Outworld was a dark, and cold enviorment. The streets were filled with lunatics, and vicious Tarkatan monsters. These horrific monsters would chase down the Edenian slaves who were brought to Outworld thousands of years ago when the peaceful realm of Edenia was merged with Outworld. Small fires had broken out across the rubble filled streets. The cries of women, and children could be heard for miles, as well as the shouts of tortured men. In the distance of all the chaos was a large castle gaurded by hundreds of four armed warriors called the Shokan. A large force of Tarkatan warriors were marching through an abandoned sand path that led to the castle. At the head of the Tarkatan forces were two men riding horses. A large carrage was being dragged behind them by another group of horses. One of the men leading the charge was looking up at the dark, purple sky. He seemed to be lost in thought. The man in front of him turned around to look at him.
"Kotal, stay focused." The man said warmly. The man then turned back around. Kotal was a beefy man, who had tatoos scattered across his body. He had long black hair, and was wearing heavy armor. His skin was a pale shade of white.
"A shame Baraka did not survive the tournament. He was a good leader." Kotal said aloud.
"He was careless. He let his guard slip. Something we cannot affored to do if we want to merge Outworld with Earthrealm." The man in front of him said calmly.
"I still don't understand why we had to have all these Tarkatans with us. The emperor knows you and I can protect the princesses by ourselves." Kotal said looking back at the carrage not far behind him.
"He doesn't trust Shang Tsung. I can't say I blame him. He seemes to have his own agenda." The man said looking quickly at the orange moon, and then back at the trail.
"You don't seriously think he could dethrone Shao Kahn do you, Reiko?" Kotal asked the man.
"No, but our lord is weary of the alliance Shang Tsung has made with Shinnok. I have worked with Shinnok in the past. I know what he can do. He is not someone you want as an enemy." Reiko said calmly. Reiko ran his hand through his short black hair. He was wearing heavy armor with skull designs, and shoulder spikes. His eyes glowed white, and were surrounded by a black face tatoo that spread from his forhead to his cheek bones.
"Ah yes, I remember your stories of Shinnok. The former Elder God who was banished to the Neatherrealm forever." Spoke Kotal.
"He is agressive, and very clever. He knows more about this world then all of us in Outworld combined including Shao Kahn. He taught me a lot of things while I was in his service." Reiko spoke seriously. The horses eventually made their way to a large gate where a large Shokan with orange, black stripped fur was standing with his arms crossed. Reiko halted his horse right in front of him.
"How did it go?" The beast asked.
"I cannot discuss anything until I speak with our lord first, Kintaro." Reiko said looking deep into Kintaro's yellow, cat like eyes. Kintaro gave a stiff nod, and the large gate behind him opened. Reiko, and Kotal led the horses through the gate. As they entered the castle the Tarkatans begain to separate from the march. They went to their assigned positions throughout the castle.
"Kotal, get Kitana, and Mileena from the carrage." Reiko ordered. Kotal came down off his horse, and made his way to the carrage. He opened the door to see two identical women sitting, talking to each other. They both were wearing identical gowns though they were both different colors. The first woman to leave the carrage was wearing blue, while the one that followed was wearing pink. They both walked past Kotal, and stood in front of Reiko.
"We are ready to see our father." The woman in blue said, as she flung her long black hair. Reiko nodded. The four of them walked past Centaurs, Shokans, Tarkantans, and many other creatures until they reached a large door to a massive tower that looked as though it reached the dead sky of Outworld. When they entered they saw a wonderful sight. The floor was made of beautiful white marble. The walls were decorated with meaningful portraits, and unique weaponry. Another large door stood in the way. The woman in blue opened it, and the two identical looking women stepped through it. Kotal made his way to the door but was stopped by Reiko's soft touch.
"Wait out here, Kotal." Reiko said quietly.
"Why?" Kotal asked.
"This is a meeting between high ranking officals. Shao Kahn would be displeased with both of us should I let you in." Reiko whispered. Kotal nodded and started making his way back to the tower's exterior. Reiko turned, and followed the princesses. They reached a large room that had a long red carpet that stretched across the floor. A small, fancy fire pit was lit in the center of the room. Just beyond the fire pit was a marble throne. Sitting in the throne was a massive, ripped man, who was wearing armor more advanced, but slightly similar to Reiko's, and a helmet that had a skeleton face that cut off at his nose. He was sitting relaxed with two guards on either side of him. Reiko, and the two princesses surrounded his throne. The man saw them, and ordered his guards out of the room.
"What news have you heard from Shang Tsung?" The man asked. His voice was rough and deep.
"Father, Baraka and Reptile were defeated by members of Raiden's Earthrealm force." The woman in blue said bitterly. The man took off his helemet and took a deep breath. His head had small spikes coming from the top, and his eyes glew a dark shade of red.
"Were they both killed in combat?" The man asked. He seemed to care very little.
"Baraka was slain, but Reptile has returned back to the castle." The woman in blue said looking into her fathers eyes. The sitting man nodded.
"After this meeting is through, send Reptile to the tourture room." The man said simply.
"What! Must you tourture him?" The woman in blue asked sounding outraged.
"That pet of yours must learn it's lesson, Kitana." The woman in pink said across to her sister.
"He is not a pet, Mileena!" Kitana shouted. Shao Kahn looked at Kitana.
"Failure is not an option. Reptile must be made an example of for dishonoring me at the tournament." He said sounding emotionless. Kitana stared down at the ground.
"Mileena, Kitana." Shao Kahn said aloud. "You are dismissed." Both Kitana, and Mileena made their way up a flight of nearby stairs, and dissapeared onto a upper level. Shao Kahn turned to Reiko.
"Did you see anything strange going on at the tournament?" Shao Kahn asked calmly. "Any signs of deception from Shang Tsung?"
"He has informed me that the alliance between him and Shinnok is to aid both parties. I had seen him talking with Quan Chi as we arrived at our meeting place at the Kove." Reiko spoke slowly.
"I am weary of this agreement between the two. By your words they seem to be forming a strong relationship if Quan Chi was with him at the Kove." Shao Kahn said rubbing his chin.
"They seemed to be discussing the Netherrealm's champion Scorpion and his opponets in the tournament. Nothing relating to anything else." Reiko relayed.
"Still doesn't mean they haven't talked behind closed doors. Reiko I have a job for you." Shao Kahn said standing up. He walked over to stand close to his fire pit. He stared into the flames.
"I have lost my trust in Shang Tsung. He needs to be kept an eye on. I will be sending you to the tournament to keep that eye pressed on him." He said turning his head slowly to catch Reiko's eyes.
"What of my duties?" Reiko asked with his eyes wide.
"Kintaro can manage to do a decent job in your abscence." Shao Kahn smiled as he looked back at the flickering flames.
"You make sure Shang Tsung does his job and soon Earthrealm will be ours." He laughed evily.
"I will report to Shang Tsung's island right away emperor." Reiko spoke quickly as he started walking torwards the throne room door.
"Reiko, I have one more thing!" Shao Kahn called out to him. Reiko turned to look at his lord.
"With Baraka's death I am down a general. That apprentice of yours, do you believe he could be capable of preforming Baraka's former duties?" Shao Kahn asked, still staring at the flames. Reiko smiled slightly.
"I believe he would do better then Baraka ever could." Reiko said proudly.
"Well then tell the Osh-Tekk that he has been promoted to general of the Tarkantans." Shao Kahn spoke with a wide grin. Reiko nodded and walked out of the throne room.
"General of the Tarkatans. I am honored." Kotal said smiling. He and Reiko were walking through the castle grounds.
"Your responsibilities are doubled now. Remember that." Reiko said warningly.
"I will. I still can't believe our lord is sending you to the tournament." Kotal said looking at Reiko, who turned to meet his eyes.
"I do whatever the emperor asks of me. I will be in no danger. I am not fighting, you however could be in some very deep shit." Reiko said smiling.
"Why's that?" Kotal looked confused.
"The Tarkatan are bound to be livid that an Osh-Tekk is leading their division instead of another Tarkatan. Not to mention a young Osh-Tekk." Reiko laughed.
"Don't worry, if they disrespect me I will just send them to you for punishment when you return." Kotal replied also laughing. The two of them reached the castle gates.
"A few more things. Do whatever Kintaro asks of you. He is filling in for me while i'm away, also make sure you preform your duties correctly. You have some slack due to my friendship with our lord, but only so much. If you slip up horribly I won't be able to save your ass like I did back at the Wasteland years ago." Reiko explained to Kotal.
"I understand Reiko, I am aware of the rules. It seems you believe I will fail." Kotal said looking at his mentor closely.
"If I thought you a failure I wouldn't have stuck my neck out for you the day I met you when you were a little boy." Reiko said placing a hand on Kotal's shoulder.
"I will always remember that day, Reiko." Kotal said placing his head down.
"Now I am sure you have your new duties to attend to. You shouldn't put them off just to speak with me. I will see you when I return. Prove to Shao Kahn that you have what to takes to be an unstoppable leader." Reiko said grabbing a horse and mounting it. Reiko's horse took off sprinting down the sand path that led to the villages in the distance. Kotal watched as Reiko's body became smaller and smaller as he got further down the path. Kotal then turned around, and begain his short walk torwards the Tarkatan camp.