Thousands of Tarkatan soldiers were gathered around inside Shao Kahn's massive castle grounds. They were shouting, and grunting in joy, and satisfaction. Word had just broken of Shang Tsung's victory in the Mortal Kombat tournament. Standing in the center of all of the chaotic jubilation were Reiko, and Kotal. The two were dressed in red, and gold ceremonial armor. Kotal had his long black hair tied up in the back. Reiko looked on with a wide grin on his face, enjoying the sight of the rabid Tarkatans. The two were soon joined by the towering, cat like, four armed Shokan, Kintaro. He did not seem as pleased as they did.
"What troubles you, Kintaro?" Reiko asked in his deep, soothing voice.
"You remember hearing of Reptile's escape? Princess Mileena has just brought forth the name of the one who aided him in doing so." Kintaro's yellow eyes had a ounce of disbelief written in them. Reiko, and Kotal gave each other a quick glance.
"Who was it?" Kotal asked quickly. Reiko held a hand up, and gave him a stern glance. He then turned his head back to Kintaro, so that his pure white eyes were looking back into his.
"Are you allowed to discuss what you have heard?" Reiko asked cautiously. Kintaro shook his head slowly.
"Let us just forget this for the moment. This is a time of celebration. Earthrealm will soon be ours!" Reiko bellowed slapping Kintaro on his gigantic, armored back. Kintaro nodded stiffly, turned away, and crossed his arms.
"So, what exactly happens at these celebrations? I have never fully seen one of these." Kotal asked Reiko as his eyes spotted the arrival of the armies Centaur militia.
"Shao Kahn will be awarding Shang Tsung with his own property in Outworld, and a plentiful amount of souls to feed his twisted desires. This celebration is where he will make this statement." Reiko said also eyeing the arriving Centaurs. The Outworld sky was the lightest shade of purple it had been in ages. Not a single cloud in the sky. The large orange moon that usually hung over the realm brightly, had began to fade due to the light shade of the sky. The three generals turned their heads all at once, as they heard a loud bang from behind. Shao Kahn's tower doors were now spread apart by the two guards that were holding each handle. Stepping through the large doors were two lines of over a dozen heavily armored guards, each of whom were holding very massive double edged axes. In the center of the two lines stood two individuals. One of the individuals was one of the two princesses of Outworld. She was known around the realm as Princess Mileena. She was wearing a long, silk, pink robe, and a matching pink veil covered the lower half of her face. Standing beside her was a very toned, and sleekly dressed man. He was wearing a black, and purple colored outfit, that had a short purple cape lingering on the back. In his hand was a long, thick edged sword. His carefully groomed black hair laid across his head perfectly, and his watery blue eyes caught the attention of all those who caught a glance of them.
Together the two walked out in front of the guards, and looked around at the celebrating Tarkatans. Once the Tarkatans noticed the two, they all gathered around silently, and watched with lustful intentions towards Mileena. As they made their way to the large stage Kotal, Reiko, and Kintaro had already made their way onto it. The guards followed them, and formed a square around the base of the stage. Mileena, and the purple dressed man stood on either side of a massive marble carved throne, that had been erected just for this occasion. Reiko, Kotal, and Kintaro formed in a horizontal line just behind it. After everyone had gathered around, the purple dressed man looked over with a pearly white smile at Mileena, and then stepped forward. From his pocket he pulled a large scroll, unrolled it, and held it out to read.
"For centuries Outworld was denied it's rightful destiny of being merged with Earthrealm. For ten generations this realm's most skilled warriors have fought to the death in a fighting tournament created by the Elder Gods. The tournament was created to give Earthrealm a chance to save itself from the fate of being merged with Outworld, but destiny cannot be altered. Outworld was victorious in it's conquest, and now nothing can stop the merger between the two worlds. Emperor Shao Kahn has given his orders, and soon we will all be stepping into our new terrain, claiming everything in the name of our all powerful lord. Now this victory would not have been possible without the assistance of one man. Shang Tsung. Whom through sheer will, and determination never submitted to either the Thunder God Raiden, or his Earthrealm dogs. For securing victory in Shao Kahn's name our fair lord has offered Shang Tsung the souls of thousands of fallen Outworld warriors of ages past, along with a residence among the greatest of his majesties' allies atop of the mountain located deep in the Outworld wasteland. Shang Tsung, cometh from the crowd of warriors, and stand forth to accept your crowning as the Mortal Kombat champion." The man finished rolling up the scroll, and placing it away back into his pocket. His eyes looked around at the thousands of faces below. They were glancing quickly at each being, as he looked for the man he was honoring.
Shortly after his speech the crowd split apart, and formed a thin line between the forces. In the center of the thin line was one man. His aging body was slightly hunched over. He was cloaked in a grey hooded robe. It was the battered, and victorious Shang Tsung. His grey hair was slightly hanging down over his colorless, misty eyes. His deathly gaze was focused on the man in purple in front of him. He slowly, and silently made his way to the stage. He climbed the short row of steps, and as he stood at the front of the group, he slowly reached his wrinkled hands along the sides of his hood, and threw it down so that it flapped softly against his back. His face was bruised, and one of his eyes was nearly swollen shut. The man in purple smiled at Shang, and held his hand outwards towards the crowd. He signaled with his fingers, and one of the heavily dressed armored guards brought him a large golden medallion. The Mortal Kombat dragon logo was engraved into the center of the heavy looking object. The man held it out for Shang to grab, and grab is what Shang would do. Shang stared quietly down at his reflection that emitted off the medallion. His gaze shifted towards Mileena, and the others who were all looking at the old man proudly. He however did not look so joyful. He gripped the medallion tightly in his fragile hand, and jerked his arm quickly to his right. The medallion flew from his grip, and soared high over the heads of most of the Tarkatans in the crowd. Everyone turned to follow the blazing medallion. It landed with a thunderous clank, as it bounced against the ground. Everyone seemed to be in shock at what had transpired in front of their very eyes. The man in purple looked very angered by Shang Tsung's act, and quickly withdrew his sword straight out, and pressed the tip up against the elder's throat.
"You foolish old man! You would dare disrespect the gift our lord has given? I shall kill thee myself!" The man shouted down. Shang's eyes didn't dare to look down at the sword. He seemed unfazed by the man's threats.
"Your threats have no meaning to me young prince. I do not care about any worthless medallion, or any honor Shao Kahn could bestow upon me. Years ago I made a deal with Shao Kahn that I would hold his tournament on my island in return for the DNA of the fallen warriors in his care, so that I may receive eternal life, and any skill I desire. I have held up my end of this deal. These souls are all I care about. I do not need a celebration for murdering men." He spoke as he softly pushed the blade away from his neck.
"Yes, you are quite right. You do not need a celebration." Came a very deep, and calm voice. Everyone turned to the castle doors to see the towering Emperor himself standing with his cape, and skull harness attached to his brown spiked armor. His war hammer's handle was wrapped in both of his hands, and one side of the flat head was leaning against the ground. Everyone besides Shang Tsung, and the purple dressed man bowed instantly at the sight of him.
"Stand down Rain. You have no need to shed this man's blood upon my newly constructed throne." Shao Kahn's deep voice called warmly. With these words the man in the purple lowered his sword so that it was pointing against the ground. He would then fall to his knees, and bow.
"Yes, your majesty." He replied loudly. Shao Kahn made his way slowly, and surely to the stage. His eyes focused on no one. He placed his war hammer down beside one of the arms of his throne. Nobody dared to stand until the Emperor was seated in his large thone. Once he had everyone slowly made their way to their feet.
"Now, you wish to receive your souls?" Shao Kahn asked simply, as the entire army stared on in a deathly silence. Shang Tsung was not faltered by the usually intense ruler of the realm.
"Indeed I do, but I also have another request." Shang Tsung said pointing his nose up slightly. Shao Kahn shifted a little in his throne before asking.
"Do you think yourself worthy of making a request?" Shang seemed slightly insulted by this question.
"I have slain hundreds of men in your name. I have betrayed my home realm to aid yours in this conflict for centuries. I defeated the Thunder God in ten Mortal Kombat tournaments. I have fulfilled the pact that we made, and I have have been loyal to the very end. I believe one request is not an issue." Shang Tsung grunted. Shao Kahn gave a loud laugh, and Mileena joined in shortly after. Shang raised his eyebrows in confusion. Once Shao Kahn, and his daughter had finished their laughter. Shao Kahn leaned forward.
"You speak of loyalty sorcerer? Was it loyalty that made you go deep into the pits of the Neatherrealm to Lord Shinnok, and make an alliance without my consent?" Shao Kahn asked aloud with gritted teeth.
"The Neatherrealm's representative held his own, and defeated an Earthrealmer in the process. We agreed upon the terms that if he would have beaten the other Earthrealmers, than he would forfeit to me in the final round. I did what I thought was best for this realm, what was best for you." Shang answered. Shao Kahn seemed unmoved by Tsung's words.
"Is that why you allowed Goro to face three enemies at once? Allowed him to be overmatched, and murdered?" Shang Tsung didn't have a response for this point. Shao Kahn was not done yet.
"It appears to me that you do not understand how Shinnok is. If given the chance of escaping the Neatherrealm he will do anything to achieve it. He may have saw an opportunity in this alliance to break free from his constraints. I believe if this Scorpion specter had made it to the final round he would have betrayed you on Shinnok's orders, giving Neatherrealm the victory, and thus destroying any hopes I may have had to invade Earthrealm for another ten generations. That is a risk that I could never afford to take. One that you took knowing that I would never take. I cannot do anything other that question your loyalty." Shao Kahn spoke harshly.
"My lord, I only did what I have done to aid you. I swear." Shang Tsung whispered just loud enough for the people on the stage to hear. With this Shao Kahn nodded slowly.
"What is your request?" He asked relaxing in his chair.
"I request that after I am paid in these souls, that I may be allowed to leave your service, and to never be bothered again." Shang demanded boldly. Mileena gave another loud laugh.
"Once in my father's service no one is allowed to leave." She called out to the old man. He looked at her without much respect.
"Mileena." Shao Kahn thundered. She looked at him carefully.
"Father, you cannot seriously be thinking of letting-" Mileena was interrupted by Shao Kahn raising his hand. With this gesture she closed her mouth, and slowly stepped back. The Emperor thought for a moment before clearing his throat.
"I will grant you this request on one condition. You leave my realm forever. You do not stay in Outworld. If me, or my men find you we will kill you on sight." Shao Kahn spoke calmly. Shang Tsung swallowed hard after hearing this.
"Where would you have me go? To the realm I have betrayed, and that will soon be merged into this realm? Or perhaps the Neatherrealm, where I will forever have to watch my back for murderous demons?" Shang argued.
"Perhaps your new found friends Shinnok, and Quan Chi will take you in warmly?" Reiko called with a grin from behind Shao Kahn's throne.
"Where you will go is your own decision to make. This is your request, and as a fair ruler I am granting it. This is a gift that is not given often, so cherish the fact that I have allowed you to leave my service. After you receive your souls you are to not linger. You will need to leave Outworld immediately. Reiko, you, and the young Osh-Tekk are to take Shang Tsung down to the soul chamber, so that he may receive his payment. Farewell Shang Tsung. I pray that our paths never cross again for your sake." As Shao Kahn finished he gripped his war hammer, arose from his thone, and was followed by Rain, Mileena, and the dozen armored guards that surrounded the stage back into the black tower. This left Reiko, Kotal, Kintaro, and Shang Tsung standing on the stage. Shang still seemed distraught by the fact that he had to leave Outworld.
"Let's go sorcerer. It's time for you take your last stroll in this realm." Reiko demanded, as he began to walk off from the stage. Kotal was following closely behind. Shang Tsung had no other choice but to follow.
(Let me know what you thought of the chapter if you could. It'd help me out a lot.)