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

Chapter Twenty Nine: Recruitment


Althea’s eyes flared as she went into an offensive stance with blue flame covered fists. “What do you want?” she demanded.

Both Cyrax and Kenshi took a defensive step back not sure what to expect.

”Much as I hate to admit it, “sneered Kuravan, “I owe the wind god. He would not approve you heading out without at least discussing the situation with him.”

Althea raised a hand as if to send a chi blast, but stop when Kuravan smiled and said, “Oh please do. Attack me and it will only prove my case that you are a danger that needs to either be contained or destroyed.”

Althea’s flames died down some as she backed off and then snarled, “You’re interfering in…”

”Ah yes, “interrupted Kuravan, “That old rule about mortal affairs. The same exception that allows you to visit with your thundergod in his personal domain means that you are no longer protected by that little rule. It’s only the favor you somehow garnered from Kronos that allows you the freedom you so enjoy.”

”You have any idea what’s going on?” whispered Kenshi to Cyrax.

Cyrax seemed to ignore the inquiry as he turned his head to look off to the side. He then said, “There are others.”

Out of the darkness, came a masked man and a red headed woman. Around the man’s neck, almost hidden by his dark brown trench coat, hung the medallion of the Black Dragon.

“Let me introduce my…employees, “said Kuravan, “Kabal, one of Earth’s chosen warriors, and his sub-ordinate, Kira.”

Althea didn’t take her eyes off of Kuravan, but Kenshi sensed something different about the one called Kabal or better yet from something he wore. It was similar to the medallion the one called Sub-Zero wore but…darker for lack of a better description.

In Calornian, Althea demanded, “Just what are you up to?”

Kuravan’s eyes flashed slightly as he answered in that same language, “Just keeping an eye out for my interests. Thanks to you, the sorcerers now have the means to destroy gods such as myself.”

Althea’s eyes flared angrily as she replied, “Just as it is thanks to you Arianna is back and on the loose. As much if not more of a danger than Shang Tsung and Quan Chi put together.”

“All of which, needs to be stopped, “said Kuravan and then added in English, “Is it agreed that we do have common foes?”

”That depends on what is being agreed upon, “came Sub-Zero’s voice.

Everyone turned to see the Lin Kuei wearing nothing but a set of dark sleep pants. Kira’s eyes lowered and raised as if taking in the sight of the fighter build with faint scars just adding to his appearance. Unseen behind his mask, Kabal glared angrily at the same warrior.

Kenshi frowned as he concentrated as he attempted to make sense of what he was sensing. It was almost as if two beasts were staring each other down, growling deep in their throats. Suddenly as if just then noticing they were being watched the two creatures turned to ‘glare’ warningly at him. Kenshi had to prevent himself from stepping back as the creatures’ true forms became more apparent…dragons.

(New York)

”If you think for one moment that your connections in the…”roared Styker’s superior.

Styker stood there mentally zoning the lecture out. He wasn’t too worried about missing anything, since he could almost quote the little ‘speech’ word by word due to the number of times he has heard it. He tried his best to hide the bored sighed as he could feel himself almost hoping for another ‘invasion.’

The chief’s, “…ARE YOU LISTENING TO THE WORDS COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH!!!” broke though Styker’s thoughts, “If you think I’m going to approve your request for…” A loud knock at the office door interrupted the now red faced chief who growled, “WHAT?!”

A woman in uniform stuck her head in and said, “Sir, someone here to speak with Styker.”

”They can damn well…”the chief started to say but stopped when the door was slammed fully open by a strange but strong blast of wind. There stood Fujin, looking somewhat different then he normally did. Instead of the leather vest and baggy green pants he wore a dark three piece suit with a silver trimmed green wind kanji pinned to his tie. His long gray hair was now tied down low and hung down his back. The most notable difference was what appeared to be an OIA card badge clipped to his lapel. Fujin eyebrow rose as he said, “I do apologize but what I have to say to Officer Kurtis Stryker can not wait…”

The chief gave Styker a glare, where Styker in turn replied with a half shrug.

The chief then turned the glare back to Fujin and snarled, “You have no right…”

”Actually, “said Fujin pulling out a sheet of paper from inside his vest pocket, “This gives me the right. Officer Stryker has just been…recruited by the Outerworld Investigation Agency. He is to report to the OIA’s training facilties in Los Angles A S A P.”

”Hold it, “said Stryker, “Don’t I get a say in the matter?”

Fujin said in a serious tone, “No.”

(Edenian Camp)

Inside a dusty tan tent, a dark haired woman in a blue skintight outfit looked over some maps scattered across a beaten wooden table. The tent flap opened as another darker skinned woman in green walked in. “What is it Jade, “said the first woman without bothering to look up.

Jade gave a roman like salute and said, “Princess, I have a message from Lord Rayden.”

Princess Kitana straightened up and turned around to accept the scroll that Jade handed over to her. She carefully removed the blue and white seal as it flickered in recognition. This was not the first time Rayden had send word to her in this manner and she was fully aware of what would happen if anyone but her should try to remove that seal. It would not be a pretty site. Kitana carefully unrolled the scroll and silently read the missive. Her lips tighten and a faint glimmer appeared in her eyes. Kitana crushed the paper and said in a quiet voice, “Leave, I wish to be alone.”

Concerned, Jade said, “Princess?”

Kitana turned around and said more firmly, “I said leave.”

Jade saluted and then walked out. Once she was alone, Kitana collapsed onto the floor as tears started to fall down her face. Silently she wept, knowing it would not do to allow her followers to know of her sorrow. “Damn you Shang Tsung, “she whispered hoarsely, “Liu…”

Outside the tent, Jade stopped one of Kitana’s guards and said, “Prepare Kitana’s things. She’ll be leaving for Earthrealm soon.”

(Ranch House)

“I can’t believe you thought to face Shang Tsung and Quan Chi alone, “ranted Sonya as she glared at Althea after she heard what happened.

”And this is from the woman who tried to take on the whole Black Dragon by herself saying this, “said Jax sitting on the couch.

Sonya turned her glare to him. “Don’t give me that, “said Jax, “You know I’m right.”

”Kabal and Kira are in their rooms. Kung Lao is in the gym blowing off some steam by working out with Sub-Zero and Frost, “said Johnny as he came downstairs, “Also, Nightwolf called and left a message saying he was flying over. I’m heading out to pick him up at the airport now.”

Sonya nodded and said, “I’ll call Stryker this afternoon when he gets off duty and see if he’ll come out as well.”

”Do you think it wise to have all the chosen warriors in one spot?” asked Althea with a frown.

Johnny smirked as he put on his sunglasses, “When has being wise had anything do to with being chosen?”

Kenshi sighed as he rubbed his unseeing eyes under his sunglasses. He heard of these ‘chosen’ from his mentor but if it wasn’t from the power he was sensing from the group he would have thought them a worthless bunch of fools. Then there were those ‘dragons’ he sensed coming from two of them. What did he just fall into?

At that moment Cyrax spoke up, “If I may suggest, a scouting expedition into Outworld may prove informative.”

As Johnny opened the door he said, “Maybe, but I think we should wait until Kitana shows…you know she will once she finds out what happened.”

The door closed as Johnny walked out at which time Althea said, “I think that’s my cue…”

”Oh, no you don’t, “snarled Sonya, “I’m not done…”

Althea’s eyes flared as she said coldly, “Yes you are…I will no doubt hear all of this from Rayden, I don’t need to hear it from you as well. Unless you have forgotten, I am NOT one your soldiers and will do as I damn well please.” She then turned and walked out the door towards the dining room, slamming the door after her.

“Oooookay, “said Fujin appearing behind Sonya, “That didn’t go well. By the way, Stryker is already on his way and should be here tomorrow.”

”Man, Sonya, “said Jax, “She has a temper that can take on yours.”

Sonya frowned angrily for a second then it vanished as if something dawned on her. “That wasn’t like her, “she said quietly and then more loudly she asked as she turned to face Fujin, “What’s wrong with her?”

Fujin sighed and then said tiredly, “Part of the downside of a soulbond. Althea and Rayden are sharing frustration and anger over recent events, therefore in a way doubling it for each other. They are being partially blinded by this anger…”

Jax stood up with a stretch and said, “If Althea is like this I definitively don’t want to see how ol’ Rayden is doing. I’m going to see if our tech guys have figured up something yet to block portals. We have to get this place secure.”

A thoughtful look appeared on Fujin’s face just before he vanished.

(Kitchen)

*!Slam!* A frying pan slammed onto the stove. *!Clang!* Cooking utensils fell on the counter next to the stove. *!Bang!* The drawer slammed shut. Althea reached for the refrigerator door only to have a hand take hold of her arm and turn her around to face a certain thundergod.

At that moment all the anger and frustration seemed to vanish as she fell into his chest with tear filled eyes. Rayden’s own eyes closed as he wrapped his arms around the woman with a loud and tired sigh. He didn’t bother to bring up her crazy attempt to leave for Outworld with nothing more than Cyrax and Kenshi with her. His own actions at the Temple of the Elder Gods could be considered even more insane, but he would not regret it. Too long has the council allowed scales to swing unbalanced. The darkness is growing and will continue to grow if not stopped. If he had not experienced a similar failed attempt racing blindly into Outworld centuries ago, he too would be making his way to stop the two sorcerers.

“Is this where you start your lecture? “said Althea, muffled by Rayden’s chest.

Rayden leaned back slightly and made Althea looked up to him by placing his hand under her chin. “Normally, “said Rayden with a half-smile, “yes, but I think Sonya did a good enough job for me. Besides, you have the right idea only you…we need a better battle plan.”

(Outworld, The Wastelands)

Reptile raced across the wastelands seeking those the strange woman spoke of. Not sure why he trusted her but for some reason that could only be called instinct; he knew she spoke the truth. Those who flew the darkened skies…Yessss, the Vampires are proven powerful in their own way but also having specific weaknesses. Having a servant such as him would prove most useful to them. Fighting that little itch in the back of his mine, that kept asking why he had to remain a servant.

On an overhanging cliff stood Nitara watching unseen as Reptile ran pass as she narrowed her eyes as she considered her options. So far what Lilith passed on from the mysterious woman has proven true. Nitara herself had seen the orb floating in the lava bed so close yet so impossible to get. Even a semi-immortal like Arianna, would find it difficult if not near impossible to retrieve. But how could a former reptilian slave of Kahn’s be of any use in freeing her realm? He wouldn’t be any good for a meal, since reptilian blood was so…ugh. Nitara’s upper lip rose in disgust at the thought.

Nitara’s wings flared out and she jumped off the cliff to follow Reptile through the wastelands. She had time to watch and see for herself just how useful this Zatterian might be.

(Dark Room, Location Unknow)

The shadowed figured leaned back as the events at the ranch house could be seen in a pool of flame. Tapping the armrest loudly the figure considered what actions if any he should take. So far everything that has occurred could only benefit himself. Even the chaos caused by the power vacuum in Outworld, would prove who was loyal and who wasn’t. Leaning forward slightly to rest his chin on his fist, the faint red light of the fiery pool barely revealed the skull masked face of Shao Kahn.

The End…

Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past…

Rayden chose to ignore the Elder God as he reached over to pick up what looked like to be a Chinese peasant hat but made out of armor rather than straw.


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