"The Right Choice"
Tanya sat on the small sofa of her home, staring into space daydreaming. Behind her, her father was pacing around with one of his comrades discussing the great news, but she paid little attention. Their friend and ally Jeice was returning to Zansatsu to celebrate his latest victories against Shao Kahn's forces. Years ago, Jeice's wife was wrongly killed by one of the Emperor's soldiers. Jeice, who was already a member of the Edenian Resistance, was so outraged he immediately took the offensive.
Jeice's rebellions started small, but eventually gained power and momentum as he moved throughout the land. All assassins and soldiers sent to kill him were defeated and humiliated. He and his growing band of fighters traveled throughout Outworld, gaining support and strength every step of the way. As unlikely as it sounded, Jeice seemed to have grown into a genuine threat to the Emperor.
That morning he was going to return to his native village of Zansatsu to visit his three children and celebrate with his closest friends. The entire village eagerly anticipated his return. Due to the isolation of Zansatsu and the fact no one in Shao Kahn's army knew it was his home village, the celebrations could go on without fear of attack or interruption.
Everyone was excited and thrilled for this coming "event," except for Tanya who cared little for Jeice's triumphs, nor Jeice himself. And sure enough, with all attention focused on Jeice's return, Tanya was...as usual...practically invisible.
In the few years that passed since Armand's death, Tanya saw little of Jade. Aware of what Jade went though, this came as no surprise to Tanya. The few brief times she did see her, Jade seemed very distant. This did not come as a surprise to Tanya either, who figured Jade was still a little traumatized from the ordeal. She would actually try to comfort Jade...as best she could anyway since Tanya was never very good at showing empathy...but generally avoided the subject all together.
With Armand dead, Tanya's opportunities died as well. She was still stuck in Zansatsu waiting for her chance to better herself. Still putting up with the lowly people of her village, enduring the mediocrity of her life. But she remained patient. Sooner or later something would turn up. It just had to.
"Tanya," she heard her father say behind her. "You're going to join in the celebration today, right?"
"Do I have to, papa?" she answered, unsuccessfully hiding her lack of interest.
"Tanya, Jeice is risking his life so we can free our realm and live in peace!" he said sternly. "The least you can do is show your appreciation!"
Tanya rolled her eyes and said "Fine. I'll be sure to show up." She then stood up and went towards the door saying "I'm going out. I'll be back by tonight."
As Tanya stepped outside and onto the village street, all around her people and children were running around in excitement, preparing for Jeice's arrival. It almost seemed like some sort of holiday. Tanya couldn't help but groan. So what if Jeice by some miracle overthrew Shao Kahn? So what if Edenia was restored? It'd still be the same pointless, common, worthless existence as it is now. Same mediocrity. Different setting.
But as Tanya walked through the village, she for a moment hoped to herself maybe she's wrong and something worth while would happen that night.
Jade paced back and forth on the small ferry, extremely uneasy. The ferry slowly traveled downriver, approaching a small fishing village that was already visible from where she was. She kept trying to think about what she was going to do. What she was going to say, but no answer was coming.
In the years since Armand's death, Jade had recovered from wounds and dedicated herself to her training even moreso than she had before. Determined to ensure nothing like that would ever happen to her again. She was also determined to redeem herself in the eyes of the Emperor when she received her next mission.
Kitana proved to be very supportive of Jade. For a while at first, Jade had tremendous difficulty dealing with the trauma Armand and his men subjected her to. But Kitana, true to her word, supported Jade and helped her through it. She even found some support from Tanya the few times the were able to meet. Jade quickly moved on and even quicker wanted to put the ordeal behind her. As far as she was concerned, it was in the past and should be left there.
In the passing years, Jade couldn't help but still be marveled by Kitana. She was still shocked, but also eternally grateful, that Kitana did truly see her as a real friend. Jade was determined to repay Kitana's kindness and in time grew to genuinely appreciate the Emperor's daughter as a true friend.
However, just as kind and generous Kitana was to Jade, she was equally vicious and brutal to her enemies. Once personally witnessing Kitana in actual battle, Jade couldn't help but be shocked and even a little appalled by Kitana's brutality. She acted even worse when around Mileena, who almost seemed to bring out the worst in her. When the two of them went on a mission together, they'd end up competing over who could be more brutal and bloodthirsty. Made all the worse by Shao Kahn's commending the more violent one.
The bizarre contrast in Kitana was often off-putting for Jade. Fortunately, the Emperor utilized her mainly for spying and secret assassinations. Getting information and getting jobs done quickly and quietly...as opposed to Kitana and Mileena who often lashed out with violent brutality.
As the ferry docked, knowledge of Kitana and Mileena's tendency to be needlessly brutal made Jade's anxiety worse. The rebel Jeice was quickly gaining more and more strength throughout Outworld. So much so, the Emperor finally decided to send his two daughters for his head. Thus far, he had managed to elude them...only angering both of them.
Jade was ordered to find Jeice's native village in the hope they could use that knowledge for their advantage. After much investigating and searching, Jade did indeed find the location of Jeice's home. She also discovered that he was returning to his home village to celebrate his recent victories with his family. But when she learned the name of the village, her blood immediately ran cold. A village she already knew of and had been to several times.
Zansatsu. Tanya's home village.
As Jade slowly approached the small inn she was set to meet Kitana and Mileena, she kept trying to decide what she should do. Discovering Jeice's home village and that he would be there that night was crucial information. The discovery would easily redeem herself in the Emperor's eyes.
But Tanya lived there. Her friend. Her first real friend who had grown to be like a sister in Jade's eyes. She knew if Kitana and Mileena went to Zansatsu there was a good chance Tanya could be killed, too. But she couldn't risk trying to get a warning to Tanya. She didn't know what to do. Jade entered the small inn, hearing Kitana and Mileena talking. They already sounded very agitated.
"I swear to god...I want to rip that bastard's head off myself." Kitana grumbled, pacing around.
"You think I don't? That prick has been making a fool of us for too long." Mileena answered, sharpening one of her sais.
Kitana turned and noticed "Jade! You're finally here...what did you find out?"
Jade nodded slightly and quietly said "I...yes. I...I think I found where Jeice is..."
"You know where Jeice himself is? That's great...where?"
"Well...he's...I think he's..."
"Spit it out." Mileena demanded. "Do you know where he is or don't you?"
Jade felt extremely uneasy. She had to say something, but wasn't sure what. Tanya was he friend...but she served the Emperor and had a job to do. What could she do?
"Jade..?" Kitana asked.
After several moments she finally said "He's...he lives in a small village called Zansatsu. It's in the southern lands...very isolated. He's returning there today to celebrate his victories with his allies and children. He'll be there tonight."
Kitana and Mileena looked at each other and Mileena said "I know where that is. We can be there by nightfall." She paused and asked "You're sure that's the place?"
Jade nodded solemnly and answered "Yes. He'll be there."
"You ready to go now?" Mileena asked Kitana.
"Sure." she answered. "You go on ahead...I want to talk with Jade a minute." Mileena grabbed her sais and left and Kitana asked "Jade...are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know...you seem...uneasy."
Jade stared at Kitana and still couldn't think of what to say. After several moments she finally asked "Kitana...you're just going to kill Jeice right? The other people there...they're innocent..."
"They're harboring a traitor. As far as I'm concerned they're no better."
"Yes...but..."
Kitana's eyes widened suddenly as if she realized something and said "Oh...I see what's wrong...I remember Zansatsu. It's right by...where Armand was..." Jade didn't say anything and Kitana gently said "Look Jade, I understand if you don't want to come with us on this one."
Jade wanted so much to say something that might help Tanya. She even thought about going with them...hoping she could find Tanya first and get her out. But what if she was caught? What if Tanya was loyal to Jeice? What then?
After several moments Jade choked out "Y-yes...I don't like that place...bad memories..."
Kitana smiled and said "Don't worry about it. Mileena and I can handle this on our own. Why don't you head back to the fortress and update my father. I'm sure he'll be happy to learn you discovered Jeice's location."
Kitana patted her on the shoulder and left the inn, leaving Jade staring at the door. After several moments Jade whispered to herself "What have I done..?"
Later that day, Tanya strolled along the river bank watching the sun set in the distance. She'd been wandering around for most of the day, trying to avoid any contact with her neighbors. She hated them. She hated their naive beliefs that Jeice would somehow overthrow Shao Kahn and free them all. It was all so pointless, she thought to herself. Even if Kahn was destroyed, someone would take his place. There's no such thing as peace.
What good would destroying Kahn do? His daughters would take his place and they were supposedly just as vicious as he was. Or maybe the Shokan would take power...who were never known for being peace-loving people. The Tarkatans...the Vampires...the idea that Edenia could be freed and they'd live in peace was a childish dream. The only way to make real change is to take power for oneself.
She was so sick of Zansatsu and all the people there. She hated the stupid naive fools who mindlessly dreamed of some sort of fairy tale ending where they could all live happily ever after. They all speak of living in freedom and being happy. What if that wasn't good enough for Tanya? What if she didn't want to be some mindless peasant. She was better than that.
But Tanya knew as long as she was stuck in Zansatsu, she'd never amount to anything. She'd never accomplish what she desired and live up to her full potential as long as she was squandered into some dirtbag hole in the middle of nowhere. More and more it was becoming clear a real opportunity would never come to her...she'd have to find it. She needed to get out there.
Tanya's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone groaning in pain by the river-bed. She walked over and to her surprise found a bloodied Liao pulling himself from the river, looking as if he was just attacked or mauled by an animal.
"Liao..? What happened to you?" she asked.
Liao looked up at her and said "Tanya...thank god...you're here..." He paused and started coughing up blood before continuing "Listen...you have to...you have to warn them..."
Tanya knelt close and asked "Warn who of what? What happened?"
"We...my unit and I...we were on our way back when...we...we were attacked by...Shao Kahn's daughters...Kitana and Mileena..." He started coughing blood again and continued "They killed...my unit...they know...they know where Jeice is...they'll be there...by nightfall...you have to...you have to warn them..."
"They killed your whole unit? There's just two of them..."
"Warn Jeice...warn everybody...don't underestimate them...don't...they have...they have to...be...warned..." And with that, Liao trailed off and died.
Tanya stood up and stared at Liao's body. So the Emperor's daughters were on their way to spoil Jeice's return. She stood by the river for a few moments, wondering to herself "What to do...what to do..?"
From what Tanya had heard about Kitana and Mileena's reputations, they were known for being deadly fighters who were needlessly vicious and brutal in battles. If they could take out an entire unit of rebels by themselves so fast, they certainly deserved their reputation. If they got to Zansatsu and no one was warned, there was a good chance they'd kill Jeice and many of the people there.
After a few minutes of thinking, Tanya knew what she had to do. She then shoved Liao's body back into the river with her foot and started back home.
Jade remained in the small inn room where she met Kitana and Mileena, pacing back and forth anxiously. She kept trying to think if she should do something. And if so...what? Kitana and Mileena were on their way to Zansatsu. If history was any judge, they'd show no mercy when they got there. And there chances are Tanya would get caught in the battle.
Jade kept asking herself if she should've tried to get a warning to Tanya first? Somehow warn her to stay out of the village for the night? But that wouldn't work. Tanya would certainly warn the others. And that could get Kitana, Mileena, and maybe even herself killed. Tanya said she didn't know anything about the Resistance...but even so she wouldn't simply turn her back on her people, would she?
Jade kept going over the situation again and again and wasn't any closer to a solution. Deep down, she cursed herself. She should've known something like this would happen sooner or later. She'd been secretly friends with Tanya, she should've known some day her work as an assassin for the Emperor would interfere. She could feel it in her blood. In that past it probably wouldn't have been a question. When she thought Kitana didn't care about her. But things had changed.
Jade didn't know what to do or even what she could do...which made her feel only worse. Doing nothing at all.
As Tanya entered Zansatsu, she could here laughing and cheering coming from the village square. Almost everyone in the village had gathered to celebrate Jeice's return. A large bonfire was made in the center and all around people were eating and drinking and enjoying themselves. As Tanya walked through the crowd, looking at all the laughing, hopeful faces...she felt warm inside.
But for all the wrong reasons.
She found her father standing next to Jeice talking with him and several of his other comrades. She approached and called to him over the noise of everyone else "Papa! Papa, I need to talk to you!"
Lysander noticed Tanya and excused himself. Together they found a quiet spot to talk and he said "Tanya, where have you been? You're missing everything."
"Papa, I've been thinking lately and you're right." she answered. "I don't know enough about Edenia or its history. I don't know enough about our cause and the fight against Shao Kahn. But I'd like to get more involved now."
Lysander looked pleasantly surprised and said "You really mean it?"
"Yes I do, papa. I was wondering...do you think it could be possible for you to take me to see mama's grave...tonight."
Lysander hesitated a moment before saying "Tonight? Are you sure tonight..."
"It would mean ever so much to me, papa." she quickly said, very innocently. "I know so little about her and I really would like to. I'd like to know what it really means to be an Edenian."
Lysander thought about it a bit then finally smiled and said "Sure, Tanya. We can go tonight. It's not very far from here." Tanya grinned and he added "Just meet with Jeice for a moment first."
Tanya nodded and they went to where Jeice was. He was sitting at the head table, with his youngest child on his lap watching people dance throughout the square with a content smile on his face. Lysander went to him and told him how he and Tanya were leaving.
Jeice nodded and walked to Tanya saying "Hello Tanya. I'm glad to hear you're taking more of an interest in our heritage."
Tanya nodded and said "Oh yes. It means a lot to me." She and Lysander started to leave, when Tanya stopped and said "Oh...Jeice..?"
"Yes?"
She was quiet for a moment, then gently smiled and said "Goodbye."
Jade hadn't slept all night. She sat on the bed in her small inn room trying to think of what she should do. Growing more and more frustrated that she wasn't doing anything. As dawn came, she looked out the window and noticed the sun appeared blood red as it rose. The superstition in Outworld is when a red sun rises, it means blood was spilt the night before. She did not take it as a good sign.
Outside the inn, she saw people gathering around and talking. She couldn't make out what they were saying but they sounded urgent...and frightened. She left the inn, unmasked and wearing a large coat so no one would recognize her as a Shao Kahn assassin and walked to the group of people talking.
"What's going on?" she asked. "What happened?"
One of the people, an elderly looking man, turned and answered "Word's been spreading...there was a massacre at the village of Zansatsu!"
"What happened?"
"Don't know for sure yet...but word is one of Shao Kahn's daughters slaughtered the village...then burned it to the ground!"
The people kept talking as Jade slowly backed away, quietly whispering to herself "Kitana...you didn't..."
Wasting no time, Jade quickly returned to Shao Kahn's fortress to find out what really happened. All along the way, word of the massacre at Zansatsu was spreading. Rumors that people were gutted...children dismembered. Jade didn't listen to any details. She didn't want to believe Kitana, who could be so generous and kind to her, would be involved in such a horrible disaster.
Word of the massacre had already reached the fortress before Jade did. As she walked through the halls, soldiers and generals were discussing the slaughter with awe and excitement. Praising Kitana for her brutality...but strangely no word of Mileena. Jade finally found Mileena herself standing outside Shao Kahn's throne room. As she approached, Jade noticed Mileena looked very angry and upset.
"Mileena...what happened in Zansatsu?" Jade asked. "I've been hearing..."
"What! That little Kitana single-handedly killed Jeice and his followers!" Mileena snarled with indignation. "That now everyone is so proud of her and that father is going to have a feast to celebrate her success?"
Jade was taken aback by Mileena's tone and said "Mileena, what are you..?"
"I could have done it too, you know! I could've killed Jeice and all those people just as easily!"
"Mileena...I don't even know what happened yet. I was just asking..."
"I could've done it better, too! You know Kitana made a fool of herself before it happened, too? You know that Jeice completely humiliated her in front of everyone first? But no one will remember that, will they? And they'll all think I just stood there and did nothing when I could have..."
Jade didn't bother to listen anymore and entered the Shao Kahn's throne room, where she saw the Emperor talking with Kitana. The Emperor looked thrilled...even happy. From where she was, Jade could hear Kahn praising his daughter, talking about how proud he was. Jade could see Kitana covered in dried blood, looking equally thrilled by her father's praise.
"Ah, Jade!" Kahn suddenly said seeing her. "Come closer and congratulate Kitana for her outstanding success!"
"Jade!" Kitana yelled, thrilled to see her. As Jade approached, Kitana suddenly hugged her and proudly said "Oh, father...you have to commend Jade for this too! She was the one who found out where Jeice was! I never would have even known where to find him if not for her!"
"Ah, excellent work Jade."
Jade was completely taken aback. She didn't know what to say or how to respond. Seeing Kitana so cheerful and happy while she was still covered in blood from the night before...made Jade feel more than a little uneasy.
"Father, I'll go get ready for the feast tonight." Kitana said. "Jade, come with me. I'll tell you all about it."
Jade nodded blankly and left the throne room with Kitana. As they walked to her chamber, Kitana explained everything that happened. She and Mileena got to Zansatsu and found Jeice there, but Kitana wanted him alone. She apparently let her anger get the better of her and Jeice defeated her. Kitana then proudly explained how in retaliation, she gutted all the children in the village before started a massive fire. As panic spread, Kitana went on to slaughter several villagers, Jeice included.
As Kitana spoke, Jade felt appalled. "You...you killed...everyone..?"
"I think there were some survivors. Can't say for certain."
"Was that...was that necessary?"
"I thought so." she answered, nonchalantly. "They were traitors and they had insulted me and my father. I couldn't let that stand."
"But...but children...Kitana, you don't think that's going too far..?"
"Children...adults...what difference does it make? War is war. Fight to win. Besides they were nothing. Peasants. Less than me."
"You don't find anything wrong with killing children?"
"Why should I? What are they to me? I am Shao Kahn's daughter. The daughter of the Emperor of Outworld. Who are they to me? Why should I care about them? Why do you even care..." Kitana then trailed off. After a moment she gently said "Aw Jade, I understand. It's because you used to be one of them."
"What?"
"You used to be a servant...so you still feel...connected to those...people." She then smiled and continued "You have to get over that. You're not one of them anymore. You're one of us now. You're better than them." Jade just stared at Kitana and she finished "Don't worry about them. They're peasants. We're not. Listen, I'm going to get cleaned up and I'll meet you later for the feast, okay?"
Jade left Kitana's chamber and just stood in the hallway. She kept trying to connect her friend, who could be so generous, giving and kind to her, with this inhuman woman who gladly slaughtered an entire village of innocent people. But worse than anything else, she kept thinking about Tanya. She could be dead now...and Jade did nothing to help her.
As Jade stood by herself in the dark hall, she began to feel tears come down her cheek.
Through the night, Tanya and her father traveled to the graveyard that contained her mother's burial. As they walked, Lysander told her of Edenia's history and it's king and queen. He spoke to her of the great pride she should have in being an Edenian. For Edenians were known for being the fairest and most beautiful of people. They were nothing like the savages of Outworld or other realms. For the first time she could remember, Tanya actually enjoyed being with her father.
They spent the whole night traveling and talking. They started back to the village as dawn broke. However, their conversation ended as they approached Zansatsu. From miles away, they could see smoke coming from the village. At first Lysander thought it was the smoke from the bonfire, but there was too much smoke. As if there was a massive blaze. As they reached the village, they were greeted with the sound of people weeping and screaming.
Almost the entire village was burned down. The stench of fire and death filled the air. Puddles of blood and dead bodies littered the village streets. Lysander frantically looked around for his allies, but he could find no one. Finally, near the village square he found one of his comrades, named Jagger.
"Jagger! What happened here! Where is everybody?" Lysander asked.
"It was Kitana." he answered grimly. "Somehow she found out where we were and she came."
"She did all this by herself?" Tanya asked, vaguely surprised.
"She attacked Jeice early in the night. Jeice beat her, but...I knew he shouldn't have...I should've said something...but he let her go." Jagger shook his end in disgust and continued "Next thing we knew everything went to hell. People started screaming that someone had killed the children...then the fire started..."
"She killed the children!" Lysander said, outraged.
"I saw her...I saw Kitana myself. She was...it was like she wasn't human. Covered in blood...gladly cutting down everyone in her way. Even Jeice...she...she killed Jeice."
Jagger and Lysander both fell silent, stewing in anger and outrage. After several moments Lysander growled, "That's our Princess. That's King Jerrod's daughter..."
Tanya stood to the side listening, feigning heartbreak. After a few moments she commented quietly, "So...Kitana, the Bloody Princess."
As Lysander and Jagger continued talking, Tanya used the opportunity to check on her house. As she walked through the village she saw the few remaining survivors gathering the dead, weeping and crying over their losses. As she saw them and remembered how happy they all were the night before...Tanya struggled not to laugh.
This what they get for putting their hopes in a meaningless and lost cause. This is what they deserve for putting their faith in Jeice. Like stupid pathetic children who thought their great hero would rise up and save the day like some fairy tale. They were due for a grim taste of reality and they got it.
Tanya finally reached her home only to find it burned too. "Damn it." she groaned. She was going to take a closer look, but could already see nothing was left. Staring at her burnt home she mumbled to herself "If I'd known she'd burn the whole damn village I would've moved my things..."
Tanya sat down on what was left of her house porch and looked up and down the street. While losing her house and possession was a set back, all in all she felt very pleased with herself. For so long she'd endured these wretched peons holding her down. For so long she'd been wasting her life in this hole.
Tanya felt something deep inside her heart overflow with joy and satisfaction from what had happened. The same kind she felt when she threatened Dex. And again when she killed him. When she kill Armand. And for a moment, she envied Kitana. To have this kind of power over others. To be able to crush the little people so easily. It was power Tanya wanted. Power she'd always wanted.
With Zansatsu destroyed, she and her father would have to move. Knowing her father, Tanya guessed he'd probably devote himself to the Resistance even more now. If she could closer to the Resistance, while staying touch with Jade who was part of Shao Kahn's forces...surely something would present itself.
"Tanya..?" she suddenly heard someone whisper behind her.
Tanya turned and saw Jade standing behind what was left of her house wall. Tanya stood up and went to talk with her, a little surprised she'd be there.
"Jade, what are you doing here?"
"I...I heard what had happened and..." she paused a moment and looked very relieved. "Thank god, you're okay. I thought you might have been killed."
Tanya could tell Jade was genuinely worried, which pleased her, and said calmly "I'm fine."
Jade then looked a little upset and said "Tanya, I'm so sorry I couldn't warn you...I didn't know..."
Tanya then suddenly, without warning, without even really thinking...burst into tears and began bawling "Oh god Jade...it was so horrible! You should have seen her! She was a monster!" Jade looked taken aback by Tanya's outburst and she continued "She was...she was covered in blood...and I heard the children screaming! Oh god...it was so horrible! I thought I was going to die!"
Tanya then hugged Jade tightly and continued sobbing. Jade felt horrible. She should've done something, but she didn't and almost got a good friend killed. "Oh god, Tanya...I'm so sorry. I should've...I should've done something..." Tanya didn't answer and only continued crying. Jade then soothingly said "I've never do it again. I swear. I'll never turn my back on you again."
Tanya looked up and said "Promise..?"
"I promise Tanya. You're my best friend...like a sister to me. I'll never abandon you again."
Tanya smiled and said "And I'll never leave you either Jade. I promise."
Jade smiled and then got an idea. She took a small knife out and cut her hand then said "Give me your hand..."
"Why? What are you...OW! You bitch!"
Jade the grabbed Tanya's hand and said "Now we are sisters...by blood. Forever."
Tanya then understood what Jade was doing and smiled, lightly. She shrugged off the pain and said "We have to look out for each other, Jade. We're the only ones we can count on. It's you and me against the world."
Jade smiled and said "You and me against the world."
"Forever."
End of Chapter VII