"Short Lived Peace"
I stood in front of Reptile in the throne room of the Edenian Palace. My mother was there, sitting on the throne and around us were guards. Reptile's hands were bound in chains and he kept his eyes locked on the floor. After Kahn was defeated, he somehow found his way into our realm, attacking villagers at random. We had caught him a few days earlier and put him on trial for his crimes. Strangely, he put up no defense.
"Reptile of Outworld." my mother said. "You have been found guilty of crimes against humanity and will be banished to the Netherealm. Have you anything to say?"
Reptile kept his eyes on the floor. Earlier, I had found out that Shao Kahn was responsible for the destruction of Reptile's race. Apparently, Reptile just found out too. I've known Reptile for thousands of years. I always saw him as a savage. My step-father's mindless pet. But after learning what happened to his people, I couldn't help but feel a little pity for him. I guess...I even identified with him a little.
"Reptile," I began quietly, "it doesn't have to be this way. I understand what Shao Kahn did to you. I'd be willing to give you a second chance if you..."
"Don't bother." he snapped, coldly. "I don't need your pity. Jusssssst get it over with."
I didn't say anything and took a few steps back. The Portal Guards opened up a portal to the Netherealm which engulfed Reptile. There was a bright flash of light and the Guards then shut the portal. The light faded away and Reptile was gone.
"I'm sorry, Reptile." I whispered quietly.
It'd been almost a year after Shao Kahn was defeated on Earth. We were still rebuilding Edenia, but everything was progressing well. In just a few more years Edenia would be completely restored.
The throne room was quiet for a few moments until my mother said to the guards, "Thank you. You are dismissed." The guards all left, leaving my mother and I alone. "Is something troubling you, my daughter?"
"I honestly feel sorry for Reptile." I answered. "I can't help but wonder...maybe if he had found out about his people sooner..."
"Things would have been different." she finished. "Maybe it would have. But I guess we'll never know." We were quiet again and she asked "Is there something else?"
"Yes, actually." I began. "I've been getting news from Outworld. It's falling apart. Tarkatans are roaming the land, randomly pillaging and burning everywhere they go. The Shokan and Centaurs are but a step away from total war."
"But you've been trying to negotiate a truce with them, have you not?"
"The Centaurs are willing to sign a treaty. The Shokan are proving much more difficult." I paused, then continued, "But there's more. Every other day a new warlord rises up and proclaims he is Outworld's new ruler only to be killed the next day."
"And what do you hope to do about that?"
"I was hoping when our armies are ready, we can go into Outworld and..."
"And what?" she cut in. "Conquer? Kitana...you can't be serious..."
"Not conquer. I was going to say restore order. Once I form a truce between the Shokan and Centaur, we can join and unify the other races of Outworld. Truly form peace."
"Say you do get the Shokan and Centaurs to make peace...you think you'll be as successful with the Vampires? Or even the Tarkatans?" I didn't answer and she continued, "And then what? War? Kitana...we have problems of our own in Edenia."
"There's something else mother. I keep hearing a rumor. A dark dread that's spreading and building all over Outworld."
"What is it?"
"That Shao Kahn still lives. That somehow he's survived his defeat on Earth, and is hiding in the shadows of Outworld...trying to regain his power."
My mother was silent for a few moments, then quietly said "Kitana...there's no proof of that..."
"And what if it is true? Suppose Shao Kahn is still alive. Do you truly believe he will simply let us live in peace? Once he regains his strength, you know as well as I do that he will try to take our realm again."
"So what are you saying Kitana?"
"If he is still alive...he must be weak. If we strike him while he's regaining his strength, we can finish him off once and for all. And if I can get the Shokan and Centaurs to sign a treaty, maybe they will ally with us and we can..."
"Kitana stop it!" mother suddenly snapped. "You have responsibilities here. Outworld is not your concern..."
"Yes it is!" I yelled back. "And if Kahn is alive and if we ignore it...it will definitely become our concern!"
My mother was about to yell something back when we were interrupted by a Palace guard saying "My Queen, forgive the interruption...but the ambassador's daughter, Lady Tanya, brings urgent word."
"Send her in." mother said, trying to calm down. As Tanya entered the throne room, my mother grimly whispered to me "We'll continue this later."
Tanya bowed before the throne and humbly said "Please forgive my interruption, my lady. But I fear this cannot wait."
"Think nothing of it Tanya." mother said. "What is it?"
"As you know, my father is currently ill. In his absence I have received a message from fleeing refugees from another realm. They beg for sanctuary here."
"What realm?" I asked.
"They claim to be from a realm of chaos." Tanya answered. "They say it is a terrible realm and they desperately seek shelter."
"Have you any proof of their intentions?" mother asked.
"Yes. They sent this message." Tanya answered, handing a torn, beat up note to my mother. The writing on it appeared to be written in blood. The message spoke of a desolate, realm where all forms of law are meaningless. "If you would be willing to accept them, I can see to it they will be ready to be brought here tomorrow."
My mother finished reading the message and said "Yes. Yes, of course. Tomorrow."
Tanya bowed and said "You are most gracious, my lady. I'm sure the refugees will be most grateful for your generosity."
Tanya left the throne room and mother looked at me and said "We'll finish our discussion some other time."
I nodded and left the throne room and returned to my chamber. I know why my mother was so against me doing anything with Outworld. To my mother, Edenia was free and I was now the Princess. My place was here and I no longer had any business with Outworld. She would have the soldiers and generals worry about Outworld. She didn't want me to fight anymore. She didn't want me to make it my problem. She wanted me to stay in Edenia and live in peace. No more fighting.
I understood my mother was fearful for my life. But what she didn't understand is that I couldn't just leave Outworld to it's fate. Although I am Edenian and I am Edenia's Princess, I can't help but feel still bound to Outworld. I grew up there...and I played my part in it's ruin. I didn't want to leave it's people it death and destruction. And also, I wanted to ensure that Outworld would never again be a threat to anyone again. I wanted peace there so there could be peace for everyone.
But my mother was right about one thing: war was very likely. The Centaurs were willing to agree to peace. Hopefully, the Shokan would too. The Vampires of Outworld never showed interest in the affairs of others. They only care about themselves. But the Tarkatans would prove the most trouble. They'd never agree to peace. War with them was practically inevitable. But hopefully, if I convinced the Centaurs and Shokan to form a truce...maybe they'd be willing to help bring peace to Outworld.
I awoke early the next morning and went to throne room. My mother would allow Tanya to open a portal for the refugees, so as Princess, I was obligated to greet them alongside the Queen. I stood beside my mother who was sitting on the throne. We also had several guards, led by Jade in the throne room as well, just in case.
Tanya entered and said "My lady, if you'll allow me..."
"Open the portal."
Tanya bowed and opened a portal. A bright, almost blinding light formed in the throne room with a loud howl. From the light, four figures in flowing black robes emerged. They each wore large hoods which prevented a clear view of their faces. Behind them, Tanya closed the portal and stepped aside.
As the four cloaked figured emerged from the portal, Tanya proclaimed "My lady, these are the refugees who are seeking sanctuary here."
The four figures slowly approached the throne, and as they did I got a very bad feeling that we made a terrible mistake. "State your names and business here." I demanded.
The center figure stepped forward and removed his hood revealing a stark, gray face with ominous glowing green eyes. In a deep, dark voice he said "I am Shinnok. And my business here is of no concern to you."
As he said this I caught a glimpse of the face of one of his companions. A face I recognized almost immediately. It was the sorcerer Quan Chi. As I recognized him I realized this was a trap and yelled out "Guards! Seize them!"
"Now! Attack!" the leader, Shinnok as he called himself, bellowed as he and his companions threw off their cloaks. Blood red energy formed around Shinnok's body as he levitated into the air.
What followed was chaos. Myself, Jade and the guards immediately charged at the attackers, but our guards were quickly torn down. I saw Jade begin fighting a man wearing maroon and black, and I found myself facing "Scorpion!" I was shocked. I never actually met Scorpion, but I'd heard of him during Shao Kahn's invasion. I heard that he originally fought on no one's side, but ultimately ended up fighting for the Earth. From what I heard about him, he sounded like an honorable warrior, but now he was serving this Shinnok. "You've helped us in the past," I yelled in disbelief, "why do you betray us now!"
Scorpion stared at me for a moment. Although his eyes were blank white and he was wearing a mask, I think I saw that he was not proud of his part in this. He then quietly answered "I have no choice."
Scorpion and I continued fighting as Jade fought the other warrior. I had heard Scorpion was a formidable fighter. That during the invasion, Shao Kahn even attempted to recruit him. Fighting him, he seemed worthy of his reputation. I wonder if I could have beaten him, but that was not my goal. If Jade and I can could hold off our attackers long enough, more reinforcements would reach the throne room and back us up.
However, as I was fighting Scorpion, I heard a strange bang followed by my mother's scream. I turned around and saw Shinnok and Quan Chi standing over my mother. She was lying motionless on the floor and smoke was coming from her body. As I saw her, I felt my heart jump into my throat. It all happened so fast, but to me it felt much longer. As if time froze. For a moment I thought my mother was dead. The horrible thought that I had my mother back, only for her to be taken away again shot up and down my spine and I froze.
"Mother! No!" I screamed out. Scorpion took advantage of my distraction and quickly knocked me to the floor and pinned me down. I struggled to get free of him. This couldn't be happening, I kept thinking. We've come so far...accomplished so much...it can't end like this. Have I freed Edenia from Shao Kahn only for it to be taken by this Shinnok? "No! No!" I continued to scream, struggling to free myself.
I heard Scorpion quietly whisper to me "My apologies, princess." He then struck my head and I immediately blacked out.
I awoke with a pounding headache and my hands bound in chains. I was chained to a pillar in some darkened chamber. I seemed to still be in the Edenian Palace. As I regained my bearings I remember what had happened and frantically looked around for my mother or Jade, but I could see neither. I twisted and writhed against the pillar, trying to free myself, but my bonds were too tight.
"Finally awake, princess." I heard a familiar voice hiss from the shadows.
"Show yourself!" I demanded.
From the darkness I saw Quan Chi emerge, with a sickening grin on his face. "A pleasure to see you again, princess. I take it you've not forgotten me."
"Where is my mother!"
"Locked away someplace safe." he answered before adding "Until we decide what to do with her."
"If you...TOUCH my mother..." I snarled.
"You'll do what? You're in no position to be giving threats."
I hate to admit...but he was right. I was helpless. "What do you want?"
"My employer seeks to wage war on the Elder Gods and take the Earth. We are merely using this realm as a jumping point."
"What have you done with my people?"
"Some have been captured. Some our still hiding. Some are dead. It really makes little difference to me."
"God damn you!" I screamed.
"I'm sure it hurts, princess. To come so far only for your hopes to be dashed to pieces. Such a pity...but I guess we can't always get what we want."
I was seething. Praying that I could break free from my chains and rip him apart. I stared him dead in the eye and snarled "You should kill me now...because I swear to you...somehow I will make you pay..."
"Now, now. We've no need to kill you just yet. We still have a use for you." He paused and started caressing my cheek and smugly said "And maybe after, we may yet find another use for you..." I spit in his face, but he only smiled and punched me in the stomach. I started choking and he said "Now is that any way for a princess to conduct herself?"
I looked at him, trying to regain my breath and said "Enjoy yourself...while you can, bastard...because you will not...get away with this."
Quan Chi chuckled and said "Ah, so you believe your hero, the Shaolin monk will come to your rescue?"
"Yes. He'll come and he'll make you pay for this."
"Oh I know." he chuckled. "As a matter of fact, I'm counting on it."
"What do you mean?"
"He's already on his way."
I suddenly realized where he was going with this and said "No..."
"That's why we've no need to kill you just yet. Live bait is far more enticing then dead."
"NO!" I screamed. "No! I will not be used as bait! I won't!" I screamed and screamed, but I could not get loose. I hated feeling so helpless. I hated being used as a trap and being helpless to do anything about it.
Quan Chi suddenly pressed his palm on my forehead and said "Asleep. Now!" And just like that, I blacked out again.
When I finally came to, I was still chained to the same pillar. Only now I could see the chamber clearly. I was in the main hall of the Edenian Palace. From the looks of it, the sun had just set, which made the chamber look like a faded blue.
I still felt hazy from the sorcerer spell Quan Chi used to knock me out, but I remembered what he intended me for. I continued writhing and twisted myself, trying to get free from the chains. The chains that bound my hands and feet with tight and securely locked, making my attempts useless. But I continued trying anyway. I didn't want it to end like this. I wanted to at least go down fighting.
Just then I suddenly heard someone whisper behind me "Kitana."
I turned and saw it was "Liu!" He stepped forward and began trying to free me from the chains. For a brief moment, I was thankful to see him...that he came for me. He must've somehow found a way into the Palace. But then I realized...he was probably let in. "Liu, listen to me. You have to get out of here. It's a trap!"
"I kind of figured." he answered. "Don't worry. I'll get you out of here and everything will be all right."
Just then we heard a sickening laughter echo through the hall. Suddenly Shinnok himself teleported just in front of the entrance to the main hall. "The mighty hero, come to save the helpless princess. How noble." he said still laughing. "So you are Raiden's champion." Liu stepped in front of me, prepared to fight and Shinnok sneered "Well he certainly molded you in his image. Blindly noble...foolhardy...and too stubborn to know when he's beaten."
Just then, all around us Shinnok's warriors emerged from the shadows. I saw Scorpion and the warrior Jade fought, Reiko I found out his name was. But the others with them shocked me. I recognized them all. Noob Saibot...Reptile...Baraka...and...even Mileena. They all emerged from the shadows and slowly began to surround Liu.
"Liu, just go! Save yourself!" I screamed.
"I'm not leaving you." he said, bracing for the fight.
Suddenly, I heard a cackling behind me, which was followed by Quan Chi suddenly grabbing my throat. "How romantic."
Shinnok's six warriors all charged and began fighting Liu. I couldn't bear to watch this. I tried to turn my head away, but Quan Chi held me in place. Liu fought as best he could...but even he couldn't fight all of them at once. They tore into him. Baraka and Reptile enjoyed themselves the most. Mileena seemed more content seeing me watch. Before long, they were just toying with him. Every blow they landed on him stabbed me in the heart. I kept thinking this can't be happening. Have I come this far...only to watch my realm be stolen...only to watch helplessly as the man I love is beaten to death before my eyes.
"Enough! Finish him!" Quan Chi barked.
As Baraka and Reptile moved in to kill him, a sudden bolt of lighting shot through the ceiling of the palace. There was a bright flash of light which sent Shinnok's warriors flying across the hall. When the light faded away I saw Raiden himself standing over Liu.
"ENOUGH!" he bellowed.
"Raiden!" Shinnok hissed.
"Enjoy your victory while it lasts villain!" Raiden snarled at Shinnok. "I defeated you once...I shall do it again!"
Raiden then lifted Liu up by his arm and raised his hand up. As he did, Liu looked towards me, and I heard him moan "Raiden...wait..." Raiden suddenly teleported out of the Palace with Liu in a blinding flash of lightning. As they disappeared I heard Liu scream out my name.
After they disappeared, I let out a sigh of relief knowing Liu was safe and Shinnok snarled "NOO!"
"Be calm, my lord." Quan Chi said, walking to Shinnok who looked furious.
"Calm! Did you not just see what happened!"
"Yes I did."
"Did you not see our plan to eliminate Liu Kang fail right in front of us!"
"No." Quan Chi answered, calmly. "What I saw was Earth's Champion, helpless to defeat us. What I saw was the mighty Thunder God flee from us, obviously not ready to fight."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you not notice that Raiden didn't even attempt to rescue the princess? He knows he hasn't the strength to fight us. This setback, if that's what you wish to call it, is merely proof that the Forces of Light are ill-prepared and will fall if we press our advantage."
Shinnok's expression quickly turned from a furious grimace to an eager grin. "Indeed. And we shall indeed press our advantage." Quan Chi bowed, then they both walked to me. "And what shall we do with our little princess?"
"We should kill her now." Quan Chi quickly answered. Shinnok stared at me and thought over Quan Chi's suggestion. "Shao Kahn made the mistake of not killing this girl when he had the chance." Quan Chi continued. "We should not make the same mistake."
Shinnok continued to think until he said, "No. We'll keep her alive...for now."
"What!"
"Liu Kang still lives. We may be able to still use her against him."
"He will not fall for a trap again, my lord."
"Perhaps not." Shinnok answered. "But we may yet be able to use her a bargaining chip."
Quan Chi sneered and said "We should kill her now!"
"Do not question me Quan Chi." Shinnok snarled. "I've no use for her dead yet. Put her in the dungeons with the others."
Shinnok turned and walked away, leaving Quan Chi staring at me. He did not look pleased at all. I figured since my fate was in his hands, I might as well be as defiant as possible and said "I guess we can't always get what we want."
Quan Chi sneered and then grabbed my throat and we suddenly teleported into the lower dungeons of the Palace. I was no longer chained, but before I had a chance to regain my bearings, Quan Chi threw me into a nearby cell and quickly locked the cell door.
He looked down at me and said "Savor this last moments, princess." he then paused and continued, much more grimly "Because I promise you this: when your time to die comes...my face will be the last one you see."
He then left the dungeon leaving me alone in my cell. I don't know why, but there was something about Quan Chi's words that filled me with dread and made my blood run cold. I then started pacing around my cell, desperately trying to find or think of a way out. The more I tried, the more I came to realize how helpless I was, which only made my despair worse. I truly began to fear this would be the end. To watch helplessly as my realm is enslaved once again by more madmen. I felt sick. To come so close...so far...only to have it all snatched away so easily. It felt as if my heart were ripped from my chest.
No. I couldn't give into despair. I refused to give up hope. Liu was alive. That meant something. And I was determined to make sure they regretted keeping me alive. I needed to find a way out. I needed to save my realm.
End of Chapter XXIII