A Puzzlement

"Can you believe my sister?" Kitana said.

"Disgraceful." Sub Zero agreed. By sending her assassin and by offering now challenge she violated the rules of Mortal Kombat.

"I wonder if there's anything to be done about it." She said tapping at her chin." In my Father's time such an act was punished not only by elimination from the Tournament but death." She stopped suddenly realizing what she'd said. She quickly turned to Sub Zero." But I don't think It'll come to that." She turned away from him." Maybe we should go to Kotal Kahn and tell him. Then perhaps he might-"

"I wouldn't count on that." Sub Zero said. Kitana turned back to him confused." This is Kotal Kahn's tournament. And no matter what you and your sister are his adversaries in it. He'd rather eliminate you both from the Tournament, never mind how it's done."

"But the laws of the Tournament are the Laws of the Elder Gods. Are you trying to say he'll defy the God's laws?"

"Remember what he said the first day." He said with a finger in her face." This is his Tournament. And not you or I, or even the Elder Gods can make him change it." Kitana let out a defeated sigh.

"I suppose you are right. When I am Empress I would never violate such sacred laws."

"I would hope to assume such a Tournament would not be needed when you are Empress." Kitana turned over and faced the Grandmaster. She might have said something if not for an interruption. There was a noise coming from the forest, and it was coming closer to them.

Kitana braced herself for a second attack, not putting it past her sister. However two figures appeared and they were none other than Ermac and Reptile.

"Empress." Ermac said upon seeing her." There you are."

"We did not find you in your chambers." Reptile said." And then we wondered where you were?"

"Have no fear." Kitana said." I had the Grand Master to protect me." When the word 'protect' was mentioned the two stood up on edge.

"Did something happen?" Ermac said stepping forward." Were you attacked?"

"We ran into a minor obstacle." Kitana told." But it was nothing we couldn't handle." She cast a glance over her shoulder at Sub Zero." But now I think I shall turn in for the night."

"Yes, Empress." The duo bowed. Kitana began walking away from them.

"Good night Gentlemen. Good Night Sub Zero." She paused a moment and turned around to face him.

"Good Night Empress." He replied.

When he was a boy the world was different. Everything was different, simpler then. Back then he did not have the pressures of ruling that he had now. Now as a man that world had certainly changed.

The Emperor walked through the gardens flanked by his personal guard. Just then he heard a slight fluttering above him. Turning his head he saw as D'vorah came down from the sky to stand next to him.

"Emperor." She said bowing her head as she approached.

"D'vorah." He greeted." Have you something to report?"

"The Princess Kitana and the Lin Kuei Grandmaster were set upon in the woods by Mileena's henchman." This peaked Kotal's interest.

"And did you interfere?"

"This one had hoped they would kill each other, or at the least Kitana."

"And?" Kotal insisted. D'Vorah shook her head.

"They live. More importantly she lives." With defeated sigh Kotal rubbed his hand across his face. This was becoming more trouble than it was worth. The two continued walking and came into the council chambers, where they found Tremor and Erron Black.

Erron was sitting nearby running a clean cloth through every creak and crevice of his pistol. Tremor stood in front of a portrait on the wall. There was one of Erron, one of D'vorah, several of Kotal Kahn welcoming the Shokan or the Sedian Guard to his Empire. And currently before him was one of the Emperor himself. But it was off center and it was annoying him. But every time he re-positioned it, it only became more off center.

"Hey Tremor."Erron said getting his attention." You want to see a magic trick?" Tremor nodded his head as quickly as he could." Good, Good." The cowboy looked down and scanned around." I need something. Something small, do you have a coin?" Tremor nodded. He dug his hand into his pocket and brought out a small gold coin with their Emperor's face on it." Good, Good." Erron said accepting it." Now watch this." He showcased the gold coin in his left hand. But then he began snapping his right hand, quickly gaining Tremor's attention and forcing him to look away. And as he did Erron pocketed the currency and when Tremor looked back he saw an empty hand." Ta-Da."

Tremor's golden eyes opened wide in amusement. He dug into his pocket and produced another coin hoping to see the trick again, much to Erron's enjoyment.

But they stopped and looked as Kotal entered the room. He did not address either of them and simply began pacing around the room. The trio turned their heads and followed him around the room. Then with a stomp he stopped in the middle of the room.

"I am tired of this." He finally said. He turned back and faced them." Every day they gain more ground and every day we lose more and more."

"What would you have us do?" D'vorah asked. Erron rose from his seat and Tremor hovered over both of them.

"We need to deal with the greater threat first." Kotal told." Kitana." The others nodded." Deal with them one by one. Erron." He turned to the gunslinger." I leave the Grandmaster to you." He nodded." The Zatarean."

"I." A deep voice doomed from inside his mask as he raised his stone arm." Will deal with him." It was one of the few times any of them had ever heard him speak. And every time it always got their attentions.

"Very well." Kotal nodded." D'vorah, I leave Ermac to you."

"And Kitana?" Erron questioned." What about her?"

"Originally I had planned to deal with her myself." Kotal admitted." But now I have something special in mind." He turned and pointed to the doorway. And one his command a creature was escorted into the room, or rather two.