Kia, Jataaka and Sareena walk through a corridor of the emperor's fortress, headed for the throne room. Several other of the emperor's soldiers pass them or stand at attention, awaiting for their orders.
Further down the corridor in which they tread, three warriors are dragged and forced ahead by a militia. Kia and Jataaka conversate as Sareena's eyes analyze the prisoners that are being lead through the corridor. She recalls them from the battle on the falling cliffs. A woman draped in violet with a sword to her throat, a man with a bladed hat, but the third is what truly catches her eye; the man she fought against on the mountain that possesses the same abilities of Bi-Han. Even the resemblance is uncanny, despite the thick scar that traces vertically over his right eye. Sareena's eyes follow him as he is led out of the corridor and down a staircase alongside his companions.
"Sareena," Jataaka raises her voice, catching her attention after several attempts.
"Yes," Sareena replies.
"What do you think of Quan Chi's plan?" Jataaka asks, wishing for her input on their current conversation.
"It is splendid," Sareena lies as they begin to ascend a staircase.
"After all of this time, Earthrealm and Outworld shall belong to us," Kia says with pride.
"Do not speak of such so loudly, we are in unfamiliar territory," Jataaka warns her as they land in the corridor which leads to the throne room.
A warrior draped in armor stands in front of the throne room door. As the three approach, he opens the heavy, golden throne room door without question. Sareena leads her allies through the door, ignoring the troop. The trio then enter the throne room and come to the center, directly in front of the emperor's throne chair. The emperor's warriors stand idly by and analyze the trio such as Reptile, Sheeva, Motaro, Ko'atal and Skarlet. The emperor himself stands behind his throne, viewing as the planetary body of Earthrealm unites with that of Outworld's. Reiko does as well, until the three catch his immediate attention. Reiko turns and approaches the women swiftly.
He is without a doubt one of the emperor's top generals. Sareena stands in front of her two allies, allowing her to catch his gaze first. Reiko undoubtedly recognizes them as members of the Brotherhood of Shadow by the markings on their faces and arms. He comes to a stop in front of them.
"What is your purpose here? State your identities," Reiko commands.
"We are here to assist in the invasion of Earthrealm. We have been sent by Quan Chi," Sareena explains.
The emperor overhears her explanation and turns from the fifty foot wide, glass window. He advances toward them slowly.
"You have arrived at a splendid time. You may join in the next assault on Earthrealm. Rally with my forces in the main lobby. There, you shall await for me to enter the realm and seal the merger in place before more of my armies move in," Shao Kahn commands.
"Yes emperor," the trio says in unison.
"Assemble! Prepare for invasion!" the emperor shouts to his main forces.
Shao Kahn's vital warriors get in formation as the three women exit the throne room. They begin to backtrack their steps through the corridor from which they came. Kia, Sareena and Jataaka speed walk through the halls, passing by more of Shao Kahn's forces. Each are armed, draped heavily in armor and equally prepared to engage in kombat with the Earthrealm forces. The three then quickly proceed down the wide, elegant crimson and gold staircase, descending each of the flights. Soon enough they find themselves at the entrance of the main lobby. Hundreds of the emperor's troops stand in rows and others in circles. They are each armed with weapons and engage in conversation as they await their orders. Commotion fills the lobby as the three women enter and stand in a circular formation. Kia and Jataaka begin conversating, yet once again Sareena blocks it out. She overhears a conversation between two warriors behind her.
"Those futile Earthrealmers were captured and brought to the dungeon below," one of them says.
"Such a pathetic effort to breach the emperor's fortress," the other replies.
Jataaka peers at Sareena, taking in her quietness. She believes Sareena to be behaving strangely since they have entered Outworld. As Sareena continues overhearing the troop's conversation, Jataaka alerts Kia of Sareena.
"What is it?" Kia asks Jataaka quietly.
Jataaka directs her eyes to Sareena's form in a concerning gesture. Kia then examines Sareena, whom is zoned out once again.
"Sareena, you have been quite on edge since we have entered this realm. What bothers you?" Kia questions.
Sareena breaks from her eavesdropping and makes eye contact with her ally.
"Can you not feel it?" the specter states.
"Feel what?" Jataaka states.
"Can you not see? This is our opportune moment to escape our fate from the Netherrealm," Sareena explains.
The two gaze at her with confused, wide eyes.
"By lord Shinnok," Jataaka sighs.
"Lord Shinnok and Quan Chi are preparing the spell, they will not expect us to act so quickly," Sareena adds.
"We cannot betray Quan Chi, he will surely end us," Kia counters. "Even if we were successful, you are a specter. You are bound to Shinnok even more than we are."
"Our humanoid appearance will not hold itself without the sorcery of Quan Chi, Sareena. Fragile beings such as Earthrealmers will only fear what we truly are," Jataaka inputs.
"I would much rather be feared and hated than remain the slave of a fallen Elder God and his lapdog sorcerer!" Sareena raises her voice against the commotion.
Her two companions face her in shock.
"Where is this sudden disloyalty coming from?" Kia questions.
"No, if you two shall not take opportunity into your own hands it is fine. However, I refuse to waste my own," Sareena replies just before running off.
"Sareena!" Kia and Jataaka call after her.
Sareena picks up the pace, entering the corridor once more. As if out of instinct, she heads for the dungeon.
IN EARTHREALM
The special forces continue to kombat the invading Outworld forces in various areas across Earthrealm. Skyscrapers fall from the sky, planes soar through the air and the emperor's warriors raid homes. The souls of many have already been claimed by the soulnado, leaving behind lifeless, docile bodies.
Sonya and Johnny Cage battle together, fending off the Tarkatans to the best of their abilities. Several feet away, Jax and Stryker kombat the emperor's army. A white beam of light appears from the atmosphere, landing near Sonya as she utilizes her garrote attached to her wrist-com to cut of the breathing pattern of her opponent from behind. She kicks the back of her opponent's knee and tightens the force on the garrote greatly just before beheading him. Sonya then allows the headless Tarkatan to fall to the ground. Johnny Cage backs her up as she faces the beam of light in curiosity. Nightwolf emerges from the light, causing it to dissipate around his form. He then spawns a glowing, green axe into his right hand and tosses it harshly toward one of the emperor's approaching soldiers. It slices the soldier's throat cleanly, bringing him crashing to the ground. Nightwolf wastes no time in turning back to Sonya.
"The soulnado has been thwarted, however it has already taken most of Earthrealm's souls. Lord Raiden is still placing citizens in his sky temple for safety. As for us, we must defend this area!" Nightwolf announces.
Johnny Cage throws a Tarkatan to the ground swiftly, allowing Sonya to stomp on the foe, ending its life swiftly.
"That's fine by me, these son's of bitches aren't taking my realm without a fight," she states with determination filling her blue eyes.
Nightwolf falls into his stance near the two.
"Right, let's fight five hundred more sharp teeth, blade-arm-mutant thingies! Where the hell are all these things coming from anyways huh!? Straight from the womb!?" Johnny Cage complains.
Sonya sighs as she widens the length of her garret by pulling it apart, preparing herself for the next wave of enemies.
IN THE SKY TEMPLE
Mileena, Tanya and Smoke now stand in the center level corridor of the sky temple. They have covered dozens upon dozens of floors, searching for any sign of the kamidogu, though they have failed thus far. They now pause their kamidogu pursuit and take a breather in a rather dark area of the corridor in which they stand, the only torchin sight. Tanya leans against a wall in the wide corridor.
"Perhaps Sindel was misinformed. It could not possibly be this elusive," the Edenian beauty suggests.
Mileena considers her beloved's words as she holds the medium, illuminating orb in her hands. She leans against the wall opposite of Tanya as Smoke comes to a rest at her side. Mileena begins to brainstorm her options. Smoke eyes the orb, which to his surprise suddenly illuminates even brighter. Mileena's eyes also widen at this.
"What in the name of Shinnok?" Smoke states.
Mileena peers at him with annoyed eyes.
"Really?" she thinks.
"Too soon?" he thinks in reply to her with a grin.
She chuckles as Tanya also spots the almost too bright orb. Smoke's eyes meet the wall behind her. Ancient writings illuminate in the same fashion as the orb, blocked by Mileena's form. Smoke then points to the wall.
"There, the writings. That may assist us in finding the kamidogu," he states.
Mileena quickly moves from the wall and turns to meet the sketchings. The luminous carvings shine even brighter, and they each examine the wall.
"Maybe you are not as useless as you seem. I now see why Mileena allows such vermin to keep breathing," Tanya sarcastically mocks Smoke.
He narrows his eyes at Tanya as she begins closing the distance between herself and the wall. Her hands brush over the illuminated etchings.
"I can read this...it is ancient Edenian," she announces.
Mileena and Smoke stand as their eyes stay trained to the wall before them. Tanya then begins to voice the words aloud slowly. To Mileena's surprise she understands the words as they are spoken, however the calligraphy is challenging for Mileena to understand. It has been years since the emperor inforced the ability to read and write in ancient Edenian upon she and Kitana.
Tanya's words come to a stop and as if immediately, the wall begins to divert and neatly collapse, sinking into the floors of the sky temple. To each of their surprise, there lies the kamidogu itself, resting upon a glass holder. It is a circular, ivory and gold yin yang artifact that shines bright. It is smaller than the orb, however it seems to have already activated the orb's abilities. Mileena comes closer to Tanya's side in awe as they both step into the mysterious room. Their eyes land on the kamidogu in unison, just before meeting each other's eyes. The two exchange smiles of relief as Tanya's hand caresses Mileena's cheek.
"We've done it," Tanya's voice is unmistakably laced with relief.
"After all of this time…" Mileena is also filled with joy.
Smoke crosses his arms as he glares Tanya down. Tanya sends a quick devious grin toward him, going unnoticed to Mileena who takes the kamidogu into her free hand. With the realm's orb in one hand and the kamidogu in the other, Mileena, for the first time in a very long time, feels at victory. However, this is only one third of her desires. Mileena turns to Tanya with rather blank eyes and hands her the medium orb along with the kamidogu. She already makes her mental decision.
"Dearest Tanya...take these artifacts and return to Outworld. Await there for my return, but postpone Vaeternus's and Edenia's unmerger."
Tanya's soft gaze turns into one of shock and misunderstanding.
"What? Why?" she questions Mileena.
"I must await here for the arrival of Kitana and take my revenge. Afterwards I plan to take revenge against my false father," Mileena states.
Even Smoke's expression shows one of shock. Tanya places the orb back onto the suspended chain link on her waist and places the kamidogu on her sash belt, securing it in place. Tanya's posture then hardens.
"You mean to venture on a suicide quest when we just successfully completed a plan we have been considering to put in action for several millennia?" Tanya inquires. "How do you plan to take your vengeance and then capture Outworld without the assistance of Edenia?"
Mileena frowns slightly at her forwardness, but understands where it is coming from.
"How do you plan to maintain Edenia without the assistance of Outworld? The emperor would surely raid Edenia before it can recover, I must be certain he cannot," Mileena counters.
"Not just that, you are venturing on two vengeance quests! Who is to say Kitana will not weaken you before you even receive the chance to challenge the emperor?" Tanya's voice is laced with worry.
"You must trust that I am willing and able. To capture Outworld, I must be certain that my false father's death is swift," Mileena explains.
"The two realms are merging as we speak, Mileena! The emperor will set foot in Earthrealm shortly and once the two realms become one, what will happen then?!"
"I shall be alongside Mileena. Unlike you, I will not allow harm to come to her," Smoke says spitefully.
"Your puny abilities could not possibly assist Mileena for the vengeance in which she seeks!" Tanya shouts to Smoke.
"Do not underestimate–"
"Silence mortal!" Tanya interrupts as she turns back to Mileena. "Mileena, we began this plan together as one, not you and this pathetic Earthrealmer! Was your first death not enough?"
Mileena sighs. She never wished for Tanya to worry so greatly about her, especially now that their plans have succeeded.
"Dearest Tanya…" Mileena caresses her face, causing a spark of jealousy to flow over Smoke. "You knew from the beginning how I yearned to exact my revenge. This is my opportunity...you have achieved what you desired. Now, allow me to do the same."
Tanya's hardened gaze softens once again. It takes her a moment, but she nods, agreeing to Mileena's terms.
"Should I not return before sunrise…" Mileena starts.
"No, do not–"
"Dearest Tanya please listen. Should I not return before sunrise, it means I was unsuccessful in my attempts. Should that happen, do not further postpone the unmerger. Contact Nitara and revive Edenia and Vaeternus without me," Mileena strongly commands.
Tanya swallows her pride. Should something happen to Mileena she would not forgive herself. It was difficult enough forcing herself to leave Mileena's side long ago. Now that she has been resurrected and their long term desires are at the tips of their fingers, losing Mileena could prove to be even more devastating than before. However, she cannot deny Mileena her vengeance. Realizing Mileena's decisioning is for the better, Tanya inches closer and presses her lips to Mileena's. Smoke's body tenses and he finds himself charging forward. He steps between the two, interrupting Tanya's move and angrily facing her.
"You have ventured far enough," he warns.
Tanya places her hands on her hips as she chuckles at his actions, receiving the exact reaction she wished from him. Mileena finds her thoughts in conflict once more as she peers at Tanya from behind Smoke's form.
"Such a pity. You believe she would dedicate herself to a mere mortal?" Tanya grins.
Mileena is left speechless. Her thoughts run rampant and she watches as Tanya vanishes, leaving behind a luminous, golden-like dust. Smoke turns his attention back to Mileena. Mileena's eyes examine his light brown, almost gray eyes; eyes that alone question the loyalty of Mileena, causing her to be at war with her thoughts once more. Smoke's lips part, yearning to speak and break the silence.
"...Do you love her?" he asks painfully.
This question strikes Mileena hard. She never intended any of what has happened to her within the last two days to occur. Nor did she ever expect Tanya to return or to recall who Smoke was. However, with Mileena's recollection fully restored, she recalls all of which Smoke has done for her in comparison with Tanya. Tanya, Mileena's first experiences of cherishing someone other than herself started with her. Tanya was always there, until Mileena's naive actions drove her away for the rest of her original life. Though she may have known Tanya longer, had it not been for Smoke she would not have questioned her false father's true intentions, she would have probably never discovered the truths of her origin and she would have never broken her oath in attempts to make amends with Kitana, despite it costing her life. Smoke did more than merely make her feel, he made her...the warrior she is today. Though she cannot deny that the same feeling, even if slightly lesser, did not originate with Tanya.
"I do…" Mileena admits.
Smoke peers at the ground in disappointment. As if that pest Rain was not enough to drive Smoke up the wall when it came to Mileena's affection.
"However, she is not who I intend to spend the rest of my days with," she adds.
These words cause Smoke to face Mileena once more with eyes inquiring if she is certain. However, glimpses of her thoughts come into his mind, reassuring him without words that she is certain of such. This brings a light smile to his face, feeling relieved that Tanya did not change Mileena's mind about him. Mileena returns his smile and then wraps her arms around him. She sighs of relief as he holds her tighter.
"I have fought for you this long, and I shall continue to do so. You and Sub-Zero are all have in this life. There is no more alliance with the Lin Kuei, no more family and there may not even be an Earthrealm after tonight. But, as long as I have you, that is enough to power me for the rest of my existence," Smoke says, meaning every word.
Mileena pulls away and glimpses into his eyes. She faces him in shock, but contentment as she begins recalling the day she pledged her allegiance to Smoke and Earthrealm.
"I want to join Earthrealm," Mileena decides.
His entire facial expression screams with joy as his hand caresses the side of her face.
"Really? Are you sure?" he asks.
Mileena smiles at him.
"Once someone discovers Rain's body, I am as good as dead if I remain in Outworld," Mileena replies. "And...I do not wish to leave you," she admits.
He smiles at her with more joy than she has ever seen out of him.
"I do not want to leave you either," Smoke says as his face inches closer to hers again. "I don't ever want to leave you," he adds.
Mileena out of instinct finds herself pressing her lips against his once more. She cherishes the moment, for she knows plenty of hardships shall soon spawn. She slowly pulls away, capturing his full attention and maintaining it.
"That same goes for me," she vows.
Smoke smiles at this, knowing that this time, things shall be different. The fate of the worlds are in their hands, but first things first. He gently grabs hold of her hands, locking them in his.
"So, who is your first target?" he asks her as they maintain deep eye contact.
Mileena grins at the mere thought.
"Kitana."