Author's Note
Welcome to the first chapter of Lin Kuei Khaos! However, before we begin, here are a few notes to make this journey as fun as possible.
1, The Lin Kuei Brothers are teens in this.
2, There will be references to other pieces of Mortal Kombat media.
3, The violence usually expected from MK is a lot less than usual.
And with all that said and done, I hope you'll enjoy my first work here at Fimfiction!
Shipping Out
The morning air flowed around the Fire Temple, brushing across the numerous jade statues. The numerous monks around the shrines were too busy praying to see three masked men walking up the stairs to the entrance — three masked men belonging to the clan that has long defended Earthrealm; the Lin Kuei. One was silver-skinned and wore sleek, grayish silver garbs, with a gas mask covering his face. The one next to him had pale red skin, wore yellow and red garbs, and had a yellow metal mask. Leading them both was an exceptionally bulky dark blue-skinned Lin Kuei wearing blue and black garbs and a silverish blue mask.
"I don't see why Liu Kang needed us at this moment. Could he not just deal with this issue himself?" The leader said, his voice dripping with annoyance.
"He called us in particular, Bi-Han. That should amount to something," the yellow-clad Lin Kuei smiled under his mask.
"I appreciate your optimism, Kuai Liang, but I'm positive this won't be anything extraordinary. I wouldn't be surprised if it was another diplomatic assignment," Bi-Han groaned, causing Kuai Liang to chuckle under his breath. "What's so amusing
to you?" He asked his younger brother.
"You always focus on the negative, Bi-Han. You need some optimism in your life," Kuai Liang said nudging him in the shoulder. "Like Tomas. He always has something to smile about."
"And there's nothing wrong with that, I'm just not in a smiling mood," Bi-Han retorted, his voice dripping with annoyance. Tomas put his hand up, about to interject, before he saw a large figure in a bulky brown cloak walking up to them.
"Welcome back, boys," the figure said, his voice a powerful one. The Lin Kuei bowed before him.
"We await your orders, Lord Liu Kang," Tomas said, as the figure pulled the hood down. His pale blue skin was adorned with glowing red tattoos, and his eyes glowed white.
"Come inside. There is much that must be told," Liu Kang said and walked further into the temple, the Lin Kuei following close behind. Passing by murals, Tomas' mind began to wander. He knew of Lord Liu Kang's exploits, even more since they finished training. But he could only imagine just how much he truly knew. Before he could get lost in thought, Tomas saw his brothers stop a few steps behind, as did Liu Kang.
"Over here, Tomas," Kuai Liang waved his younger brother over. Shaking his head in amusement, Tomas walked back over to them. "Alright, Lord Liu Kang, why have you brought us here?"
"Simple, Kuai Liang. I need you three to go on a mission. I have found a form of magic in a different part of Earthrealm. One I have not sensed before. I fear it could result in disaster should it not be monitored and contained," Liu Kang explained.
"Furthermore, this mission will be an undercover one. We can't risk revealing information to those present."
Bi-Han tilted his head. Exactly where WAS this place?
"If you don't mind me asking, Lord Liu Kang... what is this location?" Bi-Han crossed his arms and glared, "Are they even aware of what's going on?"
"Well, Bi-Han, they know of an earlier event. But nothing of other Realms. This is why I must ask you to keep the use of your powers very limited. Plus, I believe you will enjoy your surroundings. Quite the departure from our current situation," Liu Kang put his hands together and smiled.
"Why's that? Are the surroundings peaceful?" Tomas asked optimistically, earning a nod from Liu Kang.
"Although, I will warn you. There are plenty of individuals all over the campus. Most of which, I assure you will find friends in, but not all of them," The God of Fire said with a grin.
"Campus? Like... a school campus?" Kuai Liang scratched his head in confusion. Liu Kang nodded.
"It's called Canerlot High School. While I'm aware you three have never attended a public school, I believe this will be an easy mission for you. You never know. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two from people your age," Liu Kang said with a chuckle. Bi-Han's eye twitched slightly, causing Tomas to back up slowly.
"You want us... to venture... into a high school?" Bi-Han asked, his voice crackling with anger, "Are you SURE this isn't a teaching tool?"
"I mean every bit of what I said, Bi-Han. It is a mission, but please do not neglect those around you. They are more valuable than you realize," Bi-Han rolled his eyes, but Kuai Liang put a reassuring hand over his shoulder.
"Don't worry, brother. It'll be okay," he said with a smile, earning a sigh from Bi-Han.
"If you insist," the lead Lin Kuei groaned. Tomas clapped slowly.
"Bravo, Bi-Han! I knew you could do it," he cheered. Bi-Han couldn't help but crack a smile as a result.
"Okay, boys, I'll open the portal for you momentarily. Just remember to use your powers only under the most dire of circumstances and keep the nature of your mission a secret," Liu Kang flexed his fingers and waved his arms in a circular motion, flames trailing off them. A swirling portal of fire sparked out of thin air, showing a bright area on the other side.
"And when you reach the other side, pay attention to your attire. I hope you enjoy them," the Fire God said. The Lin Kuei walked up to the portal and then looked at each other.
"Race you guys to the other side?" Kuai Liang nudged his brothers.
"No," Bi-Han and Tomas said in unison.
"You know I'll beat you, huh?"
"Yes." They retorted in annoyance before all walking through the portal. Upon walking through, they all squinted their eyes. The sun was blinding.
"Different from back home!" Tomas yelled covering his eyes.
"Oh, absolutely," Bi-Han rubbed his eyes, attempting to adjust to the light.
"Umm, guys?" Kuai Liang asked, looking down at his attire. Bi-Han and Tomas looked at their brother, seeing him now sporting a yellow leather jacket, black jeans, and red sneakers.
"Not bad, Kuai Liang," Bi-Han nodded, before looking at his attire. Dark blue short-sleeved sweater, long-sleeved black shirt, hiking boots, and baggy black jeans. "Not bad, me," he said to himself.
"Guys, everything's blurry!" Tomas said loudly, reaching his arms out blindly. Kuai Liang looked at him, now wearing a purplish-gray hoodie, sweatpants, and grey sneakers. He then noticed a pair of glasses atop his forehead.
"One moment," Kuai Liang said, before pulling his glasses down. "Better?"
"Much. Phew... thanks, Kuai Liang." Tomas gave him a thumbs up and patted his shoulder.
"Okay, guys, let's go," Bi-Han said, as he and his brothers began walking inside. The halls were empty, almost barren.
"Do you think we were transported somewhere else? I thought a high school was supposed to have more... I don't know... people?" Tomas looked around.
Then the school bell rang, doors swung open and students flooded the halls.
"Found the people," Kuai Liang said, putting his hands into his jacket pockets.
"Act natural," Bi-Han whispered, as the three brothers tried their best to avoid the crowds. Still, they couldn't help but notice they were being stared at by a few of them.
"Don't look now, Kuai Liang, but I think some of them are checking you out," Tomas nudged his brother, looking at two girls blushing and waving at him. Kuai Liang smiled and waved back, causing them to blush and faint.
"Ummm... oops," Kuai Liang said, "That never happens."
"If this a sign of how this is going to turn out, I'm already fed up with..." Bi-Han's rant was quickly interrupted by a female voice from behind.
"Pardon me, but are you three new here?" She asked, causing the brothers to spin around quickly. The woman facing them wore a golden jacket and purple pants. Her hair was a mixture of light green, blue, and pink, earning a head tilt from Kuai Liang.
"Yes, ma'am," Bi-Han said, earning a smile from the woman. "We're looking for assistance for registration, but we don't know where to go."
"Allow me to help. My name is Principal Celestia. It pleases me to be the first to welcome you to Canterlot High School," she said. "Please follow me to my office."
Right place, after all, Bi-Han thought, following Principal Celestia. Kuai Liang and Tomas followed closely behind. The three looked around, seeing all the students walking along the halls. It was a visual overload. Eventually, Principal Celestia opened the door to her office, and the brothers went inside, sitting down.
"Okay, what are your names?" She asked, pulling out a pen and paper.
"I am Kuai Liang, this is my younger brother Tomas..."
"Hi!" The silver-haired teen waved, earning a smile from Kuai Liang.
"... and my older brother, Bi-Han," Kuai Liang put a hand on Bi-Han's shoulder.
"Greetings," he bowed his head slightly. As Principal Celestia continued writing, she looked up from her paper,
"And your last names?"
Kuai Liang's face sank, not knowing how to respond. Tomas put his hand over his shoulder. Bi-Han didn't like it, but he knew he had to take some initiative.
"Oniro, ma'am. And please excuse my brother's actions. We... we just lost our father," Bi-Han said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. Principal Celestia's face softened from concentration to sympathy and put her hand on Kuai Liang's.
"I'm sorry for your loss. Just know that you're in a safe place and if you need to talk, you can always come to any of us," she said with a soft smile. Kuai Liang looked up and nodded.
"Thank you," he responded. After Kuai Liang calmed down a little more, Principal Celestia handed them papers.
"Here are your schedules. Once again, welcome to Canterlot High School," she said with a smile. "Your first period starts in ten minutes, so please take the time to reorient yourselves. And if you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
"Most appreciated," Bi-Han said, holding his schedule close.
"C'mon, Kuai Liang," Tomas helped his brother up, and the three of them walked out of the door...
END CHAPTER 1
