As I approached the Grandmaster's chamber, I was greeted outside the door by Sektor and Cyrax, two fellow Lin Kuei.

Sektor is a Japanese-born Lin Kuei who, like myself, came from a long line of Lin Kuei. The color of his uniform is crimson red. Cyrax, like myself and my brother, was born in the United States. He was also the first African-American member of the Lin Kuei. He was orphaned at birth by a vicious clan in that region. His parents' assailants were killed by my father, who was also harrassed by those same assailants. It was soon discovered that the assailants were members of the Black Dragon, leading the Lin Kuei to negotiate an alliance with their rivals, the Red Dragon. My father took Cyrax under his wing, so I guess you could say Cyrax is my adopted brother.

"Tundra...," Sektor began, before I cut in with my new codename.

"You mean your brother is...?", asked Cyrax. I nodded.

"I'm sorry about your loss. You're still a brother to us, though," Cyrax said.

"I appreciate your support. Now Sektor, what were you going to say before I cut you off?"

"Well, the Grandmaster is ready for you whenever you are."

"It looks like 'whenever I am' is right now." Sektor and Cyrax left, while I entered the Grandmaster's chamber.

Standing in front of the Grandmaster, who was sitting on his throne, I knelt down to him.

His outfit stood out from the rest of the Lin Kuei. He wore a long, black robe with a long red sash. The top of his hood was a bit bigger than ours, and he wore the same face mask as we did. His face mask was red.

"Grandmaster, I believe you requested my presence."

"Indeed, I have, Tundra...or rather, Sub-Zero," was the Grandmaster's response. "At ease, Lin Kuei warrior." That is the standard cue to rise to our feet, and I did so.

"I am sorry for your loss. It is our loss, too, as your brother was truly one of the finest thieves and assassins in the history of the Lin Kuei. And I wish we had time to mourn his passing. Unfortunately, we don't, as a huge situation is at hand."

"Please brief me on the details, Grandmaster," I told him.

The Grandmaster stood from his throne. "Well, Smoke may have told you this already, or at the very least hinted it to you, but if he didn't, you'll hear it from me first," he said. "Our surveillance team has picked up high gammatronic readings in what used to be Shang Tsung's island, which tells us that a portal had opened up. This happened at the time your brother was projected to return. Our initial reaction was to prepare for war, since we feared Goro had won the tenth tournament in a row. You've heard the myths; ten straight Outworld victories, and Shao Kahn enters this realm to rape and pillage as he sees fit." I nodded. "However, we received an unexpected visit from someone who confirmed that Goro's victory was not the case. He also claims to have known your brother." A short pause followed. That last sentence hit a nerve.

"Claimed to have known my brother?", I asked. "Who?" Whoever it was, I sure wanted to meet him. Surely, he knew exactly what happened to my brother.

"Myself, that's who!", came a voice out of nowhere from behind me.

I quickly turned around. The man seemed to look familiar according to a description in my brother's journal. Black hood similar to the Lin Kuei outfit, silver hair that can barely be seen, white karate gi, blue sash with a blue cape attached to it, a straw cone-shaped hat, carrying a long wooden staff, and his eyes had no pupils. Not only that, but his eyes seemed to emit some sort of strange light...similar to that of lightning. Streaks of lightning also periodically streamed across his body. My brother's journal referred to this man as the God of Thunder and Sworn Protector of Earthrealm...otherwise known as Raiden. But I believed him to be merely a myth.

"NO! YOU CAN'T BE...!", I shouted in shock.

"I'd like you to meet Raiden, the retainer of your services for your mission," the Grandmaster said.

"Fine!" I turned back to Raiden. "Brief me on the details, Thunder God!"

"Indeed I will, Sub-Zero. Indeed, you've heard the rumors that shortly after your brother was personally invited to compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament, a 'mysterious benefactor' who happened to be one of Shang Tsung's wealthiest enemies had paid off the Lin Kuei to have your brother assassinate Shang Tsung."

I nodded. Of course, I've heard the rumor.

"Well, that rumor is somewhat true. This 'mysterious benefactor' was Shang Tsung's most powerful enemy, but not with regards to money. In fact, that 'mysterious benefactor' is standing before you right now!"

I couldn't believe it! RAIDEN hired my brother to assassinate Shang Tsung?

"Hold it, Thunder God! I heard that you despised the way Shang Tsung brutal rule over the tournament! If that's the case, then why would you hire someone to assassinate Shang Tsung? That sounds contradictory!", I spat.

"As contradictory as it sounds, remember that I AM Earthrealm's Sworn Protector. Even I believe needless killing is wrong! However, Shang Tsung was too dangerous to be kept alive! And your brother wasn't the only one trying to stop Shang Tsung!" I was shocked. Shang Tsung's on other people's shit list, too?

"Please explain," I requested.

"Well, Shang Tsung was born on Earthrealm, so if he had won a Mortal Kombat tournament, under normal circumstances, it would've been a victory for Earthrealm. However, his mother was an evil Outworld sorceress. Therefore, his victory is in the name of whichever realm he chooses. He won nine straight Mortal Kombat tournaments until a Shaolin Monk named Kung Lao defeated him. He was prematurely aged for his failure to steal enough souls to sustain his youth. Then he met Goro, the Prince of the Shokan, and entered him in the tournament. Goro defeated Kung Lao, and Shang Tsung took Lao's soul. Since then, Goro won nine straight tournaments. And Shang Tsung is just about as evil as his master, Shao Kahn, if not moreso." And I knew how evil Shao Kahn was.

"So, my brother was invited to what would've been the tenth straight Outworld Mortal Kombat victory, and that's why you had him assassinate him, correct?", I asked.

"Exactly. But there were about seven other warriors, including myself, who I felt could very well defeat Goro and Shang Tsung. Under the strict rules set forth by the Elder Gods, I am banned from competing in the Mortal Kombat tournament, since I am not mortal. However, Shang Tsung thought he could get me in deep trouble with the Elder Gods by giving me a personal invitation to the tournament. I told him he knew damn well that I was banned from the tournament because I am not mortal, but since he knows all these loopholes, he reminded me that as a god, I could take on a mortal form to legally compete. I reviewed the rules set forth by the Elder Gods, and they said NOTHING about it. And I knew Shang Tsung had to be stopped, so I took on a mortal form to compete so I could stop him, in case no one else could."

"And the other six?", I asked.

"Johnny Cage, martial arts movie star." I knew that name. Cyrax said Cage's movies sucked, especially his debut movie, "Ninja Mime."

"Kano, the leader of the Black Dragon." The Black Dragon is a name the Lin Kuei knows all too well. Those sons of bitches stabbed the Lin Kuei in the back years ago, and have been on our shit list since.

"Lieutenant Sonya Blade, an officer in the US Army Special Forces. Liu Kang, a Shaolin Monk. Kung Lao, descendant of the warrior of the same name who was the first to defeat Shang Tsung. And finally..." He paused. "Scorpion."

Behind my mask, my jaw dropped. "IMPOSSIBLE! MY BROTHER KILLED HIM!"

"Indeed, he did, but his soul spiralled into the pits of Netherealm, and he was allowed by his demons to return to the realms of the living, fueled with seething hatred towards your brother, and living only to extract vengeance upon him."

Now we were getting somewhere with regards to my brother's fate. "And he's the one who...?"

"Yes. After Goro's defeat, your brother and Scorpion were about to fight, but they, along with myself, were attacked by Shang Tsung's soldiers. We defeated all of them together, and then, their fight began. Your brother fought well, but Scorpion's Hell-fueled hatred was too much for your brother." He hung his head in sorrow. "He took off his mask, his face was no longer human. It was a bare skull. He spewed forth a stream of fire. Your brother..." Before he could finish his sentence, I cut in with, "...was burned?" Raiden nodded.

"So this is what hatred does...I swear to you, Thunder God, that I will not follow that path. It cost both Scorpion, and my brother, their lives."

"Kung Lao was there disguised as one of Shang Tsung's soldiers during the whole tournament. Liu Kang defeated Goro, and Shang Tsung fled to Outworld. And here's where the briefing comes in. Your mission, Sub-Zero..." Raiden said.

"Is to finish my brother's mission?", I asked.

"Well, that's only part of it."

"Then what's the entire mission, Raiden."

"Shang Tsung was about to be executed by Shao Kahn for his failure, but he convinced the Emperor to spare his life with a 'Plan B.' This 'Plan B' is to lure his enemies into Outworld to compete in a tournament hosted by Shao Kahn, himself. As the losers of the last tournament, Outworld has the right of challenge at any time, therefore, we have to accept, otherwise we lose by forfeit, and the Elder Gods will allow Shao Kahn passage into Outworld," Raiden explained.

"Shang Tsung's whole island has turned into a huge Portal to Outworld. The Lin Kuei has been given the coordinates to that portal, and they should fly you there shortly. And this time, you will have back-up. It's your choice which Lin Kuei you will take with you. And unlike the previous retainers of your brother's services, I will be there to guide you every step of your mission. Do you accept?" Raiden held out his hand to me.

"I accept, Thunder God! For the Lin Kuei, for Earthrealm, and most of all, for my brother." I extended my hand and we shook on it.

"Next time we meet, we will be in Outworld. I also offer this advice," Raiden said before a short pause. "BEWARE THE TARKATA!" Whoever the Tarkata are, I'll be sure and heed that warning.

With a flash of lightning, Raiden left. I turned to the Grandmaster, who then said to me, "Your jet is ready. Sektor and Cyrax will be piloting it. Who will be your back-up?"

Just then, Smoke, who was fueling the jet, walked in. "Grandmaster, all systems are go. We are prepared for take-off whenever Sub-Zero is." I looked to Smoke, and then to the Grandmaster. "I don't think I need to say a word to answer that question," I told the Grandmaster.

"What question?", Smoke asked.

"Very well then. Smoke, Sub-Zero, make sure you bring some spare uniforms with you," the Grandmaster spoke. "And Smoke, both you and Sub-Zero are dismissed."

As we were walking out of the Grandmaster's chambers on our way to our respective quarters, we were chit-chatting, like we always do while off-duty.

"So why am I going on this mission with you all of a sudden?", Smoke asked.

"Back-up. In case I suffer the same fate that befell my brother."

"And the Grandmaster picked me for back-up?"

"No. While I was briefed by Raiden, the retainer of our services, who, by the way, I'd like you to meet...the briefing stated that I was to bring back-up, and who I brought along for back-up was my choice. I picked you because I trust you the most."

"I wasn't even told you'd be having back-up, and neither were Sektor or Cyrax."

"Well, Smoke, you know, this is my first actual mission in two years. Yours, too, I believe."

The subject of our chit-chatting quickly shifted from our mission, to some pointless shit. We picked up our spare uniforms and weapons, and packed them up.

Outside the Lin Kuei compound, our jet was waiting for us. Sektor and Cyrax were already in the cockpit. Smoke and I boarded.

"You guys ready?", Sektor asked.

"Roger that," was Smoke's response. "How about you guys?", I asked Sektor and Cyrax.

"Roger," Sektor and Cyrax said simultaneously. "Shut the fuck up with the pilot lingo and let's go already! We don't have time for this shit!", I said. I was probably growing impatient.

Within half a minute, Smoke and I had our seatbelts strapped on, and the jet had taken off. We were on our way to what would be our biggest mission in the Lin Kuei...our first assassination mission.