The Boy That Changed It All

CHAPTER 3: SUB-ZERO

The scene cuts to the Lin Kuei temple. Two members of the clan, outfitted in blue light armour complete with a sword on the back, rush up the gigantic staircase. Sitting on the throne of the Grandmaster is Kuai Liang - better known as Sub-Zero - now human instead of him being a cyborg as he was. To his right was his brother in arms Smoke. And to his left was the more tech advanced ninja Cyrax. His whitened eyes take in the two Lin Kuei, who put their hands together and bow their heads before them in respect.

LIN KUEI #1: The forward defenses stand down as you command, Grandmaster.

LIN KUEI #2: It is confirmed. Four intruders.

The Grandmaster smiles in response as does Smoke and Cyrax.

SUB-ZERO: It is time to entertain our guests.

The scene cuts to just outside of the Lin Kuei temple, panning down from the giant statue of the first Lin Kuei Grandmaster to the temple's entrance. In the midst of the light snow falling down, Team S-F have all reached the rendezvous point and wait to the side of the entrance staircase.

CASSIE: All right, I've got point. (To Takeda) You and Jin, that side. (To Lixue) You and Lotus go up above and wait.

Both of them exchange a glance. Takeda's face is unreadable, but Kung Jin clearly doesn't agree with the command. Lotus and Lixue nod to each other as they make their way up.

CASSIE: Move!

Both of them obey and slip over to the other side of the staircase. Lotus and Lixue are above the entrance ready to strike when given the command.

CASSIE: (To Jackie) Ready?

Jacqui nods her consent, but just as Cassie turns to the entrance, the temple doors open up. She hastily backs up as Sub-Zero, Smoke, Cyrax and four Lin Kuei students exit the temple, walking down to the grounds just before them. They stop before the statue of the First Grandmaster and kneel in meditation.

Jin motions with his head to move in. Cassie mouths "Not yet" to him in response. After a moment, Jin chooses to ignore the command and stomps out of his hiding place.

CASSIE: Dammit, Jin!

All three of them quickly follow as Jin points to Sub-Zero.

KUNG JIN: You. I need to s--

Cassie lightly hits him on the back, grabbing his attention. Smoke speaks to them without ever lifting his head from his meditation.

SMOKE: You are not welcome here. State your intentions.

Jin decides to let Cassie do the talking, and she steps forward.

CASSIE: Grandmasters. We need you to come with us. My name is Sergeant--

The Lin Kuei with Sub-Zero bark out a command in Chinese. Reinforcements flood in from seemingly nowhere, surrounding Team S-F and outnumbering them about 5 to 1. Sub-Zero stands up from his meditation.

SUB-ZERO: You demand our cooperation. Yet you are cut off. Surrounded. What will you do?

CASSIE: My father always spoke highly of you, Sub-Zero. He wants to talk.

Cyrax scoffs as he stands up along with Smoke as he says.

CYRAX: Talking. All your father ever does is talk.

KUNG JIN: Okay, let's try pummeling. (To Team S-F) Now!

CASSIE: Wait!

It's far too late for waiting. Jin charges into a line of Lin Kuei as Sub-Zero rushes in and takes a swing at Cassie. As Takeda and Jacqui begin fighting as well with Smoke and Cyrax fighting them separately, Cassie barely ducks out of the way in time and only just gets an arm up to block a left swing. Sub-Zero knees her in the side and blocks two kicks from her in response. He steps back from a wild right swing and headbutts Cassie, before throwing her to the ground. She comes up in a roll and pulls out her sidearm, but Sub-Zero freezes it with a quick ice ball, rendering it useless. Cassie goes into a fighting stance.