Chapter 16: Crossing and Knowing Part 2
At the Lin Kuei temple, the clan continues to train with each other, while villagers have taken refuge and have grown to like the cold. Some of them have families and they play together and laugh with each other. Frost smiles at the peace that she has kept thus far with her apprentice Aster.
Hal Jordan and Seliena Kyle are impressed with this, though they are a bit weird about seeing ninjas in charge of a village and clan and keeping the peace. But seeing ninjas controlling ice at their own will is all new to them.
"Well. I gotta say this is something new. Never thought I'd see ice ninjas around here." Hal commented.
"Me neither. But you have to admit they are cool looking. And how ancient and beautiful it is, particularly the jewelry and weapons." Catwoman replied.
"The Lin Kuei do not like to be considered ninjas. We were formerly assassins. Now we are trained warriors." Frost corrected them.
"So why do y'all dress like them? This is completely confusing to me." Hal scratches the back of his head.
"Forgive me, Green Lantern. But it is much more complicated than that. Our clan has existed for centuries during the early founding of Mortal Kombat." Frost said.
"While we heard y'alls story up to now. But seeing you guys is new to us. We already have a couple of villains who uses ice….. With weapons. Not like cyborgs. One guy named Captain Cold and another named Mr. Freeze." Green Lantern said.
"We have not heard of such names. We are the only ones that use cryomancing in this dimension. We use our abilities for honor and justice. Not to spark fear and bring war." Aster stepped up while holding up her hand to make an ice flower for Selina.
"Oh, nice." Selina whistled. "That is impressive. Bet you can do more than that. Like freeze your enemies into sculptures and shatter them like glass."
"True. But I am not the first one. Many others before me have had this ability. I also go by Sub-Zero. I carry the title ever since I lost my previous master Kuai Liang. He held the title before me and his brother before him." Frost began to explain the Lin Kuei's history. From its founding to the Kold War with the Cyber Initiative led by an evil man named Hail. To Sektor and his father reviving the idea and converting everyone into machines and then explaining the fate of Bi-Han at his brother's hands. Kuai Liang, who was killed by Triborg, with him killed by Frost to avenge her master and taking Aster under her wing.
"That's some pretty messed up history. A ninja-like clan being converted into cyborgs. Reminds me of a really old sci-fi show. But willingly? I wouldn't go through with it. Anything to avoid being a mindless being again." Hal stated.
"I do not know what you mean by that, Green Lantern." Frost expressed confusion. "Did you mean when you worked for Superman?"
"Yes. I let my own worst enemy Sinestro convince me to become a Yellow Lantern, as fear is their greatest weapon. You have no idea what the guardians put me through for me to truly bring out my redemption. They protect the universe, so they had every right." Hal tells her.
"And you saw the error of your ways, struggled to let go of the past, leave behind the memories that would haunt you. We both share this feeling. You are not alone." Frost tells him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Same. Coming from the one who was chased by Batman all the time. Former jewelry thief turned hero and spy. I could never fully earn someone's trust, but it's better to live with it." Catwoman shrugged.
"Really? How so?" Hal asked Frost.
"I have gone down that path before. I was blinded by hatred, arrogance and restrained by my own ego. Back in the Old Era, I was blind. But here, I can see crystal clear. I was given a second chance. I had to earn everyone's trust to show I changed, when I gave myself up for Liang, became a cyborg again, that time, against my own will. And it took three years until I regained my original body. I regret not helping him against Triborg earlier. But sometimes I feel him watching us close." Frost explained to them both.
They both understood her completely. Catwoman had it easy since she's used to not being trusted enough by many others prior to joining the Justice League. Hal had it harder than her. He has conquered his fear, had self-hope and self-worth again. Hal explained that he was haunted by rage caused by Atrocitus, leader of the Red Lanterns. In fact, he nearly became one himself had he not break free and defeat him.
"Rage was always the hardest obstacle for me. I could never forgive myself for what I did and the things I've said. Like saying that Shazam being a casualty of war. But he's still a good friend. It took me a long ass time for me to get over it." Hal said.
"For me it was fear. I was called a freak for what I could do. I was traumatized. Scared and lonely after my father tried to hurt me over and over again. I owe Kuai Liang and Frost my life. I learned that we all face different obstacles, as they differ for each soul. Me and Grandmaster Frost shared the same obstacles. But I embraced what I have and who I am." Aster tells them both.
"Heh. Not bad, kid. Not bad." Hal smirked and complimented her. "You remind me of me when I was younger. At first I wanted nothing to do with the Green Lantern Corp, but I'm proud of who I am despite my many mistakes. I do my best to improve, but with no rush."
"Hearing your voice, Hal. You remind me a little of Kuai Liang. If he was still here, he would have respected you." Frost smiled.
"Thanks. I would have liked to meet him too. So, how do you two fight?" Hal asked.
Frost and Aster show Green Lantern and Catwoman plenty of training areas to show them what the master and apprentice can do. And it won't be easy for either side to stand against the other. But to them, it would be worth it.
Outworld has also seen stranger days alongside Edenia. But this is perhaps the strangest one yet. They have gone through time travel and now people from other worlds are coming across theirs. Thankfully, Kitana Kahn has managed to restrain Baraka and his Tarkatans from trying to murder and devour these visitors alive.
It is not easy for most of the Teen Titans to get used to being in different worlds. But not much for Starfire. Kori is used to being to different worlds other than Tamaran and Earth. Despite the bloody violence and history of Outworld, Kori is pleased to see how it is at peace with Kitana Kahn at the throne.
At Batman's suggestions, they split up to interact with their supposed new allies. Starfire stays with Kitana and Meia, Superboy is with Jade and her family, Terra and Cassandra are with Chang Bao and Daisuki. Kori interacts with the two.
"So, you started out as a princess in Outworld?" Starfire asked Kitana Kahn.
"Yes. For thousands of years while my adoptive, evil father Shao Kahn sat on the throne. Until we have taken it from him and banished him back to Edenia, my home realm where I was stolen. I have become Kahn now, with my mother and father the rulers of Edenia once more. The pain I have gone through to right all of the wrong things he has committed." Kitana replied to Kori.
"Righting all the wrongs requires a tremendous amount of strength and courage to do so. I was once a princess of Tamaran. But I was overthrown by my elder sister Blackfire as my family saw me as more worthy. But she was power-hungry and self-absorbed and planned to rule other planets. I could not allow her to do that. I fought again in combat, but I put too much strength in my powers and murdered her. Although everyone was free from her corruption, I went into self-imposed exile. I hated what she did, but I always considered her my sister. My family did not want me to leave, but I made my choice." Starfire explained with sadness in her eyes.
"I apologize, Kori of Tamaran. I had no idea even offworlders have gone through such painful experiences. But from it seems, you have made plenty of friends from your version of Earth who could trust you." Meia apologizes. "And it pleases me to see you have those who support you."
"My, my." Starfire smiled upon listening to Meia. "I have never seen anyone so polite. Dick Grayson would have liked you."
"Pardon me, but may I ask who you are referring to?" Meia asked.
"He was my lover. And Batman's son. We formed the Teen Titans together and had a romantic relationship. During Superman's rise, Dick, under his code alias Nightwing, journeyed with Batman to prevent Kal-El from banishing more criminals to the Phantom Zone. We were betrayed by Batman's other son, Damian Wayne. He agreed with Superman's choice of killing the Joker. During the skirmish, Damian threw one of his weapons at Dick's head, and he falls back and some rocks broke his spinal cord…. And killed him. Batman grieved for him and refused to forgive Damian. But he could care less as he never considered Batman his father to begin with." Starfire explained. Despite her eyes being completely green, she still shows tears in her eyes as they dripped.
Kitana and Meia feel shocked about how someone could lose someone so close to them. They know too well about how she feels exactly. Meia covered her mouth and approached Kori.
"Dear me. I am so sorry for asking such an offensive question. I was only wanting to know your history more so we could be on more friendly terms. Please, forgive me." Meia looks down in shame.
"No, young princess Meia. Do not blame yourself. You did not know. And I have moved on from his demise. But I refuse to forgive Damian for his murder. But I refuse to kill anyone. Not ever again. Damian deserves punishment, but not death." Starfire said.
"That is easy for you to say. But I too have suffered loss just like my ruler Kitana Kahn has. I am an orphan, who lost her parents to Shao Kahn, put into slavery and betrayed with my closest friends murdered. I have known them ever since Queen Sindel has taken back Edenia and gotten to know everyone. Cade. Jon. And Huntress. I miss them so much. I could never forgive Tessa for betraying us and having no regrets. Most nights, I have nightmares about their deaths, including my new friends, and my closest friend Daisuki." Meia looks up at Kori. Now it was her turn to have teary eyes.
Starfire felt a small pain in her heart upon hearing such a story. She wants to ask how many more people in this world had suffered like Meia has, but she can tell that Meia has had a hard time moving on. She would do anything to help her new friends in need.
"Meia. As a former princess of Tamaran, I will say this. Let the pain become your strength. Not your weakness, so others will not exploit it and use it as their weapon against you." Starfire adviced.
"Kori is right, Meia." Kitana agreed. "I have let go of my past. So has my mother. You must do so too. If you are to be the next strongest ruler of Edenia. Like I said, that's why you're here for the time being. To help your mind become strong as your heart."
"I think I know what can help." Starfire said. This gains their attention.
"What did you have in mind, Starfire?" Kitana asked her.
"On Tamaran, my mother showed me a technique that calms the minds of those who are under a lot of stress. I have used it recently to help my friend Terra in need after she lost control." Starfire offered.
"I am willing to give it a try, Starfire." Meia smiles and nods.
Starfire rubs her hands together for a few seconds. She closes her eyes and sighs. Her hands glow green as she runs her hands on Meia's arms before bringing her hands up to her face and rubs them before touching her forehead and slowly running her fingers in some sort of rhythm.
Meia closes her eyes and feels Kori's smooth touch. She feels warm and fuzzy inside. Meia's smile grows and suddenly has flashbacks of all the times she has had with her friends and her mentors.
"Tell me what you see, princess of Edenia." Starfire instructed.
"I see my friends. Huntress guarding me. Jon protecting me. Cade aiding me when I have fallen ill. And I see King Jerrod and Queen Sindel mentoring me. Crowning me the princess of Edenia. The day I passed my trials and teaching me how to control my healing and magical abilities. And I always saw them like parents. And I remember first meeting everyone. Anthony. Flora. Vera. And growing up with Daisuki and the others raised in Outworld." Meia told Starfire.
"I see what your issue is, Meia. You're afraid. Afraid that you'll fail to protect loved ones from death. I have been there. I have realized that no matter where I go, I cannot always save everyone's lives. This goes for all of my friends as well." Starfire replied.
"So what do you suggest I should do, may I ask?" Meia said.
"The best advice I can give is never forget those who embrace you. Add their strength to your own along with your happiest memories." Starfire advised.
Meia nods slowly and finally opens her eyes and bows to Kori out of deep respect for her. She smiles greatly as Kitana approaches Starfire.
'I'm impressed, Starfire. I have not even thought of that before. I can see why Batman chose you to lead your group. You'd make a very valuable friend." Kitana gives Kori her gratitude.
Superboy flies high in the sky, feeling the sunlight shining above Outworld. He slowly descends in front of Kotal and his family.
"Wow. The sunlight here is strong. Probably stronger than the one from my Earth." Connor said.
"So the sunlight gives you strength and increases your power. Impressive." Kotal said. "Me and my daughter can summon sunlight even at nightfall. Observe."
Kotal clings his fists very tightly. He slowly raises his arms in the air as the sunlight shines right onto the general. Eight huge totems rise from the ground, all surrounding Kotal as he soaks in the light.
"Man, that is pretty cool. Do all Osh-Tekk do that?" Connor asked.
"Only certain individuals. It is in our family blood. So far, only me, my father, and my dear daughter Shu-Shang." Kotal said, putting a hand on his daughter's chest." Kotal said.
"I am still learning how to control mine. I am still quite young for someone my age." Shu-Shang stepped up.
Shu-Shang does the same thing, but unlike her father, she summons less than half of the totems, being able to summon two. They vanish out of thin air a few seconds later as she pants and bends to her knees for air.
"Shu-Shang? Are you alright?" Jade asked, making sure her daughter is alright. She, of course, nods to reassure her mother.
"What happened?" Connor asked.
"I-I'm fine. I just need to practice more. Let us try again." Shu-Shang said.
"Not right now, daughter. Regain your strength and rest. Your father will help you." Jade tells her.
"But I can do it! I know I can!" Shu-Shang tries to protest.
"Shu-Shang! No more protesting from you! Is that understood?!" Jade yelled. Shu-Shang immediately falls silent.
"My apologies. Shu-Shang is nearly as stubborn as her father. And she often forgets to keep her emotions in check from time to time." Jade apologizes to Connor.
"No worries. We had to deal with Jason from time to time whenever he's not fused into Firestorm. I'm used to it at this point." Connor shrugged it off.
Cyan chuckled slightly. "I like him already. So calm and carefree. What is your family like?"
Connor remained silent for a few seconds. Never before has anyone brought up that question to him.
"I…. don't have a real family. I was actually created in a lab by evil scientists." Con-El said. "They took some of Superman's DNA and made me. Tried to use me as a living weapon. Lied to me about making the world a better place. But the Teen Titans and Justice League convinced me to open my eyes and join them instead. The scientists have since been sentenced to prison." Superboy said. "They gave me the name Con-El, but I decided to name myself Connor."
"And you have joined these Teen Titans since then? And made friends with everyone?" Cyan asked.
"Yeah. It wasn't easy fitting in given that I was a kryptonian. It took more than a while for everyone to trust me. I was an unstable emotional pain in the ass. I still get angry alot from time to time. Trying to find my place in the world. My own hero turned evil and conquered the Earth. Locked me up in the Phantom Zone like I was nothing." Connor tightens his fist in anger.
Shu-Shang can see where he is coming from and steps up.
"I too am a slave to anger. We Osh-Tekk hold anger and bravery in our blood, but we are reckless. We were not always the most trusted species in Outworld, but far from the most hated. But we are also known for strategy and leadership. My father led as Kahn before Kitana took his place. We are all family here." Shu-Shang tells Connor.
"That is what Batman would say. Same with Kori. It's not perfect. Some of us still have some grudges against each other, but we're still trying to adjust. Superman was like a father to me, since I was created from him. It took time for me get used to everything. Part of me wants to interact with my half-cousin Kara Zor-El. But I don't know. And Cassandra is my best friend." Superboy feels a bit lost.
"Kara is your family regardless. Cherish all the people you love and care about. As I do. Not for just my parents and my brother Cyan. But for Chang Bao, Daisuki, Kitana Kahn and Meia as well." Shu-Shang said. "I sense a strong heart coming from you, Connor. Do not be afraid of who you are."
Connor gives her and Cyan a friendly smile as a sign of appreciation. He will be sure to remember it whenever he fights alongside the Titans again.
Chang Bao and her brother Daisuki talk to Terra and Wonder Girl.
"I like your sword. It look so huge. So big." Wonder Girl admires her odachi.
"Thank you. It is not just a normal type of odachi. It is magical. Care to see?" Chang Bao asked and they both nod.
Chang Bao leaps forward in the air, sticks her hand onto the ground, shoots herself up in the air with the win and spins and her odachi lights up on fire. Spinning, Chang Bao creates a spiral-shaped tornado made out of fire and uses the wind, she pushes the spiral-fire into the air and the fire explodes, turning into small sparkles. Both Wonder Girl and Terra are both amazed by it.
"Whoa! That is badass right there. How in the world did you do all of that?" Wonder Girl whistled.
"I am a demigod. Half Edenian. My mother controls the wind with her tessens. My father, whom you have seen, Fire God Liu Kang, is a god of fire and thunder. All of us gods wield special weapons to help extend our powers. But they are not the source. We are born with them." Chang Bao explained.
"Oh wow. We sort of have gods back home, but most of them are Amazons. Like Wonder Woman. So you're both demigods, huh?" Wonder Girl asked.
"Yes. I am, but I do not possess any powers like my sister. But I am at peace with it. Right now, I act as a protector of my own mother and general. But I still do not know my place in the world." Daisuki confessed.
"What do you mean? I'm confused.' Wonder Girl wondered.
"I mean I do not know what to do with my life as I become older. Chang Bao wants to succeed her father one day. Shu-Shang and Cyan want to follow their parents. But I do not know about myself. Part of me… wishes I can do something different." Daisuki spares a glimpse at Meia.
Over in the distance, Meia noticed Daisuki looking at her. The young princess smiles and winks at him and covers her mouth to prevent herself from giggling upon seeing Daisuki's cheeks turn all rosy.
Terra immediately gets the idea of what he meant and speaks up in a semi-quiet voice.
"Talk to her. Don't let an opportunity slide. Even if it's the only one you'll ever get." Terra tells Daisuki.
"Y-you sure? Because she is a princess. And a future ruler of Edenia will have her priorities. I'm not sure if I can do anything. As in confessing myself before her. What if I get rejected by the king and queen?" Daisuki fears.
"But wait. Aren't they the parents of Kitana Kahn? Your mother? The daughter of your grandparents? Why would they reject their own grandson?" Terra asked.
Daisuki was at a loss of words. He was too focused on confessing his love for Meia when he forgot that she is an orphan being mentored by his grandparents. To be the future queen of Edenia. For someone who is normally silent, Terra does give good advice.
"I do not know what to say. I would say I will take your words to heart. Thank you. Who are you again?" Daisuki asked.
"My name is Terra."
"Terra. I'll remember that name. Thank you. I will wait until I have a good opportunity. This time is not the most appropriate, given the circumstances." Daisuki gives her a friendly smile.
"You and my brother are alike." Chang Bao said to Terra.
"Why? How?" Terra asked.
"I see your eyes. You have a broken heart. Struggling to heal it. Struggling to find true love. Daisuki has struggled with his own private life. He often forgets about himself, focusing more on protecting me and the others rather than focusing on himself." Chang Bao explained.
"I…. I did not think of it that way. I only want to protect my friends so I wouldn't hurt them when I lose control. It's been really hard for me since I was disowned. Lost without friends. Lost without Garfield. Even with their help, I feel scared. Like something terrible will happen." Terra shivered with great fear, she literally got goosebumps.
"I too struggled with my abilities. But my father helped me channel them. Focus on them. Control them. Part of Earthrealm's jinsei flows within me. My father's fire is part of my soul. What are your abilities?" Chang Bao asked.
"I'm geokinetic. I have earth-based powers." Terra's hands glow yellow as she raised a small stone pillar from the ground.
"Interesting. And you have had them for years? There are some different techniques that my mother and father have taught me alongside Fujin. If you like to see, of course." Chang Bao offered. Terra, after a couple of seconds, nods. Chang Bao smiles and gestures for her to follow.
Wonder Girl on the other hand continues to talk with Daisuki, demonstrating their own weapons and other abilities. She explains how she got the Silent Armor and weapons in the first place.
"So, you can wear it out in the world, with no worry about how everyone looks at you? No one knows you're a hero?" Daisuki asked Wonder Girl.
"No. We all agreed to keep a low profile. Secret identities since the majority of us are kids, and in school. It's hard for me since I gotta keep my cool, otherwise, I'll lose control of my silent armor and my lasso. It has electrical powers." Wonder Girl explained.
"I see." Daisuki nodded. Daisuki wields his Guandao weapon and spins it in place and a small whirlwind is created before he throws it up into the air and it expands before vanishing. Wonder Girl whistled.
"Badass." Wonder Girl commented.
"You see. I always keep my emotions in check and have self-confidence. Have self-worth and perhaps your armor will be worthy of you." Daisuki advised. The two practiced sparring with their weapons while everyone gets to know each other. Things seem to be going good for our heroes.
Note: I hope the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie will be good. I didn't mind the first one though it had its problems. But it's better than the garbage being Annihilation. Next chapter will focus primarily on the villains.