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

Chapter 7: Not What They Seem

Quan Chi followed Lilith into the presence of Lord Kuravan. To the sorcerer’s surprise, the Calornian deity did not sit on a throne but at a desk. The sound of quill on paper was the only sound in the room as the pair waited to be noticed. Just when Quan Chi’s temper was going to get the better of him, the god looked up from his paperwork and told Lilith, “Leave.”

The female vampire bowed slightly and closed the door behind her as she left. Kuravan leaned back into his chair and said, “Finally we meet, sorcerer.”

Quan Chi growled under his breath and demanded, “Why have I been brought here?”

Kuravan tsked and with a strange smile said, “That’s no way to speak to a god.”

”I’ll speak to you any way I please, “hissed Quan Chi, “You have no dominion over me.”

”True, “said the god steepling his fingers, “but as Lilith has proven, there are other ways to deal with you. Also, I seriously doubt you want your master to find out your little secret about a certain…..artifact.”

The sorcerer tightened his lips in anger and at the scent of blackmail. “What do you want?” he asked.

(Scene Change)

The woman ran down an ally only to find it to be a dead end. Her red and gold dress now torn and dirty, she desperately looked for a way out.

”Lookie, here,” came a drunken drawl from a way down the ally, “A little girlie went and got her little self lost.”

The fear in the woman’s face faded as she discovered it was just some local scum following her and not…..

Another brut leered and said, “Hey girlie, you up for a good time.”

She looked around to see that aside from the two that have spoken so far, there were two other just as crudely leering men laughing at what they thought was easy prey. The woman watched as the men surrounded her with their plans written all over their faces. Surprisingly, she grinned and responded, “Depends on how you define a good time.”

Then in a blur of motion she punched the first man in the throat and kneed him in the groin. As he fell to the ground, the second grabbed her from behind and then the third one readied to backhand her. While still in the second man’s grasp, she jumped and flipped backwards kicking the third man on the way up, then over the man holding her and threw him as she landed. She then did a spinning low kick to knock down the third man and then stomped his head to ensure that he wasn’t going to get up. Apparently sensing something, she then did a roundhouse kick in time to hit the fourth man right in the nose. He went down and then woman looked towards the second man, who was barely recovering from the throw. She smiled and said as she sent a hard punch into his face, “I hope you having a good a time as I am.”

With a stunned look the second attacker just stood there staring as if the punch never landed. “Damn it!” yelled Johnny from off screen, “That’s where you’re suppose to fall down!”

”CUT!” yelled the director just as angry as the star. “Everyone take five as we set up for another take!”

Althea shook her head tiredly and tried not to glare too harshly at the moron. Even she, who has never seen a movie in her life, could tell the scene was going great until he decided to leave his brains at home. She walked over and sat on a cloth and wood chair. Grabbing a water bottle, she opened it and took a few gulps. Give her a good fight with a minion of Kahn any day; having to hold back was way harder than giving it her all. She sighed. At least once this scene was done they would be done for the day, early for once, and dare she think it….the weekend. When she started this job, Johnny mentioned that this movie was behind schedule but then yesterday told her that he was amazed by how quickly they caught up. At that thought she snorted. Most likely it was because they didn’t have to make as many retakes nor had a spoiled---what are they called. Althea shook her head. Who were insisting on being waited upon hand and foot for just saying a few lines. Although everyone on this movie proved to be hard working, she seen some of the other movie sets where the actors were being treated like minor deities…scratch that…not even a god would demand such worship and brown nosing.

Althea’s thoughts were interrupted with the makeup lady came to make sure that all the dirt and smudges were still in place. “Ready on the set!” came an announcement causing her to stand and head back to the set. Half way to the set there was a loud crashing noise behind her. Althea turned to see that one of the huge light fixtures had fallen and crashed on the chair she was sitting on just seconds earlier. Chaos reigned for a few minutes as Johnny forced his way to Althea. Johnny finally reached her and asked, “You ok?”

”Yeah, ”answered Althea slightly shocked. She was just sitting there seconds ago.

”People! Calm down!”roared the director through his bullhorn, “No one was hurt but please clear the building. Everyone into the parking lot NOW!”

”For once I agree with him, “said Johnny leading Althea to the sliding doors.

An hour later, a very frustrated Johnny Cage was loudly arguing with a police detective. Althea sighed as she just sat in a chair and listen to the actor’s colorful language. The discovery that the fixtures holding the light were melted through led to the obvious conclusion that the accident wasn’t an accident. The police wanted to hold everyone, including herself for questioning. This was going to be a loooong day.

(Scene Change)

Back at the ranch house, Sub-Zero was perform his katas in the gym. His sparring match with that woman reminded him he has be neglecting his own training for too long. Who was he fooling, Althea was magnificent! A few punches and a kick to a non-existent foe. Magnificent but dangerous; not only for her own skills but for the one who already claimed her. A round-house kick followed by punches. What was it with his family and dangerous women? First his brother falls for a she-demon and now here he was attracted to a woman who happens to be dating a god. A blur of kicks and punches. Or are they? After all Rayden hasn’t even been around since he dropped Althea off after that sparring match.

Sub-Zero sensing something, quickly turned and blocked a hard hitting punch. He then dodged a fireball and prepared to return the favor with a ice blast of his own when he saw his attacker back off and say, “You are improving.”

Not letting his guard down, Sub-Zero glared at the yellow clad specter and demanded, “What do you want?”

”To give a warning, “said Scorpion with his echoing voice, “I am no longer the only one who has left the Neatherrealm. There are those who seek….” Scorpion broke off and quickly turned his head to the left as if he heard something. Just when Sub-Zero was going to ask what was wrong, the ninja was gone in a poof of fire. The only proof of his ever being there was a slightly scorched mark on the floor.

A frustrated Sub-Zero shook his head and decided now was a good a time as any to quit for the day. He then headed outside for some fresh air and to think about Scorpion’s strange actions as the sun set. Looking towards the grove, he was surprised to see Althea walking towards him. Wasn’t she supposed to be with Cage today?

He was even more surprised, when she walked right up to him and smiled at him in a sexy way. Placing her hand on his chest, she said in an airy voice, “Is there anything I can help you with?”

The Lin Kuei shook his head slowing, not trusting his suddenly dry mouth to speak. The woman got closer to him and started to slide her hand up and down his torso, with each downward slide going lower and lower. With her face just inches from his, she said, “Are you sure?” Her free hand then grabbed the back of his head as she removed those few inches and kissed him hard on the mouth. Automatically, Sub-Zero wrapped his arms around her to pull her in even closer.

At that moment, Rayden appeared on the patio in a flash a light. He was shocked to see Sub-Zero and Althea in an embrace, kissing. Shock was quickly replaced by jealousy and rage as he vanished.

A bolt of lighting stuck Sub-Zero knocking him away from Althea. He flew across the ground and landed yards away with sparks running across his body. Sub-Zero remained on the ground not moving. The thundergod then appeared to confront Althea, but when he did he was met by a blast of blood-red flame.

Falling to his knees as he felt his powers leave him, he looked up to see Althea slowly walk towards him with blood-red flames in her eyes and a cruel smile on her face. A sudden flash of memory crossed his mind and he said, “Arianna.”

The woman’s smile grew and she said, “I’m touched, you actually remembered me. And here I thought you didn’t care.”

”Rayden! Sub-Zero!” yelled Liu Kang as he ran from the ranch house. Arianna turned and send a stream of fire to the champion, which followed him as he tried to dodge. The flame struck hard and knocked him to the ground. Liu quickly recovered and went into a fighting stance.

Rayden also stood while this was going on. He may not have his powers, but that didn’t mean he was powerless. Shaking his head to shake off the dizziness the loss of immortality caused him, he prepared to fight.

Seeing this, Arianna said, “Two against one, hmmmm…Guess we’ll just have to even those odds.”

Out of the now dark sky, Lilith swooped down and stuck Liu on her way in for a landing. With a hiss, she pulled out a pair of kamas and faced the thundergod.

(Scene Change)

”I don’t believe this, first they keep us there all afternoon and now we can’t get on to the set for who knows how long, “Johnny complained as he drove back to the ranch.

Althea just watched the scenery go by as she half ignored him. To be honest, she was happy with the idea of a few days off. Maybe she and Rayden could have some of that much needed time together, if he had time to spare from his duties. Suddenly rage and jealousy flared through her link with the thundergod. Concerned, she lowered her mental shields to try to figure out what was going on. When she felt the shock of Rayden losing his powers, her face paled. “Johnny, “she said, “Can this thing go any faster?”

(Scene Change)

Rayden’s eyes narrowed as he watched the wing woman approach him. There was something familiar about this vampire. The thought was gone when Arianna ordered with a hatred dripping voice, “Lilith! The thundergod is mine.”

Lilith nodded and turned to face Liu Kang instead, but handed over the kamas to Arianna. Skillfully spinning the kamas, Arianna approached Rayden. “Now, “she said, “I’m going to finish what I started all those years ago.” At that she swiped at Rayden’s the face with one of the kamas. He dodged but was nearly hit by the other one as it sliced through his over shirt. Ignoring this, he struck back with low kick to trip the woman. Arianna easily recovered, jumping back up the second she hit the ground before Rayden could attack again. She then countered with another kama attack, this time bother flying parallel of each other; one aiming for his neck and the other his stomach.

As Arianna and Rayden fought, Lilith and Liu Kang circled each other. Liu wasn’t quite sure how to fight something with wings and wondered just how useful they were. Lilith then jumped up, spreading her wings, swooped down onto the monk. Liu dived to the ground to avoid the attack. As he got back up, Lilith returned for another attack. This time Liu jumped up and to the side, grabbed one of her wings by the membrane. Lilith screamed in pain as the monk pulled her down, nearly ripping her wing apart. With clawed fingers, she swiped at the monk’s arm to force him to let go. Her claws struck muscle and bone forcing Liu to grab the arm with his other hand as he backed off.

Blood dripped through his fingers as Lilith stood up with her injured wing hanging limply behind her. The vampire then smiled through the pain, showing her fangs and slightly running her tongue across her teeth. The scent of blood reminded her that she had yet to feed that night. The blood of a Mortal Kombat champion would be a rare treat indeed. Distracted by these thoughts, she didn’t notice a groggy Sub-Zero forcing himself to his feet and the blast of cold took her by surprise, encasing her in ice.

The sound of crackling ice caused the fake Althea to glance briefly towards her partner. This short distraction was enough to give Rayden the opening he was waiting for. With the palm of this hand, he struck with his full strength into the woman’s chest knocking her across the ground and breaking her ribs. Fighting the pain she sat up with one arm hugging her chest as she glared at Rayden with flashing eyes.

”Why?” asked Liu still believing her to be Althea, “Why did you attack us?”

The ice encasing Lilith then exploded forcing the men to cover their head as rock hard ice shards flew everywhere. The vampire dived for Arianna and the portal that opened just behind her. Right after they fell in, the portal closed with a soft pop.

”What is going on?” asked Liu, “Why did Althea do it?”

(Scene Change)

Kuravan watched as his priests tended the injured Lilith. Without blood, it would take days for her injuries to heal. Fortunately, some fool of a thief tried to rob one of his temples and would pay for that crime by providing what Lilith needed. The vampire has proven her worth and loyalty more than once over the centuries of service to him. Kuravan was wise enough to reward both in spite of an occasional failure.

There was however, another that has yet to prove either. With that in mind he turned to the now fully recovered Arianna. “Do you care to explain, “he said in a emotionless voice, “how you and Lilith were so easily defeated?”

Without fear or hesitation, she answered, “They were stronger than expected. Even as a mortal, Rayden is a skilled warrior. The ice ninja also recovered faster than expected and before either the champion or Rayden were defeated, thus we were outnumbered. Neither myself or Lilith have had the kind of training needed to fight such warriors in that situation.”

Kuravan frowned, but couldn’t fault her reasoning. Lilith was always better suited for shadow work and Arianna had only limited training thus depending on half remember skills that she acquired from Althea. From that point of view, he reassessed the conflict and then smiled. They did extremely well all things considered, with some real training Arianna would be a force to be reckoned with…a force he controls.

The End

Next time on MK: Echoes of the Past….

”Girl, “said a white haired woman, “You have no idea how many rules you have just broken.”


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