Spectre: Heya! Chapter 2 of my 2nd fic is here and is a pre-mission one that will feature early travels and some OCs. I'm not gonna feature a lot of them but I thought that a little bit of expansion (Not really relevant but to a little sense) would show how they would interact outside the ring. I'm also currently making the fight scenes on my first fic that would feature Revenant Sub-Zero fighting either Jade or Scorpion. Anyhow, let's go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat.
Chapter 2: Atonement
Kitana sat in silence on one of the Courtyard's benches, in deep thought as she pondered of her upcoming journey with Kuai Liang. Ever since being revived, Kitana continously thought of what would she be doing now, wether or not she deserve redemption after all that she has done when she was Shao Kahn's assassin, and Quan Chi's servant. The mere thought of those two sickened her, as they had turned her into the mess of a woman she is today. Constantly, her thoughts are focused to her other Revenant comrades, wishing that they were with them during the attack on Quan Chi's fortress by the Special Forces, otherwise, they might as well get their revenge at Quan Chi for enslaving them.
Speaking of which, the Special Forces also kept her in constant check, seeing on how she had killed several of their soldiers during the assault and also due to her previous affiliations with Outworld. Sonya Blade wanted her incarcerated for her actions, something that Kitana would accept seeing all that she has done as a servant of almost her entire life, if not by the intervention of both Raiden and Kuai Liang, who reasoned that she has a second chance like that of Jax Briggs and should give it a try at her attempt to redeem herself as well as Kuai Liang's. This changed Kitana's opinion to the Thunder God a little, though she would never forget the anger she felt when he intended to sell out their souls to Quan Chi. Sighing, to her, it was a rough ride nowadays, and she has to be prepared to what else goes by in the future.
"Hello", came a voice. Kitana snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention to Kuai Liang, who was holding his breakfast. "Is it all right if I sit with you?"
Smiling since she was getting a little lonely, nodded her head as they ate their breakfast which consisted vegetables that shape like 'real' meat, fish, chicken, duck. Whoever had this idea, Kitana thought, was a clever one. The two would later engage in small talk on various topics as they ate their meal. As she spoke to Kuai Liang, he wasn't as cold-hearted as people assumed him to be. Rather, he turned out to be a warm and gentle person regarding his comrades and family. For that, she found warmth in his presence alone, making her feel that she was not alone as she thought herself to be after Jade vanished.
Sky Temple Courtyard
"So, are you prepared?", Raiden asked as Kuai Liang and Kitana gathered their belongings and were waiting for Raiden to transport them to their destination.
"Yes, Lord Raiden", they said in unison. Kuai Liang was wearing a blue vest that also exposed some of his proportion along with black pants, and boots as well as a pair of greaves. Kitana on the other hand, wears a blue sleeveless shirt that exposes her mifriff, knee-high boots, a blue loin cloth, and a pair of greaves. (AN: Her Tournament skin in MKX)
"The Dagger as we speak of is very dangerous. It's power can control the hearts and minds of the people depending on how it was used and it was quite surprising that the Red Dragon had not yet attempted to access its power. Perhaps they had known what it is truly capable off", Bo Rai Cho stated as the two Blue-clad ninjas nodded.
"It is why the Red Dragon would want to sell it to Mileena. And judging by her rule, the dagger would make anyone submit on her word, and possibly creating a feminine Shao Kahn because of it", Raiden said as he had studied the dagger of its power. "Do you have any questions?"
The two ninjas glanced at one another as they shook their heads.
"Good, let us go then", and the three disappeared in a flash of lightning, leaving a calm and optimistic Bo Rai Cho behind.
Outkirsts
It had been three months since they had left the Sky Temple after they had gathered whatever than can from Bo Rai Cho and Raiden. They had mostly have their camping equipment, supplies, and their arsenal with them as they travelled, and occasionally, engage in spars for the upcoming mission.
The two had set off towards Linxia in Earthrealm but every time the two had stopped to sleep Kuai Liang could always hear the faint sounds of sobbing coming from the other tent. Though he wouldn't admit it, it had him worried every time; when he asked Kitana about it she would always say it was nothing and had continued to give that answer since the two had started travelling together.
It still had him worried though…
Upon their arrival to Linxia from the city of Lanzhou, however they came across something they weren't expecting to see…
"What appears to be happening here?" Kitana asked as she saw the streets decorated in a strange fashion as she saw numerous red lanterns with strange symbols and several stalls.
"They, Kitana", Kuai Liang started, pointing at the festival, "Are people preparing for Zhōngguó Xīnnián, or Chinese New Year"
"Chinese New Year?", Kitana asked, curious on the unknown event to her.
"It's an Earthrealm festival that celebrates a new year ahead of them and they would mark this occassion by the eating of mooncakes, the Dragon Dance and elaborate fireworks", Kuai Liang explained, seeing that she was unfamilliar with the events held at Earthrealm.
"What are Fireworks?", she asked, as the sound of it looked like some sort of weapon.
The Cryomancer smiled, "They're like shining lights ignited by Earthrealmers without the use of magic but of creativity. They're a wonderful sight to see at night and possibly a once a year opportunity to see here since they tend to be the finest of the year when held".
Kitana looked down. It sounded really good and was curious on how Earthrealmers celebrate unlike Outworld. Heck, she did not even get to experience any events other than training. Shao Kahn's anniversary of conquests aren't really events for her as she stood beside her father along with Jade, with nothing to do other than guarding the Emperor.
"Can we...see them?", she blurted out without thinking. And she covered her mouth with her hand in embarassment while Kuai Liang chuckled, seeing how her curiosity got the best of her.
"Once we managed to finish our mission, then we can. I know a man who owes me and my brother a few favours years back and we can sleep inside rather than camping", Kuai Liang explained as the two continued to walk the streets.
As they continued to walk, Kitana tried some of the food that was sold in the stands with the money that Bo Rai Cho gave them just in case, and she was rather captivated by the Nian Gao and the Fa Gao, and she tend to enjoy every bite of it as the two continued walking while being mindful of their spendings.
"Hey! Well if isn't my beloved Cryomancer I ever met!" they heard from in front of them. They looked up and saw a man who looked to be in his sixties standing in the middle of the street dressed in what seemed to be for a merchant. The man has a Fu Manchu moustache and his black hair braided.
"Wu Fong, you old drunkard; how's it going?" Kuai Liang waved running up to the man with Kitana trailing a few feet behind.
"Same old, same old as always; my business is still thriving!," he said off handily before looking over to Kuai Liang's partner. "It's good to see you again, mate. How's Bi-Han, by the way?".
Kuai Liang looked away at that trying to forget what had happened a few years ago "He...passed away from an accident".
Kitana looked at him where she could see his eyes hiding the sadness that resulted of his brother's death. She was there when Scorpion murdered the Elder Sub-Zero, and later on Kuai Liang attempting to avenge the death of his brother but resulted of him being automated instead.
"I see, I'm sorry if I asked," the aged man shook his head. "Still can't believe how you've grown up!," Wu Fong complemented. "Nevertheless I never thought you'd come back here ever since you and your brother saved me from bandits when you were teenagers!".
The Cryomancer gave a hearty laugh, "It was nothing, Wu. We just needed to finish what's to be done". He shook his head clearing his mind, "Never mind that; do you mind if we stay for awhile? I mean if it's not too much trouble?"
Wu Fong nodded looked between him and the Edenian, "Sure, sure and of course your girlfriend here can stay too".
Kitana blushed at the thought and Kuai Liang waved his arm in defence, "She is a companion of mine, not my girlfriend"
Wu Fong eyes them for a few moments before dragging out his words, "I see, then. I remembered when I said that to my parents when I brought her home". Shaking his head he gestured towards the nearby lake, "Anyway, come on; you can both live at my place"
Wu Fong's House
"Is daddy here? I thought he'd be here by now", asked a little girl as the woman was preparing a meal along with an elderly woman. She looked over the stove to see how it was doing as she answered, "He should be home anytime now; you know how hard he works these days".
The little girl sighed at that, "I know but I barely get to see him anymore".
Suddenly the doorbell went off alerting to the two, "Would you get that Mei?" her mother asked.
The little girl nodded standing up and moving towards the door; taking a look out the peephole she immediately recognized her father and opened the door. When she did he took notice of the two adults at the door with her grandfather; she looked between the two and Wu Fong before her eyes widened as she recognised the man's icy breath on the male's mouth knowing that only one person had them.
"Kuai?" the little girl, known as Wu Mei, stuttered and heard a clatter of dishes from back in the kitchen. Suddenly her mother appeared at her side too, "Y-your really here?"
"Hey Mei, Ms. Shumeng; long time no see," the Cryomancer suddenly found himself tackled to the ground by the girl.
"Big brother!" Mei shouted trying to hold back a wave of tears.
As if to answer Kuai Liang's unasked question Wu Fong spoke up, "ever since you left the city, she has been worried sick about you".
The Cryomancer nodded in understanding before pushing the child off of him gently and crouching down onto one knee so that they were eyelevel, "Come on now; I thought you weren't going to cry anymore? It's not suiting you know; you do want to be brave don't you?"
Sniffing slightly Mei rubbed her eyes and nodded, "Sorry about that, Dà gēgē", the Mandarin term for big brother.
"Don't worry about it," Kuai Liang smiled patting her on the shoulders getting the young girl to calm down.
'He's quite fond with children,' Kitana mused before she shook her head. 'What am I thinking? It's not like I like that,' even though she thought that she couldn't escape the feeling of warmth in her chest when she looked at the scene.
"Is this your girlfriend Kuai Liang?" Shumeng asked with her attention on the blue-clad Edenian.
Kitana blushed at that and shook in frustration, "No, I'm not". She continued passed them and entering the house rather quickly.
Turning to her son, the Elderly woman named Chang Chang asked as Kuai Liang followed his companion, "What was that about?"
"They have that sort of relationship," Wu Fong replied knowingly and entered the house.
"Love/hate? My, my, this should be interesting," the grandmother giggled and headed back to the kitchen.
"What?" was the only thing Mei could say as he didn't understand what they were talking about.
After about ten minutes the group could be found sitting around the kitchen table eating the sea food Shumeng had cooked
"So you two; what brings you here?" Wu Fong asked before taking another bite out of his meal.
Kuai Liang stopped for a moment to answer; "We need a place to lie low for a bit to plan our next move". He waved his hands in defence, "Don't worry we won't be staying long; just a day or two before anyone decides to come knocking".
The Merchant merely shook his head, "I never said you couldn't stay kid; to hell with anyone that come by. This is a proud family and we have unbreakable will because of you. I'll be damned if it's going to fall just because some bandit want to kill you so stay as long as you want".
Kuai Liang shook his head at that, "Thanks but it would be safer if we kept moving".
After dinner the group had sat down in the living room talking while both Kuai Liang and Kitana do the dishes on behalf on Chang Chang. The conversations ranged from news about the other countries to the family's day-to-day lives.
At the end of the evening however there was a small problem…
"We have to share a room?" Kitana asked and shifted her attention to Kuai Liang.
The Cryomancer sighed and Wu Fong answered gesturing to the other room, "That is the only other room we have and it's used as a storage room so unless you want to sleep on some crates then you'll have to share the guestroom". Kitana could only let out a small sigh and strolled into the room, "You have a strange taste in women, kid" the merchant shook his head.
Kuai Liang waved his hand dismissively, "I thought we told you there's nothing going on between us; we're just travelling together". He made to follow her,
"Whatever you say man…try not to be too noisy will you? I do want to sleep tonight," Wu Fong said after him teasingly.
The Cryomancer didn't respond but judging by the blush on his face it was clear that he heard what the man said and Kitana's own blush was even darker, knowing what he meant. Kuai Liang shook himself and entered; the room was fairly standard and fortunately or unfortunately depending on who you were had two beds. Kitana had unhooked her gear; mostly supplies and her hooded cloak before dropping them on one of the beds closest to the bathroom door. Kuai didn't say a word as he hung up his pack on the nearby stand before dropping back on his bed looking up at the ceiling.
When she heard the water in the show start to run Kitana sat up and started looking around the room before her eyes on the tiara she was holding, it was the only thing she could remember her mother by. Certain memories flashed as she remembered her time being Princess of Outworld. She didn't know how long she was staring at it for but judging by the fact that she heard the water being turned off it had to be more than half an hour. Kuai Liang re-entered the room soon after with his sleeping clothes with the towel on his shoulder.
When he saw her staring at her tiara he sat down beside her letting his semi-dried hair out of its towel, "What are you doing?
She looked up at him trying to find the words, "I…I don't know what I'm supposed to fight for anymore; back in Outworld I fought because I know what I'm fighting for but…" She turned her gaze back to the fan she held, "What good is a weapon if you have nothing to use it for?"
Kuai Liang couldn't say anything to that knowing that he hadn't' really experienced complete loneliness her whole life and then discarded, and having only one friend makes it less lonelier though as Jade always stood beside her. He thought what it might have been like if he had led a life like she did and was saddened by the mere thought of it.
"You'll have to find out the answer yourself; no one can do it for you," he gently whispers and nods towards the bathroom. "Why not go to the washroom or something; you can worry about this later".
"…Perhaps you're right," Kitama stood and proceeded towards the washroom. She stopped at the door and looked over her shoulder at him, "Kuai?"
The Lin Kuei looked up at her and asked, "What is it, Kitana?"
"Thanks for letting me come with you; it means a lot to me," she told him. He shook his head, "Thanks for everything". She entered the washroom a moment later and after a few moments the sound of running water filled the room.
Kitana just stared at the faucet and stood feeling her cheeks heat up and knowing it wasn't because of the warm climate, 'What is this feeling?' She shook herself and brought her hands up to her cheeks to cool them, 'It's similar to that of Liu Kang's. But what?'
Linxia: Wu Fong's House
Later that night after everyone had fallen asleep the sounds of a low sobbing could be heard. Hearing the same thing as he did during their travels Kuai Liang awoke to the sight of a dimly lit room with the only source of light being the moonlight shining through the gap in the window's curtains. Sitting up straight Kuai Liang turned to where the sound was coming from; the other bed. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness before he could see clearly that his room was curled up in the bed sheets sweating heavily appeared to be crying in her sleep.
"Mother…" she whispered between her sobs.
Climbing out of bed Kuai Liang approached and shook her, "Kitana; Kitana wake up". She shook from the contact and her eyes snapped open, "Are you alright? It looked like you were having a nightmare".
She was breathing heavily but she nodded, "I-I'm fine; thank you, Kuai".
Kuai Liang looked sceptical as her breathing seemed to even out, "It does not appear so. Do you want to talk about it?"
Kitana wiped her eyes to get rid of the tears and nodded, "Ever since coming back, I had frequent nightmares every night for as long as I can remember; I'm plagued by them. I couldn't sleep without having to experience them firsthand and-".
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have woken you up if you were having trouble sleeping." asked the Lin Kuei.
Kitana shook her head and looked away, "I just…I didn't trust you back then, despite the fact we were partners serving under him. I've already had issues with trusting people because of what happened".
Kuai Liang understood what she meant, as she had laid her trust to Shao Kahn and Raiden, with consequences. The Cryomancer asked"…Does this have something to do with your mother?" she stiffened at his question. "I don't mean to interlude but you were muttering about her in your sleep," Kuai Liang said hastily so as to appease any anger she might have accumulated at him.
She sighed and explained meeting his gaze with a sorrowful expression, "I dreamt about Jade and I. I dreamt of a free Edenia where we lived peacefully with my mother beside me". Kuai Liang watched as her face contorted in rage, sadness and fright, "then the scenery changed to that of two years ago at the Cathedral where we-".
Kuai Liang rushed over and grabbed her; holding her to him allowing her to let her new wave of tears to fall onto his nightwear. She buried her face into his chest crying throughout the night until she fell asleep. He didn't say a word as he tucked her back into bed and covered her up. He sighed and made his way back into his own bed knowing that he'd need his sleep as well. He rolled over so he was facing away from his room-mate and looking up at the curtains. Despite being raised as an assassin without emotion, he felt that he shouldn't leave her behind. After about ten minutes however he felt a presence enter his bed and hug him from behind.
"Kitana?" he asked looking over his shoulder as she buried her face into the crunch of his neck.
"Thank you, for being with me, Kuai…" she had fallen asleep.
Kuai Liang didn't know what to do but felt his own fatigue catching up with him and soon fell into unconsciousness also…
AN:
Aaand cut! More or less this is a pre-mission chapter and I introduced an OC family for a reason that I will come up with later. So far, the next mission will be focused on the Temple as said in the comics and like I said, there are differences from that of the comics and here but the main point still remains. Spectre, signing off!
