Netherrealm- Prison of Souls
A dark figure sits alone in his cell, staring out into nothing with hate and rage. This cell was his home, not a punishment. He was promised his freedom when he proves his loyalty to Liu Kang. Until then he must wait, this uncontrollable anger building up inside boiling more and more with each passing minute. He didn't understand why this fury wouldn't disappear, or why is thirst for revenge was unquenchable. His only memories are of when he was reborn of fire and sorcery standing before his new master. The moans of the other prisoners are silenced when the entrance to the prison opens, three figures walking in and standing in front of Jubei's cell. He rises to his feet, growling at the intruders as they enter his cell with precaution. He only recognizes one, the female who was by Liu Kang's side when Jubei was reborn. Next to her was a man in a leather vest with long black hair and red face paint. The other body was hidden under a hood.
"What is this?" Jubei demands, his eyes peering into the woman in the middle.
"Your first test," she reveals, motioning towards the hooded figure. The hidden being slinks towards Jubei, it's head twitching randomly as it removes its hood. Revealed is a feminine creature, her skin yellow with a shaved head.
"This one will feed you to the hive," She hisses. Suddenly a large pincer rips out of her back and attempts to strike him but he flips out of the way. He's barely on his feet again before the woman launches several punches on him. He only manages to block a few before a knee to the chest slams him against his cell's wall. Another pincer attempts to pierce his head but he moves just in the nick of time. Yelling with rage, Jubei pushes off the wall with his foot and slams his fist into the woman's jaw. The yellow creature stumbles back, dazzed, but it quick to strike again. Another pincer, this time Jubei grips it with his fist, bending it with a grunt. She screams as she retracts her pincer. Jubei looks back at the lady ninja and her male companion, noticing how they seem to just be observing.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demands. He gets no answer, instead the bug lady rushes him with her heel. They continue to fight, Jubei sensing the other getting more frustrated at her failed attempts to hurt him.
"The hive craves your flesh!" She cries out, sticking out her chest as several small flying insects swarm around him. He can feel their little pincers digging into his skin as he tries to swat them away but he cannot do anything to stop him. Getting more and more angry, Jubei feels himself boiling inside and lets out a loud roar as a dark heat is released from his body. The bugs around him burn to a crisp and before the woman can do anything he releases more fire on her. The woman starts burning before him, screaming in agony. Jubei feels himself becoming more and more pleased with the sounds of her pain before a gush of wind knocks him away. He turns to see the ninja holding a pair of steel fans.
"That is enough, Jubei," She says. "You have passed. D'vorah you may go." The insect beneath him bows her head and rushes out of his cell. The male stares at him amusingly.
"Liu Kang was right," He says. "The hellspawn does possess the power of hellfire." Seemingly satisfied, he also exits. The lady ninja lingers in his ceel briefly then exits as well, closing the cell bars behind her. As soon as they're gone the moans of the prisoners return and Jubei slouches against the wall, staring at his hands. He power he felt releasing the fire from his body was more accelerating than anything he's felt before. With this power he shall get his revenge, whatever revenge it may be.
Earthrealm- Special Forces
Meditation was key to Kenshi's telekentic powers. In order to stay at his full metal strength he tries to meditate at least twice a day. Lately he's been trying to add extra sessions, to make up all the strain he put on his ability when he invaded the Red Dragon with Taven and Takeda. With the help of his son and new ally, Kenshi finally completed his quest for revenge for Suchin. Now he can return to the Special Forces and help keep Earthrealm safe, a task that seems to be never ending. He senses Taven's arrival before the other enters his tent. The Edenian's thoughts were quiet most of the time, but Kenshi couldn't blame the other for sometimes focusing on the fact that while he was locked inside a cave, his younger brother murdered his parents and started one of the most lethal gangs in Earth's history.
"What can I do for you, Taven?" Kenshi asks when the other finally steps into his tent.
"Hanzo Hasashi has arrived," He announces. Kenshi nods his head and rises to his feet. Although he can't see, he easily maneuvers around the tent, grabbing his sento before leaving with Taven. They walk towards the portal Special Forces created, Kenshi sensing the leader of the Shirai Ryu waiting at it's entrance.
"Hanzo," He greets, extending his hand. He feels the other take his arm in greeting.
"It's good to see you, Kenshi," Hanzo says. "I promise to return Takeda soon enough."
"I have no doubt nor worry," Kenshi replies. He senses others approaching and smiles when he realizes Takeda is among them. He turns around to greet him, Cassie Cage, and the rookie, Austin Stryker. "Son."
"Hey, dad!" Takeda greets. "I'd hug ya, but my hands are kinda full."
"It's alright, son," Kenshi reassures. Takeda was to go back to the Shirai Ryu with Hanzo for about a week to help train the clan's newest members. He stood aside as Takeda also said goodbye to Taven and Cassie but he couldn't help ignore the thoughts bothering the daughter of General Cage. He waited until the portal opened and Hanzo and Takeda took their leave before he walked up to Cassie's side.
"What troubles you, Cassandra Cage?" He asks.
"Nothing why-" She cuts herself off, glaring at the male. "You read my thoughts?"
"Not intentionally," He tells her. "But this temporary separation of your team won't be permanent. I hope you know that." Cassie's thoughts were filled with images of her team: Jacqui Briggs in Texas, Kung Jin leaving with Kung Lao the day before, and now Takeda. He sensed that the sergeant blamed her skills as a leader that failed to keep her team together, ignoring the fact that it was all just unfortunate circumstances.
"It's just that we've always been together. The four of us," she says. Kenshi puts a supporting hand on her shoulder.
"And now you are all facing issues by yourselves, which is normal as time passes," He explains. "You will be reunited but right now your talents are needed for something else." He nods to the direction of Austin Stryker, who was waiting not too far away.
"I guess," She huffs. He senses a change in Cassie's demeanor and feels someone approaching.
"Who is it?" He asks, not able to pick up with his telepathy.
"It's Fujin," she answers. It makes sense, Kenshi's telepathy isn't as strong with the gods of Earthrealm. He faces the direction of the god of wind and bows.
"Lord Fujin," He welcomes.
"Kenshi," Fujin greets back. "May I have a word alone?" Kenshi turns to Cassie, who sighs but leaves nonetheless.
"What is it, Lord Fujin?" He asks, sensing worry in the god.
"Lord Raiden," He answers. "I fear he is planning something that will put Earthrealm in danger."
Outworld-Flesh Pits
She didn't know where she was, but it felt as if she was flying. Transcending. The entire ordeal was mentally blinding until she felt herself slam back into reality. She was grounded, everything around her feeling like stone. A groan escapes her lips as she rises into a sitting position, her hand coming up to her head. What was the last thing she remembered? Her resistance had fallen, she herself was captured. Brought to Kotal Khan on her knees before...D'vorah. Mileena hissed out loud, her razor sharp teeth flaring at her cheeks as she finally got to her feet.
"D'vorah!" She screams. She knows that bug bitch is here and she plans on showing her the true powers of an Outworld Empress. A door opens, shedding light on the dark chamber she is in. She recognizes where she's in almost immediately. The Flesh Pits. The birthplace of Shang Tsung's many creations, abandoned after his death. A shadowy figure limps in the room, turning on all the lights. Mileena squints her eyes until they adjust, hissing in disgust at the the thing in front of her. The creature in front of her had no skin and it's entire body was of dripping red from its uncovered muscle.
"You have awaken, Mileena," He mutters. "Master will be pleased." Mileena growls, knowing Kotal Khan was behind all of this.
"I shall pick your master's bones from my teeth!" She declares, lunging at the creature. She tackles into him and the hideous being crysout in pain as she slams him into the wall.
"Mileena, no!" A voice calls out. Mileena gasps and immediately drops the creature before turning around to face Baraka, her closest ally.
"It can't be," she says. D'vorah killed him when Kotal Khan overthrew her for the throne. She saw his corpse. The door opens again and soon Mileena is staring at another she thought dead. Shang Tsung.
"Ah, but it can," Shang Tsung says. He casts a glance at the creature cowering away from Mileena. "You may go now, Meat."
"Yes, master," The thing says, before limping away. Mileena glares at the sorcerer, who looks to amused.
"Meat was an experiment that I could not finish in time before my demise, but makes a very good servant," He says.
"How are you still alive?" She demands. She saw her father absorb his life and transfer the energy source to Sindel when he tried to invade Earthrealm. Shang Tsung shakes his head.
"None of that matters, Mileena. It will not help you reclaim your throne," He tells her.
"You wish to help me restore my title?" She asks, questioning his real motives.
"It is true, empress!" Baraka defends. "It is why he has restored me, why he has restored you. He plans to overthrow Kotal Khan, the false emperor of Outworld. He has even brought your allies Goro and Ermac-"
"Ermac betrayed me!" She yells, reminding the tarkatan of her 'brother's' betrayal.
"When he had free will," Shang Tsung muses. "The telepath is under my control again, willing to do your biding." Mileena had no objections, she could not come up with any. Looking at the facts, Shang Tsung has no allies left alive so maybe he was trying to restore her title. Still, Kotal Khan is strong. It'll take more than a telepath and a fallen Shokan prince to help her regain her title.
"Without Shinnok's amulet there is no way," She confesses, turning away. "I am too weak."
"Ahh but there is, your empress," Shang Tsung says. "Your father never let me finish what I planned for you, too impatient with ruling Earthrealm. Mileena, you have no idea of what you are capable of. Just close your eyes and feel them, your real power!" Mileena eyes widen at this reveal. Is their a secret power she has yet to unlock? She does what she's told closing her eyes. At first nothing happens, just silence filling her head, but then she feels them waking up. She feels herself waking up, over and over again. She wakes up numerous times in several chambers. Each time she wakes she begins to have her own separate thoughts but she is able to hear and understand every single one of them. Clones.
"How many?" she asks. Shang Tsung grins.
"Enough to fill an army," He tells her. "And soon you will be strong enough to command them all at your will. As the original, you are still more powerful." Mileena smiles as her numerous clones begin awake one by one, her hunger for the throne more powerful now more than ever. Her famous giggle escapes from her lips as her hands shoot up to the ceiling.
"Well then it's time to play!" She announces. "Outworld will be mine!"
Outworld- Kotal Khan's Fortress
Fujin could not ignore Sareena's warning of Raiden's plans against Outworld. Something had to be done and he figured he should start with talking to the realm's emperor, Kotal Khan. Still recovering from the civil war, the god knows Kotal Khan would be very unwelcomed from outside visitors but he hopes the other will have enough reason left to hear him out. He walks passed the palace servants, watching as they scurry away from him. It's not surprising that one of them eventually alarms one of Kotal Khan's warriors, although he is surprised to see that it is none other than Erron Black.
"Can I help you?" He asks, checking to see if his pistols are loaded. Fujin glares at the traitor of Earthrealm.
"You murdered Jackson Briggs!" He yells. "He was a warrior you could only wish of becoming!"
"He was just an obstacle in front of a job," Erron mumbles. "Now can I ask what you're doing here?"
"I've come to speak to Kotal Khan," Fujin tells him.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," The cowboy says. Anger fills Fujin's body as he tightens his fist. He's had enough of this coward and he will not have him in his presence any longer.
"I wasn't asking!" He yells. He whips up the air around him and hurls a small tornado towards Erron Black. The hitman has no time to react as the torrent pulls him in, slamming him into all parts of the room before it finally crushes him to the ground, unconscious. Fujin steps over his body as he enters Kotal Khan's throne room, letting out a sigh as his eyes rest on Kotal Khan's bodyguards, Ferra/Torr. Kotal Khan is sitting on his throne, glaring at Fujin's sudden outburst. Still the emperor kept his composure.
"What brings you to Outworld, Fujin?" He asks. "Has Earthrealm finally come to invade?" For once the emperor's paranoia wasn't that far off but Fujin didn't know how to approach the situation without Kotal Khan reacting irrationally.
"I only wish to speak to you, Kotal Khan," He replies honestly. "Our interests are of the same."
"You no talk to Boss Man!" Ferra cries out. "Torr rip head off!" As if giving his approval, the giant without speech lets out an enormous roar, slamming his fists to the ground. Kotal Khan glances at them with amusement.
"It seems my guards think differently," He says, grinning as he gives a nod to the pair.
"Crush, Torr!" Ferra orders. Torr roars as he charges at Fujin. He jumps out of the way before the giant's fist slam into the ground but he isn't quick enough to avoid one of Ferra's hand claws. He narrowly misses the next one with a quick tuck and roll before grounding himself with two feet and summoning a huge gust of wind on the beastly man. When the pair are pushed back enough, Fujin ceases the wind.
"Stop this!" He yells to Kotal Khan.
"We rip out wind man's spine!" Ferra threatens. Torr charges with another roar but this time Fujin is ready. They go to blows, Torr's massive fists and Ferra's claws against Fujins punches. With new found strength he lands a flying uppercut, sending Torr up in the air before slamming to the ground. Ferra manages to jump off before impact and quickly dashes towards Fujin. "Kiiiiiilllllll!" she yells. Fujin easily evades her blades and disables her before whipping her around and wrapping her hands around her neck.
"Enough!" He yells, his voice filling the throne room. Ferra is panting and Torr is squirming, not knowing what to do.
"If you kill her," Kotal warns. "They will both die."
"Then I suggest we settle this peacefully," Fujin says, tightening his grip on the child's, if that is what she is, neck. Khan narrows his eyes but eventually lets out a sigh.
"Very well," He says. Fujin releases his hold on Ferra who quickly runs back to Torr. Fujin approaches the throne as Kotal Khan remains motionless. "Sending Erron Black to kill Cassandra Cage and her team was an error on my part, which I now fully understand."
"Understand that it took the life of man who has gone through suffering neither of us could even begin to be familiar with," Fujin tells him. Jackson Briggs went through hell and back to be reunited with his family, only to die protecting them.
"I do," He says. "Which is why I'm hardly surprised that Raiden is choosing to invade Outworld." It is Fujin's turn to sigh.
"Your suspicions are correct," He confirms. "But know this, as long as Raiden is a threat to Outworld, he is a threat to Earthrealm. I fear he has lost his way and I cannot allow him to invade Outworld."
"What can you do?" Kotal asks. "Yes, you are a god, but you do not possess the powers he has granted by his title as protector of Earthrealm." Kotal Khan is right. When it comes right down to it, Fujin cwouldn't be able to stop Raiden by himself. He, along with both realms, needed assistance.
"Come with me to speak to the Elder Gods," He proposes. "Surely they can see what has become of him and possibly remove him as protector. If they do that, some of his powers will be stripped. Hopefully, it'll be enough to stop whatever plan he has for Outworld." Kotal Khan looked out into the distance, lost in thought.
"Why would you help me?" He asks.
"I've seen what you've done as ruler," Fujin tells him. "You've made mistakes, yes, but your devotion to your people is unlike any other Khan before you. Your treaties with Queen Sheeva and Queen Nitara are remarkable. You're a good emperor, Kotal."
"Thank you, Fujin," He says. He turns to Ferra/Torr. "Send for Reptile to return from hunting Mileena's remaining allies. Have him and Erron Black on watch. Ferra, protect the throne."
"We guard big chair for Boss Man!" Ferra declares, riding Torr out of the throne room. Kotal Khan stands up and walks over to Fujin.
"Let us speak with the Elder Gods."
Outworld- Wastelands
It seemed all her life Tanya has been running from something. Growing up in Edenia, she was a theif and was constantly avoiding authority. Then, Edenia fell to Shao Khan and Tanya ran from him. After his defeat and Kotal Khan's uprising, she rescued Mileena from prison and was on the run with the resistance. For a brief moment, when Mileena possessed Shinnok's amulet, it looked like the odds were in their favor and she could finally stop running but then Mileena was killed. Now, with Rain by her side, running was once again their only option. Reptile's hunting party had sent them running deep into Outworld's wastelands, what used to be Edenia. Forever plagued by night and death, these lands no longer bore resemblance to her home. She hears Rain approach her and she turns to face the former Edenian Prince.
"Reptile and his forces have drawn back, for now," He says. Tanya turns back to the crashing waves of blood. His latest raid captured more of the resistance, now there was so few of them that Tanya didn't even see the point of running anymore. She grew tired and wanted to be done with it all. She glanced at Rain, her ticket out of here. It was no secret that Kotal Khan viewed the manipulator of water as a big threat to the throne. She plans to capture the male while he sleeps and turn him over, in return for her life spared. She knew she would still receive punishment, most likely life in prison, but at least she will be alive. And as long as she's alive she survives.
"How long until they return?" She asks.
"Hard to say," Rain answers. He comes up behind her, leaving a kiss on her shoulder. "Come, let us rest for now."
"Yes," She says. "Let us rest." She grabs his hand and guides him to the ground before climbing on top of him in a straddle. She must tire him if she wants to have any hopes of capturing him. As her hands run down his chest, a gasp escapes her lips as she feels a surge of energy shoot through her body. After the fall of Edenia, Tanya discovered that she had the talent to locate remaining Edenians. It's how she knew where Mileena's prison was. Years ago, she first discovered her talent when the Edenian, Daegon, had suddenly shown up in Earthrealm. Weeks ago it happened once more, with his brother, Taven. Tanay suggested they go seek him but Rain refused to aid his half brother in anything.
"What is it?" Rain asks, sensing something was happening.
"Another Edenian," She manages to breath out as images fill her mind. A girl with long, black hair and skin as dark as her own show up. Tanya doesn't recognize her at all but can't help but notice a familiarity in her. Maybe it's the green eyes. She focuses harder, trying to find her location. "She's in the Netherrealm."
"Yeah, which one? Sindel or Kitana?" Rain asks. Tanya shakes her head.
"They're both revenant, no longer seen as Edenian," She explains, not able to since either Edenian royal ever since their deaths. "Besides, I've never seen this Edenian before."
"How's that possible?" Rain demands, now taking her seriously. Tanya shrugs her shoulders, studying the girl in her mind. She has these strange markings all over her body. She recognizes the letters as Edenian, but still can't make it out. It's a ancient language that hasn't been used since the rulings families before King Jerrod. The images of the girl vanish and Tanya hops off Rain, already walking in a fast pace. "Where are you going?"
"To find the girl!" She tells him. Those marking mean something, and it isn't a coincedence that the girl has suddenly appeared now. "She's the key to our survival!"
"We can't go to the Netherrealm!" Rain tells her, running up to her. "Liu Kang will have us killed."
"As opposed to Kotal Khan's gracious hospitality?" She counters. "We're out of options here, Rain. She's out last hope." Rain studies her face. She wonders if he can see what she plans to do if he denies her his help. Finally, he gives in.
"Do you have an exact location I can teleport to?" He asks, taking her hand. Tanya shakes her head.
"No, but we must hurry," she says. "Who knows how long she'll be there before trouble finds her." Rain nods his head then does a motion with his hand. Water appears and consumes them teleporting them to the Netherrealm. The search for the new Edenian begins.