Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat.
Chapter 10: Arrangements
Sky Temple
"We haven't heard of them for weeks, Raiden", Bo Rai Cho said as he took a shot of Rice Wine from his flask while Raiden was searching through the archives of the Sky Temple. "Are you certain that Kuai Liang and Kitana have completed their mission?"
The Thunder God put away some of the documents in an archive drawer beside him as he sighed in worry. "The last letter I received from Sub-Zero shows they had stopped in a town where they found and dismantled a Cyber Lin Kuei outpost who kidnapped numerous civillians to turn them into their own machines. He also said that they have the dagger and are on their way to the Temple".
"Really?", Bo Rai Cho asked with a raised eyebrow. "You once said that the two celebrated Zhōngguó Xīnnián back at Linxia, so can we just assume that they had taken a break?", he said in an attempt to lessen the Thunder God's worries.
"I cannot help but worry about them Bo Rai Cho, especially if their trust on me weighs upon it", Raiden admitted as he put away another document but something fell out in an old book. He picked it up to reveal an old photo from four years ago, months before the Mortal Kombat Tournament.
It was a photo of Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Raiden himself, which was taken on the second's suggestion to signify their bond as well as a reminder of their home. After all, the two were like his sons, as did Bo Rai Cho, though he preferred Kung Lao more often than Liu Kang while the opposite goes to Raiden as well. A look of sadness and grief shifted was shifted from Raiden's often stoic and calm personality, reflecting on what he had done years ago.
He tried so desperately to save his only remaining student but his own blunders only guaranteed his hatred towards him that caused his accidental demise. Now, he could only imagine the Chosen One being manipulated by Quan Chi on promises of revenge against the Thunder God.
From all the faulty decisions he made, it had cost him so dearly that, two of his students are now bound to Quan Chi's control, and that he could do little to nothing to help them. There are times that he wished Liu Kang and Kung Lao were present when they assaulted the sorcerer's fortress, so that they could be restored as he had done to the four Revenants present but the past is just the past, he could do nothing to prevent that from happening and that he had to face his future.
"Especially, if my decisions have caused harm on those who had trusted me", he finished as he put back the photo inside the book and subsequently shelved it. He later felt a hand placed at his shoulder to look at Bo Rai Cho's solemn and determined look.
"We will bring them back in time, Raiden", Bo Rai Cho declared to which the Thunder God could not help but nod at his statement. "Even if we have to drag Quan Chi's demonic arse to Earthrealm-"
He did not finish as they heard a sudden gust of wind outside the temple, indicating that Fujin has returned. Raiden and Bo Rai Cho went outside to discover that the Wind God was not alone, and that he had two wounded individuals beside him and immediatley, shock and horror were Raiden's current expressions.
"By the Elder Gods!", Raiden gasped as they went to Kuai Liang and Kitana's severely injured forms as Fujin temporarily laid them down. "What happened, Fujin?"
The Wind God looked down as they took both Kuai Liang and Kitana into a medical room where the Monks began to treat them of their wounds before he spoke. "They were attacked by Outworld forces while en route to the Temple.", Fujin said as he pulled out the Kamidogu from Kuai Liang's pouch, with some of the Cryomancer's blood still remained. "Out of the necessity to protect his comrade, Kuai Liang took a drastic measure to drive back Mileena's forces. Kitana was for a time, with me but severe blood loss caused her to lose conciousnes, and as far as the obvious, they needed help."
The Thunder God looked at the dagger as he took it from the Wind God. He can feel its energy flowing on the blade, corrupting anyone who had taken its code, and from within, he felt the needed to study the dagger but to what Fujin had said, they needed to extract the Blood Magic within his body, otherwise his mind would be lost or be manipulated by the evils within the dagger.
'May the Elder Gods help me here', Raiden thought as he put away the dagger as he and Fujin tend to both Kuai Liang and Kitana's wounds. 'I cannot afford to lose anymore comrades. Not this time.'
Three Days Later, Sky Temple
Kitana felt her eyes slowly open, gazing at the wooden ceiling inside the Sky Temple where she had laid. She turned to see that the stab wound from Baraka's armblades had been wrapped in bandages, as well as several cuts and bruises all around her body. She traced her hand from her stomach then to her cheek where she realized one important detail.
Where was Kuai Liang? Her partner and her friend and how was his current condition. Kitana tried to stand up but suddenly felt her stomach to severely ache, indicating they are not fully healed. A hand went to her shoulder, and she looked at the Wind God's gaze that tells her not to push it further.
"I believe it is best for you to remain here", Fujin stated as he laid Kitana back to the bed and pulled up the sheets to cover her bandage-clad wounds. "Your wounds were severe but not as grave as Sub-Zero's".
Kitana winced at that. She remembered on how he took the blow for her and going as far as to use the dagger to eliminate their pursuers. Covering her face with her hands in despair, knowing his current condition is partially her fault, she turned to Fujin.
"Can you at least tell me he was alright?", she asked, desperately hoping he is recovering from his injuries. She did not want to lose anyone who became a part of her life. She had lost her best friend along with many others at the Cathedral. Kuai Liang became one of them, and she did not want to lose the only remaining person who she had formed a close bond with.
Fujin sighed as he turned explain the details. "While we managed to deal with the acidic wounds he had as well as cuts and bruises, Raiden and I are still working to remove the Blood Magic out of his system. But at the same time, due to the intensity of his wounds as well as the internal pressure that the dagger gave him, he was in a comatose state but fortunately, his life is not endangered."
Kitana could not tell wether should she be relieved or be worried, though likely at the combination of both as the news of him having proper medical treatment relieved her already stressed mind while she is worried of his current condition. As she had heard of what can the dagger do to him, she can only hope that its curse would not claim his mind as the Cyber Initiative once done to him.
"How long was I out?", she asked the Wind God.
"About three days", Fujin replied, cupping his chin. "I was sent by Raiden to oversee your journey back here at the Temple but when I managed to locate both of you, Kuai Liang was already on a rampage towards the Outworld forces sent by Mileena.", he said, clearly shocked of what he saw when the dagger's power had overtaken him.
Kitana lowered her gaze, remembering the first time the dagger was used on Kuai Liang by Kano that earned him a permanent scar. She could recall that something or someone was manipulating his anger in that increased his strenght that showed her that whatever lingering inside Kuai Liang may be able to manipulate both his vision and judgement, a horror she did not want him to suffer when he was a Revenant.
"And the dagger?", the former Outworld Princess asked.
"Stored in a vault where no one would find it", Fujin replied as Kitana sighed in relief, not wanting her or Kuai Liang to be near that object that almost killed them both. "And if Mileena or the Black Dragon will try to steal it from us, they will have to deal with two gods should they trespass at this sacred mountain", he assured them as he saw the former princess nod.
"I am glad to hear that", she said while rubbing her temples. "But, what happens to us if we are both healed?"
Fujin was silent at first. He did not know what to say about this, nor Raiden or Bo Rai Cho at that matter. "Once you are healed, you may go on with your own personal business. The way I heard it, Kuai Liang may start his mission in deposing Sektor and reform the Lin Kuei into a new order. But what about you?"
Kitana pondered for a moment. At this time, she doesn't have a home to return to. Outworld is out of the question since she would most likely be at the risk of being captured and possibly enslaved by Mileena, her own home realm Edenia is still merged with the latter realm. Earthrealm, meanwhile, can provide her sanctuary, but she is also a target of the Cyber Lin Kuei as well as Kuai Liang.
"I...I have nowhere to go", Kitana sadly admitted as she lowered her gaze. "Outworld is never my home from the beginning. And...personal feelings towards it dissuaded me to ever coming back."
Fujin understood her situation, having been told by Raiden of possibilities of what may happen to her and the fact that Mileena will hunt her down across realms as well as the Cyber Lin Kuei discovering their presence within Earthrealm. They knew that both parties sought them for various reasons, none of them were good. And that is when he thought of an alternative.
"I see", Fujin said but not before straightening himself. "I may talk to Raiden of a proposition"
Raising an eyebrow, "What is it then?", she asked.
"Until the possibility of Mileena's deposition and the dismantling of the Cyber Lin Kuei, we will aid you in settling at Earthrealm with the help of Raiden and I or of the Special Forces.", he suggested. But not before giving a small smirk towards her. "But I heard you and Sub-Zero proved to be a formidable combination of sorts, and that you two single-handedly destroyed a Cyber Lin Kuei base".
Kitana, despite wanting to inwardly curse at him for assuming things, registered what was said to her, asked back, "And what of it?"
The Wind God smiled, "You aid him in his task in deposing Sektor. Given your history and your attempted assassination of...him that could have endangered Earthrealm's victory, as well as your assaults on two Earthrealm fighters outside the tournament, I think it is fitting that this is to be consider as a way of making up of your decisions as the Emperor's assassin.", he said as Kitana lowered her gaze, remembering the fallen Champion of Mortal Kombat and the Chosen One. "And in turn, he might also help you in deposing Mileena and you can safely return to Outworld without any interference".
"But I have no interest to the Outworld throne nor I would want to go back there", she snorted, already seeing it as a curse and a reminder of the horrible things that happened years ago.
'"You don't have to assume the throne to ensure your safety, you can just see to it that Mileena is overthrown if possible to lessen the weight of not just yours but also to Kuai Liang's", Fujin remarked as he stood up where he noticed the former princess pondering of the plan.
"I... I need to think about it for the meantime. But, thank you, Lord Fujin", she said with a sense of gratitude.
"It is no problem.", Fujin turned to open the door but not turning back and smirked. "Oh and Kitana, that qipao dress you worn was wonderful, I could think what Kuai Liang would have in mind on how you look that night", he finished with a smile as he left the door, leaving a shooked Kitana behind, who groaned in despair.
'Really? He knows?', she mentally remarked as she never told anyone what happened that night. But nonetheless, she was rather elated of the proposition Fujin offered, a reason that she would aid Kuai Liang but a side of her was worried, as she did not want him to risk his life for her once more. This time, she thought, she will be the one who would take the shots for him.
Her thoughts on the Cryomancer also shifted to the early days of their journey. The night where he comforted her of her nightmares of her death at the Cathedral, when he pushed her aside from the beam that Kano fired at them with his eye, and later the moment where they spent the night celebrating Chinese New Year at Linxia, where her once cold and lonely soul was touched by the warmth of his hands and his words that gave her hope for her future. Words that made her realize that she wanted to be with him.
Her cheeks flustered at that moment and her heart was beating in a slightly faster rate. They both understood what they had went through and it was their bond that help them move towards a more illuminated path. Kuai Liang would have left her behind and complete the task for him to begin his mission in overthrowing Sektor, but he did not despite valuing his clan's order than anything else.
He stood with her, protected her with all his mind, going as far as to nearly killing himself in protecting her from Reptile's attack, and using the dagger to nearly kill the Outworld enforcers, just so he can protect her well-being.
'There is nothing that I don't protect!', she remembered those words before he dragged the dagger to his eye. Words that made Kitana realise that, Kuai Liang is the only one left on her life to lean on whenever she was alone. The Cryomancer who clearly understood what she went through, his wisdom, as well as his kind-heartedness that is often masked by his often cold demeanor, as well as his determination for both of them to go through all the challenges that awaited for them.
Her trust in him had already been solidified as they had each other's backs in both in combat or in their innder selves, and that her bond with him costed more than any throne nor power, and that bond to be soldified as the ice he wields, and to be cooled as the breeze of her wind.
It was all clear, crystal clear, that her heart was slowly shifting one person. And one person alone. His cold touch ignited the fire within her lonely soul, and that alone gave her hope to a life where she can express her gratitude to him. Her own love for him. But for now, she wanted to help him of his goal, and continue to expand her bond to him as both comrades and friends. She let out a faint laugh as she held her chest while looking hopeful to the sky. 'Wow...just wow', she thought before she went back down.
Three Days Later
Kitana again woke from her bed, clutching the wound of her stomach and found it to be healed. The monks within the Temple as well as Raiden's own skill in healing ensured its fulm recovery. She still didn't like the Thunder God, almost having them killed on the task he gave them but nonetheless respected him a little for his efforts in aiding them of their situations.
Exiting her room, Kitana found Raiden in the temple's terrace, having a conversation with two familiar faces, both wearing uniforms of Earthrealm's military. That is when she recognized the seated forms of Sonya Blade, the Special Forces Major who had defeated her when she was a Revenant, and the actor, Johnny Cage, who nearly turned into a Revenant until Raiden's intervention ensured their release.
She could remember little of Sonya when she was alive at first, but remembered Cage as she fought and defeated him along with the Lin Kuei, Smoke. He was a jokester from what her other allies told her but dangerous whenever he went serious.
"Hey!", the actor called out, having noticed Kitana standing behind the wall. "How you doing, Princess?", he said as both Sonya and Raiden took notice of her presence.
Kitana groaned as she would probably have to deal with Cage's antics but she walked over them to take a seat with Sonya looking at her with a calculating eye. "I'm...alright, Johnny Cage"
The actor laughed at the formality, earning a raised eyebrow from the former princess "Johnny is fine princess, I'm guessing you're doing well?"
'If you're talking about what happened days ago, then no.', she mentally scolded but nonetheless remained calm as she knew better than to spat to the kind words he was giving, for now at least. "I'm doing well", she assured him with a nod.
Raiden soon spoke up. "Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade arrived to give possible reports of Outworld activity, as well as a feedback to the status of Jackson Briggs and of Scorpion, though we only learned limited information of him through Kenshi", he said as he glanced at Sonya.
"We're also getting an update of you and Sub-Zero, and I'm quite surprised you two didn't get any trouble with the SF or to any government within Earthrealm", Sonya said with a hint of distrust as Kitana frowned at her. It was to be expected as Sonya originally wanted her incarcerated as she killed numerous SF soldiers during the assault on Quan Chi's fortess when she was still a Revenant.
'The feeling of distrust is mutual, Blade', she thought while thinking how could she get back at her while glaring at the SF Major.
"Now, now", Johnny called out, so at least fan the flames that was building between them and act as the peacemaker. "We don't start fights here over small matters, we're here to give updates, not fights"
"And I thought you would like to encourage a conflict", Kitana joked as Sonya inwardly smirked at her mind, wanting to see if she could be trusted with her fists.
"I may be a joker", Johnny declared as he straightened himself up. "But I'm not much of an asshole to joke about to anything bad that has happened to anyone, especially comrades"
"Anyways", Raiden piped in. "We have been informed by Fujin of your current predicament"
"Being chased by a queen with six-inch teeth and robo-ninjas is likely not on your bucket list", Johnny interrupted but was ignored by them to which Kitana could not help but chuckle by the avid descriptions he gave to their adversaries.
"As far as we can tell, Mileena and the Cyber Lin Kuei will continue their pursuit towards you two and that would mean the Sky Temple would likely be their target in search of both of you, and would also risk the capture of the Kamidogu as we speak", Raiden stated as crossed his arms. "Meaning you two would have to find another sanctuary until Sub-Zero would recover from his wounds otherwise the possibilities that the Temple would be attacked are rampant, not to mention the Jinsei stored here, so we cannot risk at anyone doing anything to it."
Kitana understood what the Thunder God meant, as their presence would have the potential in having more problems for them. At least he was thinking of possibilities rather than seeing visions of the future. They all know what happened because of it.
"Fort Collins can be an option, we have security 24/7 and three meals a day", Sonya suggested though both Raiden and Johnny had a similar thought. 'You mean to imprison them?', but the actor had another thing in mind as well as a chance to have an increase on the social ladder outside his acting.
"I know of an apartment complex at near my place at California, you two can crash there until it's all good from Outworld and of those Robo-ninjas, while Sonya could provide security of your place 24/7 while I could get you what you need by that time. Perks of being a multi-millionaire actor", Johnny suggested with pride as Raiden seemed comfortable with the idea.
"I believe Johnny Cage is right. While the Temple is safe, your security will also be provided given if you didn't cause any trouble.", Raiden said with approval as Sonya rolled her eyes but nonetheless caved in.
"I'll deal with the security, and in case we ran into one of those Cyber Ninjas, we might be able to use their tech for SF use as well as getting info", she said as Kitana nodded. Inwardly, she was rather happy on how they are willing to help them despite the past and promised herself to return the favour once the day comes.
"I cannot thank all of you", Kitana said with a bow for the generosity they gave. Both Johnny and Raiden smiled while Sonya simply rolled her eyes.
It was good for the next hour where the two Earthrealmers conversed with her while Raiden returned to his meditation at the Jinsei Chamber. For Kitana, having a conversation with the two is enjoyable to say at least, but that is until Johnny asked. "What happened when you and Sub-Zero were Revenants?"
Kitana looked down, remembering her old life with dread while being on the shackles on Quan Chi's control. It was a side that she wanted to forget so badly, a side that made her worse than the time she was still Shao Kahn's assassin.
"Johnny, I think that was a little personal", Sonya reprimanded as the actor scratched his head in embarassment and shame, knowing that he had crossed the line.
"No", Kitana said while straightening herself. "He...no you need to both know what really happened back then", she said with dread as the two Earthrealmers moved closer.
"It was three years ago..."
AN:
Gotta end it here, next chapter will be a flashback one that would show the lives of the Revenants. So expect evil Kitana and Sub by that chapter. Spectre Signing off!
