(DISCLAIMER:I don't own Mortal Kombat or its characters in any way. )

Chapter 3: Ripple Effect

The rain passed.

Kitana hid and waited as Raiden spoke with Liu Kang.

She picked up on some words, but was unable to connect to an overall point. There was something that Kitana caught that Liu Kang said, "Your visions, what causes them?" The rest from Raiden was scattered. It was something about an outcome or preventing one.

This was proof enough that the Elder God was just as Mileena suggested – aware of the future just as they were.

Once Raiden left Kang to his preparation for the coming rounds, Kitana remained hidden. The soft sounds of the nearby waterfall brought back memories of this exact moment.

This was the day she was defeated and spared by Liu Kang. The words he said to her burned in her mind for days. 'This encounter never happened,' is what he told her. As if her disgrace would simply melt away into thin air. How careless of him, how inconsiderate and dishonorable. How wonderful he was to see the glass as half full. How noble he was to deny his own heart in order to protect Earth later down the road. These memories however never happened for him, just yet.

Kitana walked toward Liu Kang with easy steps. Each one made her heart thump into her throat. She was nervous – how was her hair? How was her breath, even? She saw him turn to face her. He was alive, in the flesh and years away from meeting his death.

"Hello," Kitana said once within earshot. "I am Kitana. I've been watching you, Liu Kang. I must say, I am impressed."

The Shaolin smiled at her words. He glanced about until setting eyes upon her. "Here I was expecting an attack. This is a very pleasant turn of events. It is a pleasure, Miss Kitana."

She lifted her hand toward him to pause him from speaking further. "Just Kitana, please. I get enough of the formalities in my everyday life. It comes with the fear of… my father, Shao Kahn."

"Shao Kahn is your father?" Liu Kang was shocked at this.

"Yes, but it isn't important. Despite our realms being enemies. I was hoping we could speak under non-violent terms." She lifted her hands to remove her mask for the time being.

Liu Kang hesitated a moment, then accepted with a nod of his head. "That is perfectly fine, Kitana. I would love to."

Kitana led him around the bridge. The gardens and the waterfall were all beautiful, but paled in comparison to Liu's eyes. His presence alone made Kitana weak. It was torture to have such strong emotion where the other did not just yet.

They began speaking – the basic 'where are you from', and 'what do you like' conversations. Liu Kang still had the same response as before to Kitana's hobby of collecting sea shells and childish stickers – laughter. Liu's interest in board games were well noted, but the princess played dumb as if she were oblivious of them. She did anything to expand their conversation. His explanations of chess were always time consuming but interesting. True they had such a game back home, but it was a pastime of the more military types…, at least when Edenia was free in her timeline.

Time flew by as they talked, laughed, and sighed at life's little disappointments. It was a just like old times, but only for her. Sitting along the railing, the two continued to laugh together.

"So, the entire time, she's running around with her underwear on her head." Kitana laughed, trying to get the rest of her story out. "She turns to me with the little hammer in her hand, her underwear on her head, and one of the towels pinned to her shirt and says… 'Kitana, look! Mileena is father! Ha Ha, you suck!' It was simply incredible!" She laughed on through her hands attempting to cover her mouth.

Liu Kang joined her in laughter, just getting the mental image of a child doing such a thing. He could only imagine what Kahn looked like; a man with underwear on his head, a cape, and a hammer? "It must be wonderful to grow up with a sibling like that. It sounds to be quite eventful, Kitana."

"It was, and still is. It began to fall apart when we were forced to train but…" Kitana paused. "Things have gotten back to normal. She doesn't know this, but I would face my own father if he ever put his hands on her. Mileena and I are very different, but she deserves much better than what life has dealt her."

"What's wrong with her?" He pried, now growing concerned for her sister.

"She was born different. When we were younger, she could control it. Then it broke out and she never could change it. She has…the mouth of a Tarkatan. If you remember Baraka from the first rounds, he is a Tarkatan." She looked away from Liu. "I often feel sorry for her. Not because she hides herself, but because she will never see her true beauty until it is fixed." She glanced down at her lacing fingers in her lap. "I think she is perfect just the way she is. Her personality was very ugly at one time, but she found herself."

Liu Kang reached over to place his hand on her own and gave her combined hands a light squeeze. "You sound like a great sister. We all have our imperfections. Some more visual than others. But we hide them all the same."

She made eye contact with him shortly after he grasped her hands. "What is your imperfection, Liu Kang?"

Before he could answer, a bolt of electricity crashed down not far from them. Raiden appeared, witnessing the two sitting in close quarters. He even noted the hand holding. Confused, Raiden took a few moments before he spoke up. "Liu Kang, you are summoned. Scorpion has left the tournament, as has Quan Chi." This was good news, as a pleased expression was shown on Lord Raiden's face. "This means you advance directly to the semi-finals and face Goro. Should you be victorious, you only need a victory over Shang Tsug to win the tournament."

Liu got off of the bridge rail and bowed. "I am ready, Lord Raiden."

Kitana joined him, but soon departed. No goodbye, no words. She wasn't supposed to be there this long. She had to get out of the way to let time work itself out without further distraction. What if her speaking to Liu Kang took him off focus? What if Goro killed him? She would not be able to live with herself for distracting him. Though she heard Liu Kang call for her, she kept walking as if she had pressing matters elsewhere. She felt Raiden's eyes on her from the moment she parted. She needed to have a word with him, but now wasn't the time or place.

Side Event #12: The Sting of Reality

As the tournament concluded elsewhere, Scorpion had long since teleported himself back near the remains of his village. Crouched near a fallen tree branch, he picked it up to examine it. Once he stood, he tossed it toward the river nearby. After it made its collision with the surface of the running water, Scorpion sensed the arrival of the Thunder God. He kept his back to him, but even still Scorpion could sense he was troubled. It didn't matter to him very much, however.

"Our bargain?" Scorpion spoke first, with his head tipped toward the heavens.

"It is done." Raiden responded after a brief pause. "The Elder Gods wished to return your people as you were returned by Quan Chi."

"What?" Scorpion turned with flames on the surface of his skin. He pointed directly in Raiden's face. "This is not what we made an agreement on! I was to spare Sub-Zero, and you were to return my clan to life, Thunder God!"

"Relax." Raiden placed a hand up in his defense. "Because Sub-Zero was still murdered, they wished to punish you for such, I believe. I spoke with them, and due to my visions, they saw it wise not to go that route. If you are displeased, you will not serve them in the pending future. If you do not, and Shao Kahn is not defeated, they know they will die at his hands now."

"I will serve no one!" Scorpion vowed. "All I care for is my family. My son was robbed of his future and my wife of hers! If it means protecting them, then I will go to the ends of Earth and the depths of hell itself to see to it. After Quan Chi dies, I will have no further use for these tournaments!"

Raiden went silent, but eventually spoke after considering his words. "Very well. Your family will be restored very soon. I thank you for your contributions, Scorpion. May you live on with your family in peace."

The specter calmed himself. He nodded to Raiden out of respect. "I thank you for your assistance. Even if I must wait five hundred years for Quan Chi…, I will have my vengeance for what he did to me."

A sudden surge came to Raiden's mind. He held the side of his forehead until the events of the future ran through his mind in flashes. The information filled his head, and he now foresaw more tournaments…including one which Scorpion discovered the truth. "Scorpion, Quan Chi not only had you killed, but posed as Sub-Zero with Shang Tsung's help to annihilate your clan."

"What…?" Hanzo's disappointment in letting the actual killer manipulate him burned in his lungs.

"Shang Tsung's magic is powerful. He disguised Tarkatans as Lin Kuei assassins. I…can see that he tried to tempt you with visions of this slaughter."

"That he did not." Scorpion's brow lowered. "He tried to provoke me to kill Bi Han. The woman in the pink clothing prevented it. She brought word from you that the deed was done."

"Woman in pink?" Raiden questioned, "I have not spoken to such a woman."

This entire thing was growing far too confusing for the specter "Perhaps you have forgotten, or perhaps she was a liar. What matters is that Quan Chi will pay with his life." Clinching a fist, the flames dancing along his skin grew hotter once more.

"You will have your chance, Scorpion. Goodbye." Raiden promised. With a few flickers of light, Raiden was gone in a flash.

Scorpion camped out for several minutes…until he heard motion within his village. Grasping his weapon, Scorpion ducked behind a tree just in case more enemies were trying to tarnish the Shirai Ryu grounds. As he glanced around the tree, he was shocked to find the guards had risen, as well as several of the men, women, and children that resided there under his protection.

He saw their confusion even from his distance. One minute dead, and the next alive? An overwhelming joy filled Scorpion's very being…but none as intense as the vision of his wife holding their young son on her hip, emerging from the torn home she was slaughtered in. He watched her look around in disbelief of her regained life.

When she called out for him, in hopes he would be around, Scorpion…did not come out. How could he? He was still a monster. He was still a hell bound being unfit to be a husband, lover, father, and provider. He knew she would turn him away. She would run in fear, and his people would fear him rather than respect him. He would outlive each and every one of them. He brought them back to life, but eventually, he would have to watch them die all over again.

"Hanzo! … Hanzo..?"

He heard his wife's call grow louder.

With a small burst of flame…Scorpion was gone.

"Hanzo?" Harumi continued on. She wandered near the tree Scorpion formerly stood by. She could smell something burning…and quickly she noticed a slowly burning leaf falling from the tree. Once it touched the soil, she quickly stomped it out for safety. Despite his vanishing, she felt that his presence had been there. "…Hanzo…"

( End Side Event )

( Later…)

Since Liu Kang's victory over Shang Tsung, the Outworlders returned to their realm. Jade said her goodbyes to Nido, Mileena was practically dragged through the portal by Kitana and Jade, and Kitana herself left without so much of a glance back to the new champion. Kitana had to admit…sticking to her past behaviors was extremely difficult. Especially when the chance to execute Shang Tsung came around.

Once they brought Shang Tsung before Shao Kahn in Outworld, Shang Tsung pled his case for mercy to the Kahn..

Once the deal was made, Kitana stormed off to her private chambers within Kahn's fortress and was of course followed closely by her sister and friend. Once inside her room, she did not bother to shut the door.

"I do not need you three out here, go!" Kitana dismissed her guards with authority, only allowing Jade and Mileena inside her room.

"Scram!" Mileena hissed and slammed the door and locked it. "Mileena would have chopped the sorcerer's head off, sister. Why didn't you?"

"We've been over this. Some things must be done." Kitana explained, while walking to her private bookcase. She brushed her fingers over a select few titles she remembered. "Speaking of which, what were you doing getting involved with that match? You could have gotten hurt."

Mileena growled and stepped to her twin's side. "Mileena did what had to be done! Bi Han helped her, and that is all that matters!"

"Bi Han was killed by someone else because you interfered!" Kitana raised her voice a little more. "I would like to believe you are more responsible than what you are letting on, sister. If you saved Bi Han and he still was killed, perhaps time does not wish to be tampered with!"

"Kitana…" Jade stood near them to try and cool this situation off. "Please, she was only doing what she felt was correct."

"But was it correct, Jade?" Kitana challenged. "What did Bi Han help you with, Mileena? Tell me, now."

Jade spoke firmly and placed herself between the sisters. "Perhaps you should speak when you've the mind to listen and be patient, Kitana."

"He gave Mileena a map!" She summoned the small scroll in a puff of pink and purple smoke, similar to that of her sais. "It will lead Mileena to the Lin Kuei temple. To see Kuai Liang!"

Kitana stared at her for several seconds. Kitana spoke after pulling her mask down. "You can't read a map of a realm you are not native of."

"Mileena will learn!"

"No, it is not that simple." The elder of the sisters tried to speak with a more understanding tone. "You will have to wait until you actually meet. I will not let you be harmed nor damage this timeline more."

Jade sensed Mileena's temper flaring. She placed her hand at the woman's shoulder. "Mileena," She spoke softly, "Kitana is correct. None of us understand the landscape of Earthrealm very well. It is best we take our time and let the meetings happen naturally. We must ensure we do not bring forth a grim fate."

Mileena threw the scroll to the ground and shoved Kitana into her bookshelf. "You always have to be right, don't you?! Mileena isn't stupid!" She shouted, just few mere seconds before storming right out of Kitana's room.

Once she was gone Kitana felt horrible. "I am going after her, Jade. I…have to apologize. Alone."

"I understand. Be careful." Jade remained in place and let Kitana go after her younger clone. She felt bad that she did not mention her own altered actions. She was certain that Kitana was strictly following the timeline, while she and Mileena goofed off and did what they felt right for their hearts. There was something she needed to do differently, though. She had to find Skarlet.

Side Event #13: Kitana

While walking through the halls of the expansive dwelling, Kitana often asked the servants if they saw Mileena pass through. Some directed her toward her location, while others simply pointed any direction, wanting to keep from being a disservice to royalty. Kitana wandered beyond the dungeon area, where she spotted Sheeva hauling a new prisoner.

"Please! Come on, lady! I can pay my debts!" The goblin begged as the dungeon door was opened by the upper set of arms of the Shokan warrior.

"If you had not dishonored yourself and challenged him to a game you did not understand, and without the funds to back it up, you would not be in this prison." Sheeva spoke sternly as she tossed the goblin into his cell and slammed the cage shut. Once it was secure, she noticed she had company. "Princess Kitana, what may I assist you with, your highness?"

"Sheeva, please, there is no need for formalities." Kitana said while holding one hand up to the Shokan to ease her. "I am looking for my sister, have you seen her come through here?"

"I cannot say. I have only arrived at this location to drop off a prisoner. Had he not dishonored himself, perhaps I would have been more of an assistance to you if she did indeed—."

"I understand, Sheeva." She cut the rambling woman off as politely as she could. "When is the last time you had a vacation? You look exhausted."

"I do not require a vacation." Despite her strength and skill, she felt like she would topple over if a bumble bee stung her if she didn't sleep soon.

Kitana chuckled. "Everyone does. In fact, I believe father was planning to vacation to celebrate his victory…had Outworld been victorious."

"Shang Tsung failed." Sheeva's arms folded across her torso. "Had he not dishonored himself we would have a grand feast."

"…Yeah." Kitana glanced around for any other possible person to help her out. "Well, no one seems to know where Mileena is for sure. But thank you. By the way – have you seen Skarlet?"

Sheeva thought for a moment. "Ah, Skarlet. The others jokingly call her 'the other Ermac', but Ermac honors her dearly. She resides near the coliseum behind the fortress."

She never knew Ermac had any 'friends' up until the day she was revived. "So that is where Shao Kahn kept her. Well, once again th—"

"Hello, Princess…" A suave voice came from behind her.

It was a voice she knew far too well. When she turned she met eyes with Rain, who was counting his money. "Hello, Raviv."

Rain laughed while putting his koin away. "So, she remembers my first name. I am impressed. Maybe she thinks of me after all."

"Do not bet on it." Kitana said with annoyance on her tone.

Rain laughed lightly and propped himself against the wall from the side. "If I did, I would win. A lot of people learn that the hard way. Ask the goblin. So, when's the last time either of you beautiful women have been out on the town? Outworld has several exotic locations now. Nice dinners, beautiful music, at zero cost to you."

Sheeva shut her eyes. "I must decline once again, Rain. I've a duty to attend to."

"It's a shame. All of those arms and no one to keep warm?" His grin grew as he set eyes back on Kitana. "What about you? Are you available?"

"No. I have much to do for my father." Kitana lied. "But I do have a use for you. Have you seen Mileena?"

Rain tilted his head back and tried to jog his memory. "Maybe if you accepted this dinner offer, my memory may come back around."

"Do not play games with me, Raviv." Kitana's bladed fan was pointed beneath his chin. "One wrong move and you will become drizzle."

Sheeva's brows lifted, impressed with such a line. She would have to remember it.

Rain's arrogance usually allowed him to feel no fear for his life in any situation. "Must you be so articulate with your weapons?" He stepped back."She was heading up toward the top of the fortress last I saw her."

Kitana pulled her weapon away and smiled through her mask. "Good day, Raviv." She stepped around him and proceeded to find her way up the fortress.

Once Kitana was gone, Rain scoffed. "It is very obvious she is attracted to me."

"Silence, drizzle." Sheeva retorted.

Side Event #14: Jade

All through the halls of the fortress, Jade stalked in silence. She had picked up on Skarlet, and trailed her for many floors. It wasn't until she came to a particular door, that she stopped pursuing. It was the door of Shang Tsung's dwelling.

There sounded to be a heated argument inside. Skarlet knocked on the door hard to gather their attention.

The argument stopped, but when the door opened, a much younger Shang Tsung emerged from it. "What is it? Do you have what I requested?"

"Do you have what I requested?" Skarlet retorted quickly.

Scowling, Shang Tsung closed the door. "Denise! Bring me the package!"

"Bring you the package? First you borrow my souls, now I have to play housemaid? Two hundred years ago you would do this yourself!"

"Woman, I am under…a lot of stress right now!"

"What about me?"

"Just…give me the package!"

The argument continued behind the closed door, until Shang opened it partially again to give Skarlet a cloth bag with some hidden objects within.

Skarlet snatched the bag before she spoke. "Noob Saibot is complete, however since he was not killed in the Netherrealm, there are some issues with control. He should be prepared for combat shortly."

"Excellent." He smiled.

"Sure, make more creatures and forget all about your family!" Denise shouted from inside the room.

Shang Tsung grasped his face. "Making creatures is what got this family a place in the fortress!" He barked over his shoulder to his wife, and then returned a glance to Skarlet. "Be sure to tell Shao Kahn the problem with Mileena is being solved. It is eighty percent done."

"This I will be relayed." Skarlet said as she left the sorcerer. When the door closed, the arguments continued.

Slightly amused, Jade stuck around a few moments more in the shadows, and kept herself invisible to the eyes of those inhabiting the dwelling. She followed Skarlet all the way to the coliseum area, where she was then joined by guards and taken to the animal stables. Jade witnessed as she was chained at the wrists and ankles to insure that she would not run away.

Before the guards parted ways with her, Jade could overhear Skarlet ask of Ermac. She couldn't make out the response fully, but she heard something about 'regeneration process'. Once the guards left her alone, Skarlet crouched to the floor and opened the package Shang Tsung gave her. It was a pot of several different meats, vegetables, and bread. There was also what appeared to be sewing supplies and empty vials in the bag.

Now wasn't the time to interrogate Skarlet. Jade decided to retreat for the night and return later on.

Once she was a good distance away from Skarlet, Jade's head ached. She heard whispers all around. All other sounds were gone, and all that remained were these small gasps and unintelligible words. As she walked the halls and saw everything around her slow down. The walls broke apart and floated in the abyss of space outside of them. The ground sectioned off and made a broken path with dark space between each.

A voice whispered to her. "Edenia is a lie. The truth has been hidden."

She heard a woman's voice in her head. Blinding blue light spread out ahead of her. Everything was becane blue as it grew brighter.

"Shao Kahn's death must be re-imagined. The true Edenia must be uncovered. Jade…my sweet Jade…"

Before she knew it, she bumped into Motaro. All sound returned to her and all things returned normal within that instant. To her eyes it seemed like Motaro appeared from nowhere. "Forgiveness, Motaro! I did not see you there."

"But this is Motaro's post." The Centaurian warrior repositioned himself to face Jade. "Is Jade walking blind? Did Jade need to speak with Motaro?"

"No, Jade didn't –" She clinched her eyes, and shook her head. "I didn't need anything. Just daydreaming, is all."

"Daydreaming and walking to Motaro's post?" He tilted his head. "Jade daydreams all the way to the throne room?"

Realizing where she was, Jade couldn't figure out how she went from the coliseum…to the throne room in such a short period of time. She held her head and tried to remember just what happened. "Excuse me." She turned and quickly walked in the other direction.

She still wondered what the voice meant though. Edenia…was a lie?

A/N

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Officially in the MK II Era right now! Progressing the character plots, as well as introducing some new ones! Is there anyone you would like to see arrive in the story? Let me know! Let me know what you think of the girls (Mileena, Kitana, Jade) and how they're developing! Thank you for the reviews, they really motivate me!