No Hard Feelings

~*/

"This girl has a strange light in her. It would be best if she would come with us." A shaman commented.

"She is not a shaman. What would make an orphan like her dedicate her life to us?"

"My name is Nightwolf. What should we call you?"

"Nigh%#&$%."

"Do you spell your name like mine?"

"-kay."

~*/

"Today is the day that we cleanse your heart of all taint." A Shaman stated.

Knightwolf walks near the fresh upper body of a corpse. She spots a photo near it and lifts it from the ground. The photo resembled a husband & wife, their son, and a newborn baby girl. Knightwolf smiles at the sight of the family before tossing it back on the ground.

"What is it?" Nightwolf asked.

~*/

Aylin wakes up. She looks over at the other men camping around the bonfire. Knightwolf places her hand on Aylin's leg.

"Is everything alright?" Knightwolf asked. Aylin simple nodded. The two of them lied back down in their sleeping bags. Aylin stared at the nearby bushes.

*Meanwhile in Outworld*

Kotal stares in disgust at both the corpse and Kitana. Kitana invites him to enter the cabin. Kotal continued to inspect Shao Kahn's corpse from the outside. He noticed Kitana's confuse look as he refused to enter the cabin.

"Is there an issue, Kotal Kahn?" she questioned. Her question could only be heard faintly by the Osh'Tekk as he thought off how sick and twisted Kitana had been all this time.

"I see now…" Kotal stated.

"I know what you're thinking Kotal Kahn. Yes, I'm the one who beheaded the Centaurs and chained Motaro up with his horn cut off. I already knew Tanya was a traitor as she always was yet I still sent Jade after her as if Jade would be strong enough to actually kill her. I knew that using Shinnok's Amulet to prevent Armageddon was just a lie made to help me Reklaim Outworld. I also orchestrated Shang Tsung's demise to ensure Mileena would inherit the throne entirely on her own. Even the resurrection of Shao Kahn was my doing, albeit indirectly. However, I can truly assure you that I'm not the one who killed your father."

Kotal Kahn charged into Kitana, pinning her next to Shao Kahn's corpse. "You dare ask for pity and forgiveness after committing such dishonorable acts?!" Kitana struggles to escape. He releases his weight off her and she falls to the ground gasping for air.

"Is this how your kind likes to parley with others?" She slowly picks herself up, awaiting the Osh'Tekk warrior's offer to help her up.

"We do not negotiate with savages. I would rather discuss the terms of this agreement with Mileena Kahnum" Kitana smirks. "…without your involvement." He adds. Kitana, finally on her feet, brushes the dust and cobwebs from her attire.

"If it weren't for me, Outworld would be ruled by another dictator like my father. We both know K'etz and his regime were bound to start Onaga's process all over."

"You mean the process that was improved upon by Shang Tsung? One where he and Mileena offered benefits to those who would force other realms into Mortal Kombat tournaments?!"

"THAT WAS NOT MY DOING!"

"YOU PLACED THEM BOTH ON THE THRONE!"

"I did not call you here to speak on my past actions, Ko'otal. I've chosen to give you a fair opportunity for a future where you would have the chance to be placed on the throne. However, this option ends with this meeting!"

"I care not for the throne of Outworld. If you want to make things right, release the Orbs that hold our realms hostage!"

Kitana turned her head laughed. "I would be a fool to honor such a request, Ko'otal. My father's enemies would never forgive us. And some such as yourself are going extinct. Why would I give you people such an emotional choice?"

"Then there is nothing left to discuss." Kotal storms off.

"Kotal Kahn, I demand you come back this instant!" she shouted to no avail. "There will be dire consequences should you ignore this deal!" Upon his disappearance, Kitana slams her fist against the wall.

*Earthrealm*

Chan traverses further north in China in hopes of finding at least one monk from the Order of Light. He checked Bo Rai Cho's Earthrealm home recently but found that another family lived there. He found it strange that Bo Rai Cho would leave his home to go somewhere else. Maybe he doesn't know that the deal with Outworld never came to fruition. He decides it would be best to check out the Lin Kuei temple to see if they could give information on what's happened since the tournament.

As he got close, he noticed many warriors from the clan training in the fields. He was amazed by the number of warriors involved in the clan. The fact that only Subzero and Frost joined the tournament was somewhat suspicious seeing how Outworld could've included more than just those two. "Now that I think about it, Frost isn't here anymore since they know she was Shirai Ryu all along. Subzero also…" Chan remembered that Noob Saibot took over the tournament in his brother's stead. That can't be good news for his younger brother. Still, he would find it best to figure out what they know.

"Do…not…move…" Chan stood still as he heard a muffled voice from behind. "State your business, wanderer."

"I'm in search of information on the whereabouts of two Wu Shi Warriors. I was hoping that your…grandmaster was it?"

"The grandmaster must not be bothered with trivial matters such as yours."

"Then what of Subzero? Surely he is allowed to speak to an outsider." Chan was suddenly struck in the back of the head.

Sometime later…

Chan's eyes start to open back up. He looks around and notices that he was in a prison cell. The cell could be unlocked from the inside and many of the others were walking by seemed to be inmates as well. However, the lack of guards seemed strange. It was like everyone was happy to be there. He decide to leave his cell and explore the area a bit. He notices the crystalized cobalt scattered throughout the prison.

"If you're in this area of the Cobalt Mines it means you're part of the cause as well, am I right?" a mysterious voice questioned. Chan looked to the caped man who seemed to have been in this prison for a while. He notices, the man was missing a hand.

"Cobalt mines? Is this a Lin Kuei prison?" he asked.

"Lin Kuei? This is Outworld."

"Outworld!? How?"

"I'm guessing you've been out for a while." The man responded as he brushed his hand across his hair. He reached out to the young Earthrealmer. "Mavado." Chan shook his hand and nodded.

"Chan. You might know me as Hornbuckle."

"Hornbuckle." he pondered. "I remember hearing about your achievements during the last tournament, but you seemed to have disappeared ever since."

"After we defeated the Brotherhood of Shadows, we had to use the amulet to teleport our existence away to the future so that we can prevent Armageddon and the time jumping spell."

"So that's the excuse she used." Mavado whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"That spell requires Tesla to actively use her power in a specific area of Outworld. A former contact connected to her wanted this power but found it impossible to replicate."

"Then what of Kitana, Shelia, and Eva?"

"Kitana has recently returned and is now the queen of Outworld. Eva has the minds of those residing in these mines trapped in the Dream Realm. As for Shelia…" Mavado scratches his head. "Do you know why you're here in the first place?"

"If I did, I wouldn't be asking." Chan responded.

"She was forgiven by the Lin Kuei's new grandmaster for her aid against the sorcerer Quan Chi. Every mercenary in existence was informed to capture those connected to the death of Shang Tsung."

"Wait…Shang Tsung was…" Chan decided to put that information on hold. "I've only talked to one warrior from the Lin Kuei and upon mentioning Subzero, I was knocked out. When I came to, I was here."

"Subzero was mentioned as one of the four assassins involved in this assassination. He went rogue after wind of Bi Han taking his role in the tournament. There's also Knightwolf, Kenshi, and the Locust Clan's leader. So mentioning him may be why they put you here."

In the distance, they here a woman chanting in a language neither has ever heard. As the chant gets closer, Mavado returns to his cell. Chan started to feel frantic as he was unaware of what was about to happen. He blinks and finds himself before the throne of Mileena. She smiles gleefully upon seeing the shaolin.

"How did—"

"It's been awhile, Hornbuckle." She interrupted.

"You don't have to call me that anymore, Mileena. The tournament is over."

"I only know you as Hornbuckle. Kitana never told me your real name." She responded. She signals everyone away, leaving only her and Eva in the room. Chan notices her presence as the room empties.

"You were with us too." He stated.

"You are on trial, Chan." Eva announced.

"Chan? So that's his name." Mileena pondered.

"What have I been charged with? And where are the jury? The lawyers?"

"This is not Earthrealm, mortal. Mileena is the final say of Outworld." Eva confirmed. "I know the mortal named Mavado has told you of Kitana's status, however you are involved in a conspiracy that has occurred before her rule."

"You know none of us were around when Shang Tsung was assassinated." He responded.

"That is 100% false."

"Mileena, you know we we've been gone the entire time. Eva must be covering for someone."

"That is 100% false."

"Eva is the embodiment of all that is true. If she says it's a lie, it's a lie." Mileena responded.

"How can you leave the truth in the hands of one woman?" Chan asked.

"You've seen the visions, you know the truths revealed to you." Eva responded.

"My visions said that Kira and I would be assassinated. It said nothing of Shang Tsung's death."

"Knightwolf and Shelia have been in the world within the first year after our encounter in Russia." Eva confirmed.

"I had nothing to do with his assassination. I just came back a few weeks ago."

"That is 75% false. That is 100% true."

"You are involved in some capacity, Earthrealmer. Who are you working for?"

"No one."

"That is 100% true."

"You have connections with those involved in the assassination. Which of them are you closest to?"

"Shelia."

"That is 100% false."

"You've seen our relationship with one another during the tournament—Friendship that is."

"Your friendship with Shelia has nothing to do with this question as she is not involved in the plot against Shang Tsung. I sense that you have some affiliation with the one known as Kenshi." Eva pondered. Chan looked away. "I am 100% right. What are you hiding?"

"I am…affiliated with a group of individuals from Earthrealm. However, they aren't allowed to traverse Outworld without Raiden's permission."

"Oh really?"

"That is 100% true on both accounts." Eva confirmed. Mileena was slightly surprised.

"To further clear my name, none of us would ever step foot into Outworld without Raiden's permission."

"That is also 100% true."

"That doesn't make much sense, but you have fairly—"

"If I may, Empress. Kenshi is a master in the art of telepathy. How do we know he didn't use that art to infiltrate Outworld?"

"He must know exactly what Outworld's layout looks like. That can only be done by him physically being here as he is blind."

"That may be true, but also…are you part of the organization he is in?" she asked.

"I…am not." He responded. She nods.

"He is telling the truth." She grins along with Mileena.

"I shall concede for now, but you are definitely hiding something."

"I heard something happened to Subzero after the tournament. My mentioning of him is why I'm here."

"That is false speculation made by the one called Mavado. You are here because the Grand Master has told us of your affiliation with the secret society of Earthrealm defenders who are involved in the assassination of Shang Tsung. Subzero's name was cleared upon assassinating the original Grand Master. However, the others are still suspects." Eva explained.

"I promise I know nothing specifically about the assassination Shang Tsung beyond what was told by the two of you and Mavado." He stated.

"That's strange." Eva seemed bewildered by his response. "You are definitely involved to some capacity. However, you truly know nothing of this plot against Shang Tsung. These are all truths."

"So someone has used you somehow. Maybe your visions of the future were used to alter the events that may have happened. What do you remember in detail?" Mileena asked.

"It has been 15 years since I've gotten my visions."

"Lies! Kitana and Eva have both stated that the jump brought them forward instantly upon using the spell." Mileena confirmed. Chan looked Eva and noticed that she was bewildered by her response as well.

"Is it possible…?" Eva moves next to Chan and looks Mileena in the eyes. Her hair now black, she summons a few Shadow Priest into the room. "Find princess Kitana immediately and bring her here." As the priests rush through a portal to the outside world, Mileena steps from her throne.

"What is it?" Mileena wondered.

"Queen Mileena, who gave you that information?" she asked.

"Both you and Kitana confirmed this information. Why do you ask?"

"And when was this?"

"Kitana told me while we were in the realm of Order."

"Kitana told you this."

"Yes, she has. Why do you ask?"

"Kitana told you this—not me." Eva confirmed. "We've been experiencing life in an alternate reality for the past 15 years. Does Kitana really not look older to you?"

"I…what?!" she shouted.

"I thought it was just me." Chan commented. "I resided in another realm with Shelia for a while. However, months later she was gone while I remained the entire 15 year span."

"The question here is why did Kitana lie to you?" Eva wondered. Shang Tsung's spell was starting to wear off Mileena as her Tarkatan features were becoming more prevalent.

End of Chapter 14

Edit: Fixed issue with dream fragments at the beginning not being separated by symbols.

(Upcoming—No Longer Red)