United States Penitentiary: Tucson, Arizona
Prison; a building in which people are legally held as punishment for a crime they have committed or while awaiting trial.
All was quiet inside a solitary prison cell devoid of illumination except for a single window due to the sun's disappearance. Nightfall didn't provide any sense of relief for Arizona residents, especially its jailhouse inmates as evening temperatures hovered around ninety degrees with no relief in sight.
This situation was the predicament opposing Kira, an exasperated scowl portrayed on her face in the midst of this smoldering weather, the orange jumpsuit she wore not helping matters. Her only saving grace came in the form of an air conditioner regulating the climate inside the prison complex, but this did nothing to appease the Black Dragon maiden. From what she could tell, Kira was the sole prisoner inhabiting the east wing, separated from the common offenders due to being a notorious criminal. The authorities knew how dangerous Kira could be, which was why Sonya Blade lobbied to have her sealed off from other convicts.
Kira seethed at the mere thought of that blonde bitch, replaying her failure to best the Special Forces' top agent. Though she was younger and more agile, Kira stood no chance against the more experienced Sonya despite landing violent blows at the beginning of their duel.
'Not even twenty years behind bars can quell my hatred,' the Black Dragon maiden thought darkly. 'That bitch along with her family will die one way or another.'
Revenge.
It was the only action occupying Kira's mind and her only concern the past two decades. She envisioned daily on how to make Sonya beg for death's sweet release, snap Johnny's neck after having fun with him, and torture Cassie before slitting her throat open.
That was only the tip of the iceberg.
Should Kira escape, she would begin rebuilding the Black Dragon from the ground up. Kano would've wanted his legacy and empire re-established even after dying in the Netherrealm.
Interrupting Kira's attention was an enormous detonation that jolted the entire facility.
The momentum bounced Kira from her seat on the cold hard cot, sending her to the pavement in a heap. Something big was going down. She quickly rushed to the cell door and put her ear on the door, listening intently to the commotion. Every single guard in the penitentiary rushed to stop whoever was barging their way inside. Deafening shouts and rapid gunfire filled Kira's ears, unsure if it was a good or bad omen. Just then, someone collided against her cell door, a pained moan sounding from the other side. At that moment, two swords deftly cut through the security bypass, thus freeing Kira from imprisonment. Three women rushed inside with their weapons drawn, ninja masks concealing their mouths as their hostile stares bore into the ginger-haired female.
"Who the hell are you?" Kira demanded.
"Your new employer," a voice sounded.
Coming behind the three aggressive mercenaries was a lone female, her entire silhouette shrouded until she walked into plain sight for Kira to make out, feeling somewhat envious.
The newcomer was built like a goddess in the flesh, filled out in every possible area in her anatomy in an accentuating outfit. Thigh-high heels, a loincloth, and a silk top crisscrossing across her buxom chest in a black and orange color blend. Her tanned complexion flaunted true beauty with brunette locks falling like a waterfall down her back with a few bangs in front of her eyes. Judging by the intrinsic sword sheathed away on her left side from, Kira deducted she was a skilled combatant.
"Kira, I presume?" the mysterious woman inquired.
Kira, rightfully so, took a stance. "Who wants to know, and why are you busting me out?"
An eerie smile appeared on her savior's face. "Someone who shares the same mindset as you."
"Not following where you're coming from, lady," Kira said. "Need to be more specific."
Waving her hand in a single motion, the tanned woman prompted her enforcers to back off their target, a signal to ward off another incoming wave of security guards. If Kira wasn't sure how formidable this team was, her thoughts became valid due to dark blood splashing against the nearest wall, three guards having their neck cut open in their visage.
"Revenge," the woman simply stated. "Surely someone like yourself internalizes that feeling. Like you, Kira, I'm aiming to exact revenge against the people who've wronged me of my livelihood."
"How did you find me?" the Black Dragon maiden demanded.
"Don't concern yourself with how I discovered your whereabouts," the enigmatic woman curtly responded. "Now then, either come with us, or I can have the Earthrealmers lock you up again. The choice is yours."
An ultimatum along with an open invitation to escape was presented itself in front of the Black Dragon maiden. What more could she possibly ask for after 20 years of imprisonment? However, the thought of taking orders from an unknown benefactor didn't sit well with Kira. There was high-risk, high-reward for whatever decision chosen. She hoped the latter would keep her out of the slammer, for now at least.
Kira sighed. "Fine, I'm in."
Another smile graced the woman's face. "A wise choice." She turned to the exit. "Come with me. There's much to do and discuss."
Both ladies exited the cell block, and Kira had to stop in disbelief at the carnage laying before their feet. Nearly every guard in the entire complex was either gravely injured or murdered. Even Kira herself couldn't stomach the amount of bloodshed though she took sick pleasure in making enemies suffer in her own right.
'Jesus Christ,' she muttered to herself. 'They're ruthless.'
"Impressed?" the leader asked.
"More like disturbed," answered Kira. "I didn't catch your name, but you have to be an Outworlder. Ring a bell?"
Craning her neck, the woman replied, "Quite an astute mind. Yes, I'm technically an Outworlder, but hail from Edenia. You may address me as Vanessa."
This fact got Kira intrigued, an Edenian of all people breaking her out prison. None would've thought of that irony in the slightest. The next question was - What were Vanessa's intentions?
Venice, CA:
"And CUT!"
The movie director's voice boomed through his megaphone to cease production for the day. His cast halted from their activities, relieved from a tedious yet gratifying film session.
Johnny Cage, one of the best comeback stories in the movie industry, felt invigorated with how things were going, his name skyrocketing to the top of every director's priority list resulting in more high-profile gigs. However, he only accepted roles that allowed his family backstage with VIP passes. Everyone wanting to ink the megastar met that request. It was past eleven o' clock in Venice and as usual, another sunny day without a cloud in sight.
"Heads up," called out a feminine voice.
A water bottle hurled into Johnny's direction before the actor seamlessly caught it in his right palm. All his reflexes remained limber even after twenty years away from the arena thanks to daily yoga and his strict training regime. After taking off his signature shades, John's eyes honed in on a familiar face.
"Nice throw, babe," he remarked.
Clad in stonewashed jeans and a short sleeve shirt, Sonya greeted her husband with a kiss. "Better catch. How's it going on set?"
"So far, so good. Already finished half the flick before the deadline. We're on track to finish by Memorial Day." Johnny informed her.
The couple walked hand in hand back to his personalized trailer, Johnny opening the door for his wife like the gentleman he was. Inside was nothing spectacular, a standard setup of a mirror, chair, various makeup products, and different sets of costumes for Cage's new movie, "Now or Never," an action-pack thriller. It shaped up to be Cage's most exceptional performance. Over on a makeshift dinner table, Johnny and Sonya sat together over lunch.
"Feels like it was just yesterday I was trying my hardest to woo you." Johnny reminisced. "Where has time gone?"
Sonya answered, "Goes by when you don't notice sometimes. It seems as though all the major producers want to sign you."
Her husband nodded. "On one hand, I'm flattered they still recognize my work, while at the same time, I appreciate they don't have me or the others working around the clock." John's signature smile returned. "More time I can spend with you."
After all their years together, most of them as spouses, Sonya still found herself falling for his trademark charm, corny as it seemed at times. "You always make me wonder how you do that."
"Comes with practice, dear. You should try it." Johnny suggested.
"I'll consider it," she replied right before her cell phone buzzed in her pocket. Sonya pulled it out and saw the caller ID was their daughter. "Hello? Woah, slow down, Cassie." Her look then changed to concern. "What? When?" She waited to obtain all the details. "I'll be there as soon as possible." Sonya hung up. "There's been a breakout at the Penitentiary in Tucson. Kira's escaped."
"You mean that red-haired chick you beat in the Netherrealm all those years ago?" Johnny queried. "Who busted her out?"
Sonya hastily grabbed her jacket. "Not sure, but I'm going to find out. Cassie and Jacqui are already on the scene."
Johnny stood up. "I'm going with you. Production won't resume for another two weeks."
She nodded. "Let's go."
Unknown Location:
Vanessa and Kira walked side by side, the former guiding the latter with a blindfold over Kira's eyes as the same brigade of female assassins led them towards their base of operations, a precautionary measure for the time being.
"Apologies for the secrecy," Vanessa told her guest. "Trust is easy to destroy but takes time to build."
After the ninja females secured the premises, Vanessa undid the blindfold. Kira saw the hideout was nothing more than an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere.
"Where exactly are we?" Kira questioned.
"Clones, leave us to speak in private," Vanessa ordered. They did what she asked and left the two alone.
Kira was even more confused than before. "Clones? They're all clones?"
Vanessa smirked. "You remember Mileena, don't you?"
Flashback: Flesh Pits
Outworld's Flesh Pits remained intact even after the destruction of Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung, and many others under their command. No one has entered inside the rotten lair since the Netherrealm war, the setting of Chris Jones' victory against the dreaded Lord Shinnok. Shang Tsung's many creations laid suspended in their liquid induced comas inside the stasis tubes throughout the lab as a lone figure stepped inside.
Vanessa obtained the necessary information on where the Flesh Pits were located and headed straight for it, the need for additional allies paramount for the success of her ambition. One by one, Vanessa studied each tube, mindful that although they were all clones of the original Mileena, these hybrids exhibited personalities of their own but maintained the bloodlust nature their predecessor was known for throughout Outworld. Just near the back of the lair stood a power switch.
"Time to see if Shang Tsung's experiments are up to the task," Vanessa said aloud.
She flipped the power switch on to illuminate the tubes before waiting nearly five minutes for the electrical surge to circulate. Vanessa then commenced her next plan of action by taking her sword and cutting through each stasis tube housing all of the deceased hybrid's duplications. Glass shattered everywhere as the clones slumped to the floor amidst the liquid substance mixed with glass shards. Slowly but surely, over twenty-five clones, naked as the day they were born, gingerly rose from the ground. They all shared the same physical attributes of Mileena but did not have the dreaded mouth of a tarkatan, a welcome sight from Vanessa's perspective.
'Goh...'
"What happened?"
"What's going on?"
Vanessa stepped forward from the darkness. "You're all under new leadership."
Mileena's clones alertly poised themselves to attack the newcomer. "Who dares awakens us from our slumber!?"
"That's no way to greet your savior. The least you can do is be thankful for releasing you from your confinement," the Edenian chastised. "Now then, I'm in need of your assistance."
"For what purpose?" one clone challenged. "We answer only to Shang Tsung, not some harlot like yourself."
Steadying her posture, Vanessa responded with a dark smile. "Simple, vengeance for myself, and all of you as well. Your previous master is no longer living after meeting his demise in the Netherrealm."
Panic engulfed the replicates at the news of their creator's downfall. Their faces were struck with unexplained expressions even by Outworld standards. For so long, Mileena's life force and mind tied themselves to Shang Tsung, whether willingly or not. With him gone, who would give them direction, let alone a voice to heed?
"Preposterous!" one clone yelled. "There's positively no way our master could've died!"
"Who did it!? We'll have their head for this!" another threatened.
"Settle down, I'll explain everything," Vanessa said. "Nearly twenty years ago, Shang Tsung along with a fellow sorcerer named Quan Chi, teamed up under the watchful eyes of Shinnok, God of the Netherrealm. Together, they formed the Deadly Alliance and caused an unparallel amount of carnage all over the universe but couldn't stave off the combined might of two powerful warriors from rival ninja clans. They're names are Hanzo Hasashi and Kuai Lang, better known for their codenames: Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Your quarrel is with them."
A hushed silence materialized within the dim area, doing little to dwindle the building anxiety amongst the crowd. "Scorpion and Sub-Zero..." one clone muttered to herself but audible enough for the others to hear. "The names do not sound familiar."
"I imagine so. Both are Earthrealmers and former participants in the Mortal Kombat tournament, the same one the initial Mileena competed in." Vanessa informed them.
"And where is she currently residing?" another clone inquired.
Vanessa's gaze leveled. "Dead as your creator, assassinated by Princess Kitana of Edenia."
The sound of that name caused something vengeful to well up inside each Mileena. Kitana, the very woman who was cloned to form the countless lookalikes huddled around Vanessa.
"That pompous Edenian tart is the culprit?" a clone seethed. "She's taken her last breaths."
"So you see things my way," Vanessa interjected.
"What's your business in all this? Also, you still haven't revealed who you are," another pointed out.
Now was the time for Vanessa to seal the deal. "In short, I'm an Edenian by blood but do not associate with them whatsoever. My mother and father left me to perish as a child. I managed to survive, however, only to realize that they already replaced me with my younger sibling who doesn't know I exist. The Edenian General Jade."
"I've heard of her. Some say she's even more powerful than the Princess herself," one clone declared.
The look on Vanessa's face was anything but pleased. "A false implication I will rectify. You see, I disposed of our birth parents some time ago. Now, I wish to inflict the same measure of pain and misery on Jade along with eradicating her bloodline of Edenian bastards before seizing the Throne from that wench, Queen Sindel, but I cannot do so without your assistance."
Each Mileena clone paused in skepticism. "Why should we even consider helping you? What do you have to offer us?"
"All of Edenia's riches will adequately compensate you. Not to mention I will facilitate in the annihilation of all your enemies, mainly Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Kitana of course." Vanessa laid out the benefits. "Think about it. Your will intertwined with Shang Tsung and his master Shao Kahn since your inception. With neither among the living, no one directs your path. You are all your own person and can do whatever is in your interests. So, why not take control of your own lives and destroy the murderers of your leaders?"
Curious glances and questioning looks occurred between each replica as none of them seemed to be the frontrunner to guide them. Vanessa's evident proclamations struck an unknown chord and didn't lack validity.
Two replicants stepped toward the Edenian with their decision. "We accept."
Vanessa's grin told the entire story. "Excellent."
End of Flashback:
"No way," Kira uttered incredulously.
"I became dumbfounded at the discovery, but it turns out they remained undisturbed after the Netherrealm war. They are the perfect candidates for my elaborate scheme," briefed Vanessa.
"Seems prudent," Kira responded. "Where do I fit in all this?"
"To better answer that question, it's time to introduce some old acquaintances of yours," the Edenian announced.
Vanessa's attention shifted to the corner of the warehouse where two covert figures approached. Kira squinted her eyes but couldn't make out who they were. A shocked gasp sounded from her throat when she recognized them.
One was male with blonde hair dressed in a white karate gi in black and gold trim with the same colored belt tied around his waist along with taped wrists and gloves at his arms with dark baggy pants just above his shoe flats. Right beside him was another male who looked more menacing to the eye if his facial expressions were any indication while garbed in red armor, shoulder pads, wrist guards, and sturdy boots.
Jarek and Kobra have laid low in recent years after hearing of Kano's death by the combination of lava consuming his entire body, and the merciless beatdown he incurred from his hated enemy. As a result, the Black Dragon's numbers were reduced to shambles after Kira's hearing resulted in a life sentence. Kabal's body didn't turn up amidst the rubble, so it was assumed many pronouncing he perished in the explosion.
Kira didn't know whether to throw caution to the wind and hug both men or berate them for letting her rot in prison for two decades. Each option would be understandable from her point of view. Her mouth instead curled into a smile. "Figured you two were in on this."
Kobra shrugged his shoulders. "Would've busted you out sooner, but the Special Forces' lap dogs have eyes all over, babe."
"Don't call me that, slime," the redhead woman spat out. "Not until you earn that right back."
"Oh? Says who?" he coyly replied.
A hint of anger flashed in Kira's eyes, but before she could wipe that stupid smirk off his face, Jarek got in the middle to prevent a fight from breaking out. "Enough, we're not here for bickering."
"Right you are, Jarek." Vanessa lauded. "We're all here for various reasons, and as such, we need to cooperate. My partnership with the Black Dragon should yield tremendous results to accommodate everyone involved." She retrieved a photograph out of her top. "With my intellect, Mileena's clones, and your organization's influence, we'll control Edenia, Outworld, and Earthrealm respectively. Before doing so, we must eliminate one common enemy."
Vanessa then took out three ninja stars from her back pocket and readied them in her hand while tossing the picture high in the air. In the next instant, she threw all three stars, pinning the image against the wall with frightening precision. Kira, Kobra, and Jarek went to inspect the snapshot. They all identified who was in the photo - Jade and her family consisting of Chris and their four children, two sets of fraternal twins.
"My little sister, her husband, and offspring will all suffer before dying in our wake," Vanessa affirmed.