Chapter 14: The Shokan
Just weeks after Shao Kahn's failed attempt to conquer Earthrealm Kitana is found inside of the courtyard sparring with Jade with intensity. A inner rage that she had never seen from the princess before. Intensity that Jade quickly picks up on as she dodges Kitana's attacks. Once she feels herself being launched off her feet and falls to the ground Jade looks up to see Kitana kneeling next to her with a fan next to her throat.
" Do you yield?"
As she looks up towards Kitana's face Jade gives her a small smile before she gives her a small nod.
" I yield Princess."
Retracting her fan Kitana slowly rises to her feet as she extends a hand out towards Jade before seconds later she helps her protector to her feet.
" I am impressed Princess. You have improved greatly these last couple of weeks."
" I know. I can feel my abilities improving everyday. But they are still not good enough. I have to become stronger."
" From your encounter with Shang Tsung's creation i presume?"
" Yes. When i was fighting her it was like, I was fighting against myself. I saw every flaw in my fighting style. Every opening that i gave away to my opponent. I will not allow that to happen again."
Kitana slowly walks away from the courtyard towards the palace as Jade follows after her.
" What news do you have of our forces?"
" Although we are making progress we are losing many warriors in the process. Our forces with the help of the zaterrians have cleared Shao Kahn's forces away from Zaterra. However that is as far as our forces have advanced. We are having trouble invading Outworld any further."
" Then maybe it is time to even the odds."
Jade gives Kitana a confused look as she tries to figure out what she means when suddenly her eyes widen.
" You mustn't Princess."
" It is the only way Jade to even the odds."
" But Princess there is no telling what he will do if you meet with him. He was chosen by Shao Kahn himself to serve as Outworld's champion in the Mortal Kombat tournaments. His loyalty is to the emperor. There is no telling what he will do."
" I won't be going alone. If it came down to it i'm more than confident my husband will be able to defeat the prince of the shokan race."
" So am i. I am also confident that Kuai will be able to defeat Goro in Mortal Kombat but there is no way we would be able to guarantee your safety."
" Kuai always looks out for me. I will be fine."
" Princess?"
" If you can send a messenger out to the kingdom of Kuatan to inform them my husband and I will be arriving soon with a proposal, I would be most grateful."
Jade gives Kitana a nod as she slowly walks away in the opposite direction of Kitana.
Just hours later Kitana and Sub Zero slowly make their way underground towards the kingdom of Kuatan. An underground kingdom surrounded by lava. As they see a shokan guard approaching Sub Zero and Kitana come to a stop as they see the shokan guard looking towards Kitana before he nods his head to the side and slowly leads them through the kingdom. As they look around Kitana and Sub Zero can't help but be amazed at what they see. A small village inside of the caves that looked like Edenia's own with a large palace in the distance. As they near the palace and pass by a large statue of Prince Goro along with many other shokan warriors in the courtyard Kitana and Sub Zero can't help but glance around to see every shokan's eyes on them before they slowly follow after the shokan guard into the palace.
Once they hear the palace doors closing behind them slowly Kitana and Sub Zero follow after the shokan guard as they glance around the palace's walls seeing ancient markings showing the shokan race's greatest conquests including a picture of what deems to be Goro standing over the defeated Kung Lao. Turning back forward Kitana and Sub Zero are slowly lead into a large throne room where an empty throne chair on top of a small platform is found. As they turn back towards the shokan guard and see him slowly make his way out of the throne room Kitana and Sub Zero slowly walk around the throne room by each other's sides.
As she looks at every marking on the walls suddenly Kitana's eyes widen when she sees a marking on the wall that resembles Shao Kahn's conquest of Edenia. A picture of a shokan warrior over the body of a fallen edenian warrior.
" Ahh King Jared. A most formable opponent."
As she looks at every marking on the walls suddenly Kitana's eyes widen when she sees a marking on the wall that resembles Shao Kahn's conquest of Edenia. A picture of a shokan warrior over the body of a fallen edenian warrior. Suddenly a voice says aw King Jared. A most formable opponent. Kitana turns around away from the markings on the wall to see Goro on top of the small structure as he makes his way towards his throne chair. Kitana watches Goro sit down in his throne chair as she walks forward with Sub Zero by her side with her eyes never leaving the shokan prince for a single second.
" You knew my father?"
" Only in combat. He was a formable fighter. Fought with honor until the very end. What brings you here to my kingdom hmm?"
" I offer you an alliance between Edenia and Kuatan."
Suddenly Kitana's eyes widen when she hears Goro letting out a small laugh from his throne chair.
" Do you now Princess? And what does Kuatan have to gain by siding with you hmm?"
" Freedom."
" I have my freedom Princess. With the promise by the emperor if i am to participate in Mortal Kombat when i'm summoned Kuatan has it's freedom."
" What you are speaking isn't true freedom. When you look all around you may think this is your kingdom but you are mistaken. What i see is a kingdom ruled by Shao Kahn. A kingdom that is full of great warriors that are nothing but slaves to the emperor with a prince that is called like a whipped dog."
Sub Zero takes a step forward when he sees Goro lean out of his throne chair and stops once he reaches Kitana's eyes before he looks up towards the shokan prince with intensity in his eyes.
" You come here and dare insult not only me but my people!?"
" It needed to be said. You are a great warrior and a prince that holds the respect of your people. If you would just lead them into battle they would follow you. Lead them to freedom. Together we can accomplish this. You can go down in history as the shokan prince that lead his race to freedom. To have your name be remembered until the end of time."
Goro leans back in his throne chair as he stares down towards Kitana and Sub Zero.
" I have kept a watchful eye over you for many years Princess. I have always known you were seeking revenge for your King Jared's death at the hands of the emperor in secret. I knew one day this day would come when you would lead Edenia to war against Outworld. However what i did not expect was to see fear come from the emperor towards the warrior standing by your side."
" What do you mean?"
" I have been given instructions in the event of your capture by my forces that i'm to bring you to the emperor myself. However when it came to the warrior beside you, I was to kill him on sight without hesitation."
As he sees Goro rise out of his throne chair Sub Zero gently pushes Kitana behind him before he sees Goro staring down directly at him.
" I propose a proposition to you. If your champion can defeat me in Mortal Kombat then you will have Kuatan's aid in the war. However if your champion falls you will be delivered to Shao Kahn."
Sub Zero glances over his shoulder towards Kitana seeing her giving him a nod before he looks back over towards Goro.
" I accept your challenge."
Sub Zero and Kitana take a couple of steps back as Goro jumps down from the small platform before slowly Sub Zero and Goro circle around each other. Suddenly in a flash Sub Zero slides over towards Goro on a sheet of ice underneath his feet and delivers a powerful punch into Goro's chest causing the shokan prince to go flying back to the ground back first with a thud. As he slowly retracts his fist Sub Zero watches Goro slowly rising up to his feet before he slowly circles around Goro as he sees him doing the same.
Suddenly as he sees Goro firing a green fireball from one of his arms Sub Zero jumps up and spins in the air as the fireball soars past him into one of the throne room's wall before as he lands on his feet he is sent flying to the ground a couple of feet away when Goro comes spinning towards him connecting with an outstretched arm. Landing on the ground with a thud Sub Zero shakes his head as he hears Goro letting out a roar when suddenly he watches Goro jump high up into the air before he rolls away just in time to avoid Goro stomping down towards him. Leaping back to his feet Sub Zero hears Goro letting out another roar before he is sent off his feet once again when Goro slams his arms down to the ground causing a shockwave to occur throughout the throne room. Jumping to his feet Sub Zero quickly charges forward towards Goro as he sees Goro charging towards him when suddenly Sub Zero sends a flying punch towards Goro's face that connects before he sends a spinning kick sending the shokan prince to the ground back first.
As he sees Goro making it to his feet without giving him anytime to react Sub Zero sends kick after kick into Goro's chest and arms causing the shokan prince to slowly back up before in a sudden move Sub Zero jumps down and delivers a low spinning kick knocking the shokan prince off his feet. Leaping to his feet as he jumps back a few feet Sub Zero hears Goro groaning from the ground before he rears back and starts to focus his ice powers. Slowly as he makes an ice ball suddenly Sub Zero stops when he sees Kitana approaching him from his side before he feels her putting her hand gently on his shoulder as she shakes her head.
Once she sees Sub Zero retract his hands and the ball of ice disappear Kitana gives him a small smile before she looks over to see Goro on one knees as she hears him breathing heavily.
" I can see now why the emperor fears you. You are truly a great warrior. A warrior that i will be honored to follow into combat."
Goro slowly arises to his feet before he turns towards Kitana and gives her a nod.
" You will have Kuatan's aid Princess Kitana."
Kitana gives Goro a nod as she grabs Sub Zero's hand before she slowly leads Sub Zero out of the throne room.