The small group of Zaterrans made their long trek to the ruins of their ravaged realm. Along the way, a feeling of tension hung over them all. The matter of where they were heading, the impending rise of their new master Onaga, and the restoration of their near-extinct race which they all dreamed of.
As well as the choice one of their own had very nearly made…
"Sooo," Kiri said, breaking the silence. "We gonna… talk about what happened back there?"
"I was wondering the same thing." Ankha added.
"What is there to talk about?" Komodai asked.
"The fact that you nearly gave away your life." Tiamat said bluntly.
"Komodai, you could have been lost forever," Reptile pointed out. "Forever host to Onaga's consciousness."
"Yeah, we don't want that to happen to you!" Kiri said sincerely.
"We'd never get to see you again!" Ankha added.
Komodai huffed. "And why do any of you even care? Onaga will make up for the loss of one of us a thousandfold."
"It's not just about numbers, Komodai…" Reptile argued.
"Yeah, you're our friend." Kiri revealed.
"We wouldn't wanna lose ya bud." Ankha added.
Komodai was taken aback at first. Their sentiment was a surprise to him.
"I… I have never had friends." Komodai admitted.
"I was the same way many years ago," Reptile related. "Perhaps if I had remained isolated, I might have considered sacrificing myself to Onaga. Trust me Komodai, the change to having others to support you is a good one."
"Yeah, we care about you man." Kiri affirmed.
"Absolutely." Ankha agreed.
"Thank you…" Komodai said. "It is good to know I have comrades such as you all. And thank you, especially, Tiamat. Were it not for your intervention… I would have given my life for Zaterra."
"That you would make such a sacrifice for our home is admirable," Tiamat complimented. "But you did not need to. And as the rest of our friends have explained, we could not bear to lose you in such a way."
Komodai nodded. "Thank you… it has been a very long time since I have felt so valued."
"We have all felt this loneliness," Tiamat assured him. "The least we can do is mend it together."
"Aww, you guys are sweet." Kiri complimented.
"Such an eloquent way of putting it," Ankha added, before turning her eyes to Kiri. "No better way to describe how I feel being with you."
"Awww." Kiri said loudly, before she and Ankha shared a kiss.
The bonding between the group, and especially Kiri and Ankha's expression of love, was followed by a long sigh from Reptile.
"Is something wrong, Syzoth?" Komodai asked.
"This togetherness between us…" Reptile started before briefly pausing. "It feels incomplete… without Khameleon."
"Aww, we get that," Ankha empathized. "I'm not sure I could go anywhere without Kiri here."
"You're so lovely," Kiri complimented. They kissed again before she also tried to comfort Reptile. "I'm sure you'll see her again. She just doesn't get what we're doing yet, yknow?"
"She worries deeply for my safety," Reptile explained. "Fears that I am falling back into serving a tyrant in the desperate hope that they will bring back Zaterra."
"Is that why you served these 'Kahns'?" Tiamat asked.
"It is why I served Shao Kahn," Reptile clarified. "It was his promise to me. I should have known better than to trust my people's murderer. Khameleon even tried to convince me to aid her in assassinating him, but I refused… still holding on to that vain hope… or perhaps, I was simply fearful of losing her to Shao Kahn as I had lost everything else. And that Shao Kahn would decide to complete our extinction if I betrayed him…"
"That cannot have been easy…" Komodai sympathized.
"Not at all," Reptile confirmed. "Back then, I had not sought out all of you. All I had was Khameleon, and…"
Reptile reached into his pocket and revealed a medal forged of Zaterran Bronze and bearing markings of several snakes coiling together.
"What's that?" Kiri asked curiously.
"The last tangible memory of my parents still in my possession," Reptile explained. "Their last gift to me. It was passed down through my family for generations… I am now the last person alive to hold it…"
"You should wear it." Tiamat suggested.
Reptile raised an eyebrow.
"Wear it with pride as a symbol of your Zaterran glory," Tiamat continued. "The time to hide is ending. All the realms will know the power Zaterra once held, and our people shall at last return."
"Is that your very dramatic way of telling us we're reaching our destination?" Komodai asked.
Tiamat chuckled. "Yes. Apologies. I would often rally my troops with rousing speeches before battle. I suppose old habits die hard."
Reptile considered Tiamat's suggestion, and decided to take it to heart. He strapped the medal to his belt, for all to see.
The group continued until they began to enter the ruins of Zaterra. What positivity they had managed to create for themselves was greatly lessened upon seeing the battered, broken ruins of their home. Buildings once familiar to them were crushed beyond their ability to recognize. Corpses of people they might have once known littered the ground, never moved, never buried, just left to rot. Bones, rubble, shattered pieces of weapons and armor. A scattered over every surface. The place was nothing but scars of battle.
But nonetheless, the Zaterrans pressed on.
Kiri and Ankha were visibly distressed by the sights around them, holding on to each other for comfort. Komodai was even worse, afraid to even look up and putting his hands to either side of his face to close off his peripheral vision to the corpses. Reptile was a bit better at hiding his emotions. Centuries of serving the man who slaughtered his people had built up that ability. But this… it was practically overwhelming. Almost on instinct, Reptile faded into invisibility, trying to hide from it all, or perhaps from himself.
The only one seemingly unfazed was Tiamat. He marched forward determinedly. He was, after all, a war general. He had this carnage firsthand, though every Zaterran had to some extent. But few remained alive who were in the thick of battle during the conquest.
He still remembered every last moment of it. Every battle, every warrior slain.
Back then, Tiamat led armies.
And he had watched them fall…
After all these centuries, Tiamat still wondered if he had made the right decision, choosing to retreat and scatter his remaining forces, waiting for their time to rise. To weaken Zaterra's final defenses and admit to Shao Kahn's victory.
Was he a coward? Should he have stayed and fought?
Stayed and died, Tiamat reminded himself. He had singlehandedly ensured the survival of hundreds more Saurians all spread throughout Outworld. An endangered species, but not an extinct one.
A better choice, Tiamat remembered, than the one his "great king" Tetsurri had made, sending wave after wave of troops, drafting innocent men, women, and nonbinary individuals into the fight against Shao Kahn's armies, ceaselessly until Shao Kahn determined the entire Saurian race to be a threat to his empire and nearly wiped out every last Zaterran.
All while their king hid in his palace until Shao Kahn breached the throne room and he couldn't hide anymore.
Tetsurri's zealots claimed that his final battle with Shao Kahn was glorious. Tiamat had his doubts, and thought that he himself would have given the Emperor a better fight. But he had never known for certain. Tetsurri had been a skilled enough warrior to overthrow Queen Sytholin.
Sytholin… she would never have hid as Tetsurri did. But alas, she was gone. Upon claiming the throne, Tetsurri cast out the former queen and her followers. What realm they vanished to afterwards, no one had ever known.
And it didn't matter now, because Tetsurri would serve his people for once. By serving as the vessel of their resurrector.
Tiamat enjoyed the irony of it quite a bit. He allowed a brief grin to cross his face and distract him from the ruins around him. But only briefly.
Eventually the group reached their destination, the only mostly intact structure left in former Zaterra. A large temple that had been constructed after Tetsurri's death as the tyrant's tomb. Large statues of ancient Zaterran warriors stood outside the gates. Torches once lit now only emitted ashes that blew in the wind. As with the rest of the ruins, there was no life to be found anywhere.
The Saurians stepped into the tomb unopposed. The others had not quite realized what Tiamat intended until now. Reptile decloaked himself as they all beheld the massive and incricate tomb which now surrounded them.
There was certainly a foreboding nature to it, a feeling of trespassing. Tetsurri had been a powerful and feared ruler before he came up against Shao Kahn. To venture into his tomb felt like an act of trespassing, until they reminded themselves that there was no one left of Tetsurri's empire to punish them.
Tiamat of course pressed forward without a care as to the dead tyrant's wishes. He had a goal in mind and he intended to complete it.
The Saurians continued through the tomb and eventually reached its center, the chamber where Tetsurri's coffin and body were kept.
In each corner of the chamber and lining the coffin were torches burning with the green cursed flames of Chaosrealm, which never seemed to go out. Each doorway had a full-sized statue of a Saurian warrior on either side of it, and towering over the coffin itself was a much larger statue of the Tyrant Lizard King himself, standing proudly over his own corpse.
Tiamat shook his head at the edifice, but paid it no further attention. He marched towards the coffin itself as the others stayed back. They seemed to be looking up at something in fear.
"Relax, the statue is not enchanted to act as a defense mechanism," Tiamat assured them, recalling Reptile mentioning a similar defensive measure existing in Shao Kahn's courtyard. "Tetsurri is dead, and even his zealots have long abandoned this place. There is nothing which could harm us here."
The others offered no words to prove him wrong. Instead, Kiri simply pointed upwards while Reptile, Ankha, and Komodai seemed to be preparing to fight.
Tiamat looked up from the coffin and to what was emerging from behind the statue of Tetsurri.
A large bright green serpent, only about a head shorter than the statue of Tetsurri, rose to its full height and glared at the group judgingly.
Tiamat glared back, stepping back to join the others in mounting a defense against the creature.
"You intrude upon the sacred tomb of the Great King Tetsurri!" The jade-colored serpent's voice boomed. "I am his guardian, and I command you to leave here at once!"
"As if we fear some overgrown snake!" Tiamat said indignantly, summoning a blast of acid before Reptile stepped in front and put his arm to signal his standing down.
"Enough of Zaterra has died already," Reptile reasoned. "Let us try words instead of weapons."
Tiamat growled. "You are right… very well."
"You would wish an audience with the Guardian of Tetsurri?" The serpent asked.
"I would," Reptile confirmed, bravely stepping forward. "I am Syzoth, one of the last Zaterrans. What is your name, honorable guardian?"
"I am known as Leviathan." the serpent introduced himself.
"Wait, I remember you," Tiamat suddenly recalled. "You are the offspring of Tetsurri's guardian dragons."
"Indeed," Leviathan confirmed. "Alas, my parents were slain in Shao Kahn's brutal conquest of Zaterra, after escaping his predecessor no less. Thus, driving our species further into extinction."
"Your parents met Onaga?" Kiri asked, putting two and together.
"Uh oh…" Ankha muttered.
"Ah, I see that Shao Kahn's attempts to bury the fact that he did not rule Outworld for all time were not entirely successful," Leviathan reasoned. "And my parents did not 'meet' the Dragon King. They survived him."
"What do you mean?" Ankha asked, her curiosity now matching her lover's, Kiri nodding to affirm their desire to learn more.
"Have you never wondered why Onaga bears the title of 'Dragon King'?" Leviathan asked.
The Saurians all looked at one another, uncertain of how to respond.
"Well, I had not yet hatched when it happened, but my parents shared the tale with me," Leviathan admitted. "Some of us possess telepathic abilities, you see. I have seen their own memories. Onaga was not the first Dragon King… but he would be the last."
"What happened?" Ankha asked.
"Onaga was a mutant among the Dragon race," Leviathan explained. "A creature unlike any the realms had seen before or since. The cause of this singularity was unknown even to our wisest elders. He was believed to be unnatural, an aberration. Onaga was shunned for his mutation. Outcast. None among the dragons which once ruled Outworld in a time so ancient there is no alive to remember it, knew what power they were dealing with. Onaga's lashing out was inevitable. He massacred almost every Dragon in Outworld, defeating every warrior singlehandedly. Those who survived were forced to flee to places like Edenia, Earthrealm, and of course Zaterra. Onaga's power could not be matched. The Dragon King which preceded him was the last to fall. It is said that Onaga crafted his skull into a helmet. My people were lost to history, slaughtered mercilessly by one of our own. A being more dangerous than any since he whose death birthed the realms. Unfortunately, as all Zaterrans know, his death would only lead to the rise of another tyrant…"
The Saurians stood silently in Leviathan's presence, taking in the knowledge that the master they now served had committed a genocide as devastating as that which Shao Kahn had wrought on Zaterra, if not worse… and that he required no army to do it. What power were they truly unleashing upon Outworld? Was the restoration of Zaterra truly worth unleashing something like that?
Tiamat had his answer on the matter.
"A fascinating story, but we must ask that you move aside," Tiamat requested. "We are taking King Tetsurri's body with us. Our purpose is our own."
"I cannot allow this." Leviathan said firmly.
"Tetsurri is dead, your duty ended millennia ago," Komodai argued. "Through his body, Zaterra can be restored to its former glory, or at least, its people restored."
"You seek Tetsurri's gem?" Leviathan asked.
"It is part of what we need, yes." Tiamat confirmed.
"Our master mentioned the gem…" Reptile recalled, choosing his words carefully. "What is the significance of it?"
"I never saw it used myself," Tiamat admitted. "But they say it was Tetsurri's final spit in Shao Kahn's face."
"This type of gem is unique to Zaterra, albeit very rare," Leviathan added. "It can be used to contain millions up in millions of souls.
"Tetsurri was not the king I would die for," Tiamat explained. "But he did have one good idea, if any. Shao Kahn had Zaterra. But he would never have its souls."
"You mean to tell me that the souls of all fallen Zaterrans reside in a single gem?" Reptile asked.
"Most of them, at least," Tiamat clarified. "And yes. That is why our master needs it to restore our people."
"You have mentioned this master before," Leviathan observed. "Tell me, who is it that you serve, and how do they possess the power to restore the Zaterran people?"
"You would know him well." Tiamat revealed.
Leviathan moved his large head back in shock. "I-It cannot be! Even if Onaga has conquered death, that monster cannot be trusted! You would place the fates of Zaterra and Outworld alike in the hands of a beast worse than even Shao Kahn!"
"We will do what we have to in order to restore Zaterra!" Komodai shouted. "Any price is enough for that!"
"You do not know what you are saying." Leviathan insisted.
"Step aside," Tiamat growled. "From one near-extinct race to another: we do not want to have to kill you."
"I cannot allow you to claim Tetsurri's body or his gem!" Leviathan boomed. "My parents respected you, General Tiamat. But I will do what I must to ensure that the Dragon Slayer never rises again."
Reptile, Kiri, and Ankha, were far more reluctant to fight. After what they had heard, they were uncertain as to if they could still follow this path they were now set on. Could Onaga be trusted? And was Zaterra's revival worth what would inevitably happen to Outworld?
Reptile was beginning to see why Khameleon had been so fearful of what he was doing. But could he turn back now? Now, when they were so close to seeing their people flourish once more?
"Hold on," Kiri decided to pipe up. "We don't have to fight. What if we all just… talked about this?"
Tiamat growled. "What is there to discuss?"
"Well maybe he's right." Kiri suggested, pointing to Leviathan.
"Yeah," Ankha agreed. "Maybe we shouldn't do this."
"We have never been under any illusion that Onaga was entirely benevolent," Tiamat argued. "Why stop now, when we are so close to victory?"
"Victory at what cost?" Reptile asked.
"Look, I know it was different for you guys, but Kiri and I actually lived among Outworld," Ankha pointed out. "There are kind people in this realm. Sure, what Shao Kahn did was horrible, but that isn't their fault."
"They don't deserve what Onaga will do to them," Kiri added. "When we were brought into this, we thought the big guy was just gonna take his throne back. Sure, another tyrant, but it wouldn't be our problem. We were selfish in hindsight."
"And we didn't realize that he could destroy Outworld just as easily as manage it." Ankha finished.
"Then LET Outworld die!" Komodai shouted angrily. "Let them all feel the pain that Zaterra felt! It is punishment they DESERVE for all the suffering this blasted realm has caused us!"
Reptile, Kiri, and Ankha all looked at Komodai with faces of horror. Even Tiamat spared him a glance.
"Onaga wants a realm with subjects to rule," Tiamat reasoned. "He will not destroy Outworld, only those who stand against him. Mileena and Kotal's forces will fall, and those who know to submit will be spared. That is how it has always been when new regimes rise."
"You are dealing with a power that none of you understand!" Leviathan insisted.
"You were not even alive when your people were lost!" Komodai angrily shouted. "We were!"
"And you think this makes your loss somehow greater than mine?!" Leviathan asked, clearly and understandably offended.
"I have seen Zaterran corpses piled up so high they looked like mountains!" Komodai continued to rant. "All of us are orphans, all of us without any family left in this universe, and Onaga is our one chance to have them all back! Put yourself in our position, serpent! If this opportunity were yours, wouldn't you take it?!"
Leviathan contemplated Komodai's words.
"Perhaps I would," Leviathan acknowledged. "But I would also, as your friends have pointed out already, have to live with the shame of the countless others I would doom with this choice. Can you live with that shame? Can you all?"
"Yes." Komodai said unequivocally.
"I led the armies of a tyrant, my hands were never clean." Tiamat reasoned.
"I…" Reptile paused. "It would be difficult, to say the least…"
Kiri and Ankha looked at one another.
"Would you do it?" Kiri asked.
"Only if you would." Ankha replied.
The couple clenched each other's hands tightly.
"I guess we can be ashamed together." Kiri decided.
"You're right," Ankha agreed with a sigh. "You were right, it's selfish, but…"
"We're just so close…" Kiri finished for her, having come to the same realization herself.
"So you are agreed then," Leviathan discerned. "I am glad that you at least know what you are risking… but I cannot allow you to complete your task all the same."
"THEN YOU ARE OUR ENEMY!" Komodai shouted.
Leviathan glared at him, the serpent's eyes glowing a bright green as a similarly colored flame began building in his mouth, until Tiamat took advantage of his distraction.
Firing concentrated streams of acid at each ankle, Tiamat burnt through the statue of Tetsurri enough to send it falling down on top of Leviathan, crumbling and burying the serpent under the rubble in the first place. The juvenile dragon was not seriously harmed, but now found himself pinned down and effectively immobilized.
"I am sorry, Leviathan." Tiamat said genuinely as he approached the coffin unopposed.
Tiamat removed the lid off the coffin and snatched the Gem of Tetsurri, which hung from a necklace on the corpse's neck. He handed the gem to Komodai, and then put the lid back on the coffin before picking it up with one arm and carrying it in a similar manner to an Earthrealmer with a beatbox.
The more reluctant three of the group looked at the downed Leviathan while Tiamat walked past them.
"Come on!" He shouted. "We have what we need. Let's go."
They all complied, still looking back at Leviathan as they did so, Kiri and Ankha even stopping to apologize to the serpent, Reptile doing the same soon after.
"In another life, we might have been friends…" Reptile offered.
"Perhaps so…" Leviathan acknowledged. "But you are now on a path I fear there is no return from…"
On a similar path was the former Shokan Prince Goro.
Goro had replayed the events that lead him into Onaga's service several times in his mind, and did so again now.
It had all begun when he led the Shokan forces against Kotal Kahn on behalf of Mileena and her then-ally Reiko. First, Goro slew the usurper's father in combat. Kotal took his vengeance by crippling Goro, taking three of his four arms, and leaving him in such a state. Goro's father had retaliated and Kotal had murdered King Gorback.
This much was known among all the Shokan and a great many beyond Kuatan. It hardly bared repeating, but Goro would go back to it in his mind nonetheless. It was the series of events which had turned Goro's life upside down. Where once he was a respected prince and a Champion of Mortal Kombat, he had become disgraced, denied even an honorable death.
But there was some hope… Goro had learned from Mileena's former allies in the Red Dragon clan of the powerful Dragon King who could regrow a lost limb at will. Goro wanted this power, and in order to claim it had captured the Earthrealmer Kenshi who Mavado had mentioned as a target of the Red Dragon. He had secured an audience with Daegon himself.
"You believe I can help you… but why would I?"
That was the question Daegon had just posed to Goro as he stood in the Red Dragon's main Outworld base.
Goro looked at the Red Dragon leader quizzically.
"Is the prize of your enemy not reason enough?" Goro asked. "Mavado, when he was still alive, told me this man cost you one of your finest warriors. My condolences for the loss of your lieutenant as well, Daegon. I to lost a battlefield comrade."
"So I'd heard," Daegon replied. He sighed as his mind went to Mavado and Hsu Hao. "The loss is certainly felt, but the Red Dragon carries on. Kenshi is a fine prize indeed, but I shall need more incentive to aid your plight than him alone."
"I have bargained with people from mere Naknadan traders to warlords, I do intend to needle out your true intent," Goro stated plainly. "What is that you want?"
"Once your arms are restored, I assume you wish to regain the Shokan throne?" Daegon asked.
"Yes," Goro answered. "I will challenge Sheeva to honorable combat. I intend to wind, but I will respectfully forfeit my claim to the throne if I do not. I just hope that my brother Duroc does not make things difficult."
"Excellent," Daegon replied, having expected Goro's answer. "With the resources at my disposal, I can ensure your victory in that battle. You will owe your throne to me. I think it is only fair that on return, my Red Dragon be able to operate freely within all Shokan territories. And should you make any moves against Kotal Kahn, all of Outworld as well."
"You charge a high price, Daegon." Goro observed.
"Is any price too high for what I can give you… Emperor Goro?" Daegon asked, a confident smirk crossing the Red Dragon leader's face.
Goro rubbed his chin with the one hand he had left.
"For what I will gain, perhaps your price is worth paying," Goro acknowledged. "I-"
Before Goro could finish, Kenshi's sword Sento suddenly burst from its sheath and levitated inches away from Daegon's neck. Kenshi himself sprung up seconds later and grabbed the sword, holding it physically now rather than telekinetically.
"What is this?!" Daegon shouted angrily.
"Your clan murdered my wjfe," Kenshi said angrily. "Tell me who among you was the culprit and I may simply turn you over to the Special Forces instead of killing you where you stand."
"I will tell you nothing, fool." Daegon said bluntly.
"Then I will find what I need to know in your mind." Kenshi decided.
Daegon chuckled. "When you infiltrated my clan, you assumed you were only studying us. Not the other way around. I understand that your powers require concentration."
Daegon summoned a burning red flame in his hand and made a swipe at Kenshi, who jumped back.
Seconds later, dozens of Red Dragons rushed into the room and took at some at both Kenshi and Goro.
"I must admit, you had me convinced that you actually wanted to make a deal, Goro." Daegon confessed.
"I had nothing to do with this Earthrealmer's trickery!" Goro protested.
"Then you are a fool who believes a battle won too easily," Daegon decided. "Either option makes you a liability. Kill them both."
"I apologize for my deception, Prince Goro," Kenshi said genuinely. "I needed to get close to Daegon."
"And doing so you will get us both killed!" Goro shouted.
"We may survive if we work together." Kenshi offered.
"FINE!" Goro yelled as he grabbed one Red Dragon and crushed their head, using their body as a shield from the gunfire of two others.
Kenshi levitated Sento through the air with expert precision, using his blade to deflect every last bullet that came his way and from all directions. When the Red Dragons stopped firing out of the realization that their effort was futile, he levitated the blade to cut down several of them.
Kenshi then ran next to Goro.
"Can you cover our exit?" Asked the blind swordsman.
"I think I know what you have in mind." Goro replied, shooting a stream of fire from his mouth and setting the room ablaze, leaving the Red Dragons unable to follow as they both began running.
All except one.
Daegon walked through the flames like they weren't even there. The son of a god and a flame sorceress had nothing to fear from such things.
He activated a communications panel on the wall.
"This is Daegon. We have intruders. I want them dead."
Kenshi's prior infiltration of the Red Dragon allowed him and Goro to evade much of their security. The Red Dragon soldiers they encountered were a trickier matter, but even with Goro's injury they were able to he overcome.
Eventually, the two reluctant allies escaped from the base, running for miles into the Golden Desert until they could be reasonably certain that the Red Dragon had ceased pursuit and gunfire could no longer be heard.
"They must think the heat will kill us…" Kenshi suggested.
"Or that we'll kill each other…" Goro proposed. "Which I should, after your trickery."
"Prince Goro, with all due respect, you are in no condition to fight me," Kenshi argued. "Furthermore. I did what I had to. I'm trying to avenge someone I loved."
"I… That I understand," Goro admitted. "And I suppose I have you to thank for aiding me out of the situation you created."
"If you would be willing to come to Earthrealm, we could be of aid to you." Kenshi offered.
"Simulate my arms with your technology?" Goro asked. "No… that is not my way. But thank you. Besides, I am sure your realm seeks no quarrel with Outworld. What I would do to Kotal Kahn if you helped me… it would not maintain peace."
"Thank you, Prince Goro," Kenshi responded. "For the opportunity, your aid, and your consideration of Earthrealm's situation. Sonya Blade and Raiden have told me that an old friend of theirs called you an honorable warrior. I am pleased to see he was right."
Goro simply nodded. "I will seek no further quarrel with you."
Kenshi nodded back, and the two went their separate ways.
Goro could roughly remember the path back to Kuatan. If he was right, he would return by dawn.
He continued his trek through the Golden Desert for hours, completely isolated and at the mercy of the wind storms and whatever creatures might present themselves. What he would end up coming across was hardly what he expected.
As Goro continued to walk, he saw the silhouette of a person. As he got closer, their identity was made clear.
Shang Tsung.
Goro stopped.
"Sorcerer… I see that you have returned." Goro observed, not bothering to even question the how of it. He knew Shang Tsung too well by now.
"Indeed, Prince Goro," Shang Tsung said formally. "It is good to see you again."
Goro wasn't sure he believed him.
"So what is it that you want?" The Shokan asked directly.
"The purpose of this meeting is less about what I want, and more about what you want," Shang Tsung explained. "I am aware of what was done to you by Kotal Kahn, and wish to offer you my aid, old friend."
"Since when are we 'friends'?" Goro asked.
"I brought you into Shao Kahn's notice," Shang Tsung reminded him. "Trained you for your battle against the Great Kung Lao. I have always been there to support you, Prince Goro."
"Where was your support after I was defeated in Mortal Kombat?" Goro questioned.
"You think Shao Kahn was angry with you?!" Shang Tsung asked back. "I spent much of that time trying to avoid his wrath."
"I was under the impression you had failed," Goro admitted. "Then again, cheating death is one of your strong suits."
"Why thank you, Your Highness." Shang Tsung replied with false modesty.
"Stop calling me that," Goro said annoyedly. "I am a Prince no longer. Especially not after today."
"But you may yet still be a king." Shang Tsung suggested.
"Both you and Daegon assume I am motivated by simple power," Goro observed. "You know nothing of what it is like to lose family."
"Family that you could be reunited with." Shang Tsung offered.
"I know of your sorcerer's ways, Tsung," Goro reminded him. "I am not interested in necromancy. My father died in combat. Resurrection would dishonor him."
"Very well," Shang Tsung replied passively. "And what of the matter of your arms?"
Goro raised an eyebrow. "You can help me?"
"Not me," Shang Tsung admitted. "But rather, my new master… the Dragon King."
Goro's eyes widened. "The Dragon King?! So he truly exists… and you now serve him."
"Indeed," Shang Tsung confirmed. "Onaga can defy death to an even greater degree than myself. And he can most certainly restore your arms to you, Prince Goro."
"And he has sent you to seek me out," Goro concluded. "Why?"
"The Dragon King surveys all which transpires in the realms from beyond the boundaries of death," Shang Tsung explained. "He has taken an interest in you. Your grandfather, the great King Rokuro, was an ally to Onaga in his reign of Outworld. He sees much of Rokuro's warrior's spirit in you."
"While I am honored to live up to the memory of my ancestors, I do not believe that the Dragon King would be so generous out of altruism," Goro responded. "What is it that he wishes in return?"
"Your aid in bringing about the completion of his resurrection and reclamation of his throne," Shang Tsung revealed. "And of course, the support of the Shokan people towards his rule."
"Will he allow me my vengeance against Kotal Kahn, seeing as Onaga will be overthrowing him anyway." Goro asked.
Shang Tsung nodded. "Indeed. Even Kotal is simply a means to an end for the Dragon King. He divides Outworld so that Onaga can unite it."
"It seems that the Dragon King uses every advantage available to him." Goro noticed.
"He creates opportunities," Shang Tsung said knowingly. "So Prince Goro, will you accept the Dragon King's offer?"
Goro looked down at his one hand. He looked back at Shang Tsung. He contemplated for several moments, and then finally…
"I shall."
And those words had bound him to Onaga's service. When the time came, Goro hoped he could convince his people that Onaga was the ruler to follow.
His current role… Well, it had been less than what Goro had expected. Other than helping to locate and resurrect Draxxon, he had been mostly saddled with the duties of an informant, updating Shang Tsung on the happenings in Outworld, mostly the faltering of Kotal's rule and the return of Mileena.
Goro knew why he had been kept in reserve. The same injury that Onaga had promised to reverse for him. Given the Dragon King's current lack of any physical form whatsoever, let alone arms of his own, Goro was willing to be patient and sympathetic to his new master's situation. Even still, he hoped that the Saurians would find Onaga his vessel soon… because Goro had much to do once he had his arms again.
Chief among them was killing Kotal Kahn, a goal which remained in Goro's mind as he reached where had been going during his time in thought. The colossal tomb that was built in honor of his fallen parents. Giant statues of King Gorback and Queen Mai stood outside the gates of the temple. Goro wore a red cape he had used for ceremonies as he approached, the cape also effectively concealing his injuries, even though all knew that they were present.
The guards bowed and allowed him to pass without trouble. Goro reached the coffins of his parents, side by side in the dimly lit central room, torches at each corner.
Goro looked at them both solemnly. First at his father's tomb.
"I will avenge you." He promised.
He then looked to his mother's tomb. Goro only sighed. Mere illness was not the death a Shokan queen deserved. He wished she had taken the throne, so she could join himself and Duroc in putting an end to Kotal Kahn once and for all. What pained Goro most… was that although he had seen his father before Gorback's last battle, he had never gotten to say goodbye to his mother. Months had passed from the last time he saw her to her death.
Goro placed his remaining hand on the tomb, his face grim and his eyes closed.
"I did everything that I could for her."
Goro opened his eyes and turned to see Duroc, evidently also visiting the tomb. He wore a set of silver armor and a matching helmet. It reminded Goro of what their mother had worn into battle.
"I know you did, brother." Goro assured him.
"It was painful," Duroc admitted. "Watching her slowly falter and fade… there were times where she begged me to give her a warrior's death… but I couldn't bring myself to do it."
"Nor could I, in your situation," Goro sympathized. "I wish I could've fought beside our father. Even like this, I could have done something!"
"I felt much the same when our mother was in my care," Duroc related. "All those years ensuring she was fed and comfortable and as happy as she possibly could be with that blasted ailment… and I still wish I could have done more. Both for Mother… and for you, brother."
"Together we could indeed have overcome Kotal." Goro agreed.
"Not just that," Duroc clarified. "But after that Earthrealmer disgraced you and threw our people out of Shao Kahn's favor."
"Kintaro was with me during those times," Goro reminded his brother. Difficult as things were, I survived. I wish that I could say the same for Kintaro… he was a strong warrior, and a good friend."
"Sheeva has told me much of the comrade he was," Duroc recalled. "I am truly sorry for the loss you both have suffered."
"I thank you, brother," Goro responded kindly. "At least we can find solace in knowing that Kintaro died a warrior and that his true killer is gone."
"Indeed," Duroc agreed. "May he be honored in the halls of the greatest among us."
"That's very touching of you to say, Duroc."
The two brothers looked to see that Sheeva had now entered the tomb. She wore a set of golden royal armor topped with a combination helmet and crown.
"I am only showing due respect, Your Highness," Duroc said with surprising humility. "Speaking of which, have you come to pay your respects as well?"
"King Gorback and Queen Mai are the rulers that I carry on from," Sheeva pointed out. "It is only right that I pay my respects as I lead our people to war for the first time in my reign."
Sheeva pulled out some brightly colored Edenian flowers and placed them on each coffin. The land of Kuatan itself was not particularly fertile, but travels to other parts of Outworld had provided Sheeva with what she needed.
"Speaking of which…" Duroc said, his voice taking on a more dour down. "Are our armies ready, Queen Sheeva?"
Sheeva sighed. "Yes. We will march for the capitol at dawn… to join Kotal Kahn's forces…"
Duroc nodded, even less happy with the prospect than Sheeva, but now understanding the necessity of this course of action.
"Worry not, my comrades," Goro urged. "I… am certain that a new ruler will emerge who the Shokan people can truly put their flag behind."
"I hope you are right," Sheeva responded. "Perhaps Mileena will win out in the end, perhaps someone else will."
"Perhaps we will put an end to Kotal ourselves," Duroc proposed. "If that is what happens… I would be honored to call you Empress of Outworld, Sheeva."
Sheeva smiled. "I thank you, Duroc."
"I see that you have at least set aside your differences." Goro observed.
"A conflict which threatens us all will open anyone's eyes," Sheeva explained. "Well, perhaps not Kotal's…"
"The power of mercy can also not be understated," Duroc admitted. "In all my time as a Shokan warrior, I never thought I would say that."
"Nor I hear it," Goro agreed. "Well, I wish you both luck."
"I wish you could fight with us, brother." Duroc said.
"I will ensure that your brother here returns from this battle alive." Sheeva promised.
"I am sure that you will," Goro said confidently. "And worry not, I may still be of some help…"
"What do you mean, brother?" Duroc asked.
"I cannot tell you," Goro explained. "Simply… have faith."
With that, Goro walked past the two, not saying another word.
Sheeva and Duroc looked at each other with confusion and worry. They would've gone after Goro, but alas, they had a war to prepare for…
Also in preparation for war were those in Mileena's Union.
The Takartans were now preparing nearly every available soldier for their march to Makeba to meet with the rest of Mileena's forces. Of course, numerous Tarkatans had remained behind to protect Tarkata against potential retaliation by Kotal Kahn's followers, and most especially to protect the children of the tribe.
It was ultimately inevitable however that Tarkata's defenses would be weakened. Open to attack…
Or infiltration.
One particular area of the Tarkatan tribal grounds had been left unguarded due to the need for warriors in more crucial areas. The burial grounds for Tarkatan warriors. A massive graveyard for all the honored dead among the Tarkatans. In the center was a moderately sized gravehouse, housing one fallen in particular.
Entering Tarkata disguised as a Tarkatan was a simple enough matter for a sorcerer like Shang Tsung. The more difficult aspect of his plan would be getting his allies into Tarkatan territory.
The Shadow Priests that Tsung had enlisted the help of could at least handle themselves in that respect. He had taught the ones he trusted the most his morphing ability. Vorpax, being a former assassin under his employ, was also adept at sneaking into places.
They eventually made it into the graveyard and into the grave house at its center. Once inside, Shang Tsung and his minions shed their disguises and gathered around the single coffin that was inside.
"Do you wish for us to resurrect him, master?" One priest asked, a woman.
"Lord Onaga will handle that task for us, Talon," Shang Tsung assured her. "As he will for our other old friend."
"Are you really sure this is a good idea, Tsung?" Vorpax asked. "Goro's friend I get, but this guy always stuck with Mileena. You know, the same Mileena that turned you down."
"Ignorant assassin." Another Shadow Priest mocked. He wore a dark blue robe unlike the purple of the others.
"Excuse me?!" Vorpax asked, clenching her fists and walking towards him.
"Shang Lao, Vorpax, there is no reason to fight," Shang Tsung said calmly, putting himself between them both. "Vorpax, adept sorcerers like myself and Lord Onaga can quite easily control the minds of those we resurrect. As I would have demonstrated with Queen Sindel were it not for Quan Chi's meddling… but alas, that time has passed. We have outlived both he and Shao Kahn."
"And we will be victorious where they failed." Shang Lao said confidently. Talon shifted her weight uncomfortably at the slight towards Shao Kahn, who she like many of the other Shadow Priests had worshipped like a God.
"Indeed," Shang Tsung confirmed, opening the coffin a tiny amount to confirm the identity of the person inside. "But we shall need allies. Could one of you be so kind as to open a portal?"
One of the other Priests complied, as Talon and Shang Lao combined their energies to levitate the coffin.
"Excellent," Shang Tsung complimented. "The raptors should be returning with Lord Onaga's vessel soon. Then we shall claim Outworld for our own at last."
"All I care about is seeing my mother again." Vorpax said adamantly.
"So you shall, Shang Tsung promised. "I have had Malku and his contingent of Masked Guards recover her body from the ruins of the Kytinn hives. Her soul will be in the Soul Chamber of Sha- Kotal Kahn's palace, and I have carried the souls of our two old friends with me since their deaths."
"Great," Vorpax said dryly. "So can we go now?"
"Certainly," Shang Tsung complied. "After all…"
He chuckled darkly.
"Everything is falling into place…"