The final battle had begun. After years of extensive training for this decisive moment, my time had finally arrived. I had triumphed over several tests already since my entrance into the Mortal Kombat tournament. The entirety of my body was aching; my armor was obliterate as the earlier battles I had overcome would suggest. My preceding encounter was one I believe no one could have been prepared for. My hand was forced by a "chance encounter" to put my abilities to the ultimate test; a test which must have been premeditated by the sorcerer, Shang Tsung. The challenge was to face a fellow Lin Kuei assassin by the name of Bi Han, formerly known as Sub Zero, the most famous killer the temple has ever seen.

I was very aware Sub Zero would pose as my greatest adversary up to this point. After all, before he faced me, he defeated the former nine time champion of this very tournament, the Shokan, Prince Goro. I was certain that Sub Zero's energy was exhausted after his match with Goro…I was wrong. It seemed as though every strike he threw, every ice-cold attack that he was prominently known for, grew stronger and stronger.

It was no easy task, but I defeated the 'Man Made of Ice'. In my previous bouts, my reward for victory in the tournament was getting to kill each opponent at the end. Due to his former affiliation with my clan, perhaps I would have been hesitant to carry out that honor this time. But I was spared from displaying that weakness, by as an alternative, witnessing the true horrifying soul thieving ability of Shang Tsung.

Shang Tsung, the man of many souls, is a man of both power and limitations. He is a master in most powers of sorcery, yet his sole purpose was to be the host of the Mortal Kombat tournament for the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Khan, who also happened to train the Sorceror in the ways of dark magic himself. The Emperor's nine straight victories over Earthrealm was one victory shy of the ten needed victories to his rightful claim to Earthrealm. If this tournament resulted in Outworld's defeat, the claim to Earthrealm would be lost. And the only way to reclaim it would be to win ten more tournaments in a row. So if Goro and Shang Tsung, his most trusted servants, were to lose to what they refer to as 'Earthrealm Scum', The Emperor would be displeased to say the least.

Still infuriated by the failure of Outworld's nine time champion, the Sorcerer glared upon my very soul with his eyes full of fear. Soon, I would put the sorcerer out of his inevitable misery. We both knew what was about to happen. The Sorcerer's life must come to an end.

Only one fight remains, "Smoke! I challenge you to the final battle of Mortal Kombat, do you accept?" The tone in his voice was like a whisper to me. I could feel the doubt spilling through his words. Without any hesitation I replied with a simple "I accept". Next, the sorcerer levitated himself off of his throne and his feet touched the marbled floor only a few paces from where I was standing. The assurance that I was showing quickly vanished when I could hear nothing but laughter and a voice that was not Shang Tsung's but it sounded so recognizable, "Smoke, you will fail and your soul IS mine!" I became baffled, then I realized what was occurring, Shang Tsung was transforming! I have never seen this happen before, only a few people had, and honestly…I was astonished. I stood in anticipation waiting for the process to be completed and what now stood before me was purely jaw dropping. Shang Tsung was no longer the opponent standing across from me. There was now what seemed to be some sort of robot. This lifelike robot was made up of pure steel and wore my black and gray colors. Suddenly, an aura formed around the robot, then I realized who he was, HE formed in SMOKE.

There was no time to wrap my mind around the transformation, the sorcerer had already charged at me. I could sense his wrath hurrying upon me and just as he had his fist drawn back for his first blow, blocking was delayed as a ray of light shined in my eyes. My arms were being used to cover my eyes from the beam. When I uncovered my eyes, Shang Tsung was nowhere to be seen. I must have been dreaming. However, so much of the dream felt so real. I could physically feel myself fighting Sub Zero. But the suspicion of the dream being some sort of premonition was dismissed when I remembered that Sub Zero was long gone from the Lin Kuei. Some would even say he's dead. I had never met Bi Han, personally. However, tales of Sub Zero's defeat at the previous Mortal Kombat tournament have spread a muck throughout the temple. "Sub Zero fought famously, but once he failed, he was set to be executed. Then he attempted to escape! Thus ending the tale of the 'Man Made of Ice'," the others would say. Even contemplating escape from the the temple is a death wish. But to believe that someone could actually do it is simply impossible.

Secondly, the Mortal Kombat tournament was nearly a year away from now, and Sektor, was rumored to be the person who would represent the clan at the tournament. Although, Sektor's entry into the tournament would mean that the Lin Kuei did not even care about winning the tournament because with him representing us, we would surely lose.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted by the entrance of the Grandmaster's son into my chamber with his companion, Cyrax. Exceptions to the rule of no families and no friendships were only made for the Grandmaster and of course his son, the heir to the Grandmaster's throne, Sektor. "Good rising, Smoke, apologies for interrupting your slumber." I gave no thought to the remark and declined to reply. Unthankfully, the weakling kept speaking, "the Grandmaster, wishes to speak with you soon…in regards to some new recruit joining our ranks, I'm not exactly sure why YOUR presence is required, but he sent me to tell you." I took the tone in his voice rather be-grudgingly. This time however, I decided to respond (to the Grandmaster's wishes), "Very well, Sektor, tell the Grandmaster I look forward to it."

Throughout the years, countless enemies of the Lin Kuei have crumbled before my feet. I had long since become the most valuable asset to the Lin Kuei besides my master himself. And I had become so successful in my conquests that I was certain even he could serve beneath me. It is no dream of mine to become his successor however, power is not what drives the mighty Smoke. And if it were not for the Grandmaster, his petty son would be without a head. I have no difference of opinion with Cyrax, his death would just be quicker and more honorable, a warriors death, just by association with Sektor.

When I began with the Lin Kuei, right away I had unparalleled skill. The Grandmaster took me under his tutelage and trained me himself. There were rumors that he had done that with only one other assassin before. The thought of this "other assassin" never did cause me much thought because I was too busy focusing on becoming the greatest executioner of all time. I started out a killer, a foul beast that would slaughter anything and anyone who stood before me. I lacked discipline, I would not calculate each action before I attacked and for that reason, I would perform foolishly and without full force. And through time and extensive training, I changed my unprofessional ways. Now I am a pathological monster, a demon who seeks out whoever my master wishes to kill, and discovers the best ways to eliminate them in my head. You would hear no tales of me because I cannot be seen by a naked eye. Fame is not what drives the mighty Smoke. My powers, my strength, is my name, the smoke is the only sign my targets have before their life's inevitable conclusion. I leave no trace behind, I am undetectable. No one knows who I am in the outside world because my prey disappears without a trace. I am the greatest of all time.

Other clans despise the Lin Kuei because we often kill the innocent when necessary. The Lin Kuei are not allowed families, we are not allowed companions, we are not allowed feelings. This makes us better than any other clan to ever exist because they use judgment, which means they are merciful and weak. You are not born into the Lin Kuei, you are scouted at birth. You are taken from your families and your friends and born into an entirely new world. The first duty as a member of our League is to eliminate all remaining ties to our former lives. I remember nothing of my life before the Lin Kuei, nor do I wish to. I am not sure which makes me a better killer, the fact that I have no family, or the fact that if I did, I would not hesitate to kill them for my clan.

The only clan that has ever posed any threat, though insignificantly, is the Shirai Ryu. They were a pathetic excuse for warriors. Unlike us, they were allowed to have families and bonds. Only one ninja had ever dared to cross the Lin Kuei. This ninja was an eager to die fool by the name of Hanzo Ishashi, or as he preferred to be called, the Scorpion. He used to be known throughout Earthrealm for his violence. The public will not dare speak his name and would say he is the most feared assassin ever…I wish he were still alive so I could test that theory.

Lately, the Lin Kuei have been working with Shang Tsung and dealing with his problems. I have met the man few times, and from what I have seen of him, I am not impressed. He is an old man whose only true power is stealing, even the Lin Kuei have thieves. His master however, is a completely different untamed beast. Shao Khan is the true meaning of evil. For centuries he has conquered realm after realm, searching to destroy every living thing in his path so he can achieve absolute supremacy…I respect that. If not for him, the Lin Kuei would not exist. Therefore, I wish to thank him if ever presented the opportunity.

It was seldom that I questioned why the Grandmaster would summon me. Typically, I would be summoned for assignment. My master has always preferred my council when it comes to serious matters. This time, I felt something was different. The fact that he sent Sektor implies that the need to see me must be amplified. I then began to realize on my own the purpose of my audience. For months now, the temple has been filled with whispers of a new warrior. A warrior whose abilities are more natural than even mine. This must be it, I must be getting to bare witness to the birth of our new brother.

I entered the throne room and knelt before my master as every warrior does and recited the creed "more stealthy than the night, more deadly than the dawn". He then commanded me to rise and began to speak towards his purpose, "Smoke, you are my most reliable pupil. And you have done many great things in the name of the Lin Kuei. It is for this reason that I have asked you here today," he then signaled his guards to open the double doors at the entranced nearest to us. And there he stood. This had to be the recruit that everyone in the temple was rambling about. He stood tall, and strong, and had a confidence about him like he could take on anything, he was ready to fight. I could definitely since a dangerous presence in this one. What stood out about him was the unusually large scar that stretched from his forehead to his right eye. This scar, I know I have seen it before. "Grandmaster, what is thy bidding?", I asked as neither of us could even take our eyes off of this recruit. It was as if I was not even there. "I give you the Lin Kuei's newest deadly weapon. I give you Sub Zero." The grandmaster's words sent shivers down my spine as I stood in shock of his new creation. Then I thought back to my dream earlier. This must be the Sub Zero that I defeated at the tournament.

The epiphany was almost too much at once, but I also had no time to ask my necessary questions because the Grandmaster began explaining something, "this new member of our family, this Sub Zero, has earned the right to carry one of the names of the most famous warrior under this temple's history. Unlike his new ancestor, Sub Zero has been trained in the current way of the Lin Kuei, which makes him stronger and even deadlier. He will never think of betraying his clan, for he knows that the only response for betrayal is death. I show you the birth of your new brother to remind you of the way of the Lin Kuei.