(DISCLAIMER:I don't own Mortal Kombat or it's characters in any way. )
Chapter 1: Time Only Knows
The battle between Johnny Cage and Reptile had raged on for only a short time. Once defeated, the spectators and warriors alike were all talking among themselves. They all seemed surprised such a … person, to say it lightly, defeated Reptile. Cage's attitude did not help garner him further respect either.
"Oh yeah! I'm so pretty!" Cage approached the warriors on the sidelines, continuing to talk his trash. "And I'm takin' you down, I'm takin' you down, I'm takin' you out, I'm takin' you out, and I'm takin' you out…for dinner." He paused in front of the less than impressed Sonya.
From near Shang Tsung's throne, Jade chuckled lightly. "Well, I seemed to have forgotten he was the least changed among us all." She kept her voice low, so that only Mileena and Kitana would hear.
Kitana cleared her throat. "I must depart momentarily." She started to step away, though she was stopped by the grasp of Mileena's hand on her arm. "Mileena." She did not make eye contact, though her tone said it all. She wished to have some time to herself.
"Do not stray far." Mileena released her. "If you need Mileena or Jade, we will be here." Their voices remained low, though the whispering among the women surely garnered the attention of the tournament's host – Shang Tsung.
The sorcerer noticed a dramatic shift in the moods the three women had been in. "What seems to be the latest gossip, ladies?" He glanced between the three of them – watching as Kitana stepped away. "Where is Kitana running off to?"
"I believe she is going to the ladies room. She is old enough not to be accompanied there." Jade answered fairly quickly. "Unless you'd want Shao Kahn to think you wanted information on his daughter in the restroom?"
Shang Tsung's aged face wasn't too pale to grow red – and as gutless as he could behave, his stomach was in knots with the thought of Kahn accusing him of lusting for his so-called child. Not to mention the torment he would suffer at his own home. "She has a generous ten minutes." He turned to face forward.
Mileena chuckled to herself – though the amusement was short lived when she felt the presence of Baraka creeping up from behind the throne of Shang Tsung to stand at his side. The Tarkatan warrior leaned over to mutter something in Shang's ear…and the whole time Mileena burned holes in Baraka's head with her gaze.
Sensing the hostility, Jade grasped Mileena's wrist to bring about eye contact between the two. She didn't say a word, though her green eyes relayed the message perfectly. 'Relax'.
"I have been informed we have one too many participants on the side of Earthrealm." The elder Shang Tsung spoke, "So we will neutralize this early on to keep things as equal and…fair as possible. Johnny Cage, you will face a fellow Earthrealm warrior…"
"Yeah? Well who is it? Chuck Norris? Maybe I'll actually break a sweat!" Cage grinned from ear to ear, adjusting those perfect shades over his eyes.
"Your opponent is the American demon hunter, Nido!"
As the young dark-skinned man stepped from the crowd, he pulled his lance from the ground and swung it over his shoulder. He stepped onto the stage and tossed his weapon aside. "Much respect, Cage. By the way, you should take your reality show to YouTube. Networks ain't the way to go."
Upon seeing Nido alive and well, Jade's heart swelled. She wanted to go down there and put her arms around him, though if they were truly in the past, she knew he hadn't met her just yet.
"Nido huh? What, Alucard was taken?" Cage took stance for kombat.
"Can't help my birthname, John Carlton." Nido retorted.
"Whatever, Odin."
As the battle began, the aching Reptile staggered up toward Mileena. He gained her attention with a simple touch of the shoulder. "…Mileena, may I have a word?"
Before, Mileena could recall not listening to Reptile if it had nothing to do with her task. She remembered strictly keeping her eyes on Kitana at all times…though anyone was better than being near Baraka. "Just one. " Her eyes went to Jade. "I shall return. Do tell Kitana."
As Mileena left with Reptile, she felt Baraka's eyes on her. It made her flesh crawl.
As Mileena followed Reptile farther away from the fighting, she watched as he sat against one of the many pillars. He removed his mask and let out a long sigh as his reptilian features were exposed once the human façade dropped.
"I am doomed." Reptile spoke. "Another loss. Another step back from ever seeing my homeland or my people must I suffer so? Why must I be doomed to walk this life alone?"
Mileena's demeanor softened up. She wasn't aware of Reptiles emotions before. Though oddly, they were actually similar to the ones she had developed. Mileena sat beside Reptile on the ground. "You are never alone, Reptile. When it feels as if there is no hope beyond, Mileena has seen good things start to happen."
"What good things could ever happen to us? You have Baraka, Mileena. Though you are only half Tarkatan, you still have –"
"Mileena does not want Baraka. Mileena will do much better than that." She spoke with anger. "You can do better as well, Reptile. If you cannot be with your race, then look abroad. Find happiness."
"I…will ponder this, Mileena. I appreciate you listening to me. I was beginning to think your only interest was kombat." He pulled his mask back up around his mouth, taking a deep breath. "We must defeat Earthrealm."
"No," She shut her eyes and hugged her knees. "We are slaves, Reptile. Mileena knows neither Shao Kahn nor Shang Tsung will ever live up to their words. The only way to stop them is to let them be destroyed."
These words seemed trivial to Reptile. "What are you saying Mileena..?"
She brought a hand up to his shoulder and locked eyes with him. "Trust Mileena. You will see."
Though it was then their conversation came to an end. Baraka approached, roughly pulling Mileena to her feet by her arm. "Woman! You simply abandon your post at Shang Tsung's side to converse?"
CRACK!
Mileena snapped immediately and punched Baraka across the jaw with everything she had. The impact alone spun the Tarkatan around and to the floor. She drew her fist back to strike him again should he rise, though she restrained herself. She did not wish to put Kitana or herself at risk.
Baraka slowly stood as Mileena's backed up.
"You bitch!" Baraka barked. "You dare lay a hand on me?"
"You will never touch Mileena again as long as you live! Get away!"
The Tarkatan warrior drew his own fist back and let out a loud snarl of anger. However, his attempted punch was ended by the mighty grasp of Princess Kitana. "You will not touch her." She commanded, staring deeply into the man's yellow eyes. "You have a fight against an Earthrealm warrior. I would suggest taking your frustrations out constructively."
Yanking his arm away, Baraka simply glared down the princess. His loyalty to Shao Kahn would not allow him to disobey her commands. Instead, he gave a final glare to Mileena and simply turned away, storming to battle with rage in his heart.
Once Baraka was out of sight, Kitana stepped to Mileena. "Are you alright?"
"Mileena is fine." She scoffed and turned her glance toward Reptile. "You must rest. Much lay ahead of us. Discussion will take place later."
"Discussion? What discussion?" Kitana was not sure it would be wise to involve others in their current situation…if that was the case.
"Mileena was simply talking to Reptile about moving forward. That is all, sister."
To see the two of them in the good graces of another was something Reptile had not seen since his joining of Shao Kahn. "The two of you be well." The masked Saurian vanished from sight as he went about his own business.
"Mileena…" Kitana placed her hand on her forehead. "We do not yet know what exactly has happened. Despite our wisdom, if we try to change the lives of others, it could have catastrophic results." As her hand dropped, she peered into her sister's eyes. "I know you mean well, but we must try not to act too differently than we did before, for the time being."
"Sister, this is our chance for redemption!" Mileena grabbed Kitana's shoulders tightly. "We can improve things! We can stop Kahn, we can save Liu Kang, and we can change all for the better! We can be with mother…the two of us. Jade, too!"
"Stop." Kitana stepped back from Mileena. "Mother is dead, Mileena. The only reason we got to see her again was because of Quan Chi's plan. If we change things…that may never come to pass." She turned away from Mileena,and looked toward the crowd not far off that watched the tournament. "If we get him to do it before his time…it may only aid Kahn.."
"Surely you do not suggest we wait this out, sister! Mileena wants this to be over so that she can finally…" She wanted to speak of Kuai Liang, but she did not want Kitana to deter her from it. "We must do what we must to insure Edenia is saved, and that you return to your position as it's princess. Edenia depends on us."
"Indeed it does." Kitana seemed unsure in her words, though before Mileena could say anything about it, she saw the battle had ended. "Come." She spoke to her sister, proceeding to walk back to the side of Shang Tsung, where Jade had been waiting.
"Very well," They heard Shang Tsung speak, "the tournament will resume at dawn!"
The sight of the defeated Baraka brought a chuckle from Mileena's concealed mouth. She hadn't the least bit of sympathy for him. Though her eyes locked onto that of Sub-Zero. She had to at least introduce herself to him at some point.
Kitana's sights remained on Liu Kang as he and Raiden approached Johnny. She wanted to see him up close, though she fell in line with Shang Tsung as he trailed along.
Jade trailed behind…purposefully. While the twin sisters maintained their roles, Jade's mind was occupied elsewhere. She saw the young man, Nido, sitting along the wall to tend to his injuries. She saw the impactful shot below the belt Cage gave him – she remembered it happening once before as well. Though she also knew they hadn't truly started until later on… she approached him now. "Excuse me?"
Jade's voice roused Nido's attention, trying to play it cool as if he weren't in pain. "Aah, what's going on? I'm just…-"
"Taking a breather?" She folded her hands behind her back and leaning forward some as she approached slowly. "I hear all great champions never neglect doing so." Though he hadn't said such since their first few weeks together, Jade never forgot the famous excuse. Just seeing him alive brought a fluttering to her heart. To know that he meant every word he said, to know that he would sacrifice himself for her…and to know that this was her chance to make things right...it was all making her feel delightful.
"Heh, that's right!" Nido chuckled, holding a thumb up. "Nido's the name. What's yours, Brown Sugar?"
("I missed that…") She thought to herself, coming to kneel in front of him. "I am Jade. It is a pleasure to meet you, Nido." She placed her hand on his cheek.
"Likewise…" He smiled in confusion. "You always get close to guys like this?" Though he did enjoy the treatment, he wasn't sure why a woman like her would do such for him.
"No. Just once, a long time ago." Jade pulled her hand back, allowing her hands to pull her mask down. "I think you are a wonderful person, Nido. I would be appreciative if you stuck around until the end. I know of several quiet places on this island."
"Are you asking me out?" It took a minute for him to catch on. "…Whoa, you're really asking me out? What'd I do to make this happen?"
Jade chuckled, leaning in to place her lips against his forehead. "I can see the heart of a lion in you, Nido. You are a brave and noble warrior. I only wish there were more like you." She stood and glanced off in the distance. "I must return to guarding Shang Tsung. Be well, Nido."
"You be well too, Jade."
Side Event: #08: Cold Hearted
The night was still young. Mileena left her sleeping quarters after feinting fatigue, to stalk the island and find Sub-Zero…where ever he may be. She absolutely had to see Kuai Liang. Eventually, her luck led her to find Sub-Zero speaking to the now exiting Shang Tsung. It seemed there was an issue that required attention. It had to be important – Jade and Kitana were at the sides of Shang Tsung. It was a wide walkway that resided near the pits, with quite the lovely night view.
Once they were out of earshot, she watched as Sub-Zero turned to overlook the bridges over the pit in the distance. It was the perfect time to say hello. She dropped down and approached Sub-Zero carefully. "Kuai Liang?" She spoke with the utmost hope in her voice.
Sub-Zero's eyes narrowed, turning toward the approaching Mileena. "I know not of this Kuai Liang you speak of." Of course, it was forbidden to confirm the true identities of Lin Kuei to outsiders. "I am Sub-Zero. Who might you be?"
The voice was surely not Kuai Liang. This had to be his older brother that he spoke of; the original Sub-Zero. Yet and still, he was of relation to Kuai Liang…he would be respected.
She remembered him mostly for his service in the Brotherhood of Shadow as Noob Saibot. This time, she would not allow such to happen. "Mileena." She introduced herself as she got closer. "It is alright. I am a friend of your brother." She walked the line of breaking the flow of time, but did not care.
"I see." Bi Han did not believe her. He never saw her prior to this his entire life. That was unless Tundra snuck out and met this woman. He resumed to looking out over the railing and lost himself to his own thoughts of recent events. The thought of Sareena dying in his arms haunted him.
"What is it that plagues your mind, Sub-Zero?" She pried.
"The memory of a woman is powerful enough to drive a man to madness." Words returned with a hushed tone. "Perhaps my brother did keep you a secret all of this time. He at times thinks like I do. You do somewhat remind me of…her."
"Mileena reminds you of someone…?"
Sub-Zero took a deep breath. Was he right to allow Shinnok to live, and simply flee? He left Sareena there…without a proper burial. Granted their time together was limited, but maybe he could have done more. "It is none of your business. It is not my job to converse with the likes of you." Bi Han turned, pointing his finger in her face. "Do you take me as a fool? You speak like a child, you dress as a harlot, and you expect me to simply fall for your trickery, woman?"
Mileena was stunned by Sub-Zero's words, backing up a few paces. "Wait, Mileena isn't trying to trick anyone…!"
"Your childish charm has run out!" Sub-Zero took his combative stance. It was the obvious sign of a challenge, though there was no one to witness it. Before Mileena could even begin to run away, Bi Han charged her shoulder first, laced in his own ice. As soon as it made contact with Mileena's skin, she was instantly frozen in place!
Mileena could hardly breathe, let alone move in this frozen prison. The next thing she knew, she was broken from the ice by a powerful punch across her jaw. She spun about and maintained her footing, but Bi Han's powerful strikes continued to back her up. The bruises forming along her face reddened with each strike, though it was an uppercut to her chin that finally took her off her feet.
After crashing to the ground, Mileena rolled over as Sub-Zero continued his slow approach.
"How you know of my brother, you will tell me…"
Mileena quickly got back onto her feet. "You are not much different than you will end up…"
His eyes narrowed, "Any hex of yours is lost on me, woman." He slid across the ground, though he hit nothing but air as Mileena dropped through the floor. She came down from behind with a kick, then back down in front of him with a kick to the face. The blur of motion was hard to keep up with, as shown by the reeling Lin Kuei.
When Mileena's sai came his way, Sub-Zero phased backward to force the sai to be slowed while passing through his frozen clone. These allowed Sub-Zero to easily side-step and proceed to rush Mileena.
As the two clashed, Mileena's overhand strike was blocked by a stiff forearm and her face was met with the solid skull of Bi Han. Mileena ducked under a spinning kick and grabbed him by his head and waistband before she drove him face first into the nearest railing along the walkway. The impact cracked the stone solid structure with a webbing-like fissures on the surface. Mileena pulled his head up, and with vicious intent, began repeatedly slamming his face against the stone railing, staining it with his blood.
Bi Han blocked her last attempt and elbowed her stomach. After regaining his composure, Bi Han went to punch Mileena avoided his next set of punches and palm struck him in the middle of his chest. He stumbled and hit the now weakened railing. She charged inward, lifting her leg high up and came down with an axe-kicking motion, though Bi Han moved aside from it. Mileena's foot broke through the stone and left enough room for a human body to fall through and toward the pits.
Realizing this quickly, she turned her eyes to Bi Han. His ice projectile nearly hit, though she ducked down under it and rolled away from the gap leading to certain death.
Sub-Zero rushed her, though as she prepared her defenses he repeatedly vanished to leave behind ice clones to surround her every exit.
Every direction, there was a clone of Sub-Zero, waiting for her to touch it and be vulnerable to be cast over the edge. She looked up and saw Bi Han sailing over her with both hands drawn back with the ice building up.
As the ice rained down, Mileena dropped through a small gateway and appeared above Bi Han just as he released the ice. Her kick sent the Lin Kuei crashing down into his own ice clones, frozen over in mid-air. While falling, she saw the ice that did hit the clones…reflected skywards.
"Oh no…!" She too was frozen in mid-air for several seconds!
Bi Han was the first to thaw. He crashed face first on the pavement. Moments later, Mileena dropped harshly on her spine.
She writhed in pain on the ground, trying to find the strength to get up and run away, though it was useless as Bi Han pulled her up by her by the neck. "Who do you work for, woman? Shang Tsung?" He pulled her veil down so that he could hear her speak without anything muffling her words. Though aside her bruises and bloodied nose…Bi Han saw something so repulsive that he released her and backed up several paces.
Mileena's sharp teeth and wide mouth kept her tongue caged up. Her full Tarkatan features were impossible to hide. She knew she lost her more Edenian features when she awoke in this world, though seeing such a reaction made her already aching heart sink further. She was driven to rage.
"Foul beast, you will die here!" Bi Han gathered his Kori energy between his palms to finish her.
Mileena summoned her sai and tossed it into a lingering ice clone nearby while her body rolled near it. The clone shattered and the sai was instead frozen in place.
Bi Han fired his ice ball at her.
Mileena grasped the floating sai and got behind it. As expected, the ice bounced off, absorbing the energy from the frozen weapons and soared back toward Sub-Zero.
"What-!" Bi Han exclaimed before he became frozen over once again.
Mileena collected her sai and fled immediately. She fled all the way back to her sleeping quarters, in tears as the thoughts that Kuai Liang would have the same response to her features rushed through her mind. She should have just cast herself into the pits…
Side Event: #08: Bonding Process
As Kitana and Jade were returning from their less than effort given 'stopping' of Sonya Blade, they were just happy that the pain they remembered wasn't as bad this time around. Things were going smoothly, thus far nothing had been too different…except this.
Kitana heard the sound of sobbing from behind Mileena's door
Jade parted the door slowly and kept her staff in its collapsed state until needed. She stepped inside…narrowing her eyes in the dark room. "Mileena?" She said as she flipped on the light switch.
The two saw Mileena sitting on her bed with her knees drawn up to her face. Her veil lay beside her, from the door they could see the bathroom mirror had been shattered, and each of her sai protruded from the walls.
"Sister? What…what happened here?" Kitana rushed inside, quickly coming to Mileena's aid.
As Jade shut the door and locked it, she proceeded more cautiously toward Mileena. She never knew when she would lash out, and if she did, Jade had a duty to fulfill to protect her friend. She at one time considered Mileena a friend while growing up, until her more sinister and jealous side surfaced. Though this Mileena seemed to have actual emotions again.
Mileena just continued to sob, no matter how Kitana tried to console her. She leaned against her chest, crying as she was rocked from side to side. Kitana embraced her twin and quietly shushed her to try and sooth her tears.
"Mileena…is…hideous." Mileena's voice cracked. "Sub-Zero…he…made Mileena feel like a monster…"
"Sub-Zero? "Did he hurt you? Did he to this to you?" Kitana examined Mileena's face. She had taken some damage as well, though she would heal much quicker than she or Jade.
"He challenged me. I asked him about…Kuai Liang, his brother…"
"Mileena, we cannot break the rules of time! We've not met him yet; we know what happens to this Sub-Zero. Bringing up anything of anyone's future could get people killed…including you. You did not tell him of his fate…, did you?"
"No." She lied, somewhat. "Mileena just wants to meet Kuai Liang. He…and Mileena were growing close…and Baraka ended that. Mileena will do anything just to see him again. She doesn't care if it means breaking rules."
Jade felt her heart tighten, so she spoke in Mileena's defense. "When I lost Nido, I felt the exact same way, Mileena." She stepped toward the bed and sat at the half-Tarkatan's other side. "I should have kept silent. Instead of waiting, I approached him this evening."
"You did what?" Kitana was outnumbered here – both were breaking the rules.
"Yes," Jade proceeded, "my affection with Nido will not impact the survival or death of the realms. Just his survival years down the line. We will grow together again,. Hopefully this time without doubts of our releationship."
"Does Mileena's need for Kuai Liang impact the realms…?" Her yellow eyes hopeful as she turned to Jade for words of wisdom.
"I…do not believe so. If it is meant to be, it shall pass. Though take into consideration that if Sub-Zero does not die at Scorpion's hand, the other may never have a need to enter the tournament, thus you may never meet."
"It is the same under the account of mother," Kitana added, "we must make sure that the three tournaments take place so that she can be revived. From there, Kahn must fall, and I will convince mother of her true identity."
"Tanya must never be given any power," Jade said firmly, "she will be rid of by the Brotherhood once her usefulness has run its course. They must never get the chance to invade."
Mileena's memory was quite clear on these events. Kitana killed her, Shinnok gave her another chance, and the invasion of Edenia happened all thanks to Tanya's betrayal. The power Shinnok had given her to read Kitana's mind and her critical mistake that landed her in the Edenian prison. The mistake became a bonus, as it brought her to bond with her sister, and gave her the new life and a chance to meet Kuai Liang.
"You are right, Tanya will only cause more chaos…" Kitana placed her hand on her chin and thought deeply.
"…What of the Deadly Alliance?" Mileena could hear Kitana's thoughts. It seemed that Shinnok's gift remained with her.
"We must allow Quan Chi and Shang Tsung to live at least until mother is back with us. The Deadly Alliance must never form…and the end of all will never come."
"Then, we have a plan." Jade smiled, "We will stick together on this. No matter what happens, we are the family we used to be when we were children. Let us hope this time you two can get along? Hm?"
The trio chuckled lghtly together and Kitana brought her arms around the two others. "Of course we will. We will see each other through, and do what is best for the realms, our friends, and ourselves."
Mileena hugged each of them, though she had a critical question. "Sister, is there any way Mileena can have a normal face again?"
"Hmm…, yes." Kitana released her, "I will get right on that. We have to first return to Outworld…I believe the mages there can be of assistance."
Jade stood. "For now, it is best we all keep our masks. It is dawn – we should return to Shang Tsung's side."
( End Side Events)
DAWN ; TOURNAMENT GROUNDS
Mileena, Kitana, and Jade stood side-by-side as the tournament unfolded. Baraka refused to stand anywhere near Mileena, but Jade often caught Baraka glancing over at the half-Tarkatan.
When Jade wasn't surveying the battle, or catching Baraka, she searched for Nido in the crowd. It took her a while, but when they finally locked eyes across the way, Jade waved at him lightly.
The tournament saw Scorpion being successful over Kung Lao and Nightwolf, with each victory showing how ruthless Hanzo was in battle. After each victory he demanded Sub-Zero to be brought before him.
Shang Tsung denied this demand, and as the tournament rolled on, Mileena saw Lord Raiden privately approach Scorpion while he was alone. She didn't recall this happening before, so she snuck around to get closer to Scorpion after Raiden left.
"I saw you speak with the Thunder God, Scorpion." Mileena said as she carefully approached. "What…did he say to you?"
The quiet fierceness Hanzo possessed burned around him. He turned his head toward the heavens and basked the warmth of peace. "The Shirai Ryu may live once more." Scorpion vanished in a burst of flames. He left only the charred ground where he once stood.
Mileena turned her attention back to the Earthrealm warriors in the distance. Raiden was still among them. Had he too come back to the past?
NEAR NOON; Throne Room
A storm had been passing over the island. Many of the Kombatants sheltered themselves in the throne room for the proceeding rounds of the Tournament. Kitana and Jade stood together, near the grouping of Jax, Sonya, and Johnny Cage. Mileena's whereabouts were still unknown – and it was starting to worry her elder sister.
Jade lightly nudged her friend. "Kitana, he is right over there. You should go and talk to him."
"No," She said beneath her breath. "It isn't time for that. I'm worried about Mileena…she must be caught in the storm."
"How's it goin' there, ladies?" The gruff voice of Kano rumbled while he stepped between them. "Either one'a ya wanna play a bit of Poker? I already came equip, if yanno wot I mean?" His throaty laugh came bellowing out as the two Edenians rolled their eyes. "Come on, I'm a lover of all shades'a beauty. From Lemon Cake ta Brown Sugar."
Jade's jaw clinched, and suddenly her staff extended to strike Kano right between the legs! "How dare you speak to Kahn's daughter in such a way, fool? Your jesting has been tolerated long enough!"
"Fine, fine! Geez!" Kano coughed, favoring his groin. "I'll…be over 'ere." He motioned to the far side of the room. "Hopin' I don't…cough me boys up."
As Kano limped away, Kitana chuckled. "That was impressive. You are committed to your role, aren't you?"
"I am not as ignorant as I once was, my friend." Jade said while collapsing her staff.
Mileena dropped through a small portal and landed in a crouch beside Jade. She was soaked from the rain, but thankfully she hadn't gotten in another fight. She held a scroll tightly in hand and near her chest as she spoke. "Sorry Mileena is late."
"It is alright – but what is that?" Jade pointed to the wet scroll, "Something of importance?"
"Yes. Mileena wrote out…" She looked around as the double doors opened for the next bout, and Scorpion walked through. She kept her voice down, "Mileena wrote out what she remembers about this tournament. Scorpion defeats Kung Lao and Nightwolf, two men, and kills Sub-Zero."
"Yes, and?" Kitana remembered these events as well.
"Something happened today that did not happen before." Mileena showed them the scroll of events she wrote down, all the way to Liu Kang defeating Shang Tsung. She pointed to one in particular, that she underlined in her barely legible handwriting. "Raiden spoke to Scorpion. He told him that his clan may live again."
"What?" Jade and Kitana said in unison.
Kitana urged her sibling to roll the scroll up before anyone else saw. "That's impossible. Could Raiden have come back with –." Kitana's words were cut short by Scorpion's exchange of words with two Lin Kuei warriors.
"Your inferior clan is dead! Soon you will join them." Cyrax spoke with the utmost confidence in his clan's superiority to the Shirai Ryu.
Scorpion, keeping a calmness about himself spoke in return. "My clan…may walk the Earth once more."
This resulted in Cyrax shoving Scorpion, and gaining the attention of the host, Shang Tsung!
"A challenge!" Shang Tsung announced, "Scorpion, versus Cyrax and Sektor!"
Jade was taken by surprise. She remembered this happening with much more confrontation than a push. When the battle began, Jade's attention was drawn away by a voice whispering in her mind. The voice's words could not be clearly heard, but all other sound seemed to suck away from Jade's ears. As she shook her head, she snapped back to reality. Mileena and Kitana became preoccupied with watching the battle, so she was certain they didn't witness her zone out.
Soon she heard a 'psst' from behind her…and when she turned, she saw Nido waving her down. "Excuse me a moment." Jade placed a hand at Kitana's shoulder, and proceeded away from the throne room, toward the rainy balcony where Nido was.