Nature Calls
Chan, Mileena, Kira, and Kobra convene at a restaurant in Kabukicho. It had been a long day for them all. However, their effort—or lack thereof—brought the four of them together again since the battle against Quan Chi 15 years ago. A lot has changed over the years for them all.
"I never thought we would dine with the empress of Outworld," Kira commented.
"This is only as a token of my appreciation to the Earthrealmer," Mileena responded.
"Everyone here is an Earthrealmer," Chan chuckled. Mileena looked away as the others snickered. "So, the two of you left the Shaolin Temple?"
"Without you, Raiden, Lui…Lui Kang, and Kung Lao…we didn't really have much of a choice," Kobra responded.
"What of the other monks at the Temple of Light?"
"The Elders rejected us after learning of what occurred that day. We did catch up to Bo Rai Cho for a while, but after Shang Tsung's murder, he disappeared along with many others."
"He returned to Outworld as a permanent resident," Mileena muttered.
"You know Master Bo Rai Cho?" Kira asked.
"He is a resident of Outworld, Kira. Did you forget?" Kobra said.
"He was in Earthrealm years before the 10th Tournament. It was Li Mei who visited us from Outworld," she confirmed.
"That's a name I haven't heard in a while," Mileena commented. Kira frowned. "Was she also a member of the—"
"What made you two decide to raid the Red Dragon Headquarters alone?" Chan interrupted. Mileena looked away once more muttering to herself.
"It was the perfect opportunity. Believe it or not, a vampire approached us requesting our assistance to raid the place in exchange for transferring their assets to the Black Dragon." Kira stated.
"Nitara…" Mileena whispered.
"Her name was Ciero. Would you know her Empress?" Kobra asked.
"No."
"Besides her, we also had Kenshi leading his son and another young woman into the hideout. Couple that with Tanya and some of the new Black Dragon recruits and you have an unstoppable force."
"Tanya…" Mileena whispered. She stood up from the table. "I shall remain outside until you are ready, Shaolin," Mileena stated as she left the diner.
"Was it something I said?" Kobra asked.
"She's had a long day is all," Chan responded. "Now that she's gone, I want to know what really happened," he demanded. Kira sighed.
"Thanks to Knightwolf, the other Brotherhood recruits were revived using the souls of people from her past, while Eva kept their actual souls using Shinnok's real amulet. Knightwolf was left in charge of the amulet and had to figure the rest out on her own," she explained.
"So, Tesla's spell actually did end after Knightwolf killed her. They lied," Chan stated.
"She mentioned it to us after the Tournament. She brought them to the Temple after the tournament was over, but the monks rejected them…and soon after rejected us for our transgressions. We all had nowhere left to go."
"We went through so many rehabilitation and juvenile justice programs in America, but still struggled to help them all. Old habits started to resurface until I had a run-in with Johnny and Sonya. Kabal rescued me and initiated me in the Black Dragon Clan. When I returned to Kira and the remaining recruits, I gave them the choice of going to the Special Forces Rehab Program or joining the Black Dragon Clan," Kobra stated.
"I…didn't know it was that bad," Chan commented.
"The Black Dragon are very different these days, Chan. We're more like Robin Hood," Kira stated.
"These young adults are our new priority. We're not meant to protect Earthrealm like Raiden wanted."
"I understand," Chan stated. "I trust you two to keep them safe."
*Back at Knightwolf's Village*
Knightwolf conjures her spirit bow and quickly fires an arrow towards Nitara. The speed of the vampire proved too quick for her as she appeared behind her. At the same speed, Reptile reaches for Nitara's right eye with her claws. Nitara quickly moves her head to dodge the saurian. She grabs his arm and shoves her fist into his stomach. The impact knocks the wind out of him. He falls to the ground in intense pain as he struggles to gasp for air. Knightwolf finally turns around and sees what had occurred in a matter of seconds.
"When did you…" before Knightwolf could finish, Nitara kicks her rib cage. She was able to conjure an incomplete spirit armor around the area, but it did not stop the impact from knocking her to the ground. Nitara hovers over Knightwolf. She flies a few yards into the air and darts directly into the ground slamming the heels of her feet into Knightwolf. The Shaman's cries echoed throughout the village.
"Ah ha ha ha ha! Your scream is marvelous, shaman!" Nitara shouted. She jumps much higher into the air and slams into the young woman once more. She wails again, but not as loudly due to the blood curdling in her throat. Nitara prepares to slam into her once more, only to be stopped by a jet of acid that nearly strikes her.
"Reptile you may be the strongest of us, but it will serve us best if you focus on the others," Khameleon stated. Reptile nodded as he raised himself from the ground.
"You are neither as fast nor as resilient as Reptile. Are you trying to sacrifice yourself in his stead?" Nitara asked.
"You have never seen me in kombat, Nitara," she responded. "I am no mere child. I am Khameleon."
"Khameleon…?" Nitara whispered. "Where have I heard that name before?" Khameleon looks at Knightwolf's slowly reviving body. She turns her attention to the window where Aylin and her family were watching.
"There's only one way you'll stop her, Knightwolf," she stated. Nitara darted towards the woman. She was immediately kicked in the face before she could touch her. As Nitara regained her balance landing on the ground, she clawed at Khameleon's face. Khameleon guarded against her attacks and quickly jams a dagger in her throat. She drags it down until it reaches the bottom of her stomach before pulling it away. Nitara falls over dead.
"Nitara!" Ciero shouted from afar. She dashes towards Khameleon, only to get struck by one of Knightwolf's arrows. She was fortunate enough to get struck in her shoulder. Knightwolf rises on her feet, still feeling disoriented by Nitara's attack.
"What did you say, Khameleon?" she asked.
"I said you know there's only one way you'll stop her. She's not dead."
"How do you know? Ingesting blood is not the same as consuming one's soul," Knightwolf stated.
"They use a technique called the Blood Code. Essentially, it is a contract between them and those they bite. The victim receives an increase in power and in return their vitality is at the mercy of the Vampire who bit them. I am uncertain of the extent of these powers or how many people each of them is limited to. However, there is a limit seeing as my scouts have witnessed that Nitara's number is at ten."
"So, each time we kill her…"
"Yes, someone else dies in her place." Khameleon confirmed. Knowing they killed her once, they only needed to repeat the process ten more times."
Nitara's wounds start to regenerate as blood begins to form around her. Knightwolf was surprised just as her family was. She realized that her family had snuck out of the house trying to escape from the chaos. That decision proved to cause more problems than the family could handle as a few of the vampires assaulted them. Thankfully, the few members of the Locust clan made it their duty to protect the family at all costs, though her family was able to somewhat hold their own.
"This will cost us time we simply do not have," Knightwolf states. She digs into her breast pocket and grabs the medallion of the Great Kung Lao.
"That medallion…" Khameleon pondered.
"Forgive me, Elder Gods. I said I would not use this irresponsibly, but Aylin's life is my only priority. I cannot do this on my own." Knightwolf directs the medallion towards the moon. The Medallion glistened in the night sky as its appearance was reflected on the moon.
*North Carolina State University*
Kai conversed with the students at the University about the ways of the Shaolin as well as the history of the Mortal Kombat tournaments. The students seemed to be mildly interested in his speech with many of them asking him various questions about the validity of the tournaments and how they relate to space exploration. Kai turns his head to the window and notices the Dragon Symbol reflected on the moon.
"Are you ok?" one of the assistants asked. Kai remained silent as he wondered what the symbol meant. "Kai…" she continued. He snaps back to reality. Looking around the room, he notices that no one else could see the symbol reflecting on the moon. This was the first time in 500 years that the signal would need to be broadcasted to the White Lotus Society. It must have been urgent for such a call to come through.
"I will have to end this session early. I have an urgent matter to handle," he stated. The Shaolin bowed as the students praised him for his lecture.
*The Temple of Elements*
Fujin continues his game of chess with the Water Lord as the other elemental lords spectated. As Fujin prepared to make his next move, he recognized the Dragon Symbol on the moon. He immediate arose from his seat.
"It seems I am needed," he stated.
"It would've been checkmate either way," the Water Lord responded.
"I can finish the match for you and get the victory," the Earth Lord responded.
"What? Where?"
"We all see it," the Fire Lord bragged.
"Show him for me," Fujin said as he twirls around. A gust of wind circulates around him as he disappears.
"Wait, I see it now. How?" the Water Lord exclaimed.
*Philadelphia*
Six children were asleep in their room. One of them jumps up after having a terrible nightmare. He wipes his eyes and looks around hoping he had not awakened his foster family. He stared outside of his window and noticed the Dragon Symbol in the sky. As he quietly walks to the door, he looks at his family ensuring they were not watching him. Hand on the doorknob, he contemplates leaving his home to join the battle. Instead he decides to go back to bed.
"Forgive me. Just not tonight."
*Sky Temple*
Raiden watched over the denizens of Japan from his room. He looks to the moon, seemingly confused by the symbol.
"You seem troubled Lord Raiden," a servant guessed.
"There is…something. Someone is calling…for help."
"Worry not. I am sure Lord Fujin is handling it in a timely manner," another servant responded.
"Have the two of you ever seen the moon like this?" he asked. The two servants looked at one another. One of them shook their head.
"Continue to rest, Lord Raiden. You have been active long enough. A mere 15 years of relaxation is nothing compared to the millions of years you've spent protecting this realm."
"Allow Lord Fujin to handle his duties." Raiden closed his eyes and relaxed.
"Very well, Wynd and Rayne."
*Themyscira*
The young warrior fell on her back. She was battered, struggling against her foes. She slowly rises on her feet, grabbing onto her Golden Shield. Before her stood the sorceress Circe and the long forgotten Kreeyans, whom were under her control. An ancient civilization that was once at war with the Zaterrians over a millennium ago now revived and reduced to mere 'Zombies' controlled by Circe's Magic.
"Foolish child. Leave this place," she commanded. The young princess clenched her teeth as she gave the woman a murderous glare. She peaks over the woman's shoulder and noticed the Dragon Symbol on the moon.
"Why did it have to be now?" she muttered. She picked up her sword and rushed towards her adversaries.
*Atlantis*
"My king, the moon…" the guard stated as a golden mist appears around the Crystal Globe.
"We shall wait," he said.
"Shall we prepare our forces to defend the kingdom?"
"Our enemies would attack the surface before approaching the seas. If a second symbol occurs, then we shall prepare," he responded.
"Yes, King Arthur."
*Kang Temple*
"The Elder Gods would have spoken to me first if this were true," Shujinko stated as he stared at the moon. Fujin appeared beside him.
"What do you know of this?" Fujin asked. Shujinko rubbed his goatee.
*Special Forces of Japan*
Kenshi, Takeda, Cassie, Jacqui, and Kung Jin were meditating for the night as part of their spiritual training. Cassie peaked her eyes over to Kenshi and notices her sword faintly flashing.
"Cassie's peaking," Kung Jin stated. She quickly closed her eyes and turned her head towards him.
"Hey, am not!" she shouted.
"I could sense your impatience Cassie. Just as I can sense Kung Jin's arrogance," he commented.
"It's important that we remain focused. ALL of us," Jacqui suggested. She nudged Takeda.
"I'm focusing," Takeda whispered. Kenshi smiled. He heard the rapid heartbeat of Kung Jin who he knew did not turn his head one. The mild tremors of his blade gave him the warning need to understand the situation.
*Kabukicho*
"Mileena, is something wrong?" Kobra asked.
"How difficult is life as a peasant?" Mileena asked. Kobra started to walk back into the restaurant. "Wait! I apologize." Kobra stopped in his tracks and returned to her. "What I meant is, how did you handle life on the streets of Earthrealm? Specifically, after the incident."
"A lot better than I expected. I cannot say the same for Kira. She isn't even from America nor China."
"For a realm so fearful of being merged with Outworld, it seems very divided to me."
"It's just how we are. Normally, we arrest you for illegally invading the country…countries. But I doubt anyone would capture you as long as you can travel between realms," Kobra Confirmed. Chan and Kira exited the restaurant. Chan noticed the golden mist surrounding the restaurant. He looked towards the moon recognizing the Dragon Symbol engraved on it.
"Do any of you guys see this?" Chan asked. The three of them look around to figure out exactly what Chan means.
"What are you seeing?" Kira asked.
"I'm not allowed to say if you don't." Chan turns to Mileena. "Mileena, I need you to let me use the Portal Stone. It is an emergency."
"Like hell I will, Earthrealmer."
"You can come with me if you want, but only I can know the location. I'm trusting you the same way you trusted me," he responded. Mileena muttered to herself as she reached for her stone.
"We'll come too," Kira stated.
"You can't. There would be drastic consequences for the two of you to follow me."
"Why is she allowed?" she asked.
"She is the empress of Outworld. They will kill her on sight if need be. And something this serious would involve her anyway." Chan stated.
"They…?" Kobra questioned.
Mileena hands Chan the stone. He grabs Mileena's arm and runs through the portal immediately transporting himself and the empress to Knightwolf's village. Chan is immediately struck by a vampire flying towards him. She bounces off his shoulder and into the portal before it completely closes. Her severed ankles were the only things left behind. He sees a big battle between Knightwolf, Fujin, the Locust Clan, and the Vampires.
"We're early. You need to hide somewhere."
"By the Elder Lords what's going on here?" Mileena questioned as she clutched her chest.
"Empress!" Knightwolf shouted. Mileena looked in her direction. "Take Aylin and her family out of here!"
"Who?" Mileena questioned as she looked at the family and the locust clan members fending off the Vampires. Khameleon and Reptile notice Mileena's presence as well.
"You!" Khameleon shouts.
"What is the empress doing in Earthrealm?" Nitara questioned. Reptile remained silent.
"I will crush all of you."
"Mileena, please…" Chan pleaded. She growled in frustration at the Shaolin's request.
"Knightwolf. Reptile. I want your heads when this is all over!" she demanded. She then turned her attention to the family. She noticed the young woman who was given to her as Knightwolf by Mavado and the Red Dragon. This was no coincidence.
End of Chapter 17
(Upcoming—Near the End)