+++ Mortal Kombat: Echoes of the Past by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++
Chapter Seventeen: The Date
Sub-Zero looked around the ranch house office as he picked up the ringing phone. He noted that the place seemed emptier than usual as he said, “White Lotus School of Martial Arts, American branch.”
On the other end of the phone came the reply, “Sub-Zero? That you man? It's Jax.”
”Yes, Jax, “answered Sub-Zero calmly, “Sonya isn't here at the …..”
”No matter, it's you I need to talk to, “interrupted Jax, “You're never gonna believe who…what we caught…”
”Sgt. Briggs, I am not one for guessing games. “
”He's yellow, mostly metal and used to be a co-worker of yours. Ring any bells?“
Sub-Zero sat down behind the desk and said, “Cyrax….Are you sure?”
”Just how many other yellow, cyborg ninjas do you know of?” was Jax's reply, “Of course it's Cyrax. He's pretty banged up and even his programming is screwed up.”
”What do you plan to do with him?”
”Depends on our geek squad, a few of ‘em think they may be able to remove the controlling program. Maybe, once that's gone his human personality will be freed, “said Jax, “That's were you come in.”
”I'm the only one you know who's even met Cyrax when he was still completely human, “said Sub-Zero, “Do you need me to go there?”
”Eventually, “answered Jax, “but our wiz kids were able to find out from his memory banks where he last met the Lin Kuei masters, thought you might be interested.”
A light frost built up over the desk and phone as Sub-Zero replied, “Tell me where.”
”Some temple in northern China , “said Jax, “I'll email Sonya the exact location. Where is she anyways?”
”On a date with Johnny, “was Sub-Zero's answer.
”What?!”
(Scene Change)
Sonya returned the ornate menu to the waiter as Johnny just stared at her with a dazed look, his chin resting in the palm of his hand. As the waiter walked away 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.”
Sonya leaned forward slightly and steepled her fingers as she asked, “You don't like how I look in my every day clothes?”
Johnny woke up from his daze as he stuttered his answer, “No..that's …not what I..I meant. It's just I've never seen you in a dress before and that one…wow.”
Sonya took a sip of wine to hide her smile. She had to admit, it had been a long time since she had a chance or a reason to dress up. If it wasn't for the fact that is was an ‘un-official' requirement that all female officers be able to ‘dress nice' on a second's notice she most likely wouldn't even have the dress she had on. The slightly low-cut, silk green dress was form fitting and showed off her healthy figure without giving away too much. A diamond and emerald pendent and matching earrings complemented the dress and her eyes perfectly. A light touch of make-up here and there, her blonde hair falling loosely down about halfway down her back almost shimmering gave an image of a woman who would seem more comfortable on 5 th avenue or Beverly Hills than on a battlefield.
”On no…”groaned Johnny seeing someone he definitely didn't want to enter the restaurant.
Sonya turned to see who it was, only to see a woman in an outfit that screamed ‘loose actress.'
”Doesn't she know when to give up?” moaned Johnny placed his face in his hand.
Sonya turned back to Johnny and asked, “Who is she?”
”Johnny, darling, “the woman said as she approached their table with a pasted on smile, “I'm so sorry to hear that Magess won't able to finish filming the movie.”
”You must have heard wrong, Ms. Faust, “said Johnny, “Althea is fine and will be back at the studio in a few days.”
”Please call me Diana, “said the actress, “That is so good to hear….mind if I join you?”
”As you can see, I'm already here with Sonya, “said Johnny no longer bothering to hide his dislike of the actress, “So if you don't mind…”
Diana Faust sniffed in Sonya's direction and gave her an ugly look.
Sonya smiled coldly and said, “Nice to meet you too and to see that you are still walking, after what happened at the auditions.”
Diana glared at Sonya and was about to say something when Johnny said, “I wouldn't. Althea's a push over compared to Sonya.”
Sonya's smile turned from cold to predatory just before the actress turned with a huff and hurriedly walked away, nearly toppling a dessert cart in her rush. Johnny coughed to keep from laughing out loud and then said, “Maybe she'll finally get the hint.”
Changing the subject, Sonya asked, “How's the movie doing?”
”Surprisingly well, “answered Johnny leaning back in to the chair, “We're filming the scenes that don't include Althea and they should last us until she is able to return to the studio. How about the OIA?”
Sonya breathed deeply and then answered, “We finally got governmental and military approval but we still have a lot of work to do just to get the project seriously started. Not to mention recruit and screen possible OIA agents. Right now there is only me and Jax as possible field agents. Hopefully once the school opens, we can start recruiting some of the more promising students.”
”So you're not going to stick with soldiers?”
”No, “said Sonya, “To truly stop possible threats from other realms, we need to bring in all sorts of talent from all over. Kinda like what Rayden did with the chosen….only no Black Dragons.”
Johnny smiled and then started counting off his fingers, “Two Shao Lin monks, two US Army Special Forces agents, a Native American shaman slash college history professor, a semi-reformed Black Dragon member, a New York riot cop and a Lin Kuei warrior……Rayden sure does know how to pick them.”
Sonya raised her glass and said, “Don't forget the action movie star.” Johnny nodded slightly before taking a sip from his own glass.
”Maybe you should ask Rayden to be your recruiting….”
*!CRASH!*
This time someone did knock over the dessert cart and by the looks of it a very loud argument was in the making between two men and a woman.
With a raised eyebrow Sonya looked at Johnny as he said, “Why don't we go somewhere else…”
A few minutes later the couple was waiting for the valet to bring Johnny's SUV around, a sudden flash of light accompanied with a soft clicking sound. As they were partially blinded, someone ran up and asked, “Johnny, who's the new gal? Is she someone you're seeing? What happened to that Magess woman? Are you two on the…”
More flashing lights and more questions were flung at them as more ‘reporters' found out who was standing there. One even got up the nerve to grab Sonya's arm in the hopes of getting a few words with her. Sonya quickly reached over, grabbed his wrist and forcefully twisted it until he went to his knees in pain.
Johnny saw the paparazzi go down and he gently took Sonya's upper arm and lead her through the crowd to the now waiting SUV. He was forced to shoulder his way through to clear a path for Sonya. The valet held the door open for Sonya as Johnny made his way to the driver's seat. Once safely in the vehicle, Johnny nearly ran over one of the photographers as he drove off.
They eventually made it to a stop light where Johnny had to stop. “I'm so sorry, “he said tiredly, “Normally that doesn't happen there. The restaurant's security must have been busy with that argument. Although I do admit, I loved how you handled that one guy.”
Sonya leaned back into the car seat with her eyes closed, not saying a word.
'Not good,‘ thought Johnny as the light turned green. After a few more minutes of silence, Johnny asked, “You want to head back?”
Sonya smiled slightly and replied, “No let's try again, only I get to choose where.”
Johnny nodded, as he was force to stop at another red light. Someone tapped on his window. Johnny turned to see what was up to see a gun pointed directly at him. “Get outta the car, now!” the man holding the gun yelled.
Johnny nodded slightly to Sonya as he held up one hand and opened the door with the other. “Leave the keys!” the man yelled as Johnny stepped out.
”Do you mind pointing that thing somewhere else, “said Johnny as he pushed the gun aside.
”Brave man, huh?!” the man sarcastically said as he started to pull the trigger. The carjacker was unable to finish the act as Johnny forcibly knocked the gun out of his hand and then rabbit punched him. Johnny then grabbed and flipped the carjacker into the asphalt. The actor froze when he heard a loud click and felt the feel of cold metal at the back of his neck. “Try some of that Kung Fu shit now!” said another man.
Then there was another, louder click and Sonya angrily said, “Put the gun down now.”
The man hesitated just long enough for Johnny to turn and grab the gun from his hand and then punch him in the face.
There they were, two unconscious carjackers, a well known and dressed movie star holding a gun in his hand, looking at a blonde woman in a skin tight, green silk evening dress and all he had to say was, “Where the hell did you hide that thing?”
(Scene Change)
Mavado yawned silently from behind a heavy looking desk as he read over some papers. A phone rang and he picked it up not bothering to look up from his papers. “Yes, “he said.
On the other end, a man was using a public phone as he watched Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade talking to some police officers as they stood next to a parked SUV and two handcuffed men.
”Followed them like you said, boss, “the man said, “From what I've seen, they seem to work well together and can take care of themselves... if ya' know what I mean. The guy is a bit of a show off though and the gal has a temper you wouldn't believe.”
Back at his desk, Mavado chuckled as he leaned back into his chair. “Yes, “the crime lord said, “Sonya Blade does have a bit of a temper. I'll take your full report with the video recordings in the morning. Then I will decide what else to throw at them.”
(Scene Change)
”I kinda hoped I would never see this place again, “said Althea as Rayden knelt down in the ruins of the Temple of the Elder Gods. The thundergod reached up and took hold of her arm to indicate that she should also kneel. Fighting not to roll her eyes, Althea did as Rayden ‘asked.' Both were kneeling as Rayden silently requested an audience. The ruins began to melt to be replaced by a marble room, the walls painted with images of nature from all the realms. Seven altars stood, lining the room, each a representative of an Elder God.
Althea jumped up and started to look around when she found herself alone. “What the…”she started to say as her eyes began to flicker.
”There is no need to concern yourself, “came the voice of Kronos as he appeared where the altar of Time stood, “Rayden is meeting with other members of the council. We felt it would be best if I meet with you alone.”
Hearing the tone in the Elder God of Time's voice, Althea somehow knew that the Elder Gods weren't too happy with her for some reason. She had a good idea why, but she wasn't going to be the one to bring it up. “I assume this isn't about the shortage of gods on Earthrealm as Rayden believed?”
”No, “said Kronos crossing his arms, “It's about you giving your swords to the specter known as Scorpion.”
(Scene Change)
”As you know, Lord Rayden, “said Danu, the Elder Goddess of Water, “Earthrealm is desperately short of gods. You and your brother have done a superb job so far in keeping the balances in check, but you two can only do so much. We of the council have decided to allow gods of other realms the chance to include Earth as one of their domains.”
Aether, the Elder God of Light then said, “Unfortunately, even with a jewel of a realm such as Earth, recent events and the presence of a living godslayer has made it difficult. Only a handful of deities have applied and of those only a few we would even consider for such a position, one of which is from the same realm that your godslayer originated from.”
Rayden closed his eyes and said, “Please don't tell me it's….”
(Scene Change)
As the sun rose, shots rang out at a deserted New York warehouse. As the echoes faded, the sound of machine aided breathing filled the silence. Limping and obviously in pain, he walked slowly across the empty space holding up his gun ready to fire. As he walked, light filtered through cracks revealed a dark colored trench coat, an air mask, and long black hair.
He turned when a clattering sound echoed and he hissed in pain at the sudden movement. Then out of nowhere a hand ripped off his air mask and he was kicked to the floor. Struggling to breath he rolled over to face his latest assailant.
There she stood, holding his life giving air mask loosely in one hand. The woman had short, black spiked hair and was wearing a leather vest, short leather skirt and chain mail like shirt. Her metal tipped boots clicked loudly as she walked over and then placed one of her feet on his chest, pushing him firmly inot the concrete floor.
”Mr. Kabal, I assume, “she said as she dangled the air mask just out of his reach, “I was sent by my….employer to offer you a proposition.”
”Who…..are…..you?” Kabal gasped as he fought a losing battle to breath.
The woman removed her foot from his chest and then leaned over to place the air mask back over his scarred face. Kabal hastely reconnected the hoses and took deep breaths to get rid of the dizziness.
As she walked away to give Kabal time to recover, the woman said, “I'm known as Arianna.”
Kabal slowly got up, mindful of the still healing injuries given to him by Mavado. “What…does your…boss want with me?”
Arianna smiled as she re-approached the now standing Kabal. “My ‘boss' as you put it is expanding his…. business and needs a uniquely gifted local as an…advisor you could say.”
A few deep breaths and Kabal said, “You are aware I am being hunted by both the Red and Black…”
The woman laughed and said, “The Black Dragon is the same as dead. Only three people still breathe that were once of that group; you, the coward Jarek, and Kano who happens to be fighting a losing battle for Shao Kahn. As for the Red Dragon, “Arianna started running a finger up and down Kabal's chest plate, “Let's just say my ‘boss' and his employees have nothing to fear from the likes of them.”
Kabal looked at the woman through his goggles trying to determine the truth of her words. As if sensing this Arianna looked up into his eyes. Her eyes flared up with blood-red flames for a brief second.
”I'll listen to what your boss has to offer, “Kabal finally answered with a tired tone.
”Smart choice, “Arianna said as she backed away and pulled out a crystal from her chain mail shirt. She turned around and a portal opened in front of them.
The End
Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past….
Fujin said, “No.”
”You said you wanted to help, ”said Rayden.
”No.”
”It would only be temp….”
”No.”
next chapter [18]