently something's brewing and he needs the Shirai Ryu's help."
"I see…" Aqua said, having little experience with the Thunder God. "Is the fate of the realms in jeopardy again?"
"Hopefully nothing so grandiose," Peron answered. "Though frankly, I'm not sure. He was rather vague."
"Do you trust him?" Aqua asked.
"Hanzo trusts him with his life," was Peron's response. "He is the 'Protector of Earthrealm' after all."
"Do you trust him?" Aqua asked again.
"I...I'm not sure." Peron admitted.
"Well, I have been part of the Shirai Ryu long enough to have faith in our Grandmaster's judgement," Aqua said confidently. "Still…I worry."
"So do I, Aqua," Peron agreed. "So do I."