Chapter 12: We Have A Winner
The remaining time of rest was spent in solitude for Mileena. She was focused; knowing now she had to prove her innocence, and her sincerity in wishing to assist Sub-Zero. The woman, Xue Fang, had Mileena's hatred at this very moment. She hoped she was eliminated before the finals, so that if she managed to advance, she wouldn't be tempted to murder the woman right then and there. She emerged from the depths of the arena and started toward ringside. The semifinals were just moments from beginning. She made eye contact with her sister, and Khameleon at her side…but Mileena's eyes were no longer filled with excitement, but anger.
Her upcoming opponent, Nido, was still riding the wave of excitement that got him this far. He was hopeful for his victory; knowing that if he proved himself worthy that it would save Jade's life. He knew that if he pushed himself to his very limits that she would be returned to him due to some sort of divine blessing. It was his trial, to prove himself to Jade. Despite only knowing her for a short time…, there was something about her that drove him on.
For Fukushu, her entire agenda changed. She had no will to murder Kuai Liang unless his clan was proven guilty of their crimes and Quan Chi was proved innocent. Either way, winning this tournament and joining the ranks of the Lin Kuei could get her the answers she needed, as well as get her to Quan Chi to finally bring him to justice.
Xue Fang knew exactly what she was going to do in either scenario. She approached ringside with a confidence that exceeded the level of skill between all the remaining fighters. She thought ahead – very far ahead in fact.
After a few seconds, Kuai Liang stood up to look over the ring. Despite the feelings that Xue Fang's news brought to him, he managed to put up his defenses enough to appear entirely unaffected. The tournament had to proceed onward. "Ladies and gentlemen," He held his hands up as he addressed the masses. "Our semifinals are about to begin! We have seen many great contests here today, but it will conclude with one of these four emerging as champion! Please, applaud these great warriors!"
The clapping of the Edenians and Lin Kuei warriors almost was deafening. Their cheers were mixed in with some of the names of their favored participants. Among them, Kitana openly called out for Mileena to show her sister her support. She knew this was what she wanted more than anything, after all!
"Our first bout of the semi-finals is about to begin!" Sub-Zero closed his fist and held it before himself. "Xue Fang and Fukushu, report to the ring!"
With pride, Xue Fang stepped inside of the ring and awaited her bandaged opponent. "All of you, behold! The next one to fall to my strength!" She pointed toward the woman as she entered the ring slowly. She studied Fukushu quite intensely since her first match. She had a means of striking that took anyone down as quickly as possible. She had to watch for that.
Fuku took a small bow and returned to her stance. She only had victory in mind; none of Xue Fang's words.
"Fight!"
When Sub-Zero shouted for the match to begin, Xue Fang shot ice along the floor in front of her to stop Fukushu from rushing her head on. In a blink of an eye, Fuku was an inch away from slipping on the ice when she redirected herself. She moved off to the side, but while transitioning away from the ice, Xue Fang was sliding directly at her! Fukushu jumped clear over Frost's head, but quickly saw herself on a collision course with a frozen statue! Bursting into a red mist, Fukushu landed feet beside the object to prevent herself from being frozen in place.
Xue was back up, and kept the pressure on Fukushu with straight jabs toward her face. The veteran kunoichi ducked and weaved through the strikes, and found her openings with quick, yet forceful blows to Xue's abdomen. When the girl backed off, she found a knee rising up beneath her chin to stagger her, then a straight kick to her chest that sent her into her imperfect ice clone. The result left Xue Fang suspended in animation long enough for Fukushu to grab her by the ankles and toss toward the ringside area.
Xue broke her frozen prison just seconds ahead of reaching the limits of the ring. She skid along the ground with her feet until she was on the very edge of the ring. Leaping backward and tucking herself tightly together, Xue made her way through the air and toward the approaching Fuku.
As Xue tried to land a flying kick, Fuku caught her foot and swung her down to the ground as hard as she could. The resulting thud made the crowd groan in unison, but brought a smile to Mileena's hidden face…
Side Event #20: Prepare to break the spell
In the far reaches of Outworld, the plan to cross over to Earthrealm was already underway. The sorcerer Quan-Chi was accompanied by Tanya via Denise's demands, as well as Sheeva by Shao Kahn's demand. Inside the putrid smelling Living Forests, Quan Chi was preparing a gateway to cross over to the deserts of Earthrealm.
However, there was at least one of them who did not fully understand just what was happening. "Sorcerer," Sheeva interrupted him for the time being. "How is it that Empress Sindel was able to prevent the invasion of Earthrealm…?"
Annoyed, Quan Chi spoke only after a few moments of silence. "It is a simple, yet powerful spell. It is a long ritual that can take many years to complete in perfect sequence. The drink of bonding, the sacrifice of something dear, the drink of departure, the sacrifice of something feared, the loss of might, and finally the sacrifice of life. Once your soul exits your form, the very ground you die upon is protected from the one you have bonded and departed with through the drinks. In Sindel's case…all of Earthrealm was protected from Shao Kahn."
Sheeva folded all of her arms and took the information in. "If you restore Sindel's life…how certain are you that she can be controlled? Shao Kahn demands perfection and absolute obedience."
Tanya laughed at Sheeva's words. "You truly believe Quan Chi cannot control Sindel? You truly are foolish, Shokan. Do you even know your purpose is to be seen and not heard? Allow him to do what he must do. Your purpose will be complete soon…"
Sheeva's eyes narrowed. She suddenly felt uncomfortable in the company of Tanya and Quan Chi. "What is this you speak of? My purpose is to escort the two of you to Earthrealm!" Her lower right hand pointed out toward Tanya. "Had you not dishonored yourself with conspiracy against others, perhaps you would not need me present!"
"Enough of your squabbling!" Quan Chi turned to face the women directly.
In the shadows of the forests, an invisible figure stood high on the branches watching. It did not budge much, and went undetected even by the advanced senses of Quan Chi.
"You Shokan haven't a clue what you are worth." Quan's dark eyes revealed their sinister intentions. "I am sorry to be the one to inform you, Sheeva…"
A sharp weapon pierced the back of the Shokan woman several times. Behind her Tanya held a bloodied dagger in hand, watching the Shokan collapse onto the ground to writhe in pain.
"Your purpose is only for use of your blood. Shao Kahn knows this, and you were foolish enough to offer your services…" Quan Chi laughed, and held his hand out for the bloodied dagger Tanya held. When it was taken, he returned to his prior location. The bloody dagger was stabbed into the ground as an offering, to kick-start the safe route to Sindel's exact location. The green and red gateway appeared seconds later to give the two access.
"What of her body?" Tanya asked as she approached the gateway.
Quan Chi looked back to the injured Shokan, who would surely die of blood loss before she was able to tell the tale. "I will send Noob Saibot to clean her up later. This is the only gateway that requires blood sacrifice…, Sindel should have made it a little more difficult for me…" He grinned. "For now, we exit…"
As the two passed through the portal, the wounded Sheeva was left to die.
Or was she?
Two footprints appeared near her body…, and soon Reptile became visible…
( End of Side Event )
Xue Fang hit the ground face first after an impressive swat of Fukushu's foot. This woman truly did not hold back anything when she came into a fight! Xue remained there as the ten count began. She looked up from the ground and into those cheering into the crowd. She heard one smaller voice yelling 'get her' from the sidelines. As the count reached seven, she spotted a small child peeking from the side of the crowd…
Pushing herself back to her feet, Xue Fang prepared herself to get back into this fight. She threw a punch that was countered and quickly led to knuckles smashing into her lips. Xue was down again, this time on her back. With a bloodied lip, she glanced over to that small boy, who cheered more. She noticed Fukushu taking a moment to glance at him and signal him away. This was all the leverage Xue needed. As she got to her feet again…she presented an arrogant grin. She threw another punch and caught an even harder strike to her abdomen.
Fukushu struck Xue several times across her face with harsh punches. However, one punch outlived its welcome one second too long.
Xue Fang grabbed Fukushu's wrist and yanked her close. She placed herself at her side and dropped to one knee while gripping Fukushu's arm across her chest. Xue brought her opponent to her knees as well, being forced into an arm wrench. Despite the pain, Fukushu did not make many audible grunts of discomfort. However, this submission was more tactical than she predicted…
"Give up, or I will break it."Xue Fang promised with a sinister grin. She had Fukushu facing the small boy who dared to watch on. She wrenched the arm harder, wanting her face to contort with pain before the boy's eyes. Xue just wanted to play mind games with her, but she was ignorant to just how deeply this would cut into Fukushu.
The bandaged woman's eyes widened when she saw her son watching her. Normally, she would have sacrificed the limb to carry on, but with him watching in such horror brought back many painful memories. When the Lin Kuei invaded the village, when she took the punishment in place of her son, only to see him killed before her eyes. Was her sacrifice truly worth it? Could she live with her son seeing her hurt and humiliated?
Xue Fang grit her teeth, feeling Fukushu struggle against her best she could. "You leave me no choice then!" She threatened, now lifting her closest arm up. She bent it so that her elbow could be used to hammer down against the humerus bone with intentions to break it. However, before the strike could land, Fukushu spoke out.
"I submit!" She gave up. It wasn't so much the fear of pain, but the fear of her son viewing the pain. She did not want him to feel as if she couldn't protect him, or that he had to avenge her in any way. She'd rather endure a loss than see her son's pained eyes ever again.
"By submission, Xue Fang wins!" Kuai Liang called out. Now, the first participant in the finals was known. The arrogant and calculating Xue Fang had what she wanted. She lowered her arm…but then lifted it up as to strike Fukushu for the breaking blow even if the match was over!
"Xue Fang!" Sub-Zero shouted. "If you strike her, you will be disqualified! This is your only warning!" Even if he was impressed by the woman's ability, he was not going to let her break any rules with any present urge to try to impress him.
Xue left Fukushu alone and released her arm entirely. Now that her spot was secure, she simply stepped off to the sidelines with a grin. "Ha, you should give me the win now! No one is going to stop me…" She boasted as she stepped beyond Krad and Sareena.
Fukushu remained silent…and moved into the crowd. She did not wish to be seen a second longer.
After a moment, Sub-Zero announced the next fight. "Our next battle will be Nido facing off with Mileena! Warriors, take to the ring!"
Now was the time for two friends to take to the ring. Mileena being Jade's childhood nemesis turned dear friend, and Nido being so blindly in love with Jade, that he became friends with the Edenians. Mileena's desire to be close to Sub-Zero was facing Nido's destiny to revive Jade from her slumbering state. Kitana truly did not know who to root for in this.
Mileena jumped into the ring and took stance immediately. "Let us make this a grand bout!" She spoke to Nido. Usually she would play about with her opponents until angered…, but despite her respectful words, Mileena was entering this fight full of rage for Xue Fang.
Nido prepared himself, squeezing his fists tightly. "Not gonna hold back anything, Mileena. Let's do this!"
"Fight!"
Side Event #21: A Queen Reborn
As Quan Chi and Tanya wondered the desert they eventually came to a stop. It was here that Quan Chi sensed Sindel's remains. He motioned his hand forward to summon forth the green energies that would provoke her body from the ground.
"This place…" Tanya spoke, clutching her book close her chest. "Why would Sindel choose such a place to end her life? The hot, vacant desert…?"
As the skeletal hands started to pull the rest of the joining bones back together, Quan Chi looked to Tanya. "This place was once more than that. After Sindel falsely invaded this real, she killed each and every soldier of Kahn's as part of her sacrifice. This I remember clearly." He motioned his hand over to throw the skeleton onto its back. Soon, muscles and flesh started to grow over her remains. Even as she was revived, she was being corrupted by the sorcerer's immense strength. "She knew Shao Kahn had his eyes on Earth next…and to prevent it from suffering Edenia's fate, she made quite the foolish choice…" He watched as the flesh started to form over her nude frame. "Now look at her. A puppet, completely faithful to the man she so desperately wanted to escape. Just another pawn until Lord Shinnok is prepared…"
As the body released a shrill scream upon her first breaths being drawn, Quan Chi and Tanya moved forward. "…Sindel…"
"Quan Chi?"She was confused; still having part of her consciousness lingering. However, it faded the longer she looked at the pale demon.
"Shao Kahn looks forward to your return…" He grinned as he examined her facial expressions. The confusion, the inner struggle with her soul and her corrupted spirit, it was all too great to watch. In the end, however, Sindel was lost to the corruption.
"The…emperor…?" Those very words tasted foul against her tongue. Even so, she felt strongly for Shao Kahn…suddenly. "Yes…" She looked to Tanya, rather confused. "…Jade…?" She questioned, but quickly realized who the girl was. "…No…, Tanya. Where is Kitana?"
"Kitana allies herself with our enemies, Emperess." Tanya explained, giving a respectful bow.
Sindel took a few seconds to register this information. With anger growing in her heart, she was set on the thought of ending her traitorous daughter's life. "Then she is no longer my daughter! Take me to Shao Kahn!"
Quan Chi bowed his head. "Yes, empress…" As he stood, he gave a passing glance to Tanya. With a pleased grin, he spoke in a low tone. "The invasion of Earthrealm can now begin…"
( Side Event Ended )
The bout between Mileena and Nido continued on for several moments. The two for the most part were equal in the initial blows, with their speed being the true 'X' factor in who landed each blow. Mileena's speedy teleporting was canceled out by Nido's wild senses for supernatural energy.
As the two collided foot to forearm, Mileena drew her foot back and took stance once more. Nido's flowing fists met her arms as she blocked each attempt spare the heavy impact onto her shoulder. Growling, she started to throw strikes back at Nido, who blocked each incoming hand, spare her sudden rising knee into his stomach. Mileena's anger and determination to face Xue Fang snapped her into an entirely different mode. She avoided his overhead swing and spun about to arc her heel up along the side of his head.
The strike hit hard, making Nido spin toward the ground. As Mileena followed up, she suddenly saw a flash of light and Nido arcing through the air. Her jaw slammed shut after the impact of his kick-flip, throwing her off of her feet. The skilled assassin knew Nido well; and she knew enough about him that she knew taking him down punch for punch was only going to expend more energy from her.
What she had to do was get him to either ring-out, or submit. She had to wait for the opportune time, wait for that one critical mistake in order to hatch either plan. She made it to her feet and played 'stunned' long enough to build up Nido's confidence. As he attacked her head-on, the speedy woman captured his arm and leaped up to wrap her legs about his head.
Squeezing tightly, Mileena sacrificed herself to apply a leaping triangle choke, nearly falling over the edge of the ring. The pain of hitting the hard edge with her shoulders made her wince, but keeping the choke applied was all that mattered to her.
Nido still put up a fight, despite being locked in the trap of a technique. If he could manage to get the upper hand, her could throw Mileena over the edge! He got to his knees and fought to get out of the hold, but was fading fast. Mileena locked her leg over her ankle and clasped each of her hands around his wrist. She tugged at his arm while applying the pressure so that his chin pressed right into his bicep.
Kitana watched with concern; she was seeing the savage side of Mileena starting to show its head. The way her eyes looked, how violently she applied the choke, and the way she growled like a wild animal all were parts of her she thought were dormant when it came to fighting friends. Was she that determined? Would she actually try to seriously harm Nido just to get close to Sub-Zero?
Despite Nido's attempts to break the hold, he was entering dangerous territory while trying to get to a vertical base. He lifted Milieena a few inches from the ground, but he'd already lost so much air trying to escape. Ultimately, Nido had to tap his hand on the smooth finish of the ring's floor.
"Nido submits!" Sub-Zero stood and held his hand up to signal the match was now over. "Mileena wins!"
She held the hold, only seeing Xue Fang in the pained expression of Nido. Breathing heavily, Mileena only stopped when she heard the voice of her elder sister.
"Mileena!"
Suddenly coming back to her senses, she released the hold and moved away from Nido. As he coughed to regain his breath, Mileena quickly corrected her mistake of choking him by checking in on him. "Mileena is…sorry. It…went too far."
Even though he lost, he wasn't as crushed as he thought he would have been. "It's…alright." He started to stand with Mileena's assistance. Seeing that animalistic side of her was quite intimidating, even for him. He gave Mileena a look as if he was certain that he was a few pounds of pressure away from being killed.
She released him, allowing him to move back at ringside and into the crowd. Mileena started to climb out as well, being certain there was going to be a rest period between these bouts and the final match up. However, that was not the case.
"We will begin our final bout!" Sub-Zero announced. "Xue Fang and Mileena, are you prepared?" He spoke while Xue Fang entered the ring, lightly clapping her hands for Mileena's submission victory moments ago.
"I am as ready as ever. This should be easy." Xue boasted as she eyed the pink clad assassin.
Mileena's anger bubbled over as the young woman's very presence made her skin crawl with anger. Did she need time to prepare for this fight? Perhaps a few minutes given the stakes, but she declined any offer of rest. "Mileena is ready!" She put up her defenses, narrowing her yellow eyes on the pale woman.
"Aw, Miweena is weady?" She teased in a child-like voice. "I thought the mentally challenged didn't make formidable opponents…"
"Fight!" Sub-Zero announced, ignoring the banter between the women.
Mileena had enough of this girl's mouth. Right after Sub-Zero spoke; Xue Fang met a fist right at her nose. She saw the girl stagger back, favoring her previously injured nose that restarted her nosebleed immediately. Mileena hopped up and went to knock Xue aside with her foot, but this was met by Xue's forearm. The force was redirected away, and Mileena was turned about to face away from Xue. This resulted in Mileena getting Xue's hands clamped on either side of her head. A cold sensation rushed up and down her spine as the Kori energy seemed to enter her skull, giving her a tremendous headache…
Xue released Mileena, watching her as she held her head. She drew a hand back and chopped her right at the center of her cranium, further damaging her skull and tampering with her senses.
The chop hurt…a lot. Mileena hit the ground, cradling her skull for a few seconds, but ultimately rolled onto her knees. Xue went to kick at her abdomen, but no one was there for it when her shin came up. Dropping down behind her, Mileena's boot clocked her behind the head, only to clock her in the nose a second time as she appeared in front of her.
The assassin's speed proved too much, as she bombarded Xue Fang with quick strikes, backing her up across the room. When Xue was far enough, Mileena tucked herself into a ball after leaping forward, knocking the very air out of Xue's lungs as she flew near the corner of the ring. Mileena landed, snarling like a beast as she stood. "That feel good?" She licked her fangs over behind her veil, watching Xue return to her feet.
Xue had Mileena exactly how she wanted her; angry and confident. Her need to boast gave her the opening she needed. She locked eyes with Mileena, but kept her hands low and out of general sight while she was lurched forward. Pitching cold energy into the ground as she approached, she knew Mileena would try to move aside or counter when she got in close, however, her feet were currently frozen to the ground thanks to Xue's very special technique in freezing.
"What-?!" Mileena's eyes were drawn down, then right back up in time for her to get kicked directly in her jaw. Everything went black for a moment, but Mileena did not fall. When her senses returned, they just as quickly went black as another foot met her face. The hard surface of the ring was unforgiving when she hit, and she winced in pain when her jaw smashed against the pavement.
"Aw, that hurt?" Fang teased, lifting her heel to drop down heavily onto Mileena's spine to force a scream from her lungs. She hatched her plan just then; sending ice across Mileena's right arm! "Start the count!"
Thrown into a panic, Mileena clinched her fist tightly, and yanked her arm up from the ground. Ice shards went flying from the ground, yet most of her arm remained stiff. "Grah!"A shrill scream left Mileena as her partially frozen fist crashed against Xue's jaw. The rest of the icy finish shattered off of her arm.
While watching, Nido nudged Krad with his elbow. "Hey, maybe she should put some ice on that huh? Right?" He tried to joke, but the shinobi did not even look his way. "…Well fine, then."
Mileena proceeded forward, though her fist was caught by Xue. When Xue tried the same, it was captured in kind. The women tried to overpower the other… but rather than work her muscles, Xue Fang worked her mind. "So, these are the eyes of a killer," She spoke in a low whisper. "What else are you hiding? You wear a mask so no one recognizes you? Or are you just too ugly?"
Mileena's fingers squeezed down on Xue's knuckles more. "Shut up!" She wanted to bite her; just rip her jugular out and watch her bleed to death. She had to control her anger, even if the violent thoughts did not stop.
"You want to impress Sub-Zero. You know, you're not even close to his type." She licked her blood that dribbled over her lips. "You know, he could use a woman a little smarter. Someone like …me. Who's honest. You just run back to your sister and be a good little pet…"
"Mileena is not! I am not a pet!" She corrected herself. Her eyes were straining, reddening with rage. Nothing mattered to her anymore, she was bubbling over with bloodlust. She pushed Xue Fang back, now starting to overpower the young woman.
Since she saw she hit some chords, Xue kept pushing it. "Be honest with yourself. You can't beat me. You know…deep down…" She struggled to keep her footing, but kept talking. "You know nobody wants a freak like you."
That was the last straw. Mileena only saw red now. Her Tarkatan instincts fully took over, and this did mean any good fortune was coming to Xue. Mileena yanked her in close and sent her knee deep against her stomach to force all of the air out of her lungs. Her hand released Xue's, and promptly grabbed the back of her frosted hair. Repeated knees shot up into the doubled over girl's face, violently wrecking her features until throwing her to the ground face first. Snarling like a hungry beast, she stalked after Xue Fang, who was scurrying to get away from the awakened predator.
Xue, though with blood dripping down her face, still was grinning. "Just a freak!" She shouted out louder, while scooting along her backside on the ground.
Mileena summoned her sais in each hand, and launched one of them directly into Xue's shoulder.
The crowd gasped at the sight of this. It was against the rules of this very tournament to do such a thing.
"Xue Fang wins! Mileena is disqualified!" Sub-Zero stood, holding his hand up to signal the match was now over. "Put down your weapon at once!"
The sound of Sub-Zero's voice reached her, but in her angered state, she could only yell at him. "What did you say to Mileena?!" She clutched the sai tightly.
The disappointment and concern on Kitana's face could be seen even by those across the arena. She stood up alongside Khameleon, but shouted down to Mileena to stop. "Mileena! Put the weapon down!"
While Xue was in shock for the most part that she was stabbed, medical personnel were quickly tending to her by first removing the weapon, then working on healing her wound.
Mileena clutched the remaining sai, pressing her index finger against the moto of the weapon. She lost, and despite her rage, there was nothing she could do about it. Mileena tossed her weapon to the ground and turned to make a swift exit. The crowd applauded Xue Fang for her victory none the less..., but Kitana nor Khameleon clapped their hands.
"I must go to my sister." Kitana said to excuse herself from Khameleon's company. It was a surprise, however, when the Saurian woman grabbed her wrist.
"Wait," Khameleon paused, feeling out something strange in their presence. Her clothing changed colors; transforming into a deep, dark black. "There is something malicious and perilous in our presence. It's intentions are inauspicious to us…"
"What?" Kitana hadn't sensed anything, but there was movement in the crowd…
"It's time," Jataaka said. "Kill everyone you can, and let's get out of here. Saibot will handle the rest."
"No." Krad stood in front of the demon woman. "If the woman I love is going to die anyway, I'm not going to let the man she considers a brother be taken as well."
Kia licked her teeth as she examined Krad. "I knew you would break eventually. I guess we'll just have to start with you, then!"
The commotion continued in the crowd, as the shadowy figure rushed through. Any who got in his way were killed swiftly with sudden blows, throwing the crowd into a panic. He was making a bee-line directly to the ring, and directly toward Sub-Zero. Noob Saibot finally made himself known; and his only mission was to capture his brother, as Shao Kahn and Sektor requested from Quan Chi.
He dropped down at ringside, breaking guards with his nearly unseen attacks in addition to his shadowy duplicate. Kicks and punches flew like gusts of wind, taking down the prior competitors with ease.
"That thing!" Nido stepped back and summoned his weapon to his hand. He knew what this demon was, but even it was pushing the barriers of the strongest demons he faced. "Everyone, run!" He knew where to strike, but he did not even get the chance to, as when Noob Saibot appeared before him, Nido's throat was gripped firmly. The duplicate punched his abdomen several times to beat the air out of him to give enough space for Saibot to toss him aside effortlessly.
"Nido!" Mileena called, leaping into the air to try and assault this shadow. The duplicate broke from his body again, knocking the half Tarkatan woman out of the air. He rushed forward, practically running over Xue Fang in the process as he headed for Sub-Zero.
Kitana and Khameleon noted this threat and quickly dove into action. Despite their intentions, they were overcome in one swift motion; Saibot's sudden swing of his foot slapped both women to the ground.
On the sidelines, Krad was taking on the two demon women to the best of his ability, but was eventually overpowered by their tandem offense. "Noob Saibot! Kill him!" Kia demanded.
The voice drew his attention, thus giving Sub-Zero the proper time to jump down and face his brother. Just as Saibot was preparing a portal, he locked eyes with the woman who did not partake in the fighting; Sareena. He was petrified at the sight of her. Thoughts and memories began to surface from his time in the Netherrealm. Human emotions, though tampered started to spark inside of his flawed being.
Nido recognized this as he started to push up on his hands. This was someone familiar from his past, when he followed where Saibot's eyes were locked.
"Bi-Han?" Kuai Liang spoke when he got a better look at this shadowy assassin.
Despite their relation, Quan Chi's magic began to reinforce Saibot's duties. The connection with Sareena was severed once Kuai Liang spoke. "Yes…, now come with me." As if he'd a choice. As his duplicate formed to attempt to capture Kuai Liang, several others began to appear to keep the others occupied. No one would stop him, the end was inevitable.
Mileena fought and struggled against the shadowy clones. They were far tougher than the technique she faced earlier, as they retained much of the mass the originator held. Stabbing and slashing her way through, Mileena charged head-on to Noob Saibot, and managed to launch her sai into the chest of the would-be captor.
Angered, Saibot directed his puppets to capture Mileena. Though she put up a fight, her arms and legs were claimed by them. "Kill her!" Bi-Han commanded.
"Mileena!" Kitana tried to come to her aid, but no matter how her fans slashed against the Saibot replicas, she could not carve through them. She refused to watch her sister be killed before her eyes, but there was little she could even do.
Xue Fang pitched a spike of Ice to one of the clones, but it only prolonged the inevitable. While she hoped to buy time, the girl who usually thought ahead could not foresee a similar fate bound to happen to her next. She was claimed by the nearest replicas and beaten on against the ground.
"Now, brother…" Bi-Han said, while Mileena's screams filled the background as she was pulled on at either side.
Sub-Zero was alarmed, but surrounded as well. Just before he was about to act, a sudden whipping of wind occurred.
A loud fleshy rip was heard after a metallic ring silenced Mileena's cries of pain. In the skulls of each replica were two bladearangs…and they each dropped to the ground and vanished into nothingness.
Dropping down from seemingly nowhere, Jade made herself known. Her speed was quicker than any of the eyes could register – all they could make sense of was the fact that a green blur was rendering each Saibot lifeless on the ground. All except the primary creator.
Jade wasted no time taking down those who surrounded Sub-Zero with her staff, and finally was face to face again with Noob Saibot. She wrinkled her nose at him, gazing endlessly with her now glowing green eyes.
"You…" Noob had recollection of who she was. Her speed and strength took a sudden spike when he first fought her. That energy was very present now. With how easily she over powered his replicas, he was certain she would attempt to kill him where he stood. Taking the high road, Bi-Han created a portal and dropped himself through it, abandoning Sareena, Kia, Jataaka, and Krad in Edenia.
"As I thought." Jade said beneath her breath. "Are you alright Kitana? Mileena?" She said without facing either of them. "Nido?" She kept her eyes directly on him, as he sat speechless on the ground. Jade, however did not smile. "Sub-Zero, you are fine as well, correct?" She angled her head slightly, but did not make eye contact.
"I am…fine, thank you." He spoke after a moment's pause.
Everyone was frozen in place from the presence of Jade, and the tremendous amount of strength she just displayed for them. Once her eyes stopped glowing, everyone breathed a sigh, hoping it was a sign she was not about to attack them next…but so much was now on the table to be answered. How did she wake up? And why was she knocked out so long?