"Apt Pupil"
Jade was sitting in the training chamber of Shao Kahn's fortress trying to remain calm. Standing near her was a fighting instructor named Bakayarou, but they weren't practicing. In the past few weeks, Jade had received some intensive training, but very little of it was in actual fighting. The Emperor did indeed have a mission and use for Jade, but it was not one she was expecting.
"How are you feeling?" Bakayarou asked.
"Nervous." Jade answered, before quietly adding "I don't like this."
The Emperor told Jade that he needed someone to get close to his daughter Kitana and act as her companion. He wanted someone who could keep an eye on her whom she could trust. Someone who could keep the Emperor aware of what his daughter was doing and thinking. And for this, he chose Jade.
Jade was then trained in, essentially, getting to know Kitana. She was told what Kitana was like. What she liked and didn't like. How to act and what to say. Although Jade found this all to be very bizarre, she was assured that if she succeeded in earning Kitana's trust she would indeed receive actual assassin training and no longer have to be a cook, so she kept quiet and did as she was told.
"I don't understand it though." Jade wondered aloud. "Why would the Emperor need someone to watch his daughter? What's he think she's going to do?"
"I find it's best not to ask too many question regarding the Emperor and his daughter." Bakayarou answered.
"I really don't like this." Jade repeated. The Emperor would keep saying Kitana "needs a companion." Someone "she can trust." Someone who can "get close to her." Basically be her friend, Jade thought to herself. The more she thought about it, the less she like the idea. For one, she wasn't very fond of the idea that she would have to deceive a person like that. But more importantly, she was worried that Kitana just wouldn't like her anyway. What if Kitana really was just a selfish brat like everyone says?
"How are you planning to start?" Bakayarou asked.
"The Emperor said I should act really humble and meek." she answered. "I think I'll act like I'm scared of her or something." That shouldn't be too hard, Jade thought to herself. She already was pretty terrified. "Do you know when she'll be here?"
"Lord Shang Tsung said Kitana usually comes here around this time to exercise."
Jade and Bakayarou were waiting for Kitana in the training area and were told to stage a failed training session for Jade. Although Jade thought the whole idea was ridiculous, according to Shang Tsung, Kitana, who's apparently been wanting a partner on missions, would identify with Jade's training and sympathize with her. He also said making her meeting with Jade seem like a chance encounter would make Kitana less suspicious.
What constantly puzzled Jade about all this was the question of why Shao Kahn is so determined to ensure his daughter is occupied and watched. Why all these precautions and why is the Emperor so determined to control every aspect of his daughter's life? Questions Jade didn't bother to dwell on too long. In the end, if it worked, she'd get what she wanted. That's what mattered.
"There she is." Bakayarou whispered, pointing behind several weights to Kitana who was practicing some fighting techniques. "Let's get this over with."
"Time to make a fool of myself." Jade mumbled to herself as she laid down on the floor at Bakayarou's feet.
Bakayarou then immediately started pacing around back and forth in front of Jade while screaming at her. Out of the corner of her eye, Jade saw Kitana start to approach then kept her head down and tried to look upset.
"What was that! You just crumbled to the floor like a drunken fool!" Bakayarou screamed at Jade.
"I'm sorry master. I slipped." she answered quietly.
"You 'slipped?'" he repeated, dumbfounded. He grumbled to himself and groaned "Teaching you is like trying to teach a crippled mule. I swear you do nothing right! You never listen...you stumble all over the place...you can't throw a decent punch do save your life...is there nothing you do right Jade?"
"I'm sorry master. I'm trying..."
"Then you're even more hopeless than I thought." he interrupted. "I'm wasting my time here. If you want to learn how to fight, find a new instructor."
Bakayarou then stormed out of the training chamber and Jade held her breath. She could feel Kitana nearby, watching her. Her nerves were shot, not knowing what to expect. What if Kitana doesn't fall for it, she kept thinking. What if she doesn't care after all? What if Kitana doesn't like her anyway? Will the Emperor have Jade killed? What if...
"You okay?" Kitana asked gently.
Jade's heart leapt into her throat as she jumped up. For a split second she completely forgot everything Shang Tsung told her about Kitana and froze, but quickly recovered and bowed, humbly saying "Forgive me mistress. If you wish to use the sparring ring I will leave you..."
"It's okay, calm down." Kitana interrupted. "I just came to talk."
Jade tried to remain calm and remember what Shang Tsung told her...but not look calm since she was supposed to be acting nervous and started stumbling over her words "...um...yes mistress. I am at your...service..."
"Please. Don't call me that. Just call me Kitana."
"Yes mis...um...Kitana..."
Kitana then looked a little frustrated and said "Could you please just talk normally? What is it that you think I'm going to do?"
Jade cringed thinking she was making her angry. She then took a deep breath and calmed down and gave a real reason why the servants didn't like Kitana. "The other servants say we should never talk to you. They're all afraid of you and afraid if they say something you'll tell your father and have them killed."
Kitana stared at Jade a moment, not looking surprised by that response then let out a forced laugh and said "I wouldn't do that. Is that really how you all see me?" She then cleared her throat and asked "So your name is Jade, right? Tell me about yourself."
Jade felt a bit of relief and answered "Well...I'm one the servant girls for the cooks. I decided to start training to be one of your father's assassins because I figured that'd be better than being a cook because...I really hate cooking."
"I understand. I'd feel the same way."
Jade continued with the story Shang Tsung gave her "I asked Instructor Bakayarou if he would train me a few weeks ago and he agreed but...I guess you saw how it's going. He says I'm hopeless." She then paused and added, trying to sound depressed "I guess I'll go back to being a cook."
"Well I'll let you in on a secret, Bakayarou wasn't the best choice. He's kind of a joke." Kitana said with a little laugh. Jade let out a slight laugh herself. Kitana then asked "Would you like me to give some pointers?"
"You..? Oh no...I couldn't trouble you..."
"No trouble. I really don't have anything else to do." She cut in. "We'll start with a little sparring to see how much you already know."
"I...I really don't know much. Bakayarou didn't teach me a lot..." Jade said, continuing to sound very humble.
"It's okay. It's just a friendly spar. I'll go real easy on you."
Jade and Kitana then began circling each other for their spar. After a few moments, Kitana began throwing some punches and kicks, deliberately slow. In between her orientation on Kitana's likes and dislikes, Jade had received some basic combat training. Not much, but enough for Jade to keep up with Kitana's first movements.
"Not bad." Kitana said after a few passes. "You know a little bit."
Kitana then continued pressing her attacks, this time a bit harder. Jade was still able to keep up, but wasn't sure if she should hold back and make herself look weaker than she really was. Deep down though, Jade started to feel a bit frustrated having to make a fool of herself and jump through hoops to appease Shao Kahn's bizarre fixation on his daughter.
As Jade's mind was wandering, she accidentally caught Kitana in the face with a stiff punch. Kitana backed up a few feet and felt her lip which began to bleed. Jade froze as her heart jumped into her throat. She had just punched the Emperor's daughter in the face. Her nerves all shot as she stood frozen in place, expecting the Emperor's daughter to retaliate.
But Kitana did not look angry and did not attack. Instead she calmly said "Nice shot."
Not sure what to do, Jade quickly returned to her frightened servant act and sank to her knees pleading "Please forgive me mistress! I didn't mean to do that!"
Kitana laughed quietly and said "Relax. Get up." As Jade slowly rose she continued "You did good and you really caught me there. I don't know what Bakayarou was talking about."
"Oh, you really think so..?" Jade asked, feigning humility.
Kitana nodded and answered "I think you have potential. Let's talk and maybe I can help you out with your training."
Kitana then started to walk out of the chamber and motioned Jade to follow. So far so good, Jade thought to herself.
Back in Zansatsu, Tanya awoke late and went about her day very leisurely. While in Makeba, her father had to go further north to contact more resistance groups, but Tanya wanted nothing to do with that and asked if she could just return home. Lysander agreed and she returned on her own.
In the few weeks that went by, Tanya's thoughts were consumed with her meeting with Armand. His words constantly echoed in her mind. She had never met anyone like him in her life. It was as if he understood her immediately. She found herself wishing she could been with him longer or that she'd meet him again.
As Tanya entertained fantasies of Armand and herself taking over Outworld, she went down to the local market to buy herself some new clothes maybe some jewelry. As she looked through the items at the store, she noticed Liao approach her.
"Hey Tanya, can I talk to you a minute." he asked.
"Can it wait? I'm busy." she answered looking at a small necklace she picked up.
"Listen, have you seen Dex at all recently?"
"Why would I have seen Dex?"
"He's been missing for the past few days and I'm just asking around. I thought maybe you might have seen him..."
"Didn't Dex join the Resistance? Maybe he's just dead."
"Don't say that." Liao said grimly. "His mother's really worried...so if you see him, tell someone, okay?"
"Sure. I'll put it right on top of my to-do list." she sneered.
"You're a wonderful person, Tanya." Liao grumbled as he walked away.
Tanya giggled to herself as she continued looking through the jewelry. Like she cared about Dex. As a matter of fact, she hoped he was dead. Lying at the bottom of some ditch rotting away, half eaten by Tarkatans or something. Thoughts of Dex's rotting corpse started to make Tanya laugh a little, until she heard some men talking behind her. She didn't pay much attention until she heard one of them say "Armand."
She turned around and saw the two men talking were two tall, built men who were passing by. They were both heavily scarred and looked like fighters. But they didn't look like Resistance fighters. Tanya stared at them as they walked away and wondered of maybe the were Shao Kahn's men. And maybe they knew Armand.
Curious, Tanya started to follow the two men. She followed as they left the village and started down the road. However, once they reached the nearby woods they went off the road and went inside the forest. By watching them, Tanya assumed they were in fact Shao Kahn's men and was careful to make sure they didn't notice her following them.
She followed the two men to an isolated lodge in the woods, a few miles outside Zansatsu. After the two men went inside, Tanya quietly crept up to the lodge and looked in the window. Inside she saw several men standing and sitting around talking.
"Where the hell did you two go?" someone yelled.
"Went to grab some food..." one of the men Tanya followed answered.
"You're supposed to let us know when you leave! We don't need another one finding us!"
"Relax. We made sure we weren't followed."
"I think we should find a new place to hide out." someone else said. "We're too close to this village."
"This place will do for now."
There was silence amongst the men until someone said "Look guys, I think I might want out on this."
"What?"
"This is crazy man. You can't beat Shao Kahn. You're going to get us all killed..."
"You'd rather stay a servant? You'd rather stay a grunt who works for nothing? To hell with that! If we plan this right, I say we can take Kahn down."
The man talking sounded like Armand, but Tanya could really see him from where she was. She tried to get a closer look but accidentally hit her knee on the wall of the lodge. Everyone inside suddenly looked towards the window at once.
"The hell was that?"
"You said you weren't followed!"
"I wasn't..." one of the first two men started to say before he was cut off by being stabbed in the chest by someone else.
"Find out what that was."
Everyone charged outside and Tanya immediately started to run, but in her hurry tripped and fell down. She yelled out "Damn it!" and everyone charged at her. All the men swooped over her, pointing all their swords and knives at her. They all started shouting at her, demanding who she was and who she worked for. Behind them all, she caught a glimpse of Armand and she started yelling "Waitwaitwaitwait! Armand! Armand, it's me! Remember...we met a few weeks ago in Makeba!"
Armand stepped forward and said "You..? What they hell are you doing here?"
"I live in the village near here. I...I heard that guy mention you're name and followed..."
"Another God damn spy! Let's kill the bitch!" one of the men barked.
"Wait! Wait!" Tanya yelled. "I'm not a spy! That's not why I'm here!"
"Then what do you want kid?"
"I want to join you."
Back in Shao Kahn's fortress Kitana and Jade went to the dining hall to get some water. They sat down at the large table and Kitana asked "So what made you decide to become an assassin?"
"Like I said before, I just hate being a cook servant." Jade answered. "I mean you get treated like dirt by everyone and you rush food orders around without rest or a break. And you yelled at all day long and you have to sleep in a crap little room..." Jade trailed off, realizing she was probably venting more than she should have. She hesitated a moment then backtracked saying "But...but I guess it could be worse..."
Kitana laughed and said "Relax. It's not a secret the life of a servant isn't the best one. And I'm sure the other servants probably say worse behind our backs."
"I wouldn't know. I don't talk much to the others."
"No..?"
"Ever since I first came here, all the other servants have always acted very distant towards me. No one talks to me." Jade paused a moment then added "I've been alone for a lot of my life."
"Really?"
"Yeah." she answered, but that was a lie. In truth, Jade had actually gotten to know some of the other servants well. However Shang Tsung told Jade to tell Kitana that she always felt isolated from everyone else.
Kitana then asked "How did you end up becoming a servant here anyway?"
"Well, I was brought here when my village was attacked...by Tarkatans." Jade answered. Shang Tsung also told Jade to say Tarkatans attacked her village and not Shao Kahn's army. She continued "I was separated from my father and got caught up with other prisoners and ended up here. They decided I'd be a cook servant and I've been doing that ever since."
"I hate Tarkatans. Degenerates." Kitana grumbled. "Do you remember your father?"
"No." Another lie Shang Tsung ordered Jade tell. This one was actually difficult for her to go through with since she did remember her father and she did miss him very much. She quickly shook off her discomfort and continued "I don't...really remember anything about him...at all."
"I'm sorry." Kitana said. "What about your mother?"
Deep inside Jade cringed and began to say what Shang Tsung ordered her to: "My mother...she died giving birth to me...so I never knew her." She paused, trying to get the words out, the continued "You know...this might sound strange but...I always...I always kind of felt bad about that. Like...my mother died giving birth to me. It's almost like..." she paused once more and finally choked out "like in a way...I'm responsible for my mother's death. I've always been a little afraid that...my mother died...because of me."
Jade kept her eyes locked on the floor and felt sick to her stomach. Her mother had indeed died during Jade's birth, but she never ever felt responsible. Her father never even let her think that. But for some reason, when Shang Tsung learned how her mother died, he insisted Jade act like she felt guilty about her mother's death.
After a few moments, Kitana said very quietly "I know how you feel." Jade turned and stared at Kitana who seemed a little upset and said "My mother...she committed suicide when I was much younger. Deep down...I've always been a little afraid that it was something I did that made her kill herself. That I was somehow responsible." Jade just stared at Kitana speechless before Kitana gently said "Listen Jade, I'm going speak to my father about getting you trained. And I'm going to make sure you're given a good instructor. I'll even help you out, too." Jade didn't answer and Kitana said "You're not going to be a cook any longer." She then smiled and left the dining hall.
Jade remained in her seat and felt like vomiting.
"You what?"
"I want to join you guys." Tanya said, unsuccessfully trying not to sound like an excited child. "I heard you talking about bringing down Shao Kahn and...and I want in."
Armand stared at Tanya a moment then said "Let her go."
"Armand...you sure about this..?" one of his men asked.
"Leave us a moment. Let me talk to the kid." Armand's men let go of Tanya and all reluctantly returned inside the lodge. After a few moments he asked Tanya "You really sure about this, kid?"
"Yes." she quickly answered. "Armand, I've been thinking about what you said and I'm with you."
"Look kid..."
"I can help you. Remember I said my father was just some sort of ambassador. He's really a member of the Resistance. He acts as correspondence to all the others." Armand stared at Tanya, surprised she just came out with that. "I can find out what he knows and tell you. Then you wouldn't just be working the inside of Kahn's forces, but you'd also have an insider on the Resistance."
"Kid, have you really thought this through?"
"Yes I have." Tanya said with no uncertainty. "I do not wish to spend my life as a nobody in that dump of a village with those peons. I'm better than that. I'm better than them. I deserve better. And I am ready to do whatever I have to get there."
"You'd even sell out your father?"
"Like you said...to hell with the rest of the world." She paused a moment then added "Look, if you want...I'll do a test or something. Anything. I want to be a part of this Armand."
Armand thought about Tanya's offer for a few moments then said "All right, I'll tell you what...come with me." He led Tanya inside the lodge where upon entering he told one of his men "Go get our first guest and bring him up here." One of his men nodded and went down into the basement of the lodge. As they waited for him to return Armand said to Tanya "We'll see if you got what it takes, kid."
After a few moments, the man returned from the basements with someone tied up over his shoulder. The prisoner was a young man, who looked about Tanya's age. He was beat up and had a cloth tied around his mouth. She then recognized who it was "Dex!"
"You know this kid?" Armand asked.
"Yeah. He's from my village. He's a member of the Resistance."
"We caught him spying on us a few days ago and've been holding him here."
"So what's the test?" Tanya asked.
Armand answered by handing Tanya a large knife. She stared at him a moment then he said "We don't need him. So you take care of it."
Tanya approached Dex with the knife as he frantically tried shook his head back and forth. He was mumbling loudly from the cloth in his mouth, but it was obvious if he could speak he'd be trying to reason with Tanya. She stepped in front of Dex and looked at him for a moment before looking at the knife in her hand.
"If you don't have what it takes..." Armand started to say but was cut off when Tanya plunged the knife into Dex's neck. She then twisted the blade and violently tore it out, ripping Dex's throat out with it.
Tanya smiled with girlish glee as she stared at the blood soaked knife. She had never killed anyone before...but it was so easy. She loved it. She loved the power. To just end someone else's life. Watching the life fade from his eyes. She hadn't felt such a visceral thrill since she threatened Dex all those years ago.
She then turned to see if Armand and the others were impressed. Everyone in the room was just staring at her, shocked with the brutality in which she did it. After a few moments she shrugged and said "I never liked him anyway."
After a few more moments of silence Armand laughed and said "I love this kid!" He laughed again then continued "Boys, get rid of the body. Tanya..." he then walked over to Tanya and patted her on the shoulder saying "I'm think I'm going to like having you around."
Tanya let out a big smile and giggled.
Jade spent the rest of the day in her chamber. Since being accepted by the Emperor, Jade was given her own quarters, although it really wasn't much different than her last room. She sat on her bed, trying to take in what she did earlier in the day.
She knew going that she'd have to do unpleasant things to become an assassin. And as an assassin, she'd would then be expected to do some terrible things. Having experienced just a taste of what she'd have to do that day, Jade understood the big difference between just knowing it and actually doing it. She used the memory of her mother to deceive someone. She used someone's own memory of their mother. And she felt sick to her stomach.
Late that night Shang Tsung suddenly entered Jade's room and said "The Emperor wishes to see you."
Jade made her way to the Emperor's chamber where she was granted entrance by his guards. Upon entering the room the Emperor said from his throne "Ah, Jade. Come."
Jade slowly stepped forward and bowed, quietly saying "My lord."
"Well, you seem to have made quite an impression on my daughter. She seems to have really taken to you."
"I just...did what you told me...my lord."
Kahn laughed and said "Indeed. You follow orders well, Jade. Kitana is insisting you be trained immediately, so you have gotten what you desire and will be trained to be one of my personal assassins."
"Thank you, my lord." Jade said with another bow.
"However, don't think just because Kitana has taken to you that I will tolerate incompetence from you. I expect you to train as hard as any other soldier. Understood?"
"I will my lord. I shall do my best."
"And one last thing," Kahn said walking towards Jade. "Do not forget your place and who made this possible for you. You serve me. You are to watch Kitana...for me. You will keep her occupied, you will indulge her, and you are to report to me anything suspicious. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my lord. My loyalty it yours."
"Good. You are dismissed."
Jade left Shao Kahn's chamber and returned to her quarters, still feeling sick and still trying to take in what was happening. Although she seemed to have gotten what she wanted out of the deal, she still felt appalled about what she had to do to get it. And she knew this was only the start. As one of Shao Kahn's assassins, she'd be expected do more and worse. Suddenly Jade found herself reconsidering her decision. Asking herself the same question Ada asked her. Is this really what she wanted? Would she really rather be scum than dirt?
As Jade sat in her bed, she slowly started to steel herself. It was either this or continue being a lowly slave. Some sort of play-toy for the men. She needed to be strong. She was on her own and she needed to do what she had to do. Her mother was dead and she'd never see father again, even if he was alive. She needed to move on and survive. To hell with them and to hell with Kitana's feelings, she thought to herself. In the end she got what she wanted. That was all that mattered.
End of Chapter III