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

Note: There is such a thing as miracles! I had sudden inspiration and was able to get this chapter written and typed in one day. Okay, I have a little test for you MK fans. I have included an MK character in this chapter that I don’t think anyone would normally use in a fanfic; if you find him/her give yourself a pat on the back.

Chapter 6: Angry Words

Johnny slammed the door as he entered the ranch house and with an angry look flopped down on the couch, mumbling under his breath. A paint splattered Liu Kang watched the actor from atop a ladder. Sonya, who held the ladder in place, gave Johnny a look that said ‘Oooookay.’

Liu handed Sonya the paint bucket and jumped down. “What’s wrong, “the monk asked.

Johnny fumed for a few minutes and then said, “What’s her name doesn’t know a damn think about martial arts and the morons in recruiting didn’t even bother to check. We were filming her first fight scene and she nearly got herself killed. So now we need to find someone else for the part since most of the fighting scenes include up close action and stand-ins won’t work. What’s worse, we don’t have much time. Filming is already behind schedule so auditions for the part will be next week and anyone who gets the part must be or close to being a true martial artist. No offense, but there’s not that many actresses around that fit the bill and those few are in high demand.”

”So what’s going to happen now?“ asked Sonya.

Johnny shrugged and then suddenly looked at Sonya with a curious look, “Sonya, you wouldn’t happen to be interested in….”

”No, “said Sonya flatly, “Even if I was, I couldn’t.”

Liu smiled at Johnny’s disappointed expression as the actor said, “It was only a thought.”

The door from the dining room opened as Althea walked into the living room carrying a dusty looking sack. “Great news, “she said not noticing the looks on the trio’s faces, “Fujin returned the shield stones I loaned him and I can now…Okay what did I do wrong, “she said noticing that Johnny was looking at her strangely.

”Don’t even think of it, “mumble Sonya as Johnny stood up.

”Rayden will have a fit, “warned Liu as Johnny walked past with his most winning smile.

”Huh, guys…what’s going on?” asked Althea starting to grow concern.

Johnny continued to smile as he asked Althea, “How would you like to be in a movie?”

”That depends, “said Althea, “What’s a movie?”

(Scene Change)

For what seemed to be the thousandth time, Althea wondered what the hell did she get talked into. For the past week she had to memorize lines, go to what they called a beauty salon for torturous ‘treatments’ for her skin and hair and now she was waiting with a handful of other women to audition for a role she really didn’t want. To top it off, one of the women gave a snooty look in her direction and sniffed as if she smelled something foul. Althea just ignored her knowing if otherwise, she would end up throwing the bit….actress down the hallway.

Since the auditions started that morning, that particular actress kept cutting down and sending insults the others who were trying out for the part. But for some reason, she started to seriously aim her insults to Althea ever since the test scenes to determine how the actresses looked on the screen.

Mr. Kalhoun, the man leading through the audition, came out of the auditorium door and said, “The following ladies will go in now and sit on stage. If I don’t call your name you are free to go.”

Everyone in the hall, but Althea and the insulting actress, got a nervous look about them. Mr. Kalhoun flipped a page on his notebook and started to read off, “Catherine Chaste, Susan Elgante, Diana Faust and Althea Magess.”

As each of them was called, the four women passed Mr. Kalhoun into the auditorium. Diana Faust once again sniffed loudly seeing that Althea was also selected. “Wonder who she’s sleeping with, “Diana said in a loud whisper to be heard only by the four of them. Althea took a deep breath to control her temper since it wouldn’t do anyone any good to blast the woman, even though it would mostly likely feel good at the time. No…it would be Johnny who would pay for talking her into this.

Each woman took a seat at the back of the stage, next to a large blue mat. A dark haired man wearing a black and white jump suit sat on the mat, watching them as they sat. Looking into the audience, Althea could see Johnny, his agent and three other men in the front row. A little farther back there were three men, each holding a notepad making a few notes. Mr. Kalhoun then walked in front of the actresses and said, “Ok, in case you didn’t know we’re here to see how much you actually know about martial arts. Now if you don’t know how to fight, I must ask that you leave now.”

None of the woman moved or said anything. “Fair enough, “Kalhoun continued and then pointed over his shoulder with his thumb, “That is Morris Kapputti and he’s going to be your sparring partner. Just to let you know, he is very good at what he does.”

The man in question stood up on the mat and dusted himself off as Kalhoun talked. He then grinned and said, “Call me Mokap, never did like the name Morris.”

One of the judges called out from the audience, “Is everything ready?”

Kalhoun looked over the women one more time and then glanced at ‘Mokap’ before saying, “Yes, Mr. Sanchez.” Kalhoun seeing Mr. Sanchez’s nod walked off the stage.

”Ms. Elgante, please stand and face Mr. Kapputti, “the judge said.

”Damn it, it’s Mokap!”

The young woman stood up, removed her shoes and walked onto the mat. Once there she went into a shabby sparring stance and then nodded to show she was ready. Althea didn’t want to watch. It was obvious that the girl may have taken one or two quick lessons from a bad teacher but had no idea how to fight. In just seconds, the poor woman was on the ground, nursing a bruised hip and shoulder. Mokap helped her up with an encouraging smile as the three judges made a few quick notes. “That is enough, Ms. Elgante, “Sanchez said, “You may go. Ms. Magess, you’re next.”

Althea took a deep cleansing breath as she removed her shoes and walked onto the mat. She went into a flawless stance and then waited. Mokap noticed this and nodded to himself; this was someone who knew at least a little something. He sent a punch her way which she easily dodged and his second punch she blocked without blinking. Mokap frowned, why didn’t she counter or at least attack?

”Ms. Magess, “another judge spoke, “If you would please, we need to see offensive moves as well.”

One of the agents sitting next to Johnny wondered out loud, “Why doesn’t she at least try to hit the guy, even if she….”

”She doesn’t want to risk hurting him, “answered Johnny even though the question wasn’t aimed at him.

The agent gave Johnny a ‘get real’ look and then went back to watching what was happening on stage. Johnny then covered his eyes with a single hand after seeing actress at far right mouthed, “Stupid bitch…”

Althea heard Diana Faust say, “Stupid bitch, doesn’t even know what’s going on.” At that moment a mean smile crossed the godslayer’s face as she nodded towards Mokap. Her sparring partner shrugged the smile off as he prepared for another round. This time Althea did fight back with a few smart hits to his chest and midrift and even a good kick to his head. Shaking off the last as Althea stood back to give him time to recover, Mokap thought, ‘Finally, a girl that can take care of herself!’ Mokap grinned and decided to see just how good she was. Without warning he sprinted and then leaped into a flying kick. Moving slightly to the side, Althea dodged and then grabbed Mokap’s leg while he was still in the air. Using his own momentum, she hurled him directly at the sitting Diana Faust. The Catherine Chaste screamed and jumped away as Mokap crashed hard into Diana. With a groan, he got up off of Diana Faust and the now destroyed chair. Unconscious and with a bloody nose the Diana Faust was a mess.

”Opps….sorry about that, “said Althea with a voice that didn’t sound on bit apologetic.

Everyone in the room was silent but Johnny who mumbled quietly, “You did that on purpose.” The agent that was sitting next to the actor looked at Johnny in shock and then back at Althea. Making a decision, he walked hurriedly onto the stage and whispered to Catherine who nodded. In minutes they left the room without saying another word.

While this was happening, the three judges looked at Althea for a moment, then at Mokap who was still trying to get up and then at each other. Then without further ado they began to madly start taking notes, having to hold them down when an errant breeze threatened to blow the papers across the room.

(Scene Change)

Althea threw the script given to her by Mr. Sanchez onto her desk and then tiredly fell face down into her bed. She couldn’t believe she got the damn part. Now she had to continue with this stupid movie thing. ‘At least I’m going to get paid for it, ‘she thought and closed her eyes. Taking in the restful silence, she debated with herself if it was worth it to get up and change or just fall asleep as she was. The khaki pants and white T-shirt Sonya loaned her where now dirty and stiff with dried sweat, but the bed was oh so comfortable.

Just as sleep was about to win, Althea sensed as certain someone right before a flash of light lit up the room. She then heard Rayden’s voice say, “I understand you gave quite a show today.”

Althea opened one eye to look at the thundergod sitting at her desk. “Don’t tell me you were there.”

”No, but Fujin was and he was still laughing when he told me about it. Was it really necessary to throw the guy into that woman?”

Althea sat up and said, “No, but it felt good when he landed on the ….Never mind. I need a bath.”

After she left with her bathing supplies, Rayden glanced over the script trying to get the gist of the story as he waited. It seemed to be the basic cliché action flick that Johnny was famous for. Suddenly, Rayden’s eyes widened and then narrowed as he re-read a certain scene. Sparks of lighting started to flash in his eyes and the rumble of thunder was heard in the background. With the script in hand, Rayden vanished.

Outside on the upstairs patio, Johnny watched as storm clouds quickly covered up the recently clear night sky. Taking a sip of his ice tea, he watch as lighting flickered among the clouds as he sat down. He was then knocked from his chair as a bolt of lighting crashed down across the patio from him. Blinking to get rid of the spots in his eyes, Johnny got up off the floor.

”What the hell is the meaning of this?!” demanded Rayden in a thunderous voice as he slammed the opened script into Johnny’s chest.

”What are you talking about?” asked Johnny, but when he read the page in which the script was opened to his face paled. He had totally forgotten about the love scene between the hero, played by yours truly, and the heroine, who was now going to be played by Althea.

”Look Rayden, I can explain…”

(Scene Change)

Althea was drying her hair with a towel as she returned to her room. The sound of thunder made her wonder just how accurate the so-called ‘weatherman’ was. Then at the same time she noticed that her script was missing, she felt a sudden surge of anger and jealousy from the unseen deity. “Damn!” she exclaimed as she ran out of the room and down the hall to the patio doors.

”What are you doing?!”Althea yelled when she saw that Rayden was holding Johnny up off the ground by his shirt, “Put him down!”

”Have you read the damn script?” Rayden asked as he continued to hold Johnny off the ground.

”Parts of it, “Althe answered, “Why? What does it have to do with you threatening one of your chosen warriors?”

At the words ‘chosen warriors,’ Rayden growled and released the actor. Johnny landed on his feet and then nervously tried to straighten out his shirt. He had never seen the thundergod so angry before. Rayden picked up the script off the floor and flipped through it until he found the offensive scene once again. “Read this, “he ordered and handed it to her.

Althea took the script and glanced over the scene. At this time, Liu Kang and Sonya also arrived to check out the commotion. They both remained silent, frozen in place by the angry look on Rayden’s face. “Is this what all this is about?” asked Althea as she tossed the script back onto the floor. She then placed her hands on both sides of Rayden’s face to make him look directly in her eyes and said, “The scene is to be taken out. That was one of the things I insisted on when signing the contract….No..Love..Scenes. If you want you can check the contract out, I have a copy of it downstairs.”

Rayden blinked as the storm clouds broke up to once again to reveal a clear night sky. “Okay, what just happen here? ”asked Liu looking at Johnny.

Ignoring them, Rayden took hold of Althea’s hands and with an almost sheepish grin, removed them from his face. He held them in his hands as he closed his eyes and said, “My apologizes, Johnny Cage.”

”No…problem, “said Johnny nervously, making a mental note to warn everyone at the studio to keep their thoughts and actions clean when it came to Althea or someone was going to get fried.

Before anyone else could speak, Rayden vanished taking Althea with him. Liu and Sonya gave Johnny a look that demanded explanations. The actor sighed and walked into the building.

Unnoticed throughout the emotional scene, Tanya stood under the patio with a thoughtful look on her face.

(Scene Change)

”Damn it, Rayden!” said Althea seeing that they were now alone and standing just outside Rayden’s home. Rayden didn’t say anything but opened the door and with a slight bow indicated she should go on in. Althea went in and noticed a lot has changed since she was here last. The roman couch was replaced by a modern leather sofa, the formerly plaster walls were now paneled with dark wood….She sat down on the sofa and crossed her arms to wait for an explanation.

”Thea please, “said Rayden as he sat down next to her, “I brought you here so we can really talk without being watched or interrupted. For the past week you have been so busy with helping out with the school and preparing for the audition….

Althea calmed down and leaned onto Rayden’s upper arm. “You’re right and I’m guessing it’s just going to get worse until the school opens or the movie gets done. It must be really hard on you, especially since I was gone for so long.”

”Don’t take all the blame. I know I should trust you and the others, “the thundergod said,”but just the thought of anyone else touching you….”

Althea giggled and said, “Especially since you really haven’t had the chance to ‘touch’ me yourself in a long time. Well except for that kiss under the tree.”

Rayden placed his fingers under her chin to make her look up at him. He then leaned forward and when they were just a breath apart…..Rayden felt the Elder Gods summons as did Althea through their completely opened link. Althea cussed in Calornian as Rayden slapped his forehead saying, “Damn!”

(Scene Change)

Kuravan listened to Lilith as she reported what all his spies have learned over the past week; the new school being created by the Earthrealm’s current Champion, Althea’s acceptance into that school, the auditions, Rayden’s almost violent behavior and Shinnok’s interests in the godslayer. Lilith waited silently after finishing the verbal report, waiting further orders.

The Calornian deity leaned back into his chair and rubbed his bottom lip as he thought. This would be a perfect time to feed false information to Shinnok or Shao Kahn, even both. Rayden’s jealous streak could also prove useful. An evil smile cross Kuravan’s face as a new way to look at the situation crossed his mind and he saw what he missed before. Now how to use this information? If he was correct about the sorcerer’s actions…..”Bring me the sorcerer Quan Chi.”

The End…..

Next Time on MK: Echoes of the Past:

”Damn it! “yelled Johnny from off screen, “That’s where you’re suppose to fall down!


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