Mortal Kombat Legends: Blood Bound
Chapter 17: Visions and Memories
Resting in his bed, Nico had trouble falling asleep. Until 2 in the morning, as his eyes were shut, he moved around for a bit, until finally opening his eyes.
ROBIN: This isn’t working.
He said as he turned, and he soon realized his bed was on the other side of the room.
ROBIN: Oh, kaaaaaay…
He got out of bed, and as he opened the door, he noticed the same interior as the base, except… mirrored? The dim lights illuminated the dark corridors, while black particles hovered around everywhere he walked. He hears some strange noises coming from what seemed like chatter, as he entered the room the noise was coming from, he saw what seemed like a recording of some people fighting in an arena.
ROBIN: This feels oddly nostalgic.
As he approached it, it vanished like sand in the wind. He stepped away, and left the room. While turning around, he saw another moving image, one of a young boy with long hair making a metal mask.
ROBIN: Is… that me…?
He tried to touch it, but was hit by a flash of light and bright colors instead. He stepped back, with a feeling of fear in his eyes, and a strange sense of nostalgia in his mind. While seeing other images, some of which events haven't happened yet, he heads off to the exit, and as he leaves, he notices a man in a dark brown cloak, sitting criss-cross. His hands on his knees, palms down, as if he’s meditating. The caped crusader looking at the hooded man, accidentally slams the door shut, causing the ground beneath them to shake. Nico hugged the wall, trying to keep his balance, while the hooded man stood up, taking a deep breath, and breathing out, the ground stopped shaking. He turned around, and Robin knew exactly who he was looking at.
ROBIN: Tremor? Is that you?! How’ve you been, Mr. Mineral?
He said, walking up to him, and as he’s walking up to Tremor to give him a big hug, he quickly steps away as he notices how insanely hot his forearms were. (I swear, I’m saying hot like it burns, I’m not saying his forearms are sexy)
ROBIN: Right. Not doing that again.
The earth ninja would chuckle at Nico’s comment, his words riverbed through his mask.
TREMOR: It’s good to see you too, Nico Ghai.
Nico’s eyes would wander around. He noticed that the area the base is set is surrounded by dim blue lights and strange vegetation.
ROBIN: So what’s the deal with the base? Was it always like that? Was there a nuclear fallout?
As soon as Tremor opened his mouth, Nico jumped to a conclusion.
ROBIN: Oh God, I’m dreaming, aren’t I?
TREMOR: Well yes, but actually no.
ROBIN: …
ROBIN: What?
Nico looks back at the mineral man, looking move oblivious than those cat images you’d find on Pinterest.
ROBIN: What do you mean “yes, but actually no”?
Tremor sat down, and from a bag on his right, took a pot of tea and some cups. He uses his Earth Shaping powers to make a small desk and a place for Nico to sit. He sits down, and Tremor reheats the tea with his burning hands, pouring it into Nico’s cup. He takes a sip and quite enjoys it.
ROBIN: man, this is some nice tea.
TREMOR: Thank you, my friend. Now, you had some questions a minute ago?
Robin puts down his cup, taking in a deep breath.
ROBIN: Oh right, I meant to ask you, am I dreaming or not?
Tremor, as he’s sipping his tea, exhales.
TREMOR: It is complicated. Do you remember when I told you I would go to Dreamrealm all those moons ago?
ROBIN: Yeeaaaaah?
TREMOR: It is a place, a place that enhances one’s psychic and physical self through its own atmosphere.
ROBIN: I can see what you mean by ‘physical’, you look like you were dipped in a pool of early 2000’s aesthetic and hit the gym right afterwards. But, psychic?
Nico sipped his tea as Tremor began to explain.
TREMOR: It is hard to explain. But to put it simply, The Dreamrealm is a place that exists and doesn’t at certain points. It is a place that allows certain inhabitants to share their presence with the dreams of others. For as little as I’ve spent here, I have visited two dreams, this being my second one.
ROBIN: Uh-huh. So, does that mean that we're technically meeting, even though I’m not in Dreamrealm? And I could be In someone else’s dream if I wanted to IF I was there?
Mr. Mineral pats the caped crusader’s shoulder gently with a slightly cooled down hand, giggling under his breath.
TREMOR: Don’t overthink this, Nico. But do tell, anything interesting happen lately?
Nico, scratching his head spills the beans.
ROBIN: Well, I joined a general in a mission to find a blood bender, met my father figure from childhood, and fought pirates, a wizard and a saurian who ended up being a pretty good friend. I wish I could meet him again sometime… And also, I fell in love with the prettiest girl ever, but getting together is sometimes a bit complicated.
Tremor puts down his cup gently, and he cools down his hand, as to not burn Nico, but give him a warm pat on the shoulder.
TREMOR: Well, as a good man has told me, anything is possible, my friend, so long as you put your heart and your soul to it.
Robin looked at his friend, and realized that under that hard exterior, is a big ol' softie. Nico hugs Tremor, and the mineral man gently hugs the caped crusader back.
ROBIN: Thanks, Tremor. It was great seeing you again, man.
TREMOR: Likewise, Nico. But do remember, not all dreamrealmers are as kind as I am.
Red Robin stepped back, and looked confused.
ROBIN: Wait, what does that mean–?
As soon as he uttered the words, he felt like he was pulled back with a strong force. When he opened his eyes, he noticed the familiar feeling of his bedsheets. He sat up, and turned his head to look at his clock. 7:30 AM.
ROBIN: Seven-thirty? Funny. It felt shorter than five and a half hours.
He yawns, stretching his arms. As he gets out of bed, he notices a paper on his bedside drawer. It reads:
"You've got a lot more ahead of you, Nico. Good luck!" - T.
ROBIN: This is some Matrix level bull.
He puts on a shirt and heads off to work. He looks back at the note, and he puts it in his drawer with a smile on his face.
The End.
Wait, that's it? That's nowhere near good enough. I want Tremor to have the spotlight he deserves.
Don't worry, I'll give Tremor his own oneshot, pinkie promise.
