A few things to note within this story, this is heavily revolved around Kitana and Liu Kangs relationship, and Kitana's timeline where she is KOT is all my interpretations based off of MK11 i.e. keeping Jade a main character (unlike mk1. As of now there are no DLC) and Kitana's "distain" for Mileena, + Mileena being Shao Khans "better daughter." Again, this is just a fanfiction, and if there is anything you think I should add or anything that would be better left out, let me know! Enjoy reading!

Prologue


Kitana enjoyed her large, lavishly decorated room. Blue drapes hung on the white walls all around her. Her bed was adorned with silk, light blue pillows and darker blue satin sheets. Hung upon the frame of her bed was sheer mesh drapes that blew gently from the breeze that swept through her open balcony doors. On the marble, circular balcony was Kitana. Her elbow rested on the handrails, her chin gently sat in her hand as she was looking up at the sky. The stars and night sky enveloped her like a blanket, the only light source being the moons soft rays. It had been so long since she had won the battle against Kronika and claimed the hourglass, becoming the keeper of time and the Protector of Outworld. So long since she had last seen her Liu Kang. She felt a twang of hurt and longing plague her heart, as she gazed upon the night sky, her eyes glazed with tears, as she inhaled sharply. She had to recreate the timeline within her vision, which meant she had to recreate Liu Kang without the memories of her. He was still Earth realms champion, training under Raiden, whom was no longer a god. He was now the demi-god of thunder, and she was Kitana the Wind Goddess, after he merged with the revenant and the younger Kitana. Kitana let her tears fall gently down her face, as she sighed. While content with her newly made timeline, she wished events had transpired differently. She would be forever grateful for the opportunity she was given, but she couldn't help but long for an outcome in which she could be with Liu Kang. After an hour on the balcony, she returned to her bed, her bloodshot eyes feeling comfort in her eyelids closing, as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Kitana had awoken, dressed for the day, and began to attend to her duties. She had appointed Jade to train and prepare Outworld's forces, as she checked upon Outworlds contenders for the next Mortal Kombat. While Sindel's resurrection previously had hurt Kitana, after learning of her free will decision to kill her father and join Shao Khan, Kitana demoted both her mother and her "sister", Mileena, to live elsewhere in Outworld. She still checked up on her family every once in a while, but felt it best to keep her distance.

"Jade!" Kitana greeted with a smile, approaching her best friend. Even in her new timeline, Kitana wouldn't trade Jades friendships for the world.

"Kitana! How are you feeling this morning, Empress?" Jade inquired, with a smile, as the fighters in the background spared with one another.

"I am feeling refreshed this morning." Kitana replied with a smile, laughing slightly at Jade's formal usage of her title.

"Glad to hear it! I'll give you a rundown of what needs to happen-" before Jade could finish her sentence, a small, orange lit portal appeared, sucking her, and only her in.

"KITANA!" Jade yelled, attempting to run towards her and grasp her hand, the fighting going on behind them seizing.

"JADE-" Kitana reached out for her, but to no avail, as she disappeared into the light.

Suddenly, Kitana appeared in an unfamiliar area, as she looked around defensively, backing away immediately.

"Geras? Liu Kang?" She asked, shock and skepticism written on her face. This was not her new timelines Liu Kang, as his skin was adorned with tattoos and his eyes glowed brightly.

"Easy, Kitana" he said, trying to reassure her. "You are among friends."

"What happened!? Where am I!?" She demanded, as she kept her guard up.

"A long way from home. In a different timeline, to be precise." He responded, approaching her slowly.

She studied his features, before coming to the realization that he too, was a keeper of time. How, she did not know, but she felt an excitement bubble in her stomach.

"What? Are you also-" She started to ask, but was interrupted.

"A Keeper of Time? Yes." He said, looking back at the large hourglass that sat behind him.

"Both of us? How is that possible?" She asked, grasping her forehead lightly in confusion.

"The battle for Kronika's Hourglass ripped apart times fabric." he said, "Where there once was one timeline, there are now many."

Kitana walked around to the other side of Liu Kang, her excitement and hope growing at his words. Was this really her Liu Kang? The Liu Kang that fought beside her? Whom changed her view and brought her from her darkness? She listened intently to his words.

"Each new timeline represents a different possible outcome of that battle." he said, putting his hands together. "In mine, I became time's keeper. In yours, it was you."

Kitana looked at Liu Kang as if looking away would make him disappear. She tore her eyes away from him to inspect the hourglass as he continued to talk.

"In others it could be Jade, Sindel, even Kano. The possibilities are endless."

"If many timelines sprung from one, and we were both a part of it, then you are..." She said, looking around before meeting his eyes, stepping forward and closer to Lui Kang.

"...you are my Liu Kang." She said softly, as he took a step closer to her.

"The same one who battled you in Shang Tsung's courtyard." He said, closing the few steps that stood between them.

"Who fought at your side at the Kolisuem." He said, as he pulled her hand up, holding it with both of his, as his thumb ran over the cold metal of her armored padding. She looked up at him through her eyelashes, revealing her vulnerability to him.

"Who beamed with pride when you became Outworlds Khan." He finished, looking at her with a certain admirability and love she had longed for, for so long.

She looked up fully, before quickly placing one hand on the back of his head, bringing her lips up to meet his. He eagerly closed his eyes, moving his neck down to meet hers as he wrapped his arms around her torso. The kiss packed as much passion as could be expected from two lovers separated for as long as they had. Their lips had intertwined, desperation and warmth behind their long-awaited reconnection. Kitana had waited eons to feel his soft lips pressed against hers, as she was hesitant to disconnect from him. Her hand trailed down to his cheek, as she rested her forehead against his, as she cast her eyes down sadly.

"Why does fate always seem to conspire against us?" she said, pulling her forehead away to look him in the eyes, as he closed his eyes, leaning into her hand and taking in the comfort and warmth she emitted. "To deny us life's simple pleasures?"

"I don't know. Perhaps in one of the many timelines, they are ours." He said, gazing into her eyes as her fingers trailed along his face, down to his chin.

"I would like to think you brought me here for them, but..." she said, pulling herself away from him, as her hand rested on his shoulder. "I know you well enough to know better. What duty beckons us?"

"I will tell you..." He said, as Kitana's hand slid down his chest and grasped onto Liu Kangs hand, pulling him towards the hourglass. "But first, we must gather more of our old friends."

After the battle atop the pyramid, the timeline they were in began to collapse. Liu Kang was holding everything together barley, as the remaining kombatants of the mirrored "armageddon" were sent back to their timelines. Kitana pressed a kiss to his lips, smiling sadly.

"Until we meet again, my love." She said, as she was sent back to her timeline.


This is an attempt at a first chapter to introduce the rest of the story, following Kitana's new timeline, her struggles within her own line, and how she works to reunite with Liu Kang. Let me know if there's anything I should add to the story or any suggestions. :)

-Mercury