Fan Fiction - The Lin Kuei Chronicles (Part One)
Chapter Three - The Foundation

Sub-Zero rushed at his opponent, but the branch soon narrowed down and he slipped off. The man grinned and floated down until he touched the ground. He extended a hand to Sub-Zero. Confused, the ninja took it. Quickly, the man in white lifted the ninja up off of the ground and threw him up against the tree.
Sub-Zero spit blood out on the ground. He hated being tricked. Raising a fist defensively, he pushed himself up. Leaning against the tree, he held his arm out as the man in white advanced. The man lifted up his staff and twirled it around his head, not saying a word. Sub-Zero tried to follow, but he soon got dizzy at the intense speed. Quick as lightning, the man lowered his twirl a half foot. The end of the staff his Sub-Zero in the head, knocking him to the ground.
The hell with this. Sub-Zero kicked his foot out while he was on the ground in a sweeping motion. It connected with the back of the man’s shins, and he too dropped to the ground, his staff bouncing harmlessly away. The ninja grabbed the white man’s foot and delivered a blast of cold air, freezing the foot in place. He stood and removed the small knife he had in his bootstrap.
Crouching, Sub-Zero held the knife to the man’s chin.
“Who are you?” he asked.

I put the journal down and breath out. This is all new, undiscovered information. I set the book aside and stand up. My back cracks, and so does my neck. I have been sitting too long.
I put on my slippers. Maybe the kitchen is open, I think to myself. I could use some water. I open the door and walk down the hall. The carpet feels warm under my feet. Light comes from the kitchen door. I open it.
“Hello, guru.” say one of the children.
I smile. “Why is it that your children are up at this hour?”
“We were waiting on you. We saw your light on from the dormitories.”
“We want to hear more about Sub-Zero.” a child says.
I think about the book lying back on my beside table. In my mind I see the wind whip through the open window, travel down my bed sheets, and blow the cover off the book. The pages flip, and it stops on Summer 25.

The man did not answer. Sub-Zero pressed the knife harder, and the white man trembled. “What is your name?” he asked again.
“He is Fujin...” boomed a loud voice. The ninja looked up and saw a brilliant flash of lightning, and then another man in white floated down from the sky. He also carried a wooden staff, but his was longer, and it twisted at the top as if it was made of water.
“...my son.” finished the man. Sub-Zero dropped to one knee and lowered his head.
“Lord Rayden.”

A collective gasp come from the children. I smile, and continue...

“Fujin, leave us.” said the Thunder God. He placed his hand on his son’s shoulder, and the smaller god stood, dusted himself off, and floated up into the heavens. The Thunder God turned to the ninja and smiled.
“Sub-Zero, it has been too long.”
“Much too long, Guru.” replied the ninja. “Why...”
“Why did my son attack you? To test you.”
“Test me for what, we hardly fought.?”
“That is of no concern to you.” replied the Elder Thunder God. He leaned over and sat down on a large boulder. Sub-Zero sat across from him on a rotten log.
“I have not seen you in decades.” said Sub-Zero. “Why?”
“Since our last encounter, my son, I have continued what you have just destroyed.”
Sub-Zero removed his mask and ran his fingers through his brittle hair. “Why must you speak in riddles, Lord Rayden?”
“Because the mind cannot grasp what it does not understand.”
Sub-Zero sighed in exasperation, but when he looked up he saw that Lord Rayden was smiling. He laughed a little, but still looked confused.
“Scorpion is alive.” said the Thunder God. He leaned back and looked over his shoulder. Sub-Zero followed his gaze, but nothing happened. After a few moments the God looked back at his former student.
“As is Shinnok.”
Sub-Zero sighed again, remembering the battle. It was only, what, four days ago? It seemed like an eternity. But the news that Scorpion was alive warmed the ninja’s heart, for he had regretted leaving his friend. And that reminded him of something else...
“Lord Rayden, there was a girl...”
Rayden looked at him.
“Well, she, I mean, her power, it, well...”
“Her name is Frost. She is your sister.”

I stop reading and close the book.
“It is late, my students. Go to bed now, and we will continue first thing in the morning.”
“Why?” asks a child. “You are just going to read it without us. We should be there. We want to know.”
I smile again.

By C. J. "Wingman" Zepplin

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