Chapter

Original A/N:

Ok, I've been so excited to post this next chapter because the comments on the last one were so FUCKING SWEET Y'ALL. This is what I mean by "Comments feed the beast"! The beast is nuerodivergent productivity! But! I've stuck to my original intentions by holding off until today to update. Current schedule plan is to post updates every six days until we get to a monday (so, we're looking at three weeks from today) and from then on just posting every monday. Sounds convoluted, promise it's not. I'm just setting things up to be more manageable when classes start back. Also, I drew some companion art that you can find on my tumblr (here specifically: https://gophergal.tumblr.com/post/690330913479016448/did-a-little-sketch-of-a-moment-from-the-mortal ) and I'll probably be posting more art to go along with this story Let me know what y'all think of this chapter, my friends!

It's just me and you, Sub-zero. You don't have to keep the mask on, Sonya said as she warmed up for a spar with the cryomancer. In the weeks that Kuai had spent at the SF base hiding from the Cyber Lin Kuei and preparing to take them down at their source, the tough as nails major had taken to sparring the other woman privately in the evenings. Not only did it keep their skills sharp, but it was the closest theat either of them came to willingly socializing with anyone. Kuai enjoyed it, spending time with a woman.

At the mention of removing this vital article of clothing, Kuai couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. It had first come up days prior, during a discussion about growing older, where the soldier learned she was only two and a half years the assassin's elder. When Sonya expressed surprise about this, Sub-zero mentioned the face coverings in passing and how they obscured not only her gender, but her age too. People always assumed she was older on first glance.

I'd rather not remove it, she replied in an even voice, though the thought of bearing her face to someone other then her family or Tomas made her skin crawl.

Doesn't it get uncomfortable under all that?

Not as bad as you would think, she shrugged, I've worn it every day since I was a young teen. It is an extension of my face, and even if I wasn't worried about people finding out what I am, having people see my face makes me feel... exposed. There was no point in lying about it, Major Blade was easy enough to talk to- easy enough to trust with that truth. The blonde nodded, looking only a bit disappointed. She tightened her ponytail before she spoke.

Fair 'nuff. I'll stop beating around the bush, then. I'm curious what you look like behind all that.

Shaking off her initial feelings about the matter, Sub-zero suppressed a smile as she took a fighting stance.

If you can manage to pin me before the end of this, I'll be certain that your curiosity is sated, she offered. It was unlikely that the soldier would best her. She'd been among the best in the clan, after all, this would be simple.

You're on, Sonya said, lunging soon after. The speed of the attack nearly threw Sub-zero off guard as she threw a punch, which Kuai dodged easily. The cryomancer then swept the soldier's legs in retaliation. Rolling with the force of the blow, Sonya regained her footing and set off against her opponent in earnest. The women kicked and struck out to varying degrees of success, most simply shrugged off. A dance of violence scored by the sounds of frustrated grunts and blocked blows. The deadly elegance of Lin Kuei training contrasting with the practicality of the military.

Suddenly, the tides of the fight turned in Sonya's favor as she feigned a punch to the face, followed by a kick to the ribs. With her opponent recoiling from the strike, she took the opportunity to knock her legs from below her. Kuai hit the mat with a resounding thud, groaning as the wind was knocked out of her. On reflex, Sub-zero grabbed the other's ankle, pulling her down to the mat to tussle.

They switched positions rapidly, neither remaining pinned for long as they fought for dominance. Their struggling continued until, finally, a victor emerged, the younger woman's wrists pressed firmly above her head, Sonya's knees holding her legs down. She squirmed and thrashed in an effort to throw her opponent off, but eventually gave up with an indignant sigh. Sonya grinned like a wolf after the hunt.

I'd say that the terms of our deal have been fulfilled on my end, she claimed, releasing her grip on Kuai. She offered a hand to the warrior, who accepted it with only a moment's hesitation. Though she held her head high, as any good sportsman would, Kuai's hands noticeably shook as she lifted them to her mask.

Yes. I suppose that's right, she replied, her voice suddenly thick with apprehension. Before she could be tempted to go back on her word, Kuai undid the ties that secured her mask to her face. The ambient temperature of the room hit her skin like an exposed nerve. She shivered. Next she pulled off the cowl, shaking the onyx strands of hair loose where they stuck to her neck with sweat. Her mouth was pressed firm as she averted her gaze, ready for teasing words or worse- though she knew Major Blade wouldn't act that way. Sonya hummed, crossing her arms loosely as she studied the younger woman's looks.

Honestly didn't expect you to look like this.

It wasn't the reaction she anticipated from the blonde. She tilted her head in confusion.

Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure what you mean.

Just kinda thought you'd have something more to hide, with the scar 'n all. You're kinda pretty, actually.

...Thank you, I suppose. Kuai was thrown for loop, and suddenly felt very flush. Only one person had complimented her appearance in the better part of ten years, and that was Tomas. It never made her feel flustered- he was too much like a brother to her, had been in her life for too long, his compliments more soothing than anything else, but this was new and she felt uncertain. She'd never had a woman comment on her looks.

I wonder about the hair though. Isn't that a massive pain in the ass?

It is, but I keep it long for a dear friend. He likes- liked to play with it when we were alone, she answered. Tomas had four sisters before he was taken by the Lin Kuei as a young child, and he spoke of them fondly when she asked. All of the girls, both older and younger, taught their brother to braid their hair and did the same for him once it had grown long enough. When their own bond had deepened, they both grew their hair out to do the same. Her braids were never quite as beautiful as his were. Her fingers too used to causing injury to create the delicate plaits that he managed.

Once she had a moment to tie her hair back into a tight knot and replaced her mask, she and Sonya went back to their sparring until they grew too exhausted to continue. They parted ways respectfully, bidding one another goodnight, then returned to their respective quarters. When Kuai relaxed onto the cot set up for her that night, she couldn't stop thinking about Smoke. How she left him to a fate worse than death. What he would say about the budding allyship she was forming with the Major. Most of all, she just wished that he were still by her side. She never needed to pretend to be something she was not around him. He'd seen her cry (though most times had been by accident) and act weak without teasing or berating her like her brother had. The two of them had been punished together during the years of their teenage rebellion, both for reasons silly and serious. Some of those memories brought a smile to her face, like the time they'd sneaked away to the nearest village to watch how others lived. There were other memories, of course, many of them worse. She dared not dwell on them for long.

She longed to for him to call her Xue once more as he combed through the long, dark strands of her hair gently with his fingers. He was her best friend, her greatest comfort in life, and she had abandoned him. She bit the inside of her cheek until the cloying iron taste of blood filled her mouth, refusing to cry once more.

* * *

Amid the heat of hellfire, Scorpion sat, considering his visit to Earthrealm as he pulled strength from the damned realm surrounding him. All but the most foolish oni avoided him now when he returned to the origin of his rebirth, so if he wanted a fight, he would need to hunt for one himself. The constant battle for dominance among the realm's denizens may have helped to occupy his mind at first, but it was no longer worth the effort of participating. He watched the glowing molten flow of lava between cracks in the barren rock as he thought over the request of the thunder god, just a day prior.

Raiden had looked him in the eye, promising to restore his clan in exchange for his help. The offer alone would have stopped Hanzo's heart, were he still a living man. Still, it left him speechless as he was hit with their memory. After his mind caught up to his aching soul, he'd declined. The torment of such an offer, one that couldn't possibly be true, made new pain thrum through his being. It reminded him of the initial deal that had brought him to this state, that promise of revenge for himself and the ones he'd loved the accursed sorcerer had offered. The god looked at him as though enlightened, then spoke. His almost smug tone still echoed in Scorpion's mind as he sat on the edge of the stone.

The younger Sub-zero will fight for Earthrealm. I know you protect him, Scorpion.

It bounced beneath his skull once more, and he cast a rock into the ravine before him. Scorpion inhaled deeply as he considered the phrase once more as he thought about his charge. Since their kombat, he'd thought of young Sub-zero often. He tried to puzzle out his former enemy, tried to read into his actions. He came up empty handed.

The vow he made after attempting to kill him had bound his essence to the assassin in a way almost akin to a servant to his master. Of course, Scorpion served no master other than himself, but the effect was all the same. If he reached out, focusing hard on the man, he could catch brief glimpses of the other's emotions. The distress he'd felt as he fled the Lin Kuei compound had been particularly potent, and his own reaction had been in kind.

During the time the young man had spent on the run, he'd been able to feel him even as he fought off the cyberized pursuers far behind them. When Sub-zero had reached safety once more, Hanzo reluctantly returned to the realm of fire and anguish, somehow unsatisfied with remaining an unseen guardian to the man. He gave into the temptation to return once more.

The younger man had been training alone when he'd sought him out once again, fighting an invisible opponent with his eyes closed. Hanzo took note as Sub-zero readjusted his posture without pause, lean muscles rippling under the light flesh of his arms. His movements swift and smooth, the power of his strikes obvious to the wraith. Sub-zero's eyes twinkled when they opened, a sound breaking his focus, irises more brown than blue at this time. Scorpion at once feared his cover had been blown, but relaxed as he saw the blonde soldier from the tournament closing the distance between herself and Sub-zero. She'd said something to him- a humorous quip if his laughter were anything to go by. Something about the scene made Hanzo's skin prickle, and he decided he'd watched long enough.

A traitorous feeling within his chest reared it's ugly head as it wound around his armor of hollow rage. The tendrils of that disgusting feeling threatened to crush him in it's disgusting grip. He bit it down as he beckoned forth hellfire to leave his former homerealm. He'd since done what he could to forget the whole thing, to no avail.

In the Netherrealm at present, Hanzo stood abruptly, having finally reached his decision. Extending his aid to Raiden would serve a dual purpose. As long as he fought, he could atone. If he won, he may find peace.

* * *

Sitting on the roof of the barracks, Kuai breathed deep of the cool night air. It was nowhere near as cold as the Lin Kuei compound she grew up on, but it was comforting and grounding for the cryomancer, which was all she needed as she meditated. The SF compound was slowly feeling safe to her, though she often felt out of place. It made the upheaval of her new routine all the more frustrating.

Voices filtered out through an open window, loud and jovial as her fellow kombatants chatted about their lives following the tournaments. It only served to further distract her from the task of clearing her mind. She sighed, releasing her thoughts and annoyance in a puff of fog. Resetting her posture, Kuai reflected on the series of events that had begun to wreck her fragile sense of tranquility on the base less than a week prior.

* * *

Her day had started with solo training, as she had taken to doing before putting up with the base's soldiers. In exchange for the space she took up there, she had agreed to lead them in exercises to improve their hand-to-hand fighting and overall discipline. It seemed a fair trade in her eyes, her expertise in exchange for her safety. And though they were more frustrating to work with than even the youngest of her clan, she could take solace in the fact that the soldiers had become far more manageable after they watched those who decided to show her disrespect get laid flat on the mat.

Another of the hotheaded Americans had met the same fate after one idiotic jab too many. Silently, she hoped for him to fight back as she flipped him around. If he'd not been blessed by the Elder Gods with intellect, may he at least have a fighting spirit. While she had his arm twisted firmly behind his back, his cheek pressed against the ground beneath them, a nervous private spoke up from where he stood with the other soldiers, marveling at the spectacle.

Once she let the pinned man up, allowing him to massage his bruised ego, she listened as the private stumbled his way through a summons Major Blade had ordered him to deliver. Had she not been trained from a young age to exercise control over her reactions in the face of all things, she'd have laughed at the obviously intimidated young man.

The humor of the stuttering messenger's demeanor kept her in a good mood as she approached the major's office, up until she saw the hard cut of Sonya's features as she scribbled on a piece of paper, brows furrowed with worry. Something was happening, and it was inconvenient at best, life threatening at worse. Sub-zero bowed her head briefly in respect to Sonya, who beckoned her over without looking up. The stressed expression refused to leave her face as she poured over a report that had been put on her desk that morning. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before she met Kuai's eyes.

Raiden paid me a visit, she began in a clipped tone, shit's going down- again- and he's making us part of the team that's going to deal with it.

Who else? Kuai knew better than to think that either of them would be getting out of whatever the thunder god had planned. Whatever it was would likely involve them anyway. Still, knowing about who she would be collaborating with would be beneficial.

Mostly people from the tournament. I don't have all the specifics, but I know for sure that Cage is going to be here in no time. I don't think I'm allowed to kick his ass into the next zip code either.

Sub-zero groaned. She was certain that somewhere buried deep, deep within Cage's soul he was a truly good person, but the actor's quips and flirting had irritated the Lin Kuei in the short time she had to endure hearing them. She shuddered to imagine having them directed at herself.

I could freeze him to allow you a moment's peace, Major. It can be done without causing long-term harm, she paused briefly, crossing her arms, well, I suppose there's a chance of brain damage, but-

He doesn't think things through as it is, let the man have his last brain cell. Who knows, he might just use it someday, Sonya snorted, thanks for the offer though. Very tempting.

Tell me what you know about some of the others, then. I didn't socialize with the other fighters at the tournament. Sub-zero and Smoke had been forbidden from doing such outside of what was truly necessary for their mission. All Lin Kuei were to avoid influence from those outside their clan, after all. She had the creeping suspicion that knowing more about those other fighters would have been a great help to her at the time.

Jax has been roped into this and I'm not too happy about that- He's my partner, well was for a long time before the tournament. We haven't been working as closely as we used to. Too much going on. And he's just taken an extended leave, too, she looked wistful as she said that, Liu Kang and Kung Lao are loyal to their Lord Raiden, so I'm not surprised that they'll be here. They're both Shaolin.

Princess Kitana wasn't mentioned, but I don't doubt she'll be involved. There's a handful of others, and one of them's an agent of mine, she grimaced, Goddamnit, Raiden's really starting to piss me off, bringing my people into this.

I see. That doesn't tell me much about any of them, though. How can I prepare to fight alongside them if I know nothing of them?

Look, Sub-zero, she frowned, I can't tell you anything about them that you wouldn't learn by getting to know them yourself. Maybe you won't believe me, but I assure you that the ones I've met- even Cage- are decent people.

You don't seem the type to start petty fights, thankfully, but I really don't need the struggle of keeping the team reasonably cohesive just because you refuse to learn some social skills. Take the time to learn who your team is. Are we clear?

Of course, the Lin Kuei was taken aback for a moment, chewing her lip behind her mask, I apologize for making it seem that way. I simply hoped- She cut herself off abruptly. Sonya raised a brow.

Hoped what?

I'm not easy to get along with, Major Blade, Kuai blurted, I... had hoped that I could avoid issues by asking you. The Major rolled her eyes, a fond half-grin on her lips.

All things considered? You're fine. I don't expect you to be the life of the party- honestly I'd have wrung your neck by now if you acted like Cage- but you're alright in my book. I'll be sure to call your ass out if you start pulling team-wrecking bullshit.

Kuai felt warmth bloom in her chest at the affirmation, then nodded and took her leave. If Sonya had faith in her, she supposed she could find a way to work with these other fighters without conflict.

Only a few days later, the thunder god made his return to the base in a burst of light and whiff of ozone. Standing proudly at his side were his champions, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Sonya greeted the three of them respectfully, while Sub-zero stood quietly to the side, watching the men and bowing when they approached her. Sonya showed them to the barracks that had been set up for their team, as the god had suggested. In fact, calling it their barracks would make it sound more utilitarian than it actually was. What it lacked in proximity to the rest of the base, it more than made up for in spaciousness and amenities. The major liked it better this way, keeping the insanity contained to this small area where things could be better controlled.

Once they reached the are where they would be living together- which included the rooms that Sonya and Kuai had moved into the day before- Raiden explained that the others would be arriving throughout the next fourty-eight hours, and only when they were all present would he fully explain the dire situation. Sonya grumbled loudly at his statement and his obvious desire to keep them in the dark.

True to the god's word, more of the team arrived within just a few hours of him. Jax had greeted the Major fondly, then gave the Lin Kuei a suspicious glance. She didn't blame him, of course. It was only natural to lack trust for a warrior he wasn't familiar with. Johnny Cage burst through the doors after him, a witless one-liner prepared to pass his lips when he saw Sonya. A wild grin split his face as he approached her with a swagger. Sub-zero had missed what he whispered in her ear, but caught her threats to his manhood loud and clear. The actor did as well, taking a step back, cringing at the mental image she'd provided.

As the others chatted and moved their belongings into their respective rooms, Kuai tucked herself casually into a corner of the room, leaning against the wall where she could watch the others curiously. Another man entered the building, clad in thick black armor, his eyes covered by a red blindfold. Kenshi introduced himself to her personally before taking his leave to claim a room. She overheard him explain the details of an op to the Major before tuning it out. It seemed he was one of those who had been handpicked by the Major for Outworld operations.

The influx of unfamiliar, but not necessarily unfriendly, faces was causing Kuai to feel out of place. She was so dazed by the experience that she only barely comprehended a newcomer as the day wore on. The tan man with his long, black hair called himself Nightwolf. And though she caught nothing else of his story, she was certain that he was a good person just from the warm way he spoke. There were just too many people in the room for her to focus on his introduction. She zoned out where she stood, senses overwhelmed, waiting for a good time to leave the crowded room. She could feel a headache coming on.

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