A/N: Possible trigger warning, for mentions of violence.

Beware Of Thorns

After the 'fight' between Kara and Kotal had finished, Cassie jogged on over, to Kara, and looked her up and down.

"Lookin' good".

Kara waved her off. "Eh, it's okay". The seriousness in her face wavered and she grinned. "I look amazing, feel it too".

All the spectators looked at her, and bowed. Kara blushed, and waved them off. "You don't have to do that. I'm still Kara. Maybe in front of Raiden, but, not now".

Kotal walked by her, and gestured to Sub-Zero, and Hanzo. He put his hand on Kara's shoulder, which made her flinch, Sub's eyebrows lift, and Hanzo smirked.

"Ahem. I believe the emperor here, wishes to speak with the two of you. Bolster his forces. As a show of good faith, between the realms, fortify the alliance treaty".

The man in yellow robes nodded. "Of course emperor. Though the Shirai Ryu are few, which I regret, we are recruiting. The acolytes will need more training, to be at peak fitness. I would not send them to battle, unprepared to face it".

Sub agreed. "I concur that sentiment. You have the support of the Lin Quei too, emperor".

The warriors bowed to Kotal, who bowed back.

"I greatly appreciate these gestures. I wish to traverse the realms, along with Kara's help".

"Hey, blue!"

Cassie's shout made him roll his eyes. Kara giggled. "Cass, if you haven't noticed already, he isn't blue now. Honestly". She mockingly rolled her eyes.

Kotal turned, and walked to the sergeant, Johnny and Sonya.

Tiama called Kara over to the small shrine, which was used to pray to the gods, in the Outworlders time of need.


The two women knelt down on cushions. Tiama steeped some tea, and Kara smoothed down her robes, and looked outside. She heard the verbal battering Kotal was getting, for not assisting Earthrealm, in it's fight, against Shinnok. She bit her cheek, and could feel the rage building up in him. His shoulders were tensing, his straight backed posture was slipping, and he was trying not to growl. Her palm pulsed, the little blue circle started glowing. Kara sighed.

Kotal, please don't. Apologise.

Then she had an idea, which was rather smart.

Political wise, amend the peace agreement. State that we will assist Earthrealm, when necessary. We will, okay? Not just you. I won't put it all on your back.

Kotal smiled, making Sonya raise her eyebrows, at his sudden change of mind.

"General Blade. I should have helped you, in your plight, that much is clear. The treaty Raiden and I created, If I amend it, and promise my participation, and my armies help, in any future conflicts, would that suffice, as well as an apology?"

Sonya knew it wasn't his idea. She wasn't a silly, stupid woman. She knew if Kotal wanted to help them, he would have, against Shinnok. She spotted Kara, who nodded at her.

The general took a deep breath and agreed. "Okay emperor, you have a deal. Everyone? Listen up". She clapped her hands, to get everyone's attention. "Kotal has agreed to help, in future battles. I do not want anymore talk of war, and conflict".

Tiama walked out of the small shrine, and coughed lightly.

"Everyone, I have something we need to discuss".

Jakal, Sub, and Hanzo walked over to her...

..All unaware, that the words she was about to say, would damage an already fragile alliance.


"Kara? I have been thinking, on the future of our realms. It's clear that the Reiko Accords were not enough, to prevent fights from occurring between the realms, and I fear the peace treaty may not work either. Too many Earthrealmers mean Outworld harm, and the other way around, and they cannot be allowed to ruin the merger".

Kara put a palm on her face, and shook her head. "Mother, the treaty will work. Anyone who wishes the realms harm will be dealt with. I'm sure we have both of your support, Master Hasashi, and Sub-Zero?"

The two ninjas nodded. "See? Kotal's armies are small, however, we can bolster them, with both clans acolytes, and recruit and train more soldiers. There are many who wish to fight, and Kotal's rule is assured. The people are no longer revolting or fleeing. They still need help with their nutrition, and need to be helped, to adapt to the changing weather, so they can grow produce to eat, and sell, so they won't go hungry, or without koin".

Kara had missed out, on the one thing her mother was trying to get through to her. She sighed. "Kara, I understand that. But, the alliance could be strengthened significantly if...".

Kara read Tiama's mind, and gasped.

"You're proposing a merger, between the realms. You mean...". She took a deep, shaky breath. "Me, marrying Kotal, right?"

A collective gasp was heard. Sub stared, in disbelief, at Tiama.

"You cannot mean that. Kara comes home, bruised, and battered, each time she sees him".

Jin stomped around, seconding his master's words. "See? I'm not the only one who dislikes Kara being used as a punching bag".

Hanzo stepped forward, and shook his head. "That cannot be allowed to happen. The realm talks can continue, and as long as they do so peacefully, I see no reason to subject your daughter, to". He looked away, and grimaced. "Untold, harsh punishments".

Kara had nothing to say. She didn't wish to think on her mother's proposal. She simply stared blankly, at the shōji wall, in front of her.

Tiama stood her ground. "I only suggest this for...".

Then, Kara found the will to speak, her words came out quickly, a torrent of repulsiveness.

"For what, huh, his benefit? So he has someone to screw, make babies with? That isn't what I want, mother". Seething hatred was directed, at her own mother. But, she couldn't keep quiet any longer. Kotal was walking back to the Outworld portal, when Erron ushered him over, to listen. The cowboy hoped that her words would make the emperor see, just how much of a danger he was.

Not to the realm they were in...

...But, to Kara.


"All he does is find excuses to damage me, not just physically too. Hell, I end up the same colour as his warpaint half the time. You think I enjoy that? I am still tethered to that blue piece of shit, and you think I like that too? By the realms, I hate it! Look, I understand why you are saying this mom, but, I can't do it".

Everyone stared, open mouthed at her outburst, but, it could have been worse. They all knew that, if angered, Kara would either cry, or swear repeatedly. This wasn't as bad as it could have been.

"Kara? I'm sorry. Forget I ever said anything. Foolish words, from a foolish mouth, created by a foolish mind. That's all it was".

Kara looked at Tiama and shook her head. She knew Kotal was outside.

"Forgive me everyone. I just, I can't do it. I know I'm being a baby here but, that's just how I deal with things".

She stood up, and bowed to everyone, before maneuvering around them, and to the door of the room.

"You can ask the man himself Mom, he's outside the room, snooping. Though, I suspect it wasn't his plan, to listen in".

She walked away, and brushed past the emperor, who called her name. She ignored him.

The young woman didn't look back.

I refuse to do that. I won't marry someone out of duty. I've loved before, and I know how good it made me feel. Now? I feel nothing but vitriol.

Let me go.


Kara's words bit into the emperor, and the weight of them crushed him.

She'd finally gotten through to him, and he felt terrible.

Derision caused him to damage the one person, who had the gall, to step up, challenge him, and tackle him, both in debate...

...And his heart. He couldn't deny that any longer. The goddess and well and truly wormed her way in there. In the strangest of ways.

Neither courted, as 'normal' people would. Going on dates, exchanging gifts, days of just chatting, nights of drinking, laughter, and silliness.

All they did was maim each other, battle, physically, and debate wise, and make each other suffer.

No, she didn't...

I did.

She did nothing. I take her bravery, and strength for granted. Not many try to outwit me. She tried, and succeeded, multiple times.

I, Kara, stop.

Kotal raced up to Kara, who was creating a portal, to the Heavens.

"Your words, they hold truth. I am sorry, my dear".

Kara muttered. "Stop calling me that. I know you want to hit me, there's just too many witnesses right now".

Kotal rolled his eyes. "I won't ever hurt you again".

The young woman chanted a spell, and her magic swirled around the emperor's head. He cried out, as pain throbbed all over his head and face.

He looked, sad? Pain lanced through his head, and he doubled over, but still did not desist. He grabbed a hold of her hand. "Stop".

Kara blinked, guilt flooded her. But, she didn't feel she could forgive him. Could she ever though? The man was a borderline psychopath sometimes.

She dug her nails into the emperor's hand, and he yelped.

"Leave. Me. Alone, it's that simple".

She stopped hurting him, and walked through the portal.

You won't see me again, Kotal.