#tomas was not trained like bi han was for he would never success

[cienie-isengardu]

Mortal Kombat 1 Behind the Scenes AU: There are no hopeless students, only bad teachers.

Author’s note: Look, I won't lie, I low-key hate Tomas' MK1 ending for the way he and Kuai Liang see Hanzo, as this gifted student enrolled in Shirai Ryu for their "noble cause" while showing little concerns for the boy itself. I have a lot to say about that and maybe will explain once I will sit down to write my (for now) final part of "Bi-Han & Kuai Liang. Good brother? Evil brother? Nah, just different reactions to trauma" but my negative reaction comes down to this: Tomas who struggled so much to became Lin Kuei (fighter) should not look down on young students for not being "good enough" to be new members of Shirai Ruy. Kuai Liang should not either, but his intro dialogues made me think he would not be the best teacher - which frankly is more about Lin Kuei arrogance than him being a bad person, just to be clear here. So I decided to A) give more focus on Tomas and his relationship with adoptive dad and B) let him be the voice of reason to the "badass" warriors like Scorpion and Harumi. So yeah, the problem is not in student (this poor kid trying hard) but in teachers with too big expectations and too little patience.

[Earlier posts, from #1 to #52 & update, from #53 to #87][Seeking advice, p. 1] [Seeking advice, p. 2] [Seeking advice, p. 3] [Seeking advice, p. 4] [Seeking advice, p. 5] [Liu Kang's request] [Enlisting Lin Kuei brothers, p. 1] [Enlisting Lin Kuei brothers, p. 2] [Enlisting Lin Kuei brothers, p. 3] [Enlisting Lin Kuei brothers, p. 4] [Enlisting Lin Kuei brothers, p. 5] [Enlisting Lin Kuei brothers, BONUS] [Bi-Han’s advice] [Solution to problems, p. 1] [Solution to problems, p. 2] [Solution to problems, p. 3] [Solution to problems, p. 4] [Solution to problems, p. 5] [Solution to problems, p. 6] [Solution to problems, p. 7 ] [Solution to problems, p. 8] [Solution to problems, p. 9] [Solution to problems, p. 10] [Solution to problems - BONUS][No need for a murder…] [Stick to the script!] [You. Are. Hopeless] [Are you really healed or sneaked away…] [Bi-Han, NO! Unfreeze him!] [The Dating Issues, p.2] [The Dating Issues, p. 3] [The Dating Issues, p. 4] [The Dating Issues - BONUS] [A kettle calling the pot black] [Tell that to my mother] [The first visit of Shirai Family on film set, p. 1] [The first visit of Shirai Family on film set, p. 2] [The first visit of Shirai Ryu Family, p. 3] [Kuai Liang and Harumi’s first date] [Kuai Liang and Harumi’s first date, p.2]

[tiredfox64]

Part two of my kill for hire reader?!?!?! Like the brothers all court her? Different endings on who she chooses?!?!?!

Go for the Kill

Prior notes: @eemr1000 @livingdeadgirly @k3ythesapphic COME GET YOUR FOOD BEFORE THE MOLES GET IT. Tbh I struggled a little but i think I did okay.

Pairing: Lin Kuei Bros x Afab reader

Warnings ‼️: Just get inside!

You made quite a reputation for yourself. You have been most useful to Lord Liu Kang. Thanks to the help of the Lin Kuei your skills have grown substantially. And look at that, you made three new friends as well. Well, they want to be more than just friends.

It didn’t take long for the brothers to recognize that they all liked you for their own reasons. Bi-Han liked how deceitful you can be just to get the job done. Kuai Liang applauds your tactics and finds your intelligence to be quite attractive. Tomas saw your huge potential and finding out you are actually sweet drew him in.

Yes, yes, you certainly have a nice set of bachelors just waiting to nab you for themselves. But, uh, who are you gonna pick?

I mean they haven’t even asked you out yet. You’ve been busy with more killing assignments so they haven’t gotten the chance to have you alone. It’s fine, it gives them plenty of time to think and prepare a way to court you. They have their own ways, it just depends who gets to you first.

You get back to the Lin Kuei temple after another successful killing. You’re a bit tired and just want to settle down for the night but you can already hear all three of them making their way towards you. Well, now it’s just one since Bi-Han decided he gets to see you first. It wasn’t a mutual decision he just pushed his brothers out of the way.

“I see you are successful once again. I do not expect anything less from you.” He compliments you as if you haven’t been killing for who knows how long. You noticed he grabbed onto your hand, ready to drag you away from everyone else.

“It is incredible how perfect you still look. You look like you barely broke a sweat.” Now Kuai Liang was coming in. He grabbed your other hand with the same intent Bi-Han has.

“You must be tired after that assignment. Maybe you should relax for a little. I can help you.” Who do you think just snuck up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist? That’s right, Tomas.

You could feel tension in the air building up as you looked at all three brothers. They weren’t looking at you but they were glaring at each other. Something’s off but you can’t tell.

“Come with me, I have something important to discuss with you.” Bi-Han spoke.

“Whatever you have to say, brother, can wait. I have something important to tell her as well.” Then Kuai Liang spoke.

“I have something just as important to say to her.” Tomas pitched in.

“Why don’t you all just tell me what you want to say.” You were snappy since you were tired.

There was silence. They were unsure about confessing right now. But if it has to be done, so be it. Bi-Han will go first obviously. He pulled you in close, glared at his brothers, then looked down at you with a less cold look.

“Ever since the first time I saw you kill that fool, I knew you were the perfect woman for me. Skilled, precise, vicious even. You belong next to a grandmaster like me. I would hate for some incompetent fool to have their hands on you and ruin a perfectly good woman like yourself.”

To be honest, you were shocked. Did Bi-Han really have his eyes on you this whole time? You would have never guessed.

I mean it’s not like he deliberately made time to train you every time you were at the temple. It’s not like you caught him giving you that devilish smirk whenever he watch you kill someone else in your own devious way. And when you asked everyone else if he has ever smiled at them that way they all thought you were mad. Cause when the fuck does Bi-Han ever smile. There was never even a twitch in his lips at anything enjoyable other than you. Alright so there were signs you just didn’t think too much into it.

Now it was Kuai Liang’s turn. He yanked you away from his brother and held you close. He looked at you more warmly and a less cold expression overall.

“Your beauty and intellect has awed me. I have never met a woman with your skills. You are a rare kind of person that I would hate to let go of. My desire for you burns brighter and hotter than the fire I produce.”

Kuai Liang’s words were sweet. You believed him since he was always such a gentleman to you. He always complimented and applaud you for your plans. Your ways of execution were unlike anything he has seen. You always appreciated that you felt equal to him. He never held back when you two would practice which helps make sure you were always at your best.

Don’t forget about Tomas. He pulled you in by your waist. His head rested on your shoulder, just appreciating your presence before confessing.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen someone with such skills that could rival a hunter. Not even in my homeland did I see many like you. I see so much potential in you and I want to be next to you as you develop your skills further. No one could rival you.”

You always heard Tomas cheer you on. He wanted to know your tricks and you would happily share them with him. You two had a closeness that came from your sneaky skills. He was great to practice with when preparing for your next assignments, except you wouldn’t actually kill him of course. You appreciated that he saw that you were actually sweet and never questioned if you were just putting up a persona or not. He wasn’t afraid of hearing that sweet voice of yours and think that you were about to poison him.

He let you go and now they were all looking at you. It’s your call. Whoever you will pick will have you for himself. Now pick. Who will you be with?

Bi-Han

(So…this is your choice)

You walked up to Bi-Han. You had your eyes on Bi-Han for some time. He is strong, he helped you better your skills, he’s got a handsome face, and a voice that sends shivers down your spine. Clearly, you’re digging him too.

That devilish smirk came back. In his mind you made the right decision. A woman like you is fit for a grandmaster. Your devious tactics combined with his high title is a great combo.

You didn’t even have to verbally say yes to him he took your approach to him as the answer. Unexpectedly, he picked you up and threw you over his shoulder.

Well he can’t have you in front of his brothers since they wanted you just as badly. You didn’t know where he was taking you but you recognized soon that he took you to his office. Just for extra measures since the locks apparently aren’t good enough, he froze the door handle. Now no one could get in and no one can get out.

Bi-Han wiped all the papers off the desk before placing you down on it. He leaned his body against yours to the point he pushed you onto your back. You heard a little hum of desire before he spoke up.

“Finally, we are alone. I have you all to myself.”

Kuai Liang

(Is this correct, reader?)

You walked up to Kuai Liang. You need a gentleman like Kuai Liang. Not just that but his body drew you in. So warm and well built. All those times he would pin you down during practice made you fall for him hard. Even his serious expression was attractive to you.

You made Kuai Liang a happy man today. A lovely lady like you is something he has dreamed of. One that is just as tough and precise when plan making as he is.

“You have quite a way with words, Kuai Liang. I can tell it came deep from your heart.” You commented as you placed your hand on his chest.

He looked at you so lovingly. In your heart you felt like you made a good choice. He held your face as he leaned in to place a kiss on your forehead. The kiss felt hot. His desire truly does burn hot.

You heard a groan come from Bi-Han. At least Tomas can act happy for his brother. Kuai Liang will surely get shit for this from his brother. But it doesn’t matter. He has you and he couldn’t be more happy.

“Do not worry about him. He is just upset that I have a beauty like you in my arms now.”

Tomas

(Your eyes see true)

You walked up to Tomas. You want someone who sees so much in you. To hear that you remind him of his homeland made your heart melt. You never heard something so sweet.

Tomas was ecstatic. Being picked is such a wonderful feeling. He picked you up in his strong arms and twirled you around as if you were a princess. Hey, I bet he would give you that princess treatment you deserve.

You giggled as he placed kisses all over your face. His beautiful huntress. All his.

Of course Bi-Han groaned and wanted to start a fight with Tomas. For once, Tomas would not let his brother get in the way of his happiness. He threw a smoke bomb in Bi-Han’s direction which made him go into a coughing fit. At least Kuai Liang was happy that his brother found love, and that he didn’t get hit with a smoke bomb. He turned his attention back to you again.

“Perhaps we should go somewhere more private, my dearest.”

Bonus: All of them

(I’m the writer I get to have a say!)

“Well, you clearly all like me. Why not I just date all of you.” You said it so casually.

You stumped them all. It wasn’t because they didn’t think of that it’s because it’s not something one would usually say in a situation like this. But you ain’t the usual kind of gal, are you.

“Can’t I love you all equally? Don’t brothers have to share anyways?” You keep bringing up these points which stump them further.

Ah yes, the tactic of confusion.

You can easily love them all. They will get their own special treatments. There is so much to love about each one of them. You were already debating on this before so you had this all set in your mind.

“Perhaps you can. I am unsure how this could work but it will not hurt to try.” Kuai Liang answered.

“Yeah, I think this could work out. You always find a way to make things happen. it will make everyone involved happy.” Tomas added on.

Kuai Liang agreed with Tomas which made them both on board with this. Bi-Han was more hesitant. He should have you all to himself. But it would make some things awkward around her. Oh fine! At least he still gets you.

“Fine. We will have it your way. But I get to have you first.”

Bi-Han picked you up and threw you over his shoulders. You get a sense of deja vu but you never experienced this, right?

All the brothers start to argue and insist he put you down. It was a no from him every time. You sigh as you realize this could get a little complicated.

Oh dear, looks like Bi-Han needs to learn that sharing is caring.

After notes: Alright yall I gotta go gamble and fight senior citizens for pickle rick, giants football, and a Japanese switch. I will throw hands. Sorry if this ain’t the best I did my best. Adiós!

[izzabela]

Mortal Kombat Headkanons

in which i talk about certain characters

a/n: the success of my short!fem!reader x bi han canons made me want to make a couple of hcs for some of my other favorite characters

ship[s]: none

warning(s): bi!johnny?

Johnny:

- he misses his wife. more than words could say

- he doesn't prolong the divorce, signing the papers and immediately giving her the required settlement without issue

- Johnny and kung lao definitely have drinking competitions. like, they drink to see who can handle more (Kung Lao often loses and pays Johnny)

- Johnny talks to kenshi about his divorce, a lot (does it count as talking if he wakes up next to him in bed?)

- Johnny does really good research when he's creating his mortal kombat cinematic universe. like, really good research. i know the kanon end for him is a director, but if you really examine that clip, it's incredible how much thought he put into this

- you know how johnny tells tomas that if he wins their spar he gets a part? i think even if tomas lost, he'd still give him the part

- Johnny takes up journaling as a coping mechanism. i'd say that it would've been introduced to him by Raiden, but he uses it to vent about his PTSD in Shang Tsung's lab

Raiden:

- i believe Raiden reassures Kung Lao a lot. we know that Kung Lao often is compared to Raiden, but it never affects Kung Lao in a negative way- and i think it's because of how kind Raiden is

- he hypes Kung Lao up in different ways, and Kung Lao takes them as genuine compliments

- Raiden. loves. hugs. no, i won't be taking criticisms

- a part of me thinks Raiden does have a twisted darkness to him, remained untapped of course because of how Liu Kang made him. i headcanon that this darkness grows bit by bit when he trains with the Shirai Ryu

- speaking of the Shirai Ryu, Hanzo definitely has taken a liking to Raiden. if Hanzo looks at Takeda like an older brother, and Tomas maybe as an uncle/father figure, Raiden is def another older brother

- i think Raiden dotes on his sister a lot. he definitely takes good care of her, always praising her and patting her head and whatnot. he does the same to Hanzo for sure

- Raiden still visits Fengjian to help with chores. no, i won't be taking any criticisms on this

Kung Lao:

- as mentioned above, Kung Lao doesn't have a hating bone in his body for Raiden because Raiden himself keeps him grounded

- however, i still think Kung Lao struggles with identity issues. i think he has days where he really thinks about him and Raiden, and how Raiden is branded as the "better version" of him

- Kung Lao is a cuddle bug. no, i will not be taking any form of criticism at all on this take

- for some reason, I can see Kung Lao making wordplay jokes. i'm filipino, and wordplay is a huge thing in our culture and humor, and I'm pretty sure the Chinese language dabbles in good wordplay humor as well

- Kung Lao absolutely plays boardgames. i can see him introducing Johnny, Kenshi, and the other monks to games he and Raiden played when they were younger

- if Kung Lao had a phone, he'd so be into memes, dank memes, tiktok memes, and the gen z slang business. i can hear him say "i fw that heavy" or the other stuff that's been trending. i'm so bold as to say his favorite type of meme might be vine humor

- i think Kung Lao is an only child. idk, y'all can debate me on this one

Kenshi Takahashi:

- he sends letters to Suchin. since she's still part of the yakuza, and he against, he can't exactly be near her. he writes in great detail, and he'll even send a picture or sketches for Suchin as a visual aid

- i think pre-blindess, Kenshi would have been a major sketcher. he wouldn't be really good at it, but he'd create amazing (and quick) scenery stills of different places he's been to

- Kenshi is such a good listener. no, i'm not trying to be funny since he's blind- i really believe he listens well and gives good advice

- Kenshi would so fight with Takeda. just like how Raiden and Kung Lao fought to settle their bets, those two would also duel

- part of me imagines Kenshi waking up early for training. i think he'd train the best with Raiden, then Kung Lao, then Johnny. i'd go as far to say that Kenshi likes Raiden's company post-spars

- post-blind Kenshi most definitely deals with PTSD, no doubt. he and Johnny talk about it, and I'd like to say both he and Johnny developed insomnia and stay up to talk over the phone

- i hc that Johnny goes to Japan to do research for a "Kenshi Takahashi" solo film, and that he takes Kenshi with him to act as a tour guide and a cultural master (pls go look at @/heyachow on IG! she draws MK1 art and there is a JohnShi post that pertains to this idea)

- he's confused on how he feels for both johnny and suchin

Geras:

- as a fandom, we do not talk about this man enough

- as much as Geras is a loyal follower, i'd like to think that there are times he does doubt Liu Kang. however, when a kanon event comes to pass, his faith in him is restored and he continues with life

- i know Liu Kang said that Geras isn't one for social calls, but i can't shake the feeling that Geras does pop into the Fire Temple for tea. Liu Kang 100% put him on it too (ginseng tea would be Geras's favorite)

- there's a voice-line of Geras and Takeda talking about the dinosaur's extinction, but i think i get why Geras would be traumatized over that. i think he sees it aslife being wiped out in the blink of an eye, and since he was part of the process in creation of it, he feels guilty

- Geras would give firm handshakes if he wasn't so opposed to mortals. you can all argue with the wall on this take

- when Geras talks to others and they ask about their futures or pasts, the people like Tomas, Tanya, or even Takeda make him sad because he (once again) feels responsible. of course, it's part of the course of their fates, but he looks at them a little longer compared to others

- since Geras would be the Keeper of Time after Liu Kang, i think he likes to use the hourglass to view his favorite memories of his friends (though he does not call them friends)

- this might be a fanon, but Geras absolutely makes sand sculptures when he gets uber bored

Liu Kang:

- i think the characters misinterpret the intention Liu Kang had for the timeline. his whole purpose was to make it so that humans had free will to create their own destinies and endings- choose your own adventure

- i think Liu Kang beats himself up from time to time when thinking over the paths of certain people. Bi Han, Tomas, Shang Tsung, even General Shao, he thinks of these people and wonders if he could have made better choices in terms of their lore and origins

- i know it's canon that Liu Kang wishes he made Johnny more humble, but damn do i believe he really regrets it at times. like, he'll openly talk about it to people like Raiden, or Kung Lao

- speaking of them, he looks at his pupils and sometimes sees the visages of his former mentor and best friend. he's content with his life as the protector of Earthrealm, but can a man dream

- Liu Kang would absolutely use the Hourglass to see his Kitana again. i'm not entirely sure how that works, but i imagine you can use it to see into the other timelines as the flow of time continues. he'd smile fondly at the image of his love training her pupils

- this plays into the Geras tea headcanon, but Liu Kang would absolutely (and proudly) ask for Geras to join him for tea. instead of talking, though, they'd sit in silence- a comfortable one

- since Liu Kang's ending in the game means he is no longer immortal, but will live rather long, i imagine him to be scared of losing his life. in previous timelines, he's died and resurrected, but this time it's permanent. that is what scares him

Sindel:

- she's the epitome of "i won't apologize, but here's a bowl of your favorite fruits"

- as she watches over her daughters through Ermac's eyes, she most definitely regrets the harshness she had towards Mileena. though she cannot personally come through Ermac due to the amount of souls it houses, Jerrod tells Mileena for her

- this might borderline fanon, but i think the reason Sindel chose blue and red/maroon for Kitana and Mileena was because blue+red=purple. kind of poetic in a sense, that her daughters make up who she is as a woman, mother, and a queen

- when Li Mei is seen through Ermac's eyes, Sindel cries. she can't hug her friend anymore, and she most definitely can't give her the proper apology she deserves after her years of mistreatment against her

- Sindel hates spicy food. idk, she just looks like she does

- Sindel definitely knew that Mileena was a lesbian before Mileena could even name it. i'd like to think she knew when Mileena shaved her head like that when she was maybe 8000 years old?

- Sindel was definitely proud of Mileena with her stance on Tarkatans and people infected with Tarkat. she definitely regrets how she treated them, and her hypocrisy, especially since they had the power to provide people with a semi-cure

Shang Tsung:

- there's a voice-line on Shang Tsung and another character saying that he was actually doing research on Tarkat and finding a cure. while the characters don't believe him (i don't blame them), i actually believe that he was doing good

- part of me still believes he brews his potions and experiments with Tarkat remedies on that island he found

- Shang Tsung is a cat guy. wave your pitch forks all you want

- Shang Tsung looks like the type of guy to visit his old home just to burn it down. with his fire powers, he absolutely would watch his childhood home burn until it became nothing but ash

- i think Shang Tsung would take leisure walks. if he's in a village, he'll take precaution to shift into a different form, but he will still make time out of his day to take a walk

- he has stacks upon stacks upon stacks upon stacks of journals and scrolls on medicine

General Shao:

- i think there are times where Shao does regret turning against the crown. his military lineage and history, and all the lessons he'd been indoctrinated with make him think like that sometimes, especially since his father had watched him overcome his illness

- i think Shao is ticklish at his horns

- Shao views Reiko like a son. he'll take care of him personally when he is sick or injured

- Shao likes nightly walks

- Shao would absolutely fuck with spicy food

- before Shao was on the run, he snuck back into his family home to grab his father's heirloom. i don't know what it would be, but it would be important enough for him to take from you

Tanya:

- if she misses a day of prayer/temple days, she is visibly dejected

- Tanya absolutely writes love notes to Mileena. sometimes it accidentally gets sent to Kitana, and she receives response notes along the lines of "please, get a room"

- she's the type of girl to stick by the schedule, and it's not just because she is Umgadi. i believe her personality to be "stick to the books", always following the rules (except for Mileena of course)

- the sisters know Tanya is jealous when they spar against her. Tanya would see Mileena on a date with a potential suitor and she'd take it out on the sparring field

- Tanya visits Li Mei for coffee or a meal. it serves as both making new friends and repairing bridges

- i think Tanya is a clean freak. you guys can talk to the hand on this take

Kitana:

- since Kitana is now a movie lover, of course she's excited when Johnny and his film crew are in the palace. she definitely asks questions on what the cameras do, what the clapperboard is, and what the editors do

- i think Kitana was a crier growing up. i could see a little Kitana telling Mileena that someone called her ugly, and Mileena would sock that idiot's face in without wavering

- Kitana and Mileena used to be close, and Kitana does whatever she can to always remind Mileena that she does love and support her

- Kitana thinks about Raiden. if she gets lucky with Mileena's schedule, she talks to her about her feelings towards him. usually it ends up with Kitana denying her feelings about him

- Kitana is a mama's girl

- Kitana secretly wishes the best for Tanya and Mileena. in public, she cannot say anything about their relationship. in private, though, she'll talk to Mileena about all the little thing she saw going on between them

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

and that's a wrap for that hc list

i got eight reqs i havent started, and three finished lined up in the queue, you guys are so sweet!

i can't wait to keep writing, and i'll see yall in the next fic!

[fsfghgee]

How do you think Bi-Han's father died? We know it was an accident and Bi-Han probably just stood there watching. I'm curious to know how that accident happened and why Geras was telling Scorpion that he wasn't ready to see how it happened 🤔

Also, was Bi-Han's father really respected in the clan? Why did everyone follow Bi-Han after he decided to stop serving the land. The only ones who refused to follow him were Kuai, Tomas and apparently Cyrax too.

I still think it's weird that a powerful cryomancer like Bi-Han's father should have been just died in an accident. Not that I doubt it, because Bi-Han sounds very sincere when he admits that he let their father die, but it's weird to imagine that the Grandmaster died in a simple accident. Like, I know there are people who think that Bi-Han actually killed his father because many characters accuse him of it, but the reality is that they simply associate Bi-Han's lack of remorse along with the information that he let the old man die as an intention to kill. And I don't blame them, really, if you refuse to save someone you could have saved, you are indirectly responsible for that person's death.

However, I feel that despite him not having the best relationship with his father — and that just like Sektor looks up to her father and has a good relationship with him, Bi-Han admired his mother more and had a good relationship with her — Bi-Han, being the first in line of succession and trained since childhood to be a Grandmaster, lived following his father around. Accompanying him everywhere and observing how his father behaved. I can bet that Liu Kang watched Bi-Han and Kuai Liang grow up and this hatred Bi-Han has for Liu Kang and his deceased father has been growing inside him since he was very young, it has been inside him for a long time, most likely since his mother's death. He actively blames the mediocrity of the Lin Kuei on his father's bad decisions and his blind loyalty to Liu Kang. However, he didn't hate his father as much as he hates Liu Kang to kill him in cold blood…

Which makes me imagine only two scenarios for the death of Bi-Han's father:

1 - Bi-Han, accompanying his father on another mission to a hostile place in some realm, was attacked by enemies who, despite having been subdued by him and his father, the Grandmaster ended up hanging on the edge of a cliff and Bi-Han ignored his father's calls for help and just watched him fall to his death.

2 - Bi-Han, accompanying his father on another mission to a hostile place in some realm, was attacked by enemies who, despite having been subdued by him and his father, the Grandmaster ended up buried by a landslide/rockslide and Bi-Han just watched his father take his last breath instead of trying to rescue him.

Geras must have seen in the hourglass Bi-Han watching his father die with a sinister smile on his face. And if the vision must have been a shock to him, I imagine he believes that Kuai Liang would hate his brother even more and go after him to kill him right away if he saw it. And we know that according to Geras' bio, he is responsible for trying to ensure that Liu Kang's vision for his timeline is not changed, and among this vision is that Scorpion and Sub-Zero should be brothers, belong to the same clan (Lin Kuei), be allies, Hanzo never being relevant enough to the point of threatening Bi-Han's life so that Bi-Han would never die and be resurrected as a Wraith in Quan Chi's service. If Geras showed the vision of their father dying with Bi-Han probably smiling and with his arms crossed, he would be fomenting the hatred and desire for revenge that Liu Kang wants so much to prevent from taking over the Scorpion of his timeline.

About whether Bi-Han's father was respected or not…

I believe he had respect for being the Grandmaster, having the ideal of only serving and defending Earthrealm and for carrying the cryomancy blood of the Lin Kuei founders…

But he didn't have even half the charisma that Bi-Han has, that's why most of the Lin Kuei remain loyal to Bi-Han. Some of Bi-Han's intros about the followers and the things Sektor says in the story mode (and some intros too), reveal that Bi-Han is a greatly admired leader and most of the Lin Kuei believe that the clan should really be an empire and rule Earthrealm:

And as Bi-Han himself said…

This power he seeks for the Lin Kuei is simply the only solution he sees that can be effective in freeing the Lin Kuei from Liu Kang's control forever. Bi-Han and the Lin Kuei do not want to continue hiding and only coming out of the shadows to defend people who have never expressed any gratitude for their sacrifice over the centuries.

They no longer want to get involved in conflicts they didn't start and lose family members under Liu Kang's orders. They no longer want to serve as lackeys to a god who clearly favors others…

They want to fight for Earthrealm on their own terms. And receive the respect they deserve by doing so.

,,,,,

[bihanslefttitty]

"It's Cold Outside, Bi-Han" (One-shot)

Summary: 11-year-old Bi-Han challenges himself, pushing his limits to prove a point. His mom catches him.

Characters: Bi-Han, Bi-Han's mom, Kuai Liang, Tomas Vrbada.

Word Count: 3.1K

Warnings: Depression, mention of hunger, implied self harm, mention of famine, hyperthermia, hypothermia.

A/N: Hi, some might have read this one before. I'm just posting it again since I deleted my blog. This one is kinda more like a character analysis.

Articka welcomed a violent snowfall that winter night. The savage wind left even the bravest soldiers on the Lin Kuei retreating to the safety of their homes, the warmth of their families welcoming them. Whoever would dare go outside unprepared would receive the cold, unstuttering embrace of certain death. The white coat of snow blinded and hid every hint of flora or fauna on the place as if a demonstration of its awing power. He stood alone in the gardens, though calling it that would be oxymoronic considering its frozen state. Bi-Han stared out into the void as he attempted to regain some control. Yet, his breathing had betrayed him, his ribcage seemingly torturing him with pressure. However, there was no time for useless whining and childlike behavior. At least, not for him.

Being the first son meant something only the previous grandmasters could understand. It was the Sisyphus curse, a never-ending tale. The future of Lin Kuei rested heavily on his shoulders; he was a man now, an older brother, and a future leader, so much was expected of him.

He never doubted his abilities and was confident about his future success; he just needed to reach a certain point of perfection, and once Bi-Han achieved that, he would ensure his clan would thrive. In this recession, a victory would bring back their lost morale in years of idle await.

If no one took the initiative, the Lin Kuei would self-destruct like a snake eating itself.

Bi-Han had to be the one to take the lead. Only he could free them from shackles, end their suffering, and protect Earthrealm.

But for now, Bi Han could only prepare himself physically and psychologically and pray the chance to prove himself worthy, liberate, and bring glory to his nation would come soon. He is bringing his clan out of the shadows.

The wind blew relentlessly as the temperature dropped considerably turning this into the coldest night of the year. Bi Han knew that if he survived, he would be apt for the task. This self-imposed challenge strained his body as his limbs reddened, his lower lip quivered, and he felt his breath hitch. Despite his mind-numbing, he would test his willpower, overcoming and purging whatever weakness was in his body. No matter what would take him. His very own Baptism in blood. The prime example of what a Lin Kuei should be.

As a sudden surge of heat rushed through his body, he realized he had lost his sense of touch. Hyperthermia had always made him fail despite years of training. It was the one thing that had made him crumble and fall to his knees under his father's disappointed gaze. However, tonight would be different. He was determined to overcome it and finish his training flawlessly.

While being heir by birthright, it seemed as if it wasn't enough to gain the respect he deserved and earned by blood, sweat, and tears. Despite being the firstborn, Others were pampered despite their idleness, while he received the short end of the stick. His younger brother Kuai Liang and the other child, Tomas, could afford to take a break in their chambers. He didn't have that privilege, oh no.

Even though he was trembling, the eleven-year-old fought against his demons, trying to maintain his balance despite the horrific pain, drowning his whimpers as he urged himself to suck it up.

Pathetic. Childish.

Quivering, the child was slowly and cruelly falling victim to frostbite. Still, his majestic resolve strengthened him enough to stand. Pride was the one thing fueling his resilience.

The cryomancer would not fall.

Bi-Han would not allow himself to lose against his body once again.

That's when the manor's door opened with a loud creak that caught Bi Han's attention, though he didn't bother to turn around. Whether his inaction was due to sheer disinterest in the person or simply being too pained to move is something that only he would know.

"Do you know what time it is?" The slim figure asked as she covered herself with her fur coat, shielding herself from the breeze.

He gritted his teeth, refusing to respond to his mother, maintaining a stern and dignified expression, staring at the void as a man on a mission. He clenched his fists with such strength that they were left bruised, forcing himself to remain silent.

The woman watched as her prideful child insisted on staying in the middle of the snowstorm, ice crystals forming on his uniform. She wondered how long he'd been standing there alone.

"It's cold outside, Bi Han." She approached him, kneeling as he refused to stare at her, his stubbornness on display. Her hands ran towards his shoulders and arms as the child was sweating profusely, a symptom of frostbite. She quickly removed her coat and placed it on his shoulders, but Bi Han immediately discarded it. He might take himself too seriously and hold himself to unreachable standards. But she saw right through him, a pale, shivering kid trying to act tough.

She took a few moments to collect herself, trying to read his expression, and attempted not to yell at her son. "What are you trying to prove?" Bi-Han bit his lip, his cheeks puffy, not wanting to respond to his mother, yet knowing he could not lie, he avoided her gaze.

"Bi-Han." Sternly, his mother cupped his face. "Look at me." The kid let out a pained sigh, an almost tortured one being haunted enough by his mind.

"Come, we will discuss this inside." She kept her stoic expression, and Bi-Han followed her, defeated, unable to refuse his mother anything. The woman handled herself in a way he could only sit back and admire. Carrying herself with strength, dignity, and a no-nonsense attitude.

The sound of the whistling kettle indicated that the tea was ready. The small child had just gotten out of his bath and was now warm, dry, and sheltered from the outside cold. Bi-Han sneezed, worried he might have caught a cold. He watched as his mother poured the tea and sat down. Neither was exactly a great talker. Most of the time, they communicated without words since it wasn't necessary as she understood him.

But this time, they had to speak.

He drank from the brew, silently searching for the words to say, the best way to get his point across. There was no point in lying to someone who knew him so well, yet admitting his troubled headspace was not an easy task. He scrunched his nose and grunted, then placed his cup down as if waiting for a lecture. Instead, his mother's hand caressed his cheek, sensing his unease.

She pondered on the possibility of simply sending him back to sleep. Still, it was better to address the elephant in the room. Firmly, she addressed his son. "What is on your mind?" She questioned. This makes him avoid her gaze and not want to be perceived as weak in front of the person he admired the most.

He knew he couldn't keep avoiding the question. So he decided to speak up. He cleared his throat, and back to his dignified manner he articulated his answer. "There is nothing in particular on my mind, mother. I was merely perfecting my training." Moderate and clear, he would have convinced anyone that there was nothing of the matter. However, his mother could tell by his stiffness and aloofness there was something wrong.

There was something more to it since he was too formal and diligent while addressing her.

"At 3 in the morning in the middle of a snowstorm?" She raised an eyebrow.

Bi Han nodded, convinced of his answer.

"A risk worth taking for my improvement." He declared standing his ground with unmovable conviction. A trait that set him apart from other children, even from other adults.

Adults like his father.

"Bi Han, you are putting your safety at stake for improvement." The woman lectured him sternly.

The kid furrowed his eyebrows, expressing great distaste at her tone.

"It is for the sake of the clan." The boy stubbornly refuted, shaking his head as if it was the most logical and obvious answer ever. Yet, he was unable to keep his explanation going as his mother cut him off.

"And I suppose putting yourself in harm's way is doing something for the clan?" She retorted, trying to make her child realize what he was doing and the senseless nature of the act.

"I was not putting myself in danger. Everything was under control, I've-" "Do you realize that one day you may become a Grandmaster? As the heir, is it responsible for you to engage in such risky behavior? Think about it. If I had not come to fetch you, you could have died. The title would have passed to your brother, wouldn't it?"

Bi-Han hung his head low, clenching his jaw in frustration. He knew she was right, but he couldn't bring himself to admit it. His cheeks rose, fidgeting with his fingers as he tried to deal with the embarrassment.

She looked at him intently, tilting her head as she tried to gauge his reaction while acknowledging his struggle to admit his fault. She tried not to smile as she recognized the similarities shared between them.

Finally, after a heavy sigh, he spoke up. "I suppose you're right," he mumbled quietly, the kid's voice barely audible.

The woman chuckled and shook her head as she cupped his face so he could face her. "It's not wrong to have ambition." His eyes widened for a second, feeling understood. "You just have to be more mindful about your choices. If the chance ever comes, by all means, seize it, but do not act prematurely."

"I am not acting prematurely," Bi-Han responded, almost pleading. "I'm placing my efforts in getting better."

"And I understand that. But you are destroying yourself. It will only be a disservice to you. If you truly want to improve…" She mirrored her son's hand movements, speaking with trained confidence and reassurance. "I can assist with your training in your free time."

There was a moment of silence, followed by a surprised smile from Bi-Han, something he did not do often. "Really?" The boy asked in some disbelief, knowing his mother was busy most of the time with her duties and with his brothers. It was something he had not expected but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.

"Yes, really," she replied with a nod. "Just… cool down."

The room was silent as the joke registered in his mind, causing him to cringe. Bi-Han blinked and shook his head, attempting to suppress a laugh. "That was terrible."

"When you're my age, you'll find yourself saying things like that too." The ambiance went lighter, and he allowed himself to relax. Bi Han trusted his mother that much. After all, she was the only one who took the time to understand him.

"No, I won't." He smirked.

His mother rolled her eyes and incorporated. "Fine, Bi-Han, you win. You won't." She took it upon herself to guide him back to his room, where his brother and Tomas awaited awake. His expression was immediately stern.

As their mother left, Bi-Han turned to his siblings, crossing his arms.

"Shouldn't you two be sleeping?" He lectured both as he made his way toward his futon, making Tomas smile in amusement. "I could say the same about you." Tomas snickered, earning himself an annoyed glare from his brother. "I asked mother to check on you." Kuai Liang explained while sitting next to his older brother. "We saw you standing alone outside from the window." His voice was full of concern as he quizzically stared at his brother. "I told him it wasn't necessary, but he insisted on telling on you." Tomas snitched on Kuai Liang, who then elbowed him, making him flinch. "Hey-"

Bi-Han shushed Tomas, who shook his head and went to his futon. After making sure he had gone to sleep, Bi-Han addressed his brother.

"You should have listened to Tomas and let me be." The boy raised an eyebrow. Kuai Liang tensed, equally prideful.

"Father would have been upset then." The pyromancer answered, sure of himself. Not afraid of contradicting his brother.

"Father would not have found out," Bi-Han spoke severely. "So it was not within your power to tell on me."

"But, brother."

"Go back to sleep."Bi-Han interrupted his kin, turned his back, and lay down, not saying another word to him.

Kuai Liang sighed in defeat and reluctantly obeyed his older brother's orders, knowing he was too stubborn to be convinced otherwise.

He stood alone in the snow twenty-one years later. Neither his resolve nor the snowstorm gave up at all. Though, he was now the cause of the natural phenomenon. Hyperfocused, he took a deep breath and guided the movement of the wind, twisting and turning in a gelid, macabre manner. Bi-Han's eyes remained closed as cold particles hit his face, threatening to cause him damage. His gestures slowed by the struggle between the breeze and his strength.

Bi-Han's mind drifted back to Kuai Liang. His brother had chosen himself over the clan, giving up the opportunity to govern at his side. He had forced Bi-Han's hand, and because of that-

Snow hit his surroundings with violence, ice forming on the ground. Grunting, he forced himself to concentrate. There was no use in mourning traitors, not at all. So, he kept his stance and put more effort into his exercise.

Taking a turn to shift the direction of the breeze, he faced the window of his old shared chambers and furrowed his eyebrows. The image of Tomas watching him from inside the manor haunted him. The kid's eyes were full of admiration, of annoying awe.

Bi-Han muttered to himself and created a wall of ice to prevent himself from looking in that direction again. Tomas wasn't his kin, so why did he care? Clenching his fists, he covered the place in frost.

Bi-Han only had two hours left to complete his training. He was confident he could do it as now he was The Grandmaster proving himself worthy, and his fears and weaknesses had long left him. He just wished his brothers had seen the truth he so insistently tried to teach them, but they took a stance by defying their vows. They had decided to defy Him. And he would no longer tolerate disrespect, even if it implied bloodshed. No regrets. Bi-Han had sacrificed enough. His nation came first.

He lifted his hand with strength, forming an ice ball, ready to deliver a blow to the ground when

"It's cold outside, Bi-Han." He stopped what he was doing as his breath hitched. It was his late mother's voice. It didn't make any sense. Bi-Han was frozen with shock and couldn't bring himself to turn around and face her, gritting his teeth as he shook his head, convincing himself it was not real.

"What are you trying to prove?" She approached him while her hands ran through his arms, looking concerned, quickly reaching for her coat and placing it on her son's shoulders. Bi-Han trembled terrified. Discarding the coat immediately.

His mother sighed, "Bi-Han," He turned his back on her "Look at me." His heart raced, denying himself the opportunity to see her face again. She cupped his face. They stared at each other for a solid minute, Bi-Han's jaw clenched as he struggled to keep himself composed.

He might take himself too seriously and hold himself to unreachable standards. But she saw right through him, a pale, shivering kid trying to act tough.

"Did you seize the opportunity as soon as you saw it?"

"Yes," The cryomancer answered curtly, inflating his chest with pride but was only met with her stern gaze.

"But you once again acted prematurely."

"I did what had to be done."

His mother studied him, his coldness, his unease, and overall his inability to give up. Consternated, she clenched her fists taking her time not to lecture the man. Her wayward son, whom she loved despite everything.

"Very well. You are Grandmaster now." She matched his energy, not backing down, and gave him a long stare that sent a shiver down his spine. "I know you will do what you can for the clan."

He nodded and shaking the ice off his body, knelt, retrieved the discarded coat, and placed it on her mother.

"Let's go inside," Bi-Han urged, and they walked into the manor. But then he felt a pang in his chest.

Opening his eyes, Bi-Han groaned and sat up from where his head had been buried in the snow. The gardens were completely frozen by his hand. He rubbed his temples as he tried to recover from the exertion. Instinctively Bi-Han searched for his mother. He realized he had just fabricated the whole thing.

Bi-Han made his way to the manor and prepared some tea, the kettle whistling soon enough. He sat down after drying himself and stared at the empty chair in front of him, sipping his tea silently. After a lot of pondering, he whispered.

"… I cooled down."

There was no response, only silence, which made the joke fall flat. Bi-Han felt embarrassed by his behavior, realizing that it was ridiculous and pathetic. He sighed and placed the cup down, going to his former chambers. It was now an empty room, used on occasion to hold meetings.

He approached the space in which their futons would be placed and smirked. Rolling his eyes when he noticed a sharp line made with a blade on the floor. One he had made once to separate his space from his brothers when he felt them too overwhelming. "What do you mean <>?" Tomas had questioned him on that occasion. He scoffed bitterly and walked towards the window.

The window offered a perfect view of the gardens, the place where he had trained for so many years. Bi-Han couldn't help but wonder how often would his brothers spy on him from there.

On the frame, there were countless marks, marks to which he could not attribute other than Tomas. Was he counting the days? He raised an eyebrow.

The ambiance became too much to handle. Those two had lost everything for their idiotic loyalty to Lord Liu Kang, they had not been able to see. He pressed his hands against the frame and gritted his teeth. Loneliness fueling his rage. He slammed his palm on the wood, freezing it immediately.

He took a hold of himself.

There was no use in idle regret and longing. He walked away and slammed the door open. Shutting away every emotional bond he had left.

[mothercetrion]

Birthday Gifts

Summary: It was almost Bi-Han’s birthday. Kuai Liang and Tomas were working together to find a gift for him.

Characters: Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang), Smoke (Tomas Vrbada), Bi-Han

Word Count: 1685

Request: “nice!! can i ask for a fic where smoke and kuai liang (as boys in the lin kuei) try to figure out what to get bi-han for his birthday?” - anonymous

this fic made me feel all sweet bc these two have a beautiful brotherly bond and you can’t change my mind. this for you, anon! also, the reason his bday is so special is because he’s turning 18. take that as you will!

———

Bi-Han’s birthday was the next day. He would be… Well, Kuai Liang and Tomas didn’t quite know how old he would be. Bi-Han hadn’t mentioned his age to either of them in forever. They just knew that he would be older. A year older! And they wanted to find him an excellent gift for Kuai Liang to give his brother.

Bi-Han very rarely celebrated his birthday in a very lush way. He was more into the simple things—a dinner with just Kuai Liang and a dinner with the Lin Kuei. He always told everyone, “Being a member of the Lin Kuei is gift enough” and hated receiving things. But the Grandmaster had told Tomas (who had told Kuai Liang) that this birthday, in particular, was extraordinary. Did they know why? No. Did they care? No!

Kuai Liang had one goal in mind: find a fantastic gift for his older brother to commemorate the special day.

“It cannot be food,” Tomas pointed out. It was their day off from training and the day before Bi-Han’s birthday. It was the last possible day for them to find something for Bi-Han to enjoy. He ate at a snack in the form of a banana as Kuai Liang messed with the freshly-fallen snow on the ground in front of the temple steps. “Perishable,” he added. “You want something he can get long-term use out of.”

“True.” Kuai Liang tossed up a snowball into the air and watched as it dissipated into light snow. “It’s a big day for him. He needs something he can always get purpose from.”

Tomas kicked at the snow that landed next to him from Kuai Liang’s ball. “Could you use your abilities to make him something?”

“He would not like that,” Kuai Liang countered. “I honestly do not know what he likes, but he can make himself something out of his powers. It would not be special.”

Tomas shrugged and went back to thinking. Kuai Liang rose to his feet and planted himself next to Tomas on the steps. “I want him to have a great gift, Tomas. I have zero ideas.”

“You ever think that maybe,” Tomas said, “that Bi-Han would like whatever you give him because it’s from you? I doubt he is as picky as you worry he is.”

Kuai Liang frowned at him. “I mean… I guess we can see what I can come up with… with my abilities, at least.”

“Yeah!” Tomas smacked at his shoulder with a grin. “Heartfelt gifts are always great. He’ll love it.”

And so they began brainstorming. They ruled out people; Kuai Liang’s abilities had not granted him the details of a human face. A faceless human would be weird. Food was also eliminated. A statue of food when Bi-Han could make food for himself? Not a good idea.

“He likes nature,” Tomas mentioned after a while.

“We are surrounded by nature,” Kuai Liang replied.

“Good thing I have eyes,” Tomas muttered. “But it’s always cold and snowing. You can never see, ah… flowers! And green trees! And grass! And all that stuff! Yeah, you can’t do colors, but you can do what he never sees. I think he would quite like that.”

Kuai Liang thought for a minute, and he eventually realized that perhaps it was a brilliant idea. They rarely left the temple, so the sight of the beauty of nature was seldom. Bi-Han had to like that.

So Kuai Liang closed his eyes and began to picture a nature scene in his mind. It had been several months since he saw a living, prospering tree, but he did his best to imagine the grandest tree that his young mind could manage. It had dozens of bending and twisting branches, all of them filled with the brightest leaves. The roots were visible in his mind, and they spread out to keep the tree strong and healthy. It towered over his vision, a representation of life and beauty and the profound significance of nature in the world, but Kuai Liang could still see that it was… stunning.

He didn’t even notice his mind creating magic in his hands. He only noticed when he looked down and saw a statue in his hands.

The roots acted as the base for it, so it could comfortably sit on a flat surface. It was nowhere near the size of the actual tree, of course, but it was still a lovely statue.

Tomas gasped at the sight. “Wow! Kuai Liang, is that what you pictured?”

Kuai Liang stared down at the statue in his palms. “Yes, it is, but… I—”

“I am going to stop you there.” Tomas slid a little closer to Kuai Liang and leaned closer to inspect the statue. “This is… This is incredible. Okay? That’s the truth. I know you want to give Bi-Han something great, and this is it. He will adore this and cherish this. I know I would.”

Kuai Liang glanced at him. “I was thinking so too. I… I suppose we wait until midnight.”

“I think this is your job, Kuai Liang. I wish you the sincerest of luck.”

The rest of the day went by in a flash. Kuai Liang had hidden the tree statue in a back closet, continually checking on it to make sure it did not melt. It wouldn’t; his powers could create the strongest ice that could withstand just about all warm temperatures. But he still wanted it to look just as it did before.

Bi-Han had decided to train on his day off, and he returned to his and Kuai Liang’s shared quarters a few minutes before midnight. Kuai Liang was, of course, in the room, doing his nightly meditation to get his mind ready for sleep. He heard Bi-Han enter, and he greeted him with a smile. “Hi, Bi-Han.”

“Hello, Kuai Liang.” Bi-Han settled on the floor next to him, eyeing him with a faint smile. “You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Of course. It’s almost your day.” He turned to face a clock behind him. Two minutes to midnight. The clock was above the closet that the statue was stored in. “I have a surprise for you this year.”

“Is that so?” Bi-Han asked curiously. “And why this year?”

“The Grandmaster keeps talking about how this year is special. I may not know why, but… I need to celebrate the occasion with a good gift.” Kuai Liang crawled over to the closet and opened the door, spotting the gift in the back. He turned his head to Bi-Han. “Close your eyes.”

Bi-Han lifted a brow in surprise. “Must I?”

“Yes!” Kuai Liang replied. “Trust me. Hold out your hands as well. Palms up, please.”

With a quiet laugh, Bi-Han obliged to his brother’s request. “I feel a faint fear, brother. I am unsure why,” he teased.

Kuai Liang laughed to himself as he lifted the statue from the floor and began moving back to Bi-Han. He looked at the clock another time. Roughly twenty seconds to midnight. He scuffled across the floor and placed the statue, roots down, on top of Bi-Han’s palms. The older brother jumped. “Cold!”

Kuai Liang tilted his head. “You are unbothered by the cold.”

“True. But it’s still cold!”

Kuai Liang laughed again. “Ten more seconds until you can open your eyes.”

“Kuai Liang—”

“Trust me!”

Kuai Liang listened intently to the clock behind him. He heard a louder tick compared to the rest and knew that it was midnight. It was Bi-Han’s day. He pulled his hands away from the statue and let out a sigh. “Happy birthday, Bi-Han. Open your eyes.”

Bi-Han did and opened his eyes. He looked at Kuai Liang for a brief second before looking down at the statue in his hands. He instantly gasped at the sight of the tree in his hands and leaned forward to inspect it further. Kuai Liang looked away from Bi-Han then. He feared his reaction. He wanted him to like the present so strongly, it was indescribable. “I know it is not… the most fantastic thing,” he said quietly, “but it is from the heart. The most meaningful gifts are from the heart, I have learned.”

He heard a quiet laugh and looked back at Bi-Han. His older brother was beaming.

“Oh, Kuai Liang… This is just… I am in shock. I am speechless.” He laughed a little louder and looked up from the statue and to his brother. “You made this? With your powers?” When Kuai Liang nodded without a word, he shook his head. “I cannot believe it. This is beautiful, Kuai Liang.”

Kuai Liang lifted his head a little higher. “It is?”

“Yes! Come here.” He ushered his brother closer with a swing of his head, and Kuai Liang crawled to sit right next to him. Bi-Han carefully rested the gift in one hand and gestured to the branches with the other. “There is a lot of detail considering your age and skill. See those leaves? If they were any larger, they’d be realistic. I think… I think there may even be grooves in the leaves and the trunk.” He moved his hand towards the roots that the tree sat on. “The roots are beautiful as well. Roots are so unconsidered when thinking of trees, and yet here they are. I am very happy about it.”

Bi-Han looked down at Kuai Liang and was surprised to see him in stunned silence. “Did you not think that I would like it, Kuai Liang?”

Kuai Liang stared at the tree instead of his brother. “I wanted it to be the greatest gift imaginable. I know you dislike gifts, but I wanted to make something special for you.”

Bi-Han moved an arm around his shoulders in a side hug. “You did just that, Kuai Liang. That and more.”

Kuai Liang looked up at this brother. “So you like it?”

“I love it. I will cherish it forever.” Bi-Han carefully put the statue on the floor and fully enveloped Kuai Liang in a hug. “Thank you, brother.”

Bi-Han’s birthday was a success.

[cienie-isengardu]

Some people think Sektor and Cyrax were friends prior to the whole Cyber Initiative but personally I can't see them being friends because Sektor just doesn't seem like he'd even understand what friendship is in a normal sense.

I think Cyrax would try being friends with Sektor when they're younger, but given Sektor was the Grandmaster's son I imagine he was kind of getting beat on the head with how friendship was useless so he didn't reciprocate. I imagine Cyrax joined later on so he at least had time to grow an understanding of friendship before he was in the clan but Sektor was probably raised in the clan his whole life so Sektor wouldn't have a good idea what friendship means because of this.

Besides, it seemed like Smoke and Kuai's friendship was an outlier, an exception to the rule. I feel like at best, Sektor and Cyrax were colleagues and teammates, but in a professional sense. Like Cyrax and Sektor give feedback on each other's inventions and go on missions. Maybe Sektor gives a brief compliment when the mission is successful but don't expect any hugs or even a handshake because touching Sektor would probably result in their degree burns.

The problem with Sektor and Cyrax is similar to Bi-Han and Kuai Liang’s brotherhood, there is little direct information we have about their time together before the Mortal Kombat Tournament, so each fan fills the gap on their own. Definitely, Sektor and Cyrax relationship didn’t function the same way as the friendship of Kuai Liang and Tomas, as younger Sub-Zero and Smoke always choose each other over Lin Kuei’s doctrines and C.I. Project, while Sektor ultimately blindly obeyed the Grandmaster - at least until the change into cyborg reshaped his priorities. However I feel like Cyrax needed to matter a lot to human Sektor, if freed from Grandmaster (father)’s control the cyber version of him pathologically clings to Cyrax. And by that I mean, Sektor kept as his enslaved but still second-in-command  person who would rather blow up himself and each cyborg than being one himself, which is a surprising choice on Sektor’s part. And Cyber Sektor is supposedly a perfected final product free from humanity’s flaws, so the logic should triumph over any emotional need he ever had in previous life, right?

The closest thing that comes up to my mind about Cyrax and Sektor during their training days is the scene from an old animated TV series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm #5, Old Friends Never Die, in which Kuai Liang explained to his allies his relationship with Smoke. Sub-Zero mentioned that Sektor and Cyrax trained at the same time as them at Lin Kuei compound and the show implied they sticked together during that time (and yes, their color palletes were switched for whatever reason) 

so I think this certain scene, alongside how those two are visually inseparable in lore, is one of the major reasons why (older?) fans see them as something more than just colleagues. 

I too personally think Cyrax and Sektor relationship went beyond the pragmatic partnership, because otherwise Cyber Sektor wouldn’t be so obsessive with keeping Cyber Cyrax around against his better judgment. As a human, Sektor prioritized Grandmaster’s wish over his own well-being yet that does not mean he wasn’t capable of forming any meaningful relationship through his life. We should however ask, if Sektor was always treated as Grandmaster’s son if his own father sent him to the Mortal Kombat Tournament - in which he could be killed like Bi-Han and then allowed Sektor to volunteer for automation. As much as I don’t have doubt Sektor was deeply influenced by Lin Kuei politics, there is a chance for a period of time, he was treated as any “normal” trainee and during that days formed his bond with Cyrax (the outsider), before father took an interest in him and shaped into ideal warrior (tool) to uphold Grandmaster’s will. What revalued Sektor’s personal needs and mindset to the point he would turn against people that once were his close companions.

I know it is hard to imagine Sektor in any openly, friendly manner interacting with other people, but he was still a human being and humans aren’t solitary creatures. Of course, Lin Kuei is not a healthy place for friendship to flourish in the first place and Sektor may be the best example of that.