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

Note: I do not own anything to do with Midway, Mortal Kombat, MK: Conquest, etc. Yay! My writer's block has let up a little. Let's hope it lasts. BTW please excuse some of the grammar, spelling, etc errors. My normal beta reader is kinda busy at the moment, but I did try to catch and correct most of the errors.

Chapter Eighteen: Changing of the Guard

*Whack!* *Whack!* *Thump!* *Crack!* “Those self-centered…” *Whack!* *Crack!* *Thump!* “…hypocritical….”

Sub-Zero stood safely in the doorway to the gym as he watched Althea take her frustrations out on a practice dummy.

--Althea's flash back—

“You are aware that those weapons in the wrong hands can be extremely dangerous to the stability of the realms, “said Kronos with a cold, angry voice, “What were you thinking….”

”I was trying to find some way to get here and stop whoever Rayden was fighting, “answered Althea just as angrily, “I could feel how angry and physically hurt he was. There was no one else around that could get me here.”

”That's no excuse. The temple has defenses that would have taken care of the threat of Shinnok….”

”Before or after he killed Rayden and the others!”

The Elder God of Time went silent for a few seconds and then said, “So you main concern was not the temple….but that of the thundergod and his allies?”

”Hello, “said Althea sarcastically as if long ago forgetting just who or what she was taking to, but that was soon proven wrong, “You guys are the most powerful beings around. I do believe you can take care of yourselves, but I knew Rayden was in serious trouble.”

”That does not explain why you gave your swords….”

”Haven't you been listening!? There was no way I was going to let Rayden get killed and unlike you and the other Elder Gods I did something about it, “Althea said heatedly, “Oh yeah…I forgot you guys really don't care about anything but your own sorry hides!”

Suddenly, Kronos looked tired and careworn. Althea started to regret those last few words and was about to apologize when the Elder God held up his hand and said, “It does not matter what you believe. What matters is that you regain those swords….”

---End Flashback---

*Whack!* *Thump!* A few choice words in Calornian. Then suddenly Althea stopped. Not bothering to wipe the sweat from her forehead, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Kronos was right. Those swords were just too dangerous to leave in Scorpion's hands.

Seeing that she had calmed down, Sub-Zero entered the gym and asked, “Is there something wrong?”

Althea gave the Lin Kuei a look and answered, “No, I just thought this thing was giving me an ugly look.” She sighed, “Don't worry about it, I just have….wait….You know that Scorpion guy.”

The eyebrow over Sub-Zero's scarred eye rose as he said, “Only that he hunted my family for generations, but now seems to have decided to be an ally. Why?”

”I gave him something I shouldn't have, “she admitted, “Now I have to get them back. Do you know how to contact him?”

The Lin Kuei shook his head negatively and said, “No, he usually shows up when I least expect him.”

”So I should just hang around you…”

”No, “said Sub-Zero, “The reason why I came was to tell you I will be leaving for a while.”

Seeing something in Sub-Zero's face, Althea seemed to know that this trip wasn't for fun. “You're going…hunting aren't you?”


(Scene Change)

Quan Chi turned with a cruel grin as he said, “Marvelous. You have done an excellent job….for a change.”

Two leather clad women held up a barely conscious Scorpion as a third knelt before the sorcerer, holding up a pair of sheathed swords. The specter looked up with flames in his eyes and tried to lunge for the weapons. The women holding him released him as one slammed down hard on his back with her elbow. Her partner then stomped him on the back of the head as he crashed into the ground.

”Now…ladies, “Quan Chi smirked, “Is that anyway to treat my pets next meal?” He then placed one sword on a table and unsheathed the other. Admiring the bluish tint in the metal's sheen, he thought out loud, “I really should see if they do work as claimed.” With that being the only warning, he sliced through the kneeling woman's neck. Her body slumped to the ground as her head rolled off next to Quan Chi's feet. The other two women looked at each other briefly and nervously, but remained where they were.

A good five minutes and few more stomps on Scorpion's head later, Quan Chi smiled, “It seems that the stories are true, these swords can kill immortal creatures.” He then kicked the head to the side and said, “Clean up this mess and take him to….” The sorcerer went silent for a second and then said, “Better yet….GET HER!” He turned and pointed to one of the rafters.

”Let him go, “said the white clad, demon huntress as she drew her holy kriss.

Quan Chi smiled coldly and said, “A little brave for a lone she-demon.”

Ashra returned the smile as the ground shook once….then twice. She then answered as a pair of roars rang out, “Your ‘pets' looked like they needed some exercise.”

One of the walls exploded as a pair of large oni broke through in their rage and need for revenge. Quan Chi's servants ran to intercept the monsters as Ashra jump down, her demon slaying sword in hand to rid herself of the cursed sorcerer. Quan Chi blocked Ashra's attack with the sword he was already holding. Metal screamed as the edges slid against each other. The sorcerer glared into Ashra's eyes and hissed, “You are a fool!”

Still smiling, Ashra replied, “And you're oni food.” She then jumped back as Quan Chi found himself held up high in the air by the taller of the two oni. The shorter one was busy ripping the arms off one of the women.

The huntress took the opportunity to help Scorpion to his feet and said, “Let's get out of here, before it starts to get rough.”

(Scene Change)

Rayden fell back on his couch with a tired look on his face. He couldn't believe the Elder Gods were actually inviting Kuravan to take a place among Earth's pantheon of gods. A sudden surge of frustration that was not his own, reminded him of another problem. The fluctuating link between him and Althea was getting worse and added to his headache. No matter how strong he made his shields, her emotions occasionally made their way through.

”You ok, bro?” asked Fujin, sitting in the chair across the room.

”Between Kuravan, a messed up bond link, a shortage of gods and the duties of Sworn Protector…..No, I'm not ok, “answered the thundergod.

Fujin winched slightly, hearing the tiredness in his brother's voice. True the shortage of gods had affected his own duties, but no where as much as it did Rayden's. His position as Sworn Protector dictated that he lead the gods of Earthrealm and take over the problems such as the god shortage as well as ensure that Kahn doesn't make any headway due to the realms weakened defenses.

”When are you going to tell Althea that Kuravan is coming to Earthrealm?” asked Fujin trying not to cringe.

Rayden remained silent and closed his eyes.

Fujin got serious and said, “You better tell her otherwise when she finds out …..Let's just say, I don't want to clean up the mess.”

”I know….I know, “said Rayden, “Kuravan was one of the reasons why she came to Earthrealm to begin with. When she learns that he has been given a position as one of Earth's gods….”

”She's not going to leave, “said Fujin, “When are you going to get that through your thick skull. And Kuravan was not the only reason she left Calorna, he's just the only one that seems to insist on following her. Besides, she's stronger now and can kick Kuravan's butt with no problems.”

”That's another thing that I'm worried about, “added Rayden, “What if she does ‘kick Kuravan's butt?' At least one Elder God would love to use that as an excuse to claim she is a danger to all gods.”

 

“I hate to tell you this, bro, but you're dating a godslayer, “said Fujin with a grin, “She is dangerous, nice looking, but dangerous.”

Rayden opened his flashing eyes and glared at his younger brother, daring him to continue.

 

Trying to cheer Rayden up and change the subject, Fujin said, “At least the problem of so few gods should lighten up soon, especially if the Elder Gods are sending experienced deities rather than godlings like last time.”

”You mean like you?” Rayden smiled slightly at the memory of Fujin's early assignment to Earthrealm.

Fujin shrugged with a grin. “This link problem, “he said changing the subject, “Any idea what could be wrong?”

Rayden picked up a scroll that was on the couch next to him and tossed it to Fujin. “According to that, “he said as Fujin opened it, “Basically, I need to spend more time alone with her. The combination of the bond being re-established after so long and the fact we spend so little time with each other now is causing the fluctuations. Basically the bond is telling us to get it together already.”

Glancing over the scroll, Fujin made another observation, “It also says here that such a separation could also cause some alterations in a person's personality. That would explain why you lost you sense of humor.”

Rayden snorted.

”However, why does it seem to be affecting you more than…”Fujin started to ask and then nearly slapped himself.

”For me it's been close to five and a half centuries, “Rayden answered the unfinished question, “To her it's been less than a decade. Not to mention it is affecting her, she felt that fight I had with Shinnok and had to strengthen her shields to the point of being mystically blind, but still she felt it.”

Fujin smirked, “So you two need a little….alone time with each other.

Rayden gave Fujin an angry look over the lecherous tone in the wind god's voice but nodded, “Unfortunately, with me being the Sworn Protector it will be my job orientate and oversee the new arrivals.”

”Ouch, “said Fujin, “That could take years. Wish I could help.”

Rayden was about to say something along the lines of ‘don't worry about it,' but then a sudden thought flashed across his mind. With a long forgotten half-smile, the thunder god said, “You know since you were my assistant…”

The god of wind realized what Rayden was leading to and Fujin said, “No.”

”You said you wanted to help, ”said Rayden.

”No.”

”It would only be temp….”

”No.”

”You know I don't have to ask, “said Rayden, “Just mentioning what happened last time I met with Kuravan and the fluctuating soul bond, the Elder Gods would no doubt be happy to…”

”You wouldn't dare, “Fujin said with a heated look.

(Scene Change)

Fujin and Rayden walked out of the ruined Temple of the Elder Gods. A cheery looking Rayden patted Fujin on the back and said, “Good luck….Sworn Protector.”

Fujin glared at Rayden as he said, “I hate you.”


The End….

Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past….

Mokap watched the movement of her rear as she [Althea] walked off. Johnny slapped the back of his head and said, “Don't even go there. Believe me; you don't want to mess with her boyfriend.”

next chapter [19]