Kuai Liang stood on the bow of the ship, looking down below him. Under the clouds, he could see the ground, the hills and paths, small villages and settlements. It was beautiful, you really got a completely different view of the world from up here. The Order of The Lin Kuei would have never permitted him to travel like this. They didn’t even like their members leaving the isolated temple which they called home.
Leaving it all behind had not been easy, but to stand here, on a quest to save the realms? It was worth it.
“You might wanna be careful standing there,” a voice called out to him, and he looked over his shoulder to see Sonya standing with her hands on her hips. “If you fall, we have no way to catch you.”
“Sorry.” Kuai jumped back down and onto the wooden floor of the ship’s deck. “I’m just excited.”
“I get it, you’ve been stuck in a single place for your entire life. You’re bound to want to experience the world.” She walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Just be a bit more careful. I don’t want to be the one to explain to Lord Raiden we lost you because you fell off the ship.”
“I will try to be more careful,” Kuai assured her.
Before either of them could continue the conversation however, they found a shadow being cast over them. That was… strange. They were above the clouds, so nothing should have been able to block the light. They both slowly looked up, and Kuai gasped softly at what was above them.
Another ship. Clearly of Netherrealm origin, if the way the ship was styled and the bat-like wings carrying it were anything to go by.
He looked at Sonya, her eyes wide as she whispered “we’re under attack.” She blinked and shook her head, turning to look at the rest of the ship and screaming “we’re under attack!”
As the ship's crew ran out into action, Kuai saw ropes falling from the ship above them. He reached behind his back, grabbing his staff and getting into a defensive stance. As oni descended upon them, Kuai charged up his magic, freezing all that he could, giving his companions chance to gather their equipment and begin to fight off the invasion.
He was doing a good job, and it appeared someone else on the Netherrealm ship thought so too as he found a fireball being launched in his direction. He just about managed to avoid the first, only to very quickly duck under a second, and then jump back for a third. Looking up to try and work out where they were coming from, he saw nothing.
Then he heard the whoosh of flames behind him. He spun around, watching as a fire raged, a figure standing amongst it. The figure was tall, imposing, long hair flowing in the wind as milky white pupils stared Kuai down. Kuai believed this being was a spectre, a vengeful spirit brought back from death. He’d never seen one in the flesh before, only having read about them in books. If this weren’t such a life and death situation, he would have loved to ask this spectre a whole lot of questions about his physiology.
As it stood though? The spectre looked like he meant business.
Suddenly launching forward, the spectre raised a katana, swinging it in Kuai’s direction. Kuai slammed his staff down into the floor, causing a wall of ice to form in front of him. The spectre hit the ice, breaking it and forcing Kuai to jump backwards and avoid another attack. He had to keep going backwards, the spectre swinging his katana wildly in Kuai’s direction. Every so often Kuai attempted to freeze him, but the fire was far too hot, melting the ice instantly when it hit him.
Kuai hissed. He really wished he’d managed to master at least another element right now. Somehow, only ice had ever come easily to him. What he wouldn’t give to just douse this Spectre in water right now.
In one last bid to make some space, Kuai summoned all his might before slamming his staff down. Ice spiked out all around him, and a large jagged shard aimed at the spectre. To his relief, this did stop the spectre in his tracks, trying to avoid being speared through the head. He paused, staring Kuai down and narrowing his eyes. Kuai stood tall as he could, refusing to back down or show weakness.
The ship jerked, knocking Kuai off balance for a couple of seconds. Those seconds were all the Spectre needed, as he leapt forward, shoving his entire weight into Kuai. The action left him breathless, and his grip on his staff weakened as it clattered to the floor. Next thing he knew something hit him with so much force he was flying backwards.
He felt himself hit the railing, and as he attempted to scramble to his feet, he was hit again. This time, he was thrown over the railings.
And then he was falling.
As he heard the wind rush around him, he panicked, arms flailing wildly, hoping to catch something to break his fall. There was no use. All he could think as he fell was I don’t want to die!
Sharp pain hit his thigh, and he screeched with it. Before he could work out what was happening, he stopped falling. He swung uselessly, slamming into the side of the ship. Now dangling upside down, he tried to regain his bearings. He looked to his thigh, spotting a kunai buried into his flesh. It was attached to a chain, the only thing now stopping his freefall.
The chain was yanked upwards, and as such he went with it. He tried to look at who had saved him. The spectre peered over the edge, hands on the chain and he pulled him upwards.
So, probably not a rescue.
That’s rather perplexing actually.
Kuai didn’t have time to ponder what exactly the spectre’s intent was. He just knew he did not want to be pulled up by him. Glancing around, he tried to find something he could use to escape. There was a canon on the side of the ship, and while it wasn’t perfect, it would do.
He began to swing himself, grabbing onto the chain so it wasn’t just the kunai keeping him attached. He almost got to the canon, but it slipped between his fingers. The second attempt he managed to get his arm around it. Pulling his legs up, he wrapped them around the canon, holding on as tightly as he could. He could still feel the spectre pulling on the chain, and he just kept still, holding and waiting.
He couldn’t help the loud groan as he felt the kunai get pulled out of his flesh.
Free of the chain, now he needed to get back onto the ship. While his powers were significantly weaker without his staff, if he tried hard enough, he could still use them. His plan did include breaking the canon though, and he knew he’d probably get yelled at by Johnny for breaking part of his ‘baby’. It was the only idea he really had though, short of just holding on and hoping the attack would end in their favour.
He slowly shimmied himself along the canon, reaching a hand out for the little porthole it poked through. As he grabbed it, he unhooked his legs, trying to drop as gently as he could against the ship's side. With one hand free, he held it against the canon, channelling his magic through to his palm. It was hard, but ice began to form across the canon. He kept going, hoping to the Gods he could keep holding on until he finished.
There was the sound of cracking, and eventually the cannon couldn’t take the pressure any longer. With a loud crash, it split into pieces, the shards falling off towards the ground. More importantly though, it opened up the porthole. Using both his arms he hauled himself upwards, squeezing himself through the small gap.
Finally, he fit through it, letting himself roll across the floor. He lay on his back, panting heavily, adrenaline still coursing through him as he realised how close to death he’d just been. No wonder Sonya told me to be careful around the edge.
His peace was short lived, as he heard the familiar sound of flames rising.
“Son of a-”
Kuai pushed himself up on his elbows, just enough to see the spectre standing there, staring at him.
He grit his teeth and hissed “don’t you have anything better to be doing?”
The spectre narrowed his eyes and growled “you are coming with me.”
“What?” He reached for the wall, using it to haul himself to his feet, even as his leg protested the action. He looked down. Thankfully his healing abilities had kicked in, the wound iced over to prevent anymore bleeding. It still fucking hurt though. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“You have no choice, Kuai Liang.” That made him pause. How did the spectre know his name? “Either you come with me willingly, or I will take you by force.”
This didn’t make sense. Why was this spectre interested in him? He was just a runaway Lin Kuei, essentially hitching a ride with a group of adventurers. Liu Kang was the chosen one, the one destined to save the realms from decimation. Surely he’d be the one the Spectre wanted, not lowly Kuai Liang.
“No,” he hissed, clenching his fist, once more channelling his magic. It didn’t take too long for a sword to form in his hand.
The spectre stared at it, shaking his head and grumbling “do not say I didn’t give you a chance.”
Once more, the spectre started forward, his katana in hand. Kuai pulled his own sword up to take the hit. The spectre was relentless, barely giving Kuai a chance to defend, let alone get in his own attack. Internally, he struggled to come up with a plan. He could just keep trying to hold the spectre off until his companions came, but there was no saying they would. The spectre wasn’t exactly giving him any other opportunities for another way out though.
From the corner of his eye, he saw a blur of silver and his eyes widened. Razor hat! He ducked low as the hat sped past them, and if the spectre's howl was anything to go by, it actually hit him. Kuai took a chance, freezing the spectre's feet to the floor while he was down low, before slipping past him. At the door of the hold, Liu Kang and Kung Lao stood, ready to keep fighting should they need to.
“Are you okay?” Liu asked Kuai as he made it to them.
“I’m fine,” he lied when the throbbing in his thigh was at an all time high. Maybe it was cowardly of him to slip behind Liu and Lao, but by the Elder Gods he didn’t think he could fight any longer.
The spectre was cursing, managing to break free of the ice and twisting around towards them. He scowled at the three of them, clenching his fists and baring his teeth.
“You want to fight?” Lao suddenly taunted, and Kuai couldn’t help give him a look as if to say what the fuck. Why would Lao try to provoke someone like that? “Then pick on someone your own size!”
The spectre laughed darkly, “the so-called chosen one and his pathetic guard dog. You aren’t even good enough to lick my boots.”
“Who are you calling pathetic?” Lao snarled, his hat materialising in his hand. Kuai had to get him to teach him how he did that at some point. It’d come in useful if he lost his staff again.
“Give the Lin Kuei to me,” the spectre demanded, taking a threatening step forward. Liu held his hand back towards Kuai Liang, as if to shield him.
“What do you want with him?” Liu asked, shooting Kuai a questioning look. All Kuai could do was shrug, he genuinely had no idea. “If you have been sent by The Lin Kuei then-”
“I would never work for Lin Kuei scum,” the spectre howled, spitting on the floor in disgust. Okay, clearly The Lin Kuei had hurt him in some way. That might explain his fixation on Kuai, but surely killing him would be the goal if he despised them that much.
“Then what?” Liu questioned incredulously. “What could you possibly want from him?”
The spectre observed them silently, and Kuai felt his breathing hitch as the spectre’s eyes landed on him. He bit his lip, unsure what exactly it was about the gaze that bothered him so.
“You may be the chosen one,” the spectre directed at Liu Kang, “but Kuai Liang is the true key to the realms salvation.”
“Uh. What?” Lao whispered flatly. Honestly, Kuai was with him. What did that even mean?
“Every night, in your dreams, you hear a song,” the spectre continued, and Kuai felt a chill run down his spine. He did hear a song in his dreams. How the fuck did this spectre know that? “It calls out to you. It is what made you long for more than that temple. It is what led you to this ship. What led you to the chosen one.”
“How can you know that?” Kuai hated how shaky his voice sounded. “I’ve never told anyone.”
“Because you have haunted my dreams.” The spectre began to walk forward, even as Liu and Lao closed the gap between themselves to shield Kuai Liang. “Every night, I watch you die. I can do nothing as your life is torn from you again and again.” Kuai took a step backward, the way his stomach twisted. “That song you hear is your destiny, and mine is to ensure you survive long enough to sing it.”
“You almost killed me,” Kuai blurted out. Maybe not the best move he could have made, but it was true. “I fell off the side of the ship.”
“That would not have happened had you not tried to fight me,” the spectre snarled, but oh no, Kuai was not having whatever the fuck this even was turned back onto him.
“You attacked me,” he claimed in a high pitched voice. “I was defending myself because you attacked me!”
“I am going to agree with Kuai Liang on this one, attacking someone you claim you want to keep alive is a bit of a dumb decision,” Lao claimed, crossing his arms over his chest.
“The plan was not to hurt him. It was to knock him out long enough to bring aboard my ship.” Kuai Liang was starting to think planning was not this spectre’s strong suit.
“You are completely delusional,” Kuai hissed, stepping backwards again. “The only thing that's a threat to my safety is you.”
The spectre made a loud snarl, but was cut off from saying any more as voices began to make their way down the stairs.
“All the Oni have been dealt with,” Sonya informed them as she made her way down the steps. Her eyes zoned in on the spectre, tilting her head slightly. “All that’s left to deal with is their leader.”
“I will leave your ship, so long as The Lin Kuei returns with me,” the spectre growled again.
“I already said I am not going anywhere with you,” Kuai shot back, clenching his fists and baring his teeth. “You can take your dreams and shove them up your-”
“Maybe, we can work out a compromise,” Liu Kang interrupted. Kuai had no idea what compromise there could possibly be. “You can’t fly that ship on your own. And quite frankly given the terrible first impression you have made, even if you manage to drag Kuai Liang with you, he won’t exactly stick around long.”
“Where are you going with this?” Kuai asked, getting a bit of a sinking feeling Liu was about to invite the spectre to come with them.
“If your intent really is to protect Kuai Liang and make sure he lives, then come with us.” Oh for the love of the Elder Gods. Kuai hated being right. “If his life is really that important to the safety of the realms, then surely having more people who can protect him on your side would be better.”
“Liu Kang, did you miss the part where he tried to kill me?” Kuai stressed the last part very strongly. Because he could not believe what the man was suggesting.
Liu Kang looked back at him with a sympathetic look. “I understand your reluctance, Kuai Liang. But as badly as he went about it, I do believe him when he says he didn’t want to kill you. He could have easily done that already and hasn’t.” Kuai wanted to argue but Liu Kang quickly pulled him close and lowered his voice. “I get it, you have zero reason to trust this guy. But please, trust me. I don’t know what is going on, but if you are as important in our story as he says, we need to heed his words. At least let us keep him around long enough to figure out what’s going on.”
Kuai hesitated, wanting so desperately to say no. But this spectre. He knew about Kuai’s dreams. About the song that called to him when he wandered his dreamscape. How could he possibly know about that? Not even Bi-Han or Tomas had known.
“Fine,” Kuai reluctantly bit out. “But if he does anything else, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Liu gave him a reassuring smile, before turning back to the spectre. “So, what will it be?”
The spectre stood in silence, milky eyes contemplating the offer. His eyes landed on Kuai again, a strange puzzlement reflected in them. Eventually however, he seemed to stand down.
“Very well,” the spectre agreed, bowing slightly. “But if anything happens that indicates to me you do not have the skills to protect him, I will leave and he will be coming with me.”
“As if,” Kuai muttered under his breath, grunting slightly when Sonya elbowed him.
“So, uh, do you actually have a name, or are we supposed to just refer to you as spectre?” Lao asked, strangely sounding as annoyed as Kuai felt. At least he had someone who understood he guessed.
“I am Scorpion,” he answered, but his eyes didn’t leave Kuai. It was like he was looking into Kuai’s very soul.
He absolutely hated it.
“Alright, well, glad that’s all sorted and we can continue on with the adventure,” Johnny suddenly chimed up and honestly, Kuai hadn’t even noticed he was there. “Glad to have you aboard Scorp- Oh my god!” Johnny ran over to where his canon used to be. “What happened to my canon?!?”
Kuai grimaced, knowing he had a lot to explain, and probably had a lot to pay Johnny for the repairs. Even through Johnny’s distress and Kuai’s guilt, the others began to chuckle at how overly dramatic Johnny was about it. All except Scorpion.
Even as Kuai went to go and try and make amends with Johnny, Scorpions gaze never left him.
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