It was the dead of night and the Outworld rebels had decided on much-earned rest after their tribulations. Moves against Kotal Kahn would wait until the morning.

But not all were resting. Emerald for one was wide awake, sitting near a window and watching the clouds move by. Outworld's sky was known to take on a purplish hue at certain times of day and night, and at this particular moment the glow it brought to the night sky was certainly a spectacle to behold.

"Enjoying the view or worried we'll be attacked?"

Emerald was taken by surprise, turning around to see Rain standing behind her.

"You really don't have to," he continued. "Ermac is our early warning system and Mileena has a few of her others standing guard. Plus I don't think Skarlet actually sleeps."

"No no…" Emerald said in a rather relaxed tone. "I'm just...pondering things is all."

"I understand, I don't sleep much either honestly," Rain admitted. "Though I suppose it is nice to wake up in the middle of the night and see someone in a good mood. As opposed to Tanya drowning in her sorrows and me…." he sighed. "Not knowing how to help her."

Rain's gaze moved over to Tanya's room. The door was slightly askew and Tanya was soundly sleeping in the arms of Mileena. One of Mileena, anyway. He smiled beneath his mask at the sight of the two in a moment of peace. A welcome respite from what they usually faced.

Emerald looked back at the window for a moment, before turning back to Rain again in order to keep the conversation going. "Honestly, whenever she got like that it… worried me. She's a good friend, but I don't need to tell you that. I'm glad she's feeling much better now, with Mileena back."

Rain nodded in agreement.

"There were times I felt like breaking down myself… even while I was part of the old Edenian Resistance," Emerald admitted. "And I would tell myself I had to be stronger than that."

"We're all pushed to our limits at some point," Rain posited. "The fact that we've been able to carry ourselves this far is admirable, I think."

"I just hope that once Kotal is removed from the throne, we can finally see Edenia as I remember it," Emerald said optimistically. "Beautiful and full of life, not the decrepit state our people live in now..." Her voice carried a tone of guilt.

"For one, it's good to have Tanya in higher spirits," Rain agreed. "And Edenia…. I do think we'll see it again. The beautiful place it once was. I admit, most of my memories of it are that of a child. Fond memories all the same. Some rebuilding will need to be done, inevitably. But I think we'll manage."

Emerald smiled. "I have to admit Rain, I wasn't sure what to think of you at first."

"After I betrayed the old Edenian Resistance, I have no right to your trust." Rain condeded.

"Well you've earned it all the same," Emerald replied. "Fighting so hard to see Edenia restored, even without Mileena around to lead us."

She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You've redeemed yourself, Rain." She then looked away. "Which is more than I can say for myself."

"What do you mean?" Rain questioned.

"You were but a child when Edenia was taken by Shao Kahn," Emerald began. "But me, I was a soldier...and I betrayed my realm."

It was ten thousand years ago. Edenia was a paradise, a beacon of light among the realms. And it was peaceful.

A peace that was being threatened by none other than Shao Kahn.

Edenia had now lost nine Mortal Kombat tournaments against the warriors of Outworld, and was now on the verge of their tenth and final loss.

Emerald had volunteered herself to fight in the tournament, and at the moment was locked in battle with a female Tarkatan warrior. The warrior was strong, and fast, but Emerald managed to best them with her bladework. She held her sword to the Tarkatan's neck to signal her victory, but sheathed it moments after. Victory was hers, but she felt no blood needed to be spilt.

The officator of the tournament announced that this bout would be the end of matches for the day. All warriors were told to return to their living quarters, and battles would resume the next day.

Emerald began leaving the tournament grounds, stopping when a young girl approached her.

"Wow, you were great!" she said excitedly.

"Thank you, Jade," Emerald responded. "I'm just doing what I can for the greater good of Edenia."

"I want to be a proud soldier of Edenia just like you one day," Jade continued. "Do you think you could teach me?"

Emerald knelt down to make herself even with the young Jade's height.

"I'm sure you will be a great warrior one day, Jade," Emerald assured. "And I'd love to teach you some of my techniques when I can. For now however, I could use some rest. It's been a long day."

Jade nodded. "I understand."

"Good," Emerald said with a smile. "You run along now. I hear you've made friends with the princess herself. Wouldn't want to keep her waiting."

"Kitana's still at the palace with King Jerrod," Jade explained. "I hope I'll get to see her today."

"I'm sure you will," Emerald said as she stood up and began leaving, before stopping for a moment.

"Do you know where Queen Sindel is?" she asked.

"Kitana told me yesterday that she had a meeting with Lord Argus today," Jade answered. "Why?"

"Thank you, Jade," Emerald replied. "And it's nothing, I was just curious is all."

Emerald made her way to her quarters, placing her sword on a table and yawning. It would probably be improper to sleep in her armor, but after such a long day she decided she didn't care much.

She was about to rest when she noticed something out of her peripheral vision. Emerald turned in surprise to see a cloaked man in the room with her. They seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

She gave the man a puzzled look, vaguely recognizing him as one of Shao Kahn's Shadow Priests.

"Sorry mister, I think you have the wrong room," she explained. "The staying quarters for Outworlders are two halls down."

"Oh no, I believe I'm in the right place," the Shadow Priest replied cryptically. "Emerald, isn't it?"

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Emerald said more forcefully. "Now."

"I will be leaving in due time," the priest assured. "However, you will be coming with me."

Emerald grabbed her sword from the table and pointed it at the man.

"That sounded like a threat," she pointed out. "Now I don't know what you've got running through your head but I have no intention of being a part of it."

The cloaked figure shook his head. "I am not speaking of any personal desire, if that's what you're thinking. We Shadow Priests are trained to expel such thoughts, so that we may best serve our emperor."

"Serve your….and what would Shao Kahn want with me?" Emerald asked.

"The emperor requires… an inside operative," the priest explained. "You see, whether you realize it or not, your realm of Edenia will soon belong to my emperor. And as such, he requires assurance that all will run smoothly."

"I would never betray Edenia!" Emerald yelled as she went to slash at the Shadow Priest.

The priest raised a hand and used some kind of magic to freeze her in place.

"Tsk tsk tsk. I was told that Edenians were better mannered than this. As for your little proclamation, I'm afraid you have little choice in the matter," he continued. "Worry not, you will not be betraying your realm….willingly."

"Damn...you…" Emerald managed to say.

The Shadow Priest snickered sinisterly.

"Shh...it's better if you don't speak. It'll make all of this go by easier. You should be feeling rather sleepy now. In a few moments you'll wake up with the necessary… personality adjustments to suit our purposes. Think of it, you'll be a proud warrior of Outworld."

"That was the last thing I remember before I was placed under some spell to control my mind," Emerald said as she finished her story. "Shao Kahn and his forces used me to get into the palace and the throne room…where he killed King Jerrod. There was nothing I could do. Nothing anyone could do. Princess Kitana was just a child and Queen Sindel had been away creating a spell that would prevent Shao Kahn from being able to make Earthrealm suffer as he had Edenia. Best I remember she didn't return until it was too late, and she was forced to become that monster's queen, I suspect to ensure that Kitana would live."

"I...I'm sorry," was all Rain could say. "I had no idea."

"None of this is your fault, Rain," Emerald assured. "I got lucky anyway. The energies created by Outworld and Edenia merging managed to sever the spell. I fought off a few of Shao Kahn's warriors and managed to escape. Ever since, I've been trying to atone for my involvement in the fall of Edenia. That's what drove me to joining the Edenian Resistance, and now, to joining Mileena."

"If it helps, look at this way," Rain offered. "You were forced to betray your people. I...I betrayed mine out of my own arrogance and greed."

"It would seem we both have sins to atone for," Emerald decided. "By the time this all is over, I think we just might manage it."

"I would certainly hope s-"

The attention of both Edenians was drawn by an unexpected creaking sound. Their heads spun and they found the source of the sound to simply be Mileena and Tanya standing in the doorway, looking as if they had been listening intently.

"Apologies, we didn't mean to wake you," explained Emerald. "We were just making the time go by and-"

"That story…" said Mileena. "About Edenia….about those things that my father...that Shao Kahn did…. is it true?"

Emerald sighed. "I'm afraid so, Empress. Every word..."

"By the Gods…" Mileena managed to say, before a wave of guilt came over her. "All the years I spent… idolizing him! Seeing him as my father, being proud to be his heir..."

She growled with rage, her Tarkatan side noticeably coming. "LIES! ALL OF IT!"

Mileena started to break down further, falling to her knees, with Tanya swiftly doing the same in order to console her.

Mileena shook her head as she let out tears of anger and guilt.

"But I knew… I knew what he was," she admitted. "And I deluded myself. I ignored it. I was all too eager to be his loyal daughter ascend to the throne of his empire made from slaughter. And all because he was my 'father'. I have no father!"

"You have us!" Tanya's voice broke through Mileena's despair. She looked at her lover instantly.

"People who care about you," Tanya continued. "People who love you!" She paused for a moment.

"I love you!"

Those words. Those simple, beautiful words were enough to raise Mileena's spirits.

"Y-you're right, Tanya…" Mileena decided. "I love you too. I'm sorry for getting so worked up."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Mileena." Tanya assured, holding her close and planting a kiss on her forehead.

"I...I'm sorry you had to hear all that…" Emerald said, her head hung low out of guilt.

"Don't be," Mileena told her. "I'm better off knowing. When the throne is mine again, I'll know exactly what kind of leader not to be."

Mileena looked at her dearest Tanya, the two exchanging soft smiles. "And why it's important that I keep my promises."

"Is everything alright?"

The three Edenians and their half-Edenian leader all turned their heads to see Skarlet. She seemed… genuinely concerned, a stark contrast to her reputation as a heartless assassin.

"Yes, everything's fine." Mileena assured.

"Sorry if we woke you." added Emerald.

"Oh, I don't really 'sleep'," Skarlet explained. "Not often, anyway. I suppose it's a benefit of the way I was created. Less of a need for rest."

"See, I told you." Rain commented.

Suddenly, just behind Skarlet, Nitara dropped down from the ceiling. She was hanging upside down, her legs hooked onto a beam of wood that was part of the building's structure. Her appearance startled the group, with Skarlet herself being the exception.

"What are you, some kind of overgrown bat?" Rain asked.

"Something like that." Nitara said with a devious smile.

"If you were trying to frighten me, it didn't work." Skarlet said plainly.

"Who said fear is what I want you to feel when I'm around?" Nitara asked.

She then flipped onto the ground with impressive agility, spreading her wings some for extra lightness.

"But yeah, we vampires aren't really the types for beds," Nitara explained, before leaning in closely to Skarlet. "At least, not for resting."

"Keep your fangs to yourself." Skarlet responded with a hint of irritation.

"Who said I was going to bite you?" the vampire questioned with a coy smile.

The tension between the two was interrupted when Ermac hovered into the room, capturing the attention of all present.

"Mileena, are you alright?" asked the soul construct. "We could sense that you were… distressed."

"I'm fine now, Ermac," Mileena assured. "Just… coming to terms with the kind of evil that raised me. The kind of evil I must rise above."

"How eloquent. For a moment there, you sounded like your mother." Emerald pointed out.

"I'm happy to hear it," Mileena replied. "I'd much rather be like her than… than that monster."

"You needn't be worried, Mileena," Ermac said confidently as he hovered to her, placing his hand on her shoulder and lightly squeezing it to comfort her. "You are as noble as an Edenian and as fearless as a Tarkatan. You will be a great leader."

Once again came that oddly distinct voice from Ermac's usual ethereal tone. A proud and regal baritone that commanded great strength.

"Thank you," was all Mileena said before hugging the soul construct. "I..I needed that."

"I-We will always be here to help." Ermac promised.

"And I'm grateful for it. Grateful to be loved." Mileena said fondly as she let go of Ermac and put her arm around Tanya.

Seconds later, Mileena's Tarkatan senses picked up on a scent. "Wait, do you smell that?"

Skarlet took notice of it as well. "It seems to be coming from the kitchen."

"We have a kitchen?" Emerald asked.

"I wanted to make sure this place had everything if it was going to be our home for a while." Mileena explained.

"You built it yourself?" Rain asked.

"Well, with the aid of my others, but yes." Mileena answered.

Skarlet made a throat-clearing sound.

"And yes, Skarlet helped too."

"Quite the impressive job, my beloved." Tanya complimented.

"We should probably go make sure nothing's on fire." Nitara pointed out.

"One of my others is already over there," Mileena informed them. "It's just Meat."

In the kitchen, indeed one of Mileena's clones had found her brother...preparing a meal.

"Are you….cooking?" Mileena asked.

"Thought I'd make breakfast," Meat explained. "Sun's coming up soon."

Mileena looked out a nearby window and found that he was right.

"So it is," she agreed. "Well, that's very kind of you Meat. Though I have to ask….how did you learn to cook?"

"Not sure, actually," Meat admitted. "See, Shang Tsung made me out of a bunch of flesh he must've had lying around. It is the 'Flesh Pits' after all. Anyway, I'm a total mismatch of well, meat, that used to belong to, I would imagine, a lot of different people. I just….know some things, I guess. And somehow, cooking is one of those things."

"Huh," was all Mileena could think to say. "Interesting."

"You can call everyone else in here," Meat offered. "Should be done soon."

Mileena nodded.

A few minutes later, the group gathered for the meal Meat had prepared. The food was surprisingly well-made. It'd become apparent that whatever its origin, the Flesh Pit construct had a gift in this area. They all sat down with the exception of Ermac, who hovered idly in one corner of the room. Rain had even relented and removed his mask to enjoy the meal, though still seemed to keep his face hidden out of some degree of embarrassment.

"C'mon Rain, your face can't look any worse than mine." Mileena teased, pointing at her own Tarkatan fangs.

"I think you look beautiful, empress." Tanya interceded.

"Oh Tanya, you're far too sweet." Mileena replied.

Rain rolled his eyes. There they went again, gushing over each other like the love was still new. Why did it bother him? They were his friends, he should be happy for them.

Perhaps it had to do with what he wasn't telling them….

"You know you've barely touched your food," Nitara pointed out to Skarlet, the vampire having chosen to sit next to her to continue whatever game she was playing at. "Not hungry?"

"I...I can only consume blood," Skarlet explained, almost ashamed by it. "It's...the way I was made."

"That must be awful," Nitara said with a frown. Vampires were reliable primarily on blood for sustenance, but were not restricted to it. "Who could ever torment you in such a way?"

"Ask the man I once called father." Mileena interjected.

"At least he was a father to you at all…" Skarlet muttered.

"What does she mean?" Nitara asked, looking at Mileena.

"He used to chain me up in the dungeon, keep me there until he needed me to kill for him," Skarlet continued. "I wasn't his daughter like Mileena or Kitana….I was his weapon. And yet a a small part of me still wanted to be his daughter, maybe just because-"

"Otherwise you'd have no family." Mileena said knowingly.

Skarlet nodded.

"At least you do now." Meat pointed out, sitting down himself to enjoy his work.

"At least you deserve a family…" Rain said quietly.

"Rain, what's wrong?" asked Emerald.

Rain stood up from the table, his head hanging low. He considered putting his mask back on, but decided to leave it off. He'd let them see his face for this.

"Mileena, Tanya, there's something I have to tell you," Rain announced. "Something I've been keeping secret for far too long."

"What is it?" asked Tanya, confused.

"Mileena…." Rain began, visibly struggling to admit to this. "There is a reason that when Shinnok's amulet was in your possession, I pressured you to use it. Even in spite of how much it pained you and how much Tanya told me not to."

Mileena was clearly confused. Rain raised his head and locked eyes with her.

"I...plotted to betray you, Mileena," he managed to get out. "The power you could wield with the amulet, it frightened me. I thought if you were willing to use such a weapon, than you were not the person fit to rule Outworld as I had believed. So I tried to get you to destroy yourself with it, and with any luck, take Kotal Kahn with you. Then, I suppose I'd position myself for the throne."

Tanya's golden eyes began burning with rage. She immediately stood up, her right hand bursting into flame, her left, pulling out one of her Kobu Jutsu. Tanya leaped over the table in an impressive display of agility, landing right in front of Rain and putting her weapon up his neck.

"How could you!?" she shouted right in his face. "After our empress, my empress, trusted you, let you join our cause...tended to your wounds after Kotal burned you! Saved you from one of Erron Black's bullets! I...I thought of you as a friend, Rain! Trusted you! And so did my beloved...yet you plotted her death. You betrayed us!"

"I know!" Rain yelled. A few scarce tears moved down his face. "I know it was wrong, I know I violated your trust and your friendship. The worst part is...I only realized my grave error after Mileena was slain. It was only then how much I realized having you both as my friends, the only friends I've had in a very long time, what that meant to me. I am truly sorry."

Tanya seemed to be faltering, her rage subsiding. The flame in her hand went out and the arm that held her weapon began to lower.

Rain locked eyes with her. "If you want to kill me, I understand."

"No Rain," Tanya replied, shaking her head. "No, we don't have to do that."

"We forgive you." added Mileena.

"Y-You do?!" Rain questioned.

Mileena nodded, standing up from the table herself.

"I have known treachery, Rain," Mileena explained. "D'Vorah, Reiko. But you are nothing like them. You came back. You remained by my dearest Tanya's side when I could not be there for her. You made amends for what you did, and yes Rain, you are my friend."

"You….you're not angry with me? Rain asked.

"Angry?" Mileena repeated. "I'm glad you told me. The fact that you would admit to your actions shows the kind of loyalty and conviction I want in my counsel when I ascend to the throne of Outworld."

"Thank you...Mileena…"

"Spoken like a true ruler," Ermac complimented."Wise, merciful, and willing to give others a second chance."

"If I didn't know any better I'd think I were in the presence of Queen Sindel herself." Emerald added, raising her glass in reverence to the once and future empress.

Mileena smiled. "I hope I can be the leader you all think I can be."

"Not think," Ermac corrected. "Know."

Mileena laughed a little.

"Where would I be without all of you…"