+++ Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++
Chapter Fourteen: Attack of the Brotherhood
“What do you mean by what was I thinking?!” Althea yelled back, “I was saving one of your chosen. Where the hell were you? And don’t you dare give me any ‘mortal matter’ crap. That dragon isn’t exactly mortal.”
”Guys, “Johnny said trying to interrupt, “I don’t think that this is a good place or time for this.”
”You promised you wouldn’t take any more unnecessary risks, “said Rayden ignoring the actor.
”That thing was about to toast…”
A shrill whistle broke through the argument. Everyone looked at the source, Kurtis Stryker. “Look, I’m grateful you saved my butt, Miss, “the officer said, “But unless you want to end up on the evening news, I suggest leaving.”
”Ohhh, crap, “groaned Johnny seeing the first of the news vans weaving through the wrecked and smothering cars, “Here they come and sounds like they brought a copter too.”
At that moment, a black unmarked helicopter dropped down right in front of them, blocking their view of the van. A side door slid open and there stood Sonya Blade in full military fatigues. She yelled, “Get on! All of you!”
”Yes, ma’am!”said Johnny with a grin as he ran hunched over to the helicopter. Stryker followed but Althea just stood there glaring at the machine.
”Oh no!, “she exclaimed, “There is no way you are getting me on that thing. Hey! Put me down!”
The thundergod had picked Althea up and calmly carried the struggling woman to the helicopter. He tossed her in and said, “I’ll catch up later.” With a flash of light he was gone. Sonya slammed the door closed before Althea had a chance to jump out and yelled to the pilot, “Take us up!”
(Scene Change)
”You let him escape!” roared Shinnok and then forced himself to calm down to think. No doubt, like the good little godling he is Rayden will report what he knows to the Elder Gods. Shinnok glared back down at the two kneeling warriors and ordered, “Notify your brethren to prepare. We strike within the hour. Also inform our spies that the chosen are all to be slain, especially the champion Liu Kang.”
(Scene Change)
Scorpion watched from the shadows as the woman slew on of the lesser oni with a gleaming kriss. Once the huntress tried to kill him, thinking he was no more than another denizen of this gods-forsaken place. He showed her the error in her assumption and they now shared a mutual respect between predators.
”What do you want, Scorpion?” the woman spoke with Victorian voice. She turned to look directly where he was standing, her all white and gold outfit glaring in the reddish dark like of the Neatherrealm. The specter stepped out into the open and said, “What is Shinnok planning?”
”Have you forgotten? I am no longer in his service or informed of his schemes, “she responded.
”Don’t give me that, Ashra, “Scorpion hissed, “There has got to be more than just revenge for Shinnok to risk so much.”
A small half smile appeared on Ashra’s face as she said, “It is not Shinnok’s plans you should be concerned about.”
(Scene Change)
”So the dragon just flew off?” asked Sonya after hearing the story from Stryker and Johnny, “Was it scared off by Althea?”
”I don’t think so, “said the riot cop, “Don’t ask me how or why, but to me it seemed like it was getting orders from someone. Just before it sent that smoke, it looked like as if something suddenly yelled in its ear or something.”
”How could you tell?” asked Johnny sarcastically, “It’s a dragon.”
Sonya smiled but it quickly vanished as if was never there. “We’ll call Stryker’s superiors and give them some story about national security, “said the woman.
”I don’t like it, “said Kurtis Stryker, “Lying….”
”We’re not lying. That thing and anyone who can control it is a threat, “interrupted Sonya, “Also, since you’re already familiar with the situation we’re going to ask that you are assigned to work with us as long as the dragon is in the New York area.”
”I hate you, “said Stryker looking directly at Sonya.
Althea ignored the discussion, concentrating on keeping in check her fear and anger. ‘Damn you, Rayden, ‘she thought as she gripped the seat even tighter, ‘You are so going to pay for this.’ A sudden flash a pain across her back broke through her thoughts and caused her to cry out.
None of the other’s noticed due to helicopter’s noise and them concentrating on hearing each other speak. Just as the pain started to fade it was replaced by another on her upper arm. This time, her quickly gripping that arm with her hand brought her dilemma to the other’s attention.
”You alright?” asked Johnny.
(Scene Change)
The Sworn Protector of Earthrealm arrived at the temple ruins and quietly walked in. Althea’s fear of flying and her anger towards him was leaking through their shields, as if their bond was getting stronger for some reason. Rayden filed it away for later; he had more immediate things to deal with. Shinnok’s return has been confirmed and the Red Dragon of Flame was freed with its true form. This had to be reported and then acted upon.
The thundergod knelt down within the temple ruins, preparing to request an audience. The sound of a sword cutting through air in the otherwise completely silent room was his only warning. He tried to roll out to the way; the sword was able to cut painfully across his back. Rayden rolled into a stance, facing his attacker. He could feel his back already healing as he was forced to dodge another swipe of a katana being held by a black clad warrior with glowing gray eyes.
Rayden was about to send a bolt a lighting at the intruder, when another sword came out of nowhere and would have taken his arm if was just a little slower. Instead it was only able to slice across his upper arm. The thundergod have had enough. Since they weren’t fighting fair, neither would he. Rayden vanished and reappeared, with his hammer, behind the second attacker. He swung his hammer, knocking the warrior across the room and crashing into a wall to vanish in a puff of dark sand.
Rayden didn’t bother to watch this as he faced the first of his attackers. However instead of continuing the fight, this warrior bowed deeply and walked away as Shinnok’s voice echoed, “I see you haven’t lost your touch, son.”
Rayden turned to find the fallen Elder God, standing in front of the ruined alter that was once his. Electric sparks started running up and down Rayden’s form as his eyes went completely white with his power. “I am not your son, “Rayden said in a calm voice.
(Scene Change)
Sonya and Johnny sat on either side of Althea and watched her with concern. The battlemage was now shaking almost violently, her eyes closed tightly. At first, they assumed it was her apparent fear of flying that was causing this reaction, but when sparks of light-blue flame began to flicker around her, they backed away.
”It’s Rayden, isn’t it?” asked Johnny remembering the first night he met the woman.
Althea opened her flame filled eyes and looked directly at the actor. “He is seriously pissed, “she said in an angry voice.
The light-blue flamelets around Althea started to increase in size and number. “Get me on the ground, “she hissed, “I need to put up a stronger shield but I can’t do that while we’re moving.”
”You heard her, “yelled Sonya to the pilot. The pilot looked back briefly and then vanished in a puff of black sand. Sonya quickly unlocked her safety harness and then hurried to the controls, sliding into the pilot’s seat. She tried to take control of the copter but the controls were not responding. The helicopter started going down. “Shit! “hissed Sonya.
(Scene Change)
At that time, Sub-Zero made his way through Chinatown, looking for something he knew wouldn’t be there. The Lin Kuei once had a post around here but it was abandoned a year ago for a new one in upper Manhattan. But it was the one that he brother was most often staying at. With his American looks and perfect English, he was perfect for almost any job in the U.S. Sub-Zero walked up to the old closed up storefront that hid the Lin Kuei from public eye since the early part of the century. The Lin Kuei emblem could still be seen burned into the decorations of the sign. Sub-Zero frowned seeing that the boards that once crossed the doorway were no longer there. Carefully he walked over and tried the door, which opened easily with a slight creak.
Sub-Zero walked into the building, the front room was filled with dust but otherwise empty. He made his way to the back wall and pressed one of the painted over bricks, in which the Lin Kuei symbol could be barely seen in the paint swirls. With a light click and cracks appeared in the wall. Sub-Zero pushed the wall and it opened to reveal stairs going down. The frown on his face deepened when he saw the stairwell lights were on. With frost starting to build up on his hands and lower arms, he went down the stairs.
In a large room that appeared to be a cross between a large meeting hall and an area, Sub-Zero found a lone black-clad man, kneeling before an old Lin Kuei altar as if in respect. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” Sub-Zero demanded.
The stranger bowed before the altar in respect, stood and turned to look directly at Sub-Zero with his glowing gray eyes. The shadow warrior then bowed to Sub-Zero and then went into a familiar Lin Kuei fighting stance.
(Scene Change)
Jax tried not to sigh as the desk jockey looked over the papers he gave him one more time and then said he would have to call his superiors. He couldn’t believe how much trouble it was just to get a damn office. True the office was at the Pentagon, but still all the paperwork was in order and all they had to do was give him the damn key and badge. Jax looked around as he waited, noting the four MP’s; one next to the desk and one for each of the three doors leading in/out of the room. Jax snorted, wondering if they had MP’s guarding the Men’s room.
”My apologies, Sgt. Briggs, “the desk jockey said as he hung up the phone and started going through his desk, “Unfortunately, we were not told ahead of time but….”
Jax was not listening to the man as the MPs’ eyes all started to glow gray and their uniforms started to melt in to something darker. He was definitely starting to get that sinking feeling at the pit of his stomach.
(Scene Change)
In China at the Temple of Light, most of the monks were sleeping peacefully. All but one, this lone monk after spending what seemed to him hours of tossing and turned decided to give up and head to courtyard for to meditate in the cool night air in the hopes it would relax him enough to sleep. Taking deep breaths, he mediated in the darkness with the stars and moon being the only sources of light. For a moment his plan seemed to be working but then sensing something he quickly jumped up to find himself surrounded by three black-clad men with glowing gray eyes.
”Kung Lao!” yelled one of the temple guards seeing the trouble from his post.
(Scene Change)
”Sure thing, Professor, “said one of students as he ran out the door.
The professor of history laughed at the rush the student was in. Was he ever in that much of a hurry when he was their age? Closing up his briefcase, and making sure his long black hair was neatly tied back he got up to leave the classroom. He then stopped walking and looked as if he heard something. He laid his briefcase back down on the desk and then a green glowing tomahawk like shape appeared in his hand. The history professor quickly turned and threw the tomahawk striking the black clad warrior as he appeared. The black sand didn’t even settle when two more of the warriors appeared.
(Scene Change)
Liu sighed as he looked over the damage. Burnt trees, craters and even bits of metal were scattered around. The monk sighed, considering the job that was ahead of him. He turned to head for the tool shed when he saw something flying right at him. Liu Kang dived to the ground, barely avoiding it. He stood up as he watched it turn and head back from where it came.
”What are you doing?” ask Liu.
Tanya smiled as she caught boomerang as said, “What does it look like…I’m here to kill you.” Three shadow warriors melted into existence, surrounding Liu Kang.
The End….
Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past:
The fallen Elder God smirked and said, “You’ll always be Raijin to your dear old dad.”
next chapter [15]