Love & War: Legacies

Chapter 18: You Will Learn Respect

Chris and Tanya went to the Wastelands and found Kitana and Jade talking.

'Jade," Tanya whispered.

"You know her?"

"All three of us are from Edenia. Jade loathes me."

"Why?"

Tanya thought for a moment. She couldn't reveal just yet of her betrayal.

"Is this how you show loyalty, Jade?"

"Kitana, I..."

"You follow me when I clearly wish to be alone. Then you upbraid me? I will not be scolded like some child!"

"You need to be careful. I've never seen your father this angry with you. You're the Princess of Outworld. He expects more than this from you."

"I know what he expects."

"We will talk later, when you're in more of a mind to listen."

Jade walks away. Chris came out of hiding. "Jade."

Jade turned around to see him. "Chris. What are you doing here?"

"I was sent by Raiden to find potential allies."

"Was you at the Koliseum?"

"I arrived late. Is Kitana ok?"

"It's a long story. Have you found a ally yet, other than us?"

"I found this woman..." Tanya comes out of hiding. Jade's blood instantly boiled.

"YOU!"

"Jade, I'm not here to fight you..."

"What is the meaning of this? An Earthrealmer in league with a traitor to our realm?"

Chris looked at Tanya. From what Jade just revealed, questions were brewing in his mind.

"You betrayed your home?"

"You didn't know?" Jade asked.

"I was attacked by Kano in the Living Forest. She took me to her campsite to accelerate my recovery. Had I known of this..."

"You took this man to your campsite and treated his injuries? I would think you'd probably kill him, but you did not. What changed?"

Tanya decided to tell the truth. "Since Shang Tsung's tournament, I've been following him."

"You mean stalking him... that would mean..." Jade stopped and realized that Tanya was watching him, even during his time with her and Kitana.

"You were watching us!"

"You did not expect me to believe some Earthrealmer would give both of you pleasure, considering you two were way out of his league."

"You wanted him for yourself, do you?"

"He's an Earthrealmer, is he not? He could have any woman he wants. Knowing that's the case, he could have me."

"I have no interest in someone who's in league with Shao Kahn," said Chris.

Tanya shook her head. "Do you not realize that her and Kitana are in league with the emperor as well?"

"We wanted to help him. We heard what Kano did to his family."

"I am aware. He figured you two would heal his heart through sex?"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

"Face it, Jade. You two couldn't get enough."

"I've heard enough," said Chris as he turned and walked away.

"Stay away from him." Jade catches up to Chris. Tanya smiled and disappears.

"Chris, please understand. We are in league with Shao Kahn, but he does not know of our friendship, me and Kitana both. I fear however that Tanya would reveal this to the emperor and have you killed."

"Story of my life. I get involved with you and Kitana and now I could potentially be a target for assassination. My only purpose was to bring Kano to justice. Now I find myself fearing for my life..." Chris started breaking down. "I'm going home. I can't do this."

"Chris, wait!"

But Chris was already looking for a portal back home, but he stopped and sees Kitana being confronted by Raiden, along with Johnny Cage and Smoke.

"Princess Kitana. I request an audience."

"Earthrealmers! You dare approach me!"

"Look, honey, we're not here to fight," said Cage.

"But we will if we must," said Smoke.

"You will learn respect!"

Smoke and Cage learned the hard way when it was the wrong time to mess with the Princess.

"Shao Kahn wants death to follow kombat. I will give it to him."

"No you will not!"

Chris approaches behind her.

"Chris..."

"I'm ashamed of you and Jade."

"Perhaps Chris was wrong about you," Raiden says. "Perhaps he sensed, as I do. that there's conflict within you. Something whispers to you that circumstances should be different, that you should be different. You are much more like Sindel than..."

Raiden suddenly had a vision, one of Sindel screaming.

"But...she is dead."

"Yes."

"Who is Sindel?" Chris said.

"My mother. She is the Queen of Edenia. She's been dead for 10,000 years."

"I'm sorry..."

"You need answers, Kitana. I can help you if you trust me. Go to Shang Tsung's flesh pits. Much will be revealed there."

"I am forbidden to..."

"Yes, you are. Why is that?"

"I... don't know..."

"You must discover your true path alone."

Kitana looks at Chris. He nodded in agreement.

"Chris, remain in Outworld. I sensed you have doubts of your journey here, but Kano is still on the loose. You cannot give up hope now."

Chris was now put in a difficult position, considering Tanya might still be watching him. With that epiphany, he continues his journey.