Chapter 2: New Face, Old Foe
At the Cyber Lin Kuie hideout, Triborg is overlooking at the map of Arctika. The icy region of Earthrealm. He seems very interested in this region, but for what reasons other than it being the home of the Lin Kuie? As the new leader looks on, he senses the group coming back with valuable prisoners.
Triborg turns around to face them. "Smoke. Cyrax. Just the two I have been hoping for. Welcome to the New Cyber Lin Kuie."
"And you're this Triborg that your slaves have mentioned." Cyrax assumed.
"Correct. I have waited for years to meet you once again. You are here to face the crimes you have committed before your execution. Before I do so, you will tell me where your grandmaster is." Triborg said.
"What possible grudge could you have against Sub-Zero?" Smoke demanded.
"It is something that you will all hear. But first, you will send him a message. Tell him to come to me. And bring his student with him. They too must answer for their crimes." Triborg said.
"We'll never talk. We would never betray our master and friend. Not to disgusting cyborgs like you, Triborg." Cyrax glared at him.
"Is that right?" Triborg mockingly asked. He holds up his left wrist and a small saw blade comes out of his forearm. "Then we shall make it official. Last chance. Tell me where they are, or Smoke's heart and throat are the first to come out." Triborg grabs Smoke by the top of his head and slowly starts spinning the blade and it closes in on his chest. Cyrax tries his best to resist giving in.
"Do not tell him anything, Cyrax. Please. We can't lose him to this disgrace. Smoke said. Smoke starts screaming as the blade starts to cut his chest open and some blood starts coming out.
The blade was not even a quarter way through as Cyrax finally conceded. "Alright, STOP! LET HIM GO!"
This gains Triborg's attention as he pulls the blade out of his chest and turns to Cyrax. "Good. Now tell me where Sub-Zero is. Then I will have you record a live message. He will come to rescue you, but he will die and you will be next." Triborg said as one of his cyborgs walks up to Cyrax. "Now. Record the message and have him come here." Cyrax looks down in shame, thinking that he has just betrayed his old friend. Smoke, holding one hand to his chest to stop the bleeding, looks at Cyrax and does not know what to say. He wanted to ask why did he do that. Why would he give in like that instead of letting Smoke die. Cyrax is reluctant to record the message, but doesn't want Smoke to die. All they can do is hope Sub-Zero will triumph over their mysterious foe.
At the temple, Sub-Zero and Frost continue to meditate. Sub-Zero remembered Liu Kang saving him during the second tournament. He defeated Scorpion and this time, was prepared for the ambushed and destroyed the cyborgs that originally surrounded him before. Because of change in events, he went on and defeated Sektor after the latter swore allegiance to Shao Kahn. After defeating Sektor, he kills his older brother Bi-Han. He and Frost are waiting for Smoke and Cyrax to return from patrolling. They usually never take this long to return. Something is amidst. Unfortunately, they are about to find out the hard way. Frost opens her eyes and senses danger with her grandmaster following a second after.
"I sense it too, Frost. What is it?" Sub-Zero said.
"Someone is coming. Whoever it is, isn't friendly. It isn't Smoke or Cyrax." Frost said.
The master and student both take a stance, ready to fight whatever is coming. They expect someone from the Netherrealm, but something else is coming. Something they were hoping never to see again. It's one cyborg. "A Cyber Lin Kuie? How is that possible? We destroyed them all." Sub-Zero said.
"It doesn't matter. We need to destroy it now!" Frost said, but Sub-Zero grabs her shoulder to stop her.
"Wait. It's not attacking. Why? If there is just one being sent here and not attack or capture us, then it means it has something to show us." Sub-Zero said.
"A message for Sub-Zero and Frost. From the master." The lone cyborg said.
The cyborg plays a holographic message. It shows two people. Smoke, who is holding his chest, his hand covered in blood. The next is Cyrax, looking at the cyborg out of shame. "Sub-Zero. Forgive me. We were ambushed by the Cyber Lin Kuie. By a leader named Triborg. He wants me to tell you to come to his factory. He wants to meet you and Frost face to face. Hurry. Save Smoke." The recording by Cyrax ends.
"You are to meet Triborg's demands. Meet him at these coordinates within the next hour. Both of you. If you fail to meet all demands, then Cyrax and Smoke will die." The cyborg shows the two the map, which leads to the secret caves in the mountains. Inside there is where the new factory is. Sub-Zero and Frost take a good look at it. After a minute of looking, the cyborg flies off back to the factory.
"Triborg. I have never heard of such a name before. He must be some sort of successor to Sektor. And the Cyber Lin Kuie. They've been gone for three years." Sub-Zero said.
"The question is where did this Triborg come from? Surely, he must've been built by Sektor." Frost said.
"I am afraid you may be right, Frost. That's why I must go and find out what he wants from me." Sub-Zero said.
"I am coming with you, grandmaster." Frost said, following him as he walks.
"No. I already lost you once. I cannot let Triborg have you like Sektor did three years ago. You cannot suffer the same fate more than twice. And I am doing everything in my power to keep Cyrax and Smoke away from that same fate. It is my responsibility to keep everyone safe. That is the one rule for the grandmaster. Put everyone in the Lin Kuie before myself." Sub-Zero tells her.
"I understand that, my master. But you heard that machine. Triborg is expecting both of us. We are not afraid to fight alongside you. It is the followers duty to fight with their master or die trying. I have sworn to make up for my mistakes and show the better good in the New Era. I'm willing to lay down my life for you." Frost said.
Sub-Zero feels moved by his student's words. He is afraid of losing her, Cyrax and Smoke to the Cyber Lin Kuie just as he once lost Frost and Cyrax. Sub-Zero may not have been a perfect grandmaster, but knows well of the responsibilities as grandmaster. He knows Frost is right and reluctantly nods. "Very well. We shall move out immediately. We will rescue Smoke and Cyrax and find out who Triborg is." Sub-Zero said. Frost nods to him and they both head out immediately to confront their new enemy Triborg. They must hurry to his location or else Cyrax and Smoke will die. Sub-Zero can't help but feel something rather odd about Triborg. Something familiar.
The cyborg flies back to the factory after completing its objective. Triborg notices this and he nods. "Good. They are on their way. It will be their last decision they will ever make. Everything is going as planned." Triborg said. He turns to Smoke and Cyrax, restrained in a crucifixion like pose. Cyrax still looks down in shame.
Smoke glares at him with great hatred. "If you believe that your cyborgs will prevail over the Lin Kuie, you are wrong. They have tried and failed many times. Sub-Zero always found a way out. He will finish you, just as he finished Sektor two times."
"Not this time. I have learned from our mistakes. Even I am aware of what had transpired in the Old Era. This time it will end differently." Triborg said.
"You still haven't told us. Where did you come from? How do you know of us and Sub-Zero?" Smoke asked.
"The answers will come in time. Sub-Zero will either fight his way through or be brought to me. He will die either way." Triborg said. A cyborg approaches him.
"Sub-Zero and Frost have been sighted approaching the mark as you said they would. Request permission to kill them." The cyborg asked.
"No. I want him to know who I really am before he dies. But make sure they know where to find their way here." Triborg said. The cyborg groups bow their heads to him as they move out and stand guard. Another group flies out to search for Sub-Zero and Frost to make sure they are going the right way.
Outside, Sub-Zero and Frost are a few miles away from the coordinates the messenger sent them. Sub-Zero had a private talk with the other members of his clan before he and Frost left. They remain on guard in case the Cyber Lin Kuie come to attack them. "Be on your guard. They may come for us and forcibly bring us to him." Sub-Zero said.
"Looks like you may be right about that, grandmaster. We have unwelcome guests." Frost said. She points to the sky and sees more than several Cyber Lin Kuie flying down towards their spot. The group surrounds the master and student, ready to capture them.
"Resistance is futile. You will be turned over to Triborg and suffer punishment for your crimes." The cyborgs speak at once.
"The Cyber Lin Kuie were the ones that committed the crime of bringing dishonor to the real clan." Sub-Zero said, bringing out an ice sword and ice axe. Frost brings out an ice lance and ice dagger. They get ready to fight. The robots approach them, but Sub-Zero and Frost use their respective weapons and fighting styles to cut them down one by one. They had little to no difficulty fighting them off, but more of them begin coming in. The two members of the Lin Kuie quickly realize this and run towards the coordinates while fighting off more and more Cyber Lin Kuie. Sub-Zero and Frost climb the mountains as fast as they can while cutting down more robots. As they reach the top, they rested for a moment to catch their breath while carrying some minor bruises and blood wounds. They see eight robots guarding the entrance and the guards run towards them. Sub-Zero and Frost freeze them in place, not wanting to waste anymore time, as they are almost out of time. They had to reach Smoke and Cyrax before it is too late. Sub-Zero freezes the double doors and shoulder bashes through, shattering it like it was glass.
Sub-Zero and Frost burst on into the main room. Upon entering, they see many limbs on the ground. All they could hope that they weren't too late. Many people have fallen victim to the cyberization. The two look around and Frost closes her fists in anger for what has happened to the fellow innocents and clan members. "Triborg will pay for all he has done." Frost growled in anger.
"We must find Smoke and Cyrax first before we do anything else." Sub-Zero said.
"Sub-Zero!" Smoke calls out.
Kuai Liang and Frost look up and see Smoke and Cyrax being restrained by laser chains and heavy metal, preventing them from using their abilities. Sub-Zero looked on in horror before looking at Cyrax, who is still looking down out of shame. "Smoke! Cyrax! Are you alright?!" Sub-Zero runs up to them.
"You shouldn't have come. It's a trap for you. For all of us. Triborg wants you dead." Smoke said.
"Triborg. Where is he? He must die for what he has done to you." Frost said. As she said that, another door opens and a grey cyborg comes in. It looks different from the other ones they have faced.
"Kuai Liang. Frost. I knew you two would come and save your own friends. Very predictable of you, considering they are your weakness as well as your lack of honor." Triborg said.
"And who are you to judge? As if you know any better about honor. You are no better than Sektor and his father. I killed him. We'll kill you too." Sub-Zero said.
"My old friend. You are becoming more naive as you grow older." Triborg said.
"What are you on about, Triborg? You're just a cyborg. A generic successor to Sektor, wanting to revive the Cyber Lin Kuie to honor him. Honoring the one with none to begin with." Sub-Zero said.
"And you thought I was predictable. The truth is…. I am Sektor." Triborg said. Within seconds, his armor and color changes to red and white. They match the same body armor Sektor has.
Sub-Zero and Frost couldn't believe their own eyes and ears at what they heard. They both witnessed Sektor's demise during the Battle of the Sky Temple. And with him, the Cyber Lin Kuie died with him. "Sektor? How? We killed you. You died at the Sky Temple." Frost looks on in confusion.
"Indeed you have. But I have learned from my mistakes from the Old Era and my time as Sektor in the New Era." Triborg said.
"How is it that you lived? Your factory seized to function after your death and Geras' defeat at Shang Tsung's hands." Sub-Zero said.
"Yes it has. Skarlet restored my memories and needed my help before she went undercover to spy on the Red Dragon. In return for retrieving the book for her while she worked with the Red Dragon, she gave me the necessary parts I needed to complete my project. I built this body while I was in hiding. Shortly before the Battle of the Sky Temple, I have backed up my memory logs and personality and I was linked to it. After my demise at your hands, my consciousness was transferred to this body. The perfect body. I laid low for three years after Geras, Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung died. My spies have informed me of this. While in hiding, I have finally downloaded all the data I need. Now is the time for me to strike and have my vengeance upon those who wronged the Cyber Lin Kuie, starting with you, Kuai Liang." Triborg explained.
"After all this time, you still continue the same goal. Why have you not yet realized that you and your clan have always failed to overthrow your enemies?" Sub-Zero questions him with great hatred.
"Because the Cyber Lin Kuei will always find ways to improvise, improve and succeed over all who oppose and threaten us. We do so to erase all insubordination. Souls are for the weak. The soulless are stronger." Triborg said.
"You have failed many times to cyberize all members. You may have cyberized me, but you will not have the others. I am free once more." Frost said.
"Your fates await you, Frost. But first, I will deal with your dishonorable grandmaster." Triborg said.
Frost attempted to fight, but Sub-Zero blocks her path with an arm. "No. Free the others. Find out what they are planning. Triborg is mine." Sub-Zero said.
"Be careful. Come back to us, grandmaster." Frost said with worry in her voice. She goes on to fight the Cyber Lin Kuie, making her way to Cyrax and Smoke. She uses her kombat skills and weaponry to fight her way through to her two friends. Frost freezes many cyborgs in place and freezes the restraints and they shatter, freeing the two.
"Thank you, Frost. Put others before yourself." Smoke nods and gives her his thanks.
"We must help Kuai Liang." Cyrax said. He and Smoke overheard the whole conversation from Triborg and don't seem to be surprised by Sektor being alive and cheating death. Cyrax was about to get about his wristblades, but Smoke stops him.
"Sub-Zero said he can handle him. He has beaten Triborg many times. He can do so again." Smoke said. He looks at his old friend with confidence on his face.
"It is a trap." Cyrax protested.
"You heard the grandmaster. We need to find out what he's planning regardless." Frost said. She sees a computer panel and thinks they can find data on there and find Triborg's plans. Frost and Smoke start fighting their way through more cyborgs. Cyrax looks at Sub-Zero and feels reluctant to leave him. But he wouldn't want to bring shame any further. He growls and starts catching up to the others to find out more.
"Is there anything you can find on here?" Smoke asked.
"Hopefully. Only one way to find out." Frost said. The right side of her head opens up and a flash drive is pulled out and she plugs it in and she starts searching for analysis. It shows the map of Articika, the blueprints of Triborg which is encrypted and the plans. "This may take a while." Frost said.
Smoke and Cyrax see more cyborgs approaching, trying to stop their progress. "We must protect Frost at all costs. Don't let one touch her. We need that information." Smoke ordered. Cyrax nods in acknowledgement as he throws micro bombs and swings his wristblades and cuts many down while Smoke uses his smoking abilities to destroy as many as possible. Smoke grabs two cyborgs, teleports and throws them down and slams his fists down on their faces and makes holes in their heads. Cyrax flips over one, thrusts his wristblades through the back and pulls their spines out. He then throws micro bombs at the ground, jumps and roundhouse kicks two in the head, disabling them and swing kicks a third one at the chest, pulls it in with a grappler and elbows the forehead, punches its face followed by a backhand and stabs the neck, shutting it down.
Grandmaster Sub-Zero and Triborg fight on par with each other. Sub-Zero slowly starts gaining the upper hand against him. "I know your fighting style, Sektor. You cannot win. Even Hanzo Hasashi and Johnny Cage have bested you." Sub-Zero declared.
"True. But I have come prepared this time. I am ready for you." Triborg said.
"We shall see about that." Sub-Zero said as they resume fighting. Sub-Zero and Triborg shoot fire and ice at each other and neither one seem to be letting up. They stop shooting and continue to find closer. Sektor palm strikes his forehead, chops his left knee, elbows his stomach and palm strikes his face, sending Sub-Zero backwards. The grandmaster gets back up and creates an ice wall to block incoming missiles. The ice wall explodes, allowing Sub-Zero to jump and front flip kicks him in the metal head, elbows his head, knees the metal chest, uppercuts him and swing kicks Triborg at the chest. Triborg gets back up and Sub-Zero shoots seven ice balls at him, but Triborg uses an electrical net and stops them all. Sub-Zero brings out two ice daggers and runs towards the robot leader. They clash with their wristblades and ice daggers. Sub-Zero gains the upperhand, kicks him in the chin and top of the head and shoulder bashes him, sending Triborg back.
"Your skills have always impressed everyone. More than Bi-Han would've done." Triborg said.
"Enough of your games, Sektor. You do not speak of my brother. He became dead to me long ago. So have you." Sub-Zero said.
"I can agree with you. I am not just Sektor. I am more than him. I am everyone." Triborg said. His color changes once again. This time the body turns light blue. The body frame and color scheme matches that of Cyber Sub-Zero back in the Old Era, except with improvements.
"This cannot be possible." Sub-Zero said. He takes a few steps back, remembering the design. It looked like his cyborg form back when he was captured and cyberized in the Old Era and fell under their control.
"Yes, Kuai Liang. I have scanned your fighting style and powers. Converted them into my systems. As well as Cyrax and Smoke. You cannot hope to defeat me." Triborg said.
"Even with stolen fighting styles, you cannot hope to win." Sub-Zero states before they resume fighting. Triborg lunges an ice lance at Sub-Zero which he barely dodges, but Triborg uppercuts Sub-Zero and shoots an ice bomb at the air and freezes the grandmaster in place, allowing the cyborg leader and front flip kick him in the chest, cracking it. Sub-Zero gets back up, but receives a double kick in the head. Sub-Zero slides, shoots ice at his feet, but the cyborg jumps up. The grandmaster expected this, so he jumps up, dodges a lance attack, swing kicks the back of the head, elbows his back, chops the right shoulder, kicks the lower spine and swings an arm at his back. They both shoot ice at each other, but Sub-Zero's was stronger. This allowed Liang to punch his metal face, throat, knee the chest, elbow the forehead and jump over him, punches its lower spin and kicks it in the upper spine, sending it flying and crashes into the ground. Triborg changes again to a cyber version of Cyrax. Triborg uses three more missiles to fire at Sub-Zero, which he uses an ice wall to block them all. Upon lowering it, Cyrax teleports behind him and jumps up to uppercut Sub-Zero in the upper spine, damaging it, uses an electrical net to pull him down, palm strikes him in the back of the head, chop strikes his neck, kicks the back of his left leg, cracking his shin. Triborg brings up a spinning saw blade and swings at the back of Sub-Zero's left arm, slicing it and making it bleed real badly. Triborg backhands him in the back of the head and fires two daggers at the left shoulder, causing the grandmaster more pain.
Sub-Zero throws ice daggers, but Triborg swings them away with his wrist blades and changes to a cyber variation of Smoke. Sub-Zero is still not wanting to give up. Sub-Zero waves his hands together and slams a hand to the ground to freeze him, but Triborg suddenly poofs away like Smoke can and Triborg appears behind him and fires two sharp grapplers from his chest and they plunge through both of Sub-Zero's shoulders, breaking them and causing blood to spill. Sub-Zero is pulled towards him and Triborg punches the top right side of the head, knees and kicks his jaw and chop strikes his left leg, causing it to break. Triborg then teleports with smoke, punches his lower spine, teleports again to punch him near the pelvis area. Triborg throws his own head at Sub-Zero, making his face crack greatly. The body flies into Kuai Liang's abdomen, breaking most of his ribcages. The body grabs Sub-Zero, flies up in an arc and throws him down, breaking his back. Sub-Zero lays on his back, defeated, bones broken and covered in alot of blood.
Cyrax and Smoke have taken down alot of the Cyber Lin Kuie, but thankfully, Frost has downloaded all the data they needed to find out his plans. But they are about to face an unfortunate setback. "I have all the data we need. Let's help Sub-Zero and escape this place." Frost said. Smoke and Cyrax nod to each other as they go to help Sub-Zero. But once they make it back, they see something they did not want to see. Sub-Zero struggles to get up, not wanting to lose to Sektor.
"Sub-Zero! No!" Smoke yelled. The three rush to help him but they find themselves surrounded by even more cyborgs. They try their best to fight their way through them. But more come each time one is killed.
"Sub-Zero! Grandmaster! Get up! You can't die!" Frost yelled. She sees Triborg approaching his archenemy. "Don't you touch him! You'll be next!"
Triborg ignores her pleas and protests as he stands before Kuai Liang. Sub-Zero looks up at their great enemy with pure hatred. "E-even if y-you c-cyberize me once more… it will be your …. Downfall." Sub-Zero said weakly, coughing up blood.
"Kuai Liang, my old friend. I never said anything about assimilating you into the Cyber Initiative. That was my worst mistake. It shall be corrected today." Triborg said. He grabs Sub-Zero by the throat, forcing him to stand.
"You stay away from him!" Frost yelled as she holds off more cyborgs.
Triborg changes to Cyber Cyrax and swings a built-in wrist blade and sleeves his throat open. He then changes into Cyber Smoke and fires a sharp grapple through his chest and pulls out his heart. Triborg finally turns into Sektor and trusts his robotic hand through his cut neck and with enough strength, summons two cyborgs and they grab Sub-Zero's arms and lift in the air. Triborg flies upward and with a powerful rocket punch, and it tears Sub-Zero in half. Triborg flies back down, holding the head of the now dead grandmaster of the Lin Kuie. "Fatality." Triborg declares as he starts laughing in triumphant.
"NO!" Frost yelled in great anger. This gained Triborg's attention.
Despite not having an actual face, Triborg speaks in an evil, satisfied voice. "Your grandmaster is dead. And with him, the Lin Kuie. No more will I attend to cyberize rebellious traitors such as you. It led to my downfall. And you coming here is now your own. Therefore, the punishment for your crimes is death. No more resurrections." Triborg ordered.
"Not today, you bastard!" Frost said with a couple tears in her eyes. Frost fires ice beams from her hands as she yells in great anger and freezes every single cyborg in the room, but Triborg teleports to safety before he could be affected. As soon as he left, an alarm goes off and they look back at the computer and see the countdown has started at 30 seconds. Frost attempts to go after him for what he has done, both Cyrax and Smoke stop her.
"Frost. Frost! We have to go. Now!" Smoke tells her.
"That bastard killed our grandmaster!" Frost tells him.
"We will kill him, but we can't now! If we go after him, we'll die! You'll die! You're his apprentice! Please! Don't make this same mistake you once did before!" Smoke pleads with her.
Frost tries to break out of the grip, but she sees that they're out of time and they have to leave. She sighs out of sad reluctance and conceded. Smoke grabs both her shoulder and Cyrax's before they teleport away. The factory and mountain both explode and start to collapse on itself. The entire explosion can be seen from far away from the three survivors as they make their way back to their home. They look on in their failure. Despite getting away with the plans, they feel defeated. They have lost their greatest grandmaster and friend to their worst enemy: Kuai Liang, the last Sub-Zero.
Note: Yup, Triborg is Sektor reborn. A twist I have made up myself. God, that death scene reminds me of the most infamous death in Last of Us Part 2. I have my reasons for why killed off Kuai Liang. I wanted the Cyber Lin Kuei to stand on their own as main villains rather than relying on someone more powerful like Shao Kahn or Geras. To show that Triborg is much more powerful than any cyborg and to show that he is worthy of being a good main villain. And Kuai Liang is getting old in his years and he knew it was only a matter of time. Frost will be the main protagonist in this story. I am sorry if I upset any one. Until next chapter.