Kotal Kahn was infuriated. The return of Mileena would surely reignite the civil war. And that would complicate matters greatly. Since Mileena's "death", Tanya had rallied many of the Edenians against his rule, either through protest or outright rebellion. The presence of Nitara among the rebels only confirmed reports he had already received of discontent from the vampires. The Tarkatans seemed to remain complacent in order to preserve themselves, whatever that was worth. The Centaurs' loyalty seemed unlikely to waver, at the very least.
There remained however, one variable which could not be predicted.
The Shokan….
As Kotal contemplated the future of his rule, a warrior of the Shokan approached the royal palace. The warrior had dark brown skin, wore red garb, and had a moderately sized beard of black hair.
After being allowed passage by the guards, he walked into the throne room and knelt before Queen Sheeva herself.
"My Queen, I bring news from mainland Outworld."
"You may rise, Zenkaro." Sheeva informed him.
Zenkaro stood.
"Now, inform me of this news you speak of." Sheeva instructed.
"Kotal Kahn and his enforcers came under attack in Tarkata." Zenkaro explained.
Sheeva raised an eyebrow "Uprising?" She inquired.
"No, it was an attack by the rebellion," Zenkaro clarified. "Edenians and a vampire."
"Is he dead?" Sheeva asked.
"No…" Zenkaro admitted, causing Sheeva to clench her upper left fist.
"But neither is Mileena." Zenkaro added.
That certainly got Sheeva's attention. "You are certain?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Zenkaro confirmed. "Mileena yet lives."
"Then hopefully she will succeed in taking the throne from that Osh-Tekk barbarian," Sheeva decided. "Unfortunately, our official stance will have to be one of support towards Kotal Kahn. We cannot afford to get involved with the war again."
"Of course, my queen." Zenkaro affirmed.
"You are dismissed, Zenkaro." Sheeva informed him.
With a brief bow, Zenkaro turned and left.
However, this did not leave Sheeva and her guards as the only ones in the throne room.
Another Shokan stood in the shadows, illuminated only by his piercing red eyes and the golden sheen of his gauntlets and anklets. His top pair of arms were crossed, while the lower arms remained idly by his side.
"I do not understand why you would wait for some half-breed to kill the man who disgraced our people."
"I believe Mileena would be a better ruler." Sheeva explained plainly.
The Shokan stepped into the light. His skin was an even darker shade of brown than Zenkaro's.
"The Shokan have suffered enough of being ruled." He argued.
"It favored us under Shao Kahn." Sheeva reminded.
"For a time." Was his only concede.
"Besides, if we strike against Kotal Kahn, he could decimate us as he did before," Sheeva countered. "Perhaps worse."
He scoffed. "That line of thinking is why you are a coward, Sheeva."
"Watch your tongue, Duroc," Sheeva warned. "Although you are of royal blood, I am the rightful queen of the Shokan. I earned my title!"
"Of that, I will pose no argument." Duroc said in a noticeably more respectful tone.
"Besides," Sheeva continued. "You were not there when Kotal Kahn called upon his Earthrealm allies to desecrate the Shokan armies and then personally destroyed all remaining resistance. I was."
"But he did not murder your father," Duroc reminded. "Nor cripple your brother."
"As devastating as King Gorback's fate was, I will not plunge our people into war to appease your personal vendetta." Sheeva told him sternly.
"Then you have forgotten that war is the Shokan way." Duroc argued.
"No," Sheeva refuted. "I remembered that war has its price."
Duroc rightfully assumed that she was referring to Kintaro. Much as he disagreed with Sheeva on matters of policy, he was not insensitive enough to ignore her loss.
Sheeva sensed the opportunity for a change of subject, and seized it. "By the way, have you seen Goro?"
"You know he isn't fond of being seen in public," Duroc reminded her. "Not after what happened to him."
"I know," Sheeva confirmed. "But lately he's been scarcer than usual."
Duroc shrugged all four shoulders. "Not even I know where he is."
"Duroc, I am well aware we have our differences," Sheeva admitted. "But if you hear anything from him, let me know. Please."
"I shall." Duroc agreed.
Unbeknownst to him, Goro was not the only one looking to maintain discretion in this troubling time.
Halfway across the continent, Karbrac stood with a small council of other Tarkatans. Those he could trust to temper his decisions, so that he could be certain that he did not damn his people in blind rage or a crippling bout of fear.
Of course, this often meant having to calm the rage of those who were fortunate enough to allow emotion to factor into their decisions.
"How can you say this changes nothing? Mileena is alive! The Edenians can hurt Kotal! Surely they have the means to protect our people!" The most vocal of his critics was truly an oddity among the Tarkatans, who were themselves seen as mutants and outcasts.
Nania was but a child when Baraka had been entrusted with caring for her, the late general having protected the child and later raising her as his own, in spite of her nature of being half-Naknadan. Among the Tarkatans she was rather unique, blue skinned and with a humanoid mouth as opposed to the Tarkatans' maw of fangs. Her teeth were still rather sharp, even if it wasn't apparent. She also had the six arms typical of a Naknadan, albeit with the Tarkatans' infamous arm blades able to come out of each one. However, none among the Tarkatans judged her for her differences. They were all seen as different after all, and had grown accustomed to her presence since Baraka brought her in as a child. And she had still been a child when Kotal had him murdered. She was even now among the youngest of the Tarkatans. Karbrac understood her desire for revenge, and even shared it.
But this was not about revenge. It was about Tarkata.
"Yes, they wounded Emperor Kotal. And yet he still breathes, leading an army magnitudes greater than them, and more importantly, greater than us." Karbrac ran a scarred and weathered hand over tired eyes, not for the first time wishing Baraka was still there to lead them. "If we defy Emperor Kotal, then he will kill every last Tarkatan until he is sure in his power."
The answer satisfied no one, but where others were content to stew with their anger and discontent quietly, Nania was as loud and prideful as her father.
"The only reason that Osh-Tekk still lives is because of his arcane magics of Chaosrealm and Vaeternus," Nania disputed. "Empress Mileena's lover was but moments away from ending the blight he brings upon us all!"
"The same magic that granted him victory over the King and Prince of the Shokan," Karbrac pointed out, before sighing and deciding to try and reason with her instead. "Nania, please, I understand your anger."
"Then why do you do nothing, Karbrac?" Nania asked spitefully.
"If you must know, there is nothing I would like more than to gut Kotal Kahn myself, rend the flesh from his bones, and then then drive my stolen blade through the spineless mercenary that Kotal gave it to," Karbac explained. "But if we were to act against his will now, we would not be exacting retribution. We would be inviting death. He did not trust us when he came to Tarkata but days ago, he had his armies ready in the event we revolted. He may never trust us."
"Why do you want his trust?" Nania barked.
"I don't," Karbrac clarified. "I want Kotal Kahn to let Tarkata live. And to do that, we require him to believe we are subservient for a time. Let Mileena fight her war. Even if she fails to kill him, someone else will succeed. No emperor is immortal. Shao Kahn taught us that."
"And how long did it take before Shao Kahn was finally gone?" argued Nania.
Her disdain for the prior emperor of Outworld caused murmurs among the crowd. The Tarkatans had long been a people loyal to Shao Kahn. A genuine one, rather than the paralyzing fear that held their allegiance to Kotal Kahn.
"As long until a power matched his own," Karbrac answered. "And as it stands, no such power exists in Outworld. Not yet."
"That power does exist," Nania refuted. "Empress Mileena."
"She has already been slain by him once," Karbrac countered. "Kotal Kahn has bested her, the Shokan, Reiko…Baraka..."
"How dare you!" Nania shouted. "You will not desecrate the name of my father by likening him to just another one of Kotal's slain enemies!"
"Nania-" began Karbrac.
"And you call yourself his successor." she continued, her words seethed with contempt.
"I am his successor!" Karbrac roared. "Chosen to lead our people by your father! He trusted me with this position! And I will honor his wishes, whether I want to lead or not!"
"If leadership isn't your desire, Karbrac, then by all means, step down." Nania offered.
"Would you like to know why you were not Baraka's heir apparent, Nania?" Karbac asked.
She remained silent, looking at him curiously.
"Baraka chose me over you in order to protect you, Nania," Karbrac explained. "Nothing terrified him more than the thought of losing you. His care rose even above his loyalty to Empress Mileena, that is why he would die alone if it meant you would be far away from Kotal's grasp."
Nania was completely taken aback by this. For much of her life, she had strived to be a warrior. To engage Kotal Kahn in battle and avenge Baraka's death. Only now was she learning that doing so would be going against her father's wishes.
"If...if father wanted me safe, I shall abide," Nania decided. "I will wage no war with Kotal Kahn."
"See that you don't," advised Karbrac."
"It could be the death of us all."
Unfortunately, for some, their people were already dead, and had been so for a long time. For those who had lost it all, they would do anything to see their people restored.
Even if they had to do it quietly.
A busy Outworld marketplace. Loud, difficult to single anyone out, most there preoccupied with their own business.
The perfect spot for a meeting.
Two individuals had clearly come to that very conclusion, and approached a small table outside of a restaurant. One, a woman dressed in a grey attire and mask, generally inconspicuous, save for her glowing bluish-white eyes and stark white hair. The other, a man in a green ninja-like outfit, his face obscured by a green mask, his eyes strangely ...reptilian…
Their intentions were unclear, although their gazes locked on one another. Finally, the two sat down, silence reigning until the woman decided to begin the discussion.
"Syzoth." She said aloud.
It caught the man off guard. Most called him by his given name…
Reptile.
The woman had gotten a reaction, but failed to break his silence.
"I thank you for agreeing to meet with me." She said in a noticeably softer tone.
"Of course, Khameleon," Reptile finally spoke. "Anything for you."
"If that were true, you'd turn away from whatever it is you've gotten involved with," Khameleon argued. "Before you get hurt."
Reptile let out a sigh. "I can't do that now. It's too important."
"So important that you can't even tell me what it is?" Khameleon asked.
"I've been told not to," Reptile said. "Even by your brother.
"Chameleon's always been a bit melodramatic," Khameleon recalled. She leaned in closer across the table. "Syzoth, you can talk to me. I love you."
"I love you too," Reptile responded without a second thought, gently grabbing her hand and squeezing it lightly to comfort her, before pausing. He averted eye contact as he leaned away from her, let out a lengthy sigh, and then…
"Fine. I'll tell you. It's about the restoration of our race."
Khameleon's eyes widened. "B-But...but how?"
"Shang Tsung has found a master with the power to see our Zaterran people return at last," Reptile explained. "He can raise the dead at will."
"I thought Shang Tsung was killed during the invasion," Khameleon recalled. "Did this 'master' resurrect him?"
"I am unsure." Reptile admitted.
"Either way, I have little reason to see why you or anyone should trust that sorcerer." Khameleon stated.
"Shang Tsung is not the important part," Reptile replied dismissively. "This is the chance for Zaterra's glory to return! What you always wanted!"
"Y-You're ...doing this for me?" Khameleon asked both shocked and flattered.
"You opened my eyes to the idea that there could be more for all Zaterrans beyond near-extinction and the lowly station I once held under Shao Kahn," Reptile explained. "This is the only way I could ever truly repay you."
"T-Then ...I trust you Syzoth," Khameleon decided, moving forward to place her hand on top of his. "But please, be safe. And if you feel that Shang Tsung or this new master are merely using you as Shao Kahn did, I beg of you Syzoth, turn away. Before it's too late."
"You have my word." Reptile replied dutifully.
Khameleon simply nodded, before standing and taking her leave. Walking into a crowd of people around a stall and vanishing from sight.
Reptile was relieved to have her approval, only to be immediately startled when a hand touched his shoulder.
"It's time to go."
The voice was seemingly from the air itself, though Reptile recognized it.
"Did Shang Tsung send you to eavesdrop, Chameleon?" Reptile asked.
Chameleon did not respond. Furthermore, he remained invisible. He did however tug on Reptile's shoulder, directing him towards a nearby alleyway.
Reptile begrudgingly followed, and once they were out of the open, Chameleon revealed himself. He had the same blue-white glowing eyes as his sister, and the partially transparent skin inherent to their breed of the Saurian race. His clothing was a stark contrast however. Luminescent and multicolored. If he ever visited Earthrealm it'd be mistaken for a fashion statement.
Reptile scoffed at the bright display before shedding his human disguise. Smooth peach flesh morphed into durable green scales. Fingers and toes became claws which escaped from his gloves and shoes with a certain ferocity. And finally, he removed his mask to display his full reptilian visage.
"You know that none are to learn of the plan," Chameleon reminded. "Or that our master even exists. As insufferable as it is, his current status as a relic lost to time suits our purposes."
"You would presume the woman I love, your own sister—to be a threat?" Reptile questioned.
Chameleon thought about it for a moment.
"No, but you should be more careful," he warned. "I worry she would disagree with our means."
"Why?" Reptile asked.
"Few in Outworld despise an emperor more than my sister," Chameleon explained. "Our plans require the ascension of the true ruler of Outworld."
"You believe she would view our master as just another Shao Kahn." Reptile surmised.
Chameleon clenched his fist, barely restraining the rage he felt from Reptile's statement.
"Shao Kahn is nothing compared to our master!" Chameleon said with a noticeable raise in his voice.
"So I have been told…" Reptile said doubtfully.
"Enough talk," Chameleon decided. "We should make haste. Shang Tsung and the others will be expecting us. And the Osh-Tekk's forces will be looking for you."
"Very well." Reptile agreed.
Suddenly, bursts of flame engulfed them both. Seconds later, the flames vanished, Reptile and Chameleon with them.
Just like how Scorpion was known to teleport.
The two Saurians rematerialized inside some sort of temple. It looked ancient and was sparsely illuminated.
To one corner of the room they were in was a small group of fellow Saurians, congregating. There was another male in a green outfit like Reptile, with pale almost brownish skin, two females in human guise, their snake-like eyes a giveaway to their true nature, and a noticeably larger male adorned in armor made from wood. To another corner, the wanted fugitive D'Vorah.
"This One could have retrieved him for you." She pointed out to Chameleon.
"The last thing we need is two individuals in the Osh-Tekk's line of sight in one place." Chameleon reminded her.
"Afraid to evoke his name?" D'Vorah asked, tilting her head as she did.
"I refuse to address him as if he were a true emperor," Chameleon explained. "In the end, he is insignificant. Therefore, he is just an Osh-Tekk."
"Is This One 'just a Kytinn'?" D'Vorah then asked.
Reptile growled lowly. He certainly had his answer.
"Only if you cease to be of use." Chameleon responded.
"Children, children, let us not fight."
All heads turned as Shang Tsung himself entered the room. He did not have the renewed youth he had sported the last time he was alive, but had clearly consumed enough souls to regain some degree of physical wellness.
"Ah, Chameleon, I see you have retrieved Reptile," Shang Tsung observed. "Very good, we need all hands on deck for our grand enterprise."
"An enterprise which would be threatened by undue attention being drawn to us." Chameleon noted. He generally preferred to remain in the shadows during any operation. Going unseen had kept him alive this long, after all.
"Our circumstances are indeed… unfortunate…" Shang Tsung acknowledged. "Between my need to regain my strength, and the fact that Kotal Kahn is no doubt to be searching for Reptile and D'Vorah, we may only be able to maintain secrecy for so long."
"What of our enemies beyond Outworld?" Chameleon asked.
"Our master assures me that the Earthrealmers are, for the moment, being kept quite occupied," Shang Tsung explained. "Raiden still suspects nothing of our intentions or ambitions, and our master's… unknowing agent is close to collecting the items we need, and then, his ascension will be assured, and we will rise with him. No one will stand in our way."
"And in the meantime?" Reptile asked.
"In the meantime, dear Reptile," Shang Tsung repeated.
"There is work to be done."