It was a frustrating thing for Empress Sindel, former Queen of Edenia, to sleep after her millennia of death. Although, it was not because she was tired of rest and desired to live as much as possible. Rather, it was the bizarre feeling of dread with which she awoke each morning in the pit of her stomach. She assumed, at first, that she was simply ill - some unexpected, but not unheard of, side effect of the resurrection ritual. However, as she continued to feel this way every morning, as the days turned into weeks, she eventually summoned Shang Tsung, the one responsible for her revival, to meet with her in her chamber.

Despite being the Emperor's legal wife, Sindel did not share a room with her husband. Occasionally, they would meet to relieve his pent-up desires, but for the most part, he felt nothing for her, and she knew it. And she accepted it, as she had been programmed to upon her revival. To her, serving the Emperor's needs came before all else. Her own desires toward him, both emotional and physical, were his to respond to; not hers to indulge. Such was her purpose as the key to Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm.

The sorcerer brought Ermac along with him, the red-clad amalgamation of lost souls bowing deeply as he entered, even before Shang Tsung himself did. There was something about Ermac that Sindel had been unable to place; something inherently trustworthy and comforting about his presence. Perhaps it was his naturally ingrained loyalty and obedience towards Shao Kahn, her Lord-Husband. Or perhaps it was because anyone would seem trustworthy when standing alongside Shang Tsung.

Shang Tsung was a schemer. This was hardly a secret. There were rumours that he originated in Earthrealm before swearing his loyalty to Shao Kahn; a calculated move to gain himself power and eternal life. While the Emperor had not yet indulged his history with Shang Tsung beyond the latter's loss to Kung Lao nearly a millennium ago, Sindel was acutely aware that her husband placed no trust in Shang Tsung beyond trusting that he would continue to serve faithfully and competently to gain favour until his time came. So long as there were no Shaolin monks involved, anyway.

Once the sorcerer had delivered his customary bow to his Empress, she cut right to the chase. She explained the discomforting sensation in detail so as to give him as firm an understanding of her dilemma as possible. He stood before her, pondering. This seemed genuine enough, though Sindel had instructed Mileena and Jade to wait in the shadows, just in case. After a few moments, he finally spoke up.

"Tell me, my Empress, have you been able to recall your dreams of late?"

While his choice of words (phrased as a command first and foremost) agitated Sindel, she knew that he had done so deliberately. Instead of confronting him, she instead chose to feign ignorance of his mind games and continue on, maintaining the facade that he actually stood a chance of getting one over on her.

"No," she said simply. "I have not."

"I suspect this feeling is a result of your... 'true self' attempting to break free of the magic that binds you to our beloved Emperor. She dreads your return to consciousness and her return to oblivion. Presumably, it is this dread you are feeling as a lingering remnant of your nightmares. If left untreated, she may yet break free and thwart the Emperor's invasion plan."

"This cannot be allowed to happen, Shang Tsung," Sindel replied dutifully. Ermac shifted his weight behind Shang Tsung. "Do what you must to put an end to this."

Shang Tsung's smile broadened wider than she had yet seen. "As you wish, my Empress. Ermac!"

The ninja stepped forward at the utterance of his name.

"Please, lie down on your bed, Empress. I will enter your mind to suppress your inner dissenter. It will not be a pleasant, unfortunately, which is why Ermac will keep you restrained with his telekinesis for the duration. Have you any objections to this plan?"

Sindel flattened out the mattress at the foot of the bed and rested her head there, her buttock-length hair trailing down onto the floor below. "I feel I should," she replied thoughtfully. "But I do not." Her tone was resolute, which threatened to make Shang Tsung's smirk widen beyond the reaches of his sinister face.

Shang Tsung positioned himself above Sindel, a hand at each side of her had, around two inches away from her flesh. He turned and nodded to Ermac, who reached out with his innate psychic power, gently caressing Sindel's arms as he kept them pinned to her sides. Sindel closed her milky-white eyes as a bizarrely gratifying sensation overtook her, making her shiver slightly.

Shang Tsung seemed oblivious to this effect, as he began pushing through her mental defences to peer into her mind. As if he were literally pushing aside the grey matter of her brain, Sindel was soon consumed by excruciating agony, drowning in suffering as her screams echoed throughout the chamber.

Responding quickly, Mileena and Jade emerged from behind a pillar to put a stop to this perceived treachery. However, both assassins found themselves frozen on the spot as Ermac turned back towards them and held out a hand. At first, they believed he was using his telekinesis to render them immobile, but soon realised that their autonomy remained intact. It was his gaze that held them in place. Something bizarrely commanding, familiar on an almost primal level, that neither of them could resist, even as he turned back to focus his attention on Sindel.

The duo stood impotently, watching for what felt like hours, as Shang Tsung trolled through their Empress' mind for the rebellious element within her subconscious and utilised his arcane powers to suppress it until Sindel's devotion to Shao Kahn was assured. The incident proved too much for Sindel, who was rendered unconscious, but otherwise unharmed (beyond the suppression of her true personality).

Once the deed was done, Shang Tsung departed to continue his work elsewhere, while Ermac re-positioned Sindel on her bed, removing her boots and covering her in her blindingly white blanket. Mileena and Jade, meanwhile, stayed with Sindel until Ermac spoke up.

"You two should leave." Before either of the two could protest, he elaborated. "There is nothing either one of you can do here to ease your Empress' suffering. If you wish to be of use to her, the only thing within your power right now is to bring Princess Kitana back. Do you understand?"

Again, both felt strangely compelled to trust Ermac's words; Mileena, especially, as her whole body stiffened as if she were a soldier being addressed by her commanding officer. "Yes, Fa- Sir." Jade eyed Mileena suspiciously, but said nothing of it. Neither one could explain it, but they both knew that Ermac was right. As such, they nodded and departed, hoping some time away might help them understand.

Ermac stood over Sindel, staring down at the agonised expression that twisted her beautiful features. Before he even realised what he was doing, he reached out a hand and gently placed it against Sindel's cheek. Her entire body stiffened up, as if his touch was ice cold. But then, her own hands emerged from beneath the covers, taking hold of his and squeezing tight as her expression softened into a content smile.

Ermac pondered the meaning of this effect he seemed to have on Sindel, as well as that which she had on him. He felt an odd sensation deep within the core of his being. It seemed... almost like the sensation Sindel herself had described to Shang Tsung; as if something deep inside of him was desperately clawing to escape, to be heard over the thousands of voices that comprised the amalgamation's being. It was a voice of authority, he could tell, but it was not a voice he could distinguish, despite it being a part of himself.

He pulled up a chair with his powers and sat down beside Sindel. There was something oddly comforting about being here like this. It was as if being in her presence somehow brought calm to the ever-raging storm of souls within. The mystery voice, the one that had been rising up above the others, now had some footing in Ermac's mind. While he still couldn't recognise the voice, he could hear the words clearly.

"Sindel," it said with Ermac's mouth, though the makeup of his voice was different, a more regal, commanding voice risen to the top, standing out prominently, as if the other voices were subdued into near silence. "My dear, beloved queen," it again spoke. And then, for reasons that Ermac was sure he would never truly understand, he leaned over Sindel's sleeping features, lowered his mask with his free hand, and planted a kiss on her forehead.

As Ermac regained control of himself, he quickly retreated to his chair, only kept from fleeing further by the iron grip Sindel maintained on his captive hand. He suspected, at first, that this might be the work of Shang Tsung; some sort of trick to interfere with his equilibrium. But somehow, he could sense that it was something deeper, more spiritual than magical. Whatever it was that had spawned this sudden rush of feelings was now quelled, the torrent of voices raging once again.


Sindel awoke some time later. Her hands felt strangely empty, as if they had been gripping something for a long time before it had disappeared suddenly. Perhaps it was another lingering sentiment from the Sindel that had lost her husband and daughter. It seemed she might need more sessions with Shang Tsung.

She opened her eyes and sat up in her bed. She stretched her strangely tired arms and took in her surroundings. She didn't remember passing out under the blankets, nor removing her boots, but she supposed the still present Ermac was responsible for her comfort.

"Thank you, Ermac," she said with a smile. A smile she found herself quickly retracting, as it was usually reserved only for Shao Kahn and Mileena - her husband and daughter.

"Your thanks are appreciated, but unneeded, Empress," the ninja replied with a bow. "We exist to serve."

Sindel paused at this statement. Something about it struck a chord with her. It went deeper than the fact that both had been magically conjured for the same singular purpose. She felt like, perhaps more than anyone, Ermac understood her, and she him.

"No, Ermac," she said, shaking her head. "You are no mere servant. You are special."

"Special?" he parroted, as unsure of her meaning as she was.

"I feel a certain... a certain sense of kindredness with you, Ermac. As I do with Mileena."

"We three are homunculi, given false life by Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung. In light of such a fact, such feelings are... only natural."

Sindel could sense that Ermac wasn't being entirely honest about how he felt, but then, with how many souls comprised his being, it only made sense that even he would be unsure of how he truly felt on any given subject, outside of his loyalty to his master. In fact, Ermac was most likely primarily made up of the souls of Edenians, a people who were so far beneath Shao Kahn, that he barely recognised their existence. This could explain the sense of familiarity she felt with him.

"Now that you are awake, we will take our leave," Ermac said with a bow, before turning to leave.

"Wait!" Sindel called out, notably louder than she had intended. Ermac stopped dead in his tracks and turned back, awaiting an explanation. Sindel straightened herself up and cleared her throat before she spoke again. "I mean, please, Ermac. I wish for you to stay by my side for a while. I feel- I would feel more comfortable with you nearby."

A certain recognition played across what little of Ermac's face could be seen beneath his ninja-like mask. He seemed like he understood her intent, though that was probably just wishful thinking on her part.

"If that is your wish, Empress," he replied, taking a knee, "we will obey."

Sindel held up a hand over her face to mask her smile.


Sindel sauntered through the halls of Shao Kahn's palace, which now rested in the centre of Earthrealm's New York City. Ermac marched in lock step a few paces behind her. As they approached one of the connecting hallways, they encountered the unmistakable figure of the sole female Shokan in the Emperor's employ. She turned towards them, clasping her lower hands together and extending out her upper arms outwards above her head as she bowed - the customary Shokan greeting for one's monarch.

"Hail, Empress," Sheeva greeted courteously.

"Sheeva," Sindel said simply with a nod as she came to a stop.

As Sheeva straightened up, standing head-and-shoulders above the other two, her eyes narrowed on Ermac. There was something about the way she looked at him that made him feel oddly defensive. Sindel seemed to pick up on this too, as she smirked.

"Oh, leave him be, Sheeva," she said dismissively. "Ermac has agreed to accompany me for a time. You may go and... do whatever it is you Shokan do when not killing things."

Sheeva seemed taken aback by Sindel's attitude, but pressed on. "With all due respect, Your Highness, the Emperor himself assigned me to-"

"Be my bodyguard, yes, I'm well aware," Sindel interrupted with a dismissive hand wave. "But being my bodyguard makes you my servant, meaning you must obey my commands as you would the Emperor's. And obey you shall. Now leave us."

Sheeva shook with frustration, but accepted Sindel's command and bowed, turned and left. As Sindel carried on along her own path, Ermac spoke up.

"Empress, if we may, we would like to quickly speak with Sheeva."

Sindel turned back, one eyebrow cocked in surprised, but it quickly gave way for a knowing grin. "I see. Very well, but make it quick. I have places to be and I have no intention of going there alone." Unsure of what Sindel believed he intended, Ermac bowed and quickly pursued the Shokan general, standing before her and forcing her to stop.

"What do you want?" she demanded. "The Empress made it quite clear that-"

"We understand how you feel about your current station," Ermac interrupted.

"Really?" Sheeva responded, her tone making her disbelief clear.

"Truly. We understand the frustration of having one's people subjugated and demeaned by Shao Kahn. To desire nothing more than to break free of the bonds of servitude."

"Really?" she said again, this time sounding like she might actually be starting to believe him.

"Although we are bound to the will of Shao Kahn, the thousands of Edenian souls within us never cease to make their feelings known. Although not in the same manner, both peoples - Edenian and Shoakn - are mere slaves before the might of the Emperor. Worse still now that two of your kin have failed the Emperor, placing your people below the hated Centaurs in his eyes. However, despite this state of affairs, you have proven your loyalty time and again. While she may not outwardly display it, the Empress is truly grateful to you for your loyal service."

"I... see..." Now, she seemed more open to accepting Ermac's claims. This was his chance.

"The Empress has merely been feeling uneasy of late. She feels familiarity with the Edenian souls within us. They comfort her. This is why we are with her now, in your place. The position will be yours once her mind is at ease once more."

"I see," Sheeva repeated, displaying more confidence this time. "Thank you for explaining this to me, Ermac. Promise you will keep her safe."

Ermac bowed and agreed. He could sense there was more to Sheeva's attitude than a mere sense of duty. And it was something he could use. As Sheeva turned to leave, he spoke again.

"She has voiced concern, however, over some of the Emperor's other allies."

Sheeva turned back, doing her best to hide her concern behind a stern expression. "Over whom?"

"You know the one," he replied knowingly.

"The Earthrealmer," she spat

"Indeed. He is a mercenary, motivated only by profit. Word has reached us that another of his clan is among the rebels serving under Raiden. Those motivated by fickle desires serve only to pose a threat to the Emperor... and his Empress."

This seemed to get Sheeva's attention. On the surface, Ermac was suggesting that Kano might simply switch sides to Earthrealm, and act as a spy or assassin within the palace, striking down Shao Kahn and Sindel in his home realm's name. But the true implication beneath that was that Kano could be bought out by anyone who was willing to pay enough to outbid his current employer. Anyone with a grievance could hire him to secretly perform any dirty task they required, from theft to assassination. Someone like Sheeva.

"I... I will keep an eye on him. For the Empress' sake."

"We thank you, Sheeva," Ermac responded, using her name for the first time to suggest a bond of trust. "We will return to the Empress' side now."

Sheeva simply nodded before turning once more and walking in a different direction than her previous destination. She seemed to have understood his implication, though not necessarily that he had intended it. Regardless, the seed was sown. Given time, it would blossom into a lovely chaotic incident that would shake up the status quo significantly. And as Ermac had not directly suggested how he intended for Sheeva to respond, there would be no fallout aimed his way. Regardless of the outcome, Ermac's plan could only yield positive results.

Whatever it was within him that compelled him to protect Sindel, it marked the first decision he had yet made in his life; and for the first time, every soul that comprised him spoke out in agreement. Ermac would see that no harm came to Sindel. His Empress. His Queen.


My only real goal this time was to explore the relationship between Sindel and Ermac, two characters with a number of story parallels, and an unknown (to them) spiritual connection.

And yes, Ermac will also be getting his own episode of Wasted Plotential.