The decision that Mileena faced was not one she could consider lightly. She had talked the matter over with her family of Flesh Pits constructs, with her love Tanya, and her friends who fought alongside her.
As much as it worried her, as much guilt as she felt over the lives she would be leading into danger, eventually they all convinced her.
She had to form an army.
At a time when Outworld faced Kotal's oppression, Raiden's impending invasion, and the looming threat of the Dragon King, it seemed there was no other option. War was now inevitable. And Mileena found it her duty to be champion for the people of Outworld against these opposing forces who would crush them underfoot as they marched to victory.
The first step in preparing the people of Outworld for war was organizing rallies with those who the rebellion knew supported them. Coordinating with the leaders of the protests her forces had saved from abuse by Kotal's troops, Mileena gathered thousands of people into the largest still-standing Edenian city in Outworld.
At the same time, Nitara worked to bring together her vampire people to support Mileena, gathering on the lands where the towering spires of Vaeternus once stood.
The events took several hours to plan and prepare for. And throughout the process was an ever-present worry that such mass gatherings of Edenians and Vampires would incur Kotal's wrath.
That itself was almost enough for Mileena to call the whole thing off, but her friends and family reasoned that the preparations for his war with Raiden would hold Kotal's attention more than their activities. At least, that was the hope.
Of course, even with the bulk of his army in the capital city, many of Kotal's enforcers still prowled the streets, looking for any excuse to detain or brutalize anyone they perceived as their enemy. Mileena was able to coordinate her clones, rendering each soldier in the areas of the two rallies unconscious, while her friends and family freed any unjustly imprisoned civilians they could find from holding cells, then placing Kotal's soldiers in said cells. An ironic punishment which made sure they couldn't interfere or harass anyone further.
The hardest part after that was figuring out what to say to all those people.
For Mileena, her main worry was regarding what she was asking them to do. She could give the speech, but could she live with the consequences?
"My love, you're going to be fine," Tanya assured her after Mileena had voiced these concerns. "The people of Edenia are ready to fight for their freedom."
They were in a small room preparing to step out into the open and address the masses of Edenians gathered outside.
"I know, Tanya," Mileena admitted. "I don't know if I'm ready. I've been fighting this war for them all this time. The last time I tried to raise an army was after I'd lost Baraka. The Shokan people suffered because of my war. The Tarkatans continue to suffer because of me. I… I can't do that to another people. Certainly not to the other half of my heritage."
"Mileena, Kotal did those things." Tanya reminded her.
"He did those things because he was trying to beat me!" Mileena countered.
"Mileena, none of those people blame you for what happened." Tanya pointed out.
"Well I blame me!" Mileena shouted.
"Mileena," Jade interjected. "We've all done things we regret. Things we wish we could do differently. I wish I could've done more to help Kitana, your mother, and my friends."
"You did the best you could, I-" Mileena started.
"Did what you thought was right," Rain interrupted. "And stayed alive not just for yourself, but for the cause you created. Mileena… I wish I'd had your courage. Maybe then you wouldn't have had to die, and my closest friend would not have had to mourn you."
"You redeemed yourself Rain." Mileena reminded her friend.
"And so have you." Rain argued.
Mileena shook her head. "If that were true, Outworld and all the realms within it would be free."
"We're working towards that, Mileena," Emerald chimed in. "Bit by bit we make amends for the things we regret."
"How am I making amends by leading more people into war?!" Mileena asked.
"You're not, you're leading them to freedom." Jade answered.
"After a war, and assuming we win." Mileena countered.
"Mileena, calm yourself," urged King Jerrod on Ermac's form as he hovered into the room. "You carry a burden which all leaders must bear. When doing what is right for your people means letting them fight alongside you. I understand that this is not easy. It was never easy for your mother and I either. But you must be willing to have faith in those that place faith in you."
"I do, father," Mileena assured him. "It's just… this is bigger than anything I've done before. I know what I have to do but… I couldn't even help Kitana. How am I supposed to help all these people?"
"By giving them hope," Tanya suggested, walking closer to her beloved and taking her hands. "Like the hope you've given to me all this time. I've seen you, Mileena, you can be the leader they need, that we all need. I know that sometimes you feel helpless, I felt the same way when Edenia was taken and I lost my family. You showed me how to carry on when things seemed helpless."
Mileena smiled, but then looked down. "You..
You really all think I can do this?"
"Yes." said Emerald.
"Absolutely." said Rain.
"Of course." said Jade.
"I have never once doubted you, daughter." Jerrod assured her.
Tanya put her hands on Mileena's shoulders and looked into her lover's eyes.
"Mileena, you are the strongest person I have ever known. If anyone can free Outworld, Edenia, Vaeternus, and all the others, it's you. You are the leader these people need, and the fact that you care about their lives proves that."
Mileena finally spared a smile. "Thank you, dearest Tanya. And thank you all."
"We'll always be here for you," Tanya reminded her. "I know I will."
Mileena nodded and then leaned closer as she and Tanya kissed.
"Ok," Mileena decided after the kiss finished. "Let's do this."
While Mileena's worries were mostly assuaged, although still present, she was not the only one who found herself in a difficult position.
The rebels had decided that it only made sense for Nitara to speak on behalf of their cause to her own people. Naturally, Skarlet had offered to accompany her, bringing along Meat, Ferra, and Torr as well. The hope was that things would go better than the last time the group divided itself in this way.
There was one problem however….
"I-I… I can't do this!" Nitara revealed. She was clearly extremely nervous, pacing across the room they were in and breathing quickly.
This all surprised Skarlet, who had thus far known her girlfriend to be rather confident and quite willing to say what was on her mind. A confidence that had served to aid Skarlet herself in building her own.
"Darling, what's wrong?" Skarlet asked, a worried look on her face.
"It's… it's all those people out there," Nitara admitted. "I-I'm supposed to go out and talk to… all those people… too many people. You remember when you said you didn't like crowds?"
"Yes, but you never seemed to have a problem with them before." Skarlet pointed out, not yet understanding what was giving Nitara so much sudden anxiety.
"There's being in a crowd and talking to one," Nitara explained."I don't mind being around people, but having them all looking at me and listening to me and after this, counting on me. It-it's just too much. I just can't do it."
"You can, Nitara," Skarlet assured her. "I understand how you feel. To be honest? I'm nervous too. But just you being here, and the support my family has shown me, it puts me at ease. At least for the most part. Nitara, you're one of the bravest people I've ever met, certainly the most beautiful. If anyone can bring these people together, it's you. I believe in you, Nitara. And so do they."
"T-Thank you, Skarlet," Nitara replied. "That means a lot…"
"Just try to relax, deep breaths," suggested her brother Kahil as he entered the room. "You can make it through this."
Nitara nodded. "Nice of you to have my back, little brother. And… sorry about the house."
Kahil shrugged. "It's fine. Your new friends hooked me up with somewhere to stay. Thanks, by the way."
"We try to do our best." chimed in Meat.
Kahil nodded, and then turned his gaze to Skarlet. "And you, thank you for saving my sister's life… not to mention giving her your heart. I can tell you mean a lot to her, more than any old girlfriends I've seen come and go. It's nice to have someone else looking out for her too."
"Of course," Skarlet responded, before looking back at Nitara. She lightly touched her hand to the side of Nitara's face. "It's going to be alright, I promise."
Nitara took a deep breath and then hugged Skarlet.
"You give me strength." Nitara confessed.
"You do the same for me." Skarlet pointed out.
"I love you." Nitara said as she squeezed Skarlet tighter.
"I love you too." Skarlet replied before placing a kiss on Nitara's cheek.
"They really are something special." Meat said knowingly to Kahil.
"I'll say," Kahil agreed. "So, brother in law one of these days?"
"I'd be happy to welcome you into the family." Meat answered kindly.
A few seconds later, Ferra and Torr stepped into the room.
"Looootttssaaaa people," Ferra observed. "Them all have wings, like Neeta."
Skarlet nodded as she and Nitara shared a small laugh.
"Yes Ferra, we were just discussing that." Skarlet said in her best attempt at a maternal-sounding tone, her only real frame of reference being the way Mileena talked to Ferra.
"You go out now?" Ferra asked.
"Yeah…" Nitara sighed. She spared a smile at Skarlet. "Let's do this."
Just as Mileena's rebellion were organizing their event and before the speeches that would worry Mileena and Nitara so much vhad begun, Li Mei and Shujinko made their return to Sun Do.
The trip had been made much shorter due to the aid of a former Shadow Priest they had paid to summon a portal for them. Upon witnessing this, Shujinko had now copied this ability and could therefore allow them to save on koins.
When they reached the village, Li Mei had expected things to be quiet. After all, most of the villagers had migrated to the refugee camp in Earthrealm. Instead, the city was bustling and full of people.
"You seem surprised," Shujinko observed. "Is it unusual for the village to be this lively?"
"It is these days…" Li Mei replied. "What could be going on…"
"Li!" Shouted a voice familiar to Li Mei.
Li Mei was surprised to see a woman in clothing of a similar style to her own, albeit red and orange instead of pink and white, coming towards her with a worried look.
"Siobhan?" Li Mei asked, recognizing her instantly. "I thought you were in Earthrealm with the others. What's happening?"
"If you'd been here you'd know," Siobhan pointed out with a hint of bitterness. "It's the Earthrealmers. Apparently their government considers keeping us in their realm a 'risk'. I asked one of the soldiers and they say that General Blade told them that Raiden's started a war with Kotal Kahn, and that their "United States" is staying out of it. They've been forcing us all back to Outworld, back into this warzone of a realm, while they insulate themselves from whatever's going to happen. Thankfully no one's been hurt, but they haven't been afraid to threaten us with their weapons. Any of Kotal's thugs that got in their way or tried to go after us 'traitors' weren't so lucky… can't say they didn't have it coming, but I'm not happy about it either."
"By the Gods…" Li Mei responded as she took in the information. "Something has to be done about this. I have to talk to them. Sonya wouldn't allow this. And now Raiden is starting a war…"
"Apparently the General is under orders to," Siobhan informed her. "Nothing she can do."
"She told me once that her country wasn't as noble as it appeared…" Li Mei recalled. She looked at Shujinko.
"First manipulating Cassandra, now starting a war." She recounted.
"Raiden has not been himself for the past year," Shujinko explained. "Now… I fear his state of mind has gotten even worse."
"Who is this?" Siobhan asked.
"This is Shujinko," Li Mei answered. "He's from Earthrealm. I aided him in-"
"Li Mei is much too modest," Shujinko interjected. "She saved my life, and helped me to escape the clutches of Shang Tsung. And has proven to be a fine student as well."
"Shang Tsung?!" Siobhan asked, looking at Li Mei with shock.
"Kotal Kahn wasn't doing anything about the soul stealer murders," Li Mei explained. "I had to look into it myself. That sorcerer is both alive and the culprit. Not to mention our discovery of a greater threat that pulls his strings."
Siobhan looked at Li Mei with a mix of astonishment and fear, before shaking her head.
"Oh no no no," she said. "Dammit Li, you're doing it again. Putting yourself in danger and making me worried. This is exactly why we separated."
"I couldn't let innocent people continue to be murdered." Li Mei argued.
"I know Li," Siobhan said knowingly. "And that's very admirable. But it's like I said back then, you're going to get yourself killed one day and I just… I just can't bear that pain."
"I'm sorry that I put you in the position of having to think about that, Siobhan," Li Mei responded sincerely. "I should have been more considerate of your worries. However, I still have a duty to save lives. And foremostly, to my village. I will speak to the Earthrealmers."
Siobhan sighed. "I had a feeling you'd say something like that. Thank you. And please Li, just be careful."
Li Mei nodded. "Thank you, Siobhan."
The two women shared a friendly hug, before Li Mei began walking to the Special Forces' portal.
As Shujinko followed, Siobhan briefly stopped him.
"Thank you for looking after her," she said. "I hope whatever training you've given her keeps her alive. She and I aren't together anymore, but I still worry."
Shujinko nodded. "It is the least I can do to repay her for all the kindness she has shown me."
"She does have plenty to go around, I'll give her that." Siobhan acknowledged.
"Aye." Shujinko agreed before following Li Mei.
They moved through the village and saw many worried and uncertain faces, many of them looking to Li Mei for guidance. She stopped to ensure each one of them that everything would be alright, including multiple children.
Finally, the duo reached the techno-portal, at which a group of Special Forces soldiers were standing guard while others were directing Sun Do residents through the portal, out of the refugee camp and into the village.
One soldier quickly stepped up to meet them.
"Chiefstess Li Mei," the soldier said formally. "I assume you haven't heard the news."
"I've gotten some of the details," Li Mei explained. "Like that you're forcing people into the middle of a war while you sit on the sidelines!"
"Ma'am, with all due respect, it's not our war," the soldier pointed out. "Look, the brass think you staying on Earth gives us a stake in this thing we don't want to have. We've got orders to send your people back home and we're following them. We don't want another invasion."
"What makes their lives any less valuable than yours!?" Li Mei asked angrily.
"It's not about that," the soldier protested. "We've gotta protect our people. That's what you wanted to do, right?"
"And I'm still trying to protect my people," Li Mei continued. "People that you are directly endangering just to save yourselves!"
"Look lady, we don't owe anything to you," the soldier argued. "You came to us for help and we agreed because Raiden put in a good word for you. Now he doesn't even like you Outworlders. Our country can't just keep you all forever."
"Could you at least harbor my people until after this war is over?" Li Mei attempted to bargain.
The soldier shrugged. "What does it matter? You Outworld types will just start another one. You always do."
"Then I suppose our realms have something in common." Li Mei pointed out.
The soldier paused there.
"Sonya told me of your realm's history," Li Mei revealed. "If I recall correctly, 'not our war' hasn't stopped you from interfering before."
"That's different," the soldier attempted to justify. "You're an entirely different world."
"No, it isn't," Li Mei denied. "It doesn't matter where we're from. We're all people. I was taught that if you have the power to help other people, you should do it. Not because you have something to gain from it, not because of a debt, because it's right. And right now you are turning your back on these people you could be helping."
"I-I don't make the rules," the soldier said as guilt was starting to wash over him. "It's not my decision. What do you expect me to do?"
"Ok!" Announced another soldier. "That's the last one out. Let's go home and shut this thing down."
"Wait!" pleaded Li Mei.
She stepped forward but another soldier pointed a gun at her.
"Back away, alien!" He shouted. "We're putting you back on Mars whether you like it or not!"
"You can put that down." Li Mei assured him.
"Or what?! Gonna grow swords out of your arms!" The soldier continued to shout frantically.
"Because I'm not your enemy!" Li Mei clarified.
Suddenly, the gun was lifted out of the soldier's hand telekinetically and thrown to the ground by Shujinko.
"That will be more than enough threats." Shujinko declared.
"Listen to me!" Li Mei requested, now holding the soldiers' attention. "Your government may not be able to help us, but you can. I know you have your orders, but there comes a time when you must make decisions for yourselves."
"What can we do?" One soldier asked. "Even General Blade can't-"
"If I know Sonya, she'll find a way." Li Mei assured him. "What's your name?"
"Mike." The soldier answered.
The soldier she'd been arguing with stepped forward.
"I'm John," he introduced himself, shaking her hand. "I'm sorry about Arnold. He watches too many sci-fi movies… and I think the invasion messed him up. It messed a lot of us up."
"I'm sorry that forces of my realm did that to you," Li Mei empathized. "I know some people in Outworld can be rather cruel. Particularly those who have ruled it."
"Some people in Earthrealm too," Mike admitted. "My grandma, she was living in Poland when… let's just say our monsters came."
"I hope she's doing well now, Mike." Li Mei said kindly.
"Thanks…" Mike responded.
"Would all of you please follow me to the center of town?" Li Mei requested. "Just to indulge me as I make a little speech."
"And what if we don't?" Arnold asked.
"Then you don't," Li Mei said with a shrug. "Believe it or not, we Outworlders believe in freedom too."
The soldiers all looked at one another, and then decided to follow Li Mei.
As they were walking, Mike recognized Shujinko.
"Hey aren't you that kung fu teacher guy that's friends with Raiden?" he asked.
"Perhaps," Shujinko answered. "Unless you are referring to Master Bo' Rai Cho."
Mike looked away from Shujinko, trying to remember something he heard about something happening to Bo' Rai Cho, but not remembering what it was…
They got to the center of the village where people were gathered. The soldiers and villagers stood side by side, some beginning to actually converse with each other and talk like people for the first time. Siobhan watched this and wondered what exactly Li Mei had planned.
Li Mei set her eyes on a fountain in the middle of town. She climbed atop the fountain and stood on it.
She put her hands to either side of her mouth and yelled out "Excuse me everyone! May I please borrow your attention!"
Heads turned to face Li Mei, and she waited until it seemed like they were listening.
"I know that today has not been what you all expected," Li Mei began. "To see Earthrealm abandon us and Outworld on the brink of a war even greater than the civil war which many of you sought sanctuary from which we have now been cast out of. I am afraid that I must bring even worse news. A greater evil looms over us all, one neither Raiden nor Kotal Kahn has deemed worthy of their attention. He is known as the Dragon King and I fear he may destroy us all. And although I feel fear, I will not submit to it. And I call upon you to surpass your own fear. The road ahead will not be easy. I will walk it alone if I must. I only request that those of you who are willing and able join me, if you feel that you must also fight for your home, and the homes of others. Thank you."
The members of the crowd, both US soldiers and Sun Do residents, looked around at one another, contemplating their decisions.
Finally, a voice spoke up out of the crowd.
"I'll join you!"
The merchant and fisherman Braan stepped out of the crowd, holding his walking stick like he was ready to use it as a weapon.
"Are you sure about this, old friend?" Li Mei asked.
"Sure as I'll ever be!" Braan shouted proudly.
"Not going without me, are you?" Came a woman's voice, that of Braan's wife, Turquoise. She was of darker skin and wore robes which matched her name.
Braan was initially surprised to see her.
"Honey, it's too dangerous!" He protested.
"Which is why I'm coming with you." Turquoise reasoned.
"Who will look after our son?" Braan asked.
"Daughter." Turquoise corrected.
"I'm sorry," Braan apologized sincerely. "Force of habit."
"And anyway, I got Blanche to look after her." Turquoise explained.
"What if we don't come back?" Braan asked.
Turquoise sighed, having considered the possibility. She approached Li Mei.
"May I ask that… if Braan and I do not return from this battle, this war, that you will take care of our daughter?"
"Of course." Li Mei responded almost instantly.
"Thank you." Turquoise said.
"I'll fight too." Announced Mike.
He walked up, but John grabbed his shoulder.
"We have orders Mike," he reminded him. "We're not supposed to interfere."
"That won't stop General Blade," Mike argued. "Not for long anyway."
"Sonya always struck me as one to do what she felt was right," Li Mei recalled. "I'm glad that those under her command would follow suit."
John sighed. "Anyone who doesn't want any part of this, back into the portal. This decision could cost each and everyone of you your military careers."
His unit of soldiers didn't budge.
"Ok then," John decided, turning to Li Mei. "You were right. We're in. I'm sorry."
Li Mei gave him a friendly smile and nodded.
Soon after, more and more of the people of Sun Do rallied around her, ready to fight for their home.
Even Siobhan volunteered to join, but Li Mei suggested an alternative:
"Siobhan, maybe you should stay at the village. Look after everyone who's not going. Protect them if you have to."
Siobhan nodded. "That makes sense, I'll stay. Just come back, alright?"
Li Mei nodded.
As the villagers gathered what weapons they had and prepared for battle, Shujinko looked at Li Mei with the eyes of a proud father.
"In the relatively short time I have known you, you have come so far, Li Mei," he praised. "Protecting innocents and inspiring others to do the same, even against the commands of their masters. You are the best student I have ever trained or could ever have asked for."
Li Mei didn't respond with any words, simply hugging Shujinko. His words brought back memories of her parents, and she struggled to hold back the accompanying tears.
The two were then approached by a villager.
"Excuse me," they said. "I'm sorry to interrupt you."
They finished their hug and Li Mei wiped some tears on her sleeve.
"You're perfectly fine," she responded. "Is there something you wish to speak with me about?"
"I was thinking," the villager said. "We're kind of a small group of people for a big fight. But my neighbor told me that they were leaving for some kinda rally over in Little Edenia. Could be that the Bandit Queen had the same idea as you. I've seen her taking on Kotal's thugs. Could be a big help."
Li Mei paused. She was uncertain about Mileena. On one hand, Mileena had proven to be quite the people's champion ever since returning from the dead, especially in fighting off Kotal's tax collectors, who were often known to resort to harassment, brutalizing, and even murder. Li Mei had fought some of the soldiers off herself on a few occasions. More recently Li Mei had heard stories of Mileena's forces protecting protestors from larger groups of Kotal's troops.
On the other hand, Mileena was the same person who launched an attack on Kotal within her own village, causing much collateral damage and wielding Shinnok's incredibly dangerous amulet. The confrontation between the two sides was what made Li Mei seek refuge for her people in Earthrealm.
Refuge that was no longer available to them.
It seemed like there were few other options. And besides, Li Mei was fond of giving people second chances. Siobhan had occasionally teased her for being too forgiving when they were together. Li Mei considered herself an optimist.
She nodded in response to the villager. "Alright. We'll head for Little Edenia."
Within the city itself, Mileena had stepped out onto their stage to address the masses of people, the fellow Edenians among her inner circle standing alongside her.
Even with their encouragement, she still held onto some nervousness.
Noticing this, Tanya and Ermac spared looks at each other.
"You can do this." Tanya very quietly whispered.
Mileena smiled.
Tanya raised one finger, signalling her intent to introduce Mileena first.
"People of Edenia," Tanya began. "I know that many of you have felt lost for a very long time. Shao Kahn stole our home, and Kotal Kahn continues to hold it prisoner!"
Boos addressed towards Kotal came from the crowd.
"I have felt just as lost as any of you," Tanya continued. "For a long time, I thought our fight was hopeless. But now, I know that nothing is hopeless. I know this… because I fell in love. Because of Empress Mileena. She has given me hope, and continues to fight for not just Edenia, but all within Outworld who seek freedom! But our battle has grown in scale. Many of you already know this. Many of you saw Kotal Kahn's gutless attempt to pander to us with the aid of two traitors who sold their own daughter, my friend Jade, to Shao Kahn himself. The true path for the Edenian people is with my beloved Mileena. I hope you will all come to see her as the guiding light that I do."
Tanya stepped back and gave her lover a thumbs up and a wink.
"You'll do great." Tanya assured her.
Mileena nodded. She looked out into the crowd. All attention was on her.
It was time to get started.
"Hello everyone," she began. "I know that many of you, if not all of you, are here seeking guidance. A way to free your-our realm from the shackles placed on it by Shao Kahn… the man I once called my father. I wish I could be the answer to all your questions. I wish I could be your savior. But I'm not. What I am is a leader. Not out of a desire for power, not anymore. But because of a sense of duty. One that I've learned from my friends, my family, and my greatest love, Tanya, who has already flattered me enough."
Mileena allowed a pause for some laughter, then continued.
"It took dying and returning to life to get me where I am. And I'd do it all again to be the leader you need. As my real father, King Jerrod, has told me. All leaders carry burdens. What I'm about to ask of you will be mine. But first… let me show you what I'm talking about. Father, could you please step forward?"
Ermac hovered across the stage and in front of the crowd. He began to glow with ethereal green soul energy. Soon after, one soul took visible shape: the image of King Jerrod was cast over Ermac's form, astonishing everyone present.
"Greetings, my people!" His voice boomed. "It has been a very long time. I have failed you once, and I promise that I will not do so again. Know that every word my daughter Mileena speaks is true! You may trust her as you would me! For it is she who will lead us to freedom!"
Jerrod gestured to Mileena as the crowd started roaring. Mileena was blushing from the flattering praise, which Tanya found to be oh so cute.
"T-Thank you father," Mileena acknowledged before continuing to speak to the crowd. "To be entirely truthful with you all, I'm not sure that I can live up to that glowing recommendation. But I suppose I'll have to try."
She took a deep breath.
"The battle ahead is going to be the hardest fight I've ever fought. Leading you into that battle, should you choose to join me, will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Because there was a good while where no one told me this, I want to say it to all of you: Your lives are valued. Each and every one of you matters. You are not fodder to use against my enemies. You are more than just an army. You are people. You're my people, and it's my responsibility to protect you, and to get your home back. But I need your help. We can only win this fight together. So I ask you all… if you would grant me the honor of being your leader."
One Edenian stepped to the front of the crowd. Mileena and Jade recognized her quickly, noticing her bandaged arm.
"Maya, right?" Jade asked.
She nodded. "Mileena, I wish to thank you for aiding my fellow protesters against Kotal's brutes. And you, especially Jade, for saving my life."
Jade nodded. "It was simply the right thing to do."
Maya nodded back and returned her attention to Mileena. "I assure you, as far as I am concerned, you have proven yourself to the Edenian people."
Maya turned to the crowd and raised her fist into the air.
"Let's hear it for Queen Mileena!"
The crowd erupted into cheers at Maya's prompting. Mileena was taken aback by the amount of support they were showing her. She hadn't expected this. She wasn't sure what she had expected. She found it exhilarating, but not in the same childish reaction to power she had shown at the start of her reign as Outworld's empress. Mileena was a much different type of leader now, moved not by subservience, but in the trust others had in her. And her best efforts not to let them down.
However, not all were convinced.
"This is suicide!" A voice came.
A number of the Edenians looked confusedly in the direction of the voice.
A woman stepped out from the crowd. She wore burgundy robes, and were she from Earthrealm she could be described as of Indian descent. Her true origin, of course, was Edenia.
As Mileena now faced a challenger, Nitara now faced scores of her vampire people, and in spite of her deep anxieties, had to call them to action.
On the stage with her were her girlfriend Skarlet, her brother Kahil, Skarlet's brother Meat, and the turncoats from Kotal's forces, Ferra and Torr.
Nitara stared into the crowd, seeing all those eyes on her, and wanted to hide under the cover of her own wings.
But she couldn't. She had to do this.
Skarlet offered her hand as something to comfort her. Nitara took it and squeezed tightly. She rubbed her thumb along Skarlet's pointer finger as she worked up the nerve to speak.
"M-My name is Nitara," she introduced herself. "Many of you already k-know me, since I've spent y-years trying to free our home from O-Outworld. I-I know we can get that freedom. B-But the first step is in… stopping this war that threatens all of us. Many of you know that I've j-joined forces with Mileena to see Kotal Kahn overthrown."
Skarlet gave a reassuring smile. She could tell that Nitara's confidence was growing little by little.
"N-Now," Nitara continued. "Mileena and I need your help. We need a force that can stand up to Kotal Kahn once and for all. We need all of you. I-I know it will be d-dangerous. But I think w-we can do it. I'm… not sure what else I'm supposed to say. Speeches… aren't really my thing."
One vampire flew up onto the stage to speak for the others. A woman in red and black armor typical of the soldiers in Vaeternus's now long gone army, with a golden skull on her chest plate and a sheathed sword by her side. She also wore white face paint, an almost forgotten tradition of Vaeternus.
"Hi! My name is Agile!" She introduced herself cheerily. "I'm a big fan!"
"You are?!" Nitara asked, taken by surprise.
Kahil seemed to study her.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked. "I feel like I recognize you and yet… don't."
"You might've seen me back when I was a boy." Agile explained.
"Ah," Kahil acknowledged. "I think I remember now… down at the market. Congratulations, by the way."
Agile smiled at his congratulation of her transition. "Thank you."
She returned her attention to Nitara. "Sorry. Yeah! I am! A lot of us are!"
"Really?!" Nitara asked.
"You've been trying to free Vaeternus all this time!" Agile continued. "Scouring all over Outworld, fighting both Shao Kahn and Kotal Kahn's soldiers when you had to. Nitara, you've been an inspiration to many of us. Definitely to me. I took up my mother's armor and my father's blood sword because of you. We're ready to fight for Vaeternus. Because you've given us hope."
"I…" Nitara paused to collect her words. "I had no idea I'd made such an impact. That everything I did… meant so much to you all."
"You're the Hero of Vaeternus," Agile told her."If I may make a suggestion, be proud of that."
"I've never thought of myself as a hero," Nitara admitted. "But thank you, Agile. It's good to know… that I helped others see their freedom as possible."
Agile nodded. "So when do you want us to fly?"
"We should head for Little Edenia as soon as possible," Skarlet suggested. "Sister will want to know that things went this well. Well done, my beloved."
Nitara smiled and pulled Skarlet close to her as the two kissed.
"Awww." Agile said out loud before realizing she'd done so.
When their kiss finished, Nitara scooped up Skarlet like a newlywed bride.
"I was wondering when we'd get to fly again." Skarlet said with a smile.
"Guess today's our lucky day." Nitara reasoned, as all the vampires spread their wings.
Things didn't seem as lucky for Mileena. It seemed that the Edenian people were on her side, but then a challenger had come out and denounced everything she was rallying them for.
"You're all chasing a delusional fantasy!" The challenger continued.
"Edenia's freedom is not a fantasy!" Jade intervened. "It is as much worth fighting for as any noble cause. And fight we shall."
"You'll die," Qali argued. "We'll all die! It won't even be the first time for you or Sindel Junior over here."
"Thank you...?" Mileena said questioningly to the comparison to her mother.
"I'll die again if that's what it takes." Jade responded.
"Then do that," Qali said callously. "Why drag everyone else down with you?"
"We Edenians have long fought for our realm and what we believe in," Emerald pointed out. "The odds may be no better now than they were ten thousand years ago, but we still must try."
Qali scoffed. "Don't you get it?!"
"We understand the dangers," Mileena tried to assure her. "But if people are willing to fight with us-"
"Nothing can extinguish the will of the Edenian people." Ermac added.
"Edenia is gone!" Qali shouted. "And I'm tired of people dying for a lost cause!"
That comment clearly angered Tanya, but before she could say anything, Rain decided to step in.
"Please, my friend, allow me to talk to her." He requested.
Tanya and Mileena both nodded and Rain walked to the edge of the stage. He jumped down and then summoned jets of water beneath his feet to control his descent before landing.
He walked up to Qali, who was surprised at first that he'd come down to meet her.
"Listen, I understand how you feel," Rain admitted. "I used to think Edenia's restoration was hopeless as well. I… I became so lost that I betrayed my home and joined the armies of Shao Kahn. And when Shao Kahn was dead, I simply took the next opportunity when it came to me. Little did I realize, my path would take me to the two best friends I have ever known. I know that it can be hard to believe in anything in the lives we face, when our very realm has already been stolen. But I have come to believe in Mileena and Tanya. Their commitment to Edenia is as true as their commitment to their love, and their love is the truest I have ever witnessed. But… you do not know them, you have not fought alongside them as I have. Alas, this will not be enough to convince you."
Qali crossed her arms. "No. It won't."
"Consider this, then," Rain offered. "My adopted father once told me that the mark of a great leader is one who shows as much faith in the people they lead as those people place in them. I know Mileena well enough to know that she truly believes in each and every one of you. And you…."
"Qali." She answered before he could ask.
"Qali," Rain repeated. "I believe in you."
"You don't know me." Qali pointed out.
"You can tell a lot about a person by the look in their eyes," Rain explained. "I see in yours the will of a fighter and the skepticism of a survivor. My comrades and I know these things well. Were I in your position, I might also find our cause difficult to believe in. If you join us, I can prove to you that we can win."
"And what if you lose, huh?" Qali asked. "And everyone here dies!"
"Then they will have died trying to accomplish something!" Rain reasoned. "Isn't that better than living without achievement?"
"You would die for a dream." Qali questioned.
"Rather than live for nothing." Rain confirmed.
"You really believe in this dream, believe in your friends up there, that much?" Qali asked sincerely.
"I do." Rain said without hesitation.
Qali looked at Mileena. "And you're serious. You'll bring back Edenia."
"Like I said before," Mileena replied as she pulled Tanya close to her. "I made a promise."
The two lovers looked into each other's eyes and then shared a momentary kiss.
Her eyes fell on Ermac. "And that's really King Jerrod?"
"Indeed does my soul persist." Jerrod answered through Ermac.
Qali was taken aback by the sincerity she had witnessed. The cynicism she had cultivated over the centuries had made such seem impossible. She looked around herself. Hundreds if not thousands of Edenians in her vicinity, all ready and willing to fight. Such a force had not been assembled since she was a mere child and Edenia was stolen from her. From everyone here.
She considered her own parents, who had died fighting for such a cause. That was the event that convinced her that Edenia's freedom was a lost cause. But they had also never had an army like this one at their back. Mileena did, and although Qali didn't want to admit it, Rain's words struck a chord as well.
Finally, she nodded. "Ok," she said. "Let's do this."
"Thank you for believing in us." Rain said appreciatively, before utilizing a water-teleport to return to the stage.
"Sure thing…" Qali responded quietly after he was gone. Some part of her wanted to see more of Rain, perhaps mostly out of surprise that he knew experiences like her own so well, but that would have to wait.
"Thank you all for supporting me," Mileena said to the crowd. "Together, I know we can save this realm and the people within it. But this fight is not just Edenia's alone. As many of you know, the people of Vaeternus have also been subjected to abuse by Kotal Kahn's forces because one of their number, Nitara, chose to side with me. She is now a good friend and the lover of my sister, and she has agreed to bring her people into this fight alongside us."
"Kotal Kahn holds our realms hostage because he claims to desire an Outworld united," Tanya continued on from her love. "We will show him what true unity looks like!"
More cheers from the crowd of Edenians. A group of former Edenian Resistance fighters in green and gold armor similar to that of Emerald and Jade stepped up to the front of the crowd.
Emerald smiled when she saw them.
"Tanya, there's someone here who wanted to see you." Emerald revealed.
"Oh?" Tanya asked.
The resistance fighters stepped aside to reveal an Edenian woman of identical skin tone to Tanya, in faded black and yellow robes. She appeared to be about the same age as Sindel, with white hair cut much shorter than the Edenian Queen's mane. She carried a naginata, but leaned on it more like it were a cane.
Tanya recognized her instantly as her eyes widened and the glow of her pyrokinetic power faded from them.
"M-Mother….?" Tanya asked.
"Tanya, my last ember of light," her mother said kindly. "To think how much you've grown up."
"I'm sorry I didn't come to visit," Tanya apologized. "This war and losing Mileena and getting her back again… plus, I was worried that you'd…"
"Think you were wasting your time? Throwing your life away for others instead of looking out for yourself like I tried to teach you?" Tanya's mother predicted. "I did at first. I realize now that I was bitter. Tanya, you've done what I could never find the strength to after we lost our family. You've… you've given this old woman hope again, and I wanted to be here to tell you how proud of you I am."
Tanya was shedding tears of joy as she heard her mother speak. Mileena lightly grabbed her shoulders and teleported her down to where her mother was with a smile.
Tanya took the opportunity and hugged her mother tightly, an embrace to make up for lost time. The Edenians around them smiled at the reunion.
Once they finished, Tanya's mother looked to Mileena.
"You've done a good job looking after my daughter," she complimented. "I've seen a lot of girlfriends and boyfriends come and go, but you're special. I'll be proud to call you my daughter-in-law someday."
"I'm very honored, ma'am," Mileena said respectfully. "Tanya has been… she's the love of my life. I could never have come this far without her."
"You flatter me, darling." Tanya said with a visible blush as she put her arm around Mileena.
The couple shared another kiss just as a few recent arrivals made their way to the front of the crowd: Li Mei and Shujinko, accompanied by Braan, Turqoise, and a few other Sun Do residents.
"My apologies for interrupting," Li Mei said. "We heard of your meeting here and decided attend to attend."
"You're Li Mei, right?" Mileena asked. "I've heard good things about you, Jade mentioned meeting you. I think."
"She did?" Li Mei asked.
Jade jumped down from the stage quickly enough to seem eager. She approached Li Mei.
"I was wondering when I'd run into you again." She said with a smile.
"As was I," Li Mei admitted. "How are you doing?"
"Oh you know, about to go into a war," Jade replied casually. "The usual."
The two freedom fighters shared a laugh. Li Mei then quickly realized that she needed to return to her original subject of discussion.
"Anyways, Mileena," she began. "The people of Sun Do, as well as some kind soldiers from Earthrealm, wish to join you in saving Outworld from disaster."
"We'd be happy to have you," Mileena responded graciously. "And I do want to say… I'm sorry for attacking Kotal in your village. Forcing you to become refugees. I… I was focused on my enemy and ignored the people caught in the crossfire. That's not the kind of leader I want to be."
"You have proven yourself capable of moving beyond your path, Mileena," Li Mei complimented. "I forgive you, and I trust you."
Mileena smiled. "Thank you."
"It has been quite some time, Mileena," Shujinko recalled. "I am glad that you have fully embraced your better nature."
Mileena tilted her head and looked at the Shaolin master confusedly.
"I'm sorry, do I… know you?" Mileena asked.
"I would think so," Shujinko responded. "We met many years ago, outside the walled city of Lei Chen. At that time you and your fellow Tarkatans had been ordered by Shao Kahn to kill Overlord Zefeero, or raze his city to the ground. Even then, you wished to see innocents spared from bloodshed. It has been so long that I have not been able to apologize to you. I know that the intervention of the Seidan Guard was not what you had in mind."
"I… I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about," Mileena admitted. "Lei Chen was taken by the Seidan Guard years before I was… 'born'. And I'm afraid I've never met you, Mister…"
"Shujinko." He answered for her.
"I think Jade mentioned her demon friend knowing you." Mileena recalled.
"Yes, Ashrah had crossed paths with him before." Jade confirmed.
"Ashrah was not the only one."
Ermac hovered down to meet everyone else and looked at Shujinko, inspecting him.
"Ah, Ermac." Shujinko remembered him.
Ermac gave Shujinko a nod of recognition and then turned to explain to the others.
"We met Shujinko years ago in the Netherrealm," Ermac detailed. "When we were sent to kill Ashrah by Shao Kahn. Shujinko aided us against the draining power of the Netherrealm by locating for us a Soul Stone. In return, we taught him various combat techniques. We did not see him again after we engaged in battle with Ashrah."
"I had retrieved that which I was after, and had to depart from the Netherrealm." Shujinko explained.
"Evidently, you have also encountered Shujinko, Mileena." Ermac concluded.
"King Jerrod," Tanya chimed in. "Do you think that this has to do with…"
"The repressed memories Mileena evidently possesses but none of us are aware of?" Jerrod finished through Ermac. "That is a very likely possibility. Shujinko, being an Earthealmer, may have been the only person not to have their memories altered or be sworn to secrecy for whatever strange design Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung had in mind. He may perhaps help us uncover the answer, but there are more pressing matters for us all to concern ourselves with."
"I must concur with His Highness, Mileena," Shujinko agreed. "A greater threat than Kotal Kahn or Raiden lurks in the shadows."
"The Dragon King…" Mileena correctly presumed.
"You know of him?" Li Mei asked.
"Shang Tsung told Mileena and myself personally." Tanya explained.
"He wanted me to join him," Mileena further elaborated. "I refused."
"As well you should have," Shujinko commended. "Shang Tsung's deceit you already know, but the Dragon King is even more cunning. I assure you, I speak from experience."
Mileena nodded. "We'll definitely have to do something about him, but I think Raiden and Kotal's war is our more pressing concern."
"I would be inclined to agree." Li Mei added.
"Before we head off, there's one more thing," Tanya pointed out, turning to Ermac. "Ermac? Can my mother speak to… our family?"
The soul construct nodded, and moved its gaze to Tanya's mother.
"You've done a wonderful job raising our daughter," came the voice of Tanya's father. "It is so good to once again see you both."
Tanya's mother stared at the soul construct in shock, tears beginning to stream down her face. Like her daughter had before her, she embraced Ermac, and was in turn embraced by the family she'd lost. Tanya soon joined them, her family united after so very long.
Mileena beheld this with both happiness for her lover and longing to be reunited with Kitana and Sindel in such a way. Both her father and Jade assured her that the moment would come. She wished she could be so certain herself.
Mileena's train of thought was interrupted when a large shadow fell over Little Edenia. At first, the people looked up in fear. A few soldiers took aim, but John quickly stopped them.
"Don't worry everyone!" Mileena called out as she looked up at the sky.
"Its only some friends."
Indeed the cause of the shadow was the masses of vampires flying through the air, all arrived to meet their Edenian comrades.
The vampires quickly swooped down and began landing, a few of them closing in on Mileena's group specifically. Of course, first among them was Nitara, still holding Skarlet in a bridal position and seemingly reluctant to put her down, not that Skarlet was complaining.
"I take it things went well?" said Mileena.
"Oh yes," Nitara confirmed, before looking at Skarlet. "And I couldn't have done it without her."
"Oh love, you sell yourself short." Skarlet said modestly.
Nitara simply smiled, and soon after the couple kissed.
While they were preoccupied with each other, Kahil landed carrying Meat on his back. Meat hopped down just as Agile landed holding Ferra. A few moments later, two other vampires came down, using blood magic augmented strength to carry Torr.
Ferra and Torr quickly reunited as Meat approached Mileena.
"I think we all got a bit nervous," Meat admitted. "But we pulled it off."
"I'm happy to hear that." Mileena responded.
"It's finally happening, dear," Tanya said as she came over to Mileena. "We're taking Outworld back. We're not just a rebellion anymore. We're a revolution."
Mileena nodded. "I just hope our revolution can win."
"I believe in this, Mileena," Tanya assured her. "I believe in us."
"So do I." chimed in Rain.
"Thank you." Mileena responded.
"Umm… excuse me?"
The trio's gaze fell on a younger Edenian woman in an all black ninja-like attire with hand painted-looking purple and silver streaks on the outfit. Her hair was dyed purple and white, buzz cut on one side and coming down to her chin on the other side.
It took a few moments, but Rain and Tanya were able to recognize her.
"Alyssa, isn't it?" Rain asked.
She nodded. "That's me! I just wanted to thank you, both for bringing our people together and saving my life."
Mileena became momentarily confused.
"Tanya and I met Alyssa while you were… indisposed," Rain explained. "She…"
"I was stealing to survive," Alyssa cut in. "You know how the thief on the throne is about theives on the street. I got on the wrong side of some of Kotal's thugs, and Rain and Tanya jumped in and made sure I didn't get executed."
"It was the least we could do." Rain said humbly.
"It was the right thing to do." Mileena complimented.
"You really are the whole hero thing, huh?" Qali lightly teased before returning to a conversation she'd started with Maya.
Rain blushed under his mask, but had his attention drawn before he could respond.
"Oh! And Rain! Look!" Alyssa said excitedly.
She held her hand out and summoned a sphere of controlled water.
"Aww, she takes after you." Tanya teased lightly.
"I've been practicing with a lady in my town." Alyssa explained.
"Well, I'd be glad to teach you more, after all of this is over." Rain offered.
"That would be awesome!" Alyssa shouted. "I mean… I would be honored."
They shared a small laugh before Alyssa seemed to remember something.
"Oh! And I met somebody else on my way here," she said. "They wanted to talk to you, Queen Mileena."
"Well bring them right up." Mileena offered.
Alyssa motioned for the other person to come forward. They wore a long grey hooded robe. Six blue arms came out and pulled down the hood, revealing Nania.
"Empress, I have witnessed you building this army," Nania detailed. "And your near victories against Kotal. You are everything my father described and more."
"You are… the child Baraka took in…" Mileena recalled. "Oh gods, I'm so sorry…"
"You are not the reason he died," Nania reasoned. "You were the one he believed in. He wanted you… wanted us both, to carry on."
"And still, I feel guilty," Mileena admitted. "It is any consolation… the one Kotal ordered to kill him. She's dead now."
"Mileena and I took care of that ourselves." Tanya elaborated.
"That… does provide some comfort, yes," Nania acknowledged. "Alas… it is the past. I come seeking your help, Mileena. Karbrac is terrified of Kotal enacting his wrath on the Tarkatan people over any sign of his disloyalty. He needs to see that your army here is capable of protecting our people. Then he will join you, and your army will gain the strength of Tarkata."
"I will do what I can," Mileena promised. "Li Mei?"
Li Mei was having a conversation, really, flirting, with Jade when Mileena caught her attention.
"Yes?"
"I think you're best suited to lead these people until I return." Mileena explained. "I'll be taking my inner circle with me to Tarkata."
"Understood," In Mei acknowledged. "I'll do my best."
Nitara and Skarlet broke off their elongated kiss when they heard the news, Nitara also finally putting Skarlet down.
"Let's hope this goes better than last time," Nitara joked. "Agile, would you mind helping Li Mei?"
"Me? Help… lead?" Agile asked.
"You seem qualified to me." Skarlet chimed in.
Agile smiled at the praise and nodded. "I'll do my best, Nitara."
"All I could ask for." Nitara responded.
"You know, I've noticed that crowds are less stressful when I just focus on you." Skarlet told her love.
"You are too sweet." Nitara complimented.
Mileena happily enjoyed the sight of her sister in love, until her thoughts were pulled back to their mission.
"Perhaps I may be of assistance in transporting you to Tarkata." Offered Shujinko.
"You can summon portals?" Mileena guessed.
"I can now." Shujinko explained.
"That would be very helpful." Mileena acknowledged.
"I can make portals." Rain reminded them with the smallest hint of jealously.
"You're right, I keep forgetting you can do that." Mileena admitted.
"What's the correlation between hydromancy and portals anyway?" Tanya asked.
"I thought we had somewhere to be." Rain reminded them. He could hear Alyssa giggling, but ignored it.
"Actually, if no one minds, I'd like to stay here." Jade requested.
"I wouldn't mind," Li Mei said a little too quickly. "I mean umm… you would be of great help, in case we need to go into battle."
"Smoothe." Braan said quietly, sharing a laugh with his wife.
"And if we're going to be fighting side by side, it would be good to get to know each other better." Jade pointed out.
"That's perfectly fine, Jade," Mileena responded. "We should probably leave right away… time is short I fear."
"We should indeed make haste," Shujinko agreed. "Perhaps after all of this is over, I can take you all to Earthrealm, and we may share a drink with Master Bo' Rai Cho."
Mileena and her Edenian friends all looked at each other.
"You have met Master Bo' Rai Cho?" Shujinko asked.
"We have…" Emerald admitted as her voice trailed off.
"He was here when Raiden made his move on Kotal that started this war." Jade explained.
"Raiden was using my sister and mother, as well as two of Jade's friends, against us," Mileena further added. "When we gained the upper hand in the battle, Raiden arrived and…"
"He hurt Rain, tried to kill Mileena," Tanya recounted. "Bo' Rai Cho, he tried to get Raiden to stop and-"
"Raiden killed him while he tried to defend me and the Earthrealmer who saved Tanya and Rain from D'Vorah," Mileena finally revealed. "I'm… so sorry."
Shujinko was shocked, Li Mei similarly so. He could barely believe that the man who trained him since he was a boy, who taught him his virtues and values… was gone.
Shujinko fell to his knees and stared at the ground sullenly. Soundless tears flowed down his face. Li Mei was quick to kneel down next to him and try to comfort him.
"It'll be ok," Li Mei assured her mentor. "I'm sure… he'd be proud of you. To see you defending his realm. To see you follow in his footsteps as a teacher. He was the one who helped me contact Earthrealm to safeguard my people. He was a good man. I think the best thing we can do now is follow in his footsteps."
Shujinko wiped his face on his sleeve.
"You… you're right," he admitted, smiling at her weakly. "As wise as a sage."
Li Mei smiled back and helped him to his feet. "I'm just someone with a good teacher."
"And now you have taught me," Shujinko complimented. He looked at Mileena.
"Let us head to Tarkata. We have realms to save and people to avenge."
"I couldn't agree more…" replied Mileena, recalling the memory of Baraka.
Little did any among them realize, that the efforts by Mileena's rebels to expel any and all of Kotal's troops from the areas of their twin rallies had not been entirely successful, nor had the efforts of the Special Forces soldiers to neutralize any of Kotal's minions that attempted to interfere with their deportation of Sun Do's residents.
One Osh-Tekk soldier, a woman named Cualli, made her way all the way to the palace. She was bruised, but managed to avoid being rendered unconscious like her comrades.
Eventually, Cualli reached Kotal Kahn himself, who was in the middle of a war meeting with Ruby, Motaro, and Kommander. The Shokan and Tarkatans had been intentionally excluded, as usual.
"Emperor, Emperor!" Cualli shouted as she ran into the room, quickly grabbing the attention of Kotal and his generals.
"Why do you intrude upon me, soldier?!" Kotal asked immediately.
"Apologies, Emperor," Cualli replied nervously, bowing in respect. "I-I did not mean to impose myself, I-"
"It's alright, Cualli." Ruby assured her. Unlike the current Emperor himself, Ruby had actually bothered to learn her name. She caught an angry glance from Kotal at her speaking for him, but said nothing on the matter.
Ruby saw this, but ignored it.
"What is it you wanted to tell the emperor, Cualli?" Ruby asked.
"It's Mileena." Cualli revealed, to which Kotal gritted his teeth in reaction.
"Of course she would choose now to make her move," he said bitterly. "Right when we are on the cusp of all-out war. I should have her head for this… again."
"She's… she's amassing an army…" Cualli continued. "The Edenians, the vampires. She's rallied them all to her side. Her forces incapacitated all of our troops. All the people we were holding on suspicion have been released, she's started a full blown revolt, Emperor!"
Kotal's eyes burned red as his rage overtook him.
"So finally, thousands of traitors show their true colors!" Kotal yelled. "They wish to serve Mileena?! Very well. They can die for her! Motaro! Summon your extermination squads! Kommander, prepare your forces as well! March upon Mileena's army and wipe them out. Bring me the heads of each and every one of her clones! No, leave one alive! I will kill her myself and make her lover and her family of freaks watch. Then, we will scour Outworld and wipe out every last one of her sympathizers, even if we must eradicate what remains of Edenia and Vaeternus!"
"Emperor, NO!"
Everyone was surprised to see Kotal Kahn refused so openly within his very own palace. All eyes fell on Ruby, who was now clearly fuming herself. Her grimace was hidden by her mask, but her eyes showed only anger.
Kotal glared back at her similarly, with barely any less contempt in his gaze than he would normally have for Mileena.
"Emperor, listen to yourself!" Ruby pleaded. "You would be distracting our forces from the far larger threat of Raiden and Orderrealm, leaving Outworld far more vulnerable to the same conquest you wish to prevent! Not only that, but you would slaughter your own people! Do the exact same thing Shao Kahn did to your people. And to mine. Is that the leader of Outworld's future? Another bloodthirsty mass murderer? Another massacring despot?"
Silence reigned as Ruby's words hung in the air. The tyrant and his general stared each other down for several long moments. And then, Kotal walked towards Ruby. Motaro and Kommander gave each other knowing looks, already predicting what would happen now.
Cualli had a look of worry behind her traditional Osh-Tekk face paint. Ruby had always been kinder to her and the other soldiers than Kotal. Cualli wanted to intervene, but wasn't sure if she wished to risk being killed herself.
However, all predictions for Kotal's next action… turned out to be wrong.
He started down at Ruby, who refused to back down, even if it meant her life.
Just what Kotal needed in his generals.
"Were you any other person, I would kill you where you stand," Kotal said through gritted teeth. He turned to Motaro and Kommander, who were both surprised by his mercy. "Disregard my last order. Continue preparations for war against Earthrealm and Orderrealm. But keep Mileena's new army monitored. I want to know her next moves. Do not engage them."
He then glared at Ruby while he gave his next order. "However, when we march against Raiden's forces, anyone who does not flee is to be considered a potential traitor. Mileena was a fool to make her army out of civilians. Show no mercy to anyone who comes into your path. This is not a war where I intend to take prisoners. General Motaro, you will deliver these orders to Commander Tenoch and the Osh-Tekk armies. They are to be obeyed."
"As you command, my liege." Motaro complied.
Ruby clenched her fists and glared back at Kotal angrily. She knew that the last order had been made to anger her, perhaps some kind of twisted loyalty check. It was difficult to reconcile this angry, callous, vindictive, bitter man with the emperor of Outworld's future she had pledged her allegiance to. Were the stresses of war and opposition getting to him? Or had he always been this way, and was simply better at disguising it before?
Either way, something would have to be done, or Outworld was doomed. And yet, Ruby struggled with the thought of betraying him. But if he could not be tempered, what other options remained?
Ruby huffed.
"I'll go appraise my Vinparian squadrons on the situation." She said, quickly getting herself out of the room.
Cualli followed Ruby out of concern.
"Are you ok?" She asked while trying to keep up with her.
The thoughtfulness to ask such a simple question. It was such a rarity in her life that Ruby stopped in her tracks.
"No," Ruby admitted. "I am not."
"Would you… wish to talk about it?" Cualli asked.
"Not now," Ruby answered. "Not here."
"Later, perhaps?" Cualli offered.
"If we survive…" Ruby said pessimistically.
"I… know a nice restaurant," Cualli continued. "Have you ever tried Osh-Tekk food?"
"All this time serving an Osh-Tekk emperor and… no." Ruby realized.
"I think you'd like it." Cualli predicted.
"Perhaps," Ruby half-agreed. "I will inform you when I'm available. For now I… need some time to myself."
Cualli nodded. "I understand."
Similarly feeling the need to be alone was Karbrac, who sat isolated in his tent, his mind full of worries. For the future of the Tarkatan people, for Nania's safety. It all seemed too much to bear. How did Baraka deal with it all? How could he possibly save his people from this war?
And then, an answer seemed to come. Akarab entered his tent, much to Karbrac's initial irritation.
"Chief Karbrac." Akarab said.
"What is it?!" Karbrac barked.
"It's Nania, Karbrac! She has returned!"
That got Karbrac's attention. "Is she alright?"
Akarab nodded. "Perfectly healthy. And she brings visitors as well… Mileena is with her."
Karbrac sighed. "Tell them I'll meet them soon…"
After a few minutes, Karbrac emerged from his tent to meet the once and future Empress, as well as her entourage.
But before he could address her, his focus was on his personal responsibility.
"Nania, I am glad you are unharmed." Karbrac said genuinely.
"I am sorry that I worried you," Nania apologized. "But I had to bring help."
Mileena took that as her cue.
"Karbrac, I know I haven't done my part to help the Tarkatan people, to help our people. I'm sorry, and I hope you are willing to accept my help now. For what it's worth, you've done well as Chief. Baraka would be proud if he could see you now."
Karbrac nodded in acknowledgement but kept a sullen expression.
"Mileena, I appreciate your apology, and you coming here," Karbrac responded. "But I'm afraid there's nothing you can do. I know I'm not on the right side of this war, but neither of us can change that now. Kotal's armies are too powerful for my people, even more so for your band of rebels. You have my word that should the chance arrive, I will make an attempt on Kotal's life, or simply allow Raiden to kill him. But we cannot join you now. Our fate is sealed."
"You sound like you've given up," Mileena pointed out. "I knew you before Baraka died, this isn't like you Karbrac. You can't just surrender."
"Don't act like you understand me, Mileena," Karbrac said frustratedly. "You weren't Empress long enough to understand the burden of a leader."
"No, back then I didn't," Mileena admitted. "It took me a long time to learn what being a leader really meant. I still don't know if I'm truly the person to save this realm, but I have to try. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to protect the Tarkatan people. To protect my people."
"Your people are the Edenians…" Karbrac growled. It was clear that he didn't mean the insult, but he remained resistant.
"Karbrac, I know there's one thing you and I have in common," Mileena argued. "We both want to live up to Baraka's memory."
"You're going to ask me what he would do right now," Karbrac predicted. "And I'm going to tell you he would fight. But none of that matters. We can't stop this now, and my… yes, our people… we can't be your army, Mileena. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be," Mileena assured him. "Only part of it."
"What are you talking about?" Karbrac asked.
"Should I create a portal back to Little Edenia?" Shujinko offered.
"I'll take care of it," Mileena told him. "One of my others is still there."
Mileena offered Karbrac her hand.
After moments of stillness, he begrudgingly took it.
Mileena's body began to glow purple and she teleported to the location of one of her clones, within the intermingling crowd of Edenians, Vampires, Outworlders, and a few Earthrealmers that she now called her army.
Karbrac was taken aback by it. Surely Kotal Kahn would have crushed any attempt to build a force like this, and yet here it was.
"Do you think we can win?" Mileena asked him.
"Perhaps," Karbrac replied. "But… you'll need a little help from the Tarkatan hordes."
Mileena smiled and gave the Tarkatan chief an unexpected hug, as she returned them to Tarkata.
As soon as they arrived, Karbrac turned to Nania and Akarab.
"Prepare our armies, we march for…" he turned back to Mileena. "How about the village of Makeba? It's about halfway between your army and mine."
"That should be fine," Mileena agreed. "And I do want to say… welcome to the cause."
"I'm just glad to finally feel like I'm on the right side… and that we have a fighting chance." Karbrac admitted.
The Tarkatan leader then moved past Mileena to address her entourage.
He first looked at Tanya.
"I am sorry that I injured you," he apologized. "Baraka would have been happy to see Mileena find new love in one such as you. I would be proud now to call you my sister-in- arms."
"Thank you, Karbrac," Tanya said, shaking his hand. "That's very kind of you."
He nodded, and then looked over at Rain.
"Thank you for saving my life," he then looked at Skarlet. "And although it was your rampage he was saving me from, you did give Kotal's forces a good thrashing. Fighting side by side should be… fun."
"I'm looking forward to it." Skarlet agreed.
"We should get going," Mileena admitted. "A lot to do… not a lot of time. We'll see you at Makeba, Karbrac."
"Aye," Karbrac acknowledged. "I will be there."
Mileena nodded.
"Let's go save our home."