Chapter 9: True Heart
Triborg has returned to his headquarters in an unknown location. He has succeeded. He has stolen all four Snow Daggers from Frost after they ambushed her. Not only that, Cyrax has also been taken prisoner and is placed in the same cell as Smoke. Triborg gloats in victory, preparing himself for the ritual. As he does so, Cyrax and Smoke talk to each other.
"So this is it. Sektor has won. He's gotten all the daggers. He'll be an ever bigger threat now. How are we gonna stop him now?" Smoke asked, trying to think of a way.
"We can't. But Frost can." Cyrax tells him.
"Cyrax?" Smoke wonders.
"Frost is the only one capable of defeating him once and for all." Cyrax said.
"I do not understand. Why do you choose to have faith in Frost now? What changed your opinion on her?" Smoke asked.
"She did. I now realize we both carry the same feelings. Remorse, guilt, redemption seeking. Even self doubt. I remember when Sub-Zero offered me to be his apprentice, but I turned it down because I am unworthy. I see now why he picked Frost. She has a strong soul. A strong heart. Frost never cared about being a leader. All she wanted was for all the clan to trust her. Have faith in her abilities.
Smoke was surprised that Cyrax finally put aside his differences with Frost and chose to see her as a friend finally. It was a relief to him. If Liang was here, he would have felt the same way as Smoke. "You're right. Sub-Zero chose her for a reason. All we can do is have patience." Smoke tells him. All they can do is wait and hope that Frost is still alive. Wherever she is.
In the middle of Articka, snow giants and Crystalnoids are all walking around the ruins of the Lin Kuei temple destroyed by the Cyber Lin Kuei. The snow giants seem to be standing at the edges. Like they are protecting the Crystalnoids for a big reason. Inside what remains of the temple, the Crystalnoids are walking around in a room. It seems to be a sleeping chambers for someone. But who is it that they are attending to?
Crystallian is hovering his hands over the unconscious body of Frost. She appears to be alive, yet damaged and sustained many wounds. But no severe ones. But how is that?
"Her wounds are sustainable. But even with her self repairing abilities given to her by the enemy, they would've been too severe." Crystallian tells them as he works.
"It must have been damaged when she was ambushed. It could explain why she has not been healing fast enough." Crystalhan stated.
"That may be so, Crystalhan. But soon she will be fully healed." Crystellain said. He continues speaking in foreign language. He waves his hands around in circles as he repairs her wounds from Crystalhan's guardian and the cyborgs. Frost's body glowed brighter as her wounds slowly started to fade away. Crystallian's hands stop glowing and he stops and pulls his hands away.
Frost quietly groans. Despite being part machine, she can still feel injury and her body being sore. She slowly opens her eyes and the first thing she sees is a familiar ceiling. Frost sits up and quickly sees that she is not alone. "The Lin Kuei temple? Sub-Zero's chambers? How? How am I alive"
"We brought you here after Sektor got away and we destroyed the cyborgs when they were getting ready to execute you. It was the only safe place we could find." Crysteslor tells her.
"The last thing I could remember was… the Snow Daggers!" Frost exclaimed. She looks down and remembered that they were gone.
"Sektor stole them. We should have known that he was ready to ambush. We were more focused on readying you for the ritual. And now history is going to repeat itself." Crystalhan said with some reluctance.
"We had to hide until Triborg teleported away so we could help you, otherwise, he would have destroyed us like he did Crystesla. None of us are a match for him." Crystallian said.
"No. No. This cannot be happening. I failed again." Frost gets up from the bed and walks outside to be alone.
"You two remain here. Discuss plans on what we should do next. I will talk to Frost." Crystallian instructs the two.
"Yes, Crystallian. We must prepare for all possible outcomes." Crystallian said.
Frost walks outside. She walks past snow giants, nameless Crystalnoids and the guardian. She could do nothing but stare at the sunset as the cold wind races past her. Despite the cold winds normally helping her find her inner peace, she can't help but struggle with her emotions once more. She notices someone walking behind her and swiftly brings out an ice lance, only to stop inches from Crystallian's face.
"Calm yourself, child. It is only me." Crystallian said.
"Forgive me. I've been feeling hostile immediately after I woke up." Frost replied.
"And I could understand why. Frost. It is not too late. You know where he is, do you not?" Crystallian asked her.
"I do. But what is the point? What is the meaning? Sektor has all the Snow Daggers. Now he's gonna corrupt their powers and gain Sub-Zero's powers. And he's gonna pass that down to the Cyber Clan. I was unprepared. Didn't plan ahead for any of it. If I had helped Sub-Zero kill Triborg, we would not be standing here talking to each other. Smoke. Cyrax. Crystesla. They would all still be here. But they are not. They laid down their lives for nothing. I fought through hell for those daggers to save Earthrealm for nothing. I tried to redeem myself and failed. I could not even defeat Sektor on my own. I'm weak. This is why I had doubts about myself about being the new master of the Lin Kuei. I'm not Kuai Liang. It's too late." Frost rants in sadness and anger.
Ever since her change of heart, it was all she wanted. To give herself a second chance. To show that she is capable of change to Sub-Zero and all those he allied with. Outworld, Special Forces, Edenia, the Shirai Ryu. But she believed she made no progress. Back to square one, stuck in a time loop. Frost sits down at the edge of the temple, looking down. Crystlallian approaches and puts a hand on her shoulder.
"It is not too late, Frost. Sometimes there is no point in some situations, but there is always a meaning. You have meaning. See the bigger picture. Sub-Zero chose you because you are capable of doing what Smoke and Cyrax chose not to. You followed his orders, and you have gotten far because of him. His spirit carries on even in death. You are not Kuai Liang, but you can still be Sub-Zero. We can still win." Crystallian gives a speech.
"How? There's only many of us. I appreciate your help, but I am not one who will sacrifice others. I will not have more blood spilled on me." Frost said.
"You are worthy, Frost. You've always have been." A voice said.
Frost, unfamiliar with the voice, turns around and could not believe her eyes at what she is seeing. The Lin Kuei. They have survived. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them. Frost felt a big feeling of relief in her heart. She was in denial but couldn't help but feel happy. "The Lin Kuei. You all survived. But how? I thought you all died."
"Forgive us, Chujin Frost. But we went into hiding on Grandmaster's orders, believing that he may not come back from a mission one day. Not all of us made it out. We only lost ten. He told us to put our trust in you. None of us ever doubted you. After what you have done for us for the past several years, we've always believed in you. You helped us, now it is our turn to help you." A seventeen year old young lady said to her. The same one who called out to her.
"And who are you, young lady?" Frost asked her.
"My name is Aster. I have always admired you and Sub-Zero. You and him found me. Took me into your home. You helped train me, believing that I could do good. Bring honor to the Lin Kuei. I know you can too, Chujin Frost. I want to be like you." Aster tells her.
Frost sees brightness in her eyes. She was very surprised that someone actually idolized her. She believed that no one would do so because of her condition. This brings a spark of new hope to Frost's big heart. She stands up and faces the Lin Kuei. "My clan. I will never allow my self-doubt get the better of me again. I am Frost. I may not be perfect, but that does not mean that I will give up. We can improve. Perfection is not among the Lin Kuei, but I know we can prevail. As stealthy as the night."
"And deadly as the dawn." Aster replied.
"And deadly as the dawn." The entire clan repeated. They chant the Lin Kuei words as they all admire and choose Frost as their leader. Frost's confidence is back. Better than ever. She now believes that they can still beat the Cyber Lin Kuei once and for all. But first, they need a plan.
"Aster. I need you to come with me." Frost tells her.
"Me?" Aster asked a little nervously.
"Yes. I have a plan." Frost smirked. She turns to Crystallian. They both nod to each other. Aster runs to catch up with the two while the Lin Kuei clan remain outside with the other Crystalnoids and snow giants. All awaiting orders from Frost and Crystallian.
Frost, Crystalline and Aster enter the temple where Crysteslor and Crystalhan are still trying to make plans. They stop when they notice Frost coming back in, hoping that she has a plan.
"Frost. I hope you have plan on tracking Sektor." Crysteslor hopes.
"Indeed. Before he left, I placed a stealth tracker on him before he left with Cyrax. I know where he is. He is in East Antarktica. That is where his hideout is." Frost tells them.
"It makes sense why Sektor would go there. That is where the first Sub-Zero and Hail were born and raised and founded the clans." Crystallian said.
"Because Sektor would want to start anew. Considering his newfound ego, he would do anything to erase the Lin Kuei's name from history by proving himself superior." Frost said.
"Only you can decide what is best for us, Frost." Crystalhan said.
"But first, how can we get there? Calling reinforcements will take too long. And we do not have technological means unlike Triborg." Frost said.
"That is where we come in. With our combined strength, us Crystalnoids can create a bridge to Antarktica. One large enough to carry both our respective armies with us." Crystallian said.
"We still have to deal with Sektor and those daggers. He could be using their power anytime." Aster said.
"And that is why we only have one shot at this. We cannot afford to lose this battle. End this war before it even begins in all of Earthrealm. Which is why we have a plan." Frost said. "How powerful are your snow giants and guardians?"
"Powerful like the source of our magic. While they can be destroyed they can be quickly resurrected. As long as we do not get attacked, they should be fine." Crystallian said.
"But it's also only a matter of time before Sektor passes his power down to all of his armies. They'll end up overpowering us." Crysteslor said. "And I am willing to fight and die for our people."
"So are we." Crystalhan said.
"That would also mean Sektor is the source. We kill him, we kill the Cyber Lin Kuei permanently." Aster said.
"That's where we all come in. Crystallian. Is it possible that you and your people can distract the Cyber Lin Kuei as long as possible?" Frost asked.
"Yes. Crystalnoids will have more than enough strength, skill and power to kombat the opposing armies. But we do not know how long we can hold them off until Sektor is destroyed." Crystallian said.
"That is where the Lin Kuei will start their part of the plan. We can fight our way through. Our archers and assassins can take care of the guards. The problem is Sektor will have eyes everywhere in case one of the Lin Kuei's allies tries to attack inside or outside." Frost said.
"But we have the element of surprise." Crysteslor said. "What he failed to realize is that the Lin Kuei has reestablished an alliance with the Crystalnoids. He will not expect us. With our strength combined, he may be forced to either rush his plans or put them on hold for us."
"Regardless, we don't have a whole lot of time. Sektor will initialize his plans. He'll start with us us once he finds out I'm alive." Frost tells them.
"What should we do, Chujin Frost?" Aster asked.
"We fight, Aster. The Crystalnoids will buy us time to infiltrate the hideout. Once there, we can find Cyrax and Smoke and escape. We need all the help we can get to take Triborg down." Frost said.
"When do you suggest we leave?" Crysteslor asked.
"Now would be the perfect time." Frost suggested. Aster and the Crystalnoids nod to her. Frost was the first to walk out with the others behind her. She silently walks past everyone else, who had actually overheard the entire plan. She continues walking silently with the Crystalnoids behind her and Aster and the Lin Kuei following. Frost knows that this is a risky plan, but it is the only way to ensure the extinction of the Cyber Lin Kuei and the final death of Sektor. The same person who dishonored the clan and intended to replace everyone with machines, not believing in souls and only cares about discipline. The last stand for the Cyber Lin Kuei is at hand.
Note: Sorry for the lack of updates. Last couple of weeks have been troublesome due to online bullying, which is irrelevant to my stories. And I had to help out one of my best friends who began having mental health issues. But I am back. And next time is the final chapter of Kold War. Until then, I hope you enjoy.