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

Chapter Thirty-One: The Nexus

A badly singed Shujinko crashed into the altar. He painfully pushed himself off the altar and with a gasp he noticed that the Kamidogu were gone, the same Kamidogu that he spent his entire adult life searching for.

“Now you shall pay for your crimes, “said a rough, growling voice as Shujinko felt himself being picked up by the collar of his jacket.

“What crimes?” demanded Shujinko, trying to slide free of the monster’s grip.

“YOUR CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDER GODS!” roared the monster once again throwing Shujinko across the room. As the old man crashed into a stone pillar, the creature continued, “You have brought together what should have never been reunited thus endangering the balance.”

”What?” gasped Shujinko as he fought to stand, “I was serving the…”

A blast of light blue flame slamming into the creature interrupted Shujinko’s claims and drew the creature’s attention away from the old man.

At the edge of the Nexus stood a woman in ancient looking black leather armor with gray metal trim, her snow white hair pulled up in a bun and a pair of swords strapped to her back. The Creature snarled, “What are you doing here? Have you also betrayed the Elder Gods?”

The woman said nothing as she walked towards Shujinko and stood in front of him, facing the Creature and then crossed her arms.

“TRAITOR!” the creature roared as he ran and swung his claws striking a previously unseen energy shield causing sparks to fly.

“Oh calm down will you. Neither of us are traitors, “said the woman and pointed over her shoulder with her thumb, “He’s just an idiot and I’m here to make sure he knows it without being killed so he can clean up the mess he made.”

“Neither of you will leave here ALIVE!” the Creature roared as he summoned his own flames and used it to empower his claws as he sliced though the shield forcing the woman to drop them.

As the shields went down she pulled out her swords going into an offensive stance. “I didn’t want to do this, “she said as blue flames ran across the blades, “but you leave me no choice.”

She ducked as the Creature attempted to slash her and she countered with a double slash of her own. Both blades scored across the Creatures lower mid section leaving behind deep grooves in the bony armour like skin, grooves that bled flame. The Creature growled as he jumped back and spat a stream of flame towards the woman who dived and rolled out of the way dropping her swords as she came up on one knee to return the favor with a blast of light blue flame of her own from her palms which the Creature just slapped away from him with the back of his clawed hand.

“Ok, “the woman muttered as she grabbed her swords and stood up, “that’s not good.”

Shujinko shakily stood up, once again cursing his age. He stood there and held his hands, palms facing each other, in front of him. Calling up his own chi, a sliver light began to appear between the palms. Dim at first but the more he concentrated the brighter and larger it became. Once it completely filled the space between his hands, he rolled it so that one palm faced straight up cupping the energy and the other faced down as if holding it in place. He then pulled back and then threw it as he snapped his palms open and forward in on move. The energy ball flew and slammed into the Creatures side causing no damage what so ever except for bringing Shujinko once again to the Creature’s attention.

“Idiot, “the woman hissed under her breath as she attempted to get the Creature’s attention back on herself by slashing into its sides. The Creature backhanded her, effectively knocking her away from him, as he continued walking towards Shujinko.

Shujinko sent another blast of chi in the futile hopes that it would slow the Creature down as he step backwards. ‘Where the hell was Damashi?’ Shujinko thought.

The Creature sent a fist down towards the old man, only to have it slam into another shield. The fist rose as flames started to engulf it as the fist started its trek downward a sword of blue flame met up with it, slicing through the wrist. The Creature roared in pain as he gripped the flaming stump at the end of his arm.

The woman shoved Shujinko behind the altar with her shoulder and ordered, “Keep your fool head down!”

A large wall a flame roared towards them, forcing both of them to duck behind the limited shelter of the altar. The woman once again brought up a shield to add to their protection. She sheathed her swords with a thoughtful look on her eyes that then became determined. “Here’s the plan, “she said as the fires continue to roar around them as the Creature blindly sent its flaming breath across the room in its rage, “I’m sending you to Outworld and you are going to get those damn Kamidogu back. Once you do that get back to Earth and hand them over to Fujin, the God of Wind and Sworn Protector of Earthrealm. He’ll get them back to their proper owners.”

“I thought…”Shujinko started to say only to be interrupted by the Creature once again slamming into the shield causing the woman to flinch as if in pain.

”Damn that thing is strong, “the woman muttered as her eyes started to flash, “I’m going to force open the portal to Outworld and I need you to get through it as fast as possible since I won’t be able to keep both the portal open and face old bone face over there.”

”Will you not be coming with me?” he asked as they stood up.
The woman’s eyes looked tired for a moment as she said, “I can’t, for in here time does not exist so I can.”

”What?” Shujinko asked as the portal opened up behind him.

”Just go!”said the woman as she dropped the shields and pushed him through. The last thing he heard as he fell through the portal was the roars of the Creature and the woman saying, “Now you’re gonna get it!”


(Vampire Camp in the Wastelands)

A tied up Reptile hissed and spat from behind the muzzle as a pair of winged males watched from a distance. A female was tending to an injured third male, wiping away red and green gore from his face.
The quiet sounds of footsteps caused the two guarding males to turn. The both bowed before the approaching females and moved aside to allow them to pass. Nitara stepped forward, followed by Lillith and Arianna. Nitara snarled slightly as she said, “So this is the creature that was recommended to us by your mysterious informant, Lillith.”

”Yes my Lady, “replied Lillith calmly, “Even without her suggestion, we could do worse. He may not seem like much, but he is loyal to those he calls master and has some most useful skills. If nothing else, you could give him a trial run and have him keep either the sorcerers or Rayden’s group busy.”

Nitara thought for a few seconds and then said, “Reptile, I will give you this ‘trial run’ and if you prove yourself I will give you a place among my forces…Release him.”
One of the still kneeling males stood and walked over to as ordered. Once able Reptile hissed, “Thank you, my Queen, I will try my bessssst to sssserve you faithfully.”

(Los Angeles)

”I don’t fucking believe it, “growled Mavado as he watched the video of a meeting that took place less than an hour ago, “That bastard Kabal survived…”
The crime lord leaned back into his couch as he listened on to the group’s plans.

”Kano was last scene leading Kahn’s forces…”came Kitana’s voice from the screen.

“What?!” hiss Mavado, unintentionally echoing Sonya’s recorded response.

“Ah, that so explains so many things, “came Quan Chi’s voice.

In one smooth move Mavado stood, turned, seemingly pulled a glock out of thin air already cocked and aimed at the sorcerer.

“You didn’t know that you old comrade was still alive, “Quan Chi continued as if nothing happened.

“What are you doing here, Quan Chi? “demanded Mavado not lowering his gun.

Quan Chi grinned and said, “Now is that anyway to greet a long term customer.”

Mavado slowly lowered his gun with a faint growl, “What do you want this time?”

A tall woman with long, curly red hair walked into the room carrying a large book. She wore a tight leather skirt and tight leather vest held barely closed with what appeared to be large claws. She stopped next to Quan Chi and opened the book with the pages facing up. From the pages, a green light rose and in this light appeared seven icons. One of which could also be tied to Quan Chi’s belt.

“As you no doubt noticed, “said Quan Chi as he tapped the floating image of the medallion causing it to disappear, “I already have one of these seven artifacts…I wish to acquire the other six. Fortunately, this should be a relatively easy job. A old fool, by the name of Shujinko has been hunting down the Kamidogu for decades. My sources tell me he just found the last one.”

“Let me guess, “said Mavado, “You want my men to find this Jinko character and get these…artifacts. What’s the catch? It sounds simple enough. Why can’t your girlfriend here do it?”

The woman in question smiled and closed the book without saying a word.

“Let’s just say, “said Quan Chi slyly, “I rather that certain power’s not know that I have acquired said items and where Siann’s loyalty belongs to is no secret. Now…shall we discuss price.”

”My price is simple, “said Mavado, “I want Kano.”

(Ranch House)

“Come on, Sonya, “said Johnny following blonde into the kitchen, “Don’t tell me you’re mad about not wanting to start a fight with…”

Sonya turned and snarled, “I’m mad because you didn’t back me…us up!”

Johnny sighed, “Back you up against who? The people we’re suppose to be working with?”

Sonya fumed and turned away with her arms crossed, but calmed down enough to see what he was saying. She muttered, “Your right.”

”Sheesh, “said Johnny, “When did I get the job of being the sensible one. That’s Rayden’s job. I’m supposed to be the cute and funny one.”

Sonya’s anger vanished and she was forced to cover her own mouth to keep from laughing.

Johnny stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her as he said, “See, what did I tell you?”
At that moment the door swung open. “Hey, guys, “said Jax while he walked in but then seeing them added, “Uh…sorry about that. Talk to you guys later.” He then turned and walked back out.

Sonya’s head fell forward as she said, “Oh God…”

”Yeeessss, “came Fujin’s voice.

Johnny let Sonya go as he turned to face the wind god with a, “Oh come on…Jax I understand, he’s staying here…why are you here?”

”Because, “Fujin said, “Althea threatened to kill me if I walked in on her and Rayden one more time.”

”Don’t you have anything better to do, “said Sonya with her arms crossed.

Fujin suddenly turned serious and said, “Actually this isn’t a social call…the Elder Gods are seriously upset with Rayden more so than I’ve ever seen them. Half the council wants Rayden to give him Shinnok’s old cell in the Neatherrealm. One wants to do away with him completely along with Althea, saying that Rayden is now a traitor and with a godslayer at his side is the real threat. I was hoping you two would be willing to help him out.”

”What can we do?” asked Sonya with a confused look.

Johnny added, “I don’t think there’s much we can do to convince these Elder Gods…”

Fujin shook his head and said, “I’ll deal with the Elder Gods. Rayden has more than just a few friends in high places which I can call in. I just want to ask that you keep an eye on him and Althea. Especially, Althea…if anything happens to her Rayden may do something really stupid.”

Johnny had to say it,”Worse than getting the Elder Gods angry with him?”
“Trust me, “said Fujin with a small smile, “this isn’t the first time Rayden has been on the bad side of the council. On the other hand, Rayden suffered for over five centuries believing Althea died and due to their bond. I don’t want to see that happen again or worse.”

“Althea’s a big girl, she can take care of herself, ”said Sonya and then turned her head to look at Johnny as he placed a hand on her shoulder as he said, “But we’ll watch her back as she watches ours.”

The End…

Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past…
In a dark, damp cave barely lit with corroded lamps bolted into the rocky walls. In the center of the mist covered floor, laid a single coffin faintly glowing with flickers of purplish electric sparks running across its surface.

”Soon, my brother, “Arianna whispered as she stroked coffin.


next chapter [32]