Hey everybody and welcome back to 'What Clouds Smoke?' I think you've already figured out the answer to that question. I'm back working on this story after alternating to my other MK story Acceptance. If you like the pairing of Sub Zero and Sareena go read that if you've got the time. Today Smoke is gonna find out more about his "mystery" girl. Let's see how that goes. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 3:SMOKE'S SEARCH

Smoke woke early out of habit, or at least he thought it was early. Turns out it was 10 A.M. already and Sub Zero looked to have been gone for at least an hour. Smoke sighed, "Well I guess I'm on my own today. What to do?" he asked himself. He thought for few minutes before he got an idea, "I know just what to do." he said and teleported away.

He reappeared at the special forces base, startling Johnny Cage, who was "casually" walking the halls looking for Sonya, "Hey Cage. I'm looking for Sinya or Jax. Have you seen them?" he asked the actor.

Cage was catching his breath after being more than startled by Smoke's sudden appearance, "Actually I'm doing the same thing. Wanna help me out?" he offered.

Smoke nodded, "Let's go then. The sooner we find them the better." he said continuing with the actor to where he was heading.

They walked the halls and checked many parts of the base, but still had found no sign of their comrades. They didn't give up because there was still one more place they could be. It was almost halfway across the base, but it's the last place they could be. After walking for so long, the two were relieved to find who they were looking for.

Johnny threw his hands in the air in a celebratory manner, "Finally we've been looking all over for you guys!" he said loudly and attracting the attention of almost everyone in the room.

Sonya looked at the two, "And you wouldn't of thought to check the command room first Cage?" she asked making the actor feel stupid.

Johnny scratched the back of his head, "Well I thought you could've been somewhere else. I mean you're not always here right?" he asked paling quickly.

Jax laughed mockingly, "What part of 'New leaders of this operation' did you not understand Mr. A-list." he said using his nickname for the actor.

Smoke cut in, "As amusing as this is to watch I needed to speak with you about something." he told the two Special Forces operatives.

Sonya looked at Johnny, "Stay here and be quiet while I handle this Cage. Can you do that?" she said to the actor who nodded and gave her one of his signature grins. She shook her head and turned to Smoke, "What is you need Smoke?" she asked the former ninja.

The Enenra chuckled nervously, "Um I was wondering if you happened to know anything about the girl in green that we encountered in Outworld." he said trying to keep his cool.

Sonya gave it a quick thought, "I think you might be referring to Kitana's best friend Jade. She has black hair and green eyes. She comes from Edenia and has actually become a protector for it along with Kitana herself and Mileena." Sonya said everything she could remember about the woman.

Smoke had found his girl, "Yes that's her. Do you know of anyway I could get in contact with her?" he asked hoping she wouldn't be to suspicious of his intentions.

Sonya smiled, "She's currently helping reestablish Edenia and rebuild if necessary. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to bother them right now. Although if you're trying to talk with her you can always try to see if Kitana would let you help out as an excuse." she whispered that last part.

Smoke blushed a little, "How would I go about this?" he asked although he was embarrassed at being found out so easily.

Sonya motioned for him to follow her, "We actually have a portal set up similar to the one that we used to bring you back to Earth here. We could send you to Edenia, but you'd have to find your own way back. Don't worry about your clothes there it wont't be a problem." she said.

Smoke looked down to realize he was wearing one of his ninja outfits but without the hood, "I've gotten so used to wearing these that I hadn't even noticed I put it on." he said realizing this would be a habit he'd have to break.

Jax was standing at the controls to the portal, "Where to?" he asked.

Sonya looked over to Smoke, "We're going to send our friend here to Edenia." she told Jax who started pressing buttons on the control panel.

He gave a thumbs up, "All set." he said as a purple portal opened in front of them.

Sonya patted Smoke on the back, "Good luck soldier." she said with a small smile.

Smoke took a deep breath,"I'm gonna need it." he said and entered the portal.

When he exited on the other side, he was speechless at the beautiful scenery he was witnessing. He started to slowly walk forward and observe everything in awe. It was more breathtaking than anything he'd seen on Earth. He was so engrossed in admiring everything that he didn't notice someone walking towards him. He bumped into them only he was disappointed that it wasn't who he was hoping for.

The woman was wearing wearing pink as a prominent color which gave away exactly who she was, "Mileena." Smoke said dryly.

She seemed upset by his words, "Hey you bumped into me and then you say something like that. How rude!" she said sounding sounding angry with an underlying sadness.

Smoke looked at her, "I'm sorry. I was just looking for someone else. You're Kitana's...sister." he finished his sentence hesitantly.

She smiled at being recognized that way, "Sure am. Sister accepted me and let me become part of our family after my father's death." she said cheerfully.

Smoke decided to use her help while he had it, "Good for you. By the way, is it possible to speak to Kitana or Jade at the moment. It's nothing personal just something I need to ask one of them." he said in a less down tone than he had used previously.

Mileena nodded, "Sister's in the palace and Jade's around helping out around here. I'll see if I can get Kitana to talk to you. She's been doing with being queen and is having some other problems she told me not to tell people about."

Smoke smiled, "That would be great if it's not too much trouble." he said trying to be respectful.

Mileena turned around, "It's fine. Come on. The palace is a little ways from here." she said walking away while Smoke followed.

When they reached the palace, they found Kitana on a balcony overlooking the surrounding city.

Mileena walked up beside her twin, "Sister you have a visitor. I think he's an Earthrealmer." she said quieter and calmer than she was outside.

Kitana nodded, "Thank you Mileena. I'll take it from here." she replied in an equally calm tone.

Mileena left the room, leaving only Smoke and Kitana.

She motioned for him to stand beside her, "You are Tomas correct? Formerly known as Smoke?" she asked.

Smoke nodded, "I'm sorry about our earlier encounters Kitana. I want to make up for it by providing whatever aid I can." he said going witht the plan Sonya had told him to use.

Kitana looked him over, "I think you can help my friend Jade with something. I will call her up to bring you with her when she goes out again." she said returning to watching the citizens.

Smoke bowed, "Yes Queen Kitana." he said using her title.

Kitana gave him a weird look, "Please just call me Kitana." she told him.

He just nodded, "Okay Kitana." he said making her smile.

Then he heard the clicking of heels along the for, "Kitana you called for me." a familiar voice said.

Smoke slowly turned to it as Kitana said, "Jade this is Tomas he'll be helping you in the main city's rebuilding and restoration." she said introducing him.

Smoke fully turned around and his grey eyes met the beautiful green eyes of Jade.

And they finally meet again. Yes Smoke is in Edenia. I didn't really have much to describe it from so I won't be very detailed on what it looks like because I don't really know. The next chapter will have Jade and Smoke doing things around the city. If anyone has an idea for a name for the city then please tell me in a review or PM. I write this chapter a different way to see if people would stop saying stuff about my old style even though i've addressed it multiple times in the past. Anyway I hope you like the story. I got school work, but I'll try to get another chapter up this week or at least soon. Have a great week everybody and goodnight!

~Trevyler