Chapter 6: The New Lin Kuei
Time has passed and things have changed for everyone in the New Era. Shirai Ryu has been restored with Jacqui and Takeda, and Edenia has been taken back by Sindel and Kitana Kahn. Special Forces return to Earthrealm to rest after being on two missions in one day. That's not all. The Lin Kuie has been restored to its former glory. Kuai Liang leads the Lin Kuie as its Grandmaster. Unfortunately, he chose to not have Bi-Han restored, refusing to acknowledge him as a brother, due to his cold-blooded nature and low tolerance for anyone else, even after being resurrected by Quan Chi and became Noob Saibot.
In his place, Smoke, who has since been restored in the New Era has rejoined Sub-Zero. Cyrax, who is once again human, rejoins as well without Sektor, their one enemy remaining in hiding, still wanting to assimilate all Lin Kuie. Cyrax has accepted the changes in the New Era and accepted Hanzo Hasashi as a friend after being told that his clan was originally slain by Quan Chi and framed Bi-Han. Cyrax and Smoke can't help but feel traumatized by their original fates when Smoke was a revenant and Cyrax was a cyborg.
Last but not least, Frost is part of the Lin Kuie, but with a completely different personality and not a cyborg. She is aware of changes in history made by Liu Kang and Alex as she was not born by the time the first tournament happened in Earthrealm, and therefore, does not hold any hatred towards the Shirai Ryu. She was told of the real history of the Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu by her grandmaster. And that includes that they were both used by Quan Chi and tricked into turning against each other. Frost felt guilty for turning against Sub-Zero and wishes to make amends for her past actions. Frost is now more wiser, loyal, independent but not too much, has judgement and fighting spirit. While she may be arrogant, she is not as hot-headed as she was before. She idolizes Sub-Zero and hopes to become like him and Smoke.
Grandmaster Liang trains the New Lin Kuie and hopes to make Frost his apprentice once again, despite what has happened when she betrayed him and was forced to exile her. While Frost is waiting out, Cyrax and Smoke talk to Sub-Zero.
"Are you certain it is wise, Kuai Liang? You remember what happened last time?" Cyrax asked in question. While he never doubted Liang's abilities, he doesn't seem to trust Frost because of her actions.
"I am certain, Cyrax. Frost has changed for the better since the New Era was born. She wasted her potential, but somehow I still knew she had it in her." Sub-Zero said.
"We're only hoping Sektor doesn't try to bring her back to her previous personality. We do not want to repeat past mistakes like before. I still remember you being taken away by Sektor back in Outworld. I do not wish for this to happen again." Smoke said.
"I will not let Sektor dishonor the Lin Kuie as he did before. Liu Kang and Alexander did their best to ensure everyone's survival, but could not do anything to ensure we do without Shao Kahn and Sektor escaping on their own terms." Sub-Zero said.
"We understand, Grandmaster." Cyrax said before he and Smoke bow their heads to their friend. The two go to summon Frost in front of the temple to train her further and put her abilities to see if she is worthy.
"Now that a year has passed since training. It is time to put your skills and intellect to the test, Frost." Sub-Zero said.
Frost puts her hands together and bows her head before her grandmaster. "Yes, Grandmaster Liang. What do you like for me to do?"
"First, you must defeat the strongest warriors here. First, you will fight Cyrax." Sub-Zero said as he steps up.
"Cyrax. Never fought I'd get to fight you." Frost said in surprise.
"Sub-Zero has asked me to give you a fighting chance. I will do it not because he's my grandmaster, but because he is my friend. If you wish to get to him, you must get passed me." Cyrax said before he and Frost fight.
Frost starts by kicking his chin twice, and kicking both of his ankles before shoulder bashing him and sliding on ice with her powers. She jumps to kick his shoulder, punches his chest and chops him in the head, and does a back kick to the face. Cyrax stumbles, allowing her to double kick him in the back. Cyrax recovers. He does two punches to the chest and a palm strike to the stomach. Cyrax then does two elbow strikes to the right shoulder and chin and a shoulder bash, followed by two cartwheel kicks and a punch to the left shoulder and kick to the forehead. Frost rolls backwards to recover, but Cyrax uppercuts her, sending her into the air and throws her down with a suplex. As Cyrax moves in for the finish, Frost uses her powers on the ground, freezing it and nearly making Cyrax lose his footing. Frost does a punch to the face and backhand to the forehead and a knee strike to the chest, and a back kick to the head, defeating him.
"Do not underestimate cryomancy, Cyrax. You should also learn it someday." Frost suggested, rather in a kinder tone. No one was used to seeing her with a completely different attitude, especially towards Sub-Zero.
"Cryomancy is a useful power, passed down from my ancestors, but skill is also important. You have passed the first test, Frost." Sub-Zero said.
"Thank you, grandmaster." Frost said. "Who is the next warrior I must fight?"
"That would be me." Smoke said as he stepped forward.
"I was hoping I would fight you someday, Smoke. Wanting to see what you have learned under your master. I am feeling eager. I have read stories about you, wanting to follow in your footsteps." Frost said.
"I will not be as easily defeated as Cyrax. Always be aware of that." Smoke said before they fight.
Smoke teleports twice to hit her in the back with an elbow strike and a chop strike at her neck, sending her sliding. Frost jumps and chops his right shoulder, back kicks his face, palm strikes his chest and knees it and double punches him in the face. She chops both of his rib cages, and backflip kicks him in the air, but Smoke teleports again and kicks her left thigh, elbows her face and does an uppercut, sending her flying. He fires a smoke ball and teleports her and she falls and Smoke jumps to grab her and throw her down. Frost recovers and ice slides backwards, but Smoke knew this and teleports behind her and elbows the back of her neck and double kicks her back. Frost slides back again and Smoke teleports again, but Frost was ready. She jumps over Smoke, grabs his shoulders and knees him in the lower spine, kicks his back, kicks his left shoulder, flips over him and palm strikes his stomach and chops him in the chest, and slides forward, sending Smoke off his feet. Smoke fires another smoke ball at Frost and she suddenly started falling, and Smoke jumps to knee her chest and front flip kick her down. Frost is hurt, but she uses her ice powers to make an ice slope to help her recover and jump up and grabs Smoke, knees his chest and front flip kicks his stomach, sending him down to the ground, defeating him.
"You have great skill beyond my belief." Frost said, helping him up. "I am impressed by your skills, loyalty and powers. No wonder Grandmaster Sub-Zero has considered you a close friend to him. I am honored to have fought you no matter what."
"The honor is mine, Frost. You have shown good reflexes from your training with Sub-Zero for these years. You learned how to counter and think about fighting someone who also has abilities." Smoke said.
"Indeed, Frost. You've learned to adapt to his fighting capabilities and patience on his movements. But you are not done yet." Sub-Zero said.
"I must fight my own grandmaster?" Frost asked.
"Correct. Remember what you have learned up to this point. Do not let arrogance or impatience get the better of you." Sub-Zero said.
"I shall respect your lessons with pride." Frost said.
"Good. Let us begin." Sub-Zero said.
Frost and Sub-Zero fire iceballs at each other, and they collide, creating an icy mist. Frost lunges in to attack, only to have broken a fake statue made of ice. Sub-Zero comes up behind her, but she swiftly blocks him. They exchange offense and defense. Frost kicks his right left leg, uppercuts him by the chin, and double kicks his back, sending him backwards. Sub-Zero aims his ice at her feet, preventing her from moving. The grandmaster lands on his feet and jumps and punches her right shoulder, back kicks her arm, and then in the head and shoulder bashes her and chops her on the head. Sub-Zero kicks upward and downward but Frost blocks it and pushes it away and grabs his neck with her legs and throws him down and jumps back.
"You match me step for step." Frost said.
Frost fires an iceball in the air and it explodes causing a mist that flies down in the area and Frost just stands there and suddenly vanishes. Sub-Zero ice slides to her position but misses her. Frost double kicks him in the left rib cage and she summons ice lances while he summons an ice axe. They clash with each other, with no sign of one getting the advantage over another. But then, Frost manages to break his axe into tiny pieces and strikes her lances into the ground, lunges forward, kicks her grandmaster in the chest, punches the right side of his face, back hands him, and kicks his face. She fires an ice ball, but Sub-Zero slides under it, grabs her ankle, and throws her into an ice wall and punches her through. Frost gets back up and she charges at him, but he makes another fake statue of himself and vanishes. Frost sees this and realizes it was a trick. Frost closes her eyes and senses him coming. Sub-Zero comes with an ice sword and thrusts at her, but Frost grabs his wrist, punches his left shoulder and face and brings out two short staffs made of ice, swings at his chest, his left shoulder, and swings one down on his head, making the grandmaster fall over. She points one end of it at his face but stops.
Frost tosses them aside and offers her hand to him and he takes it. "You remember the lessons I have taught you. Learned to trust your senses even while blinded and learned from past mistakes. Most of all, you learned to show enemies mercy unless otherwise. You have earned your place. Well done, my student." Sub-Zero compliments her.
"Grandmaster Liang. I am honored by your teachings. I still have a long way to go to succeed in further challenges, but I have much to learn." Frost said, bowing her head to him.
"You have potential, Frost." Sub-Zero said. "Be stealthful as the night.
"And deadly as the dawn." Frost said. They bow their heads to each other. Sub-Zero remembered the original time he made Frost his apprentice before she turned traitor when he made peace with the Shirai Ryu, remembering their clash together. Frost has had her memories changed for the better, making her somewhat more likable by most of Sub-Zero's allies, though others such as Liu Kang, Sonya, and Alex do not trust her.
Note: Yes. Frost is a hero this time around. The reasons for this is to show that some characters deserve some redemption other than Kabal. I wanted to see why would happen if Frost was a hero this time around rather than a villain. I originally put down that Liu Kang and Alex did not know about Frost's change of heart, but I changed it to where she is aware and show redemption because I realized that the original idea I had in mind made no sense.