Disclaimer: I do NOT own Mortal Kombat or anything related to it.


"Then you haven't lost your soul. Only a creature with a soul can tell the difference between right and wrong. Yes, you've made mistakes, but you feel guilt. You feel remorse. And if you still have your soul, you haven't lost your chance at redemption."
— Sylvain Reynard (Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno, #1))

Chapter 1:Sareena


You became too familiar with Bi-Han! Allowed emotion to corrupt you!

Emotion freed me!

Her argument with Kitana during their battle in the Netherrealm still troubled Sareena. She told herself that Kitana was not to blame, as she was under Quan Chi's influence and thus not in control of her actions. There had been a time when Sareena was his slave, like Kitana and the other fallen heroes. But between them there were differences: Sareena willingly agreed to serve Quan Chi while Kitana was killed by her own mother, then resurrected and twisted into a cold-hearted enforcer of the sorcerer's will. Also, Sareena grew to hate herself and what she had done for Quan Chi, but Kitana learned to enjoy it.

It suits me. I am a victim no longer.

Hearing Kitana say those words made Sareena feel torn between empathy and anger. She remembered how Quan Chi manipulated her into becoming his slave by offering to hide her hideous demon form beneath that of a beautiful woman. Kia and Jataaka were given the same offer, and did not hesitate to agree. Sareena's human form was the most attractive in Quan Chi's eyes, so she became his concubine as well as one of his three elite lieutenants. The memories of how he would bring her into his bed and force her to pleasure him while threatening to take away her beauty if she failed him caused her to shudder in disgust.

Kia and Jataaka resented her position as Quan Chi's "favorite". They were fools. Did they not realize how happily she would have traded places with them as Quan Chi's plaything? Kia called her unworthy of such an honor when she said this, while Jataaka believed her to be nothing more than an ungrateful witch. Sareena despised them for their arrogance and lack of understanding. Never had they wavered in their loyalty to the necromancer, no matter how horribly he treated them or how many people suffered and died because of him.

If not for Bi-Han, Sareena would have lost all hope of ever escaping that hellish place. Kia and Jataaka lay dead at the original Sub-Zero's hands, yet Sareena was spared for unknown reasons. Had he simply grown tired of killing for the day and decided not to take her life out of pity? Or had he just seen her the same way her master did, an attractive wench who, as Earthrealmers liked to say "was too beautiful to kill"? These were questions she never got answers to.

She could still remember how she fell to her knees after her defeat and gazed up at Sub-Zero, who stood over her with a look of icy irritation on his face. He looked ready to finish her when suddenly, his expression softened and he lowered his stance, choosing to spare her life. Sareena stared at the Lin Kuei in shock as he silently walked past her. She attempted to follow, but exhaustion abruptly took over and rendered her unconscious.

When she awoke, she immediately ran back to Quan Chi's chamber where she knew Sub-Zero would be. Upon seeing him put up such an impressive fight against her master, she felt hopeful that this was her chance to escape the Netherrealm and stop being that vile sorcerer's plaything. She bolted toward the two, and assisted a surprised Sub-Zero in defeating her former master. He asked why she had helped him. Sareena simply told him that because he was still a mortal, he could escape the Netherrealm. She asked him to take her with him, wanting to stay with the man who spared her life.

But Sareena's hope vanished when Shinnok struck her in the back with an energy bolt and destroyed her human form. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was an enraged Sub-Zero glaring at Shinnok and swearing to kill him for what he had done to her. When she awoke, she found herself robbed of her attractive disguise and instead showing her true appearance. That was only part of her punishment, however. The other part was her being trapped and tortured within the fifth plane of Netherrealm for her betrayal.

She did not remember how long she remained there, only that she was tortured mercilessly and eventually gave up hope of escaping. That was until Quan Chi brought back another dead soul to be his servant. It was the same man who spared her life and whom she aided in defeating Quan Chi, but he now went by a new name: Noob Saibot.

How he recognized her in her hideous form was a mystery, seeing as she did not initially recognize him in his new dark appearance. Sareena could not forget how he approached her as she lay wounded and crying on the ground and gently picked her up before she passed out. She woke up to find him standing over her as she lay on the ground in Outworld with a portal closing behind him.

Noob Saibot took her hand and placed it on the ground, telling her to absorb the energy of the realm if she wanted her human form back. Sareena's eyes never left his as she did what he told her to do and soon returned to her human form without the use of Quan Chi's magik.

Gratitude, confusion, and relief filled her as she watched Noob Saibot, formerly known as Sub-Zero, slowly stand up and turn to leave. Sareena called him by his original name, and tried to stop him from leaving. The sound of his former self's name caused him to spin around, and his fingers caught her by the throat, squeezing with enough pressure to make her turn blue before releasing her and teleporting away, leaving her alone. She never even got to thank him for his help.

That was the last time she saw him, and still Sareena did not understand why he chose to aid her. Was it his way of thanking her for helping him against Quan Chi? But if so, why did he not tell her? And was he not loyal to Quan Chi since the sorcerer resurrected him despite being the one who tricked Scorpion into killing him? Or was the man who spared her life trapped somewhere within the evil being known as Noob Saibot? Sareena did not know, and had a feeling she never would.

"So, anyone else think we're being led to our deaths?" Cassie Cage's whisper snapped Sareena out of her thoughts.

Sareena did not respond. She would be lying if she claimed she did not share the blonde's worry. Jacqui Briggs and Takeda Takahashi exchanged glances, but stayed silent. Kung Jin sighed. Neither Nightwolf nor Enenra made any indication that they heard Cassie. The revenants only continued to lead them in chains through the hallways of the palace.

The mission was simple: go to the Netherrealm and see what the revenants were up to. Stealth was to be maintained at all times. Unfortunately, Nightwolf and Enenra realized they were being followed and attacked the intruders. Sareena managed to convince them that they meant no harm and were there to speak with their rulers. Nightwolf believed her, but Enenra was skeptical and demanded they be restrained. The group put up no fight, knowing they were in more danger here if they resisted than in Outworld.

"Think it was a good idea letting them arrest us?" Cassie asked.

"I am not sure," Sareena replied."But it is better that they not consider enemies."

"Considering the fact that I kicked some of their butts during Shinnok's invasion, it'll be kinda hard for them not to consider us enemies."

"It's a chance we're gonna have to take, Cass," Jacqui said.

"She's right." Takeda nodded."Even if we did got away, they would've followed us back to Earthrealm."

"Or maybe killed us if it wasn't for Sareena explaining we were just here to talk to them," Jin added in a mutter.

Enenra came to a stop and nodded at Nightwolf, who released Sareena, Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, and Kung Jin from their restraints. Enenra flicked his head at the door, telling them to enter first. They looked around the throne room, awe twisting into their expressions as they saw how beautiful yet gloomy it was. Colors of gold, bronze, and red decorated everything the walls, floors, windows, and the two thrones at the front of the room. In them sat Liu Kang and Kitana, their attire befitting their new position as Emperor and Empress of the Netherrealm. Kung Lao and Sindel sat beside them.

The four seemed to have been engaged in conversation, given the way they looked up in surprise when their fellow revenants and the uninvited guests they brought with them entered the room. Kitana's eyes widened at the sight of Sareena; they quickly narrowed, her expression concealed by the mask she wore. Sindel leaned down to whisper something in her daughter's ear, receiving a nod in response. A similar expression to Kitana's crossed Kung Lao's face the moment his cousin made eye contact with him. Liu Kang chuckled humorlessly, looking up at his fellow Shaolin with a smirk.

"More uninvited guests, I presume?" Liu Kang asked calmly.

"The demoness claims they came only to speak with you and the Empress, Emperor," Enenra explained, pushing Sareena forward lightly."Nightwolf and I agreed to take them to you only if they were restrained. They did not attempt to resist."

"Then speak," Kitana said bluntly."And be quick about it. I have no patience for more threats and lies."

"Nor do I," Liu Kang agreed, taking her hand in his and squeezing it. Kitana squeezed back.

Sareena knew of the bond between the Edenian princess and the champion of Mortal Kombat. In life, they had begun as enemies and become closer as allies. Her death had been the final straw for him. He turned against Raiden, willing to kill his former mentor if that was what was necessary to stop Shao Kahn from merging the realms. Raiden killed him by accident while defending himself and held him in his arms as he died, continuing to blame the Thunder God for leading so many to their deaths.

Along with several others, they were resurrected by Quan Chi to serve him. The necromancer took sadistic pleasure in unleashing Raiden's former allies against him when the diety came to the Netherrealm, pleading for his aid in defeating Shao Kahn. Sareena pitied all of the revenants as well as Raiden. Their sacrifices, whether they realized it or not, helped save Earthrealm, and now they were suffering a fate worse than death for it. So many years in Quan Chi's service, to the point that they became cold-blooded murderers and loyal followers of Shinnok...it was a horrible thought. Sareena felt an unspeakable amount of empathy for the fallen heroes, even if they did not want any.

Cassie and Jax mentioned how Sindel believed that Quan Chi strengthened her bond with Kitana by reuniting them in death. It was a sickening thought, but in a twisted way, she was right. Through death, the revenants developed a strong bond with each other. Jax, Sub-Zero, and Scorpion hardly spoke of their own ordeals, but Sareena reminded herself that the others resided in the Netherrealm far longer than they did. Years had passed since their deaths, and they showed genuine loyalty to one another ever since. Perhaps there was hope for them after all.

Snapping herself back into reality, Sareena approached the dais and bowed deeply. She gestured for the group with her to do the same, which they did. Cassie stepped forward beside her. The two exchanged nods before the blonde spoke.

"Despite our recent conflicts with you, we didn't come here to fight. Special Forces sent us to see how things were going." Cassie struggled to remain calm as she spoke, knowing everyone's eyes were on her.

Sindel laughed, the sound a mixture of sweet and chilling."And I assume they also ordered you to attack us if you discovered anything worthy of suspicion?" She placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder."It appears to me that the Thunder God fears we will invade Earthrealm in spite of his recent 'gift' and warning of what shall happen if we cross him."

"Gift?" Cassie inquired, evoking another laugh from Sindel. Her fellow revenants were not amused.

"No one who serves the delusional fool that led us to our deaths can be trusted," Enenra hissed. Nightwolf narrowed his eyes, his opinion on the matter unclear. Kung Lao crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. Liu Kang and Kitana gave no reaction, but the anger boiling within both of them was undeniable.

"Look, we didn't even know Raiden was here until you told us just now," Cassie said, calm as possible."We haven't seen him since he purified the Jinsei."

"Purified?" Nightwolf was taken aback. His surprise faded into understanding as he nodded."Yes, that would explain his new appearance."

"Can someone please to us what the hell is going on?!" Cassie exclaimed in frustration."I mean, did Raiden do something when he came here to piss you off? Or are you just being assholes on purpose?"

"Cassie!" Sareena hissed, grasping the blonde's arm to prevent her from doing something foolish and further arousing the revenants' anger.

Kitana stood, clasping her hands behind her back as she spoke, her voice cool as ice, and deadly as the steel fans she carried."The Thunder God arrived here but a few days earlier. From the way he spoke, it was clear he was not himself. When he allowed us to look into his eyes, our suspicions were confirmed. His eyes...they are red whereas in the past, they were blue. His attire is also different, consisting of dark colors and his very presence is that of danger and corruption."

"Wait a sec." Jacqui stepped forward, frowning in perplexity."Are you saying that he was corrupted after purifying the Jinsei?"

"Do not feign ignorance, Jacqueline Briggs!" Kung Lao yelled, pointing an accusing finger at her."Raiden sent you here to ensure we would not ignore his warning. Do not dare deny it!"

"Lao, she's telling the truth!" Kung Jin cried, desperately trying to get through to his cousin. Takeda followed his example, nodding his head.

"Yeah, we had no idea Raiden was corrupted by the Jinsei," The son of Kenshi stated.

"As far as we knew, he was lucky to survive," Kung Jin added.

"Lies!" Enenra yelled."You work for the Thunder God and seek to deceive us into believing he has nothing to do with your sudden visit to our home when in reality, your goal is to destroy us!"

"No!" Sareena exclaimed, putting her hands up. She shook her head, locking eyes with Kitana in a desperate attempt to get the empress of the Netherrealm to believe her."Kitana, please..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but Kitana heard her.

Whatever response the Edenian princess had to offer was interrupted by Liu Kang's voice giving the order to his fellow revenants."Kill them!"

In the blink of an eye, Enenra tackled Cassie to the floor while Nightwolf drew a tomahawk and lunged at Takeda. Sindel used her hair to yank Jacqui toward her, greeting the daughter of Jax with a kick to the chest that sent her flying into the wall. Kung Jin narrowly dodged his cousin's hat as it was flung at him with the intention of decapitating him. Sareena had to backflip to avoid Kitana's steel fan aimed for her neck.

Cassie let out a scream, catching Sareena's attention. She turned to see Enenra tossing the blonde down to the floor and preparing to bring his foot down on her. Sareena drew a knife, flinging it at him. Enenra yelped when the knife pierced his shoulder, making him stagger back. Sareena crouched down to gather all of energy before shooting forward and punching Enenra hard enough to send him into the wall.

The former Lin Kuei was quick to recover. He disappeared in a cloud of smoke. In less than a second, she felt his fist connect with the back of her head, followed by his arms wrapping around her waist and him performing a German Suplex which slammed her head into the ground. A cry of agony escaped the demoness's lips. Enenra laughed sadistically, enjoying the pain he inflicted on his opponent. He kicked her in the stomach, winding her. Sareena moaned and clutched her stomach. Enenra raised his leg, bringing it down toward Sareena, only for her to roll away in time and sweep him off his feet. He rose with a growl and proceeded to throw several punches that Sareena dodged or blocked until he caught her off guard with a knee to the stomach. A vicious backhand knocked her to the floor. He teleported again, but this time Sareena was ready for his attack. Before his fist could hit her in the back of the head a second time, she twisted around and surprised him with a cartwheel kick. She then thrust forward with her leg extended, kicking him five times before finishing him off with a backflip kick.

Enenra landed on his back with a grunt. Sareena knew he would be up again in a second. As the revenant returned to his feet, she readied herself. It was she who attacked first, aiming a kick for his chest. He caught her leg and tripped her before performing another German Suplex. Yet another cry of pain was evoked from the demoness as her head was slammed into the ground and her opponent's foot struck her ribage. She forced herself to ignore the pain and keep fighting.

"Smoke, please stop," She pleaded, dodging a kick aimed for her head."Quan Chi has turned you into Enenra just like he turned Bi-Han into Noob Saibot. You are better than this. Think of Kuai Liang. I know he is like a brother to you."

"There is no Smoke." The former Lin Kuei snarled, blocking her punches and knocking her across the floor with a kick to the chest."There is only Enenra."

"And what of Tomas Vrbada?" She demanded."Is he also lost?"

He narrowed his eyes."After Smoke died and Enenra took his place, Tomas Vrbada's memories were returned. Tomas was merely a boy when he was abducted by an obscure cult and sacrificed to a demon. He was burned alive and returned as an enenra to avenge his murder, but when he returned to his human form, he remembered nothing of his former life. When Smoke was killed by Sindel and brought back to life by Quan Chi, he regained Tomas Vrbada's memories. Now both of them are dead and Enenra is all that is left." The former Lin Kuei again attempted to bring his foot down on the demoness.

Rolling to the side, she rose and gestured for him to attack. She dodged a punch aimed for her jaw and responded with a kick to the shoulder. The former Lin Kuei's fist connected with her cheek. She knew it would leave a bruise later on. A gasp was drawn from her lips in response to a chop to her neck from Enenra. She thrust forward with extreme speed, smashing him in the head. She then kicked him in the chest, knocking him down.

"You and Bi-Han are more alike than you know, Tomas," She whispered sadly.

Takeda landed on his back at her feet with a groan of pain after being uppercut by Nightwolf with a tomahawk. The shaman flung his tomahawk at his defeated foe. In desperation, Sareena shielded Takeda from the blow and grunted as the tomahawk impaled her shoulder. Removing the weapon, she ignored the pain in her shoulder and knelt down to make sure Takeda was alright. He was unconscious, but alive. She sighed in relief, though it was short-lived when Nightwolf suddenly grabbed her by the neck and picked her up. A green knife appeared in his hand, which he used to slash the her stomach before knocking her backwards with his shoulder.

As he charged at her with a tomahawk, she drew her own weapon: the Demon Fang. She crossed the blade with his tomahawk, grunting as she struggled not to let him throw her off balance. Thinking quickly, she headbutted him, stunning him long enough for her to shoot forward and punch him in the face. Her Demon Fang slashed his stomach to return the wounds he'd given her moments earlier.

"Nightwolf," She gasped,"Don't you remember sacrificing yourself to stop Sindel from killing anyone else like she did you and your comrades, including her own daughter? You not only defeated Quan Chi and Noob Saibot, but you also destroyed the Soulnado and did all you could to save Earthrealm's souls. If anyone here should be considered a hero, it is you."

Her words had no effect on the shaman. He continued to fight as if he hadn't heard her, or simply didn't care. Sareena sighed sadly and focused on defending herself from him. She aimed a kick for his knee, but he anticipated the attack and surprised her by driving his knee into her stomach. He punched her in the face, stunning her long enough for him to attack.

Nightwolf uppercut her with a tomahawk, then created a mystical bow which he used to shoot an arrow at her. The arrow zipped past Sareena's face, leaving a small cut on her cheek. She landed with a backflip and ran to retrieve her weapon. Nightwolf slammed his foot on top of the Demon Fang, crushing it. In retaliation, Sareena kicked his tomahawk out of his hand and kicked him in the head. Stunned, he staggered back, allowing her to kick him multiple times in the chest before sending him into the wall with another powerful punch.

Before she could recover from her fight with the shaman, Jacqui was thrown right into her. The two collided and rolled across the floor. Sindel laughed, whipping her hair out to ensnare Sareena and firing a purple fireball at Jacqui. A yelp was evoked from the girl as the fireball struck her, followed by Sareena being slammed into the ground beside her. Drawing a knife, Sareena flung it at the corrupted queen. Sindel flew up into the air to avoid the knife and screamed at such a high volume that Sareena and Jacqui cried out in pain. She then flew towards them, grabbed them by their hair, and slammed their heads together. Her fist would have connected with Jacqui's face had Sareena not quickly kicked her in the stomach.

Sindel swiftly regained her balance, glaring at Sareena with murderous eyes."You will regret that, demoness." She hissed.

"Queen Sindel, you have suffered more than any of your fellow revenants." Sareena said, backing away while remaining in her fighting stance."Quan Chi resurrected you twice. First to serve Shao Kahn and slaughter several of his foes, your daughter being one of them, and the second to make you into one of his slaves alongside those you were brainwashed into murdering."

"I do not need your pity, demoness." She growled."Quan Chi reunited me with my daughter and strengthened our bond through death. You, Kuai Liang, Jackson Briggs, and Hanzo Hasashi betrayed him to serve that pathetic Thunder God and his insignificant excuses for champions. You are nothing more than Kuai Liang's whore in the Lin Kuei and a tool like the blind swordsman is for Jackson Briggs and the Special Forces to use whenever they please. All of you are weaker without Quan Chi's power to protect and strengthen you."

"Quan Chi forced those beliefs into your mind, Sindel!" Sareena yelled."You only need to open your eyes and see the truth for yourself!"

"The only thing I will see is your blood on my hands."

Sindel's fist connected with Sareena's face, making her gasp. She then grabbed Sareena with her hair and slammed her against the floor several times before tossing her aside. She threw another punch for the demonness's face, but Sareena caught her fist and responded with a punch of her own. Sareena thrust forward with her leg extended, kicking her five times before finishing her off with a backflip kick.

Kitana suddenly landed in front of her and used her fans to make the demoness levitate helplessly in the air. She leapt in the air and kicked Sareena in the chest, knocking her to the ground. Sareena jumped to her feet, performing a cartwheel kick that made Kitana stagger back. Kitana responded with a punch to the face that stunned Sareena long enough for her to take out a staff and use it to grab her opponent by the chest and slam her into the floor behind her. It took Sareena less than a second to recognize whom the staff belonged to.

"That staff belongs to Jade!" She gasped.

Kitana's eyes widened, however, at the mention of her friend.

Correction. The staff once belonged to Jade, but not anymore. Kitana now wielded it. Perhaps to honor her friend's memory? But what had happened to her? Was Quan Chi responsible? Sareena did not doubt that possibility at all.

Catching the staff with her hands to parry another attack, she looked Kitana in the eye and asked,"What happened to her, Kitana?"

Silence was her only answer.

"Did Quan Chi kill her?" She tried.

"Silence!" Kitana threw her off balance and aimed a kick for her head that Sareena dodged.

"Did he banish her to the fifth plane like he did with me?"

"I said silence!"

Kitana then performed another move Sareena recognized: Jade's Shadow Kick.

"Kitana!" Sareena's voice was loud and pleading enough to make the Edenian stop in her tracks. Her eyes glinted with annoyance, but she nodded to convey that she was listening.

"What did Quan Chi do to her?" Sareena asked, so quiet that Kitana almost did not hear her.

Kitana closed her eyes and wiped away the single tear that ran down her cheek."He made me watch her die." She whispered.

Sareena stared at her in shock. Quan Chi was not above doing something so cruel, but the mere thought of what kind of agony he must have put Jade through whilst forcing Kitana to watch made a chill run down her spine. She reached out to place her hand on the Edenian princess's shoulder for comfort, but was not expecting Liu Kang to charge at her while her back was turned. By the time she turned around, it was too late to avoid his assault.

She screamed as Liu Kang delivered a jab to the face and punched her in the stomach before giving a palm to her nose. His foot connected with her stomach and she received two more punches to the face. He chopped her neck and kicked her in the face. The next three punches she received to the back were enough make her crumble to the ground, gasping for air.

"Kitana, summon Kabal and Stryker back to the Netherrealm." Liu Kang ordered.

Kitana stared at Sareena as if hesitating, but did as he said and opened a portal. Kabal and Stryker stepped out, weapons drawn and ready to join the fight. Sareena's eyes widened as soon as she realized where the portal had taken them from: Earthrealm.

Why the two revenants were there was beyond her. All she cared for was escaping before it closed. Pulling herself up with what remained of her strength, she drew a knife and flung it at Kung Lao, who looked ready to kill his cousin.

"Go!" She yelled to Cassie and her team. The blonde moved to help her. Sareena shook her head, pointing at Jacqui, Takeda, and Jin. They needed Cassie's help more than she did."I will be behind you!" She promised. Cassie nodded and ran to help her friends.

"No." Liu Kang said, cold as ice."You will not."

He beat Sareena mercilessly, uppercutting her into the air and performing his Bicycle Kick. Everything in her body hurt. She'd been stabbed, slashed, slammed against the floor, flung across the room, and drained of nearly all her energy. She fought to remain conscious despite knowing it was not a fight she could possibly win in her beaten and bloody state.

The revenants seemed to have forgotten about the team of younger kombatants at this point, seeing as they were all now using her as a punching bag instead. Well, all of them except for Kitana, who gazed at her with something resembling pity in her eyes.

Using her last ounce of strength, she kicked Liu Kang away from her and ran to the portal. Jacqui waited for her with her hand extended. She reached out to take it, only for Sindel's hair to ensnare her and slam her into the floor. Sareena cried out, knowing there was no escape for her. Her eyes met Cassie's as she mouthed one word: go.

Takeda grabbed Jacqui, who desperately tried to escape his grip and run to help their ally. He managed to drag her into the portal with him, Jin following closely behind. The last to leave was Cassie. All Sareena could do was wave her hand frantically as a silent way of ordering her to escape before it was too late. Cassie nodded reluctantly, jumping into the portal seconds before it closed, leaving Sareena trapped in the Netherrealm at the mercy of the revenants.

Kabal and Stryker slowly approached her. Beneath Kabal's mask, Sareena recognized his angry expression which matched that of his partner's. The masked man kicked her in the stomach and slashed her across the across the back with one of his hookswords, making her scream. Stryker tasered and pistol-whipped her.

She did not fight back, wanting nothing more than for someone to end her suffering. Kitana was the one to do so. Sareena looked up into the Edenian princess's eyes, begging for mercy without actually saying anything. Seemingly reluctant at first, Kitana nodded. She granted the former servant of Quan Chi's wish.

One kick to the back of the head was all it took to knock Sareena out cold and let her slip into the peaceful bliss of unconsciousness.


Okay, so this chapter took a long time to write and I hope I portrayed Sareena alright and wasn't too hard on her since she is one of my favorite characters even if we don't see much of her in a lot of games. I also hope the fights weren't too bad either and that none of characters seemed OOC. If so, please let me know. Until next time, please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!

Next up: Chapter 2:Erron Black