"Courage"
I made my choice and vowed to overthrow Shao Kahn and free my realm and people. I'd like to say that was the hard part. I knew that because I was his step-daughter and his personal assassin I was one of the few people who could get close to him and his secrets. That was an advantage that I could not afford to risk but rushing into this, so I decided the best thing to do was to feign loyalty to him until I could make my move. However beyond that, I didn't know where to start. I felt like I had a weapon but I had nothing to do with it.
I decided to try to secretly contact the Outworld Resistance against my step-father. I figured I could provide them with inside information and together we could come up with a plan to destroy Shao Kahn. Finding them wasn't that hard. A few connections and my reputation were more than enough to help me find the rebels. Making up excuses to leave the fortress alone wasn't hard either. My step-father trusted me enough to leave me be. No, I would soon find out the hard part of my first plan.
I tracked down a group of rebels to the village of Makeba. They were being led by a man named Jagger and they were hiding out in a bunker beneath a small bar. I entered the bar, which was practically empty, unmasked with no intention of telling anyone who I really was. I knew enough that introducing myself as Shao Kahn's daughter and assassin was not the best way to gain anyone's trust.
I sat at the bar where the bartender was serving drinks. He was a tall, built man who looked like an Earthrealm thirty-year-old. He had short dark brown hair and he had an eye patch over his right eye. He came to me and said "Good evening, mi'lady. What can I get for you?"
"Nothing, thank you." I answered.
"You sure? Nothing at all?"
"No...actually, I'm looking for someone."
"Aye? And who may you be lookin' for?"
I leaned in close and whispered "I'm looking for Jagger."
The bartender stared at me for a moment and said "I don't know any Jaggers."
"Funny. Because I heard he comes here a lot."
"Well, if he does I ain't never seen him." he answered. "Mind tellin' me what he looks like?"
"Actually, I heard he looks a lot like you."
He stared at me again and quietly asked "And who may you be, mi'lady?"
I didn't want anyone to know who I really was. Fortunately, I already had an alias ready. "Sindel."
"Sindel, eh?" He paused a moment and then said "Follow me."
He signaled the other guys in the bar and they immediately got up and started closing the windows and locking all the doors. The bartender took me to a secret hatch hidden in the wall which led to a cramped hallway, barely lit by small candles.
"So....you are Jagger..?" I asked.
"Yeah, that be me." he answered.
"Awfully brazen of you to be the owner of this bar."
"That's the point." he chuckled. "It's called 'hiding in plain sight.' It works better than people give it credit for."
"So...how did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That you could....trust me."
He stopped and stared at me for a moment. "You do know who Sindel is, right?"
"Yes. She was the Queen of Edenia."
"Right. And do you know how few people know that?"
"Oh, I see."
He started to walk again, but stopped and said "So wait...you're saying your name is really Sindel?"
I suddenly realized that I gave myself away by asking and quickly made up a story, "Oh...yes. My...father was an Edenian....soldier. And.....he told me he named me after the Queen."
He nodded and continued down the small hall until we reached a locked door. He pounded on it in a strange pattern and then yelled something in a language I didn't understand. I assume it was some form of Edenian. The door opened and we entered the chamber where dozens of men and women were waiting.
"Everyone! This is Sindel and she wants to join us!" he proclaimed. He then turned to me and said "Of course first you'll have to go through an initiation and we need to make sure you can be trusted."
"I understand." I said quietly.
I then noticed in the corner near the entrance a tall young-looking man with short black hair and piercing eyes staring at me grimly. His arms were crossed and he had a stone cold look on his face, which had a large scar across his right cheek just underneath eye. I was about to say something to him when all of a sudden he very quickly drew a dagger and threw it at my face. I instinctively caught it before it hit my face and without thinking threw it back at him. He ducked out of the way and the dagger narrowly missed his face.
"Seifer! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Jagger yelled at him.
Seifer continued staring at me and calmly said "We can't trust her. She's a spy."
"What are you talking about? How do you know?" Jagger demanded.
"How did I get my scar Jagger?"
Jagger turned at looked at me. His face suddenly turned very cold and angry and as it did I felt a sickening chill run up my spine. I had a bad feeling I knew where this was going to go.
"You're Kitana the Bloody." Jagger said harshly.
"What..? I....no...no! I'm not..." I answered. I didn't know what to say.
"Three hundred years ago, Kitana the Bloody led an assault on one of our bases." Jagger interrupted, walking towards me. "Seifer threw that very same dagger at her and she caught and threw it back at him, and it almost took his face off. JUST LIKE YOU JUST DID!!"
I couldn't think of anything. This was one of my nightmares come to life, right in front of me. I was about to say something when I was suddenly tackled by five rebels. They held me in place as Jagger took out a large knife. This was getting really bad.
"Jagger! Listen to me! I came here to help you!" I screamed trying to reason with him.
"Tell me, is that what you told Ikarus? Before you tore his gut open?!" he screamed in my face.
"Jagger....please listen to me..."
"You know my father was a student of Master Zangyaku. Can you even fathom how outraged he was when he learned a great man like Zangyaku was killed by a traitorous...lying...murdering bitch like you?!" I wanted to say something but what could I possibly say? Jagger continued "He wanted nothing more than to see you dead. And when he finally got his chance...." he paused a moment and flinched a little, then finished "You killed him. I watched my father die by your hand. But you probably don't remember." He then started pointing to all the people in the chamber as he said "You probably don't remember his mother...or her brothers....or his grandparents....or his friends.....we ALL owe you something 'princess!'"
I wish I could've said something to explain myself. Something that would have made it better. But all I could say was "I'm sorry."
Jagger sneered at me and said "What really sickens me is that you would disgrace the memory of your mother by using her name to deceive us."
"But I'm not!" I screamed. "I want to help you! I swear to you, I didn't know! But I do now and I want to help you destroy Shao Kahn! Please believe me!"
Jagger held his knife to my throat and said "Rot in hell, bitch."
I won't lie about what happened next. I panicked. Simple as that. Using all my strength I pushed myself backwards and freed myself from the rebels who were holding me in place. Jagger lunged at me with his knife and I quickly kicked it out of his hand and threw him into the other rebels in the chamber. I used this chance to escape out the door. I ran as fast as I could down the cramped hallway and burst into the bar on the other side. I didn't stop running until I was outside and far away.
So, not surprisingly, my first attempt at joining with the Resistance completely blew up in my face. Regardless, I still tried to earn their trust. For the next several years, I would secretly give them information about my step-father's plans and give them warnings of army raids. But I still had to be careful that I wouldn't give myself away to Kahn. It was like walking a tight rope. In the years that followed my vow to overthrow Kahn I developed my fair share of ulcers.
Unfortunately my numerous attempts at gaining the trust of the Resistance were fruitless. The rebels kept suspecting I was just trying to deceive them. If I was human, or an Outworlder, maybe they'd realize after the first decade that I genuinely wanted to help. But I'm an Edenian and they know I have a LOT of time to wait. Very soon it became clear to me that it would take no less than me personally handing them Shao Kahn's head on a silver platter to gain their trust.
Meanwhile, my fake allegiance to my step-father was becoming more and more obvious. Kahn would send me to do assassinations and there were only so many times I could make excuses why I wouldn't succeed. After a few years, I could tell he was starting to suspect me. I noticed Mileena was following me around more and more and being sent to join me on more and more missions. I was getting no where and I knew I couldn't keep the facade up. If I was going to do something it would have to be soon.
Finally I realized that there would be no plan or scheme to take down Kahn. I'd have to do it myself. Easier said than done though. My first idea was to take his head while he slept. However, while my step-father's chamber was practically impenetrable at all times, whether he was asleep or not. Not even I could get in without him knowing.
I had heard my step-father overthrew the previous ruler of Outworld by poisoning him. I briefly considered slipping poison into Kahn's food but quickly scrapped the idea. My step-father conquered Outworld by poisoning the previous ruler....surely he knew enough to defend from the same thing. Sure enough, I did notice that my step-father would have three servants test all his food before each meal. Funny how I never noticed these things when I was still loyal to him.
I soon came to accept my step-father would not be killed through planning or stealth. It would have to a straight hit. Fortunately, I still had the advantage of being one of the few people who could get close to him.
I chose to do it early in the morning. My step-father would be sitting in the throne room and he would only have a few guards around. I would sneak in from a secret entrance behind the throne and give one good hard swipe with my fans and hopefully it would take his head clean off. Then it'd be over. I'd have avenged my parents and freed myself and my people from him.
I quietly sneaked into the throne room through the hidden doorway. It was intended for either a quick escape in the chance my step-father would need it or a place to hide reinforcements should something happen in the throne room. Only Kahn, myself and a few others knew of it's existence. I crept to my step-father's throne where he was sitting quietly.
I was right behind the throne and had a clear shot to strike. I had my fan drawn and just had to hit. But then....I started to think. I wondered if this would work. All the years I've known my step-father....I had never once seen him bleed....much less get hurt. I started to wonder if I could kill him. How do I know my fan would take his head off? How do I know taking his head off would even kill him? I don't know what Shao Kahn is. He isn't human, or Edenian, or an Outworlder. He's always bragging about being immortal. Immortals don't die.
The more I thought about it the more unsure I became. I tried to tell myself I was just thinking too much about it and only scaring myself. But...I grew up with this man. I've seen him break stronger opponents than me. I once saw him rip apart a fully grown dragon with his bare hands without so much as a scratch. I remember growing up...if I ever stepped out of line or did something that displeased him.....he'd beat me and throw me down as if I was nothing. What chance could I possibly have at killing him?
"May I ask why you've been standing there, Kitana?" Kahn suddenly said, without even looking at me.
I felt my heart jump into my throat after he said that. He knew I was there all along. I froze. I didn't know what to say or what to do. For a moment I thought about trying to kill him anyway. To just go for an all or nothing shot. But...I couldn't do it. I froze up and just stood there.
After a few moments and finally managed to choke out "F-father....I came to tell you.....I....am not feeling well..."
Kahn stared at me for a moment and said "Well you do look rather pale. And you're sweating."
"....y-yes....I think down with something.....so....if you have a any missions.....um....give them to Jade or Mileena..."
"Very well. You are dismissed." Kahn said calmly.
"T-thank you father.....I...just need some rest..." I nervously said. I then bowed and got out of there.
Once I left the throne room I quickly ran to my chamber and locked myself inside. I felt sick. I had my chance to kill Shao Kahn and I completely screwed it up. No point in making excuses for myself...I was afraid. I got scared. With Shao Kahn, it's not just a fear of death. At least with death you may be granted some peace...but Kahn steals your soul. He guarantees you will get no peace, even in death. And I was afraid. Afraid of what would happen if I failed.
I felt terrible. I vowed I would do everything in my power to overthrow Shao Kahn. And since making that vow, what have I accomplished? The rebels hated me and would never trust me. And when I had my chance to kill Kahn and end this, I turn and run away.
I began to fear that there was no hope for freeing Edenia. Or for destroying Kahn. He was already too strong. And with Earth's conquest his power will be absolute. Not even the Elder Gods will be able to challenge him. And I will be trapped. Hiding in fear as the world remembers me as Shao Kahn's treacherous daughter. The woman who spit on the memory of her real family and people.
I felt so alone. Suddenly, overthrowing Shao Kahn became my burden and mine alone. And what could I do? What possible hope could I have at destroying Shao Kahn? For years, I had Shao Kahn's evil triumph over and over with ease. I should know. I helped. There's the Mortal Kombat tournaments. Each one easily dominated. Earth's destruction is practically inevitable. There is no hope. Hope in Outworld was stamped out centuries ago.
That I was Shao Kahn's step-daughter was no advantage. If I attempted to kill him he would not hesitate in destroying me. He doesn't care about me. He made that very clear when he had Mileena created. Or maybe he'd do worse. Maybe he'd have the Shadow Priests tamper with my memories so I'd go back to being his oblivious servant.
I remained in my chamber for the next few days, wallowing in my hopelessness. But as I thought, my despair was slowly replaced by anger. I did not want to be remembered like this. I did not want this to be legacy. I did not want to be remembered as "Kitana the Bloody" a traitor to her parents and her people. I would rather be remembered as a failed martyr than a coward. And maybe even if I fail, word of what happened will spread. Maybe when people see that even Shao Kahn's daughter wanted to overthrow him it will inspire a revolution. Unlikely, but I could hope that maybe in some small way my sacrifice would bring something good.
I left my chamber and returned to the throne room. Defeating Shao Kahn was a lost cause. Freeing Edenia was hopeless and I would never redeem myself. I figured I may as well accept that and accept my fate. Better to die heroically than live in shame. At the very least, when my soul was absorbed by Kahn, I would be rejoined with my real father. And maybe then, I may in some way gain a little atonement.
I entered the throne room only to see my step-father screaming at Shang Tsung who was on his knees, which was odd because Tsung was supposed to be on Earth. My step-father was screaming and bellowing in rage. He started pounded on the floors and walls which made the whole fortress shake.
I went over to the side where I found Mileena and Jade also watching his tirade. "What's happening?" I asked.
"You didn't hear?" Jade answered.
"Hear what?"
Mileena turned and said "Shang Tsung and Goro were just defeated in the latest Mortal Kombat tournament by some Shaolin Monk."
End of Chapter X