In the decade since I first wrote and then later rewrote Sister, Sister, Oh So Fair, I have grown substantially as a writer. Because of that, I considered returning to this story a few years ago, but I never went through with it. With the imminent release of the second Mortal Kombat video game reboot, I decided to return to this story and finally finish it for the people who have continued to read it through the years.

As always, constructive criticism is appreciated.

I do not own nor do I claim to own NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat, or the characters created by the former.

"You're not a monster, Mileena," Kitana said. "No matter what you say. What happened? What made you feel this way?"

As the sisters engaged in battle, Kitana deliberately avoided attacking Mileena, so she would not hurt her. She blocked Mileena's sai with her bladed fans, but Mileena was able to break through and cut her sister's arm, while Kitana unintentionally tore into Mileena's sleeve.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes," Kitana answered. "What is your truth, Mileena?"

The sisters continued to fight as Mileena told her story.

"Once upon a time, there was a King and Queen, Jerrod and Sindel, who had twin daughters, Princesses, Mileena and Kitana. . . ." Kitana listened intently as Mileena continued speaking. ". . . .General Shao of Outworld invaded Edenia, executed King Jerrod, and took his wife and daughters as his own."

Reluctantly, Kitana was forced to use her fans to rebuff Mileena when she tried to pin her against a wall. After she stood up, Mileena wiped the blood from the wound on her arm and returned to her story.

"She said she would do anything for her daughters, but when Queen Sindel learned of the Kahn's plans to invade Earthrealm, she cast a spell to create a barrier, which the Kahn could not penetrate. . . ." Mileena trailed off as Kitana began to cry softly. Hearing the story of their parents' lives and deaths from Mileena's point–of–view, she was overcome with a flood of emotions. ". . . .She left her daughters in the hands of a man she chose to die to escape. No storytelling, no magic, no so–called love, can erase that. She chose herself over her daughters."

The sisters stood on opposite sides of the room.

Tears trickling down her face, Kitana asked, "Why didn't you tell me sooner, Mileena? Our parents, your illness. . . . You should've told me. I would've helped you."

"No, you wouldn't have," Mileena muttered.

"What?"

"You have always wanted what is mine," Mileena said with scorn. "You would've had me deposed and crowned yourself Empress."

"That isn't true," Kitana insisted. "You're my sister. I've always been loyal to you. I love you. I know you. And this isn't you."

Lunging at Kitana, Mileena pushed her sister against one of the walls, and she hissed, "This is me." Placing the blade of her sai against Kitana's cheek, she laughed, "What if I cut your mouth to look like mine? I wonder. . . . Would we both be monsters?"

What makes a monster?

Taking the opportunity to escape from her distracted sister's clutches, Kitana kicked her, which sent her across the room. Weakened and wounded, Mileena tried, but failed, to recover and stand up. Bowing her head, Mileena knelt on the marble floor of the Throne Room, seemingly in defeat. It was a heartbreaking sight for Kitana. No longer was she her sister, Mileena Kahn, Empress of Outworld, powerful and strong, fearless and brave. She was now just like any other human being, weak and vulnerable. Even an outsider would be moved by this pitiable scene. All Mileena ever wanted out of life was to be able to love and be loved in return. She did not want power, nor riches, nor even the Throne. Only love.

Was that too much to ask?

Perhaps, for her, it was.

Cautiously, Kitana walked toward Mileena, and she embraced her in a hug.

"Let me hold you."

Kitana wrapped her arms around Mileena, holding her close, while they knelt on the floor of the Throne Room together.

"You're scared," Kitana whispered. "Maybe for the first time in your life. But you don't have to go through all of this alone. I can help you. Feel the fear and the pain and the sorrow. Just let it all in, and then let it all go. I'll be here to help you through."

In her sister's arms, Mileena felt her fear and pain and sorrow rush through her. Let it all in, and then let it all go. Her biological parents' deaths, Shao Kahn and his physical and emotional abuse, her strict upbringing as heiress to the Throne of Outworld. It felt unbearable. Yet she was not alone, adrift in the sea of her emotions. Kitana was there. She had always been there. With the absence of their biological parents, Mileena and Kitana relied on each other for love and affection. Love, which she believed had eluded her throughout her life, had in fact been with her before she was even born. In their parents' stead, Kitana was the only one in her life who loved her completely and unconditionally.

Looking up at her sister, whose eyes emanated grace and love, Mileena realized she had taken her for granted. Holding her closer, Mileena and Kitana embraced as if it were the first time.

"I love you," Mileena said.

"I love you."

Suddenly, the sisters heard an ethereal voice echo through the Throne Room.

"My girls."

Turning around, Mileena and Kitana saw the spectral figure of a woman, clad in Edenian violet and blue, descending from the air onto the marble floor. She had the grace of a queen and the warmth of a mother. Standing side–by–side, Mileena and Kitana watched as the woman approached them.

Her voice cracking, Kitana asked, ". . . .Mother?"

With a smile, Queen Sindel was joined by the spectral figure of a man, who was also clad in Edenian violet and blue. He joined Sindel in front of their daughters.

"Father?" Mileena asked.

Tears welled up in the eyes of both sisters as they looked on in disbelief. Sindel extended her ghostly hands to her daughters, caressing their faces, as Jerrod kissed his daughters on the forehead.

"Our girls," Jerrod said.

"When I sacrificed myself to protect Earthrealm, I did not choose myself over you, Mileena," Sindel said. Opening her mouth to respond, Mileena was quieted by Sindel, who continued, "As Nimue told you, I imparted a piece of my own soul to both of you. What she did not tell you was that by doing so, I enveloped you with that same protection I gave Earthrealm. Shao never could have harmed you. I would not allow him."

With her thumb, Sindel wiped Mileena's tears from her eyes.

"Forgive me, Mother," Mileena said, but Sindel put a finger to her daughter's disfigured lips.

"That is your truth. Take comfort in it. And remember we will be with you both always."

"Our love for you goes beyond death," Jerrod adds. "As love always does."

With a kiss on both of their daughters' cheeks, the King and Queen of Edenia rose up in the air before disappearing in a blue mist.

Holding onto each other, Mileena and Kitana embrace again, and they limp over to Jade, who has regained consciousness. The three of them walk out of the Royal Palace, hand–in–hand.

On a beautiful, sunny day in Outworld, Mileena Kahn and Kitana, Princess Royal, ride in the Royal Carriage with Jade, Mileena's personal guard. The sun shines brightly into the carriage, through Mileena's new diaphanous violet veil, instead of her previous opaque mask.

No more shame.

Flowers are strewn by loving Outworlders in the path of their procession to mark one year since Mileena's ascension to the Throne. They are headed back to the Royal Palace, the grounds of which have been officially renamed "Edenia," in homage to their birth realm. Mileena and Kitana look at each other, smile, and hold each other's hands, never to let each other go.