Close call: Smoke

21:40, 22 February 2023

(Smoke and and the new Sub Zero named Kuai Liang, the brother of Bi-Han are standing around the bodies of dozens of dead warriors)

Smoke: We should stay together, tundra, assuming your brother's identity certainly will draw attention. Not all of it welcome

Sub Zero: You are right, Smoke. But assuming Bi-Han's identity is the best way to honor him

Smoke: Let us proceed then, Sub Zero

Sub Zero: We should separate. Our fellow Lin Kuei will not be far behind once our absence is discovered

Smoke: If only they had been more forthcoming about the details of your brother's demise. We will find Shang Tsung, he will tell us all that he knows

Sub Zero: If he killed Bi-Han, he will die. Be stealth full as the night

Smoke: And deadly as the dawn

(Sub Zero walks away)

Kitana: The emperor was wise to send me here. The Lin Kuei do walk uninvited in this realm

Smoke: Wise though your emperor may be, he was foolish to send his housemaid to interfere with Lin Kuei business

Kitana: I am Kitana, princess of out world! And I deal harshly with sharp tongued intruders!

(Smoke fights Kitana. Smoke's speed, agility, and training give him the advantage over Kitana, and he knocks her out before too long)

Smoke: Where there is smoke there is fire. Sleep well, princess

(Kano and Shang Tsung are test firing RPGs)

Kano: With a whole army totin' these, no one in out world or earth realm could stand up to ya

Shang Tsung: Well done, Kano. You may tell your fellow black dragon that I am very interested in your merchandise

Smoke: Shang Tsung!

Kano: I'll take care of him, no charge. One dead Lin Kuei, in a tick

(Smoke fights Kano. Kano clearly was not expecting Smoke's powers, and he easily got knocked TF out)

Smoke: Stay down, I will have words with your associate. Tell me what you know of Sub Zero's death

(Reptile appears, but Shang Tsung raises his hand to signal him to stop. Shang Tsung then changes into Bi-Han)

Smoke: What?

Fake Bi-Han: Despite his failure at my tournament, I'll wager he was more powerful than you, Lin Kuei

Smoke: Assuming his form will not give you his skill, shapeshifter

Fake Bi-Han: Let us see if smoke can freeze

(Smoke fights fake Bi-Han and Reptile at the same time. Smoke phases through an ice blast, and Reptile gets flash-frozen. Then he's able to handle fake Bi-Han because Shang Tsung didn't receive Bi-Han's training)

Smoke: Now answer me! What do you know of Sub Zero?!

(Something punches Smoke that is invisible)

Smoke: What?

(Shang Tsung teleports himself, his associates, and his weapons away)

(Sektor appears in a cyber form)

Sektor: Smoke. You have disobeyed your directive to remain at the Lin Kuei temple

Smoke: Sektor?

Sektor: You will return with us to begin your transformation

Smoke: You actually did it! You're a cyborg!

Sektor: We are the Lin Kuei, more stealth full than the night, and deadlier than the dawn!

(Smoke fights Cyber Sektor. Sektor's mechanical body and all his weapons definitely give Smoke a challenge physically, so he relies a bit more on his powers for this fight. It's a tough match, but Sektor sustains enough damage to be defeated by Smoke)

Smoke: I will never submit!

(A circle of cyber Lin Kuei appear around Smoke, and try to capture him)

(Raiden teleports in with Johnny, Kenshi, and Echo)

Raiden: There is great energy nearby

Johnny: Um, Rai-dude

(Johnny Cage points at Smoke)

Echo: Smoke? I thought he was at the Lin Kuei temple

Kenshi: What is he doing here?

(Raiden has another vision)

Raiden: They must not take him

(Raiden fries the cyber Lin Kuei with his lightning powers)

(Sektor turns invisible and runs away)