Smokescreen: A Collection of Vignettes

Chapter 35

NOTE: Takes place after completing Sub-Zero's season in Invasions mode.

Sakura wasn't sure what possessed her to show mercy on her opponent, but she did. She knew she was making a big mistake by letting Dark Sub-Zero's second in command live. He needed to die. He was a threat to her realm. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to do so. An unknown part of her said not to kill him. This Smoke had been part of her life. What life, though? The only Smoke that she knew was the Smoke of the timeline she was in currently. The impulse to not kill him would definitely have ramifications if she didn't rectify her mistake. Dark Smoke chuckled as he pulled himself up from the ground.

"I should thank you for letting me live," He said. "But I can tell you made a mistake."

The two fighters circled each other. Dark Smoke kept his karambit on hand, showboating just a little bit. He suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke. On instinct, Sakura turned around to block his attack. She had barely caught his hand, his weapon just a mere few inches away from her neck.

"Nice catch."

He disappeared once more. Sakura was regretting her decision more and more. Her body was slowing down, and her energy was low. She couldn't let Dark Smoke pick up on that. The young woman suddenly jumped backwards as her opponent popped up once more. Just barely.

"How long can you keep up until I catch you?" Smoke's voice asked.

Nice reminder that he was a natural-born hunter. He was having way too much fun with her. Sakura held another attack off before he swept his foot and knocked her off her feet. Down she went. The wind was knocked out of her when she made contact with the ground.

"Ooof!"

The cold metal of Dark Smoke's karambit was then pressed up against her neck. Sakura mentally kicked herself for allowing him to live. He had picked up on her moment of weakness and took advantage of it, like any good hunter would. The man laughed once more.

"You've been caught."

===============

Sakura shook her head, trying to clear the fogginess in her vision. The karambit pressed deeper into her skin, threatening to cut into her artery, while Smoke leaned in closer to whisper into her ear. Gods, his scent hit close to home. It was so familiar and inviting. Damn it. It didn't matter what iteration of Tomas Vrbada she was dealing with; she would always be weak for him.

"Is that why you spared me?" Her opponent asked. "You want me to ravage you?"

Her mind said no, but her body said yes. The little voice that had told her not to kill him was telling her that this was right. That little voice in her head needed to shut up. It was getting her deeper into trouble. The karambit left her neck and went for her shirt. Cotton ripped and her bra was exposed. However, Dark Smoke's eyes fell upon a small, circular tattoo on her shoulder.

"Oh? What's this?"

Sakura shut her eyes tightly. He found it. She had come from Titan Sub-Zero's timeline in search of refuge here. That mark indicated that she was part of the Lin Kuei. She had run away from that timeline to escape the madness and came to Liu Kang for assistance. It took some convincing but once she had shown that she had no desire in destroying this timeline, he allowed her to stay. As a compromise, the tattoo on her shoulder was to be sealed so she wouldn't be tracked as easily. Also, some of her memories were to be erased.

"Grandmaster Sub-Zero wants you back home." Smoke ordered.

"That's not going to happen." Sakura responded. "I'm not going back to that frozen hell."

"You know what happens to traitors. You've delivered the punishment, if I recall."

Smoke brought his karambit back to her neck. Sakura did, in fact, recall that particular memory. She had been the one to execute those who defied the Lin Kuei in their timeline. She sighed in defeat. It would be better if she died, even if it meant by the execution method she had delivered to others.

"Yes, I know."

"Come back, then." He continued, voice low and seductive. "Grandmaster and I would be more than happy to help meet your needs."

"Just...ugh..."

Sakura completely deflated; all fight in her gone.

"Good girl."

Those were Smoke's final words when Princess Kitana decapitated him.