"Perseverance"
I remained trapped in the dungeons of my own Palace for days. Maybe weeks. Every so often Shinnok or Quan Chi would send one of their loathsome servants to throw scraps of food into my cell. The first guards walked right up to my cell to hand me my rations. I made them regret it. Once they came within reach I'd grab hold of them, hoping one of them would have keys or a weapon. I killed two guards and crippled three more before they caught on not to get too close. Strangely, in spite of my less than cooperative behavior, Shinnok insisted on keeping me alive. Why, I don't know. I'm not sure I want to know.
Trapped in the dungeons was a maddening experience. Not so much because I was trapped in the same small space for so long...but because I had no idea what was happening beyond my cell. I didn't know what Shinnok was doing to my realm. I didn't know where Jade or my mother were. I didn't know if Liu was okay. For all I knew they were all dead and Shinnok was ripping Edenia apart. And it was not knowing that hurt more than anything.
I hated being locked there. I hated being forced to sit and wait while the fate of my realm rests in the hands of others. I wanted so much to do something, but I was trapped. All I could do was pray Liu and Raiden would find some way to defeat Shinnok.
My thoughts were interrupted by one of Shinnok's servants banging on my cell door. "Food!" he barked at me. I almost told him to go away, but then I noticed he was standing right in front of my cell, within my reach. I slowly approached the door, looking around the halls to see if any other guards were around. There were no others around, and I started to smile. "What are you smiling about?" my guard snarled, still standing right in front of my cell.
"You just made a bad mistake." I said as I grabbed hold of his neck. He tried to get free from my grip but I quickly snapped his neck before he was able to escape or call for help. He fell limp on the floor and I searched his pockets something that could help me escape. I found a small knife which I was able to pick the lock of my cell with.
I unlocked my cell and sneaked away, careful not to be seen by any other guards. Strangely, there were almost none. The dungeons seemed to be practically deserted, which honestly made me feel very uneasy. This was going way too easy. I wondered if perhaps I was walking into a trap...but who's trap? Regardless, I decided better to take a chance than continue to sit in my cell.
As I made my out, I found Jade locked in a cell. "Jade!" I said quietly as I sneaked to her cell.
"Kitana!" she said, seeing me approach. "How did you escape?"
"My guards got sloppy." I answered. I then noticed behind Jade my mother, lying on the bed in the cell. "Mother!" I said, but she didn't answer. "Jade, is she all right?"
"She's hurt Kitana." Jade answered quietly. "She's okay for now, but I don't know how long she'll last without some help."
"I'll get you out of here." I then tried to pick the lock of their cell as I did mine, but I then heard some guards approaching.
I tried to move faster but Jade said "Kitana, don't worry. Just go now."
"I'm not leaving you here." Behind me I could here guards getting closer.
"Kitana, listen to me: you have to escape now while you have the chance. You have to stop Tanya!"
"What?"
"She knew the refugees were Shinnok and Quan Chi. She's a traitor."
"Oh my god..."
"Listen, she's infiltrated Earth's forces. She's going to lead them into an ambush. You have to stop her before it's too late."
I stared at Jade for a moment and asked "How do you know all this?"
Jade quietly answered "She told me." I was shocked. Why would Tanya betray us? And why would she tell Jade? After a moment Jade continued "Kitana, it's not important. Just find her and stop her. I'll look after your mother."
"Jade..."
"Go! Hurry!"
I could hear the guards just down the hall. I was out of time and needed to go, but I hated leaving Jade and my mother behind. I grabbed Jade's hand and said "Take care of my mother, Jade." She nodded and I said "I will be back for you. I will."
"I know." Jade answered as I let go and quickly escaped the dungeons. As I made my way out I took a moment to wonder if maybe I was waking into a trap myself. My escape was way too easy. Almost no guards were anywhere. I couldn't shake this bad feeling that my escape...was somehow planned for me.
I hated leaving my mother and Jade behind. And I was scared that when Shinnok or Quan Chi learned of my escape they'd take their anger out on them. I would have to find help fast. I quickly and quietly made my way to my chamber to get my fans and then started to sneak out of the palace. As I made my out, I saw Quan Chi talking with Reptile, Baraka, and Scorpion. I ducked down and listened as he gave them their orders.
"I've received word that Tanya is leading Liu Kang and some of his allies to the rendezvous point as we speak. They will be there shortly and you must be there to meet them. Take a small garrison of Demons and when she gives the signal attack. Mileena should also be there shortly to back you all up." With that, the three warriors bowed and Quan Chi finished "Go now. Leave none alive."
They left the fortress with about ten Demons soldiers and headed east. I decided to follow so they could lead me to Liu, and hopefully I'd be able to help him. I was careful to keep my distance so Reptile wouldn't catch my scent.
As I followed them, I couldn't help but think about Tanya. Why would she betray us? I know her father. I was told he's been a long time member of the Edenian Resistance in Outworld and can be trusted. Jade said they've been friends for years. What could Shinnok have offered that would make her sell us all out like this? Did he offer her anything or did she do it out of fear for her own life?
The more I thought about Tanya the angrier I became. We have come so far and worked so hard to free our realm and achieve peace and she selfishly throws it away. There was no excuse for her betrayal. If it was out of fear then she's a selfish coward. Or maybe it's worse than that. Maybe she did it out of ambition. What kind of monster would sell out her family and friends for power? Either way Tanya has caused the deaths of who knows how many innocent people by allowing Shinnok and Quan Chi into our realm. And for that I was intent on making her pay.
I followed Shinnok's warriors for several miles until we reached a small valley that led to a cave. Shinnok's fighters all positioned themselves around the area and waited for Tanya. I hid myself in the distance and waited as well. I could only hope that I'd be able to tip the scales in some way.
It started to rain lightly as I heard some talking in the distance. I then saw Tanya leading Liu, Sonya, and two fighters I didn't recognize. One was a young dark skinned man with white stripes tattooed on his body. They other was smug looking man wearing a vest with a black dragon symbol on the back.
"What is this place Tanya?" I heard Liu ask. "Where are the others?"
"Don't worry." she answered. "There's something special planned for them."
They stopped in front of the cave in the valley and everyone but Tanya looked confused. "Tanya, what's going on?"
Tanya started to laugh quietly and smugly said "I don't know what Kitana saw in you." Liu and the others stared at her, unsure of what this meant and she finished "Can't you see Liu Kang? This is a trap."
With that Shinnok's warriors all burst out and quickly surrounded Liu and the others. "Tanya!" Liu yelled "How could you do this!"
"Easy." she said nonchalantly. "Kill them."
With that Shinnok's fighters all charged and started fighting. Liu and the others were outnumbered and according to Quan Chi, Mileena was on her way. Tanya stayed to the side watching, obviously pleased with herself. I couldn't watch any longer.
"TANYA!" I yelled out as I charged into the battle.
Tanya turned and only caught a glimpse of me as I leveled her with a hard kick to the face that sent her to the ground. For just a moment, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me in shock. I drew my fans and without saying a word charged into Shinnok's Demons. I was furious. Furious that I've worked so hard to restore Edenia and these abominations try to take it away from me.
I cut down several Demons to even the odds for Liu and his allies. But my business was with Tanya. She slowly started to shake off the blow to the head and looked up at me. Her eyes widened with terror as she saw me slowly approach her.
"Princess Kitana!" she said, pretending she was happy to see me. "I can't believe you're here!"
I looked at Tanya as she slowly started to back away. I looked at this woman who for no reason handed my realm to madmen. Who caused the deaths of who knows how many. Who almost got my mother, my best friend, and the man I love killed.
"I am going to kill you Tanya."
Tanya stared at me for a moment, then turned and quickly ran inside the cave. I figured she was either running out of fear or hoping she could lure me into a trap in the cave. I didn't care either way and followed her. As I went deeper and deeper into the cave it got larger and darker. I tensed up and braced myself for anything. Something told me Tanya would use this to her advantage.
"Why Tanya?" I called out. Partly so I could get bearing on where she was, but mostly because I wanted to know. "Why'd you do this? HOW could you do this to us?"
"My god..." I heard her groan somewhere in the darkness, "are you actually asking for an explanation?"
"Yes I am Tanya. I want to know how you could betray your people...your own family."
"I made the right choice, princess. I've lived for centuries by making the right choices." Tanya then emerged from the shadows behind me and continued. "Are you really surprised by this invasion princess? You really think it's a coincidence that Shinnok invades after Shao Kahn is dead? While Outworld is in chaos? While Earth is still recovering from the invasion? While we're still vulnerable?" I stared at her and it all came clear for me and I realized how big this invasion is. Quan Chi sending Noob Saibot to work for Kahn. Mileena's return from the dead. Shinnok's involvement with my mother's resurrection. "They've been planning this for centuries right under Shao Kahn and Raiden's noses. I found out and I had to make a choice. I chose the winning side." Tanya finished.
"He hasn't won yet. We'll find a way to beat him."
"Oh? And what about after Shinnok? And after him? Be serious princess, you can dream we'll live in peace all you want but it'll never happen. There'll always be someone trying to take Edenia. I say pick the best side and run with it."
"So this is how you live your life Tanya? Whoring yourself to whomever you think has the best chance at winning?"
"If it gets me what I want." she answered smugly. "In the end princess, I'd rather be a healthy traitor than a dead hero."
With each word, my hatred for Tanya grew. Every word from her mouth was like poison. She has no honor or principles. She spits on everything I fight for. "You disgust me."
Tanya chuckled and said "Go ahead princess. Cling to your lost hopes. Dream and pray that it'll all work out in the end. I prefer to live in the real world."
"I'd rather cling to lost hopes, than be a back-stabbing bitch."
"And I'd rather betray the whole world than have the whole world betray me."
We charged at each other and began fighting. From her running away from me earlier, I expected Tanya to be a mediocre fighter, but her fighting style is as deceptive as she is. She leads you to believe that she's an inferior and inexperienced fighter, but her attacks are swift and methodical. I learned that the hard way. She quickly disarmed me and struck hard and fast. She knocked the side of my head with a boomerang before taking me down with some sort of flipping split kick.
I hit the ground hard and tried to regain my bearings but Tanya quickly kicked me while I was down. "Underestimated me, princess?" she laughed. "Don't feel too bad. People have underestimated me my whole life." She kicked me again and continued "It's something I've learned to use to my advantage. No one ever sees me coming."
"What do you want?" I choked out, still trying to stand.
"Well who else will rule Edenia when Shinnok is done with it?"
I looked up and Tanya and I finally realized what type of person she is. She sold us all out, even her own father, just for herself. I don't know why I was so appalled by that. I've known more than my share of evil people in my life, but there was something about Tanya that sickened me even more.
I stared her dead in the eye and said "Over. My. Dead. Body."
She smirked and said "I had the exact same idea." She then suddenly wrapped her legs around my neck and began to twist. I think she was trying to snap my neck, but I quickly, almost instinctively, kicked her in the back and drove her head into a nearby rock. I was not going to be defeated by her. I would not be defeated by this traitor. I would not let my realm fall into the hands of this back-stabbing bitch.
We pulled ourselves up and began fighting again. This time however, I was ready for her. Not only that, I was more focused than ever. Tanya seemed to be caught off guard by my sudden ferocity and was quickly overwhelmed.
After beating on her for several minutes I tossed her aside to the ground and she whimpered "...mercy...please..."
"No mercy for you Tanya. You deserve none." I answered harshly. She doesn't deserve pity or mercy. I can understand why fighters like Reptile and Mileena do the things they do. I know it's not entirely their fault...but Tanya's different. There's no excuse for her. And she so gleefully uses and betrays innocent people who trust her...she deserves to die. I took my fans and slowly approached her. "This is for all the people who've died for your selfishness."
"They may have to wait." she said before suddenly throwing a clump of dirt in my face. I quickly rubbed the dirt out of my eyes and braced myself for Tanya to take advantage but when I got the dirt out she was gone.
"Tanya! You coward! Come out and finish this!" I called, but no answer. I looked around, but knew searching for her would be fruitless. The cave was too big and there may have even been another way out. I didn't mind though. When this was over I'd see to it every man and woman in Edenia knew Tanya's name. She'll never be able to set foot in Edenia again.
I left the cave to find Liu and his allies outside. They looked okay, if a little beat up. The Demons were all dead and it looked like Reptile, Baraka, and Scorpion were forced to retreat. Liu came to me and he said "Kitana! I can't believe it!" We hugged each other and I was so glad I was able to escape and help in time. It felt good to be back with him once again. "Thank god you're alive. After what happened at the palace, I thought you were dead." he said.
"I'm okay. I'm glad you're alive too."
We walked over to the others and Sonya and I shook hands. "Good to see you again, K."
"This is Kai and Jarek." Liu said. Kai shook my hand but Jarek only sort of nodded at me. "How'd you escape?"
"My guards got sloppy and I took advantage." I answered. "As I got out I found Jade and she told me how Tanya betrayed us. She warned me that she was leading you to an ambush."
"Can't believe we fell for it." Sonya groaned, "Why would she do all that?"
"Who knows." I answered. "My mother and Jade are still trapped though."
"We'll find a way to help them." Liu said. "Come on. Let's meet up with the others."
I followed Liu and the others to an old temple not far away in the Edenian Plains. Inside we found Johnny Cage, Jax, Sub-Zero, Raiden, and another warrior I didn't recognize named Fujin. I later found out he was Earth's God of Wind. Liu explained Tanya's betrayal and Raiden said he probably failed to see the evil in Tanya's soul because it was protected by Quan Chi's magic.
Sub-Zero began explaining something about the source of Shinnok's power being some sort of ancient Amulet. He said if we could get that out of the way, Shinnok would be vulnerable and we could destroy him. I honestly didn't pay much attention. I really couldn't care less about where Shinnok came from or how he got his power. I was too preoccupied with thoughts about my mother and Jade. I hoped they were still safe.
There was something else troubling me. I kept thinking about what Tanya said during our fight. About how there will always be another threat to Edenia waiting. As I thought about her words I was reminded of what Shao Kahn said to me. How I'm condemning myself to a life of pain and lost causes.
As night fell, I kept to myself while everyone tried to get some rest. I couldn't sleep though. I couldn't sleep knowing my mother and Jade were still trapped. That my people were at the mercy of Shinnok and Quan Chi. I felt so restless. I hated not doing anything.
Later that night I decided to practice some fighting techniques and exercise. I walked to an open area not far from the temple and starting practicing. I figured I could at least prepare myself for the coming battle. But what I was really trying to do was occupy my thoughts with something other than Tanya's words. I can't let what she said get to me. There is hope for Edenia. We're already so close to peace. I can't give up now, despite of Shinnok's invasion.
I practiced my techniques for hours. I kept pushing myself, trying not to let anything get to me. I couldn't let them get to me. Not Tanya. Not Quan Chi or Shinnok. Not Shao Kahn. Restoring Edenia isn't a lost cause. I can do it. I know I can. I just have to be strong.
"Kitana? What are you doing out here?" I heard Liu ask behind me.
"Nothing. Just exercising." I answered, catching my breath.
"You really shouldn't wander off alone."
"I know." I said sitting down on the ground. "But I can't just sit and wait. I was stuck in that damn dungeon for the past few days...I can't sit still any longer while Edenia's in danger. I have to do something. Anything."
"I understand." he said sitting beside me. "Trust me, I know it isn't easy watching your realm get torn apart."
"I'd also like to get my mind off of everything that's been happening."
"What do you mean?"
"I have to honest Liu...this whole Shinnok thing has really shaken me. I can't describe what it was like...seeing my mother lying motionless of the floor at their feet...watching you almost get killed...and being helpless to do anything about it..."
"Don't let it get to you Kitana. Don't let this bring you down. We'll find a way to stop Shinnok, just like we stopped Shao Kahn. "
I smiled and said "Yeah. I know we will. I just have to stay strong."
He was quiet for a moment then said "I'm sorry you have to go through this. For what it's worth, I really do hope someday you can be happy."
I thought about what he said and answered "Honestly, I'm happiest with you. I would like it if we could be together someday without having to worry about fighting or invasions. If we could just be...together."
Liu then looked very troubled about something and said "Kitana, I want you know I'm sorry Raiden couldn't help you back in the palace. I was actually furious he left you behind."
"No, I understand Liu. I was just glad he got you out of there."
He was quiet for a few moments and continued "While I was recovering, Raiden told me something about being the Mortal Kombat Champion. Something that I think you should know."
"What is it?"
Liu stared at me and he looked very saddened about something. After a few moments it began to rain and he said "It can wait. It's not that important." We both stood up and Liu quietly said "I just want you to know that all I've ever wanted was for you to be happy."
As it began to rain harder we both returned to the temple. I decided to try to get some sleep but I couldn't help but wonder what it was Liu wanted to tell me. The way he said it...it sounded bad. What could Raiden have told him that would upset him? I decided to ignore my worries and tried to sleep.
For just one night, I tried to forget about Shinnok and Quan Chi and Tanya and Shao Kahn and just tried to get a moments peace. Just a moment. There was still plenty of hardship waiting for me in the morning.
End of Chapter XXIV