Mortal Kombat
The word did not reach Kitana by mail or rumor but by the mouth of Kotal Khan's own soldier, none other than Erron Black.
Sub Zero had seen him approach from the balcony. A lone rider on a horse. An old, worn out poncho draped over his body and hat hung low to protect him from the elements. As he approached the gates he held his empty hands up in a peaceful manner. Then as he spoke his case he claimed himself as a peaceful messenger and would only deliver the message to the Princess as he called her.
Now he stood before Kitana on her throne. Ermac and Reptile standing beside him in cause he made any wrong moves. The entire population of Edenia tried to fit into the small lounge area. And Sub Zero along with his Lin Kuei stood on the outer ring of the crowd.
"Princess Kitana." He said to her." I've been sent here on behalf of Kotal Khan to deliver his terms."
"This is the Ruler of Outworld." Jade alerted him." You should kneel before her."
"I'm already in service to Emperor Kotal Khan." Black replied. Jade's eyes squinted and she looked as if she'd be prepared to say something else. But Kitana stopped her.
"Speak your terms." She said.
"The Emperor has acknowledged your presence." Black said." And he is willing to solve this as civilized as possible. In the Outworld way."
"Mortal Kombat" Kitana said. Sub Zero stiffened up at the back of the room. The very same Tournament his brother lost his life in and during the previous Tournament no less. It seemed he would be following his brother more than he thought.
Erron Black nodded." And what will be your answer?" But Kitana was silent.
"Send his Head back to his false Leader, Empresses." Reptile advised." Show him and all who side with him the fault of allegiance." Ermac and Reptile moved closer to Erron Black ready to do as their Empress commanded. And there was little Black's weapons could do to stop them if he tried. However luck appeared to be on his side.
"Hold on a minute." Everyone turned now and watched as Sub Zero made his way to the center of the room.
"Grandmaster." Kitana said." What do you have to say?"
"He's come here under a white flag to discuss his conditions." He pointed to Black." No matter what his allegiance you cannot kill him for it. Not now anyway, not here."
"Then what would you suggest?" Kitana answered with annoyance in her voice.
"Send him back to his Master with your terms. That is the reason he came here in the first place." Kitana sat silently in her place, perhaps musing the thought over.
"Very well." She answered turning to face Erron Black." Here are my terms."
And Black left shortly after returning to Kotal Khan with the news that their terms had been met and Mortal Kombat would begin.
The next morning Kitana prepared to head out to the Palace of Outworld. She would take with her, her most seasoned and loyal combatants. But not everyone would be coming along.
"Empress." Jade said." Let me come with you. I should be at your side to protect you at all times."
"I wish could be Jade. But I leave you behind to rule in my place. To continue the fight should the worst happen to me." Jade's emerald green eyes flickered but she nodded her understanding.
Sub Zero stood with his own pupil Frost and observed the empress and her bodyguard.
"Frost." He said to her." I leave you behind as well."
"What?!" she shrieked." Grandmaster you cannot mean it-"
"I do mean it." He replied." You will stay here and lead the Lin Kuei until I return. With any luck we will secure the Empress' throne in this tournament within only a few days' time." Frost was baffled to say the least. She longed for battle and to prove herself in the eyes of her master. But until his return she was acting Grandmaster, she had the power.
"Very well." She said. With nothing more to say Sub Zero turned away from her and turned to Kitana.
"Empress. "He said." Shall we be going?" She herself turned around to see her combatants. Only three. Sub Zero, Ermac and Reptile. Seasoned warrior and participants in the tournament. They knew what was expected of them.
"Let's go." She said as she led the way.
It was a three day journey from the Edenian district to the Capital. And the whole time Kitana was in constant fear that they were being led into a trap and would be sent upon by Kotal's men at any point.
So when the moved Reptile was on point, sniffing out threats. Kitana was after him with Ermac behind her for support. And bringing up the rear was the Grand Master.
The journey was mostly silent except for a command from Kitana an obedient responses from Reptile and Ermac. Sub Zero simple kept his head down and did as he was told. But for Sub Zero they were simply traveling to another battleground. To Kitana it was something else entirely. They traveled during the day and rested when the sun went down.
And on the morning of the third Sub Zero awoke to a frenzy. Ermac and Reptile stood over him, darting their heads left and right looking about the camp.
"What is it?" The Grand Master questioned getting up." What's the matter?"
"The Empress is gone." Reptile said. Looking around Sub Zero noticed her absence for the first time." Empress!" He called into the distance.
"Empress!" Ermac added. Sub Zero continued to scan the area, looking for any sign of her.
But little did they know was that Kitana was in fact nearby and completely alright. She was on a hill side nearby and on the top of she could see everything. And down below was something she hadn't seen in a long time.
The Capital of the Empire, the Palace of Outworld, home. Her entire road had led her here, back to her birthright. She could heard the faint voices calling for her in the distance but she paid them little attention. She was too focused on the Palace and the memories that came with it.
All at once the memories came rushing back to her. Her father, her mother, even her half-sister brought back feelings she almost forgot.
"Empress!" a closer voice called to her. She looked over her shoulder to see Sub Zero standing there." Are you alright?" Within a moment Ermac and Reptile arrived.
"Fine." She said turning from them and towards the palace." Just fine."
Even after they passed under the gates and into the Palace Kitana was unnaturally silent. The memories of ten thousand years came flooding back to her with each step.
Sub Zero observed her in silence but at her sagging shoulders and lowered head he ventured towards her.
"Empress?" Sub Zero questioned." Are you alright?" He put a hand on her shoulder. The sudden contact caused her to shoot up. And the first thing she did was put her hand over his and move it aside.
"Do not presume to touch me Lin Kuei unless I command you too." She said in a voice stricter than usual. Her eyes burned with rage as she turned to face him." Come, we have an event to attend." Sub Zero said nothing and instead watched her go with Ermac and Reptile walking behind her as commanded. He himself was starting to wonder if all this was worth it.
His own brother had come through these halls and they were the last thing he ever saw.
"Sub Zero." Ermac called to him." Are you coming?" Sub Zero said nothing but moved to catch up with them.
And as they entered the Throne Room for the first time he saw for the first time the Emperor Kotal Khan. His body completely exposed except for the leather belt and headdress about his neck. Erron Black was easily recognizable as was Kintaro who once served as a Shokan warrior for Shao Khan. Kitana grimaced at the sight of the traitor. Others present could at least be identified by their origin. Shaolin Monks, Sedian Guards. But the yellow bug woman nor the man shaped mountain were unknown to them.
There were others in the room as well though Sub Zero didn't know if they were friend or foe. His natural guess was foe. They were only four of the fifty in the room.
But the Emperor seemed to know them. He sat straighter in his chair and a smile curved on his lips as he saw Kitana walking into the room. And since she was his reasoning for this Tournament that meant it could begin.
He rose from his chair and to his full height.
"Kombatants." He began." Warriors from across all the realhms have been gathered. Some are here with a purpose, others were brought here by chance." He spread his arms out motioning to the crowd." This tournament will decide once and for all who truly rules in Outworld. And if you advance through the ranks you will face the final challenge. Me." His eyes fell on Kitana who no doubt he would face in that final battle." But before we begin with the violence we must offer proper tribute for the battles ahead." He turned his back to the crowd and waved to his guards. And nothing could have prepared them for what would come next.
Kitana watched as they brought none other than Jade into the room.
"No!" she yelled." Release her!" she commanded.
But as Ermac and Reptile lunged forward they were blocked by Kotal's own forces Erron Black, D'Vorah and Tremor. The Tournament hadn't even begun and already it was being turned upside down.
"The tribute cannot be interrupted." Kotal told them. Despite Jade's protest she was marched forward towards the Emperor." Lay her down." He commanded. A table was brought out and placed before him and Jade was laid on it and bound to it.
"This is not part of the Tournament!" Kitana said." My father never-"
"This is MY Tournament." He stressed the word 'My'." I can do as I please." Without another word he plunged his knife down and into Jade's chest causing her to cry out in agonizing pain. There was no doubt Kotal was making it more painful that it had too. He then slashed his knife across her stomach before plunging his hand wrist deep into her chest.
Then after a few moments with one great pull he yanked his arm free holding Jade's still beating heart in his hand. And with one flex of his hands he popped it like a balloon forcing the blood to pour down his harm and splattered onto his face.
It had all been over in a few seconds. And all Kitana could do was sit there and watched as her friend was murdered in front of her eyes.
Kotal Khan dropped what was left of the heart onto the ground as he returned to his throne.
"False Empress." He said as he sat back down." Put forth your first combatant and we will see how well they fare." Kitana was in a boiling rage, this first fight would be for Jade.
"I will fight first." She told stepping forward." Send me whomever you dare. Unless you are not afraid to fight me yourself." She drew her fan blades.
"Emperor." D'Vorah said getting his attention." Give this one the honor and the privilege of ending this rebellion." But before Kotal could oblige her another spoke up.
"Great Emperor." A man clad in full armor said on his knees before him." Allow me."
"Very well Seidan." Kotal said." You have my permission." With a nod the Seidan turned and showed himself to Kitana.
He wore heavy black armor with two flags sticking out of his back. His hair was snow white and his eyes were the same color. As he descended down from the Emperor's side he drew a Naginata from his back. He held it with both hands and held it towards her, ready for battle.
"I hold no personal grudge against you." He told. "I only do what I must for the sake of Order." To Hotaru all that mattered was order in the Universe. It did not matter how that order came about so long as it is there. And Kitana's uprising disturbs that order.
"The First Match of Mortal Kombat." Kotal announced." Kitana versus Hotaru. Begin!"
Hotaru made the first move and lunged at Kitana, jabbing his Naginata at her. But Kitana swung her arm and her right fan out knocking the weapon away. But Hotaru continued his attack and jabbed once more. But this time Kitana swung down with her left and blocked the blade with an open fan.
"Move, move." Sub Zero commented as he watched her fight. This was noticed by Ermac standing beside him." She needs to get out of his range."
"Do not be so glum, cold friend." Ermac advised." You will see, she is the Emperor's daughter."
Now Kitana attacked, advancing forward and trying to elbow Hotaru in the head. But he put up his armored arm to block, stopping Kitana in her tracks. Then he swung his weapon forward managing to knock her in the side with the pole of his weapon.
The hit knocked Kitana off her feet. But as Hotaru lunged forward with a full in slash Kitana jumped back into the air, flipping back and landing on her feet.
Hotaru now took a different stance. He set his weapon aside in one hand and then opened his other at Kitana. And then as he took a step forward he blasted a fireball at her.
But Kitana stood her ground. She opened both her fans and with a swing of her arms shot a gust of air to cancel the fireball out. Then with a second swing she sent another air blast at Hotaru.
This time the Sedian was forced to move jumping out of the way of the slicing air. He jumped aside as the air went forward slicing through the stone where he once stood.
Hotaru fell to one knee and when he looked up there was Kitana. She swung her knee forward and hit him directly in the face. Hotaru used the force of being knocked back to roll and jump back to his feet.
Once his two feet were back on the earth once more he prepared himself as Kitana charged. She swung her left arm forward only for Hotaru to block with his own. Then she quickly swung with her right only to be blocked once more. Hotaru stepped forward now trying to drive his armored elbow into her face. But Kitana ducked her head out of the way. Then she put both her arms around Hotaru's outstretched one, stuck her hip into him and tossed him up and over her shoulders.
He slammed onto the ground but managed to quickly get back to his feet. But now the two just stood there watching intently and waiting to see who would make the first move.
Kitana raised her hands and her fans which had been lying dormant on the ground took life and flew back to her. As he saw her arm herself Hotaru did the same.
Kitana swung her left arm forward and sent her fan flying. The blue fan glittering with light as it flew through the air. But that made it easy to see coming and Hotaru quickly prepared himself. When the fan got close enough he swung up his Naginata and knocked the fan aside. But just after he knocked the first away the second came at him and he was unprepared for it.
The fan was not open but instead closed allowing it to fly through the air almost unseen. Knowing this Kitana had thrown the first as a distraction allowing for the second to make contact. And it did, right between Hotaru's eyes.
Kitana stood back and with a gesture the fan opened and flew down splitting Hotaru into two pieces.
Kitana held out both her hands causing both her blades to fly back to her hands. Kotal Khan sank back in his chair running his hand across his chin. This was the second time a Sedian had failed him. He would have to re-think their usefulness in the future.
"Winner." He announced" Kitana." The Princess sheathed her fans, the blood splattering from them and onto the floor. Then she turned and walked back to the safety of her own warriors.
Sub Zero watched as the fresh blood dripped from Kitana's fans and fell onto the floor. Nearby was the recently deceased Hotaru, another gruesome dead. Ermac and Reptile didn't seem to take no notice of the brutality.
"Who's next?" Kitana demanded. But Kotal was not quick to answer.
He glanced out the window Kotal Khan could see the sun setting behind the mountains. The Sunlight had gone and the night was closing in. And the glare from Kitana's eyes made him think she would challenge him next.
"Kombat is concluded for today." He said rising from his chair and putting a hand into the air." Let the khampions of tonight enjoy their victory." His eyes shifted to Kitana and her warriors." Kombat will resume tomorrow at dawn's first light." Without another word he turned and left followed by Tremor.
On his way out he pointed to the blood and bodies on the floor and spoke something to Erron Black about it.
Sub Zero looked to the ground, watching as the body of Hotaru was taken away and to be discarded. Maybe they would be returned home to be buried with honor or maybe they would be feed to some beast. Of that Sub Zero could not tell. But he could remember never seeing his brother's body after he'd left for the tournament.
"Lin Kuei." Kitana called pulling him from his memories of the past. He looked up to see her walk by him and head out into the hallway." Follow me." He turned and did as he was commanded, following her out for as long as she moved. Until at last she came to a balcony overlooking the Palace grounds.
She did not speak for a long time, but he could understand that. She had lost a valuable person today, a dear friend. He of all people could share that grief.
"My condolences Empress." He said standing several feet behind her." For your friend."
"Jade." Kitana said not turning to him." Her name was Jade." He only nodded choosing silence as the best answer." She was the closest thing to a sister I ever had." A pain Sub Zero could understand. Perhaps that would help her to know he in fact shared her feelings, it might calm her down and help her feel better. But before he could offer comfort she spoke again." Your Lin Kuei stayed back to protect her."
"So they were."
"They failed."
"And are most likely dead." He concluded.
"You have failed me Lin Kuei." She said resting her hands on the nearby railing.
"That is not my intent Empress." He replied.
"You have let me down before." She said turning now and facing him." Do not do it a second time." And for a second time he choose silence as his answer." Leave me." She hissed. He did nothing more and left her as commanded.
"This might be a more difficult problem than I originally thought." Kotal Khan said. His back was to the room, his arms a crossed behind him as his eyes looked out the window." We would have been better off killing this rebellion in its crib." He turned and began walking across the room. Perhaps if he had dealt with this personally he could have saved his father from his fate.
"No use fretting about it now." said Erron Black. The gunslinger was laid across a chair legs crossed and resting over the armrest, while he twirled his revolver in one hand." What's done is done." Tremor was close by standing over the table and the fresh fruit upon it. His hand hovered over one fruit before going to another and skipping over it for another. But just as he seemed to decide on his fruit of choice a pear, Erron Black set his pistol aside and snatched the fruit from him. Pulling the pear from him and his knife from his pocket. Then he began peeling off the skin. Kotal Khan had now crossed the room and was standing on the opposite side.
"I foresee much bloodshed from the upcoming battles." He said.
"There are other competitors who fight for neither Kitana or you." Black said as he continued to peel." No doubt they'll want their chance at glory. Let them pick our enemies off. How knows?" He said as he continued to shave the skin off the pear." We may not even have to fight at all." The pear was finally peeled and ready to be eaten. Erron prepared to remove his mask and take a bite but Kotal reached out his hand and plucked it from him.
"Perhaps you are right Erron." He said." We will wait and see." He took a bite of the pear.
Sub Zero had done as the Empress had commanded and left her. Out of her presence he sought the company of the only two he could relate to in this place. Ermac and Reptile. He found them close by.
Like Kitana it had been some time since they had been to this palace that had once been their home. Perhaps seeing it all once more had brought back fond memories.
"Your Empress leaves much to be desired." Sub Zero told.
"Do not judge to harshly Grandmaster." Reptile said with an exposed hand to him." You have not seen her full character."
"If there is more." Sub Zero said." She will not show it to me, nor do I expect her to." He had seen enough from the brutality of Kitana's actions to judge her. She reminded Sub Zero of someone he knew, and that was not a good thing. But Ermac and Reptile's attachment confused Sub Zero." Why is it you choose to look over her flaws?" He asked.
"The Emperor's magic put life into me." Ermac told bearing both his fists." I will repay that debt by seeing his child sit on the throne of Outworld, just as he had done."
"And you?" Sub Zero questioned to Reptile. The Zatarean strummed his nails along his knee.
"I too have a debt to pay." He nodded." Shao Khan conquered my realhm before I was born. By the time I had grown we were already a sacred people. But he found a use in me and took me in as one of his warriors. And I did as my Emperor commanded of me and fought in the Mortal Kombat Tournament." He paused a moment." However I failed and I could tell in the Emperor's eyes I was no longer welcome in the Palace. I knew what that meant, and slept with one eye open." His open hand turned into a tightened fist." He sent his daughter to kill me but she sparred my life. She brought me out of the gutters and back into the Emperor's care, forever changing my life. Why would I not give me heart and soul to repay that?"
Sub Zero turned away from them. Reptile and Ermac had a great debt to pay and this tournament was their chance to repay it. But it was only the first day and the blood was already flowing, and more would flow in days to come. Reptile and Ermac might add their own to the mix and maybe even Sub Zero himself.
He might see his brother sooner than expected.