Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat or any of its characters. All rights belong to Ed Boon, Nether Realm Studios, and Warner Bros.
A few weeks had passed since Kurai's return to Edenia. Plans were being made to host a celebration party at the nearly repaired palace and Sindel was spearheading the event, but Kurai still felt out of place in Edenia, even though he had been welcomed back warmly.
However, he felt it was too soon to celebrate Edenia's revival. With Shao Kahn gone, he felt that it would be a better idea to hold peace discussions with those in Outworld. He had allies in Goro and Sheeva, so what would be the harm in making peace with a realm that no longer has a tyrant on the throne who poisoned the realm?
He decided to discuss this matter privately with Sindel and Kitana. Naturally, given their history with the realm, they both turned it down initially while furiously asking if he had gone insane before storming out of the room, leaving Kurai disappointed even though it broke their hearts to shout at him the way they did, the prince was not going to give up.
But after Ophelia raised some interesting, and valid, points to Sindel when she expressed her opinions and fears on the matter to the captain, the queen eventually agreed, much to Kitana's dismay when she found out that her mother had changed her mind.
Sindel had begun to order a few brave Edenian's to act as emissaries to discuss the peace treaties with the denizens of Outworld, but Kurai had volunteered to go alone instead. Sindel immediately refused and threatened to change her mind, but Kurai counter threatened that he would go alone either way whether by her orders or not.
Sindel, not understanding why her son was fighting her on this, eventually relented after a few days, but insisted that he at least take someone with him as protection. But knowing how the Edenian's felt about those in Outworld after attacking Edenia, he knew that no one would willingly go with him unless they were ordered.
And given that Kurai has been hearing mumbles from many citizens among the town about how little they think of him, he decided he wasn't going to order anyone in Edenia to accompany him to Outworld, since he didn't trust anyone except Jade, Ophelia, Sindel, and Kitana. So he decided call upon the thunder god, Raiden, to accompany him instead, which he accepted, although reluctantly.
The day of Kurai and Raiden's departure, Kurai's family, Jade, and Ophelia, all stood in the palace courtyard to see them off. After hugging his mother and sister, and kissing Jade goodbye for now, Ophelia quickly hugged the young prince, fearing for his safety. He may have trusted very few in Outworld, but she doesn't.
"You're taking a great risk here, Kurai, but I understand why you're doing this." She tells him with a whisper, causing him to laugh and nod.
"Thank you for being understanding, Ophelia. And don't worry, I'll be back before you know it." He tells her gratefully before leaning close to her ear to whisper. "One last thing before I go." He says to her, causing the female captain to lean in close and wait.
"I know about Tanya. She's part of your rebel forces." He whispers, causing her to gasp quietly, but he continues. "It's ok. You and I can talk more about that another time. I haven't told Jade yet. Any small mention of Tanya and she tenses up. I want to tell her myself, but I have great difficulty finding the right time." He tells her, causing her to nod with understanding.
He pulls away and takes one of Ophelia's hands before kissing it softly, causing her to smile before she walks back over to the queen, princess, and her daughter.
Raiden looks at Kurai with a determined expression. "Are you ready, Kurai?" He asks him as Kurai remembers something that he felt he should do.
"If you don't mind, Raiden, could we stop by the Dark Wu Shi temple in Earth Realm first?" He asks the thunder god politely, which causes Raiden to look at him curiously.
"Earth Realm? Why?" He asks with confusion, causing Kurai to chuckle.
"I have my reasons. So, do you mind?" He asks as Raiden looks at him a moment longer with confusion before chuckling himself then shakes his head.
"Not at all." He says before teleporting both him and Kurai out of Edenia to Earth Realm for a short trip.
Earth Realm, Dark Wu Shi Academy...
Raiden and Kurai appear in a flash of lightning near the entrance of the academy before walking towards the temple. Kurai looks in Raiden's direction and begins to walk away from him. "This won't take long, but I need to find Drake first. Go and find Han, I'll be along shortly." He tells the thunder god, who nods before walking in another direction away from Raiden to look for Drake.
It doesn't take long to find the young man in the training grounds. Hard at work and training with Akuma. Akuma notices Kurai and catches Drake's fist before waving at him with a smile, causing Kurai to wave back. Drake looks behind him to see who Akuma was waving at.
Seeing it was Kurai, Drake did not bother waiting for permission from Akuma to leave training early, but Akuma allowed it anyway. He nods and bows to Kurai before walking away to continue training the other students.
Drake runs up to him and embraces Kurai in a brotherly hug while laughing, happy to see Kurai again even though it's only been a few weeks since he last saw him. "What are you doing back here, Kurai? Miss Earth Realm already?" He asks teasingly, which causes Kurai to laugh before they start walking together.
"You could say that. I'm back in Edenia just a few weeks and there are already people that I know I can't trust to have my back in a fight, judging from what they're saying about me when they think I'm not listening." The prince admits as they continue to walk along a path leading to a beautiful garden.
"Yeah, I imagined that it would be a difficult transition going from one realm you've lived practically your whole life in to a realm that is your true home just for the people you unknowingly tried to protect that talk behind your back and judge you without even knowing you." Drake says with understanding as they continue to walk before falling into silence.
After a few moments of comfortable silence and just enjoying the walk, Kurai breaks the silence. "I know I came back, Drake, because I did miss Earth Realm, but I'm not here for long. I'm leaving with Raiden shortly for Outworld. To discuss a peace treaty with the realm." He explains, which causes Drake to look at him with a shocked expression.
"Ok, it's... really not my place to voice my thoughts on this because I imagine that you've heard enough from the queen and Kitana, but what are you doing here then? Why visit Earth Realm first over something so important?" He asks curiously as Kurai smiles.
"Because I just thought that you might want a willing messenger to give something to a certain red head assassin as a gift. Let her know that you still think about her, even though she took off so suddenly. And I know you still think about Skarlet, buddy." He teasingly says to Drake before patting the blondes shoulder.
Drake says nothing at first, but smiles instead and nods before gesturing for Kurai to follow him to his room. After walking for a few minutes leading Kurai to his room, Drake walks into his room, with Kurai behind him, before pulling out a silver medallion necklace with a red crystal in the center that he got recently during his visit to the city in Okinawa.
"Give her this for me. It may not look like much, but when I saw the red crystal, I instantly thought of her. So I had to get it. I added the necklace after. I was wracked my head back and forth trying to figure out how to give it to her, but you just gave me the perfect opportunity." He says brightly while placing the medallion in Kurai's hand.
Kurai smiles and nods before looking at Drake. "I'll get this to her, Drake, you have my word." He says honestly as Drake nods thankfully with a smile. "Well, I better not keep Raiden waiting any longer than I already have. I best be off. I'll see you around." He says before reaching his hand out, which Drake takes and shakes his head before Kurai leaves while Drake heads back to the training grounds.
Kurai heads straight for the main temple to meet with Raiden so they can head to Outworld and begin the negotiations for peace. Walking into the temple, Kurai sees Raiden engaging Han in a friendly conversation, but stops when they hear him approach. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long, Raiden?" Kurai says apologetically, causing Raiden to shake his head.
"Not at all, Kurai. Han and I were just discussing the promising new students that have come to the temple quite recently." He explains as Han nods with a smile.
"That actually reminds me of something, but you and I can talk about it another time, Han. For now, Raiden and I must be off." Kurai explains while smiling to Han. The Grandmaster nods with understanding as Kurai and Raiden bow respectfully to Han.
"May your negotiations prove fruitful, Kurai. I pray for your success of peace with Outworld." He says before Kurai and Raiden disappear in a flash of lightning.
Outworld, Palace Throne Room...
"You agreed to allow that Edenian scum to come here to Outworld to negotiate peace, Mileena?! PEACE?! After what he and the other Earth Realm scum did my brother, Motaro?! After what they did to your father, Shao Kahn?! You're a disgrace to his name, half-breed!" A centaur shouts angrily at Mileena, who glares furiously at the centaur warrior for calling her a half-breed.
"Hold your tongue, Malek! We may have been enemies of Kurai, but no longer. That was under Shao Kahn's rule. Kurai has shown time and time again that he is more than willing to make peace with all those in Outworld, despite our transgressions against him as well as the Elder Gods." Baraka explains to Malek, Motaro's younger brother, while defending Mileena in her decision to allow Kurai back into Outworld.
Malek snorts before growling in frustration. "THAT is exactly why it is not the sign of a strong warrior! It's the sign of a weakling that is afraid of us! Afraid of what we're capable of! Which is EXACTLY why we should not be negotiating peace with him or the Edenians! We should hold him captive and demand for the queen to ask the Elder Gods to release Shao Kahn! Because that thing does not deserve to sit on the throne! She is not even Shao Kahn's daughter by blood!" Malek continues to angrily voice his opinions while pointing at Mileena as many in the throne room have had enough.
Goro stands up from his seat near the throne and confronts the centaur. "I will say this once, Malek. Hold. Your. Tongue. Before you lose it. Yes, a strong warrior your brother was, but your blind anger for Kurai and his allies will not bring him back. Losses in war are inevitable. I understand that, Baraka understands that, and so did your brother. If you feel so strongly about your brothers death, maybe you should've gone with him. But you didn't. Because it was your first real experience in a war and you were too afraid to die. Your brother, on the other hand, while the we Shokan all had our opinions about him, he was a great warrior. Something you will never hope to be." The Shokan prince says to Malek coldly as the centaur snarls furiously before walking out of the throne room in a huff.
Goro walks back to his seat near the throne and sits down beside Mileena as the remaining audience, consisting of Mileena, Goro, Sheeva, Skarlet, Reptile, Baraka, and Ermac, all wait for Kurai's arrival.
It wasn't longer after that a bolt of lightning struck inside the throne room to reveal Kurai and Raiden. Mileena and the rest all tense when they see Raiden, but Kurai puts them at ease when he decided to speak first. "None of you have to worry. Raiden is only here as a precaution, for my protection. Mother insisted I bring someone with me." He tells them all kindly with a smile.
Mileena and the others relax as Sheeva walks towards Kurai with a smile not seen on the female Shokan before. "Welcome back, Kurai. It's good to see you again." She says walking towards him with open arms. Kurai smiles back before he and Sheeva embrace each other in a friendly hug.
"I also wanted to thank you for warning me about my mother, Sheeva. You have my eternal gratitude." He whispers to her gratefully before softly kissing her cheek, causing her to grin.
"Of course, Kurai. I'm just happy you managed to save her when you did." She answers him with a nod before stepping aside to allow Kurai to see the others now standing, specifically Mileena.
Kurai nods politely. "Hello, sister." He tells her, causing her to pause and tense when he said that.
She walks down to him and gets close before she leans towards him. "Do you... Do you really mean that?" She asks cautiously as Kurai smiles and opens his arms slightly.
Mileena, unable to contain herself, rushes into his arms and embraces him in a tight hug as tears begin to build in her eyes. She may not have been born naturally like others, Mileena knew this, but all she desired was to have a family. If Kurai was the start to that, then she'll happily negotiate peace with him if it gives her the chance to have a family. If not, she'll settle for a brother.
Mileena pulls away from him and wipes away her tears before eagerly taking Kurai's hands. "Come then, brother. Let us discuss peace between Outworld and Edenia." She says to him happily as the others in the room, including Raiden, all smile at the interaction between Mileena and Kurai.
"First things first." He says, causing Mileena to pause, before Kurai takes the the medallion necklace and tosses it to Skarlet. She catches it and examines it closely before looking at Kurai with a confused expression. He just winks before answering. "From our mutual friend." He tells her, causing her eyes to widen. She looks at the medallion again before looking at Kurai again with a grateful nod.
Kurai looks back at Mileena and smiles. "Now, we can talk." He tells her as she smiles happily as the peace negotiations began.
It didn't take as long as Raiden was expecting before the conversation had end almost as soon as it began. No demands were made. No price. Nothing. It all went perfectly. "Kurai, I honestly don't know how you do it." Raiden thinks to himself with a smile as hands were shaken with genuine smiles and Mileena, as well as Sheeva, hugged Kurai graciously before Kurai walks back over to Mileena.
"One last thing, Mileena. I want to do something for you. As a show of good faith." He tells her sincerely, which causes her to look at him in confusion.
"You don't... I won't ask you to do anything you don't want to, Kurai." She tells him with concern, but Kurai shakes his head and smiles.
"Trust me, Mileena. I'm sure you'll like this. I know you don't like being called... whatever it is the people here call you. So, as a token of my appreciation, I want to do something special for you. And you only." He tells her tenderly, causing her to hesitate before eventually nodding. But she wondered what he would do for her.
Kurai's hand was then engulfed in a white flame before gently placing it on Mileena's chest. But it wasn't burning her like she initially thought it would. In fact, to her, it was pleasantly warm as she and Kurai both closed their eyes. "I'm glad I managed to practice this more before coming here. I can use the Phoenix Cleanse now without having to use it in a fight." Kurai thinks to himself before pulling his hand away and opens his eyes to a new sight.
Mileena moans quietly before opening her eyes to look at Kurai with curiosity. "What did you do to-?" She began to say, but pauses when she hears her voice had changed. Her eyes grow wide as Kurai smiles.
"Take off your mask and find out." He says before Mileena runs out of the throne room to find the nearest mirror and eagerly takes her mask off. The moment she does, everyone hears the Kitana clone gasp in shock before she runs back into the throne room. And to everyones utter shock, she no longer looks like a Tarkatan with Kitana's features.
She is now the spitting image of Kitana, besides the eyes, which were still amber yellow, but Mileena didn't mind. "Kurai, you... I'm... I'm... beautiful...!" She says with a cracked tone as Kurai just smiles brightly.
"You no longer have any of Shang Tsung's poisonous magic in you, thanks to the Phoenix Cleanse. Whatever it was that prevented a perfect Kitana clone is no longer inside you. Besides the eyes, you're now a perfect clone, Mileena. But that doesn't make you any less than what you are. And I'm more than happy to call you my sister." He tells her genuinely.
"We're not even close and he still... did this for me? Does he really, truly, want me as his sister when Kitana didn't even...?" Mileena thinks to herself as her lips tremble before she bursts into a run towards him and launches herself at him. She crashes into him him, which causes them both to fall down to the floor while Mileena repeatedly thanks Kurai while crying. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you...!" She says over and over again as Kurai smiles and gently pats her back while the others chuckle.
Raiden, slightly in shock at the display before him, shakes his head with a smile. "Kurai, you may have just completely prevented the rise of another tyrant." He thinks gratefully as he continues to watch Mileena keep her hold on Kurai while the others laugh at the lighthearted scene.