Chapter 7: Brothers

2 months later: "We are extremely proud to announce a very powerful warrior will be joining our ranks as of today," Smog proclaimed from his throne in the Red Dragon Meeting Room. The entire Red Dragon, which had grown considerable large, were all present.

Nukum knew the announcement long before today. In fact, Phantom had contacted him and told him himself. But it took awhile for Smog to find him, since he returned to the heavens for awhile after his victory.

"I, Smog, am pleased to accept Phantom, a very powerful warrior and god, to the Red Dragon clan," Smog announced. Phantom stood up from where he sat behind Smog and shook his hand. "I have decided to place Phantom at a high rank to begin with because of his success in Damage's Tournament".

Phantom had been defeated one fight away from the championship around a month and 17 days earlier. By now, Damage had opened sign ups for his second tournament, which would begin in about a week. Nukum had received a lot of pressure to join, especially from Kyle who was still residing in the cave. Nukum, however, refused to join unless ordered to do so by Smog.

After the meeting, the clan was dismissed for the night. Nukum returned to his room, which had gotten nicer and nicer for every mission he had completed. The lights to the room suddenly when out when Nukum had shut the door. He was harshly pushed from behind and he stumbled onto the ground.

"Hello, Nukum," a raspy voice said from the darkness. At first Nukum thought it was a raptor, but its like of hissing convinced him otherwise.

"Who are you," Nukum asked, still lying on the ground.

The lights then came back on and standing in the doorway was a strange man dressed in red ninja garments. Nukum would have guessed it to be Titan, although the uniform was a of a clan he wasn't aware of.

"I go by Blades," he said.

"What the hell do you want?" Nukum asked him, still not sure if he was a threat or not. Blades ignored the question.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to break into this place," he asked with a laugh. "I was almost caught around 6 times".

"No, I've never had to break in here," Nukum replied.

"Your brother is alive," Blades said suddenly, cutting Nukum off.

Nukum had many brothers, most of which were dead. But if he was talking about Paul then yes, his brother was alive. "Who?" asked Nukum.

"Your brother, Warfare," Blades said again.

Nukum didn't think any of his brothers went by that code name. Unless one of them had changed it for protection. Nukum believed this guy was mocking him.

"Get the hell out of my room," he said.

"Aw cut the crap, I have a message for you," Blades said, not flinching. Nukum awaited. "I am a friend of your brother's. He sent me here when he found out you were alive. He wants you to come to meet him right away," Blades said.

"What if I don't think I can," Nukum asked, still not believing what he said.

"That's why he sent me. He gave me orders to force your cooperation," said Blades with another laugh. And after saying that, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, metal sphere. "Sweet dreams," he said and dropped the ball to the ground. It suddenly began to emit a smoke-like substance. Nukum attempted to move but he inhaled it and immediately fell to the ground unconscience.

2 days later: "How long as he been out," a voice asked.

"Since I brought him in," Blades replied.

Nukum opened his eyes slowly, feeling a splitting head ache and sore all over his body. He was lying in a comfortable enough bed. Over him, Blades and another man stood talking. Nukum got their attention by coughing.

"He's up," Blades said dully and left the room.

The doctor turned to him. "About time," he said.

"Where am I," Nukum stuttered.

"Don't worry about that, you need to get up," the doctor said. He really didn't seem like a doctor at all but was dressed like one, causing Nukum to assume he was.

Nukum got up as he had said. "Your brother is waiting for you outside," the doctor said once more and then pointed to the door. Nukum exited the small hut.

He was outside on a bright day. Across from him stood a shooting range, which was being used by many soldiers. Around him stood several other bunks, each equally small. He was on a military base.

"Kevin!" a shout came from a group of men next to the firing range. All were smoking cigarettes and holding pistols. One man from the group departed and ran toward Kevin. "Oh man, Kevin," the guy said. It was Phil.

"Phil?!" Kevin's reply came. The two embarrassed for a few seconds. "How the hell are you still alive," Kevin asked with astonishment. He thought back to the day. The day Phil's body lied on the ground; flames burning on it.

"I am alive thanks to this guy," Phil said, pointing to the doctor who Kevin had previously spoken with. He motioned a small wave.

"But I saw you....you were dead," Kevin said, still amazed to find yet another brother alive.

"Apparently not, man," Phil replied. "But probably almost," he added.

He still seemed like the same man Kevin remembered from about a year ago. Had it already been that long? It had, Kevin decided. And he had found 2 brothers whom he had once thought dead. He wondered if any others were alive. Austin probably was, maybe Graham but that was all, he thought.

"What is this place," Kevin asked, looking around to see the camp once more.

"Training installation," Phil responded. "The United States Military were the ones that saved me. Afterward, with all of you guys gone, I decided to join them," Phil began walking as he spoke. Kevin followed with him. "They apparently liked my skill cuz I am currently a Navy Seal," he stated.

"Nice goin, is everyone here Seals as well," Kevin asked.

"Not many of them are. Some are from other elite forces from around the world. The general gathered the best of the best from each country and here we are," Phil said. He then continued to his brother about his life and operations that he had already been on. The two eventually reached another bunk and Phil walked in.

This was probably his room, furnished with a single bed and a desk.

"How did you find me," Kevin asked him, once inside.

"My friend, Blades. He's a friend of Fog's, was told you joined some clan; the Red Dragon," Phil replied. "I needed to talk to you..." he stopped. His face seemed to tighten and take on a much more serious look.

"What. What's wrong," Kevin asked.

"It's hard for me to tell you this. I'm pretty sure you need to know though," Phil began. "It's about, you know, all of our brothers". He stopped again and seemed to be struggling inside.

"What, tell me," Kevin asked, beginning to get anxious.

"There all alive," Phil said.

Kevin's heart skipped a beat, maybe two. He was stunned to hear the news. "That's great news," he said.

Phil lowered his head and shook it softly. "No it's not," he said. "Matt...he is evil," Phil said sadly.

Evil? What the hell did that mean? Matt had disappeared very shortly before the bomb; know one was sure where he had gone. What was Phil saying?

"Matt...he got involved with Quan Chi. He stayed, he is a loyal servant to him," Phil stuttered, having difficulty saying what he needed to say. "He...he has killed hundreds already...we have brought in victims who are terrified of him...he's evil," Phil stated again.

"Who else is alive," Kevin asked, wanting to get away from Matt.

"They all are. Ricky...we have reports that Ricky became a terrorist," Phil said. "We even have files on him as a criminal somewhere in Asia. He, too, is merciless".

"What about Luke," Kevin asked, wanting to know about one of his closest brothers. He was so sure Luke was dead as well but.

"I have seen Luke. He tried to meet me but he never came. I am assuming that he is still sane," Phil said. But he, too, was becoming sentimental on the issue.

"Why didn't you bring Paul," Kevin asked.

"Paul?"

"He is a member of the Red Dragon with me," Kevin said.

Phil was shocked. "I had no idea-I sent people to look for him in the United States. I would have brought him.." Phil admitted.

"He is still good. We have been on 3 missions together; he got promoted to a high rank like I did," Kevin said.

"Good, good," Phil said, thinking.

"How are the rest," Kevin asked.

"We can't locate Austin, we got no idea what he is like. And..." he stopped again.

Kevin knew who he was thinking about. The oldest and probably the most powerful Paize brother. "Did he stay with the Lin Kuei?" Kevin asked.

"He did...they wouldn't let him leave.." Phil struggled again.

"Why?"

"He knew something. He tried to tell you, don't you remember?" Phil asked.

Kevin closed his eyes and ventured back to the night: The rain hit hard down on the roof. Austin and Paul were already sleeping. Kevin was awake, however, thinking about a match that he had won earlier that day.

It was around midnight, judging from the position of the moon in the sky. It was barely visible from the window because of the rain and clouds. Then, he heard it. It was a soft tap coming from his door. The taps stayed soft but increased, like they were trying to be noticed.

Kevin arose from his bed and opened the door. Immediately a figure jumped in. Before Kevin had time to react, he has on the ground and his mouth was covered by the other's hand. The man, who was dressed in a different type of Lin Kuei garb, knelt over him and put hi finger on his mouth, indicating to stay quiet. Kevin nodded and the man removed his hand from his mouth.

"Who are you," Kevin asked almost right away.

The man grabbed his mask and pulled it down. With his other hand, he uncovered his head. It was Graham. "It's me," he said with a slight smile which was hidden by fear.

"Graham, what the hell-" he started.

"Listen to me, don't say a word," Graham snapped coldly. "I don't have much time to talk; if they find me, they will kill me," he said. Kevin listened with anticipation. "The Lin Kuei is beginning a new program which involves transforming their best warriors into robots, which would make them perfect fighters. You three are all on their list for automation. I want you to leave as quickly as possible, perhaps tonight, and take refuge in India for a short time. The Lin Kuei has little presence there. Kill enemies if you must but keep as low a profile as you can," he said.

Then footsteps were heard outside the door. Graham glanced back in panic and then quickly turned back around. His eyes were filled with fear. "There is something else. The Lin Kuei are planning-" but the guards were to close. Graham immediately jumped up and out the door at the end of the room.

Two guards walked in. "Who were you talking to," one asked.

Kevin was still fairly shocked at seeing Graham. "Myself," he stuttered. "I was talking to myself about my fight," he lied.

"Get to bed," the guard snapped.

"Yes sir," Kevin replied and got up. He lied down in his bed as the guards exited the way Graham had left. He hoped that they wouldn't catch him.

What had he meant. The Lin Kuei were turning fighters into robots; it was insane. But the clanmasters care nothing for their warriors, he reminded himself. And then Graham had try to say something else. He had such terror in his eyes; he was so afraid. What was he trying to say?

"I remember," Kevin said. "He tried to say something else but couldn't; he didn't have time," Kevin said faintly.

Phil nodded slightly. "You know he was a high official in the Lin Kuei," he asked.

"I kinda figured that but never really found out for sure," Kevin replied. "I remember he was taken away from training one day by some royal guards and I never saw him again. Never until that night," Kevin said.

"He was. The Lin Kuei treasured his loyalty; he had a gift that no other warrior had and so he was made a top official in the clan," Phil revealed.

"What was his gift?" Kevin asked.

"I'm not sure, no one if for sure but other Lin Kuei clansmasters. But it is powerful and probably deadly," Phil stated.

"Yeah," Kevin mumbled. "He's in over his head you think?"

A nod from Phil. "Yeah. I have been trying to find all of us and bring us back together and I don't think I'll be able to get him..."

There was a brief silence. Kevin was realizing how powerful all of his brothers had become after the nuclear bomb. Was that normal? It was first he had heard of powers being gained by forces other than birth. It was strange in the sense that all 8 had gained abilities but their parents and neighbors had died...

"So why did you bring me here?" Kevin asked, breaking the tense silence.

"I want you to do something for me; to help me bring as all back," Phil began. "Do what you can to find out about our families history. Find out if any of our past relatives had powers, or maybe fought in Mortal Kombat. It would help me I think," he said.

It made sense to Kevin. He also wanted to learn more about his family. "I will do what I can," he promised.

Satisfied, Phil nodded and said, "Thank you. I think you should return to the Red Dragon later today. They will surely send assassins to look for you if you are absent much longer. Oh, tell Paul hello for me".

Kevin stood up from the revealing conversation. "Yeah, I'll do that too," he said.

Phil then stood up and led him back out of the room. The day had grown old and the sun was beginning to set. Most of the officers had left to open camp; probably back into the numerous barracks in the area.

"The portal will take you back to the Red Dragon," Phil said. He then lifted his hands and shot a dark green beam into the air in front of them. A swirling green portal formed.

"Thanks," Kevin replied. There was the usual farewell embrace following. After that, Kevin made his way into it.

The usual sensation of passing through portals followed. Kevin felt a wave of cold his his body and chill him. Immediately following, his skin seemed to burn with flames. He lost control of his balance and sense of awareness as he traveled. He knew the passage was coming to an end when he felt as if he was falling head first off of a skyscraper. He could suddenly see his destination, his Red Dragon room. It was slowly opening in front of him. He made the step from the two times and his foot landed back on the floor of his room.

Once back, he made it known to Paul, who was in the room over, half asleep. Paul seemed normal when Kevin walked in the room and told him about the entire story of meeting one of their brothers and learning more about the rest of them. He was disappointed that he had not been taken as well but didn't seem to mid too much.

"Anyway, I am to learn more about the rest of them. Maybe I can get access to the Red Dragon's database and see what they have in their files," Kevin suggested.

"That would help, although clearing it with Smog might be a bit hard," Paul admitted.

Next Chapter: "Alin Kuei"