Author's Note: *Phew* sorry it took me so long to get this posted. Been doing a lot of planning for the future of this story that will change the events of the game DRASTICALLY. Anywho, MK11 Ultimate, am I right? Mileena's back and she's fuuuuuuun to play, just wish it was MKX Mileena instead of MK9...
Enough yammering from me, enjoy the chapter!
-Chapter 7: The Best Laid Edenian Plans...
In the Outworld palace...
Kitana could not help but fawn over the beautiful baby boy in her arms, who was technically her nephew. Soren, the son of Magnus and Mileena, most certainly had many qualities of an Edenian. But she could plainly see that which made him a Tarkatan hybrid as well. Those characteristics were more plainly obvious in her niece, Arashi, who was currently cradled in Jade's arms. The baby girl was already starting to develop teeth like her mother, although there was something far... cuter about Arashi's.
"It has been a long time since I've laid eyes on something so innocent as a child." Kitana commented as she looked towards Mileena. "Yours are truly stunning, Empress." Mileena nodded in thanks.
"I am very proud my children." She replied.
"They are most beautiful, even though they are half-Tarkatan." Jade agreed. Suddenly realizing her words, she looked up in horror. "No offence, of course." She apologized. Mileena chuckled softly.
"I've heard far worse from far less apologetic people, Jade." She responded, indicating her dismissal of the remark. The women's conversation was halted as Magnus Shadrix entered the throne room, returning from Earthrealm. Mileena quickly stepped between the two Edenians and strode over to her husband.
"My love. How fares Earthrealm?" She asked, hands on his chest.
"Some successes, some losses." Magnus replied as he held her close. "So from a certain point of view, just fine." He remarked, kissing Mileena. Jade and Kitana watched with fascination, still finding it hard to believe any man could fall in love with her. How times had changed indeed.
"And our children are garnering as much attention as ever." Magnus mused, looking towards Jade and Kitana.
"You have the most beautiful children, Protector Magnus." The Princess complimented. "You must be proud."
"Well, for a first-time father, I'd like to think I'm doing alright." Magnus remarked. "What's our sitrep in the meanwhile?"
"We've not yet heard from the Tarkatan scouts, Shao Kahn's whereabouts remain a mystery." Jade informed him.
"However, Baraka has joined us instead, the Tarkatans of our time accepting him wholeheartedly." Mileena added.
"Good news indeed." Magnus agreed. "What should we do now, beloved?" He asked his wife, kissing her hand.
"We must prepare for an eventuality. It is unlike Shao Kahn to remain so still during this time, he will not stop until he is back on the throne." Mileena replied. "We must bring all of Outworld together in order to challenge him and whatever forces may help him."
"Do you have any allies in mind, Empress?" Kitana inquired. "Perhaps the future versions of Jade and I could be of help." She suggested, Jade nodding agreement. Mileena and Magnus shared brief glimpses of worry, seeing as Jade and Kitana had yet to learn of their fates.
"Do you want to tell them?" Mileena asked.
"I already told Liu and Kung Lao about what happened." Magnus excused. Kitana bore a confused look.
"Tell us what?' She pried. Mileena turned to her with a sigh.
"Your future selves are... dead. Turned into evil revenants by Quan Chi. You're both only loyal to Shinnok now." Mileena revealed, much to the shock and horror of the Edenians.
"But the gods! That cannot be!" Jade exclaimed.
"I'm afraid that it is, Jade." Magnus said. "I have battled both of your revenants on several occasions."
"How did we die?" Kitana asked.
"That is... a long story. One we'll explain later." Mileena promised. "For now, we should put our children to bed. We have work to do." Jade and Kitana nodded and handed Arashi and Soren back to their parents, the Empress and her Protector disappearing into the palace in order to safely lay the twins in their room. The two Edenians, meanwhile, were left alone with their tumultuous thoughts.
"Of all the futures, this was not what I had in mind." Jade admitted.
"I shakes me too, Jade." Kitana sympathized. "To think that is what becomes of us..." She trailed off and visibly shuddered. "Everything seems so backwards. The Mileena I had just met was nothing more than a savage. Now she's so... regal and womanly. How is it we both suffer fates that totally reverse who we are?"
"It seems like some sort of divine trick." Jade remarked. "I fear I'll never understand it either."
Mileena and Magnus returned shortly, the Empress having an idea in mind as she brought the other women up to speed.
"In recent years I've been able to forge alliances and truces with most of the realms under the Greater Outworld Empire. They act independently but are still under my leadership." She explained. "We will speak with each one and gather an allied force comprised of each one."
"Where should we start?" Kitana asked.
"A realm the two of you know best," Magnus replied, "Edenia."
Jade and Kitana were astonished.
"Our realm... E-Edenia lives again?" The Princess asked, her voice trembling.
"Mileena made it so when she became Kahn again." Magnus confirmed.
"We must see this for ourselves." Jade urged. "Please, take us there."
The beauty of Edenia had well and truly been restored after the separation, no small feat thanks to the tireless efforts of Edenian refugees returning to their realm and working hard to restore its former glory. Kitana and Jade were in awe, nearly brought to tears by the sight of their restored realm.
"I do not believe it... after so many years..." Jade whispered as she looked around.
"I know. Edenia has truly returned." Kitana softly agreed. She turned around to where Mileena and her husband stood, eyes misty. "Mileena, Empress..." trailing off, Kitana finally knew the right thing to call her, "Sister, thank you!" She cried, embracing Mileena. The Empress said nothing more and simply returned the hug, smiling a little as she did. "I owe you so much."
"You owe me nothing, Kitana." Mileena replied as they parted. "But seeing as you are truly Edenian royalty and I am not, I think it is only right that you take your place among your people." She offered. "Permit me to turn control of Edenia over to you. Let your people know you have returned." Kitana was taken aback.
"You would let me have my realm fully? That would disturb the reach of your Empire." She responded.
"People are happiest when they have what they need most. It is a lesson I have learned in recent years." Mileena told her, a hand on her shoulder. "All I ask in return is that you try and encourage the Edenians to fight against Shao Kahn and his allies."
"After what he's done, I would think my people should want nothing less." Kitana said. Mileena nodded.
"We will confirm that with my Edenian ambassador. Here she comes now." She stated, pointing behind the Princess to an approaching figure most familiar: Tanya. Mileena's ally walked towards the group but suddenly stopped upon seeing Kitana and Jade.
"By the gods..." she gasped, "Princess Kitana? Is that you?"
"Yes, Tanya. It is." Kitana replied. The yellow-clad pyromancer swiftly bowed in the presence of her ruler.
"Your majesty." She greeted. "Empress, how is this possible?" She asked of Mileena.
"The time distortion, Tanya. It has brought back people from the past while leaving those events not longer set." The Empress answered. "But it has blessed us by returning Edenia's ruler." Tanya readily agreed with that.
"But it has also cursed us." Kitana continued. "Shao Kahn has been revived along with his minions. The people of Edenia must stand ready to fight against him." Tanya nodded slowly in understanding.
"Truly terrible circumstances, but the Edenians will not fight, Princess, not after losing so much by Shao Kahn's hand." Tanya solemnly reported. "They have their realm back, they will not lose it again."
"But they could lose it if Shao Kahn were to claim the throne of Outworld, Argus forbid." Kitana urgently responded. "We must stand together or else forever be enslaved."
"While I share your desires, Princess, I'm afraid the people do not." Tanya responded. Kitana fell silent, feeling powerless despite being the ruling leader of her people. Massaging her brow, the Princess exhaled in despair.
"If only someone they truly respected were here, they would listen to them." She bemoaned. "If only my father were alive... or even my mother. They could convince our people to fight."
"They would respect you, Princess. Surely they would! But Edenians are weary after Shao Kahn. I fear our people have no fight left in them." Tanya told her.
"Surely there is a handful of able-bodied." Jade implored, stepping up beside Kitana. "Mileena tells us you aided her, Tanya. There must be more like you!" Tanya shook her head sadly.
"Edenians were cowed by Shao Kahn and lost their fighting spirit. I'm afraid it has been quenched for far too long." She told the emerald assassin. Behind them, Magnus and Mileena considered this new dynamic. Surely they could rally other races and realms to join against Shao Kahn, but the Edenians under Kitana would be a big boost.
It was then that Mileena had a thought.
"Would your people listen to your father, Kitana?" She inquired. The Princess turned around.
"Most assuredly. My people loved him as a ruler." She affirmed. With that settled, Mileena continued,
"What if there was a way to restore your father?" She pried. Kitana raised an eyebrow as she, Jade and Tanya focused on Mileena.
"How do you mean?"
"As one of Shao Kahn's creations, I was privy to some of his other endeavours." Mileena told her. "I know Ermac was made by fusing together the souls of thousands of warriors... And I also know your father and many Edenians were among that count." She described.
"My father...?!" Kitana gasped. "Jerrod... Shao Kahn's cruelty knows no bounds..." She vehemently muttered and cursed the Kahn under her breath.
"Are you saying that we could revive King Jerrod, Empress?" Jade wondered.
"Maybe not to that extent Jade. But perhaps we could maneuver his soul so that he takes control over Ermac." Mileena explained.
"Therefore returning to life again." Kitana summarized. "But how do we do it?"
"That I do not know. The one true master of soul magic is Shang Tsung, and he is long since gone if not nowhere to be found." Mileena replied. "But if we could capture Ermac, that would be a step in the right direction. Perhaps Shang Tsung's flesh pits may yield some promising results in regards to his creation and manipulation."
"Very well. What would we do in the meantime?" Kitana asked.
"Seeing as we must wait on the Edenians, all I ask of you, Empress, is that you help me petition the other races of Outworld. We'll need all the help we can get to stop this mayhem." Mileena replied. Kitana nodded in affirmation. Seeing everything Mileena had already, if not inadvertently, done for her it was the least she could do.
"Then I will await word of the scouting parties and join forces with Baraka in preparing to meet Shao Kahn." She stated.
"You do that while we check Shang Tsung's lair and see if we can find anything to deal with soul magic." Magnus suggested. He offered his arm to Mileena. "If I may, my lovely wife." He courteously offered. She smiled and took it.
"By all means, dearest husband." She sweetly responded as he led her back to the Outworld portal. The Edenian ladies watched them go, Jade and Kitana still extremely amazed by just how much Magnus loved Mileena and vice versa. They simply had a hard time wrapping their heads around it.
"Their love must well and truly be something else." Jade observed.
"It is." Tanya concurred. "Believe me, you should've heard the noises that first night."
Later...
Shang Tsung's flesh pits, while in a state of decay and disrepair, were no less creepy then the last time they visited. Magnus visibly shuddered as he and Mileena walked past archaic tools that struck him as being far more torturous than medicinal.
"Sure am glad this place isn't in use anymore." He remarked. "Gives me the creeps every time."
"Suffice to say, I wish my place of birth was somewhere more... homely." Mileena agreed. They walked in silence for a moment, soon entering the main laboratory. But it was then that the electromancer spotted something.
"This room... I think it's been disturbed by the time crisis." Magnus realized. He was right. The walls flickered between their current decayed condition and their prior pristine state from decades ago. To further prove his notion, the once-empty cloning vats at the back of the room were now filled again, as they had been decades ago when Shang Tsung first worked to craft Mileena. They all floated in suspended-animation, unconscious and waiting for the moment when Shang Tsung would work to perfect them.
That and they weren't exactly clothed.
"Déjà vu, much." Magnus muttered, Mileena turning to him at his words. "Just remembering the last time we were down here." He explained. The Empress smiled, offering him a rather mischievous look.
"It wasn't all that bad, was it?" She coyly wondered.
"No. I'm just on the fence about a repeat, that's all." Her husband responded. Mileena chuckled, approaching him with a sway on her hips.
"Most men would not be when they're faced with a dozen, beautiful clones." She cooed, sidling up to him. Magnus smiled and pulled her close.
"Yet I need only one, my dear." He vowed, kissing the top of her head. Mileena smiled and turned back to the clones.
"If these are his attempts from decades ago, what else might've returned from that time?" She wondered aloud.
"Maybe some of his equipment is hanging around." Magnus theorized. "Let's look for a soul medallion or something similar. I know Quan Chi had one." That very medallion had helped Magnus resurrect Mileena, and he hoped that a similar device would be of use in restoring Jerrod in Ermac's body. Mileena agreed and they made to split up... until a growling drove them back together. The Empress drew her sais as Magnus charged up, electricity crackling along the length of his arms as a hulking shape appeared in the doorway. Emerging from the shadows, the being revealed to them left Magnus shocked.
"Kotal Kahn?!" He cried out.
"No, not quite," Mileena corrected. The Osh-Tekk in question was more sandy-bronze in color, his blue leadership body paint missing. He wore the traditional trappings of an Osh-Tekk as well, save for the large stone totem fused to his chest, "This is before his time as Kahn. He is still just General Ko'atal now."
"What's with that thing in his chest?" Magnus wondered.
"Shang Tsung was experimenting on him at the time of the tournament." Mileena replied. "The time disruption must've caught him mid-testing, he likely hasn't been restored yet."
"Which makes him the perfect pawn for me to use." A shrill, feminine voice declared. Stepping out from behind Ko'atal, a clone of Mileena revealed herself to the pair. Her body wrapped in thin strips of cloth that barely maintained her modesty, the one oddity with her was that only half of her face was Tarkatan, the other half had no teeth whatsoever and was identical to Kitana's appearance.
"Who are you?" Mileena demanded.
"I am you. Or, at least, what will be you." The clone responded. "Shang Tsung began with me, a long line of cloning attempts eventually resulting in you." Her voice was constantly shifting pitch and Magnus noted just how unhinged she seemed. "But everyone knows the first is always the best."
"If you think you can take my place, you are deeply mistaken!" Mileena growled.
"Then maybe I'll take my place by Shao Kahn's side... he can be my daddy, and I'll show him I'm a good little girl... far better than you!" The clone sneered. Seeing as this was a reflection of her old self, Mileena was determined to put an end to it.
"Magnus, handle the Osh-Tekk." She tasked her husband. "I will deal with this mistake!" The electromancer surged ahead without a second thought, barreling into Ko'atal and sending them both flying into the other room. The Mileena clone stood stationary, unphased as she slowly began to advance towards the future version of herself. "There's a reason why Shao Kahn chose me to be his daughter and not an earlier version like you."
"If you think insults will matter, you're wrong," the clone retorted, "all that matters sister is who can impress Shao Kahn. Something that will decidedly go to me." She promised. She bore no weapons, but Mileena knew her heritage and understood that Shang Tsung had given her a kombatant's mind with a hunger for blood and a craving for violence. She didn't need weapons or skill to be lethal, and training just honed those primal instincts. "Because I have the intelligence to do so."
Her words gave Mileena pause, trying to understand what she meant. Suddenly, a piercing shriek filled the air behind her and Mileena felt teeth sink into her shoulder. She cried out and turned about to fling off her attacker, realizing to her dismay that it was another clone of her. This one had a full Tarkatan mouth, with no lips to speak of, that was filled with sharp and deadly teeth. Wiping away some of the Empress' blood from her mouth, the second clone giggled in vile delight.
"Yet another sister to play with?" She wondered, Mileena recognizing her half-crazed state. "Oh how I love playtime!" Gripping her sais tightly, Mileena's gaze flicked back and forth between her two opponents. She would have to be very careful, for killing either one of her predacessors could have repercussions for her!
Magnus slammed Ko'atal into a back wall with an electric blast, quickly surging ahead and unleashing twin beams of lightning that were powerful enough to put him through the wall. Their kombat awoke another of Shang Tsung's creations and Magnus turned at the sound of a groan to peer down a blackened corridor. Emerging into the light was the figure of a man, a man who happen been stripped of his skin and had only his muscular tissue to cover himself. Wrinkling his nose, Magnus watched as the being stumbled forward with wide eyes, leaving bloody footprints on the floor with each step.
"Meeeeeeeat...!" It groaned, lumbering towards him.
"Yes, I suppose you are." Magnus quipped in response. Charging up his powers, he planned to fry this thing here and now. But Ko'atal pulled himself free of the wall debris, his chest totem glowing red with the power of a blood god. "This... oughtta be interesting." The electromancer quietly remarked as he sized up his two adversaries.
Later, back in Outworld...
Kitana had rallied the Tarkatans on Mileena's behalf, ensuring their readiness the moment Shao Kahn and his forces were found. There was still no word from the scouts, but the Princess believed it best that they be prepared to move the moment word returned. Jade stood with her as they studied the preparing forces, many Tarkatans sharpening their blades.
"A people I once thought so loathsome I now deem my greatest allies." Kitana softly mused. She gave her head a shake. "Have there been days stranger than this?"
"I highly doubt it, Princess." Jade stated. "Everything seemed so straightforward until today. Now nothing is certain." Kitana slowly nodded, consumed by her effortless thoughts to process all of this. Footsteps to the right drew the attention of the Edenians as Baraka approached them.
"Princess Kitana, a word?" He asked.
"Speak freely, Baraka." Kitana answered.
"The Tarkatans stand ready, but they will not move without Mileena's signal."
"Understandable. She is there Empress, after all." Kitana replied.
"True. However, I want to assure you that these are not the Tarkatans of Shao Kahn's time." Baraka continued. "These are free men and women, who have dedicated their lives to protecting Mileena. They tell me the entire race was pushed to the brink of extinction by Mileena's usurper, Kotal Kahn. But she restored them."
"This Kotal sounds like quite the brute." Jade remarked.
"You are saying these Tarkatans are free individuals? Not enslaved or coerced?" Kitana pried. Baraka shook his head.
"The Empress offered all of them a choice, and they chose to remain with her." He stated, then took a step closer. "Know this, Kitana, I have chosen to forgo Shao Kahn's rule in favor of joining with my free people. The Tarkata are respected now, feared above others. I would gladly take a place among them instead of beneath Shao's heel."
"That is a sentiment we can all agree with, Baraka." Kitana agreed.
"Know then that I plan no treachery or deceit. I plan only to serve with my people." Baraka promised. "And I will work with the Empress, but for my people."
"As long as you do, know that we will be allies." Kitana promised, Baraka nodding in agreement. It was then that peals of thunder sounded overhead and a bolt of lightning struck the ground near them, quickly forming the appearance of Raiden as it dissipated.
"Princess Kitana." He greeted as he approached.
"Lord Raiden," Kitana replied, "I regret to inform you that Empress Mileena is unavailable. She has left with Magnus on a temporary investigation."
"Then I shall wait until their return." The thunder god decided, crossing his arms. His electric gaze turned to the nearby Tarkatan. "I am surprised you are not with Shao Kahn, Baraka."
"Empress Mileena offers a better future for Tarkatans than Shao Kahn." Baraka responded. "I have chosen to ally with my people, instead of with my conqueror."
"A noble decision, and a wise one." Raiden replied. "Then we can count on your aid in the fight against Kronika?"
"You can count on the might of Tarkata, so long as the Empress maintains her promises to us." Baraka told him.
"Of that, I have no doubt that she will." Raiden responded. Just then, a portal snapped open behind them, disgorging a battle-damaged Mileena and Magnus moments before it sealed shut. The two stumbled to the ground, clearly winded and weary from kombat. The awaiting group rushed over to them.
"What happened?" Kitana asked.
"The Flesh Pits had no soul-bending tools for us, only a few of Shang Tsung's nasty surprises." Magnus answered as he helped Mileena up. His body sported several cuts and large splotches of blood staining his white robes and Mileena was in a similar state of affairs.
"Nothing we could not handle. But it was a rather unwelcome experience." The Empress described. Then she caught sight of Raiden. "What brings you to Outworld, thunder god?"
"A report from Earthrealm, and an appraisal of Outworld." Raiden responded. "I see you've been somewhat busy as of late."
"We'll happily fill you in." Magnus told him. "Just... let us go and clean up real quick."
By the time Mileena and Magnus had patched themselves up, the scouts had returned with a sighting of Shao Kahn's forces. The refreshed Empress and High Protector entered the throne room as Kitana and Baraka took down the report. Mileena was now clad in a fresh all-pink battle dress, complete with armored trappings around his boots and shoulders. She wore new gloves as well, ones with sharp metal claws on the ends of her fingers. Magnus had opted for a black body-suit beneath a fresh set of his traditional white robes, the rest of his attire the same as always.
"Good news, I presume." Mileena wondered as she gauged the emotions of her allies.
"They've tracked Shao Kahn to the wastelands by the Sea of Blood. His marauders were spotted gathering there and pushing out the remaining Osh-Tekk tribes." Kitana told her.
"We've been there before." Magnus mused, recalling the recent fight to subdue Erebus and his rebels. "Mileena and I know the area well, we can lead a party out to investigate further."
"We will come with you." Kitana stated. "If we are to kidnap Ermac, you will need assistance."
"Kidnap Ermac?" Raiden repeated. Magnus dwelt on his surprise for a moment before realizing they had yet to fill the thunder god in on their plans.
"Oh yeah, right. Here's the thing Raiden," he began, "we're working on assembling a greater fighting force to stand against Shao Kahn. We have the Tarkatans, but it will not be enough." He then went on to describe how Edenia's King Jerrod was a soul in Ermac's collective and that it might be possible to bring him to power over the others with some work. But in order to pull that off, they needed to be able to control soul magick and have an Ermac to use. Raiden listened, focused and intrigued, their idea could very well work. "But... we need insight, Lord Raiden. We do not know what to do once we have Ermac. None of us are particularly skillful when it comes to manipulating souls." Magnus told him. Nodding thoughtfully, Raiden plotted how he could best advance their quest.
"I see." He hummed, considering their available options. Raiden himself could control some magicks, but that of souls was well beyond him. "I will speak with the Elder Gods on your behalf, Magnus Shadrix, and relate back to you what their counsel is." He offered. Magnus breathed a relieved sigh.
"Thank you, Raiden. Your assistance is most appreciated." He thanked. Raiden nodded before turning back to the assembled Outworlders.
"Please keep me advised of your progress. Your actions will determine how we proceed next against Kronika." He told them all before summoning a thunderbolt and teleporting away.
"Now what?" Kitana asked, turning to Mileena. The Empress already had a directive in mind.
"We make for Shao Kahn's war camp... and return with Ermac in our custody."
The raiding party was small, consisting of the Edenian ladies, the Empress, Magnus and Baraka, along with several designated members of Mileena's Tarkatan royal guard. They all rode on steeds native to Outworld, all save for Magnus that is, who floated alongside Mileena. As they did, husband and wife conversed.
"Do you remember the first time you tried to ride one of these?" Mileena asked with a smile. Magnus offered an embarrassed chuckle.
"That was the day I decided I'd either walk or fly." He replied and Mileena laughed with him.
"I confess, I do enjoy a good walk." The Empress mused.
"Remember that walk to the Kuatan hot spring?" Magnus wondered. Mileena nodded.
"Though, I do remember the walk back. I was feeling quite sore afterwards." She told him in a slightly suggestive tone. "The best kind of sore, mind you." Magnus couldn't help but smile.
"When this is over, that's where our first night out will be." He suggested.
"I look forward to it." Mileena hummed. "Moreso to your arms around me as we're immersed in water made even hotter by ourselves." She purred with a devlish look in her eyes, a look Magnus had come to love.
Their ride was long and uneventful, the party winding their way through the desolate wastes that comprised much of Outworld's domain. The empty plateaus of sandy dirty and rocky crags were a far cry from the Kuatan jungles or even the Shokan territories. These were wild and unforgiving lands in which only the strong survived. It became quite clear to everyone why Shao Kahn had enlisted the natives of these parts to join his army.
Coming to a halt at the peak of a cliff, the party dismounted and stared in awe at the vast camp spread out far beneath them. It seemed as though the time quake had restored more than one legion of Shao Kahn's troops. "We are outnumbered. There is no way we can take anyone by force." Mileena determined, her worried gaze sweeping across the camp again.
"Then we'll have to do this quietly." Magnus decided.
"How should we proceed?" Jade asked.
"We'll split into groups and encircle the camp. Since Ermac is close to Shao Kahn he'll be wherever he is." Mileena stated.
"Which makes capturing him even more dicey." Kitana grimly noted.
"One problem at a time, Princess." Magnus responded. "We have to find him first."
The ladies banded together alongside several Tarkatans as Magnus and Baraka paired up with the remaining royal guards. It was the electromancer's first time working with an esteemed Tarkatan like Baraka, but he had much experience in working with those of Mileena's palace guard and royal guard. He soon learned that Baraka was of keen strategic mind and was quick to stealthily lead the Tarkatans around the camp unheard and unseen. It might be dangerous work, but Baraka seemed very well-suited for the task. That, and his knowledge from his time spent serving Shao Kahn was coming in very handy.
"Shao Kahn prefers a central tent at the heart of his forces." Baraka described. "He will likely remain there to plan with his inner circle."
"Then we have some silent miles to cover." Magnus mused, leading them ever onwards. It was a fraught undertaking, countless numbers of troops were milling about the camp, the possibility of being discovered was very real at every turn and they all hoped they could maintain their stealthy intrusion.
Mileena, Kitana, and Jade, meanwhile, had encountered something far more significant at their end of the camp.
Instead of being sequestered alongside Shao Kahn and his Generals, Ermac was roaming the war camp with Kollector and the trio of ladies had just discovered his whereabouts. Seeing as Kollector could be a potential problem, Mileena took his presence under consideration as they developed a plan.
"If either one of them manages to signal Shao, this entire venture will be for nothing." She whispered.
"What do you propose, Empress?" Jade inquired.
"A simple two-pronged approach. Kitana, you must find a way to subdue Ermac with minimal damage. I believe your fans may come in handy here." Mileena stated. Kitana nodded in agreement. "Jade, you and I will handle that repulsive Naknadan. There will be no need for us to hold back against him." She then tasked her honor guard with locating Magnus and telling him to meet at the rendezvous outside the war camp, as they would need to make a speedy getaway once they had Ermac in their custody. With the plan in place, the three made to act on it, sneaking out from behind their cover and ambushing Ermac and Kollector.
Kitana unleashed a gust of wind that sent Ermac stumbling forward onto his face, while Mileena plunged her sais into Kollector's back at the same time Jade's razorrang spun around his front and sliced into his chest, knocking him backwards. Kitana took off in hot pursuit of her quarry as Mileena and Jade closed in on the recovering Kollector.
"All these years and still you exploit others to rise above your station." Jade accused as her bo staff unfurled.
"I have risen to my station, Jade." Kollector retorted. "By serving the Kahn's best interests."
"And now you serve a petty braggart and warlord." Mileena hissed. "How fitting you align yourself with those who are as loathsome as yourself."
"Before Shao Kahn raised me up, Outworlders despised the Naknada." Kollector countered. "Now they fear us. Tell me that is not progress." He rasped as the two ladies made ready for kombat. They both knew full-well that Kollector's magical pack contained dozens of items for him to make use of... they hoped to put a stop to him before he revealed the true depths of his weapons collection.
Mileena struck first by leaping forward and rolling across the ground, taking out Kollector's feet from underneath him. Jade followed up with a rising uppercut as the tip of her staff slammed into the Naknadan's chin, knocking him back into a pouncing Mileena who struck with rapid sai strikes as his blood spilt across the ground. The Naknadan used one of his flailing arms to draw a magical soul lantern from his belt and generated a shockwave of energy that knocked Mileena off of him. He then whipped around with his ball and chain, the blunt instrument slamming into Mileena with vicious force and knocking her aside. Jade quickly moved in and attacked with a series of spinning staff strikes, but Kollector was able to parry each one with some blades he pulled from his pack. He advanced on the emerald assassin with a malicious look as he fended off each blow from her staff, his ball and chain quickly lashing out as it plowed into Jade's torso and knocked the wind from her lungs.
Before he could advance much further, Mileena attacked him from behind, unleashing a teleporting dive kick that struck Kollector on the back of his head. She teleported again and her second dive kick caught him on the chin, allowing Mileena to tackle him to the ground and rapidly pierce his face with her sai. The Naknadan managed to roll back and throw her off, picking himself up and giving his bloodstained head a wag just as Jade attacked again with her razorrang at the ready. Kollector warded off her slashes with his own blades, managing to circumvent her smaller weapon and get in close for a few good slashes, her green robes soon stained with red blood. He offered a toothy grin as he pressed his advantage, only to lose it as he felt claws cut deep into the backs of his legs. Mileena's new gloved appendages proved their usefulness as she forced Kollector to back away from Jade, especially when she lowered her mask and sank her teeth into his shoulder, tearing out a chunk of flesh. Kollector cried out in pain and swung around, attempting to spear Mileena with one of his blades.
But as he exposed his back, Jade struck. Hard.
Collapsing her razorrang into a single blade, she plunged it into Kollector's back and raked it down, blood gushing in its wake. The Naknadan cried out as Jade suddenly teleported around to his front and swung her blade again, slitting his neck and sending even more blood flying across the ground. Tossing her weapon into the air, Jade lept up to catch it and brought it down onto Kollector's head, piercing his skull and impaling him on her blade. Staggered, Kollector stumbled back as Jade reefed her blade free, executing a quick back kick that knocked Kollector to the ground. Drawing her bo staff, the emerald assassin lept forward and brought it down on his head with a mighty thwack, knocking him out instantly. The Naknadan's body went limp as Jade planted her staff and rested against it for a moment.
"Fear and respect are not equals." She stated.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Mileena agreed as she stood by Jade, sheathing her sais behind her.
Kitana had managed to trap Ermac in a conjured whirlwind Ed, spinning him dizzy and senseless until she was able to land a hard cartwheel kick that planted his face into the ground and knocked him out cold for the time being. As she knelt by the figure continuing the soul of her father, Mileena and Jade joined her.
"He is down for the time." Kitana told them.
"Then let us make haste and get him out of here." Jade determined as she and Mileena made to grab Ermac's limbs and lift him up. But before they could, several shouts drew their attention to a nearby portion of the camp. It seemed that their kombat had been enough to attract the attention of several soldiers and now a company was advancing towards them.
"This isn't good." A worried Kitana muttered as Mileena moved to the forefront and brandished her sais. But neither of them needed to act at all, for Magnus suddenly teleported in behind the soldiers and struck them before they could comprehend it.
With a war cry, he surged into their ranks, delivering electric-fueled blows left and right as he hammered into Shao Kahn's soldiers. He was a whirl of motion, a punch here, a kick there, lightning-fast punches here, the soldiers not knowing what hit them as Magnus quickly cleared their ranks. In time, all of them were lying on the ground as Magnus jogged over to the ladies.
"So far so good," he mused, hoisting Ermac up and over his shoulder, willing to carry him out himself.
"As always, my husband, your timing is excellent." Mileena praised.
"You know me, babe, I aim to please." Magnus responded as they led the retreat out of the camp. They started moving, weaving through the many tents as the tried to avoid any main routes where soldiers would be thickest. They were so close, so close to a successful escape...
But then Ermac's green eyes snapped open and shone brightly.
It was Kitana who noticed first and cried out in warning to Magnus. But she was too late. Ermac generated a burst of soul energy that flattened all of them, allowing him to hover back into an upright position. Behind his crimson mask, he eyed them all, his gaze flicking from man to women.
"Shao Kahn will reward us for your capture." He rasped, suddenly vanishing in a burst of green energy. Momentarily confused as to why he did not attack, Magnus soon made a connection when he heard war horns in the distant.
"Aw hell," he gasped, realizing what this meant, "he's teleported back to Shao Kahn. He'll tell him where we are, we need to go!" Magnus' urgent warning was enough to spur the ladies into action, all three of them joining him in an attempt to escape. They booked it through the camp as the shouts of battle-ready soldiers grew louder and closer, the entire camp suddenly pulling itself together in order to deal with the intruders. All four of them could sense Shao's soldiers hot on their heels and Magnus quickly took flight as he turned and blasted the incoming ranks... which were far more numerous than he thought.
"If they can get us to stop, they'll surround us!" He called to the women as twin beams of electricity warded off the soldiers. "Keep moving!" They made to obey, but Mileena refused to abandon her husband. She reasoned that if Shao Kahn's forces could be held off, it would provide enough of a distraction to grant the rest a clean getaway.
And seeing as Kitana held many allegiances within Earthrealm's ranks, she could think of no better choice for who should flee and who would stay behind.
"Go sister, we will cover your escape." Mileena encouraged, gasping her arm.
"No! If anything, Empress, you must go. Your realm needs you." Kitana countered.
"You are fully capable of leading in my stead, Kitana." Mileena replied. She turned around, spying more soldiers swarming the area, more than Magnus alone could hold off. "We will hold them off. Speak with Raiden, ask for Earthrealm's aid!" Mileena cried, turning around and charging back into the fight with her sais drawn. For a moment, Kitana stood there, watching as Mileena willingly sacrificed her freedom to ensure her escape... even calling her 'sister' in the process.
Who was this woman that she would willingly sacrifice herself and her position for the sake of others? This certainly was not the same savage she'd met in the Flesh Pits.
"Kitana! We must go!" Jade urged and the two women fled, leaving Magnus and Mileena behind.
The soldiers did not so much attack them as much as they simply surrounded them, a ring of muscle and sinew eager to keep the couple trapped with nowhere to go. Mileena hissed and growled, her fight with Kollector leaving her with a desire to taste blood that had yet to be fully sated. Magnus stood back to back with her, his fists charged with electrical energy as they sized up the soldiers and waited to see who would make the first move. It was when tendrils of green energy suddenly wrapped around Mileena and dragged her to the ground that they realized what the play was.
"Mileena!" Magnus turned with a cry, spying Ermac emerging from amongst the soldiers as he pulled Mileena down to his feet and keep her pinned with soul energy. She struggled and thrashed, screeching as she tried to free herself. But Ermac's magicks were strong, far stronger than anything she could handle. Magnus was left alone for a moment, but was soon joined in the circle as Shao Kahn, Reiko and Reptile emerged from within the ranks and approached him. Bound by soul energy, Mileena remained helpless on the ground as Ermac's hold over her continued, leaving Magnus alone to face off against Shao Kahn. Trapped in a circle of the warlord's surrounding soldiers, Magnus allowed his power to crackle and flow through his hands despite the odds not being in his favor. The Kahn chuckled darkly.
"A foolish attempt to infiltrate my camp. Either your plans did not go as hoped, or your abilities are truly lacking." He mocked.
"You turned tail and ran before we could properly finish our last match," Magnus retorted, "and I'm hungry for a rematch." He suddenly propelled himself forward, hoping to strike an early blow. But Shao Kahn was ready for him and conjured his spear just as Magnus drew close, thrusting his weapon clean through the electromancer's shoulder. Magnus cried out as he was violently thrown back and Shao's mighty strength pinned him to the bloodstained ground.
"Magnus!" Mileena cried, unable to restrain herself. Her husband groaned and grasped the weapon impaling him, hoping to remove it. But Shao Kahn had plunged it deep into the earth, and in his current state he had not the means to remove it. With another cackle, the Kahn's crimson eyes turned to Mileena.
"Watch and learn, Daughter, how I deal with those who meddle with my family." Shao growled, his hammer spawning into his grip.
"Yeah... watch how he deals with those who can't fight back." Magnus spat, glaring daggers up at Shao. "You spineless, cowardly, worm!"
"Will you shut up man?!" Shao Kahn thundered as he struck with his hammer, Mileena flinching as the blow connected with crushing force.