I hope you're all enjoying these chapters. I know 2020 has been a shitty year!

Stay safe out there!

Scorpion arrives in the throne room to meet with Shao Kahn. He briefs him on his mission, and Shao Kahn orders him to bring Mileena to him for a surprise.

Scorpion didn't question him and went back to Mileena's room.

He enters her room and finds her sitting up on her bed, breathing heavily.

"What's wrong?" He asked with a look of concern.

"Nothing." She abruptly responded and lies back down, "I'm fine."

He wasn't convinced. "Did you have a bad dream?"

She was silent but nodded her head.

He sat down beside her and caressed her cheek. "Don't worry. It's just a dream."

She still shook with fear. "I'm afraid what my father's going to do if he finds out about us."

"He will never know."

She sat up and faced him. "There is something you should know."

"What is it?"

She hesitated for a moment and continued, "Reptile knows about us."

"What?"

"When you left for your mission. Reptile told me he knew about us and our child."

"But did he keep quiet?"

She nodded her head and added, "He fears my father's wrath."

"Good. Then he better stay silent."

"There's something else too."

Now what?

"Quan Chi and Shang Tsung know that I'm under a spell."

"What are you talking about?"

"Zareta! She's the healer who put a spell on me to prevent them from knowing about our son. I'm afraid they'll tell my father about it."

He sighed in frustration, "Whatever happens, be prepared for anything."

Scorpion arrives with Mileena to the throne room. She manages to maintain her composure while trying to control her high anxiety level on the inside.

Shao Kahn sat on his throne as usual with Quan Chi and Shang Tsung by his side.

However, they immediately notice another person in the room.

Sindel.

She sits on a throne beside Shao Kahn.

Shao Kahn eagerly introduces her. "Mileena! I want you to meet your mother, Sindel."

Sindel smiles and reaches out to Mileena. "Come here, my daughter!"

Mileena hesitantly approaches her, and Sindel pulls her into a tight hug. She awkwardly returns the hug. Sindel then pulls away and looks at her while still holding onto her shoulders.

"Your father has told me so much about you. And you're so much more beautiful than Kitana."

She shifted awkwardly, "Um, thanks… mother!"

Without warning, Sindel reached up and pulled off her veil, causing Mileena to recoil slightly.

"My, look at those deadly teeth!" She turned to Shang Tsung, who stood by Shao Kahn's throne. "You certainly outdid yourself, sorcerer! Well done!"

"Thank you, Empress! She is my masterpiece!"

Mileena gave him an apprehensive look but tried to look calm at the same time.

Shao Kahn stands up from his throne. "Tonight, we will celebrate the Empress's return!"

Scorpion did his best not to show that he was upset.

Great! Just fucking great!

He noticed Quan Chi and Shang Tsung's disdained looks, but they didn't show it to the emperor.

"We will prepare for a feast tonight!"

Mileena was sent back to her room, of course.

Scorpion briefly met with Quan Chi outside of the palace.

"There is a personal matter I needed to discuss with you before we move forward with the invasion."

Scorpion remained silent and waited for him to continue.

"Shang Tsung and I had discovered that Mileena is under some kind of spell. One that neither of us could break. We believe that there may be another sorcerer in the palace who might be trying to sabotage our invasion plans. I need you to keep a close eye on her. Make sure she doesn't talk to anyone, including the maids and servants. Also, Shang Tsung suspects that she might be consorting with Baraka. Keep him at a distance as well."

Scorpion smiled on the inside, knowing that these bastards have no clue what's going on.

"I will keep a close eye on her."

"And don't mention this to the emperor. We will handle this ourselves."

Scorpion returned to Mileena's room. He found her pacing on the balcony.

He approached her. "You don't have to worry about your father knowing. Quan Chi and Shang Tsung are keeping quiet for now."

She shifted nervously, "But I'm worried about Zareta. What if they find out she's disguised as one of my father's servants?"

"What does she look like?"

Mileena sighed, "She looks like half of the servants here." She paused for a moment and continued, "She was the one who distracted me that day you knocked me out."

Scorpion remembered her. He would see her on occasion walking past him and giving him a warm smile, even though he wanted to throw her off the balcony.

"I'll go find her and bring her here."

Mileena's eyes lit up. "Will you?"

Scorpion eyed her bed. "You should rip up those pillows."

Mileena glanced at her pillows and looked at him, confused. "Why?"

"It will give us a reason why we need a servant in here."

"You're right!"

Mileena hopped on the bed and threw her pillows off. She then began ripping them apart.

As soon as he walked out, he could hear her growling and screaming as if she was throwing a tantrum.

Well played.

He walked around the palace looking for Zareta until he found her in the dining area, prepping Mileena's meal. She noticed his presence and gave him a warm smile.

He noticed her smile instantly dropped, and she shifted her eyes behind him and then turned her gaze back at him. Someone was behind him, but he didn't care and approached her anyway.

She asked casually, "What can I do for you, Scorpion?"

"Mileena will need new pillows."

"I will get those to her right away." She returned to prepping the meal.

He turned around and saw the sorcerer standing by the doorway.

"How's Mileena?" He curiously asked Scorpion.

They hear an echo of her screaming out.

"She is being difficult."

"Perhaps I could offer something that will put her to sleep for a while."

He shook his head. "There's no need. I can handle her myself."

Shang Tsung smirked at him. "Of course, you can."

He walked away from Scorpion.

Scorpion eyed him suspiciously and watched him approach one of the female servants and briefly spoke with her. She followed him, and they disappeared around the corner.

Mileena sat on the bed, tossing a few feathers around and watching them float to the floor.

She hears her door opening, and she turns to look. She sees Zareta enter the room with her meal on a metal tray. Another maid comes with the new pillows in hand.

"Oh, my! You really made a mess." She said, looking at the mess of shredded pillows and feathers on the floor.

"Oh, goody. You brought more pillows for me to tear apart!" Mileena said mockingly.

Zareta placed the tray on top of the dresser. She takes the pillows from the maid. "You can go now. I'll handle this mess myself."

The maid nods her head and quickly leaves the room.

"Where's Scorpion?" Mileena asked.

"He's just outside the door, my dear. We are free to talk."

"Okay, good! I should warn you about Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, they know you're in the palace."

"I know, my dear." She said casually, "Several of the maids have already gone missing."

"Then you should leave before they find you."

"Don't worry about me, my dear!" She said with a smile. "I already have a plan in place."

"What kind of plan?" Mileena asked curiously.

"In time, you will see!"

"But I really want to know."

Zareta chuckled, "I can't tell you right now!"

Mileena let out a groan and threw more feathers off the bed.

Later on, Scorpion and Mileena reluctantly attend the feast at Shao Kahn's request.

The moment they arrive in the dining area, Sindel beckons Mileena to sit next to her. She hesitantly walks over and sits down next to Sindel. Scorpion stood by the wall but stayed within Mileena's range.

Scorpion noticed Baraka's piercing gaze, but it was not in his direction. He looked in the direction of Baraka's gaze and saw Reptile on the opposite side. He seemed to be ignoring him completely.

He wondered what Reptile did to piss off Baraka, but at the same time, he could care less as long as Baraka's attention wasn't on him.

As the feast went on, Shao Kahn and a few others became increasingly drunk.

Sindel offered some wine to Mileena. She pretended to drink it but spat it back in the glass when Sindel wasn't looking. She did this several times and eventually poured the wine underneath the table.

Nobody noticed, except for Scorpion, who was the only one who witnessed it but said nothing.

"Would you like some more wine?" Sindel asked.

"No, thanks, mother! I'm good for now."

Sindel chuckled, "Nonsense! You will have more wine with me."

Mileena did her best not to show her discontent.

Stay calm! This won't last long.

Sindel called for one of the servants to pour more wine into their glass cups.

Zareta approached them with a bottle of wine and refilled their cups.

"Enjoy!" She said and gave Mileena an inconspicuous wink before walking away.

Mileena gave her a weary look and pretended to take a sip of her wine.

She had poured the second glass underneath the table. Scorpion could hear the splash and looked at Shao Kahn and Sindel. They were too oblivious and drunk to notice anything going on around them.

The noise of the dining area grew louder and rowdy. Mileena grew tired of the sound and stood up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Sindel asked and added, "The party is just beginning."

"I'm going to bed. I'm tired." Mileena replied and quickly walked away without giving her a chance to respond. Scorpion followed her out.

"Don't worry about her," Shao Kahn said to Sindel, "She will do us proud one day."

Sindel sat on his lap, caressing his chest. "I am already proud of our new daughter! She is nothing like Kitana."

Mileena returned to her room with Scorpion.

"I can't stand her!" She said, walking towards her closet. "She must think I'm a drunk like my father."

She quickly changed out of her clothes and into her silk gown. She turned and noticed Scorpion staring at her.

Oh, right!

Mileena realized she was only wearing her lace thong underwear underneath, her nipples popped out from underneath her silk gown. She leaned against the closet door and stood with a more provocative pose.

"Shall we let off some steam?" She said seductively.

Scorpion approached closer to her. He interlocked his hands with hers. He then pinned her hands above her head and pressed his hips against hers. She gasped at his sudden movements, and she felt her libido tickle with arousal. She loved that he could invoke such a reaction to her body.

"Let's let off some steam then." He said and lifting her by the waist. He carried her over to the bed.

He gently placed her on her back, and his hands stroked her waist and hips moving down and lifting her silk gown. He began removing her lace thong but stopped when there was a sudden knock on the door.

Fuck, not again!

He walked over to the door while Mileena scrambled, pulling her underwear back up and getting off the bed.

He opened the door to find one of the Tarkatan warrior's standing there.

"I want to talk to Mileena."

Scorpion narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"You don't need to know why."

The fuck I don't.

He immediately stepped out of the room, the Tarkatan backed away, but he tried to appear confident.

Mileena listened through the door, and she could hear them arguing.

A crackling sound from the balcony alerted Mileena that someone was there. She cautiously walked over to the balcony and found Baraka climbing over the railing.

"What are you doing here?" She said in a hushed voice.

"I wanted to see you." He also spoke in a hushed voice and tried to wrap his arms around her. She pushed him away and noticed he smelled of alcohol. She could see that he was buzzed up.

"You're not supposed to be here. You'll get us in trouble!"

"I don't care what your father says. He can't keep us apart forever." He tried to move closer and grab her, but she shoved him away.

"Just get out of here!"

He didn't listen and forcefully pulled her into a kiss. She bit down on his tongue, causing him to growl in pain, and he pulled away from her.

Baraka's face twisted in anger, and he approached her dangerously. "Why do you tease me like this? You know how I feel about you."

His eyes had dilated, and his gaze was intense.

Oh, fuck!

Mileena backed away from him and rapidly turned to run for her door. Baraka was faster and tackled her down. She struggled to get out of his grip, and he struggled to keep hold of her. They wrestled with each other until Baraka rolled on top of her and pinned her down with his weight.

"Get off! You fuck!" She yelled at him, hoping Scorpion would hear her.

Baraka grabbed a fistful of her hair and slammed her head on the ground, leaving her dazed. He picked her up and tossed her on the bed. He roughly pinned her down. He picked up a scent and sniffed her hair.

He snarled in her ear. "I can smell that wraith! You've been fucking him!"

Mileena did her best to stay conscious. "No!"

He growled and grabbed her by the neck. "You lie!"

She couldn't breathe and struggled against his firm grip.

"I loved you, and you betrayed me!" He tightened his grip.

In a desperate attempt to steer him, Mileena shook her head and motioned her lips as if she was trying to tell him, "I love you."

He watched her, and his grip loosened a little, but she started to lose consciousness.

Then she heard him cry out in pain, and he let her go.

Scorpion had pierced the kunai throw his torso.

"Get the fuck over here!"

He pulled Baraka off the bed and dragged him onto the balcony. He thrashed his blades at him, but missed and earned multiple kicks to the head. He tried getting up several times, but Scorpion relentlessly kicked him back down.

Baraka lost a few teeth in the process and spat out teeth and blood.

Scorpion hit him hard with a flaming fist to the face, stunning him enough to wrap his spear rope around his neck. He then kicked him off the railing and hung him with it.

Baraka struggled to cut the rope with his blades.

"Stop!" Mileena shouted and ran to Scorpion's side. "Please don't kill him!"

Scorpion gave her a questionable look, with his eyes filled with rage. "He put his hands on you! And you still defend him?"

"He's drunk!" She snapped and pleaded, "Don't kill him for being a drunken fool!"

"I will kill him regardless when this is all over!"

Baraka managed to cut the spear rope, causing Scorpion to stumble back. He dropped to the ground below.

Mileena peered over the railing and saw him lying motionless on the ground.

She whimpered, "No."

Scorpion looked over the edge.

Baraka twitched and groaned in pain.

Scorpion sighed in annoyance, "He's still alive."

Baraka tried to get up, but he struggled and flopped back down. Scorpion teleported to the ground and slowly approached him.

"You bastard!" Baraka spat. "I will get you for this!"

Scorpion reached over and yanked the kunai out of his side, causing Baraka to grunt in pain. He then stabbed it on his shoulder, digging it deep into his flesh and twisting it. Baraka let out a guttural, painful cry.

"You fucking touch her again! I'll make sure you will suffer until your dying breath!"

Shang Tsung stepped out of the dining area and proceeded toward his room. He stopped when he noticed Scorpion walking in from the back entrance of the palace, dragging Baraka by one of his legs. He approached Scorpion.

"What happened to him?" He asked curiously.

"He tried to come through the balcony and fell."

The sorcerer looked at Baraka, who was barely conscious and obviously beaten to a pulp. He didn't question Scorpion further and said, "Well done! Take him to the soul chamber. I'll let Shao Kahn deal with him later."

Scorpion continued to drag him. He heard a dark chuckle behind him, and he turned to find Reptile sneering at Baraka.

"Serves you right, you piece of shit!"

Baraka lifted his head and glared at Reptile. "Fuck… you!"

Scorpion returned to Mileena's room after throwing Baraka into the soul chamber. He found Mileena curled up in the darkest corner of her room, sobbing silently.

He approached her and caressed her shoulder. She didn't move and continued sobbing and shaking. He gently cradled her in his arms, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He carried her over to the bed, and she still held onto him.

He sat down next to her, held her close, and let her sob silently.

Baraka will die for this!

I promise this gets better!