+++ Mortal Kombat: Conquest by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++

Notes: I do not own Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Conquest, Earthrealm, Outworld, etc. etc. This is all for fun and I do not make a profit from any of this. Well except for getting this damn story out of my head. The only things I do claim are the mystery woman in black and gray, and Althea. The mystery woman does have a name, but it’s a secret for now. If you wish to borrow either of them, let me know. Be aware that I will not give out any info about any of my characters until it has been revealed in one of the stories.
        This story takes place a few days after Chapter One: Second Chances. You don’t need to read the first one, but it helps. My first fight scene!

        Chapter Two: New Student

        “I still can’t believe Rayden had the nerve to bring that girl over the other night,” said Taja, placing a tea kettle on the stove.
        “You gotta admit,” grinned Siro, “She was a looker.”
        Just when Taja was about to respond there was a loud knocking at the front gate.
        “We’re not open yet!” yelled Taja. But the knocking continued.
        “I’ll get it,” said Kung Lao as he left the room and made his way to the front gate.
        He opened the door and suddenly it there was silence. In front of him stood a woman dressed in similar clothes as he was. The only difference was color, of which she wore shades of black and gray rather than beige. Her hair was long and white. Crystal blue eyes smiled at him over dark scarf that covered half her face.
        “Please pardon me from disturbing you so early, but I must be leaving town this morning and just had to speak with Master Kung Lao about an important matter before I left. Is he available?” The mysterious woman said.
        “I’m Kung Lao,” replied the martial artist in a bemused voice, “Won’t you come in?”
        “Thank you, but no.” She replied, “I’m in a bit of a hurry and was wondering if you were still taking on students? A....associate of mine’s grown granddaughter has been training for a few years now, but recent events have...made training in her homeland difficult. I was asked to see if I could locate a suitable teacher.”
        “I am taking on students, but I would need to meet with her first before deciding....”
        “Of course!” the woman interrupted, ”Why don’t you meet her at the temple day after tomorrow. She’s visiting there for some sort of testing or lesson or something.”
        Kung Lao thought for a moment. It could be a trap, but if this possible student was already going to be at the temple....he sighed, “Very well, I was planning on going to visit the monks anyway this week. Is there anything else, Ms.....”
        “Oh, never mind me, “said the woman in gray and black as she turned, “By the way,” she said over her shoulder, “Be sure to give Rayden my regards and ask him if those rope burns of his are okay.”
        A sudden slamming of the door to the kitchen made him start and turn. The noises of the city resumed and the woman was gone.

****

A few moments later Kung Lao was sitting at the table with a strange look on his face. “Who was it?” ask Siro.
        “Not sure, but I think she knows Rayden.” Replied Kung Lao. At that moment....”Did I hear my name?” said Rayden as he grabbed one of the breakfast rolls.
        “Rayden, what a joy to see your face first thing in the morning,”said Taja, “Feel free to join us for breakfast.”
        Rayden just smiled and took a bite out of the roll.
        “Rayden, “said Kung Lao, “a strange woman was just here a few moments ago asking if I would be interested in taking on a student. I never got her name, but she hinted that she knew you.”
        “Oh?”
        “She said to give you her regards and to ask about your rope burns?”
        The smile left Rayden’s face and he nearly dropped his roll, “Was she wearing black and gray?” he asked.
        Kung Lao nodded, “Yes and she had white hair. She wore a dark scarf and had blue eyes.”
        Rayden sat down with a stunned look on his face. Never before had she appeared to anyone else to his knowledge. What is going on? She said she wouldn’t be able to help me, but what if.....
        “Who is she, Rayden?” ask Taja.
        Rayden sighed, “To be honest, I’m not really sure. She shows up once in a long while to give advice and .....to pull me out of a trouble.”
        “Rope burns?” asked Siro, trying to keep from laughing.
        Everyone just ignored him as Kung Lao spoke, “So she basically does for you what you have been doing for us?”
        “Yes and no, “answered Rayden. “I never got her name and she doesn’t ‘hang around’ with me as I do you guys. She’s only shown up, not counting today, five times. Each time unasked for, unexpected, and desperately needed. She seems to have some power over time itself, but to my knowledge there are no time goddesses, only time gods and none of them would ever do as she has done.”
        “Why would anyone like that take the time to encourage Kung Lao to take on a certain student?” asked Taja.
        Rayden did a head shake/shrug thing and said, “I have no idea.”
        “In that case, I want to know more about those rope burns, “said Siro. Taja slapped him on the backside of his head.

****

“Ah, Vorpax, ”sneered Shang Tsung, “and how is our ‘Queen’ doing today?”
        Vorpax nearly snarled at the sorcerer, but she still needed him. Otherwise, she would have happily order his throat ripped out. Instead she smiled and said, “Wonderful, Shang. Is there anything that you need?”
        “Kung Lao,”he said in a monotone voice.
        Vorpax sighed. He just never gives up. Always Kung Lao, Kung Lao. One of her personal guards peeked in to announce that there was urgent information. She signaled to let whoever it was in.
        A warrior of Queen Vorpax knelt down and reported, “Your Majesty! Kung Lao is on his way to the temple, to interview a prospective student. He travels alone.”
        “Well, Shang. I guess your going to get your wish after all.” The Queen same as purred. “Gather some of the grown Earthborn warriors and have them prepare.”
        “I will go with them, “said Shang Tsung, “I wish to kill Kung Lao myself.”

****
        Kung Lao was thinking about what Rayden said and the strange talk he had with the white haired woman. So he was surprised when it happened. Four female warriors jumped out from behind some trees and attacked him. He dropped his sleep roll and fought them off, holding his own. That is until Shang Tsung stepped out from behind one of the trees and threw a fireball at Kung Lao. The fighter saw it coming but knew he wouldn’t be able to dodge it.
        Just then a short stream of light-blue flame struck Shang’s fireball, deflecting away from Kung Lao and straight into the face of one of the four women. The one that was struck by both fireballs hit the ground hard. A voice rang out, “Four against one is bad enough, but a fifth with sorcery!”
        A little ways down the road stood a blonde woman wearing loose fitting leather pants and a white shirt.
        “You dare to challenge me, girl?” the sorcerer sneered as he threw another fireball at her. It stopped as if hitting a wall a few inches in front of her face. She didn’t even blink. During this, Kung Lao was still fighting the women. Another was down, but the other two seem more determined then ever to defeat him.
        The stranger smiled and said, “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.” She then lifted her hands, palms outward, fingers up. Two short streams of light-blue flame flew from her hands and towards Shang Tsung. The sorcerer dodged but the flames followed him and hit him on his back and shoulder. He went down, but quickly rolled back up and ran towards the woman. She then changed her stance and prepared to fight.
        By this time, Kung Lao finally defeated the last of his attackers and looked to see Shang Tsung preparing to attack the stranger. “Shang Tsung!” he yelled.
        The sorcerer now noticed that it was now two against one. He threw two fireballs, one to each of his foes and ran. Kung Lao made as if to follow, but that fight with the four women finally caught up to him and he just fell to his knees. The woman who helped him ran to his side and asked, “Are you alright?”
        “I’m fine, “he answered, “Just a little tired.” The woman smiled and said, “Good, because if you weren’t and chased after that loser I wouldn’t have been of much use. I used the last of my spare chi energy on those last two energy streams.”
        “Who are you?” Kung Lao asked. She smiled and said, “Name’s Althea. I’m the one you were supposed to meet at the temple today.”

****

The next night Kung Lao described what happened on his way to the temple to his friends as his new student, Althea, rested in her new room.
        “Are you sure we can trust her? “asked Siro, “After all she did use magic.”
        “Yeah, what if she another sorcerer type like Shang or Quan Chi?” added Taja. Kung Lao sighed and replied, “Already thought of that, but Master Zong, already checked her out. He has the ability to sense these things. She has no taint of using stolen souls or any darker type of sorcery.”
        “He’s right.” The trio jumped at sound of Rayden’s voice. “Ever heard of KNOCKING, Rayden,”said Taja.
        Ignoring her, Rayden continued, “I did some checking, it seems she’s was to her home world as Kung Lao is to Earthrealm.”
        “You mean a champion of Mortal Kombat?” ask Taja
        “Not quite, she did not participate in a tournament, but she was chosen to defend her realm from a great danger.
        “Okay, “said Taja, “Why are you telling us this. Normally, you’re not so free with information. And what do you mean by her home world?”
        Rayden sighed, “Believe me, this isn’t the whole story. As for the rest, its best she tells you in her own time.”

****
        Upstairs, the voices of the conversation could barely be heard. The Kung Lao’s new student slept and dreamt of the past......

The signs of a former battle were all around. The dead covered the field and the carrion birds cawed as they ate their feast.
        “Freyon!” Althea screamed at the beast in her arms, “I’ll get you to the healers. Just don’t die on me.” The great liger-like beast didn’t even raise it’s head, “::Mistress, don’t bother....I can feel the spirit within me leaving. I will soon return from whence I came. The bond between us must be removed before I do.::”
        “No! I will not let that happen. “She cried aloud to her partner’s mental speech. The creature’s chest moved as if in painful laughter but no sound came from its torn up muzzle. “::Ahhh, Mistress. You may have defeated the Insane One, but even you can not.....::”
        Just then the wind picked up and then they were surrounded by the five whose battle she just fought. “Help him!” she demanded.
        “I am sorry, “said one with kind, green eyes and wind blown air, “But we can not, he is but a spirit in animal form as is all familiars. His spirit shall return from where it came, but his body is too far gone.”
        Another with cold, blue eyes snorted, “He did his job, he should be honored that we don’t destroy his spirit for going against....”
        He was unable to finish, Althea jumped up and slapped him across the face. “Bastards! We risked our lives, our very souls for your sorry hides!”
        The other three back off as if in fear of the woman. The first one placed his hand on her shoulder, “Please, Althea.....”
        Anger flashed in the eyes of the one she slapped, but his voice remained cold. “It doesn’t matter; you must now take the place of the one you fought.”
        “No.”
        “Althea, “said the kind one, “Since you have defeated him, you have absorbed his power. You have no choice....”
        Althea shook her shoulder to remove his hand and walked back to her fallen friend who still breathed. “Give it to Freyon.”

*****

        The next morning was sunny and bright. Taja was surprised to see that breakfast was already made and set out. She glanced outside to see Althea already exercising and by the look of her has been for a while.
        “She’s already putting Kung Lao to shame in the self-abuse department, “said Taja to herself.
        “You say something,”Kung Lao said and he entered the room.
        “Ah...nothing important, “she said pointing towards the door, “By the way your student is already up.”
        Kung Lao glanced out the door and just shrugged. “Is there a chance any tea is made?” he went to the stove to check the kettle.
        “Yes there is and breakfast is already made, “answered Taja, “I’m starting to like having her around.” She handed him a plate and then sat down at the table to eat.
        “Well don’t get too use to it, starting tomorrow I plan on starting her on a full training regiment. She might be too tired to fix us breakfast once that’s started, “said Kung Lao as he sat down. “Today I’m just going to see what she already knows and get an idea of how strong she is. From what I saw before, she may be just the type of fighter we need to help us against....”
        “Don’t expect her to fight your battles, “said Rayden from on of the roof beams. He disappeared and then reappeared behind the pair, grabbing a piece from Taja’s plate. “After all she has already fought one war.” He ate the piece of food, “Hmm, not bad.”

*****
        Shao Kahn paced in front of his throne; candles flickering at his passing. A shadowy figure appeared and he stopped, “Well!” he demanded.
        With a hissing voice the figure answered, “The rumors are true. She has joined with Kung Lao and the other humans. I saw her myself training in their yard, alone but Kung Lao was just inside the building. Rayden was near so I had to leave before learning anything else.” The figure then fell groveling to the ground fearing his master’s wrath.
        “Leave!” he commanded as he sat down on his throne. The spy quickly left. “Everyone, leave!”
        His guards and servants followed the spy’s example and ran from the throne room. “Now, now, Emperor, there is no need to get too upset. With the exception of a few sparks, she nothing more than another mortal,” said a cold voice. From the shadows, came the blue eyed man from Althea’s dream. “In spite of her breeding, she can die like any other woman.”

The End

Next time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest.....

“Careful with that thing,” said Rayden holding the end of the staff, “You might take out someone’s eye.”
        “Well if you stop sneaking up on people, “Althea replied, “There would be less chance of you getting hit.”

“Hey handsome, “said a mysterious white haired woman [wearing clothes similar to Siro’s, only in black and gray.]