Disclaimer - Nope, I still don't own Mortal Kombat. Though, if I did, Sub-Zero would stop being killed off in almost every game trailer.
Celeste casually strolled down the corridor as she further studied the amulet. For something so small and precious, it surely caused a lot of confusion. Her talk with Sindel proved to be almost useless, as the Edenian queen mostly told her things that she already knew. However, something told her she should have expected that, really. Sadly, the one thing she was told that she didn't already know was, well, depressing.
Why is it always the miserable parts of people's lives? Why not something cheery for once?
She mentally sighed as she continued walking, keeping her eyes on the amulet. Just when she neared the end of the hallway and turned the corner, she bumped into something. Upon contact, Celeste heard a grunt and caught sight of a pair of black and gold tabi boots, noting that she had bumped into someone not something. Slowly lifting her gaze, her eyes eventually met a pair of solid white ones.
Well. Shit.
She bit her lip as she realized that she collided with no one other than Scorpion. Just her luck.
"I'm so sorry!" she gasped as she took a step back, her wide green orbs taking in the peeved ninja.
"Irritating brat," the spectre spat as he began to walk around her, unaware of the sudden dim glow in her eyes.
Celeste stood there for a moment, her mind lingering on Scorpion's words. While she knew she should have watched where she was going, it didn't give Scorpion the right to handle it the way he did. In fact, she was in no mood for his horrible attitude, and though she understood that his hellish life was the cause of it, she still believed that he shouldn't take it out on everyone else every chance he got. Moreover, she had her own problems to focus on without being the target of Scorpion's ridiculous anger issues.
And I'm done taking it!
Without another thought, Celeste turned around to the spectre and addressed him, her green orbs alight.
"First off, I am a twenty-one-year-old and would love it if you stopped referring to me as a brat. My name is in fact Celeste, so please use it. Secondly, I realize our little collision was my fault and in fact, I even apologized for it but apparently my apologies are not enough for you. Which leads me to wonder what fucking more do you want from me?" she fumed but was nowhere near done.
"While I understand you've had a fucked up life and you're pissed about it, does it honestly give you the right to be a fucking dick about everything? Is it re—"
"WILL YOU SHUT UP!" The spectre roared, interrupting Celeste's rant by wrapping a hand around her throat and slamming her into the nearby wall. She gasped in surprise before a feeling of pure resentment took over.
"Go to hell," she managed with throaty snarl, her venomous glare barring into his eyes. Scorpion narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip then slammed her into the wall once more, to which she quickly kicked him hard in the knee in return. Before he could respond to her kick, something crashed into the wall beside them. The spectre glanced down to see ice fragments on the floor and looked behind him to find the cryomancer standing there.
"You will let her go, Scorpion!" Sub-Zero growled at the spectre as the Kori Blade spawned. Scorpion glowered at the rival assassin and threw Celeste onto the floor before entering his own stance. As the two clansmen prepared to clash, there was a flash of lightning between them.
"Enough of this!" Raiden's voice boomed through the corridor as he appeared, giving them looks of disapproval once the light had subsided. They stayed in place but continued to glare at each other.
Celeste slowly stood to her feet while gently rubbing at her neck. At the moment, she wanted nothing more than to give Scorpion a swift punch to the face and a hard kick to the groin. While she knew it would be reckless to take on the spectre alone, she honestly could care less at the moment. She glared at the spectre and lounged herself at him only to be caught, thrown over a shoulder, and carried away. Although she still struggled and grabbed for the spectre, it was of no use. She wasn't going to reach him.
Moments later, Celeste found herself sitting on a bed, her eyes still aglow with irritation. Across from her stood Sub-Zero, who was revealed to be the one that carried her away from the spectre. The room they currently occupied she assumed was his, which was oddly enough painted blue. She sat with her arms and legs crossed, staring at the Lin Kuei with narrowed eyes.
"You could have at least let me kick him in his dick. We both know it's what he deserves," she grumbled.
"You would have only suffered more at his hands," the cryomancer sighed, his eyes scanning the red marks on her neck left from Scorpion's fingers.
Celeste only 'hmphed' and flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. Usually, she would smile in his presence, but right now she felt very annoyed with him. Feeling his eyes on her only added to her irritation.
"You know, a little icy birdy once told me that 'staring is rude,'" the brunette muttered, her eyes now meeting the blue orbs of the cryomancer while she rubbed at her neck, involuntarily wincing as she did so.
"Are you in pain?" he asked, taking a sudden step towards Celeste.
"I'm fine!" she snapped then later sighed, realizing that she was taking her frustrations out on a man that only wanted to help her. "I'm sorry, Sub-Zero. You didn't deserve that," she murmured, looking to the Lin Kuei apologetically.
"It is all right," He assured then nodded to her and took a seat beside her.
"No, it's not. I'm being a hypocrite. I just bitched at Scorpion for taking everything out on other people only to later do the same to you," she whispered, looking to the floor. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to meet a pair of vivid blues, finding herself quickly captivated by them.
I swear there's a crime for having such beautiful eyes!
Celeste blushed and looked away once she sensed herself inching closer to the cryomancer, who also noticed the closing distance and drew back, although he seemed somewhat displeased doing so. Or so she thought.
"Either way, I'm sorry. It's just I'm having to rediscover myself, and things are crazy enough without throwing Scorpion into the mix. He really needs to see a damn therapist or something, but wait, he'd probably just burn the guy to death," she added with a flat laugh while Sub-Zero raised a brow.
"It's going be tough now, but in time, things will get easier. Never lose hope," he encouraged as he kept his eyes on Celeste.
"I'll try to remember that. Thank you, Sub-Zero," she smiled at him then laid her head upon his shoulder, thanking whoever above for his friendship.
Li Mei lounged back in her bed, propped by pillows. She couldn't stay up on her own just yet without feeling pain in her stomach and thigh, so this was the best alternative for the time being. She looked over to her visitor, beaming. It felt as if it had been forever since she last saw the brunette.
"Well, you look good. How are you feeling?" Celeste asked her as she leaned forward in her chair.
"I'm well. The medicines they've given me really do work but that's to be expected, of course. Edenians have always had their affinities for magic," the Outworld native replied.
"Oh, nifty," the brunette absently remarked, dropping her focus to the ivory carpet.
"Mhm, but are you okay? You've got some nasty marks on your neck, and was that you I heard yelling a while ago?" Li Mei questioned.
"Yep, 'fraid so. I had a run in with Scorpion. Words were exchanged, I was shoved into a wall, et cetera. Sub-Zero and Raiden showed up before anything too serious could happen, though," Celeste explained, her hand involuntarily rubbing over the lines on her neck.
"Oh, thank the Elder Gods! Scorpion has quite a nasty temper and who knows how that could have gone!" the woman exclaimed in a fit of relief.
"Believe me, I know, but I suppose in a way, I also have a short fuse. That or I'm just so stressed. So much has been going on as of late," Celeste nearly groaned, raking a hand through her hair.
"So, I've heard. In fact, I heard Kitana and Jade discussing your lineage yesterday as they walked past my room. I take it that this is what has caused you such anxiety?" Li Mei inquired of the brunette beside her. With a sigh, Celeste nodded.
"Yeah, it's exactly that. It's been a shock, to say the least, but I guess it's not as bad as when Sindel first told me. Though, my mind is still going haywire. It's like once one line gets tied, there suddenly become three more loose ends. It's crazy," she explained to the Outworlder while gripping the amulet in her hand.
"It will be like that for some time, but you'll make it through. You're a strong girl, Celeste. There's nothing to fear. We're with you, or at least, I can assure you that I most certainly am," Li Mei promised with a smile.
"Thanks, really," the brunette said, returning the gesture.
"No problem! Now, I hate to cut this visit short, but I'm feeling a tad bit sleepy," the woman announced, stifling a yawn. Celeste took the hint and nodded her farewell before she stood and headed for the door, leaving her friend in peace.
The empress sat on her throne with her sharp, orange eyes studying the woman in yellow before her. She knew this woman was not only of Edenian blood, but also extremely gifted in dark magic. Likewise, this woman referred to herself as an 'ambassador' to Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, and since both sorcerers were subject to her rule, this woman would also have no choice but to serve her. It was only fitting, was it not?
"Tanya, is it?"
"It is, Empress," the Edenian replied with a slight bow.
"Well, Tanya, I have requested your presence because I have a particular task planned for you. However, for this mission you will be joined by another," Mileena explained, twirling her dark hair around her fingers.
As if on cue, a shadowy creature rose from the floor beside Mileena's throne. It then became coated in some oily substance before it eventually took form of a man wearing black and having eerie, pale eyes. Even his skin appeared to be as dark as jet. This mysterious man did not speak, but merely stood there. The Tarkatan hybrid glanced at him momentarily then continued talking.
"What I have in store for you will be messy, but I am confident it will not serve as a problem for either of you. Do you accept?" She asked, as if cooperation was optional.
"I do," was the woman's reply as the man only nodded.
Mileena smirked as best she could beneath her mask before discussing the assignment, which was just one, but significant, step in her grand scheme. The smirk grew as she explained the details of her plan. After all, it would only bring her that much closer to acquiring Edenia.
A/N: The drama pot is stirring! The drama pot is stirring! Mileena's got something up her sleeve that could spell out disaster, but I guess we'll find out in upcoming chapters. Though I must admit, I can't help but wonder what theories you guys are thinking up. Who knows. You may very well be right.
Until next time,
~Torion