A/N: Hello again! I hope you've been enjoying the story so far. I just wanted to say: romantic chemistry is the bane of my existence. It causes me pain to write.
9023 B.M.K.
"I'd like to do this again, sometime." She said, opening the door for him.
"I'd like that too." He said, smiling.
"I bet one side of our mouth is crooked," The voice said, dripping in vitriol.
"Would you like to meet tomorrow night?" She prompted.
"Around this time again? Yes. Maybe in the library?"
"Great."
"If you can't find me, I'll be perched on a chandelier," Truer than many would've guessed, hanging upside down or posing like a gargoyle was something Viper found terribly fun.
"I'll hold you to that, you know," She said, smiling.
"Then I won't disappoint."
…
"I had fun tonight," She said.
"I'm glad… so did I," He fidgeted his fingers, the claws pressing softly into each other.
He looked into the hallway for a moment before gazing back at the open door.
"Alright, goodnight," He said, while quite literally zipping away, his heart racing. When he slammed the door shut to his room, he placed a hand on his chest and slumped to the floor.
"Tomorrow…" He said to himself.
22 A.M.K.
Viper looked at the staff. His hands ran over the small piece of metal, treating it so carefully that one may have thought it was the emperor's replacement liver.
"Hey," He looked to his left, it was Jacqui.
"I knew Outworld was mostly desert but, I thought there'd be more vegetation than… well, this." She took her hand out of the tall grass they were sitting in. They were well on their way to Z'Unkahrah.
"This is about it for a while," He rested his head against the bark of a tree. "Then, aside from a few exceptions, it's mostly wasteland."
"Outworld is depressing," Jacqui said.
"Johnny said something quite similar. I can't blame him, I felt like Manhattan was a land for the insane at first."
"Why?"
"If someone asked you if you were Godzilla, how would you respond?"
"…Fair enough."
"And yes, Outworld is depressing sometimes. The Konqueror didn't discriminate."
"Shao Kahn," She seemed to recite. "For a while, I never understood why all the kids in school would give modern events presentations on him."
"He was an intimidating man." He turned his gaze back to the staff, the thoughts of the first Outworld invasion were strangely well preserved in his mind.
"And Kotal?" She said.
"I came on this trip with you, what do you think?"
"Fair enough."
She was silent for a moment and then asked: "Whatcha got there?"
"This?" He asked, holding up the staff. "It was Jade's staff."
"Doesn't look like a staff."
"Watch and see." He stood as it took its true form, it became taller than Viper himself. The staff would do that, adjust its size to the user.
"It… kinda looks like a lightsaber."
"The weapon from Star Wars?" He asked as he sat back down.
"You watched Star Wars?" She grinned.
"Johnny forced me to when I was in Earthrealm. It was more fun than I thought it'd be, actually."
"Not to be rude but you'd look like a-" She started.
"Jawa if my cloak had sleeves and I was half my size? Johnny couldn't stop saying that the first time we watched it together."
"Yea," Jacqui said, laughing. When they were finished chuckling, the staff shrunk to its resting state.
"…You know, she loved this thing," He said.
"Jade, you mean?"
"Yes." He laughed. "She'd say something like: 'regale me, an old man like you must have plenty of stories to tell.' Then, I'd say: 'and yet, you seem to be the one carrying a cane.' Gods she would get so mad," He put the staff back in the travel bag, while he listened to Jacqui laugh.
He stared into the tall grass around them, a small smile on his face.
9021 B.M.K.
"Looking for another book?"
"Not one on Edenia." He said, hanging by his tail from a chandelier.
"Why?"
"There's not much else to talk about."
"Then why are we here?" Jade gestured to the rest of the library. He paused, before looking at her and saying: "I… enjoy spending time with you."
She looked back up, where his body was sticking out towards the shelf. His tail, in the meanwhile, was still coiled around the chandelier.
"Oh," She said. "Likewise, Viper."
He looked down and smiled his slightly crooked smile.
"Unless you'd like to talk about something else?" He turned his gaze back to the shelf and pulled out a small book. His arms let go of the wood, and he hung solely by his feet and tail. His cloak, in response, fell past his head but, his entire body remained black as obsidian.
She recalled something, the only thing she could remember of Edenia, from her childhood. "There is one thing," She said.
"Go on," He said, flipping some of the pages.
"When I first saw your drawings," She paused checking if he was still listening.
"When you first saw my drawings," He recited, confirming his paying attention.
"I heard this… voice," He looked at her as she spoke, his eyes visible past the side of the book cover.
"Interesting, what did it say?"
"My name."
"Any idea who it belonged to?"
"It was a woman's voice."
"Just the voice? No other memory associated with it?"
"As far as I can tell…" She said her mind and the previous sentence trailing off. Through a blurry filter, she saw a woman with pale skin, and brown hair. Jade tried to close in on the image, but when she got too close it seemed to explode in her face.
"Are you alright?" Viper had dropped from his previous position. "You seemed… lost for a moment."
"Yes, I'll-… I'll be fine."
"Let's... get out of the library, where we can talk-"
"Viper, I'll be fine." She insisted.
"When people start losing themselves in thought about voices and memories they're usually not fine, you know." She looked at him for another moment, knowing he had her best interest at heart, she relented.
22 A.M.K.
"I don't know, I expected the sky to be purple or something…" Jacqui said.
"Don't believe everything you see online," Kung Jin responded. Carrying his air of superiority over the rest of the group. He had wondered why Jacqui had that misconception, especially considering they had stayed in Zaterra for the past few days.
"And what makes you an expert?" Cassie said, obviously tired of Jin.
"The Shaolin archives, I studied a lot about Outworld," He looked back, where he saw Kollector, still restrained and cursing about how Cassie's name meant: 'heap of dung' in his tongue.
"No substitute for experience," Cassie insisted.
"So what makes you our leader?" Kung Jin asked.
"Guys. Let's stick to the mission," Takeda interrupted.
"Li Mei has to be telling the truth," Cassie said.
"She has a good heart," Viper confirmed.
"But an invasion would violate the Reiko accords," Jacqui said.
"'Cause you can always trust an Outworlder," Kung Jin snarked.
"Li Mei is one of a few I would trust, though," Viper said while making sure Kollector hadn't loosened his bonds.
"But if Outworld's our ally, why didn't they help us during the Netherrealm war? Against Quan Chi and his team of…" Takeda started.
"Revenants? Like Jacqui's dad?" Kung Jin finished for him.
"Asshole," Jacqui piped up. In the meanwhile, Viper, who had been a revenant, gave him a threatening stare, one where the slits in his eyes became so small they looked entirely purple. Realizing he had overstepped his bounds, he moved the conversation on.
"It's not an alliance. Non-aggression pact. Outworld is not our ally."
"Considering we're in its capital, I'd advise you to quiet down Jin," Viper cautioned, and just he said that someone else entered the conversation with: "the lizard's right. It's a point I'd think you'd want to make with more subtlety, given your surroundings…" A cowboy jogged forward, an entourage of soldiers walking up with him.
"Now state your business. Including a reason why we shouldn't kill you," He finished while cocking the gun in his holster.
"I can read you… you're not from Outworld," Takeda said.
"I'm from Earthrealm, like you. But my employer, Kotal Kahn, is from Outworld. So now, I'm from Outworld. State your business," He seemed about ready to fight, his instincts only briefly quelled by Cassie's explanation of: "We're emissaries. We need to talk to Kotal Kahn. Here, we have Raiden's official seal."
"The man's practically an outworlder, and in Outworld, there's always time for money," He thought as he walked back to Viper, who was still carrying the Kollector on his back.
"You've known him longer than I have, does he have any interests other than gold?" Jin whispered to Viper.
"Thrills and money. That's what he wants… offer him something so enticing he won't be able to turn it down… if he still refuses, use the naknadan to sweeten the deal," Viper whispered back. As Jin turned his attention back to the conversation, ignoring the continued cursing of the Kollector, he heard: "I can buy one of those at that stall over there…" Erron, seeming about ready to order his men to kill them, was interrupted by Kung Jin.
"Look… you can arrest us… even kill us… but if we're tellin' the truth, you probably get a pay cut. Or worse," He paused.
"You take us to the Kahn, I'll tell 'im you took us down. Maybe get a bonus. Y'cant lose," There was no doubt that Erron Black was starting to listen and, as he scanned the rest of the group, his eyes fixated at the very back. If Kung Jin had to guess, probably at their naknadan prisoner. He waited a few moments, seeming to weigh the options, but finally said: "Follow me."
Cassie looked over, seeming impressed at her teammate for once.
"In these times of war, we are required to view every resource as a weapon for our Emperor to use at his discretion. To take without his leave is to steal from the hand of Kotal Kahn himself. Therefore, having been found guilty of theft, you shall be put to death," A soldier spoke, around him were others, two that were handling another man, and one more that had a macuahuitl in his hand. They all stood on a wooden stage, surrounded by the smallfolk of Z'Unkahrah. The man that was being dragged spoke next: "I was hungry! I-," he was cut off though, being dragged toward a block of wood.
"Your sentence will be carried out… immediately!" The soldier spoke again.
"Death? For petty theft?" Kung Jin said to Erron Black in disbelief.
"Remember where you are," The cowboy said back.
Jin scurried through the crowd, eager to stop the execution. His teammate and supposed leader, Cassie, called his name. The last thing he heard, at least before everything truly went to shit, was a gunshot.
But he didn't care, he readied an arrow and let it loose. It hit the soldier with the macuahuitl and sent him flying backward. Three soldiers stepped forward to fight but were soon defeated.
Freeing the man who was about to be executed, Kung Jin gave them their next order, a simple: "Get outta here, go!"
But, before he could help his friends, Erron Black held him at gunpoint saying: "I knew I shouldn't have listened to you."
"A lesson in trust… from a mercenary," Jin readied an arrow, wondering if he could fire before Erron got the best of him.
"Here's another learning opportunity," Black said.
Kung Jin shot the arrow he had primed and quickly swung his bow at the mercenary's neck. But, Erron Black, simply put, was too fast. Firing a bullet, which barely missed its mark, he slid and knocked Jin off his feet. Next, Erron rushed in and prepared to tackle him before he could get up but, the Shaolin rolled.
Jin got up and swung his blade, a chakram, but any blows he had made were relatively ineffective. Erron kicked himself up and fired rapidly, the last bullet he let loose, hit what seemed to be a sphere containing sand. As the contents exploded Jin was blinded and that moment was all Erron needed. He slammed the end of his gun into the Shaolin's forehead and kicked him in the chest. But even on the floor, Jin's bow was useful for more than simple strikes and arrows. He let a blast of flame hit Erron square in the chest and then finally seeing a solid opening, he slammed the staff's head into his adversary's face.
After a moment of relief though, the ground started to quake.
"Havitamaah!" A call rang across the courtyard, and its owner began to walk out of the few shadows that were cast by the entrance.
"otayGAH!" The language was unfamiliar, but that didn't matter, Jin knew he could be feeling it soon enough.
"Let's play, Torr!" A young girl said from the back of a masked brute that carried himself like a gorilla.
"You couldn't just ask for a pony like every other girl?" Cassie asked nervously.
"The archives never mentioned symbiotes…" Jin said, readying another arrow.
"Get used to that, Outworld is insane," Viper cautioned.
Most of the team charged at the beast, but quite easily, the brute beat Jacqui, lifted her into the air, and was about to break her back. Before it could happen though, Jin let loose an arrow and it hit its mark, saving Jacqui at the last minute.
When Takeda entered the fray he was thrown to the floor and hit by two massive fists. He was about to be struck again before Kung Jin shot at the beast once more, injuring the brute and saving his friend.
Cassie propelled herself forward with a shadow kick but was caught and hit in the face. The giant took her into his arms and looked as if he was about to snap her in half, while the girl on his back stood and readied her hand-blades. Jin let loose one final arrow and hit the brute's rider, saving Cassie.
"Any advice now that they're charging at us?" Jin asked.
"You're friends charged head-on, I've fought Ferra and Torr before… trust me it's better to separate them" Viper answered.
"You here make trouble, Skinny? Trouble make you!" Ferra roared from Torr's back, apparently having climbed back up.
"I'll get them away from each other, once I do it's best we strike immediately," Viper said.
"Gotcha."
Viper dodged back and forth, avoiding the wide swings of Torr. When the saurian got behind the brute, he swiped his claw across the back of the giant's knee. Viper crawled up the side of Torr, grabbed Ferra, and threw her off. Seeing the perfect time to strike, Jin sprinted forward and let a blast of flames hit his opponent in the face.
Torr, although he may have been nothing more than a brute, he was nonetheless quite an effective one. The flames hurt him for only a few moments before he swung his fists again, bringing them down closer and closer to Kung Jin. However, he had forgotten about Viper, who dashed forward and climbed onto Torr's back. The saurian flipped himself off of the brute, but as he did his tail coiled around the neck of the giant, ushering him forward as Ferra may have had before.
Jin launched himself forward with a flying kick and slammed his foot into Torr's face. When they both landed, and the dust had settled, the symbiotic pair were defeated.
"Well done, Jin," Viper said as walked over.
"Let's see how our friends are before we start celebrating," Jin ran forward, seeing his teammates stand, even if it wasn't without trouble, was a good sign.
"You guys alright?" But they didn't have a chance to respond. More soldiers, led by D'vorah whoso happened to be carrying the Kollector, sprinted forward with unsheathed weapons.
"The Earthrealmers, yes? This One must learn more of your diplomatic techniques," She said, with only the slightest hint of sarcasm.
"We're here to see Kotal Kahn. General Blade's-" Cassie started.
"You interfere with Outworld matters. The penalty is death," D'vorah interrupted.
"I'm sensing a theme," Cassie said aside.
"But, as we honor the Reiko Accords… we will consult the emperor. You will wait here." D'vorah walked away, leaving the soldiers to guard them.
"You wanna take this opportunity to tell us what the hell you were thinking?!"
"I gotta wonder why you'd risk interrealm war for a bread thief…" Takeda supported Cassie.
"Because not all thieves are irredeemable," Jin said, proudly.
"I agree that what you did was stupid," Jin turned his gaze to Viper. "But, I have to commend you."
"Not all thieves are irredeemable," Jin recited to himself.
9021 B.M.K.
"Qaya," Jade said.
"Qaya," Viper recited, the name sounding strangely familiar to him.
"Yes," She glanced over at him and asked: "What are you doing."
"What does it look like I'm doing? I've made tea," He walked over to her, offering her one. "It's not the best but, well… if you don't like it… you don't have to drink it."
"Smooth," He said to himself.
"I hate you," He retorted.
"Thank you," She said, taking one into her hand. They were in his chambers, which in retrospect may have been a bad idea if Jade was to touch anything too much, chances were the entire room would smell like her for hours. And, even when he actively tried to filter her smell out, which quite frankly wasn't that often, it still was a slight bit stronger than anything else.
"So, this Qaya. You know her?" He prompted.
"No… at least I don't think so."
"How do you mean?" Taking a sip of his own tea, he soon realized he wanted to spit it out.
Reading what parts of his face she could see, she said: "I shouldn't drink this, then."
"Probably not," She took a sip anyway, and after a moment of looking at it, she turned to him and asked: "Did you… try to make my favorite kind of tea?"
He was silent for a few moments and then said: "Depends… do you like it?"
"Depends," She said seeming to toy with him. "Did you know yellow tea was my favorite?" She crossed her leg and smiled devilishly.
"Yes… I- I did," He grinned nervously.
"Well then, Viper," She paused and took another sip. "It's the best tea I've ever had."
He chuckled a little, a small bit hesitant to return to the previous topic.
"But, I digress," She said. "Her name, the way her voice sounded, even the way she looked is all a bit familiar."
"Qaya," He said to himself. "Brown hair, pale skin, green eyes?"
"Did you know her?" Jade asked.
"I met her once," He thought for a moment, "She was a noblewoman, last time I was in Edenia."
"Why is she in my head?" Jade uncrossed her legs, seemingly about to stand.
"When I did see her, she and her husband informed me they would be trying for a baby soon. That was a couple of years before the merging." He scratched at his chin, not feeling the need to say anything more.
"Well…" She started.
"You alright?" He asked.
"It just… seems weird is all." She looked deep in thought for a moment. "Qaya," She repeated.
"Would you like to talk about it?" He probed.
"What is there to talk about?" She laughed, almost nervously.
"Jade," He started unsure of how he would finish. After a few moments of thought, he decided to stick with a simple: "What's wrong?"
"A giant lizard knew my mother while I didn't," She looked up, her voice laced with an especially effective sort of venom and then apologized. "I'm sorry, I'm just… upset." She took a long pause and then continued. "I, sometimes I feel jealous."
"Of who?"
"It seems irrational to me… but, of everyone, practically."
"You can tell me, Jade."
"My mother, died while I was a child, sometimes I envy that experience," She took another swig of the tea.
"Yes…" He started, his mind traveling to, unpleasant, thoughts of his own mother. Barring that, he reached his hand across the table, taking hers into his. She smiled, although still seemed to be thinking of her mother.
"What were your parents like?" She asked, quite suddenly. But, he was fine with answering at least half of the question.
"My father," He started. "His name was Suko, and he was a fisherman," He paused, the thoughts of his dad being some of his warmest memories. "Sometimes… I wonder how I would've ended up if it weren't for him."
"Is he still in Zaterra?" Jade asked.
"No… he died long ago. Before the merging was even a question," He laughed. "Strange… soon I'll be twice as old as he was." Nervously, he took another sip of his tea. In response, her hand squeezed his.
"I made a promise in that jungle, I intend to keep it," She said.
"When I met her, Qaya, she was so excited to have been married, so excited to know that she might be having a child soon. I know that she would've loved you, Jade," He rested his cheek on his hand.
"Was your father-" She started.
"Deformed?" He finished, ready to answer her before she finished her question.
"No," She said. "The proper word is remarkable."
…
The walk back to her chambers was silent.
When they reached the door to her room he planned on bidding her goodnight but before he could, she turned, grabbed his face, spread her fingers across the scales of his neck and head, and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek. He pushed his hand into the scales that her lips had touched. Nervously, he asked: "Why-… why did you do that?"
Her answer was a smile, and a simple: "Because I wanted too." And with that, she opened the door to her chambers and walked in.
22 A.M.K.
"Your news of refugees is troubling. Their exodus to Earthrealm was not known to me," Kotal stared down Cassie before he continued.
"I do know this: I invited no guests from Earthrealm. Certainly, none who would disrupt the execution of justice," He walked up to the steps of the stage and placed his hand on the pillory before he continued. "How do I know you are not allied with Mileena? Perhaps her newfound power has earned her new friends?"
"Friends? No. No! We're not even sure that's Shinnok's Amulet she has-" Cassie started.
"She employs Shinnok's Amulet against me?! The very item Earthrealm swore would be safe in its care?! When Outworld was offered no participation-" Kotal began.
"We were under attack, not Outworld-" Cassie tried to explain themselves, but Kung Jin interrupted her.
"Kotal Kahn, The Fire that Burns the Sun. We are here because we share your concerns about the missing item. We intend no ill against your rule," Jin bowed his head slightly.
"At least one Earthrealmer can forge words like silver," Kotal smiled for a second, before returning his face to a grim stare.
"But I recall an Earthrealm expression: "There is more honor among thieves than diplomats."
"I've had the questionable fortune to be both, Emperor. But I'm telling you the truth."
"You are allied with Mileena. You may carry out your sentence." Kotal spoke to D'vorah, but Jin objected
"Kotal Kahn. Under Outworld Law I claim the right of Defense… by Kombat."
"What?" Takeda walked forward.
"You're gonna fight… a duel?" Jacqui spoke.
"To absolve us of all accusations. Denying the request brings dishonor upon the accuser," Kung Jin didn't flinch, his words never outpacing his fortitude.
"You know much of Outworld," Kotal stepped forward.
"Know also: The duel ends in death." D'vorah gave a look to the Emperor. But right as Kung Jin was about to step forward, Viper decided it was about time to join into the 'conversation.'
"What are you doing?" Jin asked.
"You're good… but Kotal is centuries older than you." He said simply, stepping into the middle of the two groups. Kotal's tattoos started to glow a yellow color, and his eyes followed suit. Viper tasted the air, where only the smell of blood ruled.
"You have won nothing, merely a few more seconds of breath."
Before anything else could be said, Viper sprinted forward, tapping into super speed, and raked his claws against the Emperor's chest. He dashed back toward the osh-tekk and his tail wrapped itself around Kotal's neck. As he kept running, the Emperor lost his footing, and his body slammed into the stone of the courtyard. When they separated, Kotal took out the sickles on his back and swung them at Viper's legs. The emperor, after swinging for a moment too long, opened himself up for a tail strike, and accordingly, he was sent flying back. Viper chased after him, but Kotal stood and threw a disk of fire at him. The saurian grabbed onto the disk, undeterred by the fire, and broke it in half, but while doing so, the Emperor shapeshifted into a panther. Viper quickly postured himself on all fours.
Their roars and hisses drowned out the cries of the soldiers around them, and after they charged, the saurian was able to get the upper hand. He tackled the osh-tekk, who was still in panther form, to the ground. He clawed at the beast until he shapeshifted again but, once Kotal did, he summoned the energy of the sun. Viper, once again, ignored the minimal effect of the heat, and as a sign to the Emperor that he would have to fight harder, bit into his shoulder. In retaliation, Kotal summoned another blast of energy. His hand gleamed with yellow stripes and he punched the saurian, who was still dug into his shoulder, in the midsection. He repeatedly smashed his fist into Viper's torso and eventually sent him flying back.
They were back to where they started.
Kotal called upon the power of the sun, and the energy that was given to him manifested as fire. Viper, in response, ran straight into it. Seeing the saurian do so, Kotal sent a more powerful wave of energy that, instead of fire, manifested an explosion.
It became silent.
But, through the grey shroud of smoke, two purple lights could be seen. Running through the haze, Viper summoned the power of acid and threw a ball of it at Kotal. The Emperor dodged, but this was just what the saurian had wanted. The spheres exploded into tiny little streams of acid shaped like snakes. As they landed onto Kotal, Viper took control of them once more and they bit into the osh-tekk's skin. After this attack, the saurian ran forward and vitriol erupted from his mouth. Entire streams of acid slowly washed away the blue paint on Kotal's entire body.
Viper continued sprinting and summoned Jade's staff. Viper compelled it to take its true form, jumped into the air, and slammed it down on Kotal's head. The energy that typically radiated from it weaponized itself making the blow even more powerful and sent the osh-tekk flying ten feet back. With that, Viper had won the battle.
"You're free to…" He paused, wiping some of the blood off his chest before he continued. "Make your demands now."
Jin nodded and walked toward Kotal.
"And now, Emperor?" The osh-tekk lay on the ground as the Shaolin spoke, breathing heavily and holding his bleeding shoulder and chest.
"The charges against you are void. I say to all that Earthrealm means Outworld no harm," Kotal readjusted his position to kneel. "Now kill me. Be done with it."
"You're not actually gonna…" Cassie stepped forward.
"Instead of your life, I claim your service. If Mileena does have the amulet we can get it from her more easily if we work together," Jin said.
"Emperor… they cannot be trusted," D'vorah cautioned.
"D'vorah. Can you not perceive… I am indebted to them," He said as he stood once more.
"You honor us, Kotal Kahn. Our gratitude is wide like the ocean," Jin shook hands with the Emperor.
"I'll talk to General Blade… tell her about our new… arrangement." Cassie said.
When the people in the courtyard left, barring Kotal Kahn and Viper himself. The Emperor spoke.
"Reptile asked for you when he heard you were here," Kotal held his bleeding torso.
"Last time I saw him, you said I wouldn't be able to talk to him anymore," Viper said, not caring to look at the Emperor.
"When was that?" Kotal asked as if to say: "Who the hell cares?"
"Eleven years ago," Viper said.
"Much can change in eleven years," He paused.
…
"Kotal," Viper said.
"Yes?"
"Don't speak of my friends," It was strange to think that there was ever a time in which Viper wanted to curry favor, he hissed in disgust.
"Is this how you treat those who offer someone like you-"
"Someone like me?" He laughed. "Careful, Kotal, careful," He stared down Kotal, his gaze never faltering.
"You couldn't kill me. Today, fortune simply favored you."
"Buluc, the sun god, is defeated by a deformed lizard and you think that 'I can't defeat you without luck' is a part of the reasons I haven't killed you already?" Viper laughed. "If so, you're dumber than I first thought, Kotal. But after all, you did connive your way to power, and now you figure that you can trust more members of your court than you can count on one crippled hand… no, you couldn't possibly be stupid. Enjoy the Kollector, I'm sure you and he will get along swimmingly," Viper said left the courtyard. But, soon the feeling of satisfaction was replaced by what felt like a hollow pit in his stomach.
"Someone like you," Repeated endlessly in his head. When he had reached the inside of the palace, he found himself in a hallway. It was silent for a long time, at least until he heard some scream: "Viper, it's been too long!" The saurian turned, expecting to see Reptile. But… no-one was there. His gaze shifted back forward, and he heard it again.
"Viper, don't leave!" He turned again, this time, he thought he could see a dim glow at the end of the hallway.
"Reptile?" He asked.
"It's been too… too long," The voice said. It hit Viper like a fist, nearly sending him hurtling backward.
"You… you were expected, but not welcome." He said as he recomposed himself.
"Don't you remember? You made me so I could keep you safe," It insisted.
"I don't need you now, I haven't for a long time," He shot back, desperately trying to avoid something he knew he couldn't.
"But now you do, don't you?" Everything became silent for a moment. Until he saw it manifested as him, but with glowing orange eyes, a black cloak, reptilian styled pauldrons on his shoulders, and blood splattered over his indistinct form.
"Get out of my head!" He screamed as he let acid erupt from his fists, trying to hit his enemy in the face. But, instead of killing the image, he heard a: "Viper!"
He woke up from the strange vision to see Reptile, who had taken control of the violent outburst of acid and suspended it in air.
"Reptile!" He scrambled over to help control the liquid. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were there."
"It's alright. How have you been?" He said.
"Fine," Viper responded.
…
"Fine?" He asked himself.
9021 B.M.K.
"Reptile!" He slammed his hand onto the door.
"Go to sleep!" He heard from within the room.
"Please! I need to ask you something!" The door next to them opened, Motaro walked out.
"Just answer the door, Reptile." He said, shaking his head tiredly. In response, the door swung open.
"What?!" Reptile's eyes were tired, and he sounded cantankerous.
"Well, see a few hours ago-" Viper started, but Motaro interrupted them.
"I think everyone would appreciate you talking inside the room," Motaro said.
"What about me? I won't 'appreciate' it?!" Reptile said angrily.
"You," Motaro paused. "Will just have to deal with him!" They were full-on screaming now. Seeing the trouble he had caused, Viper grabbed Reptile's arm and pulled him into the room.
"That stupid centaurian… I-" Viper interrupted him, saying that he wanted to talk about Jade.
"What about her?" Reptile said angrily.
"Well, I… am attracted… to her."
"Her?"
"Yes."
"No, no… I don't think you heard me. Her? Jade?"
"Yes, Reptile."
"A woman, whose skin isn't slimy and pale?
"Reptile?"
"Eyes aren't glossy black?"
"Repti-?"
Doesn't have a prehensile tongue?"
"Reptile!"
"And has hair?"
"Yes…" Viper said, imagining the typical saurian woman with Reptile's description.
"By the gods, you've gone mad!"
"That's beside the point. I… I think she might feel the same way," Viper's tail nervously slinked into his hands.
"And you know this because?"
"Well… she kissed me earlier tonight."
"On the lips?"
"No."
"Where was it then?"
"Cheek."
"I see."
"What does 'I see' mean?"
"That could just mean friendship, Viper. How long was it anyway?"
"A few seconds. Why?"
"How long is 'a few seconds?'"
"Four or five," Viper answered honestly.
"I see."
"When you say 'I see' it doesn't really help, Reptile."
"Well… you may be right Viper."
"And?"
"There is no 'and.'"
"What?" Viper asked, thoroughly confused.
"Tell her how you feel, if you're so convinced she may feel the same way," Reptile answered.
"But… how do I tell her?"
"Just tell her."
"But! How?"
"Once again, there is no 'how', Viper. If you tell her and you're wrong then… you might've ruined your friendship. It's a leap of faith."
"Huh… I never thought of it like tha-"
"Now please… unlike you, I need sleep!" Reptile grabbed onto Viper, pushed him out the door, and shut it quite loudly.
"I suppose… I should…" Viper didn't finish his thought, he favored a different idea, and as usual for him, he returned to simply saying her name. "Jade…"
A/N: Good news everyone! While I was looking into chapter 4 edits, I stubbornly decided to rewrite the whole thing. But, so far it's been going alright. I wanted to set up a few things in that chapter that I wanted to play a part later. One of those things (cough, cough, Viper charging and Kotal's fire and brushing away Tanya's fireballs) was hinted at multiple times but I wanted to give it a better foundation. As always, I hope you had fun reading.
Sincerely, The Swampian