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

Note: Someone wrote me with a few good questions in regards to the story which I feel doesn't give away too much from the story, so I decided to answer them now rather than wait until the end of the story.

One question was how the hell did Althea take being shoved 500 years into the future without freaking out by all the changes? Simple, this is a woman who has gone through so much in her life that change seems normal to her. She did freak out a little bit when she found out, but she basically kept it inside. Think about it…she killed one of her own gods, forced to leave her home world because another god wants to control or destroy her, faced her own and Rayden's evil twins created by sorcery, faced a dragon/undead woman and a dragon/centurian creature, not to mention ending up stranded in some strange realm when she thought she was going to die. *sigh* This is only part of what she's been through. Let's just say the big things don't bother her too much any more, it's the small things that do.

The other question was the language issue. Like how did she learn modern English so quickly? I was going to say it was that same spell/gift that when traveling through a portal a person learns the local language most common in the region, but she didn't travel by portal when she was found by Fujin….Oh hell…it was the same spell/gift or it is until I can find a better explanation. Any suggestions? (Cool..this note seriously added to my word count)

Now on to the story…..

Chapter Nineteen: Eye of the Tiger

“Put the gun down now!” yelled the special agent.

The foreign spy sneered as he held the gun to the blonde woman's head, holding her tightly with his other arm. “She's my ticket out of here, “he snarled, “So drop it….”

The woman threw her head back, smashing into the spy's nose. The foreign spy released her as his hand went up to cover his now gushing nose. The woman dropped to the ground, and spun her leg around tripping her former captor.

The special agent kicked the gun out of the spy's hand and then placed his own gun next to the spy's head. “Game over, “said the special agent with a mean half-smile.

”CUT!” came the director's voice, “That's a wrap people.”

Everyone in the room clapped and cheered, causing the woman to blush slightly.

The ‘spy' was helped to his feet by ‘special agent' Johnny, still holding his nose. “Damn girl, “said Mokap, “You have one hell of a hard head.”

Althea shrugged in apology and walked off to her dressing room. Mokap watched the movement of her rear as she 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.”

(Scene Change)

Shang Tsung sat at the head of a food laden table, apparently studying the apple he held in his hand. The look of intense study changed to rage as he threw the apple across the room and into a wall. ‘Damn, that Quan Chi, ‘he thought, ‘He should have been here hours ago.'

Taking control of his rage, he stood up and walked out of the dining hall into the courtyard. His boots clicking on the marble walkway, he walked passed the flowering hedges which barely hid the crushed and splintered bone at their base. Nearing the courtyard's fountain, the sorcerer stopped and snarled, “Show yourself, I know you're there.”

A hazy green outline of a man sized lizard appeared on the ground next to the fountain. It solidified into the form of a humanoid lizard in armor. The creature jumped up into a defensive stance, its long tail swaying slighting in agitation. “The Emperor demandssss a report on your lack of progressssss against the Edenianssss, “the creature hissed.

Shang Tsung looked over the last known member the Zatterian race and nearly snorted in amusement. The creature seems to deem it a worthless waste of energy to continue with the charade of keeping a ‘human-like' appearance and now stay in his true form. Perhaps, the lizard needed a new lesson on his place in this existence soon. “That does not give you an excuse to sneak around my premises, “the sorcerer replied, “What were you hoping to see?”

Reptile hissed and answered, “I take no demandsssss from you, ssssocerer! I only obey the Emperor assss ssssshould you.” The reptilian warrior turned to leave when one of Shang Tsung's servants hurriedly walked up to the sorcerer and knelt down saying something about his guest arriving injured.

(Scene Change)

Wearing a short, white robe Althea dug through a backpack for a change of clothes. A smile appeared on her face just seconds before a pair of masculine hands appears on her hips. Warm breath moved a wet strand of hair from her neck as Rayden said, “Do you have any idea what terry cloth does to me?”

Althea chuckled as she pulled away from the thundergod and said, “I can guess, but now is not the time to find out if I'm right.”

Rayden smiled as he watched her walk back into the bathroom to change, feeling a little disappointed. The smile changed to a frown as he thought about what he had to tell her. This was not going to be easy.

”What's wrong?” Althea yelled from the bathroom.

Rayden mentally strengthen his shields, this was not the time for her to know what he is feeling.

”Don't bother trying to hide it, “she yelled again, “Every time you completely block me out I know something is wrong.”

Rayden flinched as the bathroom door opened. Althea walked out wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans as she said, “Ok spill it.”

Rayden sat down next to the make-up table with a sigh. “There's been a few changes among the gods that….I'm no longer the Sworn Protector of Earthrealm…”

”What?! What happened? Why did the Elder Gods….”Althea said.

”I asked to be removed, “interrupted Rayden and then with a half-smile continued, “Let's just say the Elder Gods and I agreed that I needed a little time off. I am still the active God of Thunder, but will have more free time to spend with you.”

Althea just looked at him for a few moments and then crossed her arms, “And…”

Rayden raised an eyebrow but thought it best not to comment on how she was acting. “One of the reasons why the Elder Gods agreed to this was my history with one of the god's being brought in to fill for those who were killed by Shinnok's forces, “he said and then his half-smile vanished.

”No, “said Althea as she uncrossed her arms and her eyes started to flash, “HE isn't coming to Earthrealm.”

”Actually, “said Rayden, “he is.”

A loud knock at the dressing room door interrupted their discussion. “You about ready?” came Johnny's voice.

Althea turned and picked up the backpack. She then walked to the door and just before opening it she coldly said, “We'll talk about this later.”

The door slammed shut after she walked out. “She took that rather well, “said Rayden to the empty room before he vanished.

(Scene Change)

Sub-Zero breathed the icy air in deeply, enjoying the break from the summer heat. Why the Lin Kuei would choose to set up their new headquarters in an area where his powers would be at there strongest, Sub-Zero had no idea but he wasn't going to complain. He would need every advantage he could get in the upcoming fight. Sub-Zero continued walking through the snow covered mountain pass, not seeing the shadowy figured that watched him with gray glowing eyes from one of the cliffs above.

 

The ice warrior eventually saw his destination in the distance, an old stone fortress forgotten by all but the Lin Kuei masters since ancient times. However it was the sight of the open gates and smoke rising from it, that made Sub-Zero stop in his tracks. He had planned on waiting until night and sneaking in, but the fresh bodies on the ground in front of the gates changed his mind. Sub-Zero held out his hand and as frost built up on his lower arm a sword of ice was created. Once completed, Sub-Zero held the ice blade in a defensive manner prepared for attack and slowly made his way to the gates. When he reached the dead guards, he knelt down next to one. A cyborg, its metallic skull was smashed open revealing the crushed bits of brain proving that it was once human.

Standing up, he carefully continued on his way past the gates. Glancing back and forth as he did, Sub-Zero slowing walked through the smothering fortress. Soot covered stone buildings stood with smoke trickling from empty doorways and windows. Both human and cyborg bodies lined the streets in varying states of destruction. Some were torn to barely recognizable bits while others laid there appearing untouched. Who or what could to this to the entire clan?

”How DARE you?” came an angry voice. Sub-Zero turned to see the Headmaster himself standing on the eastern ramparts, glaring down at him. The Headmaster pulled off his hood to reveal an ageless looking, bald man with soulless blue eyes. He pulled off his robes to reveal a muscular body wearing traditional Lin Kuei light armor in shades of black and silver lacking the mask. In the middle of his chest a silver medallion was sewn in with a dark blue dragon engraved upon it. “You will pay for you treachery, “hissed the Headmaster, “Trying to leave the Lin Kuei was one thing but killing your brothers!” The Headmaster then jumped off the rampart, flipped once and landed heavily on his feet glaring angrily at Sub-Zero.

”What happened here?” demanded Sub-Zero going into the defensive stance, “Who did this?”

”Like you didn't know, traitor, “replied the Headmaster with a voice that grew deeper and growled filled. Sub-Zero watched in horror as the Headmaster grew in size, fangs filled his mouth, his ice-blue eyes developed slits and a pelt of white fur with black stripes covered his visible skin. Somehow the armor grew with him and once the transformation was complete the roar of an angry tiger filled the air. In a blur the creature ran and knocked the ice blade out of Sub-Zero's hand before he even had a chance to move. Its claws slicing part-way through Sub-Zeros own armor as it went past.

The ice warrior fell back as the were-tiger struck again with another blur, barely avoiding getting his throat sliced open. As fast as he could, Sub-Zero used his powers to create a thick coat of ice over his arms and used it to block the creature's deadly claws. Even with that, the creature was still able to land it blows on occasion. Sub-Zero could not fight back the creature was just too fast. Diving to the ground to avoid another swipe, Sub-Zero rolled back up into the kneeling position and sent a large blast of ice coating the creature in solid ice. Before Sub-Zero had a chance to continue with his attack, the Headmaster broke free of the ice with a roar sending sharp shards of ice in every direction. Sub-Zero called up a wall of ice to protect himself which the creature smashed through to get to the ice warrior. Dodged out of the way just in time as the creature fell onto all fours where he was standing less than a second before.

The creature's eyes glowed green as it slowly stood and flexed his claws. It was then that Sub-Zero noticed that the emblem on his chest glowed faintly rather than just reflecting the light. Perhaps that was what was making the thing so damn fast. ‘If that's the case, ‘thought Sub-Zero with a grim smile.

The Headmaster charged, swiping with his right claw filled paw and then with his left. Sub-Zero dodged sideways to avoid the first swipe. He then ducked and dived under the second to grab hold of the medallion. Once his hands were on it, he summoned his powers over ice to once again encase the tiger. Before it had a chance to break free again, Sub-Zero pulled back and the medallion broke off with a loud snap.

Sub-Zero fell backwards, knocked over by the force of the tiger breaking free of the ice. Seeing his opponent on the ground the tiger pounced, but this time he was noticeably slower than before. Sub-Zero easily rolled out of the way and into the stance. With the medallion in one hand, Sub-Zero raised the other to send a powerful blast ice and the tiger as the creature jumped into an attack. This time the Headmaster was not encased in ice, but literally became ice and when he landed shattered into pieces.

Sub-Zero went down on one knee, feeling a strange sensation of both getting stronger and being drained. A footstep on crackling ice was his only warning before the laser blast struck where he was kneeling less than a second after he dived to the side. Sub-Zero got up and turned to see a dark, sleek, stealthy looking cyborg; different than any of the other cyborgs he has seen over the past few years. A new model?

”Surrender the medallion, “the cyborg said in a mechanical voice, “and your life will be spared.”

”Smoke?” whispered Sub-Zero backing up some.

”Smoke 2.0 to be exact, ”replied the cyborg as he fired again.

Sub-Zero dodged and said, “Why do you want this medallion so much? Why don't you just kill me? That is what you're programmed for.”

”That is not important, just hand over the medallion, “answered the cyborg.

”It was you….you're the one who destroyed this fortress!”exclaimed the ice warrior, “Why?”

”I am following orders, “answered the cyborg still aiming his wrist laser at Sub-Zero, but not firing.

Once again unseen, a figure hidden in the shadows between two buildings watched with gray glowing eyes. The watcher held up what appears to be a hand held computer and typed in something.

Smoke put down his arm and looked in the direction of the unseen watcher and nodded. He then looked back at Sub-Zero and said as he crossed his lower arms, “We will meet again.” Thick black smoke filled the air, blocking Sub-Zero's view.

”What?! “exclaimed Sub-Zero as he ran through the smoke and found that the cyborg was gone. The ice warrior scratched his head and look around then at the medallion in his hand. “Ooooookay, that was weird, “said Sub-Zero, “Even for me.”

(Scene Change)

An older couple stood next to a late model Suburban just outside the ranch house gates. The woman was blonde with gray streaks, wearing yellow sundress and sandals. The man was dark haired with gray streaks over his ears, wearing a beige men's shirt and pressed, dark brown slacks.

”I told you, we should have called, “said the woman.

The man sighed and replied, “Don't start, Erica.”

”For all we know, “the woman continued, “she could be away on assignment or in Washington . All because you think that woman you saw in the tabloid picture was her.”

Johnny's SUV drove up behind the Suburban. The driver's side door opened and Johnny stepped out to ask, “Is there anything I can help you with?”

Back in the SUV Althea watched Johnny walk over to the couple without seeing. She was definitely starting to feel guilty about how she treated Rayden a little while ago. It wasn't his fault Kuravan was given a position among Earthrealm's pantheon, he was only the messenger. Perhaps it was a good idea for the two of them to spend a little more time together. She leaned back into the car seat and closed her eyes. I'll need his help anyway trying to find Scorpion to get those swords back. Perhaps a little ‘adventure' with just the two of us might be just the ticket. Althea opened her eyes when she heard the door open. Johnny slid back into the driver's seat and Althea noticed that the vehicle that was parked in front of them was already driving up to the ranch house. Seeing Johnny's pale face, she had to ask, “What's wrong? Who are they?”

Johnny answered in a monotone voice, “They're Sonya's parents.”

The End….

Next time on MK: Echoes of the Past…..

Kung Lao looked out the window to see himself walking up to Liu Kang.

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