King of the Jungle

When Rain had originally come into Mileena's service he understood her to be a bit unpredictable. So when he saw her dancing back and forth around her room that either meant someone was dead or someone was about to die. He just had to make sure it wasn't him.

"Empress?" He said walking further into the room. She stopped mid prance and faced him. Her left leg stretched back, her back facing him, her head turned to view him and her outfit more revealing than ever in that pose.

"Rain!" she said with a swing of her left leg which brought her body full around to face him." You've come."

"Yes Empress." He said walking in further." You summoned me." Mileena pointed to the ground. He would have to pay his respects before they continued.

He bent down to one knee and saw her foot dangling out before him. More respects needed. He took her foot in one hand and brought it to his lips, hidden behind his mask.

And the second the tip of her boot touched his lips she jerked her foot forward and kicked him right in the mouth.

"Ah!" Rain groaned as he fell back. But Mileena seemed to enjoy herself indicating by her laughing. She had to have her kicks, Rain supposed. He just thought it would have gotten old for her by now.

Humming to herself Mileena went back to what she was initially doing, prancing around the room. Ignoring the taste of blood in his mouth and the most likely broken teeth Rain rose to his feet.

"You seem in better spirits." he commented to Mileena.

"It just came to me." Mileena said turning away to look at herself in a broken mirror." I can't believe I didn't think of it before, HaHa! I'm a genius!" Rain continued to stand back arms crossed.

"And why is that?"

"Why?!" Mileena growled turning to him." You don't think I'm a genius."

"Uh." Rain said with her eyes on him. He'd learned on that words were a careful thing to use his chosen Empress. Words like 'Ugly, stupid, Peppermint' had to easily replaced. Which became harder and harder as she started to understand sarcasm." You are both wise and beautiful Empress." He said.

Mileena turned from him running her hands through her raven colored hair.

"Don't worry Rain." She said." I know you don't understand things good."

"Well." He corrected.

"What did you say?!" she snapped turning to him.

"I said 'Thank you'." Rain told. Mileena turned away from him and began walking to the other side of the room.

"You see simple Rain." She began." Despite my current situation you will see that tomorrow morning I will be Empress in outworld." That did very little to explain so Rain needed her to continue.

"How?"

"Because their can't be a competition for the Throne if there are no other contenders." She smiled showing her unnatural teeth. Rain gave her a sideways glance as he tried to understand her words.

And the assassin Skarlet made her way about on her secret mission. And her first target was close by although she wasn't alone.

Empress Kitana was in the company of the Grand Master of the Lin Kuei Sub Zero. She was in his company more often lately, even more so than Reptile and Ermac. Two equally loyal but more powerful fighters than Sub Zero. But perhaps the Grandmaster had more to offer than the duo. For instance conversation, although he wasn't a big speaker.

"So tell me Empress." He said as he walked behind her." Is your home just as you remembered it?" Kitana turned her head and gazed at her surroundings.

The living forest was familiar. And down below them she could see the Palace of Outworld, the place where she grew up.

"No." she answered.

"No?" he questioned stepping up to her side.

"My family isn't here with me." She said crossing her arms over her chest to rub her shoulders. Sub Zero raised his brow at her.

"Your sister is-"

"My sister is doing as she always has." Kitana said." Trying to outdo me, she is here for no other reason. She was never really my family." Sub Zero's gaze went to the ground and he hung his head.

In his silence Kitana turned to him. And there was a strange feeling emitting from his one good eye. A history similar to the one she just told, perhaps?

Her attention was quickly caught by something else on the ground. Looking down Kitana saw something strange. The stream seemed to be bubbling, as if it was boiling. And if that wasn't strange enough it began to turn red. Red like blood. And she seemed to notice it before Sub Zero did.

"GET DOWN!" Kitana yelled as she grabbed Sub Zero and jumped to the ground. Just in time too because the blood water shot up and began to take shape. Skarlet, Mileena's own bodyguard.

Sub Zero propped himself up and looked at the creature.

"What the" Skarlet held her hand above her head forming a big ball of wet blood.

"MOVE!" Kitana demanded as she grabbed Sub Zero by his shoulders and rolled him out of the way. Just in time as Skarlet threw the blood ball forward right on the spot where they'd been.

Sub Zero was on his back and Kitana was crouched above him. Together the two turned their heads and looked at Skarlet. The Assassin dived forward and tossed a knife from both her hands at them.

But Kitana pulled out her fan and deflected the knives. Then she jumped up and engaged the assassin.

She swung up her leg which Skarlet blocked. Now the two only stood a few feet apart and they were ready to do battle.

Kitana lunged in and tried to punch Skarlet which she blocked. She swung with her other arm only to be blocked again. In one swift motion Skarlet kicked her leg against Kitana's sending the Empress to the ground. And she quickly capitalized on this by pulling her knife and lunging down at her.

Skarlet stood over Kitana. Both hands on her knife as she tried to press it down and into Kitana's forehead. But then Skarlet was grabbed violently by the shoulders, then lifted and tossed into the air.

She easily regained mobility and landed on her feet. Then between her and Kitana was Sub Zero.

"Fight me Blood Beast." He said to her." I challenge you." Skarlet spoke no acknowledgement but Kombat could not be denied . If she wanted Kitana she'd have to go through Sub Zero first.

Skarlet lunged forward and swung her knife up and at the left side Sub Zero's face. But he stuck up his arm and hit his forearm against her's blocking her blow.

Skarlet quickly melted before him and retook form on Kaui's right.

"Right!" Kitana yelled. Thanks to that help he managed to turn and block her next attack. Then he swung his leg out and kicked Skarlet in the stomach. She stumbled back and Sub Zero ran after her, jumping up and kicking her right in the face.

And the second his foot hit her face she melted into the ground. She trickled along the ground and then shot up like a rocket, knocking Sub Zero off his balance and to the ground. Strange, she had meant to pierce him in two with that move.

Instead Sub Zero rolled over onto his side. And when he looked up he saw Skarlet coming down on him with her heel pointed at his heart. He shot up his hands and grabbed onto her foot, turned and then tossed her onto the ground next to him.

Then Sub Zero rolled over and on top of her, swinging down and punching her in the face. But then Skarlet reared her head up and head-butted him and followed up with an open palm strike to the face.

That forced Sub Zero up and off her. She kicked her legs up and jumped back to her feet, Sub Zero did the same. But when he stood up Skarlet fired another ball of blood at him, so he ducked and dodged. And when he shot back up he lunged forward swinging a punch.

Skarlet put up her forearms and blocked. Sub Zero swung around and tried to kick her but she blocked once more.

But then Skarlet jumped up and into the air. And as she passed over Sub Zero she put both her hands on his shoulders. And when her feet hit the ground she lifted Sub Zero up and threw him. He landed several feet away and on his back.

And when Sub Zero looked up he saw that Skarlet had apparently forgotten the rules of Mortal Kombat and forgotten her fight with Sub Zero as she continued after Kitana.

"No!" Sub Zero yelled from his back." Fight me!" But Skarlet did not listen and continued on towards Kitana. She pounced into the air, knife drawn and was coming down on the Empress.

Kitana wasn't prepared, had too little time to react and Skarlet was closing in fast. But lucky for her Skarlet would never reach her.

Sub Zero appeared between the two, using himself as a wall between Skarlet and Kitana. But Skarlet would not be deterred; if she had to she would cut down Sub Zero first.

But her knife continued to dive forward and he reached out his hand to catch it. And the second the blade touched his hand he froze and cracked it to pieces. But that wasn't all. Skarlet's arm had been frozen as well and her whole body soon enough.

But then Skarlet herself with her free arm cracked the frozen one to pieces. The next second blood poured from her shoulder and reformed the arm. And with that new arm she reached forward and slapped it onto his face. Then blood began pouring from her nails and into his eyes, ears, nose, mouth anywhere it could get in.

He didn't know what exactly would happen next all he knew that it was painful. But then all of a sudden it stopped as Skarlet's hand was cut completely off. And the blood on Sub Zero began to melt off his face.

And he saw that it was now Kitana between him and Skarlet. The assassin quickly re-grew her hand and reached for another knife. But Kitana would not give her the chance. She lunged forward and armed with her fans stabbed them into Skarlet's shoulders. Then Kitana opened the fans at her shoulders and when she pulled them off reduced Skarlet's arms to puddles.

The red woman took a step back armless and trying to regrow them. But Kitana would not give her that chance. And with another wave of her fans the winds raced at Skarlet and tore her apart. And what was left of her flew all around them, splattering onto the trees and grass.

"No need to worry." She said with a sideways glance to Sub Zero." She's not dead." And the pieces of Skarlet began to move from their scattered spots until they were together in a puddle.

Kitana watched as the blood puddle that was Skarlet began moving away from her and out of her sight. This fight was won but it wouldn't be the last of her sister's dirty tricks.

"Empress." Sub Zero said. She turned and faced him. He was one his knees with his head bowed, arms extended and his fist enclosed in an open palm." Thank you." She lowered herself down and put her hand over both of his. He looked up to view her.

"I owed you." She said. She brought her other hand down and guided him to his feet." For protecting me against the Dragon." He nodded his understanding.

"Then I suppose we are even now." He said.

"Don't be so sure." She said taking a few steps away from him." The Tournament is not over. And I may still have some tasks left for you GrandMaster." Once again he just nodded his understanding. She turned back to see he had not moved from the spot he had risen to." Are you going to escort me to my chambers?" she asked. He titled his head and met her eyes.

"As you wish. "He answered.

And meanwhile Rain had the job of entertaining his Empress. He had listened to her drabble on for the better part of an hour, nodding his head and agreeing to everything she'd been saying.

"When this is over." Mileena continued." I'm going to need a husband to rule at my side." She turned around and her eyes turned to the Demi-God. And he didn't like the way Mileena's tarkatan eyes looked at him.

"Um." He said.

"No." Mileena said turning away from him with a wave of her hands." I need someone else. Somewhat stronger, loyal, taller." Rain looked himself up and down confused. He didn't know if he should take that as a compliment or not.

Just then a new sound caught both their attentions. A bubbling, gurgling sound. Turning to the floor they saw a puddle of blood. But then that puddle took form and turned into Skarlet.

"SKARLET!" Mileena cheered her name." Your back." A malicious chuckle left her lips." Does that mean it's done? Sweet sister Kitana and the Kahn are dead?" But Skarlet remained silent. And the look in her eyes conveyed the news." What?!" Mileena questioned." What do you mean she's alive?" Skarlet gave her another look. Rain would never be able to understand how she was able to do that." They're both alive! AH!" she yelled at the ceiling pulling on her hair." Rain!" she turned to him.

"Yes, Empress?"

"Kill Skarlet!" Rain glanced to the red woman and then back to his Empress.

"Uh Empress I-"

"DO IT!" Rain took another glance at Skarlet. She seemed particularly indifferent to the idea, like himself. Rain lifted his arm and pointed his finger at her shooting a bolt of lightning and melting her into nothing. A futile effort since Skarlet reformed immediately afterwards.

But Mileena was still angry turned away and looked out the window.

"I can't believe this!" she yelled." She's always done this to me. Big Sister has always enjoyed stepping on my parade." Rain and Skarlet stood back letting Mileena lament to herself. Now was not the time to stir her up any further." Ah I'm disappointed. Servants!" she turned back to the only one's she had left.

"Yes Empress?" Rain questioned.

"I am disappointed." She said as she walked across the room and to her 'comfy' chair. She plopped herself down, using the armrest as her leg rest while her head rested on her arm." Sing for me!" Confused Rain and Skarlet looked to each other. Being a mute Skarlet could say nothing so naturally it feel to Rain.

"Uh Empress." He said taking a step forward." Shouldn't we-"

"Sing!" Mileena yelled causing Rain to take his step back. He again he turned to Skarlet. And once again being a mute she could not sing, that feel to him. But she did help somewhat by pulling out her knifes and began tapping them in a rhythmic pattern for him. Looking back Rain could see Mileena was waiting for her song. He cleared his throat before continuing.

"In every job that must be done. There is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The jobs a game." He began." And every task you undertake. Becomes a piece of cake. A lark! A Spree! It's very clear to see!" Rain himself wasn't a natural singer. But when he entered Mileena's service he learned fast. He didn't want to end up like the last guy. But Mileena was happy now indicated by her clapping her hands." That a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down! The Medicine go down, Medicine go down!"

Rain didn't know how he ended up here. He was a Demi-God, the son of Argus yet somehow here he was. He only hoped that at when Mileena ruled Outworld things would get better.

He hoped.