-Chapter 9: Making Outworld Great Again
Shao Kahn ordered his warriors to prepare for departure, the war camp once again a bustling hub of activity as his forces made ready to leave. Unceremoniously dragged through the dirt, a shackled Mileena was thrown into a prison wagon, the Kahnum treated as a lesser being as the soldiers adhered to the power of Shao Kahn; someone they deemed a true Kahn. She was left in there for a moment, the cage door sealing her in. Her robes dirty along with her face, Mileena certainly looked like she'd been through a beating or two.
But her appearance was not nearly as bad as Magnus'.
His white robes stained with his own blood, Magnus was dragged to the prison wagon bloody, bruised and more dead than alive. He was also thrown in unceremoniously, eliciting a gasp of sharp pain as Mileena huddled over her wounded husband.
"Magnus..." she whimpered, taking his limp hand in hers. Fearing the worst, she reached up and cupped his bruised and battered face, his eyes barely open from the swelling and having lost their vibrant hue.
"I'm here baby..." he whispered, hissing as fresh pain wracked his body, "Hell... hurts to do anything..." he confessed.
"Shao will pay dearly for this, I promise you." Mileena vowed, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "If we can escape this, that is."
"We've have... many friends, my love." Magnus reminded her. "One way... or another... help will come." Deep in his spirit he knew one way or another, be it Kitana and their Outworld allies or Raiden and Earthrealm's warriors, they would not fall victim to Shao Kahn's plans.
From outside the wagon, Shao Kahn approached both Skarlet's as they eyed the captive Mileena and Magnus.
"What is it about her that intrigues you, Skarlet." Shao questioned. The twin forms of his second construct, both the younger and the older, turned to him.
"The scent of Mileena's half-breed blood is tantalizing. I look forward to draining her corpse after her execution." Past Skarlet purred.
"Yes, and I can taste Magnus' blood and the power within it, Excellency." Present Skarlet hummed in want. "It's vibrancy will make it a most valuable commodity." Shao Kahn chuckled darkly as he waved the prison convoy onwards, led by Reiko.
"As my sole faithful daughter, you will make magnificent heirs to my throne." He promised, putting his hands on both Skarlets' shoulders.
Meanwhile, in the Outworld palace, Kitana and Jade sat in meeting with Baraka, Edenian ambassador Tanya and the Queen of the Shokan, Sheeva. Having forged an alliance with Mileena as part of her Greater Outworld Empire, Sheeva and the Shokan were permitted to conduct their business however they wished within their realm, so long as they willingly answered any urgent call for aid the Empress might've put out. Seeing as Mileena was currently captured by Shao Kahn's forces, Queen Sheeva had little hope for any future endeavours.
"It is good that the Tarkatans are on our side, but a Kahnum in chains is someone my people cannot and will not rally behind." The four-armed woman stated.
"Queen Sheeva, please, your forces are all we need to ensure Mileena's freedom from Shao Kahn's imprisonment. We and the Tarkatans cannot do this alone." Kitana implored.
"You are passionate, Princess. But I must do what is best for my people. If this is to be a lost cause, I will not see Shokan blood spilled for it." Sheeva responded. At that moment, the palace doors opened.
"A just cause like this is never lost, Queen Sheeva." Raiden announced as he, Liu Kang and Kung Lao entered, flanked by a pair of Tarkatan guards. Kitana rose from her seat and turned to the monks, her heart fluttering a little as she laid eyes on Liu.
"Liu Kang? What are you doing here?" She queried.
"We've learned that Shao Kahn intends to bring Mileena and Magnus to the Koliseum. We must act quickly before they are executed." Liu told her, his own excitement from seeing her again subdued for civility's sake.
"How bold of him to be so showy in territory so close to us." Jade remarked. "But how did you come by this information?"
"We met someone who had been spying on their camp." Kung Lao stated, the three Earthrealmers parting to reveal a fourth member of their party, someone who's presence shocked them all... especially Tanya.
"Rain?" She exclaimed. Clad in violet robes and adorned with golden armor, the hydromancer was certainly alive and well, moreso than Tanya could say for the last time she saw him... when Kotal had him executed. "You live!"
"The time distortion thrust me forward, before I was executed by Kotal Kahn." The Edenian demi-god informed her as he stepped past the Earthrealmers. "I understand Mileena is alive?"
"She has been alive for some time, Rain. She is now Empress and has done as she promised. Edenia is restored." Tanya told him. Rain nodded, understanding that things had certainly changed since the last time he'd been a living mortal.
"Then I owe her my loyalty. I will help you free her." He stated.
"Son of Argus." Raiden interrupted, Rain's attention now on him. "Know that the Elder Gods are dead, your father among them. Slain by the same being that caused your return." He revealed.
"Then it is up to me to take his place, Lord Raiden. Now I will save Edenia from Shao Kahn, something I never had the chance to do." Rain bitterly responded. "I will prove to my people that Edenia still has gods to cry out to." He determined.
"You do your people a service by aiding us." Raiden agreed with a nod. Seeing as they now had fresh allies to aid their cause, Kitana turned back to Sheeva.
"You see, your highness? We have the means to free Mileena, with the assistance of Shokan, victory will be guaranteed." She said. Sheeva grew thoughtful, two of her four hands clasped in her lap while the other stroked her chin.
"The power of two gods may not be enough to stop Shao Kahn." She dourly mused. Baraka had heard enough and suddenly stood, his fist colliding with the table.
"We will not simply stand by when we have a chance to save the Empress!" He growled. "The Tarkatans will march against Shao Kahn, with or without the Shokan." His predatory eyes turned to the Shokan queen. "If you do not act, Queen Sheeva, we may all be Shao Kahn's slaves again." His words struck a chord with Sheeva and, in spite of her hesitation, she knew he was true.
"Mileena has seen to it we are treated as equals and not subservients. You are right, Baraka. Shao Kahn would simply see us enslaved again." She decided, rising to join the ranks of Kitana, Tanya, Jade and Baraka. "The Shokan will march with you to free Empress Mileena." She declared. Kitana smiled, feeling victorious and pleased by the assembling of Outworld's finest. Such unity had only ever been forced during Shao Kahn's days. To see Mileena had fostered far stronger bonds through peace and friendship was a sight she couldn't help but smile at.
"I presume you will join us, thunder god?" Baraka asked of Raiden.
"We must show Shao Kahn that we stand with Mileena Kahnum and the Earthrealm will come to the aid of its allies. And I for one will now permit their children to go parentless." He replied, his mention of the royal twins permitting the gravity of their reality to sink in. "If we are in agreement on this, I suggest we rally our forces and move on the Koliseum, before either Mileena or Magnus is slain." Everyone present nodded, prepared to do what was necessary in order to face Shao Kahn... for what might be the final time.
"Move quickly everyone, we haven't much time!" Jade urged.
Later that day...
The Koliseum had been filled to the brim with loyalists, dragged in from all corners of Mileena's empire. The noise they made was thunderous, all of them cheering Shao Kahn as he paraded around the central throne with his elite warriors in tow. Before the throne, chained and forced to their knees, Mileena and Magnus were sorry sights, having been thoroughly mistreated by Shao Kahn and his henchmen. Mileena thought it painfully ironic that mere days ago (or was it hours?) she had paraded around while Skarlet and Kollector awaited execution.
Now the roles had been reversed, both of her former prisoners alive and well and standing tall over her and her husband.
Shao Kahn rounded the front of them, big and imposing, as if he'd come to gloat. He knelt low and jerked Mileena's face towards his, clawed fingers painfully rough against her skin. "I will start with your 'husband', my daughter, and I will show the realm that Earthrealmers have no place governing Outworld." He growled. Mileena attempted to snap at him, her teeth gnashing wildly but in a futile gesture that only made Shao Kahn chuckle in mockery. He stood and approached Magnus next, grabbing him by the hair and jerking his face towards him as he crouched low. "Perhaps I will leave you alive long enough to witness the death of your 'wife'... that way you can see how a father ought to discipline his whorish daughter." He sneered. Magnus managed a weak cough.
"Please... I'm begging you..." he rasped, and Shao leaned in a little closer, as if teasing Magnus by the fact he was listening, "brush your teeth." The electromancer jested with a weak smile that belied a strong spirit. Shao snarled and shoved Magnus' head away.
"Oh how I look forward to ending you." He rumbled, standing up and turning to address the cheering masses. "You've suffered too long at this pretender's hands! Making herself Earthrealm's whore in word and deed!" He declared in a booming voice. "But I've returned and I will save you from her madness!" His bold words were met with shouts of admiration and Shao's pride swelled at being regarded so highly once again. Bringing his hands together, his hammer appeared within his grip. "Only I can rebuild the empire. All realms will tremble before me! Outworld will again be conquerors, never the conquered!" He bellowed. The crowd took up a chant, slowly building as he swept across the Koliseum,
"Shao Kahn! Shao Kahn! Shao Kahn!"
Shao reveled in it, loosing a triumphant roar as he cemented his place as emperor once more. Outworld's rightful Kahn had returned...
But it would not be for long.
As he turned on Magnus and raised his hammer, poised to strike, a massive boom reverberated throughout the arena as its entrance gates buckled simultaneously. Shao turned to look, his soldiers closest to the gates slowly making to investigate. Another boom, another buckle, and they drew their swords in anticipation. The boom's came swiftly and each impact shook sand from the gates as the locked bars cracked and gave way to a far superior force. Finally, one more hit cracked the gate's defences and with a shudder they were swung wide open.
With a shout, the allies of the Empress moved forward, Shao's soldiers backing down at the sight of fellow Outworlders emerging into the light. Kitana led the way, flanked by Outworld's champions; Sheeva, Baraka, Jade, Tanya and Rain. Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Raiden also marched with her, forming a formidable front line no soldier was willing to challenge. They were backed by many Shokan and Tarkatan warriors, their numbers flooding the arena and putting Shao Kahn at a very strategic disadvantage. Magnus and Mileena looked up from their bonds and smiled, breathing a sigh of relief at seeing their allies arrival for their sake.
"See... babe? Help has come." Magnus offered with a slight grin. And Mileena returned it.
Kitana and the others advanced on Shao Kahn as Kollector, the Skarlets, Ermac, Reptile and Reiko stood behind him, expecting a fight. Shao appraised his step-daughter with a bemused look.
"Where's this boldness been hiding, Kitana?" He wondered. "I confess, I did not expect such a thing from you."
"You have always turned a blind eye to it 'father'." Kitana spat back. "I have come with a simple message from Outworld: surrender, free Mileena, or suffer the consequences of refusal." Shao's response was a booming laugh.
"Fool! I am Outworld!" He declared.
"You are nothing of the sort, you unholy monster." Kitana growled, battle fans sliding open with a shrill metallic ring. "Outworld is its people; its friends and allies, those with whom it has relation with, not with those it has conquered." She stated. "You face the might of all Outworld: Edenia!" As she spoke, Jade's bo staff expanded, Tanya's tonfas swung into a ready position and Rain's katar snapped open into three blades.
"Shokan!" Sheeva held up a fist and her people pounded their chests with rumbling shouts.
"Tarkata!" Baraka snarled, his blades sliding out as his people engaged their blades to the tune of growling war cries.
"And Earthrealm!" Raiden boomed as lightning crackled within his hands, chi fire blossomed within Liu Kang's, and Kung Lao ran his hand across the razor brim of his hat. Faced with an army of Mileena's loyal allies, Shao Kahn shifted his hammer into a ready position of his own.
"Now... free my sister!" Kitana cried, surging ahead with sudden sweeps of her fans that Shao narrowly avoided.
With her action, the others exploded in action, kombat breaking out across the arena floor as Mileena's allies engaged Shao Kahn's forces. Raiden and the monks quickly sprung Mileena from her chains, the Empress racing to Magnus' side and kissing him well before they arrived.
"Are you well?" Liu asked as Mileena released him.
"Not... really." Magnus managed to respond. Kung Lao made quick work of his chains and the weak Magnus fell into Mileena's arms, lacking the strength to support himself. Raiden conjured up some of his magicks, kneeling by his side as he bathed Magnus in an electric glow. One by one his wounds began to heal, his skin slowly returning to its original unblemished state. Mileena looked on as the vibrancy returned to Magnus' eyes, his gaze glowing brighter as it was drawn somewhere behind Raiden. "Lord Raiden! Behind you!" He called out. Raiden turned to see Reptile sneaking up behind him, promptly blasting the Zaterran with a burst of electricity before flying forward with a war cry and driving Reptile across the arena grounds. His magick fading away, Magnus was left partially healed, but in a far better state than he previously had been.
"How do you feel?" Mileena wondered as she helped him up.
"A lot better than before." Her husband admitted, flexing as he felt out the ambient electrons in the air and drew on their power to fuel his natural bioelectricity. White bolts electrical energy rippled across his forearms as Magnus charged himself up. "We need to help out. We have a chance to beat Shao Kahn once and for all." He realized.
"You are wounded. You must rest." Mileena urged. Magnus took her into his arms and kissed her.
"I will rest once you and my family are secure, my love." He whispered. "As High Protector, I have a job to do, just like you do." He encouraged. "Help your sister. Today we claim victory." His words settled on her heart and Mileena nodded, taking off to aid Kitana. Magnus turned back to Liu and Lao. "Right, Gents. Let's start busting heads, shall we? Oh, if either of you see Ermac try and incapacitate him. We'd like to capture him for a while." He said.
"For what purpose?" Kung Lao inquired.
"I'll explain afterwards." Magnus replied as he took flight, surrounding himself with electricity. "For now, let's get to work." The monks nodded and took off after different targets, Magnus setting his gaze on one in particular whom he desired immediate payback against...
Shao Kahn had finished bludgeoning some lesser Tarkatans when the crackle of electricity brought his attention around. He expected Raiden but instead came face to face with a renewed Magnus Shadrix.
"You again...!" He growled.
"Oh you know me, here to make Outworld great again." Magnus remarked, flying ahead and unleashing a powerful electrostatic pulse that sent Shao sliding across the arena floor. "And I'm gonna keep it great by getting rid of you!" The electromancer promised, charging up to full strength as his eyes became aglow with raw power. He enveloped his body in an electrical field, a sort of 'lightning armor' that came in handy once he surged ahead and attacked Shao Kahn. The hulking Shao raised his hammer to block, Magnus grabbing the handle and pushing against him as Shao pushed back, two titans in their own right locked in a desperate struggle for victory.
As the battle unfolded, no one noticed the swirling sands conjuring off to one side of the arena. Much like the original time quake, these sands soon disgorged three newcomers: the odd trio of Fujin, Nightwolf, and Shang Tsung.
"When have we arrived?" The sorcerer inquired. Glancing around, Fujin believed he knew.
"Immediately after the time merger, yes?" He suggested. "The battle between Mileena and Shao Kahn."
"No, look!" Nightwolf cried, pointing to where Shao Kahn and an injured Magnus squared off, evidence as to when they'd arrived. "It's much later than that. This is Mileena and Kitana's final victory over Shao Kahn." He realized.
"Then we're almost out of time." Shang grimly realized. "We must escape quickly," he stated, gesturing to the distant floor access to the beast pens below. "Changing this battle's outcome could cause Cetrion to claim the crown earlier than expected."
"And guarantee our failure." Fujin mused. Their minds were made up and Nightwolf urged them to flee the fight, the trio disappearing from view moments later.
Kitana had engaged the Skarlet of the present in a close and careful match, the cunning blood mage as dangerous now as she had been during the last tournament. Circling one another, neither woman was willing to admit defeat just yet.
"You are an ungrateful shrew to throw your privilege away, Kitana." The blood mage sneered.
"Who are you to judge me?" Kitana retorted.
"You have not known hunger or cold. You have not lived on the streets, orphaned and begging, you have not learned to value the gifts his Excellency has given you." Skarlet replied. "Shao Kahn remade me, gifted me, gave me power beyond imagination. And I will not let you sully his reign." She threatened, blood hardening along the length of her dagger to form a much longer weapon. Skarlet attacked first by plunging her weapon into her own torso, conjuring a tendril of blood that lashed out at Kitana. The sapphire princess narrowly avoided the strike and retaliated by sending both fans hurtling towards Skarlet. The hemomancer narrowly avoided them, suffering only a few nicks to her shoulders. Summoning her own spilt blood, Skarlet sent a pair of blood balls towards Kitana, the Edenian princess vaulting over them and coming down in a dive kick that smashed into Skarlet's exposed chest. Using some momentum gained from her fans, Kitana spun into a triple tornado kick that knocked Skarlet to the ground.
Pushing herself to her feet, Skarlet turned and used her dagger to ward off several stabs from Kitana's fans, sparks erupting as metal glanced off metal. Kitana managed to stab Skarlet clean through her arm, but the hemomancer's grunt of pain soon turned into a cackle of laughter. "The more you wound me, the stronger my powers become!" She remarked, her blood spilling forth from her arm and curling into a tendril that ensnared Kitana's limb and allowed Skarlet to pull her close and drive her blood dagger into her torso. Kitana cried out, only to be silenced as her blood mingled with Skarlet's to form a scythe that caught her legs and knocked her onto her back. Rearing back, Skarlet spun the blade forward, the bloody construct as hard and sharp as steel, piercing clean through Kitana's abdomen.
Kitana forced herself to rise as Skarlet surrounded herself in a swirling column of blood, her dagger glowing as her hemomancing powers came into full effect. Kitana knew just how to counter her and conjured a whirlwind with her fans, surrounding Skarlet with turbulent winds and catching her in what become a bloodnado. Whipped about by the gusting winds, Skarlet was powerless to stop Kitana's shredding onslaught that came about as she lept into the wind column and hacked into the hemomancer with her razor fans. She'd worked out that Skarlet might be able to manipulate blood and increase her range of her powers with each wound, but her body still needed blood to survive. If she lost too much, she wouldn't be able to even stand up.
Using her blades, Kitana forced Skarlet out of the whirlwind and down to the ground, wrenching her blade free as the hemomancer dissolved into blood. Sensing an impending attack, Kitana turned around in a 360 degree spin of her surroundings as she anticipated an attack from behind. What she was not expecting, however, was for four blood tendrils to rise from the ground and snare her legs, holding her spread apart and lifting her off the ground. Skarlet then materialized from another puddle and summoned the remaining fluid droplets to craft a spear, which she promptly plunged through Kitana's back. With a pained cry, Kitana was pitched forward and onto the ground as Skarlet harnessed her powers to collect Kitana's spilt blood and fill one of her belt vials with it. "Such a sweet and rare commodity." She purred. "I must have more."
Kitana was in no mood to be a blood donor, however, and sent both her fan blades whizzing through the air, stabbing Skarlet in her arm and leg. With a simple command they split open into their war fan formation, severing several arteries as she did. The hemomancer cried out in agony as Kitana recalled her fans, surging ahead and promptly slitting Skarlet's neck with several slashes. With blood spurting freely from several major wounds, Skarlet could not hold herself together for long and soon collapsed, leaving Kitana standing victorious over her.
"His reign is already over, Skarlet. Be grateful you still breathe." She added in conclusion, hurrying off to help quell Shao Kahn's efforts.
Still going toe-to-toe with the tyrant, Magnus was having a much harder time maintaining his ground at half-health. Shao Kahn had seen fit to slam him into the floor, the walls and now he was up against a pillar, warding off blows with an electrostatic shield. Nearby, Mileena plucked her sais from the head of a dead soldier, spying Kitana coming to rendezvous with her. They both stopped and turned at the sound of a heavy crashed and watched as Magnus writhed in pain amid the rubble of a shattered pillar. Shao Kahn stalked towards him, hammer materializing in his hand. The two sisters knew they needed to act and surged forward, Kitana arriving first and plunging her blade into Shao's side. Using a brief updraft conjured by her sister, Mileena pounced on Shao with a shriek, spearing his back with both sais. With a roar, he shrugged her off, turning around to face the two ladies and forgetting about Magnus for a moment. "This is your last chance to surrender, Shao Kahn!" Kitana stated.
"Or else what?" The hulking warlord growled in response.
"To that, I cannot speak for whatever the Empress has in mind for you." Kitana responded.
"Your name will be purged from history, Shao Kahn!" Mileena threatened.
"Unlikely!" Shao scoffed. "I will be remembered for all of time. And you will remember me, Mileena, once I kill this pathetic human." He promised, gesturing towards the downed Magnus.
"You will not leave my children fatherless!" Mileena vowed. That struck Shao for a moment, suddenly realizing that the woman who was technically his daughter now had children. He had descendents... grandchildren.
"Children?" He repeated. For a moment, a calm swept over the scene, the din of kombat lessening for a moment. Shao's dark gaze then regarded Mileena scornfully. "You conceived bastard heirs with this Earthrealm scum? It would be my pleasure to see that your weakling rule is forgotten completely!" He threatened.
"I will have your head before that happens!" Mileena fiercely growled.
"My death will not come on the brink of victory." Shao retorted. "You're as feeble-minded as the man you claim you love. And you! Kitana," he continued, levelling a clawed finger in her direction, "if you think I would ever surrender, you're as foolish as Jerrod."
"King Jerrod." Kitana snapped in correction. "The father you murdered and stole from-"
"I wanted Jerrod's wife, not his heir!" Shao boomed. "I kept you only to appease your mother. Seeing as she is no longer with us, do not expect me to show mercy a second time." He growled. "It would seem I must discipline both of my daughters." He rumbled, hefting his hammer with both hands. Mileena and Kitana struck first, surging ahead full of wrath and vigor as they attacked Shao Kahn with their bladed weapons. But as a veteran of hundreds of thousands of years of battle and conquest, Shao Kahn was more than a match for them both. His body hardened by constant kombat the slashes of Kitana's fan and the stabs from Mileena's sai did little to affect him and he powered through with ease. The wide sweeping blows of his hammer missed the agile ladies as they backpeddled and sidestepped his attacks, but both Mileena and Kitana knew they would have to be smart in order to take him down.
Kitana quickly used her updraft to send the arena sands twisting anc hurling around shao Kahn, blinding him as Mileena teleported down from above, striking him with her spiked boots multiple times in a quick teleportation sequence. But Shao timed his next hammer swing just right and nailed Mileena with a backhand, her ribs shattering as he landed a krushing blow.
Kitana raced in to aid her sister by executing a tornado spin that repeatedly shredded Shao Kahn's chest, leaving several dozen red lines down his chest. She was quick to backflip away as Shao chased her with hard hammer blows, avoiding each one as they kicked up sand. Having recovered, Mileena charged into the fight again, executing a ball roll that took out Shao's legs from under him, allowing her to handstand up and drive her clawed boots deep into his head, piercing his skull mask and his own skull. She retreated back as Shao Kahn shrugged off her assault, growling in irritation as he gripped his hammer tightly.
"He is hearty, sister." Mileena mused from beneath her mask.
"Agreed. But so are we." Kitana replied, conjuring a mighty whirlwind that lifted Shao off his feet. "Hit him! Now!" She cried and Mileena did just that, both of her sais impaling his chest before she struck him hard in the face with a hook kick that knocked Shao out of the wind and back to the ground. Mileena dove down, grabbing his head and slamming it into the ground before playing stabbyscotch with her blade against his neck, rending six new wounds that bled profusely.
With a roar, Shao Kahn rolled her off and produced his spear, managing to parry Mileena's second attempt to attack before he smashed her across the face with the pommel, turning and thrusting it clean through her shoulder and violently pinning her to the ground as her blood spurted across the sand. "Mileena! No!" Kitana cried, thrusting her fans forward to produce a powerful wind gust that spun Shao Kahn around. She moved in to capitalize on his state, Kitana flinging both of her closed fans forward, the blades becoming impaled in Shao Kahn's chest. Leaping forward in a dropkick, her boots collided with the handles and drove the blades in deeper. Shao was knocked flat on his back, but the impact was so powerful he bounced back up, allowing Kitana to rip her blades free and plunge them into the sides of his neck. Knocked back to the ground, Shao struggled to rise only for Kitana to come down hard atop him, plunging her blades into the back of his head. She was quick to backflip away from him, but not even such a fatal assault as this was not enough to stop Shao Kahn.
Wounded and bleeding profusely, the Kahn rose with vengeance in his burning eyes. Kitana made to attack him again, but Shao plucked her out of the air and slammed her into the ground, conjuring his hammer and promptly slamming it into her abdomen with a deafening crack! Kitana cried out in agony as Shao Kahn kicked her aside, turning his murderous look towards Mileena as she finished freeing her shoulder from his spear. The wound was thorough and bled profusely, Mileena struggling to rise as Shao stalked over to her.
"First Magnus, then your children and I will save you for last, Mileena!" He gloated. "You will watch your empire burn before my glory!" He proclaimed. His words sparked a fire within the Empress, conjuring images of things she vehemently cursed and swore would never come to pass.
Her empire she could lose... but not her children or the love of her life.
"Never..." she growled, gripping her sais as strength flooded her veins once more. She looked up and fixed Shao Kahn with a blazing amber glare. "NEVER!" She screamed, rushing ahead and teleporting through the air to close the distance in less than a second. Her claws raked across his chest, spilling fresh blood across the ground as Mileena laid into her so-called 'father'. She rapidly stabbed him with her sais until Shao had doubled-over, blood spilling onto the ground, and Mileena cartwheeled over him only to latch onto his back and then sink her teeth into his neck, tearing free a chunk of flesh and exposing the muscle beneath. Shao roared in pain and Mileena sprung off of him, throwing her sais forward. They impaled the back of his head, but traveled even deeper to pierce clean through his eyes. Blinded, Shao's almighty bellow of pain and fury was suddenly cut short as Mileena rounded him and sank her claws into his neck with a shriek, tearing out the front of his throat and exposing the raw flesh of his neck. Hitting the ground, Shao struggled and gurgled for a moment before he went limp, unconscious from the pain and blood loss. "Outworld will never again fear your cruelty." Mileena vowed.
The noise of kombat ceased across the Koliseum as everyone suddenly realized that Shao Kahn had been defeated... probably for good this time. All eyes turned to Mileena as she helped Kitana stand, the two nursing many wounds but still victorious in the end. Raiden approached them, as did Liu and Lao, all of them sporting the signs of prolonged kombat.
"He is beaten?" The thunder god inquired.
"Sufficiently. Enough to lose the title of Emperor." Mileena responded.
"Then let it be known that Mileena Kahnum has been restored to her rightful place as Empress of Outworld." Raiden declared, nearby Shokan and Tarkatans taking up a victory cheer as Shao Kahn's loyalists began to shrink away.
"My friends, my allies, I thank you for coming to my aid." Mileena told them. "Especially you, Kitana." She genuinely thanked, turning to her sister.
"You are most welcome, Mileena. Your throne needed to be protected. And seeing the strong and noble woman you are, I would have no other rule Outworld." Kitana graciously responded. Mileena smiled.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, sister." She teased. "But... your actions, however..." leaving Kitana's side, Mileena stood before the assembled host of Outworld. She had a word in mind to convey to them all. "I stand before everyone here and proclaim you, Princess Kitana, to now be Queen Kitana." She announced, shocking her sapphire-clad sister. "Royal ruler of Edenia. Ally of Outworld..." she paused, offering her sister a warm and affectionate gaze, "my sister and my friend." Kitana smiled back and the two hugged, well and truly sisters now. Tanya, Jade and Rain all bowed before their new Queen while the other Outworlders lifted a shout of celebration. Kung Lao, meanwhile, tapped Liu Kang on the shoulder.
"Now she's definitely out of your league." He quietly remarked and Liu rolled his eyes. As Kitana and Mileena separated, Magnus hobbled over to them, limping and looking a little worse for wear. He offered a smile to them both and Mileena retreated to be with her husband, claiming his lips in a tender kiss.
"How do you fare, my love?" She inquired.
"I'll feel a lot better when I can hold my children again." He answered as Raiden made to help him stand. Hoisted between the thunder god and Liu Kang, Magnus stood with them all as the newly crowed Queen of Edenia made her first proclamation.
"From this day onwards, may all our peoples fight as one!" Kitana declared, rousing a mighty cheer of agreement from everyone present.
Beneath the Koliseum, Fujin, Nightwolf and Shang Tsung looked up at the thunderous applause and joyous shouts and knew just what had happened.
"Mileena has defeated Shao Kahn." Nightwolf observed.
"He always had more ego than skill." Shang mused with a chuckle.
"Come, let us leave while the crowd is distracted." Fujin stated, the three of them making to leave without alerting anyone to their presence.
Later, in Earthrealm...
Raiden and the monks returned to the Shirai Ryu enclave with good news the heartened the rest of the Forces of Light.
"Outworld's new situation is indeed hopeful." Raiden stated. "But the location of Kronika's Keep remains a mystery. It is beyond the realms, and has proven to be beyond my sight." He admitted. None of them knew how to proceed in this manner... until Hanzo posed a suggestion.
"Do you know of Kharon, Raiden?" He asked. Kuai understood his intentions immediately.
"Kharon. Of course." He breathed.
"Who is Kharon?" Raiden wondered, looking to Hanzo.
"Master of the ancient ship of the dead." Hanzo answered. "Sub-Zero and I met him during our time as revenants." Kuai nodded in agreement.
"He travels in the space beyond realms, transporting damned souls to the Netherrealm." He continued.
"Doesn't sound like a very pleasant vocation." Jax remarked.
"If the Keep lies there, Kharon may know its location." Hanzo surmised.
"Would he help us?" Raiden queried.
"It is possible, but I cannot be sure." Hanzo responded. Taking that information in stride, Raiden supposed it was worthy of trying.
"I urge you both to investigate." He said, Hanzo and Kuai nodding in affirmation.
"We will leave immediately." Hanzo stated. He turned to the other ninja in their midst. "Smoke, oversee the defences put in place. Make sure no unwanted guests set foot in this garden." Hanzo charged him.
"I will be as silent as the night and as deadly as the dawn." Smoke affirmed with a bow, reciting the Lin Kuei code. Hanzo and Kuai took their leave as Cassie approached Raiden next.
"Locking down Outworld's army is huge, having Magnus and Mileena back in our ranks is really good news." She noted.
"Magnus Shadrix will need time to heal, but he will be ready for the final conflict." Raiden promised.
"Still, I'd feel better if we had more manpower." Cassie mused.
"The Shaolin will join us, Liu Kang and Kung Lao will travel back to the monastery to aid the monks' preparations." Raiden informed her, adding one more faction to their growing army.
"Good. Liam and I will be leaving soon to go after Johnny and Sonya. We've tracked the Black Dragon to someplace in Russia." Cassie told him.
"I'll go too." Jax offered.
"We're both going." Jacqui stated, only for Cassie to stop her.
"No. Raiden needs you two, Tak and Kenshi for an intel op." She explained.
"We need to get Sonya back." Jax urged.
"Undoubtedly." Raiden agreed. "But Kronika's behavior makes it clear that, while mighty, she is not all-powerful. Otherwise, why would she steal Jinsei?"
"Think maybe she's still building strength?" Jacqui wondered.
"A distinct probability, Jacqueline Briggs." Raiden answered as he crossed his arms.
"Then what's her next move? What more power could she need?" Jax asked.
"With the Dragon Grotto's Jinsei fountain sealed, there is no greater energy source in all of Earthrealm than the Well of Souls beneath Shang Tsung's island." Raiden told them. "I believe if she is to acquire any more power, Kronika will find a way to harness it."
"Then we better go check it out." Jacqui decided, understanding the importance of this mission. Jax quenched his cigar and made to follow as they went to find Takeda and Kenshi. Cassie and Raiden were left alone, the thunder god opening up to her.
"I regret that I cannot join you. I must keep vigil for signs of Kronika's further tampering with time. I sensed some sort of change while I was in Outworld. Amid the battle between Mileena Kahnum and Shao Kahn, there was some sort of ripple in the fabric of reality." He explained.
"Do you think its a sign of Kronika trying to restart history?" Cassie wondered.
"It could be. But until I know more, it is just an isolated incident." Raiden responded. Cassie nodded in agreement.
"Well, we all have our duty."
"I am told you defeated Shinnok in this future, Cassandra Cage. You and Liam will fair well against the likes of Kano." Raiden encouraged her. Then he tagged on a warning. "But proceed with caution. If either Johnny or Sonya die, you will cease to exist. It will be beyond my power to save you."
"Is... that really how it works?" She wondered. "If Kenshi dies then Takeda ceases to exist? Or Jax and then Jacqui?" Raiden nodded solemnly.
"Yes. If anyone of your past parents were to die, then their future children would be erased from history."
Back in Outworld...
Beyond the reaches of the Koliseum, on the outskirts of the city, the trio of Fujin, NIghtwolf and Shang Tsung debated their next move. They had been sent back in time with a purpose, but how they would go about fulfilling it was tricky and remained to be planned. Suffice to say, having two of Earthrealm's champions contending with Outworld's greatest sorcerer was not an equation for equal conversation.
"No! We're already here later than we wanted to be," Nightwolf argued, "let's go to your island now and take the crown. No detours!" He told Shang.
"Our rather 'public' arrival at the Koliseum makes that impossible." The sorcerer responded. "Despite our best efforts to be silent, someone is bound to have noticed our presence. Kronika's Outworld allies will inform her of our arrival and she has many. Any one of them could tell her, even right now as we speak." He countered. "If we go to my island now, we could be ambushed by Cetrion herself."
"And our combined power won't stop her." Fujin reluctantly agreed. It was rare for any one member of Earthrealm to agree or work with Shang Tsung. His baritone voice and smooth words belied a serpent's tongue and very crafty, serpentine ways. But there were bigger issues at stake, so much so that even one of Earthrealm's sworn protectors was willing to work with the master manipulator. "We need help."
"But whose help? We can't recruit any of our allies without altering this timeline's events." Nightwolf countered, at a loss for ideas. Fujin did not know either, but it was now that Shang Tsung stood up and emerged from sitting under a tree.
"We know how the future unfolds, that gives us an advantage in several regards." He told them both. "We know what went right and what went wrong. If we act just so, we can influence each end result in our favor." That seemed plausible, but Fujin saw through the wizened sorcerer's smooth words and knew his true nature.
"You have someone in mind." He stated plainly. Shang nodded and smiled a little.
"Sindel." He answered.
"Sindel's a revenant." Nightwolf retorted.
"Who can be restored to life," Shang coolly replied, "and who plays no major part in the battles that lie ahead. We can safely recruit her without disrupting events, it's a tactic Kronika is unlikely to anticipate." To him it seemed so simple, but Fujin and Nightwolf thought otherwise.
"She was Shao Kahn's Empress, his equal in evil." The wind god stated.
"Not by choice. He had her bewitched, I was there when Quan Chi resurrected her the first time. He cast a spell that ensured her loyalty to Shao Kahn. Restoring Sindel to life properly will restore her original, more heroic self." Shang explained.
"And if we fail?" Fujin pried. "The Sindel I knew wiped out most of Earthrealm's champions in a single battle, if Nightwolf hadn't sacrificed himself, she would have killed them all. Those she killed are all revenants now. We need not lose any more to her, nor do we need to know what a revenant Cassandra Cage or a revenant Magnus Shadrix are capable of."
"I am well aware, Fujin. But that is exactly the power we need to assure victory against Cetrion." Shang responded. "If Earthrealm's strongest last mere minutes against her, then a fallen Elder Goddess stands even less of a chance." Nightwolf and Fujin fell silent, weighing not only the good of this option but also the possible bad that could arise from this. Sensing their conflict, Shang Tsung made to press his solution home with one final pretence. "Sindel is the key, in more ways than one. We can use her as an anchor to allow Jerrod's soul control over Ermac. With him fighting for Outworld, Edenia will fall in with the Earthrealm-Outworld alliance and grant us considerable advantage over Kronika in the end."
"I suppose restoring her will be easy." Nightwolf remarked, his voice filled with derision.
"Anything but." Shang answered. "We can use Earthrealm's Jinsei to heal Sindel's body, but to break Quan Chi's spells and revive her soul we will need access to Outworld's Soul Chamber." Both of those options were immense tasks, requiring more traveling, more detours and possibly even more kombat. Nightwolf sighed, he didn't like this in the slightest.
"You have a different plan, Nightwolf? A better one?" Fujin asked, his eyes denoting he did not like this either, but as things stood it was their only option. Turning around the sworn protector of the Matoka fixed Shang with a piercing gaze.
"One hint of betrayal, sorcerer, and we will finish you." He grimly promised. Shang Tsung merely smiled back at him, saying nothing at all. With much reluctance, Nightwolf agreed with the plan. "Where do we start?"
Within Kronika's Keep...
Busy preparing her Hourglass for use, Kronika could sense Geras and Frost coming to interrupt her work, yet had no idea what they planned to tell her. It was her enforcer who spoke, stepping forward and speaking in a grave tone, "Shang Tsung, Fujin, Nightwolf. All were seen in the Koliseum." He revealed. Kronika froze as he continued. "How is that possible?"
"It should not be!" She snapped, turning to him with a look of surprise and worry in her eternal eyes. "Those cast into the Void do not return."
"If Shang Tsung were to-"
"I am aware, Geras." Kronika harshly cut Geras off, several possibilities coming to mind. "Take Frost and find them. We must discern from when and whence they came." She ordered.
These events were not according to her plan.