+++ Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++
Chapter Thirteen: …There is Fire
Mavado read over what the professor discovered about the medallion. Aside from a translation of the engraved script and confirmation that it was in fact the long lost heirloom, there wasn’t much. The script itself was only a warning against awakening the power of the red dragon. There was nothing on how to use this so called power. The crime lord closed the folder angrily and pushed it away. He then pulled open on of the desk’s drawers to pull out the current source of his frustration. Holding the medallion of the red dragon in his hands, he considered letting the old man access to his family’s historical archives as he admired the medallion’s almost blood red sheen. Mavado almost smiled when he once again felt the slight tingle wherever the artifact touched his skin, proof that there was power.
A slight knock interrupted his thoughts. “Enter, “ he ordered as he placed the artifact on the desk.
The door open to reveal one of his long time subordinates. “Sir, “he said, “We found Kabal. He is presently hiding in the warehouse district.”
”Excellent, “Mavado smiled cruelly, “Prepare my car. I’m going to take care of this little problem…. personally.”
”Yes Sir! “The man said and held the door open for his employer.
Once the door closed silently behind them, the medallion glowed slightly with a faint growl. A few minutes later, the door opened again and the same subordinate entered the room. As the door closed, his features began to melt and in seconds it was Shang Tsung that stood in the crime lord’s office. Almost affectionately, he stroked the medallion as he said, “Soon you will have the revenge you so desire.”
(Scene Change)
A private jet flew through the night sky from Los Angeles to New York. One of the passengers held on with white knuckles as she watched the clouds pass beneath them. Johnny couldn’t help but grin at the sight. The woman, who faced down angry gods and cybernetic assassins without flinching, was afraid of flying. Surprisingly, it was Sub-Zero who said, “Nothing is going to happen, so calm down.”
At that moment the jet started to buck around widely as turbulence struck. When it stopped both Johnny and Sub-Zero were as pale as Althea was.
”You should see the look on your faces, “said Fujin appearing across from Althea. The woman glared at the wind god with eyes flashing with light-blue flame.
”Sorry, “said Fujin with a half shrug. “Anyways, what happened at the ranch house? Your backyard looks like a war zone.”
Johnny sighed and said, “The same thing that always happens, only with a few more fireworks this time.”
”Sektor and Smoke, “answered Sub-Zero, “They attacked the other night, we fought back.”
”I figured it was a good idea to get Althea and Sub-Zero out of there before the local cops started asking questions, “Johnny continued, “So we’re heading to New York to film some on location scenes for the movie with Sub-Zero being Althea’s ‘bodyguard.’”
Both Sub-Zero and Althea gave Johnny an ugly look at that last comment which the actor ignored as he continued, “By the way, where were you and Rayden when all of this was happening?”
(Scene Change)
Quan Chi was in his lair, working on a new potion when he heard, “Why do I allow your continued existence sorcerer?”
He calmly placed the bottle he was holding on the worktable and then turned to face Shinnok. The sorcerer bowed deeply and replied, “Is there something troubling….”
Quan Chi’s reply was cut off by Shinnok’s grip around his throat. With a growl filled voice, Shinnok said, “DO NOT TOY WITH ME! I know you have met with Kahn in regards to the godslayer.”
”My lord, “Quan Chi was able to gasped past the iron grip of the fallen Elder God, “Is he not your trusted and loyal son?”
Shinnok threw the sorcerer across the room with a roar. Quan Chi crashed into a set of shelves filled with bottles of potions and poisons. As he hit the ground the shattered containers released their brews. They dripped on to the sorcerer as he struggled to get up. The fallen Elder God slowly made his way to Quan Chi, his eyes growing more and more enraged by the second.
”Master, “came a whispering voice as one of Shinnok's shadow warriors melted into place, kneeling before his lord, “Rayden has been seen in Outworld, heading to one of the portals.”
”What?!” said Shinnok, changing his focus from Quan Chi to the kneeling warrior, “Find him! This time don’t hesitate to kill the traitor.”
What Shinnok did not see, was Quan Chi’s smirk of satisfaction. ‘Everything was going as planned, ’he thought.
(Scene Change)
”Stop fidgeting, “said Johnny sitting on the hotel room’s couch, trying to watch TV, “It’s starting to drive me crazy.”
”Something doesn’t feel right, “said Althea as she paced in the dining area.
They moment they had landed early that morning, Sub-Zero said something about a personal matter and then vanished into a cab. Johnny and Althea were now waiting for a call from the studio, telling them when to show up for the filming. When the phone finally did ring, Althea jumped. Johnny picked up the phone and gave the woman a strange look.
As he spoke on the phone a brief news report about a museum break in and the still missing artifact appeared on the TV. When the image of the medallion appeared on the screen, Althea said, ”No freaking way.”
She grabbed the remote and slid into the couch, flipping through channels in the hopes of finding another report of the incident. Unfortunately, it seemed that a museum robbery was not considered news worthy enough.
(Scene Change)
A bloody, tired and pleased Mavado sat down behind his desk and he tossed a pair of hook swords on it. Soon the upstart Black Dragon will nothing more than a fading memory. A growl seemed to fill the room. The crime lord frowned as he looked around the room looking for the source of the sound. He stood and picked up the swords in case an attack of evident. The medallion started to shake and the growling grew louder.
(Scene Change)
”What are you doing?” asked Johnny as he hung up the phone.
”Trying to find some more info on that museum break in, “said Althea as she flipped through a stack of newspapers, “At least get a good, up close picture of the stolen artifact.”
”What are you talking about?”
(Scene Change)
Cracks started to appear on the medallion as it shook, and red light started to break through the cracks. Mavado, seeing this, quickly and calmly left the room his trench coat flying slightly behind him. With a dragon’s roar, the medallion shattered and chaos took control of the office.
The crime lord barely made it outside and was thrown by the blast as the building exploded. He turned as he got up to see a pair of dark red, bat-like wings appear from the flames and rubble. The wind shifted, causing the flames and smoke to move to the side, revealing an almost T-Rex like head with horns and bright yellow eyes that held a reflection of Mavado surrounded by flames.
(Scene Change)
Fujin suddenly appeared in the hotel room without his usual warning breeze. “We have got to get you two out of here now!” he said in an uncharacteristically serious voice.
”What?” said Johnny with a frustrated look, “First Althea’s acting all weird and now you?”
Althea didn’t say a word as she walked to the balcony windows as if drawn to them. In the distance she could see a tower of smoke rising and then something flew out of that smoke. Her eyes widen briefly and she ran into her room. Fujin noticed her actions and yelled in her direction, “Don’t even think of fighting that thing!”
Althea just ignored him as she returned carrying a long narrow case and placing it on the coffee table.
”That better not be what I think it is, “said Johnny. When Althea opened the case, revealing her swords and harness, he sighed, “How the hell did you get those past airport security?”
”What security?” she said off handedly and then pulled on the harness, verifying that the swords slid easily from their sheaths.
”You are not….”started Fujin but stopped when Althea summoned a ball of light-blue flame in her upturned, open palm and gave the wind god a cold look.
(Scene Change)
Kurtis Stryker couldn’t believe what was happening. A dragon was flying through Times Square and in between skyscrapers as if it was looking for something. He and the other riot cops had their hands full trying to get the panicked mob to safety. The monster then flew right over their heads, forcing most of the crowd to fall to the ground.
Suddenly it flew straight up and turned to hover, looking over the cowering crowd. “A chossssen, “it growled loudly just before it dived directly to Stryker. The officer brought up his riot shield just as the creature’s claws struck, knocking him hard to the ground. On of the claws pierced the shield and as the dragon flew off, it threatened to drag Stryker along with him until he was able to release his arm from it. The dragon flew up for another pass, tossing the shield aside.
”I’ll try to lead it away!” Stryker yelled, hoping that at least one of his fellow officers would hear him and then started running; tossing what riot gear he could as he went. The dragon took the bait and followed with flames starting to flicker around its mouth as it readied to blast the one with the familiar stench of a certain thundergod about his soul.
Stryker zigzagged through parked cars as the ground shook as the cars around him started to explode after being hit by balls of dragon fire. Then when a car closer than the rest exploded, Stryker was knocked down. ‘This is it, ‘he thought as he turned to see a fireball coming in right at him.
The dragon roared in rage when the fireball was deflected as if hitting an invisible wall. Sensing danger, it dove to the side avoid a large blast of light-blue flame. The monster saw another chosen, helping his prey stand and a little ways from them was…. HER! “GODSLAYER!” the red dragon roared; shattering glass in nearby buildings, vehicles and neon signs.
Althea drew her swords as the dragon went into another dive. Eyes flashing, she readied herself for the attack. The dragon opened its mouth as it approached and Althea raised her shields expecting another blast of fire. She held her swords parallel to each other and the ground ready to strike as soon as the beast got close enough. Instead of flame, the dragon sent a blast a dark, choking smoke blinding everyone. When the smoke cleared, the dragon was nowhere in sight.
(Scene Change)
From an alleyway, Mavado watched with interest as the woman sheathed her swords. Whoever she was, she would bear watching.
(Scene Change)
”Now, “said Stryker, “I have an idea who he is, but who the hell are you and you better have a permit for those things?”
”You must be Kurtis Stryker, “said Johnny trying to calm things down, “Sonya mentioned…”
A crash of thunder and in a blinding flash of light, an extremely angry Rayden appeared. The way the thunder god was glaring at Althea made Johnny say to Stryker as he backed away, “You might want to step back some… this could get ugly.”
”WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!” demanded the God of Thunder.
The End…
Next time on MK: Echoes of the Past….
”I hate you, “said Stryker looking directly at Sonya.
next chapter [14]