Chapter Twelve: Intruders
"Have the tarkatan returned from Sun Do?"
"No, my lord."
After postponing the Mortal Kombat tournament at Shang Tsung's request, the sorcerer informed Shao Kahn of the possibility of Earthrealmers in a nearby village. He did not think they were some of Raiden's fighters, but if they really were from Earthrealm, the emperor could not risk them being recruited by the thunder god.
"I am sure they will return soon, emperor. As small as Sun Do may be, it will still take some time to search the villagers' homes. And some may be… uncooperative."
The emperor only nodded. Shang Tsung opened his mouth to say something else, but Shao Kahn held his hand up to stop him. At the same time, the doors of his throne room were opened and his daughter stepped in along with her bodyguard. The princess was dressed in a blue outfit while her friend was dressed in green.
"We will speak later, sorcerer. Leave us."
Shang Tsung bowed and obeyed the emperor's command. As he walked out, he nodded his head to the princess, but she ignored him. Kitana always thought that the sorcerer was a snake and she and Jade kept their eyes on him. If Shang Tsung did anything to her father, he would pay with his life. The two woman stopped in front the emperor's throne and bowed.
"You summoned me father?"
"Yes, Kitana. I have a task for you."
"Anything."
Shao Kahn smiled at his daughter's quick response. Always so obedient and loyal.
"Reptile has reported Earthrealmers in the village Sun Do. We do not know if they have left the village or are still hiding there, but we must be cautious. We cannot allow Raiden to find these Earthrealmers, so if either of you find them, dispose of them immediately."
"Yes, father."
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. Jade, you may leave. I wish to speak to Kitana about another matter."
"Yes, my lord."
Jade took her leave, leaving Kitana alone with her father. What did the emperor wish to speak with her about?
"Kitana."
At the sound of her name, the princess' head snapped up in full attention.
"The Shaolin monk, Liu Kang. Shang Tsung tells me that you were meant to kill him before he could reach the final challenge in the last tournament."
Damned sorcerer. Kitana hoped Shang Tsung would not mention her failure to Shao Kahn, but she should have known better. The emperor's right hand would do anything to make Shao Kahn angry with her. Childish.
"Yes, father. I have failed you. I deserve to be punished."
"I have failed my father. You must kill me."
Kitana thought back to what she said when Liu Kang defeated her on Shang Tsung's island. She thought the monk would kill her since her intention was to kill him. Instead, he let her live. But why?
" Do not fret about that."
Wait, what? Kitana frowned at the unexpected response. Shao Kahn was not one for failure, not even from his own daughter. So why was he being so lenient about this?
"Shang Tsung underestimated that monk. He himself could not defeat him."
Shao Kahn stood up from his throne and walked to his daughter. He towered over Kitana, but she was not at all intimidated by his size. After all, he was her father.
"If this Liu Kang was able to beat Shang Tsung so easily, then he may be a worthy opponent for me."
"I hope we meet again. Under… different circumstances."
The princess hoped that those circumstances did not involve him having his head on a stake once her father was done with him. Maybe he would not get that far.
"You will be fighting in this tournament, father?"
"Of course."
He started to walk off and Kitana turned her head to watch him. Shao Kahn spoke to her once more without turning to look at her.
"I have business to attend to with the sorcerer. Do not fail me this time, Kitana."
"I will not."
And then the emperor left his daughter alone in his throne room. Now that she was by herself, a sad expression spread across her face. Why did she care so much about a stupid monk?
"Kitana."
Just the person she needed to talk to. Kitana turned around to face Jade as she walked in. They smiled at each other.
"Is everything alright?"
"I… I honestly do not know."
"Well, was your father angry with you?"
"No. He just wanted to talk about the monk Liu Kang."
"Ah, yes. Your Earthrealm lover."
Kitana shoved her friend while Jade just laughed.
"He is not my lover."
"I see the way you look at him. You cannot fool me. You are in love!"
"Do not say that out loud! What if someone is listening? What if my father is listening?"
"Alright, princess, my lips are sealed. For now."
Kitana rolled her eyes, but she laughed as well.
"So, should we get going?"
"After you, your highness."
The two friends headed out and waited for their targets to make themselves known. Little did they know, those Earthrealmers would soon come to them. In Sun Do, Smoke and Tundra were being bombarded by questions from the townsfolk. None of them have ever meet an Earthrealmer before and after their encounter with the tarkatan, they were curious about the ninjas' intentions in Outworld. While Kuai ignored most of him, being that he is not really a social person, Tomas tried his best to talk to them. Yet, he could not get one word out before someone asked him another question.
"Why were those tarkatan after you two?"
"I do no…"
"Are you an enemy of Shao Kahn? Are you fugitive?"
"Well…"
"Are you going to fight in the tournament?"
"No, we…"
Before another wave of questions came his way, Bo Rai Cho and Li Mei came to Smoke's rescue. Bo Rai Cho spoke to the crowd in a booming voice to get them to stop talking.
"Everyone, please listen! I know you have many questions for our visitors, but we do not have time for that! Right now, I need everyone to go and grab their belongings as quickly as you can! We must leave before Shao Kahn sends more of his men here!"
"How could you do this to us!?"
Everyone turned to the person who spoke. He was an elderly man with a bald head and a scraggily white beard. He still had a decent build despite his old age. The old man pointed to Tomas and Kuai and scowled at them.
"These Earthrealmers are the reason for our troubles. And you…"
He pointed at Bo Rai Cho and Li Mei.
"You two went against Shao Kahn to protect them. Once the emperor realizes what you have done, he will kill us all! Have you all gone mad!?"
Murmurs spread throughout the crowd as they thought about what the old man had said. Some started nodding their heads in agreement. Bo Rai Cho started to walk to the old man, but Smoke stopped him.
"He is right."
Now everyone was looking at him. Tomas was not use to such attention, so he was a bit uncomfortable. Nevertheless, he continued.
"If we had not been here, those tarkatan would not have come to Sun Do, and for that… we apologize. But we had no choice."
Smoke looked at Master Bo Rai Cho.
"I was near death when this man found us in the forest. He carried me all the way here so I could be treated."
Tomas then looked to Li Mei, who placed her hand on his shoulder.
"This woman cared for me and helped me through my sickness. These people allowed us into their home and they did not even know us. We were complete strangers. Yet, they still took us in and we are eternally grateful for their kindness."
The gray ninja heard a sniff from beside him, and he, Li Mei, and Kuai looked over in that direction. On Smoke's right, Bo Rai Chi literally had tears in his eyes. Again, the drunk wrapped his arm around Tomas' neck, but this time, the silver-haired man could barely breath due to the strength of Bo Rai Cho's hold.
"That… That was beautiful, fire man! I do not regret letting you and the cryomancer into our home."
"Neither do I."
Even though he was trying to break out of Bo Rai Cho's powerful hold, Smoke still looked over at Li Mei and smiled at her. She smiled back and then looked at Kuai. He also gave her a small smile in return.
"But now…"
Finally, Smoke slid from under Bo Rai Cho's arm and walked to Tundra.
"I think it is time for us to go."
Kuai Liang nodded in agreement.
"I believe so. It will not be long before more of Shao Kahn's servants are sent here. What will you do?"
"We will be alright, but Sun Do is no longer safe. We have to leave soon."
The two ninjas were worried about Bo Rai Cho, Li Mei, and the other villagers. They all participated in a crime against the emperor and it would not be long before word reaches Shao Kahn of it. They already knew that there was a traitor among them. Speaking of which, Tomas had an idea of who that was.
"Excuse me, sir?"
Smoke approached the old man who had insulted him and Tundra.
"You would not have been the one who told Shao Kahn of our arrival here in Outworld, no?"
"What?"
The old man took a step back and his once confident expression twisted into one of fear. Now it was Tomas' turn to scowl.
"You talk about us being the ones who brought misfortune upon you and your people. Yet, if our location was never revealed to the emperor, would those tarkatan have come to your village?"
"I have no idea what you are talking abo… oof!"
A staff was pushed into the old man chest and the impact threw him onto the ground. Bo Rai Cho moved to the man and held him up by the collar of his shirt.
"I should have known. You hate towards Earthrealm is misplaced."
"Is it!? Why was it that our realm had to be the one to suffer!?
"Earthrealm is not responsible for what happened to Edenia!"
"Wait, Edenia?"
Smoke and Tundra shared a look of confusion, and Li Mei must have noticed it.
"Yes. That man is Edenian."
The two ninjas looked back at Li Mei as she approached her master and the old man still in his grasp.
"As you may already know, Edenia was one of the six realms before it was merged with Outworld. King Jerrod, the ruler of Outworld, was killed by Shao Kahn and the emperor took his wife as his prize. The empress, Queen Sindel, sacrificed herself to provide Earthrealm with protection that the Elder Gods refused to give. She was a kind woman who believed Earthrealm did not deserve to suffer as Edenia had."
"And she would still be alive if she had not cared for your people."
The old man was clawing at Bo Rai Cho's hands, but you could still see the tears that began to form in his eyes.
"Why!? Was has Earthrealm ever done for Edenia!? Your people did not bother to help us when Shao Kahn invaded our realm! Now look at what you two have done!"
Li Mei laid her hand on her master's arm and silently pleaded for him to let go of the Edenian. Hesitantly, the drunk let go and then drunk from his flask. As an uncomfortable silence passed through, Kuai suddenly had an idea.
"Wait, where is it that you will go now?"
"We are not sure, but we will figure it out. Outworld is not as small as you would think."
"Neither is Earthrealm."
"But we do not have a way to get there. Shao Kahn controls who enters and exits Outworld."
"No."
The cryomancer then dug into one of his jean pockets and pulled out Cyrax's sphere. Smoke had completely forgotten about their friend's invention.
"I am surprised that thing is still intact."
"Fortunately. This should help you get everyone to Earthrealm. I am not sure of the exact location you will end up in, but anywhere is safer than here at the moment."
Tundra handed the device to Bo Rai Cho who looked at the object with a quizzical look.
"Are you sure this ball will be of any help to us?"
Li Mei scoffed and took the sphere from Bo Rai Cho. She bowed to Kuai.
"Thank you so much. We are grateful for this, Tundra."
"Kuai."
Li Mei and Bo Rai Cho arched an eyebrow.
"Kuai?"
"Yes. My real name is Kuai Liang."
The stupidest grin spread across Smoke's face. He patted his friend on the back.
"Look who is trying to socialize! Good for you, my friend."
Kuai rolled his eyes, but he smiled too and Li Mei laughed. Even Bo Rai Cho let out a hearty laugh. But the happy moment was short lived when reality came crashing down on the four.
"So, I suppose you two will be leaving soon as well."
Smoke and Tundra both nodded.
"We need to get to the palace as soon as we can."
"Exactly. We mean no disrespect, but we have wasted enough time here."
Her smile faltered a little, but she understood.
"Very well, but there is one thing you have forgotten."
"Oh? What is that?"
Li Mei pulled at the fabric of Smoke's torn shirt in disgust.
"You do not plan on fighting in such attire, do you?"