Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat or any of its characters. All rights belong to Ed Boon, Nether Realm Studios and Warner Bros.
Outworld, Shao Kahn's palace...
After Shang Tsung's proposal was heard and approved, all the Outworld warriors cleared out of the emperor's throne room as Shang Tsung limps out of the room to heal himself up in his soul chamber beneath the palace.
"Shang Tsung." Shao Kahn calls to the sorcerer, who tenses up and slowly turns his head to look back at the emperor.
"Yes, my Lord?" He answers shakily while trying to keep himself from collapsing due to exhaustion. He can't take anymore of Shao Kahn's questions at the moment. He just wants to heal up and rest from the events of today.
"Once you've rested up, come see me in the morning before you begin the preparations. You and I will have another talk. Privately." He commands the sorcerer, who nods, but remains fearful for his life.
After everyone leaves the room, Kitana subtly, but quickly, walks back to her own room in the palace. Once inside, she looks around at the beautiful and elegant room with gold, jewels, gems, and all kinda of jewelry that you could think of, which she hardly ever wears. Many of them are gifts from suitors, warriors in Outworld that has offered the princess marriage proposals. Many of which, she has turned down, because she knows that those warriors only want one thing.
To say that they had laid with the princess of Outworld. Nothing more than wretched pigs to add another name to their list of women they've slept with.
Looking near the window of her room, Kitana sees a private treasure chest that she has long since locked away since she first came to Outworld after Edenia's fall. It's the only thing in her room that has been collecting dust for the past 10,000 years. Her other private treasure chest sits at the end of her bed, but that is not her main concern at the moment.
Not bothering to look for the key to the dusty chest, she walks up to it with a determined expression, grabs the lock, and forcefully yanks it off. She blows off as much dust as possible before opening it up then begins rummaging through it to look for anything that relates to her little brother.
One of the first things she pulls out of the chest is a picture, a small painting, of Sindel, her mother, smiling and holding a small infant, a boy, while the other child, a little girl, sat in the queens lap. Standing next to Sindel was the king, Jerrod. Kitana could instantly tell that she was the little girl sitting in Sindel's lap, while the other child she was holding, was a baby Kurai.
Kitana's lips tremble as she traces her fingers over the picture of her mother and little brother as well as her father. Kissing the picture then holding it close to her chest, Kitana sets it aside and continues to dig through the chest.
15 minutes later...
Jade walks through the hallways of Shao Kahn's palace looking for Kitana after the meeting in the throne room had ended when she suddenly hears loud noises coming from the princess's room. Quickly walking over, slightly opening the door, and peeking in the room to see what was causing such a ruckus.
Looking in, she could see that Kitana was tossing and throwing things out of a treasure chest looking for something. She quickly enters the room and closes the door behind her before walking up to the princess, who was still rummaging through the chest.
"Kitana, you're being awfully loud looking through this treasure chest of yours. What are you looking for?" She asks her lifelong friend when she suddenly notices a picture sitting near Kitana's leg. A picture with Sindel, Jerrod, a young Kitana, and an infant Kurai. Jade glances at Kitana, who had a determined expression, then quietly sits down beside the princess.
"I'm looking for things that I've long forgotten, Jade. When that bastard sorcerer revealed who Kurai was, my memories have been flooding back to me like a wave to the point that it hurts. I've already found one thing. That picture. But I've got to find something-" Kitana explains to Jade but suddenly stops mid-sentence.
"What is it, Kitana? What did you find?" Jade asks her as the princess slowly pulls out another picture, but this one didn't have Sindel or Jerrod in it. It was Kurai, blushing with a deep red face, surrounded and hugged tightly by Kitana, Jade, and Tanya, who were all smiling and laughing.
Letting out a tearful sigh, Kitana sits down with a trembling hand as she looks at the picture. Like the previous picture, she traces her fingers over Kurai in the picture. Just like his full grown counterpart, young Kurai also had long hair. Kitana then remembers that even when they were children, Kurai flat out refused to cut his hair.
He would allow a trim to keep it from growing too long, but he never willingly cut it short. Her lips begin to tremble as she smiles and lets out a tearful laugh as tears stream down her face. "Oh, Jade, look at him. Look at us. We were all so happy back then." She says to her friend.
Jade moves over closer to Kitana and glances at the picture before frowning when she sees Tanya. But putting those feelings aside, she looks at herself in the picture, then looks at Kitana and Kurai.
Jade suddenly remembers that Kurai did not like it when she and the girls all hugged him at the same time. It always sent him into a blushing fit. Which was the reason why she, Kitana, and Tanya were all smiling and laughing. Kurai had tried desperately that day to keep the 3 girls away from him before the picture was to be painted, but he, of course, failed. Jade sighs contentedly and leans her head on Kitana's shoulder.
"By the gods, we were all so young back then. All these memories coming back is making it all seem like yesterday that the 3 of us would hunt Kurai down just to hug him as much as we wanted to, and watch over him." She explains as Kitana lightly laughs and nods.
"I also remember how adventurous he was then. So adventurous in fact that your mother asked the 3 of us to always watch over him whenever he left the palace to explore the outskirts of the palace. You told me that you secretly loved him even more for it, because it gave you an excuse to leave your princess studies, so we could all have the entire day to ourselves." She continues, causing both her and Kitana to laugh at the returning memories.
Kitana continues to look at the picture of her little brother, herself, and her 2 friends. She remembers how bashful Kurai was that day while the picture was painted. Then she suddenly chuckles. Jade looks at her with a smile. "What?" She asks with a laugh.
Kitana continues to chuckle and shakes her head. "Nothing. I just remember how much Kurai tried, and failed, to keep us all away from him that day before this picture was painted. He always hated it when the 3 of us would all hug him together. It always made him blush as red as a tomato, and we would never let go until mother told us to let go of him. Even after, he would still blush. And he didn't talk to us for the rest of the day for embarrassing him like that." She laughs heartily, causing Jade to laugh with her as tears began to build in Jade's eyes.
Holding each other close, Kitana leans her head against Jade's and sniffles as she continues to look at her little brother. "Gods, Jade. So many years lost. Tanya betrayed us all after this picture had been painted. My father fought and was killed by Shao Kahn. My mother died committing suicide. Kurai, who I had thought died, when he really disappeared, was somehow sent to Earth Realm. And now I find out today, from that... that bastard sorcerer, Shang Tsung, that Kurai is alive. Already a man, and a warrior, no less. A strong one at that. And he doesn't even know that mother is dead." She tells her friend tearfully before looking at her.
"Why, Jade? Why didn't he let me go to him after Shang Tsung revealed who he is? Why didn't he just come back with us to Outworld? Does he hate me? Or you? Or both of us? Does he even know what Tanya had done?" She asks her friend with a trembling and sorrowful tone as Jade just looks at her with an equally sad expression while the princess continues her rant.
"Kurai was, IS, everything to me, Jade. To you, as well. The both of you, long before the attack, never stayed too far from each other for too long. You both always clung to each other, and looked after one another. Mother and I had always seen it. I just have so many questions running through my mind that I want to ask him. I just don't know where to begin. Gods, I wish I could just find some way to talk to him." She says sorrowfully as she holds the picture close to her chest, wishing it would just become part of her so she doesn't forget again.
It was here that Jade knew, that she had to come clean. Kitana would not like it, she knew this, but it was all because of what Kurai asked of her. To protect Kitana, as well as Jade herself. Jade grasps Kitana's shoulders and pulls her close to hug her tightly as Kitana wept quietly against her.
"Kitana, there may be a way you can. After Shang Tsung's proposal for a tournament here in Outworld, you may just have another chance. But, Kurai does not hate you. Or me. Or even... Tanya, if he remembers her. But... there is something I must tell you first. Something that I desperately wanted to tell you after I fought Kurai at the tournament, and you may not like what you hear. But I ask that you hear me out first before you say anything. Because it's time you know the truth." She says quietly to her friend, who sniffles and wipes away her tears before leaning away from Jade to hear what she had to tell her.
After a moment of collecting herself, Kitana nods and allows Jade to continue. Jade nods and proceeds to tell her everything about what happened during the tournament, her encounter with Kurai, and everything else after.
Earth Realm, Hong Kong, China, nighttime...
The ship carrying Raiden, and the rest of the group, returns to the mainland from Shang Tsung's island, to Hong Kong, China. Hopping off the ship, Kurai, Drake, Raiden, and the Earth Realm warriors all walk along the pier before reaching the dock.
Off to the side, Kurai notices a bird, a crow, perched on top of one of the wooden poles at the dock. Whistling to it, he calls it over. He then holds up his arm when he notices two mini scrolls attached to each of its feet. Smiling, knowing where they're both from, he gently and carefully takes both mini scrolls before sending the crow on its way.
Opening the scroll addressed to him, he reads the message to himself as Raiden, Liu Kang, and the rest of the group walk up to him when they had heard him whistle, but didn't know what for. Seeing that he was reading one of two messages, they respectfully wait.
"Kurai, hopefully this message finds both you, and Drake, alive and well, if Drake is still alive, that is. Since the skies have not darkened for many hours now, I can only safely assume that Earth Realm has finally won the 10th tournament of Mortal Kombat and that you both are safe and sound. In a manner of speaking, of course.
No doubt you and Drake will be weary and tired from the entire ordeal, so, you are both to come back to the Dark Wu Shi temple for rest and to be rewarded for being able to survive such an endeavor. Also, once you have rested up, my friend, there is a new technique that I would personally like to teach you. One that will be helpful and useful to you in your future endeavors. You know the name well. It is one you have wanted to learn for many years now. The Phoenix Cleanse.
Return, with Drake, to the Dark Wu Shi temple and rest up. I will teach the Phoenix Cleanse to you once every part of you has rested up and healed. One last thing. If Drake did indeed survive, hand his message over to him and do nothing else. We all hope to see you both again soon.
-Sincerely, your friend, Grandmaster Han."
Kurai smiles and chuckles as he closes his message scroll and hands Drake his, who opens it to read it, but groans and closes his message scroll before placing his hands on his hips with a shake of his head.
Concerned, Liu Kang walks over to Kurai with a worried expression. "Kurai, my friend, is Drake alright?" He asks him curiously. Kurai just waves it off and nods.
"Don't worry, Liu Kang, he'll be fine. But he is in a little trouble with our temple." He says to him before looking at the rest of the group. "Speaking of which, Lord Raiden, Drake and I have been summoned back to the Dark Wu Shi temple. They want to welcome us back as a celebration for Earth Realms victory and survival." He explains to the group.
Raiden moves to speak, but Kurai holds up his hands. "Don't worry, Lord Raiden, we'll return in time for Liu Kang's victory ceremony at the Wu Shi temple. We just need to take care of some things before we come back. That is, of course, if we're still welcome to attend?" He explains to the thunder god, who nods with a smile.
"Of course, you're still welcome to attend, Kurai. If you must go, then go. Both you and Drake handle your business. Once it's been taken care of, please come to the Wu Shi temple with these." He says to the Edenian prince while handing him two small medallions, one for Kurai, the other for Drake, each with the thunder gods symbol.
Kurai looks up at Raiden curiously. "These will allow us passage into the Wu Shi temple?" He asks the thunder god skeptically, causing Raiden to nod.
Raiden points to the medallions. "Whether you arrive early or not to the ceremony, just present these to the Shaolin monks at the front gate of the temple, and they will allow you in. If not, then let's just say that I will have some words with them." He tells the Edenian prince lightheartedly.
Kurai smiles and nods before putting the medallions inside a small pouch attached to his hip. Looking at the group with a smile, he nods at Raiden, shakes hands with Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Jax while giving Sonya Blade a hug.
"One thing before you head out, Kurai, if you and Drake have been summoned back to the Dark Wu Shi temple, where is it located?" Sonya asks him curiously.
Kurai looks over at Drake with an amused smile before looking back at the blonde military woman. "Okinawa, Japan. That's where it is. Besides India, I always loved Japan. Despite the things they've done in the past, the people there are friendly and very spiritual. It's one of the many reasons why I always came back. Whenever I needed to go some place quiet, away from the loud noises of people and large cities, Tokyo or Okinawa was always the place I went to. Especially after Sadira's death. Japan has helped me in many ways than I can even remember." He explains to her and the group, while telling them where the Dark Wu Shi temple is located.
Raiden and his group all nod with small smiles on their faces. They understood that Sadira had seemed to be a person of great importance in Kurai's life before she was unjustly killed. But not wanting to bring the mood back down, Kurai decides to leave it on a high note. "Anyway, I'll you guys again in one month. Drake and I will be there. You have my word." He heartily says to them all, causing them to smile more brightly, and nod, before Kurai turns around walks away to grab Drake.
Drake looks back at his new friends, while walking away with Kurai, and waves at them all all, causing them to smile and wave back before walking away themselves to part ways.
Jax looks back at the two young men, seeing them walk away, and looks at Sonya. "Just between us, Blade, I really hope we get to see those two again. They're good people." He says to the lieutenant, who chuckles and nods before looking back at the two young men herself.
"Yeah, they really are. Especially, Kurai. I mean, how can one possibly find the strength to continue living after the love of your life is taken from you right in front of your eyes?" She wonders curiously as she walks with Jax and the rest of the group.
"When you love one so deeply, Miss Blade, you find a strength inside yourself that compels you to honor their memory and continue to live for them even after they've passed on." Raiden explains, to not just Sonya, but the whole group as well.
"It's the type of strength that pushes one to keep moving forward, regardless of the pain." He continues as they walk down the street. "While that strength may not come to an individual right away, it eventually finds its way into their heart once the time is right. It is that type of strength that shapes the world and defines humanity, Miss Blade." The thunder god concludes his explanation, causing the while group to rethink the true definition of strength, where it comes from, what drives them, and what they want to do with it.
Over with Kurai and Drake, both young warriors walk down the street with Kurai still with an amused grin on his face. Not even needing to look at him, Drake gains a slightly annoyed expression. "I already know what you're going to ask. Do you want to know what my scroll said?" He asks him with a huff.
Kurai snorts amusingly and shakes his head. "No, I already have a feeling what it said." He tells his friend, who roughly tosses Kurai the mini message scroll to him, causing the Edenian prince to laugh.
Although he already had a feeling of what the message had said, Kurai couldn't help but open Drake's mini message scroll to read what it said.
"Drake Lee, return with Kurai at once to the temple. You and I need to have a talk.
-Grandmster Han."
Kurai, failing to keep in his laughter, bursts out laughing, causing Drake to throw up his hands with annoyance. "Kurai, come on! It's not funny! The Grandmaster is going to kill me!" He says to his laughing friend, who manages to calm down after a moment.
Wiping a few stray tears away from laughing, Kurai smiles and looks at Drake humorously. "You shouldn't have left the temple then, buddy." He tells him, causing Drake sigh deeply as they both head to the nearest shop to buy a change of clothes before heading back to the Dark Wu Shi temple in Okinawa, Japan.