+++ Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++

Note: Okay, those of you who are familiar with the MK game storyline and have seen MK: A, might notice a little something ‘wrong' with my story. I am NOT having Rayden become an Elder God. The reasons for this are simple: (1.) It would leave Fujin as the only experienced Earthrealm god (not a good idea), (2.) I have limited the number of Elder Gods on the council to seven and none of them got hurt/killed by Shinnok or his minions so there is no openings and (3.) because I don't want him as an Elder God in my story…so there. :-P

I got a question asking if I'm going to continue this story. The answer is a big yes. I am planning of running this story up to and past MK: Deception. So…I have a lot of writing left to do. Thanks again to everyone for the reviews and I do apologize if I don't answer/respond to all of them but I figure it would normally be best that answers be given in the story itself so not to spoil any surprises.

Chapter Sixteen: A New Season

Two sorcerers knelt before the Emperor Shao Kahn who once again sat on his throne of iron and bone. In the deadly silence, Kahn thought of what to do with the two of them. The half melted candles that lined the room didn't even flicker in the stillness. They have proven their worth and seemly loyalty in his struggles against Shinnok, but they were dangerous. Especially the pale faced one; he had already betrayed one master. He would have to make sure to keep them too busy to scheme.

”You, “said Kahn as he looked directly at the kneeling Quan Chi, “will see to my possible conquest of the Neatherrealm. With the power vacuum left by the destruction of Shinnok, now is the time.”

Quan Chi bowed his head at the Emperor's words.

”And you Shang Tsung, “continued the Emperor, “Will be my spy in Edenia. I will reclaim that realm as MINE!”

Shang also bowed slightly but then asked, “What of Earth…my lord?”

Kahn's eyes narrowed from behind his bone mask as he said, “Earthrealm is my concern not yours. Now leave.”

Both sorcerers stood and bowed to the Emperor of Outworld before leaving the throneroom. Once they were certain they would not be overheard Shang said, “Are you positive WE can use that thing?”

”Of course, “said Quan Chi calmly, “However it will take time to unlock the medallion's power. Fortunately, in the Neatherrealm there is the perfect place for me to work on it.”

(Scene Change)

At the Temple of Light in China , the modern day Kung Lao fidgeted over some scrolls. One of the older monks look up from his own readings with a questioning look in Lao's direction. Kung Lao shrugged and said in Chinese, “My mind seems to be wondering today. My apologies, Master Long.”

Master Long chuckled lightly and said, “You were meant to be a warrior not a scholar young one. Perhaps some fresh air will help settle your mind's wonderings.”

Lao didn't hesitate standing up, bowing and saying, “Thank-you Master Long.” The young monk then quickly left the room leaving a grinning Master Long shaking his head chuckling. However once Kung Lao was out of the room, Long's smile turned into a concerned frown.

Outside, Kung Lao closed his eyes as he took a deep breath and felt the sun on his face. Yes, this was much better than that stuffy library. Opening his eyes, he started walking with no destination in mind. He thought about what happened a weeks ago, strange warriors attacked him and Liu Kang's explanation only made things worse. Lao just couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen to his cousin.

Eventually, Kung Lao found himself at the Temple 's cemetery and looking at a special group of tombs. Here was a single monk surrounded by his non-Shaolin friends and their children. Seeing where he was, Kung Lao bowed reverently at each tomb in passing but even more so to one in particular. These held a special place of honor in the memory of many including a certain god.

Not wanting to disturb their rest, Lao turned to leave but a dog-like shape came out of nowhere knocking him over. Lao instinctively grabbed one of the tombstones to keep himself from falling. Images suddenly started flashing pass his mind's eye. A redheaded woman yelling at a tall-brown haired man and someone that looking almost exactly like him just sitting at a rough-hewn table trying to hide his laughter at the argument, then it chanced to multiple fight scenes. One fight was with an evil looking woman surrounded by a foggy shape of a dragon, another was with a group of men dressed like the drawings of the Lin Kuei from centuries ago, and then there was another man dressed in dark green that spat a green blob that hissed as it landed on the ground. The scenes came faster and faster until they were a confusing blur. Kung Lao was trapped in the visions of the past.

The uncontrollable images stopped as he was gently pulled away from the gravestones. A woman then said, “You really should learn to control that.”

Kung Lao went to his knees, clutching his head in pain. The woman held onto his shoulders in sympathy. Due to the pain, Kung Lao failed to notice that the wind had died down to nothing and there was complete silence. The monk took a few breathes in the hopes of alleviating the pain, but knowing it wouldn't. Only the foul concoction that the temple healer's made would do so and only with the cost of a drug laden mind.

”Here, let me help, “said the woman, “It's gonna hurt at first but it'll do the job.”

A sudden stabbing pain, flashed across his head from one temple to the other but then it was gone. Lao turned and looked up to see who had helped him to find a strange white haired woman with crystal blue eyes looking down at him. The bottom half of her face was hidden with a dark scarf and she wore clothes in the same cut as his monk's robes only in shades of black and gray.

“Who…”Lao started to ask.

The woman shook her head and said, “No one important.” She then turned her attention to the names of the three prominent engraved names and traced each of them with her hand: Kung Lao…Taja…Siro…

With a look of remembering filling her eyes, she said, “Now those three…they were important and of course they did have their problems. As does all chosen warriors.”

”You knew…”

The woman smiled sadly and said, “You could say that. Then again I also know Shao Kahn, so don't let the people I know influence your opinion of me.”

The monk started to back away when she mentioned the Emperor but stopped at when she reached over and touched the side of his face with the palm of her hand. He flinched at the touch expecting another barrage of images, but was surprised when there was none and Lao then saw the sadness in her eyes as she said, “I need you to remember that the souls of the chosen are protected, despite of what you will see.”

”What?” Lao started to say only to find himself once again looking at the down at the graves with the wind blowing in his hair and the sounds of birds in the distance. The monk turned around, looking but the strange woman was gone.

(Scene Change)

 

Althea blew at the strain of white and blonde hair that fell in her face as she ladled stew into a bowl. A pair of hands appeared on her hips and a strong chest leaned into her back. “Do you mind, “said Althea with a smile, “You'll cause me to spill…”

”You should be resting, “said Rayden as he deftly took the ladle from her hand, “Not cooking stew for everyone.”

”I was hungry for stew and I can only make it in large quantities. Besides, shouldn't you be at your duties, “she replies as she turned around to look up into his dark eyes.

”I am, “Rayden said without humor, “I'm actually here on business…Do you remember what I said about being acknowledged by Kronos as being of his bloodline?”

”Vaguely, “said Althea dreading what she knew what Rayden was going to bring up.

”Earthrealm is desperately short of gods…”Rayden began.

”Hold it right there, “Althea said as she pulled away from the thundergod and walked away from him, “You can't expect me….”

Rayden closed his eyes against the anger he was feeling from Althea. Strengthening his mental shields, he said, “I was asked by the Council of Elder Gods to bring you to them. They didn't tell me why, but this is the only reason I could think of. Why are you so against this?”

”I just wouldn't make a very good goddess, “said Althea seriously, “I'm not the type of person who can stand by and do nothing. I understand you have to do this due to certain rules and I respect that you are able to do that, but I just couldn't. If I became a goddess, I would be breaking the rules every other day if not every day. Not to mention the memory of the last time I was given a similar…offer isn't a very good one.”

Rayden walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Just tell them what you told me, “he then grinned, “If that doesn't work blast them all and run for it.”

(Scene Change)

At his dining room table, Nightwolf stretched, winching at the sound of popping joints. Once again he swore to himself to never take on a freshmen class again. He gave the stack of reports a look that if there was justice in the world would have lit them aflame. A pair of tan feminine arms looped around his neck to cross over his chest. The dark haired woman rested her head on his shoulder and said, “You could hire a teacher's assistant to do that.”

Without bothering to look at her, Nightwolf replied, “With how much these reports count towards their final grades? No, it wouldn't feel right.”

The woman straightened up and brought her hands to his shoulders. Kneading them gently but firmly she said, “Then how about a vacation. You've been teaching almost non-stop since the invasion was averted.”

Nightwolf sighed and closed his eyes and he leaned back into the massage. “Now that sounds like a good idea, Kiva, “he said, “How about a trip back to the reservation this summer.”

Kiva raised an eyebrow as she said, “How about we wait for the winter session. It won't be so hot.”

Nightwolf chucked and said, “The white man's world has you spoiled, you never complained about the heat before you got introduced to air conditioning. And no it would have to be in the summer, that's the only session they can spare me.”

Then Kiva smiled and leaned over to whisper in his ear, “Then how about visiting Liu Kang and the others. They've been asking you to and a trip to the beach sounds heavenly.”

(Scene Change)

Sitting behind the desk in the ranch house's den/office, Sonya tried to finish first OIA (Otherworld Intelligence Agency) report. She had a hell of a time trying to explain a dragon in New York, mysterious shadow warriors that somehow got into the Pentagon and the strange weather that seems to have appeared when Shinnok was fighting Rayden and the others.

A few last keystrokes into her laptop and a click to save…she was done! She pushed the computer away and leaned back into the chair, closing her eyes. A soft thump and the smell of fresh coffee made her open her eyes to see a smiling Johnny Cage.

”Looks like you could use a cup, “he said as he pulled up a chair.

”Thanks, “said Sonya as she picked up the steaming mug and took a sip.

”You almost done?”

Sonya nodded and said, “Took me long enough but it's done. All that's left is to send it.”

Johnny's smile grew as he said, “Really? Now that's a reason to celebrate. How about I take you out for dinner?”

Sonya was about to say something along the lines of being busy, but remembered that she was already done with the report and there was nothing that couldn't wait until tomorrow. She smiled and said, “Sounds like you just got lucky.”

(Scene Change)

Mavado stepped down and out of the private jet into the Californian sunshine. Wincing, he pulled out a pair of dark shades and sighed as he put them on. A woman in a very short chauffeur's uniform opened a limo door and said, “Welcome to Los Angeles, sir.”

Mavado didn't bother acknowledging her presence as he slid into the limo. The door quietly closed as he pulled off the shades and gave the lackey waiting for him his full attention. “Do you have it?” Mavado said.

”Of course, sir, “answered the lackey as he handed over a manila folder, As the limo started to move, Mavado opened the folder to find some pictures of the woman he saw in New York. The one who faced the Red Dragon of Flame without flinching and the one the dragon called ‘godslayer.' In most of the photos, she was either training, sparring or on some movie set.

”She's called Althea Magess, or at least according to the movie studio records. She came out of nowhere and got a part opposite of Johnny Cage. Her address is listed as being at a ranch house outside of LA that is being converted into a martial arts school, “the man pulled out a photo out of his jacket pocket and handed to Mavado, “A certain special forces agent is also staying at that same ranch house. It seems that the government has an interest in it.”

An ironic half-smile appeared on the crime lord's face as he saw the picture of Sonya Blade. Now that was a persistent woman who knew what she wanted. She did more in helping him get rid of the Black Dragon than his entire organization and she wasn't even on his payroll. He tapped the edge of the photo with his finger, too bad she was such a straight arrow. We would have been perfect for each other. Mavado then said, “Find out more about this school and find out what sort of student they're looking for.”

(Scene Change)

Lilith flew through the dark red skies of Outworld. Kuravan had ordered her to keep an eye on Shao Kahn, but she had just received a summons she had never hoped to hear again. The winged woman swooped down and landed next to a crater filled with molten rock. She looked around, not absolutely sure that this was the place.

”We thank you for your timely answer to our summons, “came a rich sounding woman's voice.

Lilith turned and knelt down in the direction of the voice as she said, “I was honored to receive it, my Lady.”

Another female vampire stepped into the red glow of the magma. Her hair tied back and held in place with hair sticks. She wore what looked like to be a very short red silk kimono, but it was the marking on her wings that declared that this was royalty of the highest caliber standing there. This was none other than Nitara and if their home realm still existed she would have been queen.

Nitara said, “We understand you have already been ‘ordered' to watch the Emperor. You are to inform us his current actions to us as well as to your…'master.' Is this understood.”

Lilith bowed and answered, “Yes, my Lady. It would be an honor to serve you once again.”

Not far away, a cloaked figure stood in the shadows watching the meeting between vampires. A pair of red flares appeared where the figure's eyes would be.

The End….

Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past

Sonya turned to look at Johnny and said, “Is there something wrong?”

”No, “answered Johnny still looking at her as if unable to move his eyes away, “I just can't get over how great you look in that dress.”


next chapter [17]