Mortal Kombat: A Hero's Rebirth

Chapter 11: Cyborgs, Shamans & Queens

(SCENE: CHURCH) (POV: OSCAR)

After getting Sub-Zero back to base, Jax started working on freeing him from his cybernetic enslavement. It took around 5 to 10 minutes as Sub-Zero started sounding like he's rebooting.

"That's it. Here goes nothing." Jax says as he wipes both his hands and the sweat off. "You are certain this will work?" Smoke asks. "Hell no! I've never done this before. It's not like there's either an on & off or manual." Jax says as Smoke & Cyrax leans over Sub-Zero face.

"Sub-Zero? Can he hear us?" Smoke asks. "He should. Didn't rip out his audio receptors." Jax says. "Sub-Zero?" Cyrax asks as Sub-Zero's eyes lights up, signifying him powering up. "Yes, Smoke, Cyrax." He says as he sits up.

"How do you feel?" Smoke asks. Sub-Zero says nothing as he groans. "What is it?" Cyrax asks. "I remember the things I've done for Shao Kahn. He cannot be allowed to merge the realms." Sub-Zero explains as Smoke placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Me & the girls understand how you feel: being enslaved and forced to work for that sociopath. But don't get too hung up on those feelings." Tanya explains as Skarlet & Nitara nods in agreement.

"Haokah, how can Sub-Zero best help us?" Nightwolf asks, using the Matokan name for Raiden to address him. "I don't know. Maybe deception. Our Outworld enemies do not know of his defection. But our interference with the time flow has wield mixed results, I fear if enlisting him could cause more harm than good." Raiden says.

"Raiden, maybe we should stop focusing on the time flow & focus more on defeating Shao Kahn. After all, we still do not know who 'He Must Win' is. We need to prioritize on one thing at a time. For now, sending him undercover seems like our best course." I explained as everyone went quiet at this.

(SCENE CHANGE: SHAO KAHN'S THRONE ROOM) (POV CHANGE: 3RD PERSON)

Meanwhile, Sub-Zero return to Outworld through a portal as he approaches Sektor, who is seen talking with Hydro & the black figure. "Earthrealm is finished. It will not be missed." The black figure says.

"Very well, you will return to the catalyst of our victory." Sektor orders as Hydro, the black figure & the Tarkatans presented in the left for the portal. Sektor notices Sub-Zero approaching. "You're late for your report. Where is the intruder?" Sektor asks.

"I killed him in Earthrealm." Sub-Zero lies. "Was he of any use? Information?" Sektor asks as Sub-Zero shook his head. "Negative. He was an ex-Black Dragon thug, possible traitor." Sub-Zero lies again as Sektor seems to bought it. "Very well. Come with me. We must lead a new mission." Sektor orders as he and Sub-Zero enters the portal.

(SCENE CHANGE: SUBWAY)

Sektor & Sub-Zero enters the Subway where Stryker previously fought Ermac. "What mission brings us here?" Sub-Zero asks. "I've scanned your neural net, 52O. Your neuromodulators have been recalibrated." Sektor says as Sub-Zero fakes shock.

"Impossible." Sub-Zero says in a fake shock tone. "The experience has been deleted from your systems. Remove your access panel so I can fix you." Sektor says as he approaches Sub-Zero.

But before he could touch his chest panel, Sub-Zero grabs his arm and knocks him back with an ice blast open palm strike. "Your programming has been corrupted." Sektor says with anger in his voice. "My soul was corrupted. Now it is cleansed." Sub-Zero says as he battles against Sektor.

Sektor's robotic nature proved to be his ultimate undoing as Sub-Zero's human intellect and instincts bests the corrupted grandmaster. "Artificial enhancements will never best a human soul." Sub-Zero as he approaches the defeated Sektor and accesses his memory bank.