Return to the Blizzard

RETURN TO THE BLIZZARD

MK based story by Alexei Roditchev

Jump to Story One Story Two Story Three Story Four Story Five Story Six (new)

Introduction

So - where should I start ? Why am I doing it, and not tinker with my little toys of science as my heart tells me to do? I'm not particulary fond of writing chronicles of the times gone. Especially if they were my times. Sad, really. Retired ninja - what can be more pathetic ? Well, there are several reasons for this unusual activity I can provide you with, but since I intend to be objective - that's all because Kitana has personally asked me to, and I could never resist a girl's request. She only had to give me a deep look, smile and flatter a bit. Well, it's already flattering that a woman of her position - and, let's face it, still great looks, remembers you. Though, I have to admit, her interest in me has more to do with the fact that I'm one of the few still alive who participated in what's now called 'Modern Worlds History'. And I'm practically sure that she made the rest of our old bunch put down their aged memory too. But, later about that. Let's get down to business then, shall we ? I won't bore you with the known events of Mortal Kombat Tournaments, unless I remember something not described - or not described as it really was - in all the myths and fairytales that you usually read nowdays, but rather tell about what I witnessed then, for not everything lies in the Tournaments themselfs, no matter how important they were and still are.

One last thing, by the way - if you seek truth, don't look for it in Johnny Cage movies, with all my respect to him personally. Ah, Hollywood, it can spoil any story and make a candy out of ugly, cruel and bloody truth there really is.

* * * *

Story One: Shadows, Step Aside

   After the Fourth Mortal Kombat was finished, not everything was finished for me. In fact, my job was just about to begin. We had a great party, celebrating our victory in the Queen Sindel's Palace. I myself don't really like loud parties - wrong raising for that kind of stuff, but still was present. Another person whose presence surprised me was Rayden, mighty Lord of Thunder, recently given the title of an Elder God. In fact this new title was the reason I was surprised. Not every day you get a chance to see one of the Elders. Well, I had more than enough time to have a look at him while he was an ordinary God, if 'ordinary' goes with Gods, that is. It's just that Elder Gods tend to exist somewhere far from mortals, even further than all the rest of them divine guys. However, he was present, and not even much changed - well, on the surface. Then he surprised me again, presenting his Lightning Staff to Kai. I immediately wondered what had this young White Lotus done so impressive, but I wasn't in mood to ask questions. Why wasn't I happy about our victory ? What victory, may I ask you ? Earth and Edenia both laid in ruins, population slain, souls lost, buildings burned. My friends had perished, brother was missing, I myself still was marked to death by the frenzied maniacs who had gained control over the Lin Kuei just before it had been disbanded. Or did we rid the Universe of the evil ? Was there not Mortal Kombat V ahead, and those that followed ? So, what victory ?
   But then we were sitting in the Throne Hall, and it was time of remuneration. Fujin got his title of Earth Protector, Liu got ... well, at that moment Kitana rose and said that he'll get his reward later from her personally. I may be mistaken, but it seemed to me that he blushed.Nah, probably a play of light from the torches. At that moment my frustration grew to the boiling point - yes, I did and still do feel such things, though I'm always cold in mind, heart and appearence. So I stood up to leave - crowds had always irritated and tired me. Unfortunately, it didn't pass unnoticed. Rayden spoke in his usual thunderous voice that's impossible not to hear.
   " Sub-Zero ! Don't think we've forgotten you. Your services are highly valued and appreciated. "
I felt a corner of my mouth twist just a tiny bit, perhaps I even imagined that. And though I was sure no-one was able to see, I regretted that I didn't have my mask on. But it would have been pretty uncomfortable at the feast, don't you agree ?
   " I know your wish, but I don't know where your brother is. I ask you to choose another reward. " said Rayden. I saw Fujin frawn, I guess he hadn't forgotten his defeat at the hands of my brother in his most important mission. But the truth is I didn't care about any God 's feelings when it came to my brother's life. And though I had to step over my pride, I decided to use this opportunity. I was determined to step over much more things, including any corpses necessary for my brother.
   " A portal to the Hades "
   " You can't ... " Rayden started and stopped at once. " Let's talk about it. " and he teleported us to the top of a nearby mountain. I was surprised at the speed he managed to do it, without opening any portals. Well, the trick was that he teleported me along just as easy as he had jumped around the place himself before he had become an Elder. It was raining and the wind would have troubled someone not so resistant to cold temperatures as I am. Rayden continued his little speech:
   " You can't risk your life in a foolish quest you have no chance to succeed in ! "
   " My life belongs to me. "
   He was taken aback a bit, but then spoke again, slowly and - possibly - even sadly.
   " Look, Sub-Zero, there is more to your destiny than you realise now, and your life is vital in the future of the whole worlds. You are the first one in your bloodline with a light soul - no, don't interrupt ! I know what I'm saying, I can see such things ! But future is not set. You have to fulfill your part. "
   " My destiny belongs to me as well. "
   " Stubborn ! Foolish ! I _know_ your brother is dead, but his soul isn't in Hades ! "
   " Where then ? "
   " This ... I don't know. "
   " Then I'll go there and ask the one who knows. "
   " Who ? ... Ahh, yes, Caine Tsung. " - I really hated when they read my mind before I speak. So I just nodded.
   " Well, he may know, and may not ... All right, I'll send you to him. Try to survive, though. We all need that. "
   And so I travelled to another world again. This time my sences were not shaken as much as usually, though - another sign of the benefits of being an Elder God, his world portal didn't hurt, almost.

   I stepped out of the portal, and it closed behind me, silently. A man turned around and looked at me. Since my movements tend to be unheard by common ears, I decided that he felt the disturbance of magic.
   " You ? What happened ? And how did you get here ? This place is protected ... " I recognized him as Caine Tsung, the man who was supposed to know about my brother location, but the world around didn't look like Hades. I tried to come up with a brilliant response that would trick him in telling me what I wanted, but he spoke first.
   " Wait a second ! Of course ! You are his younger brother ! And you've been teleported by an Elder God, no-one else could break my barrier like that ! Am I right ? " - that only prooves that the longer you think, the less you gain.
   " Yes. " he seemed happy. In fact he looked very different from the last time I saw him. Well, that's not surprising since last time I saw him dead, but still there was something else.
   " So, tell me, how's it going out there ? "
During the next half an hour he bored me with questions about Earth, Edenia and Mortal Kombat. I considered it would be polite to answer his questions first, I was a guest after all. When I finished, he sat back and closed his eyes. I took my time to look around. We were in a small room, probably in a temple or a monastery, judging from the stone walls and humble if not shabby furniture, consisting of a stone and very firm-looking bed, two stone again chairs and a table made of - guess what - right, stone with large pile of books - no, paper ones this time. A narrow but long vertical crack above the table ( probably a window, but still it looked more like a crack ) showed a piece of greenish sky. I noticed that my host opened his eyes again, and started with my questions:
   " So - you've been dead. "
   " Not really. Well, not really me. I created a clone - my father was an adept in such things, but he'd never dare to make a complete copy of himself, his twin would be to much of a threat for him. I, on the contrary, had no such fear and so I left an exact clone in Edenia and escaped. I knew my capture and death were a matter of time, but I had to ensure that The Emperor wouldn't send his asassins after me if I run off. That's why you landed here and not in Hades. "
   " Smart move. " he smiled and bowed to me.
   " Do you know where my brother is ? " his smile was gone and he sighed before speaking.
   " Yes. There is an ancient legend in this world. It's long and beautiful, but in a nutshell it goes like this: A millenium ago, a kind and just God called Lucifer ruled this world. But with time he became corrupted by the power he had, and other Gods saw the evil in him and fought him, and defeated him. This God was exiled to the world now called Netherealm. where he became a ruler again. But he was challenged by a newcomer, and The Fallen God fell - again. He was imprisoned inside of his prison. The prophecy says that the Son of Blizzard will come, holding the Sceptre of Ice, and make the shadows step aside. The light will fill the soul of our God and he'll return here to rule us to the end of times. "
   " Our ? Us ? "
   " Oh. I guess my little secret is out. My mother was born here, and so was I. I still consider this realm my home."
   " So ... my brother went there, and ? "
   " I don't know. "
   " I'm coming after him. "
   " As you wish. But be warned - I can't choose a place of destination precisely. You'll have to wander around a bit. "

And after discussing some details he opened a portal for me, and I stepped into its depth again, fully enjoying this time the sensation of being burned, crashed, turned inside out and so on, as mortals usually feel crossing the border of worlds.

   But there was another thing worth mentioning. In the middle of the travel, in the centre of tunnel, in the point of the highest weirdness, a black figure emerged from the red-orange clouds of the between-world sustance, and spoke to me.
   " Greetings, Iceheart. " I saw a shadowy figure in front of me forming from the shapeless shadows that filled the place. He looked quite well, considering the situation. In fact there was no visual sign of him being disturbed by it in any way. And besides, it's hard to tell from the shadow how well the master is.
   " Greetings, Dark Watcher. " I did my best to sound accordingly. Sounds had to be forced out of the throat, and I remember being surprised that I managed them at all.
   " Very foolish of you to think you could pass unnoticed. "
   " Didn't count on that. " I managed to swallow the cough.
   " Hoping to defeat me is no wiser. "
   " We'll see. " and I prepared to fight, however hopeless it was.
   " You are in no condition. " that was a sad truth.
   " Do you really belive in that prophecy ? " he asked and suddenly I wished I read it all. Damn, I hate to have incomplete information.
   " After all, it states that I'll defeat you. "
   " Future is not set. " I remarked and he smiled at that.
   " Indeed. "
   And we fought, and he won. It wasn't too hard for him, after all I could only barely evade his moves, and was too weak and akward to do even that most of the time. I don't like to remember lost fights too much, though I face the fact that they existed with cold calmness, as usual. So, in short, I lost. All I managed was catch my moment to slide away, using my power to accelerate on whatever surface he created to stand and fight on, and escape him. His laugh haunted me for a few days after that.

When consciousness returned to me, I found myself in the endless wastelands, under the night sky. Or just black - you never know it there . I wondered what my brother had felt coming to the Netherealm for the second time. Sure thing he hadn't expected a warm welcome party.
And so my journey began. I wouldn't bore you with description of my survival in a lifeless wasteland, attacks of demons and other hazards of this unhospitable world. This was no easy evening walk, but still not much of a problem. Somehow I started to worry. Though hard enough for just a free time spending, it was too damn easy for the Netherealm, especially considering that the enemy knew of my arrival.
There was only one matter of any importance: a few times I felt a strange sensation of being pulled somewhere. I resisted and it slowly wore off, but came again several times, and each time I had to put more and more strength in fighting it.

And this travel was a nice time to think over my motivation. I was afraid that Rayden had been right and all this was just foolishness. My brother had forbidden to look for him, my clan had ordered me not to, Rayden had asked me to stay. But I had to do it. After all, he and Smoke had been all the family I had ever had. And Smoke had been turned into cyborg, brainwashed, sent for my soul and finally destroyed by Liu just before I figured out how to fix things. This Lotus had killed everyone I had cared for, and they say monks are peaceful. Why didn't I attack him myself ? Nice question, not sure myself. My honour and blood called for it, but ... ah, some other time about it. Better never.

But, back to my quest. I had quite sombre feelings about it for my brother had always been better in fightings and usage of force, and my chances to succeed where he had failed were just about the same as a snowflake's to survive in a vulcano. So, why was I doing all this against my own and others' good judgement ? Just because he was my brother, and that reason was good enough for me. And I didn't like the way we parted.
My brother came to me and informed me of his new mission. He was in a strange mood, partly because I think he felt what was ahead of him. I in turn had an important experiment on my hands, and was extremely busy on it. Brother waited for some time, said good-bye and left silently, as always, so I only noticed his disappearence when the experiment was over and remembered he wanted to say something.

   At last I reached the Brotherhood of Shadows. Don't ask me how I found it, that involved forcing a frog-snake hybrid demon to be my horse and my guide. It took a considerable ammount of time and effort and I had to revise my biology skills to torture it correctly.
   When I entered the building, wispers were welcoming me, wispers of the countless shades and shadows, unreal and barely visible. And I felt my power leaving, being stolen by these strange shadows which seemed to live a life of their own. My physical strength was slowly sipping away as well, and I didn't have much of it to start with - after all that struggle to get there was quite exhausting. Under other circumstances I'd have left and prepared better, but this time I just went on further. By this time I knew a lot about the building and my goal in it. It's surprising how much a single randomly picked demon could know !
   Not that I hadn't been met, by the way. I didn't even try to sneak in the hideout of the best spies in the Universe. So I decided to try a breakthrough, which isn't a usual way of ninjas, but sometimes the choice is just not yours. And perfect as spies, these guys were only good as warriors, and I was way better. The trouble was that they had a better knowledge of place and surprise attacks technique, they could use their power and I could not, and there was an awful lot of them. My brother on the other hand mastered a warrior way and was a superior fighter of the clan, and his power grew much faster than mine. So ... let's just say that he had much more chances of survival in the Netherealm.

Here I'd like to put a small monologue conserning my abilities. Let's make it clear: I'm a ninja, but I was chosen for science when I was a small child and only had a seed of Ice inside. Ice made my mind cold and for that Lin Kuei Gran Master decided I'd be good in science, and so my training programm differed from the others a lot. I studied martial arts, of course, as every ninja, and was surprisingly good in it. For this, I have to thank my brain and my teachers. My Mentat was Smoke, one of the best fighters and absolute champion of stealth among the Lin Kuei, and my combat skills have been polished by my brother, simply the best in clan in this aspect. He also taught me the way of our Power, which was great since most have been trained by the masters of Powers different from their own. I was patronized and guided and soon became an accepted master in combat. I also had a fast course of stealth, poison, asassination, surviving, spying, and many other skills necessary for ninjas, but only a fast one. The rest of my time was dedicated to the science, electronics in particular. As time passed I started to create various devices for the clan, mostly weapons or some other helpfull stuff for asassins. Cyborgs too, were a subject of my study.

   When slaughter of the lambs was over, I felt weak. Desperation was settling in my mind and thoughts that this time I relied on my skills too much visited me. When the things got to the worst point, they became even worse, as I entered a large cave-looking hall and heard Noob's laugh.
   " Welcome again, Iceheart ! " - he slowly appeared from the darkness that almost had solidity of its own there. Can you imagine black fog under the black light ? Then my attemts to express all the weirdness of the Brotherhood of Shdadows and its interior decorationss would be of no avail. I looked in his dark face, in the blue glowing eyes of a ghost. They say he was human once ... Did not look like one for sure. I prepared to fight without wasting any more strength on words. I attacked and my foot almost connected with his mask, but passed through him just like through a ... shadow, but his foot connected nicely on mine. He laughed again and rushed forward. I caught the incoming figure for a straight kick, but it scattered in small particles of sheer blackness, revealing Saibot where he stood before. Trickery ! It was a place of his power, and he didn't even have to come close to reach me. More human-shaped shadows emerged from his body, attacking me and disappearing when hit or blocked. And then they were gone, all of sudden, and grey stream hit me from the dark ninja pointing hand. I was almost paralized in place, not the way my power can do it, but the way an illness can rob your body of energy. I tried to back off, but Noob was standing right behind my back in a split second, holding a shining surface of a curved scythe blade at my throat.
   " I just serve my master, Iceheart. You shouldn't have come, there was not a single chance. " he said and I couldn't think of any witty remark again.
   I remember this moment clearly. Well, I thought, looks like it's time to die. There was no plan I could think of, no smart trick I could implement. Deciding to lose like a man, I raised my head higher, exposing the neck for a slash. And another thing came in my head, I though that my brother woudn't have been proud of me if he knew what I did. I mean breaking his direct order not to follow him and coming for the exactly the same death. But I'd have done the same again if I had a choice, don't get me wrong. I knew what I subscribed for when I took this path, and had precise idea of what to expect.
   I didn't know what saved me then, but I felt the same force pulling me smewhere as I had felt in the wastelands, and didn't resist it this time. My body dissolved and became unmaterial. Noob lost his grip on me and stared at me in the complete surprise.
   " What ? You can't use your magic here ! " - yeah, and I had no such power anyway. But I took advantage of this sudden gift and headed to the door. The world around had difficulty staying in focus, and I saw myself drifting through space, but concentrated a bit and the world returned, though muted and unclear as if I was looking at it through a veil. Balancing this way I passed the huge doors - didn't even have to unlock them which was a good thing for I didn't know where the key could have been, and entered another immense cave. A wall of fire surrounded something in the centre, but the shadowy darkness at the walls looked much more solid than in the previous room. I tried to pass this wall the way I passed the doors, but slipped into reality before reaching it, and the mystery force was gone no matter how hard I called for it. Hopes that the fire will split before me and open a passage didn't come true, and I had to look for another way. Have I mentioned how much I hate fire ? I do. A lot. And then I saw Noob hurling his shadows at me from the open doors. I done the last resource hocus pocus - took out the Ice Sceptre and pierced the wall of fire with it. Loud explosion was followed by the screams of the countless voices from the shadows around and among the dancing lights in my eyes I saw a rapidly vanishing hole in the blaze in front of me, and I dived in it hoping for the best and expecting the worst. Well, it could have been worse, I only burned my legs deeply. I think small portion of my Power returned to me when I was standing in the light of this anomaly, and helped me to keep some skin on. Then I noticed my Sceptre lying beside me burned, blackened, bent. Clearly it was out of order. I remember cursing all the Gods of Fire I could remember of, this device was a hell pain to create and restoring it would be almost impossible !

   " Are you a God ? " I heard. I raised my head and looked into white glowing eyes of a luminous roughly human-shaped figure.
   " No " I sighed.
   " Thought so. Then I'm afraid we are both trapped here. "
   " Lucifer ? "
   " I believe so. " he bowed. His shape was connected by the thick pulsating veins to the fire that surrounded us, costantly pumping Power into it.
   " Then I guess I'm here to free you. "
   " Nice to hear that. How ? "
   " Don't know yet. "
   " Then, make yourself comfortable. Have a drink. " he made a gesture to the fountain on the side of which he was sitting. I accepted this offer and have to admit the water was extremely refreshing. In fact, soon I felt that though my body didn't heal, my Power did.
   " It's a Fountain of Force. When I lost the battle to the Shadow that Shinnok summoned with his amulet, I escaped here and managed to hold it off for eternity. It hurts me immensly but it could be worse if I was captured. Can't blame them really, I'd do the same for them, and Shinnok has suffered much more than that. "
   " How can you be freed ? "
   " I don't know. My Power isn't sufficient to leave this place, and I can't leave this world. "
   " You can't face this Shadow ? "
   " This whole castle _is_ the Shadow "
   " Is there a way my Power can help ? "
   " Well, you are an Ice weilder. I don't see how Ice can go with Light. "
   " I thought you're a Fire God. "
   " Not exactly. Fire is just a manifestation of my Light. I was a God of Light and fought demons in order to protect my world. Now I'm a firefly that thrives upon a drop of magic water. "
   " I have an idea. " oh yes I did. I said I'm a scientist, and I think fast when it's not conserning a search for the right words. Now, it was easy. As soon as he said that Light and Ice didn't match, I knew he was wrong.
   " I sense you do. " he suddenly looked very exited for a liquid humanoid lamp.
   " Can you create a floating light source ? " he made one instead of answering, and I started my work. I'd say that Power was boiling inside of me, but its nature doesn't allow this expression. But every bit of my body was filled with it and it begged to be used. I concentrated on the light ball and positioned my hands in the air to the sides of it. This work really asked more for accuracy and precise skill than for the brute force. I started creating thin layers of ice around this living torch, working on it the way a jeweller works on a diamond. I addedd small facets on the surface of the forming sphere, and adjusted the transparrency of it. The light it emmited already hurt my eyes, but I continued. Complicated combination of the mirrors and lences could magnify light as many times as needed. Simple implementation of the scientific knowledge ...
   " Can you make it larger ? " I heard. I did. And so the light in it grew to the size of an average bascet ball, and then I saw fire around us seizing and heard Lucifer laughing out loud.
   " At last ! More ! " the sphere already reached the size of a car if you ever saw ball-shaped one. It illuminated whole enormous room we were in, and shadows laid in convulsion on the floor, rapidly disappearing. Then black walls fell and as our home-made sun rose whole building collapsed. I was blinded by our creation, deafened by unearthly scream the building was making. When it finally stopped and I could see again, I found us in the centre of the smoking ruins. They were even more black than the land around us or the sky. All light was provided by Lucifer only, our flashlight was gone. I assume I stopped supporting it one moment. I shook my head and looked at the God.
   " What now ? "
   " Now ... " he suddenly wasn't so happy.
   " You want to know if I'm going to conquer this dimension again ? " I nodded.
   " Now. Now the Shadow is destroyed and I'm not in danger. " I raised a brow.
   " I spent a lot of time confined in this cocoon of fire. I had a lot of time to think. I don't want to rule this world, or any other. "
And as he said it, we heard loud humming from the sky. A huge portal opened and a bluish face appeared, with no eyes as usual. Well, I have a suspicion that I've seen Elders more times than any mortal ever. This time I didn't even have any special feelings about it. Just a thought: oh, them again. Immensly old and sad voice proclaimed:
   " Lucifer ! Once you used your Power to protect your world, then you wished to have more of it to fight more efficently. With time your greed for Power corrupted you and led to your imprisonment here. Now when it's gone, you've grown up, as it was predicted. You are ready to become an Elder God. "
   " Yes. " sadness just sipped from this simple remark. " But I don't want to become an Elder, yet. "
   " This was predicted too. But the Rules say I have to make this offer three times. "
   " No. I think I'll return to my people. "
   " If you reject it now, you'll lose your right forever. "
   " No. I have to repair harm I caused. "
   " As the prophecy said. You are free to go and rule your world again. "
And the portal closed. Lucifer put down his head and said to no-one in particular:
   " No. I'm not going to rule them. Help and advise, but not rule. " then he looked at me and sighed again.
   " All right. Let us go. "
   " Wait ... My brother, or at least his soul is still here. "
   " Oh, Sub-Zero ... You still don't understand. "
   And just with a blink of eye we left the place. We stood in the yard of some castle under the greenish sky, and faint wind was blowing. I realised that my legs still felt enormous pain and were ready to let me down. So in order to keep some signity I sat on the grass. Lucifer looked down at me and said:
   " I have to go speak to the others. Thank you for all you've done, even if you did it not for me. Hope I'll see you again. " and he left. I wondered tirely how could he travel that fast and decided that it was in the nature of Light. I saw monks come out of the gates and start singing something jolly to the sun. Then I noticed Caine Tsung coming towards me.
   " Thank you. "
   " My brother. "
   " Yes ... it's hard to explain ... " he looked at the ground.
   " He never went there, did he ? "
   " No. "
   " And the prophecy ? "
   " I made it up in fact, long ago. " he was desperately looking for words and I wasn't going to help him.
   " You see, I knew what it would take to free our God. "
   " It took a lie. " my words were cold and sharp and they hurt him. Good.
   " It took a great warrior, a hero, and a genius. "
   " Where is my brother ? "
   " I'm sorry. I don't know. " he stopped for a moment and spoke again:
   " I promise I won't tell anyone. You can kill me if you want. " I did. And my honour and the honour of my clan called to shed his blood. But I knew I wouldn't do that and he knew it too.
Humans... How foolish can we be, how trustful, naive, eager to believe what we want to believe and not what there truly is. I know that it's what makes us humans, it's in our nature, but still it's unforgivable for one of my occupation and training. Baby, you've been had, in other words.

   All I wanted then was not to see him again.
   " Open a portal for me. That much you owe me. "
   " Yes, of course, but after the celebration. "
   " Now. "
   " You are a hero for these people. They aren't responsible, they didn't know. It was my plan ... " I turned around and headed away.
   " Wait, Sub-Zero, don't be a child ! I'll do anything ... " his voice sounded muted when sensation of being pulled to another dimension came over me again and this time I was exhausted and angry enough to allow it take me wherever it wanted. Faint voice of this man followed me as I drifted but the travel was fast and surprisingly smooth. I stepped out of the portal on the soft grey earth, and looked around. A ghost was looking at me with emty sockets, but his features were quite recognizable. Caine.
   " Greetings, Son of Blizzard, in the Land of the Dead " I tried to control my rage against him. After all it wasn't exactly the same person.
   " Caine Tsung. " he smiled as I pronounced his name.
   " I know what you've done and I'm grateful to you whatever you think. But now my host wants to speak to you. " he nodded to the side and another figure bowed to me lightly.
" May I offer you a more comfortable place and answers for all your questions ? " he seemed to be a human. And rather alive for the Land of the Dead.
" All of them ? "
" Yes. " he smiled.

* * * *

Story Two: Three Tales for the Ninja

- May I offer you a more comfortable place and answers for all your questions ? - the man seemed to be a human. And rather alive for the Land of the Dead.
- All of them ? - I doubted that to the utmost.
- Yes,- he replied with a smile.
His fingers clicked and we appeared in comfortable chairs in the richly decorated hall.
- Call me Morpheus.
- Who are you ? - I was rather impressed.
- A God of Dreams, Protector of the Hades. Supreme ruler of this place and so on, but in fact I'm the only God round here, - he said.
It was a first time I saw a God I couldn't tell from a human. A bit old-fashioned camisole made of silver grey sat on his slim but muscular figure and matched his grey eyes, the eyes that only then seemed slightly weird to me, but it could as well have been a trick of the mind. Long black curly hair and quite handsome face with a drop of irony on it finished the picture. No, he definitly looked like a human. Gods can look like they want and old tricker Rayden used it rather often, but one intelligent enough always could see the truth. I smiled under my mask.
- Why am I here ? - a neutral question as good as any other one.
- Because of Rayden. He's not very skilled with his new powers yet, - he looked at the bar and two glasses floated through the air to us. I suddenly felt uncomfortable in the torn dusty outfit covered with blood sitting in this luxerious chair.
- Oh don't worry about that, - well he had the same bad habits that only prooved his diviness. He read my mind. But the illusion of the armani suit he created then was most welcomed, even though I knew it was a visual trick. Mask didn't fit the picture, so I took it off. More and more signs of the fact I was no more a Lin Kuei. Ah, to hell with it.
- How's that ? - I asked already knowing the approximate answer.
- He agreed to send you to Caine and he knew Caine was here. What he didn't know was that Caine created an exact clone to be killed instead of himself. So you was teleported to the alive one, and then the excess magic reached you and finished the spell by sending you here. It was weak enough and you delayed the transportation several times.
- It came in handy a couple of times, - I said and shuddered inside. A mistake ! A bloody clumsiness of the newly created Elder ! And I - ha, a hero - was saved by it , by pure chance !
- Destiny is a funny thing, isn't it ? - he sipped some wine and continued. - The other reason is that I wanted to see you.
I raised a brow and tried the wine too. Delicious.
- You're a thinker. I like you. Most people don't think, and I've been watching you since your early days. You see, omniconsciousness is a part of my Power, - that sounded rather intriguing.

Here I'd like to step aside from the main stroyline for a moment. You see, my mind is a point of my pride. I cherished and improved it, I develpoed it into a perfect tool, it's my main weapon and my most valuable property. I'm not like my brethren from the Clan or anyone I've known. It took a considerable ammount of time and efforet to free my brain from the chains it it was put into during my raising. I questioned my loyalty to the Lin Kuei, my feelings, motives, reasons. I analysed every last thing I was taught and tried to see the truth behind it. I studied every word I heard from my teachers and now I believe to see what they wanted from me, and hope to know what I myself want from my life. I consider myself the most free member of the Clan, and it's a part of what brought my Clan to the end, sadly. After everything I learned, I still loved them as my family for it was all I had to love. Not any more, of course. Things have ... changed. Anyway, I'm more free than a ninja of the Lin Kuei or a monk of the White Lotus or a thug of the Black Dragon. I think straight and see my goals, and no fairytales blur my vision. This may mean that I don't believe in any of the named organizations' ideals, but that's what I am.

- Where is my brother then ? - for the first time I seemd to have a real chance.
- Earth. I'll send you to him, I promise. But before, I got things to tell you, and things to show you, - he smiled. - For free.
- Yes ?
- First, let me tell you about myself and the other Gods, - he became serious. - Why do you think Lucifer didn't accept the Eldership ?
- He had other obligations.
- Yes, but he could fulfill them while being an Elder as well. But he didn't want to. He's only the second God who rejected this offer. I was the first one. You might have wondered why a God of Sleep and Dreams runs this place, and the answer is because my prede�essors became Elders. I was offered this long ago, and rejected. I didn't want to loose what's left of a human in me. You see, the deepest secret of the Gods is that we all once have been mere mortals, and that's why we get so angry when a mortal manages to defeat us - that reminds us of our origin too well. With time our Power grew, and we changed into something more. Reincarnations passed, and we became what you see now. We are humans no longer, and there is no way back from this point. An Elder is the next step, and becoming one means loosing even more of the original person. I don't want that, and Luc didn't, - Morpheus finished the glass in one gulp and filled it again. - So, I took this place. It's quite comfortable and rather fun. Your brother was my best warrior, by the way. Yes, don't be surprised. Many would like to get the energy of this place, but there are a lot of good warriors among the grey souls that go here, even more than among those light or dark enough to earn the extreme afterlife they got in Hell or Heaven - the other two Realms of the Dead.
- So why my brother isn't here ?
- I give them holidays from time to time, I'm a kind ruler, - the grey God laughed. - I don't know. Information is one of my talents, true, but there are ways to hide things even from me. He just disappeared and next time I looked he was there. Forgive me, but you'll have to seek answers for this mystery on your own.
- What else do you think should I know ?
- Why do you think I'm telling you the darkest secrets of the Gods, breaking the major rules by the way ? Because you have reasons to be worried. Your bloodline has always had a great potential in the terms of Power. Your brother recieved the same information, but his Power and his motives to use it are too great to change anything.You on the other hand still have a choice. The Force of Ice within you grows, and you accept it as a natural gift, but it's not. Your arms and legs occasionally turn into pure ice, your body emits coldness - there is nothing natural about it. The more Power you summon, the more it stretches your inner limits. Go on like this and soon you'll become what you mortals call demons, angels or anything like this. Use your Power for several lifetimes, and you'll probably become a God.
- Yes ... I knew there is price for everything.
- I'm not stopping you, only warning. Think it over. Now you know what you can be, and what price you'll have to pay. You've seen what Elements have done to Rayden, to Fujin. You've seen Shang Tsung, and his necromancy practice made him more a demon than a man he was. Do you think I enjoy being what I am, after eternity ? - asked Morpheus. Passion in his voice was convincing, sincerity had no doubt.
- I promise I'll think about it.
- That's all I ask.
- Perfect wine.
- Have some more, - he said and a smile returned to his face.
- Thank you.
- Well, now the things to see. Thre are things I am not supposed to tell you directly, but there are indirect ways as well. So my gift is a set of three dreams. I'll give a comment to each, but the conclusion is yours to make.
- Of course.
- Of course.

And so I had three dreams. They amaized me with colours and the feeling of being in one place while knowing you are in another. Morpheus' voice followed me, heard in my mind as pictures flowed through it.

... It looked like an old warehouse. A circle of men in white robes was forming around something I couldn't clearly see. Clumsy figures, they looked more like a bunch of gorrilas then a gathering of sentient beings. Dirty jeans didn't match newly-made cloaks which I suspected were direct descendants of some stolen sheets, and a pile of leather rocker jackets they took off to try themselfs in acting betrayed their true origin. Finally the most massive of them raised his arms and I saw a curved blade of an ancient ritual sacrifice dagger. It looked damn familiar ... I wondered if I had already seen this thingie ...
Torches lit by themself, and unnatural flame almost started a fire on the closest members of the "Fancy Dress Club". A huge thing in the centre of the circle turned out to be a rough stone with fragile body tied to it. A sacrifice. Bloody sacrifice ! I'm an assassin alright, but I've never approved unnecessary bloodshed, and such fanatics ... they don't even practise necromancy, so they had no real need for it, except the one to slaughter a helpless victim ! I wished I I had been there to explain these guys a couple of things about life ...
The leader started singing something disgusting and the chorus of unsteady voices joined him. Another thing I've never approved was singing when you can't do it properly. But the "Amateur Folk Singing Club" was obviously happy about themselfs. I really really wished I had been there.
The blade slowly touched the woman's neck - why do they always pick up women ? - and cut downwards, releaving her of clothes. She struggled, in vain of course, but then somehow managed to spit out blood-stained material that prevented her screams and started in a low vibrating voice:
- Come, demon, and take my soul ...
I wondered if she was into it as well or just went mad on the way.
- I offer it for revenge on my torturers ...
Well if she had some Power or some curious deity was listening ... No, the bad singing would have put off anyone. But someone obviously had heard this promice for the torches flared and the flame finally reached out and consumed in a blink of an eye almost half of the "Barbeque Club". Some people just don't want to take necessary precautions when using open fire, do they ?
And then ... I myself couldn't do better. A dark yellow-clad figure descended rapidly from the unseen ceiling, and what looked to be a rope fell down as soon as the feet of the avenger were on the ground and disappeared in his hand. I have to admit, poor guys didn't lose their head, at least completely, and attemted an attack quite convinsingly. Alas, they stood no chance against a ninja. Their knives and occasional sickles were useless against the blade of the two-handed sword that seemed to be everywhere at once, and soon their members were swimming in the pool of their blood, white robes re-painted, smiles gone. In fact the whole room seemed to be redecorated to be a butchery. The only survivor of the massacre appeared to be a bright kid - he was trying to start one of the bikes they stored in the far corner. At last he managed his shaking hands and rammed in the gates. Wooden planks gave way and night air greeted him outside.
Hell-spawned specter turned around and a ghostly voice proclaimed:
- GET BACK HERE !
A snake-headed harpoon shot from his hand, through the broken gates, after the escaping bastard, and right into his neck. The freak practically flew out from his seat and was dragged all the way back, his screams even louder than his singing.
As he was thrown to the Scorpion's feet, he still moaned smart things like "No, no" and "Arghhh", but not for long. Hand raised and took off the mask. Reflected fire danced on the skull's polished surface. Fire lighted the empty sockets. Fire of Hell was in the breath of the deadman as he unleashed its fury upon the last of the "Dead Poets Club". Then Scorpon turned to the woman.
- Thank you demon. Now you can have my soul.
- REVENGE ISN'T WORTH IT. THINK BETTER NEXT TIME.
- I do not understand ... - but she was talking to the night only, because her savior was gone as demons tend to.

- Well, what do you think ?
- Well ... he's out again will be and looking for me and my brother.
- This too. But what about him ?
- What about him ?
- His curse is not what everyone thought it to be.
- And what IS his curse then ?
- This is one of the things my advice for you is to find out.
- Oh.
- Yes. All right, here goes another one.

This room looked much more elegant and clear then the first one. Much more like a military base or something. Sonya and Jax were sitting at the table and I saw my brother - or someone very alike - through the glass wall. Jax and Sonya were talking freely but I knew somehow that my brother could hear them and that they were unaware of it. Amusing situation.
- ... I know, I know, but can we trust him ? - Jax, passionate speaker as always.
- He helped us in the past ... - beauty combined with a "wonderful personality", as they put it.
- But he's a bloody murderer !
- Don't interrupt me. An assassin, yes, but ...
- Anyway, how can we trust him ?
- Rayden said he's a very special Lin Kuei. He's got a light soul, if you believe in such ...
- Bullshit ! He and his brother - I wouldn't trust them to put my garbage out !
- His brother, neither would I, but him ... You know, there is one thing I haven't told you ...
- What ?
- Liu Kang, he's working on the reformation of the White Lotus. Kung Lao wanted to make the organization more open and flexible in the question of new members. He said that new times require new methods. And only if a renewed organization will accept every light soul, no matter monk or not, Earth can have a real chance ...
- Liu would never accept a Lin Kuei in White Lotus !!!
- He changed a lot when Kung Lao died. He wants to pay a debt of honour and respect to the dead brother ... In fact we discussed offering Sub-Zero a position in the White Lotus.
- What ?!
- You see ...
The picture slowly faded to black. I cosidered what would I answer if really offered to join the White Lotus. Me ! Lin Kuei ! A refugee, a renegade, a traitor if you like it that way, but still a Lin Kuei refugee, renegade and traitor. I't nothing but an insult ! Yes, I know what Liu Kang and Kung Lao had to go through to force such words from their lips, but still I just could not say yes.

- Don't be so hasty with your decisions, - Morpheus sounded disappointed. - I showed it to you to prevent such an impulsive reaction in the first place.
- This ... I do not even want to think about. They don't trust me, and I wouldn't be sincere if I accepted.
- Well, time will tell.
- Yeah, - and I'm afraid that though my lips were shut my brain wasn't too polite in few expressions that followed.
- Hehehe ... here goes the famous reserved coldness.
- Next one, please, - I grasped control of the tongue and regained the coldness.
- As you wish.

Under the moonlight the stones looked almost white, with dark veins reminding of marble. They were not, and this I knew. under the merciless sunlight they'd have appeared dusty, old, with bloodstains of countless deaths this place saw. Damned Shang Tsung's Isle. The place where Sub-Zero of Lin Kuei, the Ice Ninja, died.
My brother was meditating, motionless himself but aware of every little motion around. I've always wondered how he managed this. His eyes were shut, but when the blaze of light behind him formed a humanoid figure, he spoke at once:
- Greetings, Rayden.
- Greetings, Sub-Zero. I have to talk to you, - the God sounded unsure.
- Yes ?
- Tomorrow you fight Liu Kang, - so, it was his last night.
- Yes.
- He can't win, - now, that was something surprising.
- No, he can't.
- He's a good warrior, and he has a soul of light. But your Power is too strong for him, and his own Power is just hatching.
- Yes.
- But he must not lose.
- I'll spare him if you wish.
- No, it's not that simple. He's the only one who has a chance to defeat Shang Tsung.
- I can kill the sorcerer.
- Yes you can kill him, but not defeat, - Rayden said softly, sadly. - You see, this is the Tenth Tournament, and Tsung is more powerful than ever. He planned everything too well. You are the Chosen One, but his Chosen, not mine. Your soul is gray, and if you kill him, it wouldn't stop his plans. If someone with a light soul beats him, we'll all be saved. So, he paid you for his own assassination - I see you are not too surprised, and he arranged you to fight Liu Kang, knowing that you are too good for him. And by doing so, he also obtained the services of Scorpion. Choosing Kano as the third of his warriors, he forced me to enlist Sonya, who otherwise would be just a prisoner here. He oversaw every last thing. Earth's chances are small as never before.
- And so you ask me to lose ?
- Yes, - Rayden put his eyes down.
- You want me to betray my clan, my warrior's honour ?
- Yes.
- But if I just lose and Liu lets me live, Tsung will look into my soul and know this little secret. And this would be the most powerful weapon against your monk, - my brother turned around and looked at the God. - So you ask me to die.
- Yes, - the God's voice was so quiet that the word was almost unheard.
My brother stood up and leaned on the railing, watching the sea.
- So this is your clever plan. I must die, and no-one should know.
- I wouldn't ask you that if there was another way. So, what will it be ?
- My life belongs to me.
- Yes ... Then I'm afraid we have no chance.
- Arrange a bucket of water near the arena where we fight. And you'll have to pass Liu a word. I don't believe he's smart enough by himself.
- Does it mean that you decided to ... ?
- My destiny belongs to me as well.
- Thank you, Sub-Zero. Your ...
- Leave me.
The God sighed. Real concern was in his eyes, and he raised a hand to put on the blue-clad shoulder, but he didn't. If I get a chance, he'll swallow this hand along with his concern.
- I'll see to it that Tsung doesn't get your soul.
- You better do. Or he'll know.
And so Rayden left.

- Stop trying to invent a way to kill a God, please, - I caught myself not listening to Morpheus at all. - There isn't one, I should know.
- It never hurts to try.
- In this case it will, believe me. This is not why I showed you this scene. I wanted you to know that your brother died honourably, and chose his way himself. This could be a weapon against you, but not if you knew the truth.
- I know the truth now.
- You still don't understand. But I think you will.
I thought differently, but didn't object.
- Well, now I suppose you want to leave.
- If you'll be so kind.
He smiled, and with a wave of his hand a portal opened.
- Thank you, Morpheus.
- Any time.

The travel was nice and fast. And Morpheus even wasn't an Elder. Wonderful. I arrived in the familiar room, and saw my brother sitting, meditating behind the glass. Alarm marked my arrival, and Jax had to turn it off. Sonya was looking at me with eyes open so wide that one could drawn in them.
- Sub-Zero ! - oh damn, I forgot to put my mask on again. It could be a nice trick to make them guess.
- But then who ... - They both turned and looked at the place where my brother was sitting and traced him coming to me.
- Greetings brother, - Hell, how I wanted to hug him, to be with him only, no-one interrupting. But with people around, my raising claimed its rights, and we just bowed slightly to each other, my bow an inch deeper.
- Now, I believe everyone is here. We've got a job to do.

* * * *

Story Three: Implementations of Knowledge

The van had little space inside, though it looked huge from the outside. Armoured shell on the weels, filled with various equipment and weapons, moving silently and fast through the night streets of the ruined city. Toned windows blurred the vision, but even this way it looked terrible. And the bitter truth is that not all of it was the courtesy of Shao Khan's extermination squads and centaurian swarm, though they were the original reason, of course. Uncontrolled riots broke loose even before the actual invasion reached its peak. Weaker souls have been reaped, but there were just enough left to start vandalism and bring destruction to the emptied cities. It turned out that stronger souls didn't mean lighter or better or more stable to the panic. Crazied bastards caused not less destruction and suffering than Outworlders. And they came again after the invasion was over. Cults of Chaos and Death and Apocalypsis suddenly emerged everywhere and fanatics preached human sacrifices on every corner. And guess what, in all this madness the state power survived perfectly and still strived to control the remains, not stopping its rat fightings. There are no heroes in the government, I've always been sure of that, but dark time just prooved my point with astonishing clearity. President announced the emergency situation and mobilised army, army generals demanded control over the government, opposition stated that the government was helpless and the only way to save the day was to let them run the show. And so on, usual selfish stuff. And if you think there was any single country that was an exception in common frenzy, you're dead wrong. And even when invasion was over, not everything was stable. Rebelions, wars, ruins everywhere. Bringing peace to this land demanded years, reconstruction of former cozy world with its relative order and safety demanded centuries, if possible at all.

Thinking all this, I was listening to Jax in the same time. He was in the driver place, constantly turning around to make next emotional statement. Watching people and cars trying to avoid our crash-destined vehicle, I started to doubt the possibility of reaching that place wherever we were going without an accident. Jax, however, didn't pay this much attention to the road, filling us in the situation in his own original way:

- ... Our equipment tracked this new portal in no time ... watch where you drive, moron !!! ... but it was apparently not the first opening ... Hey, what's this idiot doing ? ... Fujin said it was no magic, that's why he didn't feel it, but we're ... Fuck off, jackass !!! ... we're the only ones with this technology, or at least supposed to be the only ones ... Shit, learn to drive yourself !!! ... We gonna see what's going on there, and if it's something serious, the senator promised the army support ... Hey, Sonya, is it left or right turn here ?

- Left ! - Sonya almost shouted when our van scratched the parked cars heavily fitting the turn in the loose curve.

- OK, where was I ? Oh, yeah, so we check this shit out and if we can't kick ass ourself, they'll send these darn marines, so we better do it ourselfs after all, cause all these marines can do is come and screw the situation ! ... Shit, if this son 'ovabitch doesn't let me pass, I'll shoot rockets ! ... You know, these scientists who first invented the portals technology, you know, this Black Mess shit or whatever ? There were some monsters from other dimension ? The government sent these marines, and whadda you think ? Some egghead guy inna suit they could track on monitors wasted half their elite forces in no time and almost fucked up the whole operation ! Sonya, what was this guy's name ? Ya know, the one in glasses ?

- Jax, it's classified, - Sonya gave him an angry look. However, it didn't seem to impress this big mouth.

- Classified ? My mom heard it inna loundry queue ! Can you believe this shit ? Gordon someone ... or Horton ... doesn't matter ... Fuck, another traffic jam ! Sonya, gimme launcher control !

- Jax, they are civilians !

- They are fuckin' idiots ! - Jax turned the wheel madly and drove into the pavement. - So, talk to the senator again, and gimme the darn map !

Sonya passed him the map and turned to the screen on the wall. After a couple of beeps an image of the oficial-looking man appeared and Sonya reported:

- We're almost in place, sir. Sub-Zero ... - she stumbled a bit. - Sub-Zeros are with us.

- All right, leutenant. As I promised, backup is on its way. And there is a surprise for you there, - the man inspected us conspiciously. - Greetings, Lin Kuei.

- Greetings, Nightwolf, - recognizing him was pretty hard. He cut hair, washed away the war painting on the face, wore armani suit and small accurate glasses. Add to that voice distorted by machine, and you'll understand. I'm sure any of our field operatives wouldn't have such difficultes, but I am not particulary strong in remembering each detail of two hundred page document from the first look and besides, seeing Nightwolf a senator was quite a shock.

But the fire in his deep set eyes was still the same. I had mixed feelings about him. I'd have called him a friend, but then again, he never let anyone too close. Nightwolf's character had been deeply impacted by his childhood in getto. His Shaman raising made him a great sorcerer and a great warrior, his historian training made him a distinguished scientist, but what he became most famous for was his struggle for freedom of his Nation. It was much later, of course, when he became the First World President, and you all know that it was his efforts that made such a position possible in the first place, but even at the times I describe he was a great Leader, and a great Teacher of his people. Ah, I was speaking of his personality though. He had throngs of followers, but few friends. I myself can't claim this honour, but we had something special, or at least so it seemed. Well, I met him when he still had time to sit by the fire and discuss philosophy.

- And this is ...

- My brother, - I answered and stared back at him emotionlessly. I knew Nightwolf was on my side, but I wasn't going to let any of them make any comments to the situation I myself didn't exacly know how to comment. I wished I had a moment to speak to my brother, but wishes were hard to come true these days. What the hell, all I had to hope was that we two would have our moment for a proper reunion later. He jerked his shoulders just a tiny bit and switched off after mutteringng something I didn't make out to Sonya.

Sonya played with her computer some more and finally announced:

- Everything set. So, Sub-Zero ... err, - she gave out a nervous laugh, - ... what should I call you guys ? Sub-Zero One and Sub-Zero Two ? Sub and Zero ?

- You may call me Master, - replied my brother.

- It was a joke, - I rushed to explain. It was, really, this _was_ my brother in his best mood. The situation seemed to amuse him immensely. I wondered why. He had changed since our last time.

- Great ... - Sonya rolled up her eyes and turned away to Jax.

- I like her, - stated the last member of my family alive. I could swear he smiled beneath his mask, though nothing gave it out. I just knew he did, as brothers often do. We were not twins, but understood each other perfectly, sometimes even without speaking.

- We're in place, - said Jax. I felt slightly surprised. - From here we better move on foot. So, here is the plan - we go in, behave natural and try to figure out what's goin' on. Once there, we'll act according to the situation.

That was a plan ? Seemed that Jax was quite proud of it. Yes, he defenitely considered it a plan. I wondered how exactly one ninja in the ceremonial blue and black uniform, one in similiar but torn, dirty and smeared with blood, a military officer that looked like a beauty queen loaded with different weapons and a gorrila with biometal implanted arms could behave natural in any public place ? Were we to pretend to be with the circus or what ?

Nevertheless, the show continued. Sonya consealed her arsenal quite efficently, but still her outfit was something between special forces and aerobics workout suit. Nice to look at, practical, but not decieving a blind pickpocket. On the other hand, these days unarmed person on the street was a hundred percent chance morgue candidate and, besides, she could always pass for a punk or something like that ... with such outfit, not much would dare to ask questions anyway.

Ah, too much attention for the girls, as always. But - that's me, and I can't possibly change it at this age. Besides, I don't want to.

- Are you going or what ? - Jax asked as he seemingly randomly filled his pockets with grenades, explosives, knives, grenades, guns, explosives ... oh, have I mentioned grenades ? Looked like he was gowing to blow up half the continent, let alone this much suffered city. Major finished preparations with large multi-barreled machine gun, picked up a rocket launcher and looked at us with calculating expression. He defenitely wanted to take it, but was afraid to fall down under the weight. Sonya hastingly grabbed a pair of binoculars and started observing the opposite building and my brother didn't look too trustworthy for him. I decided that I wasn't meant to be honoured with carrying Jax's favourite toy, besides, he probably couldn't bear parting with it anyway.

- Two guards in the hall, one at the elevators. Let's go, - commanded Sonya and moved towards. I still hadn't figured out where we were exactly - hell, I didn't even recognize the city, but this very building looked pretty familiar ... there was no time for sightseeing, though.

- Here we go, - I said to myself, and we entered.

- Hi there guys, - shouted Jax with a wide idiotic smile. - Which way is the portal ?

The guards were already holding their guns ready and inspected our company suspiciously. Couldn't blame them, really.

- And who are you ?

- Oh, we're with the circus, - I couldn't stop myself saying that, honestly. All I could do was to lower my voice so that only Sonya heard it. Yeah, I've always been a sucker for making impression on the girls. She shrieked in laugh she tried to suppress, true to her leutenant rank.

My brother waved a hand looking bored of the conversation, and guards turned into ice. Cool. Fast. I wouldn't be able to get them this fast. In fact, I doubt I could take both of them out for any extended period at all. Jax, I have to admit, reacted quickly, sliding in his steamer-like way to the last guard who stood at the lift enterance, and pointed his machine gun at the scared guy.

- How long will they stay frozen ? - wondered Sonya.

- Less than for a couple of days. Long enough ? - replied my brother. Two days ! I could take them out for two hours hardly, provided that I concentrated half the day before and stayed near them all the time, refreshing the force of the spell from my body energy resources.

- Let's go then, - Sonya looked impressed through the mask of indifference.

- Where ? - I asked. Even if the plan did work out as it was intended, though it was another surprise for me, we still didn't have a slightest idea of what next. These Special Forces surely raise men - and women, come to think of it - of action, but I prefer thinking, getting information and, what's more important, using this information to reach my goals. There is no knowledge that is not power - this is my favourite motto, and using this very power has often saved my life in situations where my fighting skills and my elemantal magic could not. Just roaming through the building asking everyone on the way if they could help me out was defenitely not my way.

- We'll just ask someone, - she said and headed to Jax, who was interrogating the last guard meanwhile. But I had my suspicions by this time, and I didn't want to trust enemy. So I simply sit down at the security computers and tried to see if I could do anything about them. I could. It took almost five mintues, but I managed to enter the system. Not that it let me far, but there was no far to go on this system. The reason that I hacked it up so fast is not that it was so lame, but because one of my old Lin Kuei passwords fitted. You see, I took part - a major part - in designing this programm, as I took part in designing the whole building and its various systems. I only saw it on computer for I was in China when it was actually built, that's why I didn't recognise it at once. Besides, it was designed to look unprominent. We were in American Lin Kuei HQ. Well, in one of them, really. I looked at my brother and raised a brow silently. He wispered "Later", as Jax and Sonya approached.

- Darn, either he's a masochist or he doesn't know a thing ! Wadda ya got here ? - asked Jax.

- It's a Lin Kuei building, - declared my brother.

- No shit ! So you guys know where's what, don't ya ?

- We've never been here before.

- But you can check this stuff ? - insisted Jax pointing at the computer.

- No, - I sighed. - This computer doesn't contain any important information. We need to get to the Control Tower for that.

- Tower ? What bloody tower ? Where, upstairs ?

- No, - I tried to not sound irritated. After all, it was I who named the Tower. I thought it's more original than Control Center, don't you agree ? I went on. - It's a room. Downstairs.

In fact, all the important stuff was below ground level. Skyscraper above was just a disguise, and people who worked in it knew nothing of the 40-stores bunker beneath, strong enough to stand a direct hit of the nuclear bomb.

- So ... Jax started and suddenly shut up staring behind us. I knew it was going to be something unpleasant, but turned around anyway. Twenty, no, twenty-three. Looking exactly the same, like twins. Well, they all left the same conveyer belt, I assume. They stood so close I could make out serial numbers on tiny plates mounted on the metal chests. Cybers, and new improved models, judging from their silent approach. Old ones buzzed so loud one could hear them a mile away. They stood still and every barrel, rocket, and whatever else was built in them was ponting at us.

And then glasswall through wich we entered exploded in small shards, making all cybers to turn as if a command was issued to them. I've always said they should have worked on artifical intelligence more. I ducked under the table as our van drove in and automatic cannons opened fire. Jax was having fun nearby, sending lead from his toy and even trying to sing along its roar. The rest landed beside me, brother carefully choosing a place to sit down casually, Sonya pressing buttons on the remote control. Clever, for a woman. Very clever, for an army officer.

- You saw them coming ! - I accused my brother.

- Yes, I did. But I didn't want to interrupt you, - he answered with disarming confidence.

Soon it was over. I stood up to observe, and the picture startled me for a moment. Well, I knew Lin Kuei cyber ninjas were powerful weapons, and I knew this army van was just packed with weapons, but destruction on this scale I didn't expect. Most of the walls were gone, and most of the surrounding buildings ... well, let's say, they could be called buildings no more. Gee, I only hoped there were no people in them ... err ... not much people, at least. Our building wasn't going to fall down, but it wasn't any of the parties fault. They both did their best.

Jax finally managed to break the back door of the smoking wrecked van and took out his rocket launcher.

- I knew I should have taken this baby with me ! - he said with a happy smile. - So, what do we do?

- I think I can remember the locations of the main facilities here, - I answered. - Follow me.

After some time and a few explosions to clear the way, we descended to the first floor of the Lin Kuei underground fortress.

- Ok, I got a plan, - announced Jax and I shivered inside. - We split up, and while one group makes a distraction maneuver, the other wires up the main reactor do that the whole thing will blow up as soon as we get out !

Great, another genius plan. I wondered if they taught this in the army, or just made essential enrollment tests to ensure the same intellectual level for the officers.

- There is no main reactor, - I explained. - There is just a backup power station not big enough to blow up a tenth part of it. Power comes from the outside source.

- No reactor ? - Jax seemed dissappointed and about to start weeping. - What do we do then ?

Yeah, what a poor superhero should do if there is no reactor to blow up ? I almost felt pity for him.

- We should go to the Tower.

I lead the way, and through the backdoors, maintanance passages and such we made our way. I knew the building was crammed with security devices of all sorts and wondered why not so much met us and why the general alarm didn't sign the hunt on us. Perhaps my tinkering with the security system in the hall produced a miracle, but more likely that the overall level of the clan forces went down considerably. I had warned them this whole affair with cybers should have been approached with caution. In the good ole times, we souldn't manage to get this far. Anyway, we moved fast and reached the Tower - relatively small room where all systems gathered in the huge but consealed knot connected to the main computer console.

After dismembering some more cybers, Jax prepared to blow up the gates, but they opened themselfs.

- Looks like we're expected, - I remarked.

- Of course, - said brother. - Doesn't matter. So, shall we ?

He entered first, paying no attention if we were following. I did, and then Jax and Sonya after some hesitation. A group of ninjas met us.

- Stop ! You will not cause any more loss to the clan.

- Oh yeah ? Watch me ! - answered Jax before I could think of any wisecrack line suiting my ninja honour. Hell with honour, I considered, I better do something until my comrades destroyed all the equipment.

- Careful ! Do not damage the computers ! - I shouted watching the massacre in helpless desperation.

In no time - I had no chance to participate, let alone control the fast-paced development of the situation - different metal parts, circuits, glass and some deity knows what else covered the floor. This mixture cracked under my feet as I approached the console and started my work with a sigh.

- Great ! Where is the button to start self-destruction sequence ? - I heard Jax and noticed very suspicious glitter in his eyes.

- There is no such button here, sorry, - his enthusism was killing me. Was this metal-handed gorrila to ever stop behave this way ?

Soon I handed Sonya the printout of the building map and Jax began to inspect it, looking impationately over Sonya's shoulder.

My brother coughed and said:

- All right. Time to split up, as planned. We'll go distruct the fire, and you break to the portal.

Sonya seemed willing to protest, but then she stopped. Jax started to look actually happy for the first time we started the whole enterprise.

- All right ! - he shouted. - Time to kick some ass ! Let's go, leutenant !

And so they departed. I considered telling them that they moved the wrong direction, but thought better of it. Probably they would have found out, eventually - who was I to spoil the fun, anyway ?

- Brother, - I said.

- Yes, kid ?

- Don't call me that, - I told him a bit angrily. More than two years we had not seen each other, and he didn't change his attitude. His force and fighting skills exceeeded mine considerably, but was I to be called kid after all I had been through ?

- Sure, kid.

- Why are we here, really ? - I asked.

- Smoke.

- What about him ?

- You need to fix his body, - brother answered. True, I did. But how ? Not only it required tools I did not have and materials I did not have, but also having his brain at least. All that were to be found only at ... Lin Kuei HeadQuarters. Exactly where we were at the moment. Did I just think slow or was I an idiot ? Don't know. I guess a little of both, plus to that I had no time for attempts to comprehend the situation. Ok. Maybe slowly, but I understood. There still was a quetion of where do we get Smoke's head, but getting the rest was a good start.

- And ?

- And you're the science genius here. I'm just for covering your ass while you do what you need to do.

- I see. And you knew this all along ? - I wondered a bit stupidly. He didn't answer, just gave me a look saying "Are you a moron or what ?". Damn, yes, I am ! And get off me, will you ? Usually I behave much more intelligent, but once again, I did not have time for thinking anything over ! What do you want from me, I wasn't born for such chaotic life ! And I was still damn tired and in pain in some places from the previous adventures. Nothing serious, but distracting.

The road to the labs went smooth, marked with blue statues in different positions, courtesy of my brother. I still wondered if there was a limit to which his power extended.

Labs, though, didn't bring any satisfaction. I gathered some useful devices, but not enough for a capital repair Smoke demanded after the fight with Liu. I helped our Chosen One there, I have to admit, but only to save the Princess. Kitana, that is. Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a sucker for saving the girls ...

One of the labs obtained my interest as soon as I saw it. Too unusual. Not that the scientists managed to show some remarkable resistance, but rather their subjects of study. It began with chains too thick for humans, test chairs of strange proportions and such. So when I saw the very creatures of study, I was not surprised. Shokans. Hell, bloody hell. Let Scorpion scorch my soul if I didn't shake at the prospect of it. Don't you realise by this time ? Shokans. Monsters with inhuman strength and power. Lin Kuei, tinkering with technology to create ultimate warriors. Shokans. Cybers. Cyber-Shokans. What could stop these bastards ? A direct hit of nuclear bomb, maybe? Or maybe not, provided they could teleport at wish.

I inspected the prisoner of one white glass cell closely. She - a female represantative of the species - looked even more sensual and full of soft curves above impressive muscles than the last time I saw her. Large expressive - pupilless, mind - eyes, slim figure, long thick black hair, great bronze skin with spots reminding of a jaguar in a way - all this was still the same. And, by the way, all these treasures were covered only with a couple of tiny red silk stripes. If only she was not half a head higher than me ( and I've never fit the defenition of small myself - for a human, sure ) and didn't have excessive members, I'd have fallen in love at first sight.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm a sucker for the sexy girls. I'm tired of apologising for that. Ah, forget it.

Sheeva raised to her feet and inspected us in return.

- Who's the lady ? - my brother asked.

- Allow me to introduce you, Sheeva - this is my brother, Sub-Zero. Brother, this is Sheeva.

- Greetings, Lin Kuei, - she said.

- Can we trust her ? - he wondered.

- No, - I said, and at the same time heard her:

- Yes ! - she almost shouted, and brother looked at me, unspoken question in his eyes.

- She's a Shokan leader, - I explained my point. Yes, she was, really. Not the way Nightwolf was a leader - through wisdom and inner strength, but rather through honour and physical might.

- Listen to me, you two, - she said bitterly. - I tried to persuade my race to restore the old order and the old honour. I failed. I am a good warrior and I know of the danger that befalls us all, and know how to thwart this evil scheme. Now, you are the hunted down by your own men, and so am I. And - three is better than two.

I decided not to inform her that we got another two maniacs on our side somewhere in the building, but what she was saying held reason. Certain reason, at least. Sooner than I decided to say something, my brother was opening the lock and bowing to Sheeva lightly to show his respect. Passing me he remarked:

- Good taste in women, kid. You watch your girlfriend.

- Don't call me that, - I demanded angrily. - And she's not my girlfriend.

- This can be fixed if we get some time, cutie, - Sheeva replied playfully. Great, a Shokan with a sense of humour.

- Ah, freedom, - she said with a dreaming smile. Sheeva stretched her arms like after long sleep and added. - Let's rock !

I again wondered wether we really needed all this "let's go beat the hell outta them !" talks. You see, as a ninja, I was taught to use stealth, fight only when it was inevitable and above all, plan carefully before making my move. Even if I wasn't too good at the above mentioned disciplines - well, leaving out only planning, this was still against my raising. My brother perfected his skills in ALL these disciplines, and many more, but it seemed he enjoyed this little adventure. I mean ENJOYED. Perhaps, he caught some virus from Jax or something ?

- Are there any loyal to you here to be freed ? - I asked.

- No, you see ... - she began, but my brother made a silencing gesture.

A tiny beeping sounded from one of his secret pockets, and he pulled out a small communicator unit. After turning on, it sounded like a war report in the radio news. Soundes of shooting, explosions and Jax's swearing almost covered Sonya's voice. But it looked like my brother managed to actually make out something intelligent in this concert of war tools, for he put the communicator back and announced:

- We should get out. Fast.

Now, when brother said fast, he meant something just below the speed of light. I had learned it the hard way, during my training. If you need to know, he had only told me "we better leave now, fast" once, and two seconds after that the place we had been occupying was practically annihilated by cannonfire. Imagine what I thought when I heard this "fast" from him again.

Getting out was pretty easy, if you don't count not working elevators. Jax must had stopped by the generators after all. In the hall we were joined by our heroes, and what's surprising, they were running even faster than we did. I stopped surprising soon, when I realised that we still expected an ambush or at least some resistance ahead, when they expected a certain chase behind. My imagination told me that Jax wouldn't have fled anything less than a medium-sized army, but my feets were moving with all the possible seed anyway. And a sack of plundered equipment was very uncomfortably getting in the way all the time.

Our group cut its way through the occasional guards and cybers pretty easily - going in the rear ... err ... heroically covering our retreat ... err ... our strategic maneuvering, I didn't even get to fight myself - Jax and Sheeva, working together, reminded of a double lawnmower - without slowing down, they rammed the enemy ranks and smeared their bodyparts on the walls, floor, and even, on the ceiling occasionally - Sheeva's uppercuts could send one to the orbit, probably. Amaizing pair.

When we finally reached exit and left the building, my first thought was "Oh, shit", but then I realised that the gunfire was aimed at our good-bye party behind. Indeed, there was a whole army outsie, complete with a couple of new with rocket tanks and a helicopter. But what followed us from the HQ seemed like an endless stream of shining metal. While we gathered behind the lines, I noticed some busy-looking people mounting the camera with a view to the evolving war on the background. Sonya must had noticed it too, for she produced a small mirror and began to fix her hair hastingly. Women are always women.

- Yo, man ! Gee I glad to see ya ! - was overshouting the action, dragging a familiar man to us. After a short moment of concentration, I even remembered man's name - Kurtis Stryker. Raiden's successful dark horse during the invasion. If I get decent money from the publishers for these memoirs, I'll tell you this story too, but some other time.

Stryker was obviously in charge there. The rest seemed to be alive, in one piece, and not even majorly scratched, so I dedicated my attention to the contents of my booty sack. Not much, but some things could really prove invaluable. But still, not enough for the job. Brother must have noticed my activities for he asked:

- Did you get everything you need ?

- No, - I answered with a sigh.

- Do we back or what ?

- I don't think we'll find it there, - I explained. We need a production plant.

- What's the deal, guys ? - asked Sheeva and I realised that we had not been speaking English. Quickly I considered telling her about our mission ... missions. Huge explosion saved me the effort anyway.

The building slowly crashed down in flaming ruins. Great. Jax's dream came true. Applause, please.

- Yeah ! And you said I can't blow it up ! - he was shining as if he was going for an Oscar with this job. - Some my explosives, some their explosives, some knowledge where to put the stuff - and here we go ! Knowledge can do miracles, man !

Yes, indeed. There is no knowledge that isn't power, as they say.

- So, job well done ! How about a party ?

- Not yet, major, - my brother interrupted. - There is more.

- What ?

- Lin Kuei used this portal to bring Shokans here. They are going to make cybers out of them.

- No shit ? Bastards ! Damn ! - Jax was fast to express his feelings, striking fists together with a metallic clash.

- We need to stop this ... production, - concluded my brother. - So, you finish here and we'll go investigate this plant. As soon as we find it, we'll call in and you'll strike upon it.

- Good ! It gonna be a hell of a party, man ! Kurt, how about more troops ?

- Nope, big man, that's all we get.

- Oh, come on ! I know ...

We left them still arguing. Obtaining a transport wasn't a problem - Sheeva just broke the side window of the nearest parked car and offered it to us. Yeah, what do you mean - private property ? Ok, and now try to explain this concept to a Shokan. Watching her drive was a pleasure. She considered lower transmissions just for getting to the top one, much like Jax, but unlike him, her driving style was sharp and calculated instead of risky and agressive. She knew where to find her way, when Jax knew other's would just get out of his way themselves on account of his obvious insanity. Besides, she was the only driver that could hold the weel with both hands, keep a hand on transmission and stick an elbow out of the window at the same time.

- Stop here, please, - I asked as a clothes store caught my attention. - We need something.

The clerck swallowed his tongue when he saw us, but produced what I asked for - a black french coat of the biggest size they had - in a blink of ane eye.

- What's wrong with my dress ? - asked Sheeva with a frawn. There was nothing wrong, really. Even if her "dress" was bigger than the last cover of an average stripper girl, it was only because she herself was bigger than the average stripper girl. And, she was _very_ small for a Shokan, mind.

- Nothing. It's wonderful, - I quickly explained. - It's just for preventing it from distructing me in important moment.

- Why, you little flatterer, - she said, but put the coat on and inspected it in the big wall mirror. - Hmmm ... I like it. But let us go now.

It really suited her, matching the colour of her long hair. Such an exquisite looks she had, ready for the cover of a fashion magazine - or for Playboy, if that matters.

Another thing that amuzed my brother was that the clerck didn't find the courage to ask for money. Poor chap.

Some time later I began again:

- Erm ... Sheeva ?

- What's this time, cutie ?

- Would you mind stopping the car ? It's just if we come there with this loud police car behind us, they might notice our arrival.

- Yeah, I guess you're right, - she sighed.

The police officer approached and opened his mouth to speak. But he never said anything, because the next moment he had to open it even wider as Sheeva grabbed his groin with her lower arm, caught his collar with an upper arm and drove his head in the car with a bad-sounding crack. Knockout.

- Can we go now ?

- Yes, - I answered. - I think so.

- Great girlfriend yuou found, kid, - my brother remarked from the back seat. Yeah, great ...

- Thanks, Subby, - Sheeva replied.

We reached the sight without further delays. Another skyscraper, this time with fancy architecture in the form of the double top. Oh, I thought, here we go again - scene one, take two.

It was really much like the first building - same corridors, same cybers, only this time we went up to the highest levels instead of down. Getting in the place was no problem again. Defenitely, even though the best warriors were in China department, the clan had lost a lot during the passed time. It made me sad, even if we were on the other side, I just couldn't banish all the feelings from my heart.

This plant was relatively small and only occupied a couple of floors - an old Lin Kuei principle of mixing with unsuspecting civilians, but this time hideout was found. A dozen of cybers on the outside, a couple intside, and we entered the biggest hall. It was emppty on the whole, with scarce furniture and very humble decoration. The inhabitans were eight Shokans, and I can't say this perspective made me happy. Cybers made from loosy low-level warriors is one thing, an outnumbering pack of Shokans is another. But it appeared that my brother didn't share my worries.

- Lock the door and see to it that none of them gets out, kid, - he said.

I wouldn't bore you with just more descriptions of the fight scenes. Sheeva's skills were remarkable, but my brother's were just amaizing. Whereas I had to fight carefully and cautiously, he moved naturally, avoiding Shokans easily, stricing with astonishing precision and force. He showed exact knowledge of where to hit in order to take them down in the record time. I wondered where did he get such a knowledge of their anatomy.

I was still wondering where were the Shokan cybers. Of course, we could have been just in time to prevent disaster, but with this mission going on from the very beginning too much like a B-movie, I doubted such luck.

Soon I had my way cleared to the computers. I've been working on them when my brother approached and asked:

- Any good news, kid ?

- Afraid not, brother. This line was designed for Shokans. I fear their systems would be incompatible with Smoke's.

- Bad, - he said. - So what should we do ?

- There is one thing. I've found this device and it tracks the locations of all our cybers. It appears that one of the earlier models is stuck in the desert on its way back to the HQ. I think I'll be able to find it.

- Great. By the way - if anything happens with me - Smoke's body is in our family cave.

- Yes. Wait, - I noticed something alarming. - One of the ... experimental units, as they're marked here, is rapidly approaching this building.

- Oh, yes, - brother answered. - I believe so. Sonya called in, they had a problem. Something huge dug out of the HQ ruins and is chasing them.

- What ?

- I mean, here.

I gave the monitor another look and ran to the window. Yes, small but quite visible, a car at the diabolical speed raced from the corner and accelerated through the street in our direction. Something huge, shining and flaming like a meteor was following them. Well, at least it wasn't a T-Rex, though some time later I wished it was. The car stopped, and two men ran to the elevator.

When it reached us, inside we found Jax and Sonya.

- I knew they did it, - I wispered in amazement, watching this creature climbing after us on the building wall. It was an outside elevator, so we had a perfect view. It reminded a bit of a spider with its four arms, but a spider about two meters and a half in height. I imagined it with black fur climbing a skyscraper with Sonya in one arm, and smiled.

- We fired at this thing from tanks - and not a scratch ! - informed us Sonya with just a tiny bit of a panic in her voice. - What do we do about it ?

- Well, how about fighting it ?

- Jax tried, - she answered. - Twice.

Well, no wonder it was angry.

- Where's Stryker, - I asked.

- He went to get us more troops, - Jax said.

- And what happened to the last ones ?

- We've spent them.

Great. Just great. And this time we didn't even have a plan. After all we did find something we couldn't destroy with brute force. Ahh, and I even started to believe at some point that all was over happily. I was trying to find something that could save us in my scientific knowledge, but nothing came in mind.

- Where are we going ? - I wondered.

- Up, - replied Jax.

- And why ?

- Because this thing is down there.

Nice answer for a nice question. Anyway, we had to stop the discussion as we reached the roof. Evening air was refreshing, but brought no new ideas.

- Well, this thing is going to be here in a moment. What do we do now ?

- It crushed tank's armour with its hands ! - shouted Jax. - There is nothing we can do ! All my explosives didn't help !

A shining hand with three fingers appeared and clutched the roofside. Soon three more hands followed and an armoured version of a Shokan appeared. It was tall, about two meters and a half in height, and mean-looking. Sheeva made a step forward.

- All right, junkbrain. I'm ready for you.

And she attacked. It was a brave move, but soon it was clear that she couldn't stand a chance. Her hits, even when they landed, didn't produce any noticable damage, wherever his, even blocked, sent her flying across the roof. She was loosing it, and even when my brother moved in to help, they both succeeded only in buying us some time.

- Look ! - said Jax. - It's power lines ! If we direct them into water and the beast stands in it, this may work the trick !

- And where do you take water up here ? - asked Sonya with clear desperation in her voice.

- Maybe if it starts raining ?

Yeah, right. Now we _did_ have a plan. Somehow I didn't feel better. The fight was obviously reaching its grim end. The cyber crushed my brother in the wall, and when Sheeva rushed to help him, turned and made an uppercut that totally knocked her out. She lost conscience, and the monster shot up, teleporting in this nasty Shokan manner, to finish her by pinning down. I slid to her, accelerating the movement with my Power, and snatched her from the place in a split second before the metal meteor landed there, crushing through the several floors below.

- Thanks, cutie, - Sheeva wispered in my hands.

The saved beauty stood up and gave the hole a thoughful look.

- I have a suggestion, - she said. - We better get out of here.

- The elevator is gone, - noted my brother.

- We can jump. Hopefully, this thing is too heavy to follow.

I considered the distance to the other tower of our skyscraper's double top. Hell, even in my best form this wasn't a jump I could perform. While I was thinking it, Sheeva ran to the edge and jumped powerfully, and using Shokan magic judging from the height of the curve. Or she was a way better in sports than me.

- You know, kid, I think your girlfriend is right.

And my brother ran after her, lowering his body in the middle and transforming his run into sliding, accelerating even more. When there were just about ten meters to the edge, he raised his arm, and a blast of ice formed a ramp before him. Soon he landed easily on the other side.

I looked at the rest of us. Sonya shook her shoulders and simply flew to the other tower. I always liked this trick of hers, when she flies. She used to do this for taking down jumping oponents, but this way it worked out fine too.

Jax started running and used the force of his dashing move, or whatever he calls it, aiming at the remains of the brother's ramp.

I heard some noise from the hole and made a decision that I didn't want to be the only one out there when this thing finally gets out. I slid too, right after Jax, but the ramp crashed under him, and so I had to jump all by myself. These few moments in the air made me consider a more peaceful career, and I still see them sometimes in nightmares, but I made it ... hardly. I clung on the other side, and brother had to frag me up, but I was there.

- See ? Not so far, when you've done it.

- Hey, there are wires on this side too !

I guess that was supposed to mean that our plan was still intact. The Cyber-Shokan was already on the roof again. He ran, and he jumped after us, without even a shade of hesitation.

- He's not gonna make it ...

I think it was Sonya who said it, and at first I thought so too. He was obviously missing it, and he began falling for a moment in the abyss below, but then his armour on the back opened, and two rocket engines propelled him upwards. We stood in despair, watching him descending slowly towards us.

- So, what, do we jump again until it rains ?

- No, kid, - replied my brother. - I hoped to avoid it, thought that we could have some time together before I leave, but ...

I realised that he was going to do something unrevertable.

- No! There must be another way!

- You know there is not, - said brother sadly. - Besides, I'm dead anyway. Morpheus let me go for a time, but I can't really stay. Take care, kid.

The beast roared and moved towards us.

- Farewell, brother ... - I wispered.

He stood in the old summoning stance and connected his hands at the stomach level, and a tiny blue star shone there. It grew rapidly, and soon he stood in the sphere of sheer coldness. I watched his body dissolve and join the wirlwind inside this ball, and then this blue cloud rushed at the Shokan, entering his body, slowing his motions. Each step he took was more and more hard. Soon he froze, shook heavily and fell down, breaking in small shards of pure ice. No frozen metal, no half-melted flesh. Gone, both of them.

Brother ... I still wonder if there was anything I could do, search for any bright idea that could save us ... and still I realise that he simply did what he had to do. But if you think that it makes life easier for me, you're mistaken.

Brother ... sometime I'll join you, and we'll have this time together we both dreamed of.

- He was a great warrior ... - I heard Sonya say.

I raised my head to the sky. Stars watched down on us, cold as my heart, cold as ever. Now IU was really the last of my family. The last of the Ice Ninjas. A drop of rain fell on me, and soon more followed.

- It's raining, - said Jax. - It's fucking raining !

Yes, I thought, it's fucking raining. Indifferently I watched the rain to gain force, to form a circle, and finally a portal. A familiar figure in purple outfit matching mine stepped through it. Rain inspected us and said:

- I'm here to warn you, Chosen Ones. You're in trouble.

Well, I wanted to say but did not, aren't we always ? And through the thunder I heard Sheeva's voice:

- Come on, cutie. I think I owe you a date.

Story Four: Life, Full of Surprises

The party we had in The Outworld Investigation Agency had been great, but I left anyway. Everyone was pretty drunk by the moment, so I hoped to sneak out unnoticed. Besides, the pizza just arrived, and this was supposed to my "distraction maneuver", if you allow me to pick some expressions from Jax.

I was sitting in the small outside area with flowers. Didn't know what they called this place, why they needed it, and didn't care much really. I liked it there, though. Peaceful, quiet. Unlike the rest of the world, which was filled with hatred and struggle then. Stars like tiny tears of some merciful Goddess, diamonds in the black sky. The air was fresh after rain, with a faint smell of ozone. Reminded me of the old times when I had been happy and careless in my shabby lab, a student with so many hopes and dreams ahead, when the world of science had captivated me with its endless discoveries, when I had been so eager to ponder the Universe, poke at it with my tools and see what it held for me to study ... Then too a smell of ozone was my companion, often for weeks the only company I had. Then my brother would come and drag me out to practice running or fighting or just for a walk and discussion. Brother ... For many, he was simply an ever-present force, a silent and mercyless death to anyone whom Lin Kuei marked, a loyal and unstoppable assassin. Number one. Probably best since the beginning of the Lin Kuei history. Cold-hearted warrior with icy look. Not many could endure his stare. Of his victories there were legends, of his enemies there were heads with still attached spinal cords - a family style mark. Not that he himself collected them, brother just brought them as a sign of another successful mission. They were for anyone to see in the special place. Lin Kuei liked to show the clients its accomplishments. For others, and these were quite a few, he was a strict and demanding teacher in the Martial Arts. But he didn't only teach that. He also taught the ways of Power, and how we should be able to use it in different situations. He invented various and seemingly endless tasks that made us think the way out over and over, and then it would turn out that all we had to do was a small simple move to achieve the desired result. He was a master of blunt force too, capable of eleminating whole armies barehanded, but he taught us a way of the ninja. Find the spot where the smallest pressure would bring the biggest effect, he used to say. A tiny stone can bring down the avalanche. Your task as a ninja is to find this stone, find the correct place and drop it. Brother ... for me, he was everything, especially after our father's death. They said he learned a great deal from him, but I had no such chance. I learned from my brother instead. Formally, my mentor was Smoke, but they came to terms somehow. In fact, I was allowed more freedom than usual Lin Kuei apprentice, for I was chosen for science study, not action missions. Nevertheless, brother trained me, and rather good. When he was gone after the first tournament and Lin Kuei Grandmaster wished to see if I was any good at fighting to replace my brother in accomplishing the mission, I impressed him enough to be proposed not only to take the name of Sub-Zero for one mission, but to occupy my brother's position of the top assassin. Of course, I was not to go on actual assassination missions - for that I wasn't too prepared. But on arena, in hand-to-hand combat, rules or no rules, I turned out to be their best. A major surprise for everyone, me included.

Brother ... gone now. I caught myself trying to escape in the memories of the past. No good, I was just feeling worse. Thinking about future brought more satisfaction. I started calculating what could I do with tools we had looted from Lin Kuei HQ and what enchancements I could do to Smoke's body when I got to it. This didn't relieve the pain, but it let me close it in the far-away closet placed somewhere in the darkest antic of my mind. Thoughtfully, I rubbed my scar and smiled a small smile to myself, wry and bitter. What had this life brought to us, brother ? Why had we spent it this way ? I had nothing left - no family, no clan, no home, no real friends, no aim in life, no inner strength to carry on. No will to carry on. And I couldn't even claim that I had had a worthy life, it was all somehow ... purposeless.

Heavy steps announced that I was no longer alone.

- Need a company, cutie ? - I heard a voice. Sheeva appeared in the dim light and seated herself beside me.

- You know, we mourn our fallen warriors too, - she continued. - But we celebrate life instead of grieving on death. Fallen warriors fell, living are to live.

Grieving, yes. I was good at it. And I had my reasons to. Still I kept my comfortable silence.

- So, how about a prize for the winner ? - she stood up in front of me and dropped her garment down, leaving only the red strapes of her original outfit.

- I don't feel like a winner, Sheeva.

- This could be fixed, cutie. Just have a look, - her lower arms slowly stretched aside the stripes on her chest, exposing two full impressive breasts. Higher pair of arms played with them seductively. Quite seductively, let me assure you. I suddenly felt no so firm in my decision, though remained cold on the outside. Of course, she was taller and more muscular, but even female bodybuilders have boyfriends, don't they ?

- Thanks, but no, - I replied.

- All this could be yours !

- Hey, didn't he tell you to bugger off ? - another voice interrupted. Sonya stepped out of the shadows.

- Wow, I didn't know you two were together, - Sheeva laughed. - I just wanted to show gratitude for my liberation.

- We're not together. And you are showing disrespect to his grief.

- Girls, just don't you fight because of me, - I asked.

- Why not ? - Sheeva frawned. - You're worth it.

- I could kick your ass anytime, you freaky whore ! - Sonya said in fury, almost shouting.

- My opinion isn't counted, I assume ? - I entered a remark.

- All right, all right ! - Sheeva laughed again. - Perhaps some other time, when your mistress is out of the town ?

- Anyway I'm afraid I'm no competitor for Shokans.

- Don't be so sure, cutie, - she sighed. - They're way too rude to be pleasant.

- Don't let us hold you anymore, darling, - hissed Sonya.

- You don't know what you're missing, cutie, - Sheeva said from the doorway. - But remember, I'll always be holding a warm place for you.

With this words she left, her lower left arm scratching between her legs.

- Vulgar bitch, - muttered Sonya. - Errm ... Sorry about that.

- Don't mention.

- I ... I was just checking if you're ok.

- I am, thank you, - I replied. I was rather surprised at her overall reaction in fact.

- Still grieving over your brother ?

- I guess so, - I said.

- Want to talk about it ? - she moved closer and embraced me with one arm. It was a pleasant feeling. And it was a long time since I had been hugging with a girl. Very long time.

- Not really, - I sighed. - Nothing we say can change the past.

- But it can relieve the pain you must be feeling now, - she said with concern. Her face was so beautiful under the moonlight, and so very close it was distracting.

- I don't think I feel all that much pain, I feel more like ... empty.

Her hand gently stroke my cheek, and I even closed my eyes for a second so good it felt.

- I love the way you do it, - I said.

She smiled and pulled my head to hears, and kissed me with surprising passion. I felt drawning in this kiss. It held a great significance for me, for as I said it's been a long long time. But as our lips parted and air rushed down to my lungs again, I tried to take things under control.

- Won't you regret it in the morning ? - I asked carefully.

- I sure don't want you to regret in the morning that you let Sheeva go !

- That's not a good reason.

- Well, _I_ would regret if I didn't do it, - she was serious suddenly. - And I would regret if I let Sheeva take you from me just when I finally gathered enough courage to do it !

- I kind of thought that you and Johnny ... - I started, but she interrupted.

- We did. We had something starting, you know, - she was sad. - But when he returned from Heaven, he was different, much different. It changes people, being dead, I mean, - she laughed sadly. - He advised me to look for a nice guy I could love, and not hanker for the lost past.

- And you picked me as a nice guy ? - I asked, a bit surprised.

- Yes. And don't think it's just because I needed someone suitable quickly. Johnny made me think about my life and have a different look at the people around me. You are a nice guy, even if you don't consider yourself one.

- You're right, - I smiled in amusement. - I don't.

- Oh, I'm sure you can be quite mean ! - she laughed. Then she looked me in the eyes. - But not with me. That's the point, you care about people.

I myself never thought of it this way, but wasn't going to argue any more.

- When we need you, you're there. When we even don't know we need you, you're there saving us from the deadly mistakes, preventing the dangers we didn't even see coming. Caring. Polite. Reliable.

- You're making me blush, lady.

She laughed again and moved to sit on my knees, facing me. Her hand produced a small remote control, and I heard windows and door behind shut.

- You don't get any obligations, you know. I'm doing it for myself. Why do you have to resist ?

She was right, I thought to myself. I didn't have to. So I kissed her, savoring the experience this time and hugged her tightly, enjoying the press of her breasts on my chest. She clearly wore no bra - I could even see the outline of her erect nipples though the top. She traced my look and giggled pleasantly. Then she pulled the shirt off and threw it away, allowing me to see the treasures. They were perfectly shaped, and begging to be stroked. I noticed a small hawk tattoo on the left breast and kissed it. The soldier's badges tinkled between the hills. She rubbed her thigh at the sign of my exitement and then ran the tip of her tongue upwards the scar on my face. Now, that mesmerized me. The sensation was amaizing. This scar had always been a sensetive spot, but I never imagined that this could be an advantage.

- Want to do it here or in bed ... cutie ? - she asked.

This was in fact the last mentionworth phrase of that evening. We did it there, and then we did it in bed, and then we did it ... well, that's not the point of the memoirs, is it ?

The night sleep ... well, in fact there were the first rays of dawn coming when we finally paid our regular visit to the dreamland. The night sleep brought peace and quiet that was so rare in my life. Even when the dream brought me to hell, I still felt this inner peace and serenety.

Lake of fire surronded a small blackened island that seemed to be formed out of scorched humans remains. On a throne of bones sat a yellow-clad figure with scull where head was to be found in case of ordinary mortal. But this one was not, even when he was alive, an ordinary.

- Greetings, Lin Kuei, - the words came without jawbone movement.

- Greetings, Shirai Ryu, - I answered. - But I'm not a Lin Kuei anymore.

- I know, your clan is disbanded. Just like mine - so I'm not a Shirai Ryu too.

- I meant that no longer belong to the clan, - I explained patiently.

- Good, - he said. - You're growing up. So, let's try again.

I simply bowed by head.

- Greetings, Sub-Zero.

- Greetings, Scorpion, - I replied. - Or should I call you Hasashi ?

- No, - he looked away. I could swear I heard melancholy in his unearthly voice. - Hanzo Hasashi was a man ... and I am a specter. Call me Scorpion for that is what I am now.

- I thought it would please you, sorry.

- Don't be. I understand your reason and thankful for your compassion.

Dreadful it must be, I thought, to be locked in this indestructible body, to roam forever without salvation ...

- It is, - I heard voice in my head and cursed my long tongue ... well, communication in dreams went through thoughts, and that's why he heard me. Scorpion continued. - But I traded my soul for it. And this is in fact why I requested this little chat.

- Yes ?

- Revenge isn't worth it. Don't pursue it for your brother.

Great, a living impersonation of revange was telling me to give up mine.

- Not living, Sub-Zero. That is the whole point. Your brother robbed me of my revenge when he sacrificed his life for this brat monk. But not before I could kill him once. He was resurrected by Shang Tsung for his services were needed, but I had realised by this time that simply killing him held no salvation for me.

- And so ?

- And so I'm locked here forever. And I don't want you to be my guest for the rest of eternity.

- My life belongs to me, - I quoted the ancient saying.

- Exactly ! Don't waste it on something even your brother doesn't want you to do !

- I'll think about it, - I promised.

- You better do. I once freed you from my curse, now don't get one of your own.

- By the way, I think we could do something about yours ... - I started, but the picture faded away, and I fell into the more mundane sleep, one without dreams.

It was noon when I awoke, feeling hungry but filled with energy. After dressing and a couple of fast exersises to completely wake up the body, I left the room. The kitchen was empty, of people I mean, for it was still messy after the party. Sonya emerged from the shower room, beautifully wrapped up in colourful towel, and gave me a fast wet kiss.

The door cracked, and Sheeva entered the room, yawning. The doorway opened a view on a ruined bed with peacefully snoring Jax and Stryker in it.

- Good morning, - I greeted her.

- Wha ... oh, good morning, cutie, - she yawned again. - Dear, I borrowed your bathroom gown, hope it's ok with you ? I'm afraid I had to improve it a bit.

She meant that she had to tear large holes under the sleeves to put her lower arms through. In fact, this not so large for a human gown was obviously too short for her, and when she leant over the table to reach the juice, this fact became more and more obvious as the hem went higher and higher until ... I realised that I was staring at something not for a gentleman's eyes and looked aside, even though I was sure Sheeva didn't mind. Hell, I was half sure she planned it this way. Besides, even if Sonya said "no obligations", I myself felt other way. Thankfully, she didn't notice, looking through the doorway at the room Sheeva left.

- Oh, you may keep it, - Sonya said and added in a concerned voice. - Are the guys ok ?

- Yeah, they were in fact better than I thought they would be, - Sheeva answered absentmindedly and finished the pint of juice in one gulp. - Gees, I half expected the toy of Jax to be metal as well !

Then she looked at Sonya and quickly said:

- Oh, you mean that ! Yes, they'll be all right except for a wild hangover. Alive, sure.

Sonya frawned a bit, realising what took place yesterday.

- What, dear, you don't mean you wanted them for yourself too ? - asked Sheeva with annoyance.

The loud beeping sounded from the hall, and Sonya ran to the bedroom.

- Pick it up, Sub, will you ? - she cried from there.

I found it and activated. Worried Nightwolf's face was looking at me from the screen, and I thought I could make out Fujin behind him.

- Greetings, Lin Kuei.

- Greetings, Nightwolf, but please don't address me so again. It's just Sub-Zero.

- As you wish, - he replied. - But I have an urgent message to all of you. Rain was right. We are in trouble, Fujin told me the darkest news. Looks like it has begun, again. We'll be in your apartment in about ten minutes.

Great, I thought, here we go. And the day has just started.

And so it had begun, again. But that is another story.

Story Five: Coming one beautiful day, I suppose

****

Story Six: Wonders and Wanderers

- ... you sure you remember how to use this thing ? - the voice was almost audible rust.

- Yeah, yeah ... - I muttered. - Just give me a moment.

- What if you ... - he started and the power went off.

I swallowed a swear and checked the cords connections. The lights lit again, and Smoke re-activated.

- Careful !

- Sorry. I didn't mean it.

- I know, - he said and added after a pause. - But please, don't do it again.

- What does it feel like ? - I wondered.

- Turning off you mean ? - the voice was coming from the speaker in my computer actually. His body I was working on was still not operating properly. - Like a small death. Nothing. But dreadful in a way you can't understand without your own experience.

- What about being reborn ?

- No, turning on isn't like that, - he objected. - It's more like when you finally break to the surface after a real deep dive. When a second before you was blacking out because of the air shortage, and then suddenly you gulp it by full lungs. All you can think at the moment is breathing.

- I guess a newborn child has similiar feelings, - I noted.

- Who knows ?

I do not answer this last remark and go on with my work on circuits. I managed to repair most of the important functions, and later the self-repair prog was to do its job. Cyborgs were amaizing also because they could actually re-build themselfs almost from a tiny screw ... but it took time. Wonders of high tech, and a point of my pride since I was involved in their design.

- So what happened after you sorted out this mess ?

- Fujin and Cage returned to Heaven. Liu Kang and Kung Lao went back to China. They had plans to reform White Lotus as a world peace-keeping organization. In fact, it's a problem now.

- How comes ?

- Everyone says we need to make a world-wide alliance to keep peace. And everyone wants to lead it. So I guess soon we'll have a whole lot fighting each other to keep the peace.

- What about us ? - he asked.

Damn, digital sound stole intonations, and this irritated me. I couldn't catch his meaning as fast as I used to. "Us" have been Lin Kuei for all my life, but now ...

- We're on our own. Lin Kuei is disbanded.

- They're not after us ? - he asked maybe with a hint of surprise.

- No, I suppose those who survived have other problems on their hands.

- Don't count on it, Sub-Zero. If Grand Master is alive, they will come sooner or later.

I yawned and waved a hand in the air when a hot spark from the circuits hit it.

- In fact, that's the least of my problems for now.

- There's more ? - he said, and then followed something I defined as mechanical laughter.

- What's funny ? - I asked.

- There's always trouble where you are, - he explaind. - That's why I like to hang around, it's fun.

- Gee, thanks a lot ... - I muttered.

The light in the room blinked twice and Smoke's arm moved. Guess all my equipment was a bit too much for the cheap living quarters.

- I have no problems, - I stated as I made sure everything was working. - Just matters to attend to.

- And these are ? - Smoke went on.

- Sonya. I'm not sure what we are now. I can take it being close friends and having sex. She isn't sure of what we are now too, and her American raising says we're either friends or lovers. And she has no time for love now, so it worries her to sleep with a friend. It's my version, actually. And she's too manipulating sometimes. Forgets I'm not under her command, and feels guilty later. Of course, I try to comfort her, but she doesn't always allow me to.

- Great. World's falling apart and all you think of is your stupid girlfriend. - he said with a sigh.

- Come on, - I protested. - What do I care of this world ? But I care about Sonya, and she's way smarter than you think.

- You've always had excessive altruism and trust in people, - Smoke sighed again.

- Then, Cyrax, - I continued. - I messed with his programming, and he had almost no personality there. Now he's walking around like bloody Robocop and no-one really knows if he's human or not.

- Thanks, I guess you're talking the same behind my back ! - he said with a definite intonation of anger.

- No, that's different, - I explained. - You got your soul whole inside. They almost didn't alter your brains at all, just connected it to the control microchip. Cyrax had about 15 percent of his original brain tissue left. I know souls exist, I've seen them, but my science knowledge says there is no chance he could remain in this tin can afterwards.

- I think your server is about to crash, - Smoke noted.

- What ? - I pushed from the table and the chair turned to my main computer. It seemed all right. Then it blinked and hung up.

- How did you know ? - I asked.

- I can see all your network in fact, - he said. - Not that I understand much there, but I learn.

- Hmm, interesting ... this gives you some very peculiar abilities ...

- Are you going to do anything about this server or not ? - he asked. - The test program has stopped.

I looked up at him.

- Oh, yes, - I pressed the power button, nothing happened. I kicked the machine, and turned back as it started to reboot.

- Imagine all you can do with electronics ! - I exclaimed enthusiastically.

- Yeah, right ! - he said wryily. - Let's exchange bodies and you can do all you wish.

I paused.

- Sorry.

- It's ok, kid.

- Don't call me that.

- Sorry.

My work was once again interrupted by loud beeping. I didn't recognize the sound, which was surprising since I could usually name any of my equipment sounds in a second. So I just tried to locate the sourse.

- Your pager, - Smoke said. - It's in the top drawer.

I opened it and grabbed the thing. Sonya gave it to me just the day before and it was working for the first time. The screen lit and the words appered, she wanted me to come to the Special Forces local division.

- Seems like I got to go, - I said.

- I know, - Smoke answered. - Your antenna can accept these signals and your computer can translate them.

- How the hell did you know where it was ? - I asked.

- Easily. But not sure how exactly. I just knew.

- Must be the sound positioning, - I muttered. - Or electrical radiation ... Do you need anything before I go ?

- Yes, a pizza with screws, wires and machine oil, - Smoke laughed again.

- I can set a video tape for you, - I offered. - There are some left from Sonya's ex-roommate.

- Any good ones ? - he asked with curiosity.

I checked. There was a tape called "Best Wrestlers of WWF". It was marked "Property of Mj. Briggs. Snatch it and I'll tear your sorry ass apart !". Then there were a couple of tapes with Johnny Cage and Jean-Claude Van Damme. I knew Smoke wouldn't like any of these, as I wouldn't myself. Cheap and tasteless.

- Only Martial Arts so far, - I said.

- Is there Jackie Chan or Fei Long ?

- No, I'm afraid.

- Don't bother then, I'll find what to do.

- I'll take this thing, - I told him mounting a small two-way transmitter in my ear, - ... and you'll be able to hear everything and speak to me.

- Perfect. But there's one more thing I'd like to know.

- Yes ? - I asked from the door.

- You described the mess in this world. What piece do we stick to ?

It was my time to sigh. I hadn't decided yet what I was going to do. I still hung around The Outworld Investigation Agency, and everyone supposed it was meant without saying. Mostly they worked for the government so far and I didn't bother much with their official status, since I didn't actually sign up. Then Nightwolf was with them, kind of, and I liked him and his cause. I think he was the only decent politician around, not to mention a wise man and a good friend. Liu Kang and Co wanted to expand the White Lotus and Morpheus had some strange ideas about it, but I didn't give it much thought for I found my participating in it plain ridiculous. I was finished with my quests for truth and justice by the moment and all real obligations I had were to help Smoke regain good health - or good functionality, if it comes to that. Then I was planning to settle down and relax a bit, maybe go into some of my old science projects I had had to put off long ago.

- None, - I replied. - As I said, we're on our own.

- Good. Go now.

I left. As the elevator brought me down, I was still thinking of this last question. Smoke wanted to know for sure. But he also wanted me to think about it, for he knew I'd have told him without asking if we did stick to some group. So I was thinking. No real idea came in the mind. What group could he want to join ? He defenitely had something on his mind. And I doubted that it was just return to the assassination business as freelance. In the world wich suffered the loss of so many lives, no one wanted to pay much for the loss of a few more. And what else could we do, ninjas trained for this mission only ? Well, besides me and some other chosen, of course.

I was getting in the car as Smoke's voice sounded in my head.

- Wait. There's something urgent.

- What ? - I asked and glimpsed at my wrist.

I still had about half an hour. I expected to be late for only ten minutes yet. Not counting this unexpected business.

- Cyrax wants to talk to you.

- Great. Can't it wait ?

Heavy metal steps announced the arrival of another technology wonder. His members clearly needed a good oil treatment. The buzz he produced when moving around reminded me of the silent new generation cyborgs I saw at the Lin Kuei last time. Then I remembered what was left of the HQ after our visit and sighed. Of course, I had some souvenirs from there, but I used most of them when repairing Smoke. And improving Smoke, by the way.

- No. It can't wait. Follow me.

I did. Stupid, right ? Walking after a robot when a playmate-of-the-millenium blonde is waiting for you ? I was right thinking of leaving him, when we reached our destination in some dirty dead end. Cyrax turned around and faced me.

- Here ? - I asked.

No reply.

- Look, - I said in a voice one uses with small children. Don't know where I learned that, never communicated with small children. - I've got things to do. Now what is it ?

I'm usually not all that good, but this time literally a sixth sense made me bow quickly. The hit disturbed the air where my head was. He was aiming a second strike when I rolled aside and took a fighting stance. Opposite me there were several Lin Kuei ninjas dressed in the indefinite black outfits. I noted that while one fighter was attacking me, the rest were merely sitting around and watching. Perhaps that meant they were going to attack me one by one, perhaps not. The one fighting me was pretty good, but nothing more. I considered my chances of beating them all and still being in time for my date. Not much, I was already late. I sighed and concentrated on the fight. All this time poor chap was trying to hit me, to no avail though. He didn't show any sign of his Power if he had any, and his technique was usual Lin Kuei. I guessed he was of lower ranks, not too well trained for direct fight, rather for stealth kills, or even a student. Toying around bored me and I sent him down with a couple of well calculated moves. He attempted to rise, brave guy. My instinct called me to break his leg - it was closest to me and was sure to calm him down, but I just waited for his next much weaker than before strike and slammed him in the ground again. He raised to his knees, hardly and then ... I first thought he was going to break his own neck of shame that he couldn't kill me, but instead he took off his mask and bowed me ceremonially. One word left his blood-stained lips, and this word was a next shock to me.

- Master ...

I looked back at Cyrax. He was motionless and soundless as a bronze statue. Shit.

I looked at these ninjas and counted them. Seven, including my opponent. All of them were bowing to me. This could only mean one thing - they put their lives in my hands and accepted me as their rightful Master. I fought a ceremonial fight with their leader. I won the fight. I let him live. He called me Master over himself. All that made me their Master. If only I had realised this before, I could have escaped this result, but now it was way too late. Shit.

- Shit ... - I muttered. - Look, guys, err ...

Silence. They were listening. Only a ghost metal laugh touched my ear and I realised it was Smoke.

- What's so funny ? - I asked. - What am I supposed to do now ?

- Anything. They'll obey anything you say.

- What if I tell them to wonder off and live a normal life ?

- They'll consider themselves turned down and will probably commit mass suicide.

Yeah, right. A thing right in the tradition of ninjas.

- Besides, what normal life ? They escaped the clan. They managed to flee to America. But they are not suited to life without a clan. Unlike you, they don't know language well. They don't know how to earn their living. They don't know anything. They've been living on the streets and starving because they knew nothing of hotels and work. They stole food to survive. You're a legend to them. A champion af the clan. A champion of three worlds. The one who survived three Mortal Kombats. The one so strong that he could bend the ways of the clan and leave the clan alive when it tried to force you into becoming a cyborg. The one who knows everything - from life outside the clan to the secrets of magic and science, though it's the same for them. You ...

While he was speaking that speech, obviously carefully prepared long before, I looked at my watches, looked at the sky and finally at this band. I made a step forward and stopped Smoke by addressing them. I only had a short moment to prepare, but I managed to be as constructive as possible.

- Follow this warrior, - I pointed at Cyrax. - To my appartment. Wait there. Have a meal and rest. When I get back, I'll meditate and tell you my decision. Go.

- Yes, Master, - their leader replied.

I gave Cyrax a disapproving look as he moved to show them the way. Shit. When they left, I ran to my car, in a way a respective Master should never move.

On the way to the Special Forces I tried to think it over. Smoke definitely knew about them before the fight. Cyrax too, but Smoke disturbed me more. He was planning something, and I didn't like being manipulated like that. Nevertheless, I kept silent and Smoke voice didn't come to me either. It was my move now and I was going to prepare it well instead of rushing with accusations.

My humble - and therefore invisible - Ford brought me to the dull gray building. Its design was supposed to make it invisible too, but I was ready to bet my last penny that every soul in vicinity knew it was government all over. Special Forces, yeah.

I was expected. In fact, I suspect I was the last to arrive. Sonya sighed with relief and Jax threw me an angry look.

I nodded slightly to them and took a seat.

Come to think of it, living a Western life implied taking a seat without host's permission sometimes - a thing not usual in the Clan. Not that I liked it.

There were several generals. No surprise. There were several civilian-dressed Federal agents. Not much surprise. There was a video player. I looked around for popcorn and found none. Now that was a surprise.

One of the feds was a man on his way to boldness, and wore small accurate glasses. What distinguished him from the usual crowd was an intelligent look, but looks lie, often. Another was a tired-looking but handsome agent that looked like he came from Zalman King's movies directly. Don't ask me where I saw these, I didn't like them anyway. The last one was a flame-haired woman that had calm and intelligent but extremely sexy to my humble mind charm.

- Can we proceed ? - the one in glasses asked. - Good.

The light turned off and the movie began. It was a short one and the best shots were repeated in a slide show afterwards.

Mainly it showed a butchery, or rather its happy end. Dead bodies everywhere, blood all over, several decapitated corpses, several actually worthy moments presented professional kills of professional-looking soldiers. Some unshown person or persons, used all the advantages of stealth and quickly dealt with about a squad of marines or likes. I noted that the unseen killer used no firearms, not counting once some energy splash, but lots of throwing stuff and blades for close range. I wasn't sure if I saw him using spear or it was something else. Motion was blurred and saying anything definite just wasn't possible. Slides after the movie were a little better and were accompanied by comments from this official in glasses.

- What you see is an assault on US marines squad by what we believe to be an extraterrastrial entity. We have multiple records of such activity. They come to our planet, kill on particular basis and collect trophies, then leave for some time. Twice to our knowledge they've been killed, but both times we couldn't retain the bodies or any artifacts of their technology.

- Trophies ? - Jax interrupted. - What the ... err ... what do you mean trophies ?

- I mean, they cut off head and part of spinal cord from the pray that showed significant resistance and take with them.

- Sounds like ... - Sonya began slowly.

- Yes, - the man took off his glasses and looked at her directly. - They come to hunt. That's why the project code is "The Predator".

I wondered why not "The Hunter".

There was a moment of silence when a hand drawing caught my eyes. It took place of the next slide and looked like it was made by someone not exactly familiar with a pen. I gave the FBI guy a questioning look, and he glimpsed at the picture.

- It's a drawing made by one of the witnesses who survived.

- Can I have it ? - I asked.

- Here, - I was handled the slide. - It's just a copy.

The rest of the conversation was boring. Generals and officials of all kinds argued over the plan. I soon figured out they had none actually, but some wanted to capture this being alive, some wanted to kill it and some - not much though, thought we should have let the beast have what it wanted and go away. Some useful information was that our hunter prefered hot enviroment and fed on raw meat. And he supposedly saw in the infra-red spectre. But previous attempts to fool him by using special suits failed, so he could also see something besides hot-blooded idiots hanging around.

Then they just voted and came to decision to kill the beast off, but capture it if they had a chance.

- Now gentlemen, allow me to introdue to you our team.

I got a bit interested.

- Special agent Mulder, in charge of operation. He was handling this case from the beginning.

It was this handsome agent.

- Special agent Scully, medical expert.

This sexy woman.

- Major Briggs, demolition expert.

Jax was frowning, probably unhappy that feds were in charge.

- Lieutenant Blade, combat expert.

Sonya.

- Mister Smith, science expert.

I looked around, interested. Then I noticed Sonya was staring at me and got it. Me, right. Smith, why not. My true name was a secret as it was always with ninjas, and I usually needed none, even my codename, while living in clan. While on foreign missions, of course, there were plenty of fake ones.

Finally Sonya, Jax and I ended up alone in a small room.

- So, what do you think ? - Sonya asked.

- What I think ? - Jax was shouting and spitting around. - Lemme tell ya what I think ! I think it all sucks ! Damn feds ! How did we get this shit on our hands ?

- Calm down Jax, - Sonya stopped him. - That's not exactly thinking.

- Yeah ? I don't want to calm down ! They've got a shitload on their hands, and they wanna use us to clean it up !

- I suppose, - I interrupted. - it's a first time they asked for Special Forces help on such occasion ?

- We're thinking about the same, right ? - Sonya asked.

I looked at her.

- All right, what are you thinking of ? - Jax asked.

- There must be a reason, - Sonya explained.

- They just don't have the guts to deal with it themselves !

- That's what they said. But there must be something else. So far they would never share anything with us just because they couldn't get enough firepower.

Jax frawned.

- So what ? Let's just shred this alien asshole into pieces !

- I'm afraid, it wouldn't be that easy, - I sighed.

Jax and Sonya stared at me.

- This, - I showed them the pen drawing I got from feds. - This is Yaut, Unseen Hunter, Curse of The Clans.

- You know him ?

- Not personally, - I said. - Yauts are demons from old legends. They come and kill the best of the best of the Clans. But the legend says long ago The First Lin Kuei Grand Master killed one and took his head. That's how he obtained his title, actually. Since then his descendants used to rip the head and part of the spinal cord to kill a truly great enemy. A sign of respect - or just a trademark in some cases.

- Descendants ?

- Yes, - I shook my shoulders. - He was one of my ancestors. But then the title passed to other families. It's a long story.

- So, what's so special about this demon ? - Sonya wondered.

- The legend says mortal can't see the demon unless he wants it. I think even finding it would be difficult.

My watches made a long beepins sound.

- What's this ? - Jax asked.

- Err ... I took a liberty to provide our friends with a small communacation device.

- You mean bugged them ?

- Well, yes.

- So ?

I produced a radio out of the pocket and connected it to several other peacefully-looking devices. In a few seconds we had sound:

- ... ridiculous, - we heard a woman say. - Lin Kuei is a myth. A clan of Chinese ninjas with supernatural powers ?

- Exactly. And have you seen this science expert ?

- What, he's a Lin Kuei too ? Just because he's half Asian and has a scar ?

- Wait, I'll have it in a second. Here ! I told you I remembered his face !

- Mileena ? The Black Widow, Night Lady ?

- Yes, look at this picture ! That's him, beside her. A picture made a couple of days before she disappeared.

- So what ? She was just a psycho killer. What does Lin Kuei have to do with it ?

- He's one of them, I tell you.

- All right, but what a Lin Kuei is doing in Special Forces ?

- This I suggest we find out.

- Mulder, what are you doing now ?

- I don't know why they forced us to work with Special Forces, but I don't like it. So I took the liberty to use some of our equipment.

- You mean you bugged them ?

- What can I say ? Couldn't help it ... here we go ... let's see ...

We looked at each other in confusion. I quickly shut down my speaker and started searching for headphones so that I could hear them without them hearing that I was hearing them ... Ok, you got me.

- What do you think of this agent Scully ? - Jax asked suddenly.

- What do I think ? - I stumbled.

- Yes, - he gestured madly and made a sign to Sonya to keep silence.

I finally found and connected my headphones. Silence, they were listening to us.

- Beautiful. Looks intelligent.

- Beautilful ? She's fucking hot ! Have you seen these lips ? These hips ? These legs ?

Sonya rolled her eyes.

- Yes, I believe so. She's preety attractive.

- Pretty attractive ? And this ass, too ! Man, I'd love to do some acrobatics with her ! First, I'd ...

Distantly I heard Scully asking Mulder to turn off.

- Enough, they're off the line.

We spent some time for seek and destroy game, and after all found this transmitter on one of the Jax's metal arms. Jax and Sonya started to argue about ways to get this Predator. I left them still trying to get an idea. I had one myself, but preffered to keep it to myself so far. It needed some thinking over.

- Greetings, Master, - I was met at my apartment by one of my newly found followers.

They bowed and remained so.

- Rise. Hi, - I answered. - Is everything all right ?

- Yes, Master.

- Great.

He remained at the door. Some traditions are nice to see remaining, and I saw no reason to stop him from guarding the house if he wished to. Of course, I had plenty of gadgets of my own to do the job, but still, why disturb anyone ?

The rest of the gang were scattered around the place. One guarded backdoor, two were trying to clean up the kitchen, three sleeping in the hall. All of them awoke before I had time to retreat silently and bowed me.

- Hey there. Rise and go on with your rest, - I told them.

They watched me.

- I'll talk to you all in an hour, - I added.

- We know. Mai told us.

- Mai ?

- She's a seer, - one of the guys explained and nodded at the girl that was among them. - It was her who got us through everything. She got us here.

- Aha, - I said. - A seer. Good one ?

- No, - the girl spoke for the first time. - My gift is too spontaneous to be very good. I only see major things clearly, and even them not always.

- Great. Ok, in an hour then.

They bowed again. They still had too much of the Clan in them.

I went up to the room I was using as a lab.

- Greetings, Master, - Smoke said.

- Don't taunt me. You knew they were coming.

I managed to speak calmly.

- Yes, I did, - he answered.

- And ?

- And what ?

- And why didn't I know ? - I asked patiently.

- They wanted a surprise.

Great. They wanted a surprise. Some might ask why ninjas don't like surprises - well, in our job surprise means you're out of job and dead.

- All right, let's play straight. Why didn't you tell me ?

- Why don't you think about it first ?

I left in fury. Metal bastard. I was no longer a a student and he had no right to talk to me like that. And I considered him my best and only friend. I meditated for the rest of an hour and went down.

- All right. Everyone, rise up. Get the rest here.

In a few seconds they were sitting around and listening.

- I will lead you. I will prepare you. Then, we'll see.

In their eyes I saw that if I tell them of my future plan to let the live their own lives would only insult and upset them. I didn't have the courage. They were brave kids to do what they've done - escape the Clan and manage to get here, but this would have been too much for them. They were seeing their last hope and savior in me. Damn. But I couldn't let them down. After all, Lin Kuei was my familiy for so long, and they were part of it - not the Clan that rushed its wrath upon my head, but the part that saw me right. That made me think of what had my mother looked like, a thought that hadn't come for a long time.

- The rules here a different from the Clan. We are part of Lin Kuei no more.

Total attention. Not a nod, not a sound, not a move. I started feeling uneasy.

- You may call me Sub-Zero, or John in private, as I use these names here. I want you to introduce yourself now.

- We have no names yet, Master, - one of them answered. - We haven't been ... ordinated .. ?

I sighed. We've been talking in English so far, and I switched into Chinese. Their language skills had to be worked on too.

- Names you use to address each other will do. You won't need the codenames unless you'd like them yourself.

They introduced themselves.

- All right. Second, you may bow just a little when greeting someone, but don't stay this way.

I realised of course that they weren't going to bow to anyone but me much. But I found that talking to somewone who was looking at the floor disturbed me. It never did during my raising at Lin Kuei, but not many bowed to me then. Or maybe I didn't pay much attention.

- Sub-Zero, someone's coming, - I heard Smoke from the device I still had in my ear.

- It's him, - Mai said.

- Who's him ? - I asked.

- Master, you must trust me, - Mai started talking fast.

- There are lots of them, armed, - Smoke added. - Will be here in thirty seconds.

- You sure they're coming here ? - I asked.

- He will take us, I see it. Don't try stop him. It is important that you don't try to stop him, or someone will die.

- I'm sure, - Smoke said. - Twenty, or even more, machine guns. They block all exits.

- Master, please, do as I say ! I see it so clearly - you will kill the beast and the legend will make a circle !

I thought that it had to be quite important to make her tell her Master what to do.

Someone knocked at the door.

- We'll see, - I muttered.

I opened the door. Agent Mulder, agent Scully and some SWAT.

- I assume you've got all paperwork on you ? - I asked.

- Here, - Mulder said and walked in.

- You're all under arrest, - he adressed my gang.

- What's the charge ? - I wondered.

- They're illegal immigrants, - Scully explained with a sigh. - Until we make further charges, this is enough.

- And you're coming with us too, - Mulder said. - I want some explanations.

- Please, Master, do what he says, - Mai spoke again. - And please, trust him. You must trust him, or everyone will die.

A seer, I thought. I still wanted to solve this problem with pure force. Some time later I wished I did, but then I surrendered with a hard feeling.

In hour and a half I found myself in a chair wondering if they can think of any more stupid questions. I was alone in the room, special agents left to discuss the situation. They clearly couldn't squeeze anything interesting for them out of me, and clearly didn't want just to let me go.

I tried to look bored and seemingly casually put a hand to my ear. For the last few minutes I had been constructing my little spying device under the table, hoping to pass unnoticed, and now was ready to use it. I didn't know for sure they were watching me, but a surveylance cam and a big mirror made me try to hide my activities.

- ... the senator ? Quick, isn't he ? Didn't even get a phonecall and already a senator is on us.

- Anyway, what can we do ? We have no evidence.

- Yes, but I didn't like the idea of a group of ninjas hanging around the city. At least we can send them out of the country.

A phone rang there. Suddenly a phone on the table opposite of me started ringing too.

Mulder started speaking to someone on his phone. I couldn't get much of this. Meanwhile, I could probably get something out of this call. I picked up the phone.

- Mister Smith ?

- Yes ? - I was wondering who could it be.

- We know who you are. We know what you are and what you can do. Do you understand ?

- Yes.

- We have your men. They are not as good as you are. If you want them back and alive, you will do what we say.

- And what that might be ?

- Catch the Predator alive. With your powers, we know you can easily do it. Hand it to us, and we'll give you your men.

- What the Hell is he doing ? - I heard Scully in my headphone.

I didn't have much time. And I needed at least some to find out everything I wished to find out.

- All right, - I said. - How do I know that you keep your word ?

- I believe you'll just have to trust us on that. And another thing: you must not tell anyone of our little pact. We will know and you will not like the consequences.

The man on the other side of the wire hung up.

The door opened and the agents entered the room. I tried my best innocent look at them, but it didn't seem to work. Mulder came to the phone and picked up a cord. Now that was funny - the phone was disconnected. In silence he looked at Scully, and then back at me. My, was he going to ask me questions about his equipment ?

- Personally, - Mulder said finally. - I think that your story is made up at the spot, but I can't prove it right now.

- Does it mean we can go ?

- You can go. They stay.

I stood up.

- This woman, - he added suddenly. - She said you must trust me.

- So ?

- How about some truth, Mister Smith ? I've heard your version, and I agree to take it as offical, but how about some truth ?

- The truth ... - I paused and looked at Scully.

I was going to bet they didn't even know my men were already out of their reach. In fact, Lin Kuei did some job for US secret services, and I knew how this worked. They hardly knew anything.

- The truth is such a wonderful thing, - I finished. - We have a work on our hands.

- Yes, we do, - Mulder replied slowly. - The meeting is in half an hour.

I didn't even have time to drop by back home. So I dedicated this half an hour to developing a good-looking plan. The result wasn't in fact too smooth and good-looking, but still better than usual Special Forces "Break in, kill everyone, look around".

Sonya and Jax went in arguing if I'd be late again. I nodded at them, hiding a smile.

- This will be a short briefing. We don't know where the Predator is, but we can guess where he will be.

- And this is ? - Sonya asked.

- This is, - Mulder pointed at the spot on the city map. - What we believe is the Order of the Harvest Moon so-called Temple.

The Order of the Harvest Moon. A total annoyance to the mercinaries. Show-off maniac murderers ! A professional does a quick and clean kill for his money. These did a messy and bloody job for their pleasure. And did it with unnecessary suffer, pomposity and almost fireworks. Called themselves Harvesters. A miracle how these bastards got along each other. Somehow their services were popular among rich businessmen willing to get rid of their wives. No troble in proving it was a work of a maniac, rape and guts all over the ceiling provided free of charge, plus a mother-in-law committing suicide all of sudden to each tenth customer.

- Hey, if you believe so, why is it not smoking ruines yet ? - Jax asked suspiciously.

- Because we didn't have any evidence, - Scully explained in a tired voice I used to hear from Sonya when it was her explaining something like this to Jax.

- Do we have it now ? - Jax wondered bloodthirstily.

Poor Harvesters. Well, they deserved it. After all, I was an assassin out of job, not exactly a person to start a civil rights movement.

In short - we came, we broke in, we tried not to kill too much, but much to Jax & Co joy they resisted arrests, then we looked around. The fights went on, since the freaking place appeared much bigger than we expected. Should had brought more cannon fodder. Err, lower-ranks field operatives and SWAT and army and Special Forces and police and whoever else got to follow our team due to the honour, duty or mere foolishness. Finally we stopped to have a short talk while our guys continued shooting, fighting and putting handcuffs on those few that were fortunate enough to survive the massacre. Well, they did resist violently, it's not that we just came for bloodbath and some champagne. That too, of course, but at least FBI part were professionals. So far, we managed to stalk the large group of our enemies in a corner and were storming one of the hopefully last halls.

- What now ? - Sonya asked. - Doesn't seem that our friend showed up for the party.

- We haven't looked everywhere, - Jax argued. - Maybe there are more of them !

- Maybe, but what about the Predator ?

- I think he'll be around, - Mulder announced.

Great. Professionals.

- Let's split up ! We can search the basement !

And before we had time to protest Jax led a large part of our men downstairs. I've always had a feeling we stopped him from having as much fun as he could get out of the situation.

- So what do we do if he doesn't show up ?

- Let's get in and check, - Scully offered. - They ceased fire.

Carefully, one of the Federals pushed the door open. We went in, expecting an ambush - and there was nothing. Well, nothing alive or moving. There were some twenty or more corpses, fresh and bleeding, gutted, burned, total mess. We didn't do it. We could have done it, but we didn't get there in time - someone had already had fun there. Mulder observed the hall.

- He's here.

From the next door there were screams and shots. The room was kind of church, with benches and even a blood-stained altar. On the walls, there were flags with symbolic H in a cirlce of sicle blades. We rushed in there, and I could swear in the dim light of torches I saw a transparent figure trying - successfully, considering the dead bodies - to make its way through a group of Harvester Priests defending their leader. Again, why these cults like torches so much ? Wherever possible, I myself prefer lamps. But then, our group opened fire, and I lost track of the invisible demon. The priests attacked us, led by a man in rich robe. I quickly considered - the demon wanted to get to this man. An idea sparkled and I began to move towards him. After a short shooting session a fight started. The guys were pretty tough, probably elite, and their robes were kind of bulletproof. Or in battle frenzy these fanatics didn't pay attention to such details as gunshots. The leader was a man with a neat black beard and several parallel scars over his face that looked a bit artificial - maybe even specially crafted as part of his initiation. Strong and clearly experienced fighter, he cut through our ranks like a knife, using a strange round-bladed weapon repeating the form of the Order's emblem.

- Leave him, - I shouted.

He looked at me and laughed. I'd have smiled, if I was in a better mood. I didn't bow - he was a maniac and murderer, not a warrior. He didn't bother either, and we clashed. He was even better than I expected, and we fought in space between the rows of benches too narrow for some of my favourite techniques, so his strength gave him an advantage, but a ninja can kill an average man in mere seconds. It took me eighteen. Eight seconds more than I expected. I decided that I should spend more time for training. When I broke his arm and he fell on his knees, he wasn't laughing anymore. But in his eyes there still was no fear, just hate. Well, all right. I looked around the place. No sign of the Predator, but I was sure he was looking. I made a finishing strike, and raised an arm holdng the scarred head with spinal cord hanging. I killed the Predator's prey and took his trophy. If this didn't piss him off, I didn't know what else to do.

- What was this for ? - Sonya wondered. - We had him.

- I guess it was an invitation, - Mulder explained.

He looked in my eyes.

- Am I wrong ?

I didn't answer and left the room. He caught me up in the previous hall.

- You're a Lin Kuei.

I considered that even FBI couldn't probably bug this place and to him I could speak. After all, Mai told me to trust him. Fortunetellers, yeah. Seers.

After a second thought, I turned off my transmitter. After all, any such device could be tracked.

- I was, - I sighed.

- Was ? I always thought you don't leave such organizations alive.

I rubbed my scar.

- Let's say, we argued about this.

- I should arrest you.

- You arrested my men, though they haven't killed anyone. They are young, they are scared and lost. They wanted to change their lives, they left the clan, they came to me seeking protection and advice.

- If they're innocent as you claim, they'll soon be free.

- If this was up to you, might be so.

- What do you mean ? - he asked.

- Arrogant it may seem, I start to suspect this whole afair was started to force me into fighting this demon.

- Why you ?

I picked a broken statuette. A female angel, naked, spreading her wings as if beginning to fly. The head and the hands were missing, and that made it provoke sadness in me. I threw it up, and before it went down, a small blast of my Power froze it hanging in the upper point of the short flight.

- Impressive, - Mulder said.

- They want to exchange my men for this demon, alive.

- And you believe you can get him ?

- I don't believe this would help, - I replied slightly bitterly. - Next thing, they want me to get a Moon for them.

- More likely they'd want to slice you into pieces and learn this Superman trick, - he added thoughtfully. - May I suggest a plan ?

About an hour later Scully and I were setting a rather complicated device in a abandoned plant. America is full of such buildings, large enough for small armies to figure out who's the boss in vicinity, stacked with indefinite equipment and what's more important, ready to blow up along with half a city if you just press a big red button or play with computer system designed probably to monitor the janitors. See now why I like this country ? Back in China it'd be way more difficult.

- And this is ? - she wondered.

- Didn't Mulder tell you ?

- Not in details.

I shook my shoulders and explained.

- This is a small EMP bomb. Presumably, Predator's invisibility shield works on electricity or like, since it doesn't like water. This will destroy it.

- Presumably ? - she added with scepticism.

- Hopefully, - I answered.

Of course I was a bit grim and worrying. I tried to rid my mind of that. The plan sucked, on my part mainly, but that was probably the best we could produce in such a short time. I just had to trust in Mulder's ability to carry out his part. And needed a clear mind to carry out mine.

- Now when you see him, or see me make a sign, press this, - I showed and gave her the remote.

- Can't you do it yourself ?

- I have a double. Whoever sees him first, makes the move. Or I can be just way too busy by the moment.

Everything was pretty much ready, but I checked again. I felt a bit nervous. Not everyday you fight a strongest demon of your pantheon.

- Why are you so sure the Predator will come here ?

- I left him a sign.

I pointed at the Harvesters leader's head hanging on a chain. Not a neon writing "Demonic and alien hunters, this way, please", but I considered that this would do.

- I'm much more worried the other guys won't come.

- What other guys ?

- The ones agent Mulder promised to invite. Well, time to take your place.

She picked up a heavy sniper rifle and we went one floor down. Scully headed for a carefully chosen spot. It was near some large engine type device, and hopefully the heat it radiated would hide her in the eyes of the Predator. Anyway, it was rather far from the supposed place of action.

I in my turn was going to try my own art of camouflage.

I sat back to the wall, facing the door, and summoned my Power. The trick was to lower the temperature of the body to match the temperature of the air. I was still trying to catch the balance when something flickered in the corner of my eye. The Predator ? Maybe yes, maybe not. I didn't like taking chances, but how could I check ? I had already wondered of that, but didn't come to any conclusion. I looked up, moving eyes only. The bomb was somewhere there, unseen, but ready.

Ah, what the Hell. Good intuition is what makes a good ninja. I pressed the button.

The explosion was pretty hard and loud. I wondered if EMP was the only function of this bomb. I thought I should have snatched a couple of them babies for my personal use. And Jax was going to have a birthday soon, too.

And then I saw the Predator, just several feet away. The explosion threw him down, and he had a strange green-soaking scratch on his leg. The beast jumped up and roared. Maybe it was a language, but sounded more like a battle cry. He clearly wanted a fight. But I wanted a clear assassination. Scully's rifle fired, and again, and again. The next couple of shot missed as the Predator rolled aside and then his shoulder blazed with white fire. It leaped to the direction Scully was hiding, and the engine exploded. Damn, this was not in the plan. Alien hunter got up and observed the area. The small thing on his shoulder pointed at me unsurely. I kept without motion. Slowly he passed beside me, probably going to check out if everyone was dead. His chest was covered with green blood, but it didn't seem to bother him much. I saw his back, and that was all I needed. I jumped, but before I landed on his back, I knew my mistake. His cannon was still aimed at me, and it fired as soon as I moved.

It hit hard in the stomach. If I hadn't gathered my Power before, it'd probably had made a nich football-sized hole. Even Rayden's electricity bolts didn't hurt this much, almost. I wondered why we didn't let Rayden fight this one.

The shot smashed me back in the wall, and I found myself looking straight in the burning eyes of a demon. I ducked to avoid the direct punch, and bits of plaster fell on me from where his hand connected with the much suffered wall. I punched back and tried a sweep. He jumped over it easily, but I managed to break away from being cornered. He attacked, fast, and a couple of hits that connected could make Goro a serious bruise. At least I didn't get a single hit with a double blade he had mounted on his hand, for one such would have meant final. My hits, on the other hand, didn't seem to have such effect. At least, those supposed to break human bones and joints barely managed to hold him off. I needed at least a short break to catch my breath, this speed was too much for me. So I used my old trick with ground freeze, and as he slipped, I did my best uppercut.

In a second, he was up again, and angry. I took out my Sceptre of Ice. I supposed it to match chances, but he produced a short stick which said "clang" and became a spear. All right, beastie boy, time to chill. Familiar vapours of cold air started to roll off my body. Clearness descended upon my mind.

We clashed, and though he was stronger, and probably even faster, I even started to press him. Trained to hunt and trained to kill is one thing, trained to fight is another. I was trained to fight probably even more than to kill. Interesting thought, could it be that Lin Kuei had planned me to fight in Mortal Kombat all along, even before my birth ? I hadn't heard of seers in the Clan, but then again, never heard there had been none.

Technique made its win over the strength. It cost me several rather painful injuries, one or two ribs must have been broken and I was bleeding from multiple blade and claws cuts. I used my Power where possible, freezing the Predator or merely knocking him off his feet. Couple of times I had to dodge his projectiles, almost clear of its damage.

In a final move of inspiration, I dropped my weapon, grabbed his spear and twisted it out of his grip in one smooth motion, piercing his chest with it at the end of the curve.

The Predator akwardly stepped back and looked at the spear. Then he looked up and tried to make one last leap at me. What a spirit, really. I met him with a roundhouse strong enough to knock the metal mask off his face. Another thing, it must had been hard for him even to see me if his eyesight truly relied upon the infra-red spectrum only.

The Predator dropped on his knees. Suddenly he laughed. Well, I guess he did. Sounded like demon laugh, classic stuff. Watch any cheesy horror movie. And he did better than most of them actors. He opened up a panel on the left hand and started pressing buttons quickly. Well, this trick I knew well. Helped to programme one for Cyrax myself.

I gathered as much Power as I could without loosing much time, and unleashed it upon the fallen demon. After consideration, I added some more layers. A nice touch to our plan.

I found Scully among the ruins of various plant equipment. She nad a nasty bruise on the side of the head, but breathed and a quick check showed she was all right, mainly. Hate it when women suffer in my operations. Not guilty, but just .. well ... maybe, my humanitarian education. True Lin Kuei would never worry about such a thing.

- Is he dead ? - she wispered.

So much for the "Where am I ?" classic line, I thought.

- Confined.

- Am I ?

- No, - I replied. - But I started to hope I'd have to try Prince Charming trick on you to wake up the Sleeping Beauty.

- Damn ... - she said and sat up.

I wondered what did she mean.

- Wow ... - she started and twisted in pain. - It hurts.

- Allow me, - I offered.

I gently pushed her hands away from her head, and a short weak burst of my Power prevented the wound from feeling anything. Then I cleared it of dirt and her hair and placed a small patch of ice upon it.

- Tickles.

- It should. Don't forget to take care of it as soon as possible.

- What now ?

- Now you call Mulder and tell him you lost me and the Predator.

I imagined what our further actions looked like from a view of some observer. Of course there was no such person, who could see all the way a ninja in black and blue uniform made to the FBI HQ, passing unsuspecting guards and alarm systems the way only one well informed of them can, only to get to the interrogation room and speak to the disconnected phone.

- Why are you so sure they'd come here ? - Scully asked.

- Because they think they know where I am. Mulder dressed my garments and impersonated my presence in your Headquarters. According to the plan, one of my friends came along and tracked them. Hopefully, this'd lead them to my men.

I just hoped Smoke got at least most important functions running to go through his part, without invisibility suddenly turning off or any other such surprise.

- Smart. What if not ?

- We still have a chance to exchange our alien friend for them.

She nodded.

- Go heal your wound. You did all you had to here.

- I think I'd rather stay till the titles.

- As you wish, - and I allowed myself a smile.

After a while, my transmitter caughed and spoke.

- We got them. Are you ready ? You have guests coming.

- We are ready.

- I'll be there in ten minutes with a squad, - Mulder added.

- Don't worry about it, - I said.

We left the building and watched the men in black arrive and enter the plant. Soon Mulder arrived, along with a small FBI army.

- I wouldn't go in if I were you, - I told him.]

He didn't jump up, I got to admit, even though I approached him silently, in best ninja traditions.

- We had an agrrement, - he said. - You get your people, I get these and the alien.

- Sorry to upset you, but he started self-destruction sequence when I froze him. I'm afraid there's no way I can release him without the whole place going boom.

And then the place went boom. When the last pieces of hot metal stopped dropping around, Mulder rose and watched the wreak that was left.

- Shit ...

- Well, you can gather whatever is left. Probably enough to prove it's extraterrestrial.

He didn't seem relieved.

- And besides, the bad guys were there too, - I added.

And so it was over.

In an hour I was in my appartment, my people sharing some pizzas and Smoke cheerfully enjoying my best armchair.

- Ok, let it be clan, - I said. - But mind, I didn't want it. And what do we call it ?

- What's wrong with old good Lin Kuei ? - Smoke wondered.

- Lin Kuei wasn't good exactly, - I noted carefully.

- What's in the name for you ? Make the new clan as good as you want and name'd be redeemed. And - you'll repay your debt for the family clan was once to you.

- Well, maybe. I'll have to think of it. How's about a new motto ?

- Yep. I got a nice one.

- And what this might be ?

- "Oh, shit!" - Smoke pronounced with great emotion in his voice.

- I think, - I made a pause. - We'd rather take even old "For cash and glory" than that.

- the end -