I do not own Mortal Kombat or any of the characters. Enjoy your read!

Chapter 19: Kompromised

Jade was well removed from all of the activity inside of Raiden's Temple. She isolated herself purposefully; to be at peace with herself and her thoughts. Her doubts were the third wheel in this one-person 'party', and it did a great job of making itself the focal point. She doubted that she could change the course of history, she doubted that she could be the chance at 'redemption' that Phaze mentioned. She doubted she could stop, let alone 'absorb' Shinnok if he ever appeared.

She held the side of her head as a pinch of pain swirled at her temples. The confusing words she heard in the paradox and the words of her mother were all clashing. Phaze said:

'Your Mother is your father, and your father hates your mother, yet they are one and none at once'.

It was an impossible riddle that kept her scratching her head to make sense out of it. She began to ponder on the 'One Being'. Was it the source of Shao Kahn's power? Phaze did say it was the reason Shao Kahn was alive as long as he did. It was also connected to Shinnok as well…but…just what was it? She knew it was a powerful being that existed along with the first Elder Gods…and that it was defeated, separated, and held within the Kamidogu. However, just what it looked like or how it transferred between people was still a mystery to her.

If she had bound with the One Being twice, then how did Shao Kahn continue to grow powerful beyond his invasion? Did he retain the power, or was there more at work? Jade could not quite get a hold on this. The biggest mystery still was the origins of Edenia and the realm before Kitana's parents' reign.

Her eyes scanned the room and saw Kitana storming away from one of the balconies. Her eyes watched her friend questionably, as if some ancient betrayal had been found out. She figured Kitana knew more than she was willing to tell her, yet Jade knew Kitana still wanted to use her to reunite with her mother and create her perfect timeline. All while holding back the truth from her very best friend.

Things between she and Kitana were starting to crack, she could feel it. She showed favor to Mileena more than ever, but Jade could see that Mileena too was getting left alone by the selfish princess. The memories of Kitana clearly trying to prevent Mileena from finding her own perfect world with Sub-Zero. No one could have anything they wanted, so long as it threatened Kitana's ultimate goal.

If she would continue to assist Kitana was in the air, but she knew she needed to get to the real Sindel to get the answers she needed.

"You seethe with negative energy." The voice of Skarlet came from her right. The woman snuck up on Jade like a spider in the night, and the crawling sensation going up the side of Jade's neck confirmed the creepy nature Skarlet gave off.

"I am working through some small issues." Jade responded with a polite tone. "Do you need something?"

"No." Skarlet's eyes wandered away from Jade's as she now surveyed the room. Liu Kang was lingering near a balcony, and Kung Lao was on approach to his friend. "However, you need information. I can feel it in your mind."

"You can read minds?" Jade's relaxed demeanor melted away as fear gripped her heart. To think if someone could have read her mind, hear her questioning, it could cause a lot of trouble.

"No, I simply feel anxiety in your blood. That, and intuition." She turned back to face Jade. Her mask over her mouth concealed her slight frown. "The Blood Kode tells me that you can find all of your answers at Kahn's Fortress. Seek out the one named Tanya…she has the books of Edenia's history. Her father saved them during the great fires of your people's world."

That was a name Jade didn't want to hear. She clinched her fists as the memory of Tanya being one of the reasons Nido died before rushed to her. All of their encounters were not pleasant…but now the woman was actually someone she needed.

"Take my advice or do not take it, this has little concern for me." Skarlet continued. "However, I will not fight beside someone uncertain of themselves. Do not make me leave you for dead."

While Skarlet walked away, Jade watched her for all but a moment. She heard 'Hanzo' being shouted across the room by Harumi, but her eyes only lingered in that area for a moment. She continued to watch Skarlet for a second longer, then lowered her eyes to watch the ground and return to her thoughts…

Meanwhile, across the temple, Mileena was finishing up assisting in Sub-Zero's patch-up and healing. The Lin Kuei Grandmaster was gracious for the medical assistance from Mileena and others, and felt he was going to be at his absolute best for the coming battle. Lingering near Mileena and Sub-Zero was Sareena, who had passed the time by examining one of her knives.

"Are you well enough to stand?" Mileena asked Sub-Zero as she extended her hand to him as he sat propped against one of the stone temple walls lined in ancient art of Raiden.

Sub-Zero's cool hand enveloped Mileena's while his knees bent and his feet flattened to the ground. "Most definitely." He said as he started to stand with some assistance from the half-Tarkatan woman. "It may not remain that way as we've combat to look forward to."

"Yes…" Mileena's mood sunk. She was certain the violent encounter would end in casualty. "Mileena will not allow you to be harmed! We will fight until there are none left!" Her enthusiasm was fed by anger and fear of loss. It blazed like the flames of a sun in her yellow feline-like eyes.

"Indeed, we will, but we cannot make a promise we do not believe ourselves." Sub-Zero remained calm, now finally releasing Mileena's hand. Each of his large palms found rest on her shoulders as he made direct eye contact with her. "Know that we will face danger, know that pain will come, but also know that as long as you have faith that we will walk away with our lives and in victory it will come to pass. If you hide from your fears and do not confront them vocally, you can never conquer them and disprove their predictions."

Mileena hung on every word Kuai Liang said. Her lower eye lids lifted up to cut across her eyes that were searching endlessly into his entrancing gaze. She understood him, but if he simply said 'blah blah blah', she would have 'understood' as well and be happy with the fact she got to look at him closely.

"I envy you both." Said Sareena as she finally turned her gaze onto them. "If only I had something close to what you two have. If only I had…a friend."

"You are among friends, ma'am." Smoke seemed to come out of nowhere. He was all smiles behind his mask. "I mean after all, you haven't been frozen, stabbed, beheaded, or beaten to death by a group of powerful Kombatants. You've been welcomed! Perhaps you should mingle…maybe have an arm-wrestling match with Jax?"

Sareena's eyes narrowed on Smoke. "You are cute, but allies and friends are different. The other Sub-Zero…he was…going to save my life until Shinnok ruined it."

Kuai Liang was aware of his brother's journey before the first Mortal Kombat tournament he participated in. He knew Bi Han traveled to the Netherrealm where he supposed he met Sareena.

Kuai removed his hands from Mileena's shoulders and spoke to the Demoness directly. "My brother was great prior to his corruption. Perhaps it is time that you and I…and all those who knew him as he was begin the process of healing and move on?"

"It is easy to move on when there are options for you." Sareena spoke very bleakly. Her eyes told the story of true envy and jealousy deeply rooted in her very soul. She saw Mileena and Sub-Zero much like she wished she and Bi Han could have become. Despite her demonic nature and true appearance, she knew the possibility for love was there. Mileena was living proof of it despite her equal disadvantage. "I do not wish to speak more on this."

The Demoness walked away from Smoke, Sub-Zero, and Mileena to be alone for the moment. Smoke watched her carefully, then shifted his gaze to his old friend. "I suppose there is no calming a woman when her heart is set on negativity. In the very least she is single, this way we will not have to mourn one of our male allies couch-rest tonight." Smoke chuckled, never minding the fact the joke was only funny to him.

"Uh…Smoke." Sub-Zero cleared his throat as his arms crossed across his chest. "Onto serious matters. Bi Han is still out there somewhere. Perhaps there is a way to salvage him, perhaps there is a spell of some sort we could use from the Lin Kuei Archives?"

"As informed as I am on such spells, the Lin Kuei have only known Earthrealm born rituals and the like." Smoke explained. "From what I witnessed, Bi Han is suffering from a spell possibly Outworld born…or even the Netherrealm."

Mileena knew she could be of use here. She experienced living in the Netherrealm and joined Shinnok's group of followers after her death. She knew that Quan Chi had the majority of control over Noob Saibot when he was present…but there was some independence there. There was some ulterior motive Saibot had. She recalled him working with Smoke during the age of the Deadly Alliance, and even more with the forces of Chaos before Armageddon.

"Quan Chi may have answers." Mileena entered the conversation with bright optimistic eyes, hoping to look useful to the men. "Quan Chi is controlling him. Mileena knows this as fact. If you can get to Quan Chi and beat the answers out of him…perhaps there is a way."

Smoke shrugged his shoulders. "It seems to be one of those rare times violence is the actual answer, my friend." He turned his sights to Mileena. "Just how do you know this…?"

"Well…" Mileena trailed her voice off. "…Mileena is-…"

Just as she was going to explain, Kitana butted in. She stepped at her sister's side and placed her arm around her. "She has a good sense for these sort of things gentlemen. Now, if you would excuse us, I need to borrow my sister for the moment. War is upon us, we have little time to prepare. Raiden wants everyone to gather near him."

"Thank you, Princess Kitana." Kuai Liang placed his fist in his palm and bowed his head. "We will get ready. Mileena, we will speak after this is all over. You have my word."

Happy to hear him speak those words, Mileena lifted her hand with intentions to respond. However, she was dragged away by Kitana near where Jade was standing alone.

When they reached Jade, she was starting to walk away…but paused when the siblings were within an arm's length of her.

"Jade." Kitana said urgently. "We are heading into battle. We need to talk."

"Yes, Princess?" Jade gave Kitana her full attention and held her left forearm in her right hand as she waited for Kitana's words.

After releasing Mileena, Kitana began to speak in a whisper. "We will encounter mother in this battle, I am certain of it. I ask that we stick together and find her, and when we do that she is not killed by anyone. We need to bring her back over to our side – it is possible."

"Is that all?" Jade sounded disappointed with this…obvious plan of Kitana's.

"Well -…yes." The Princess blinked in rapid succession and tilted her head back. She felt something…off about Jade. "Is…everything alright?"

"Yes." Jade responded after a moment's hesitation. "Any special instructions on Sub-Zero, Mileena?" Her eyes turned to the other Edenian royal with a look of near boredom in her green eyes.

"No, no 'instructions'." Now Mileean was feeling a bit of resentment from Jade. "Do you require time to lay down? You seem irritated or angry, Jade."

"I am here to help you both." She responded quickly. Her response was so quick in fact, that she spoke over Mileena's last words. "I am simply making sure that everything requested of me is noted and fulfilled."

"We are here for you too, Jade." Mileena spoke up with cheer in her voice. "Together, we have accomplished much! We have slain many, and we will win this war with Shao Kahn's heart in our hands!"

Jade nodded toward Mileena. "Thank you." She turned away and began to leave the two of them. "Be prepared for what is to come, Princesses."

Meanwhile, Sonya Blade was being assisted to her seat once reaching her near-full health once again. She'd taken a pretty bad bump, but she was going to survive. Sonya did not have to partake in the coming battle, but she put it in her heart that she was going to stop Kano before he took another person close to her…namely her partner and friend, Jax.

"You alright?" Jax said as his metal hand came to rest on her left shoulder. His brows were lowered in concern, but Sonya waved him off with her right hand to dismiss the worry.

"I've been through worse." Sonya lied with a smile on her face. "We set to head out yet?"

"Hold on there a minute, Blade." Jax released her shoulder and held both hands out at abdomen level as if he could slow Sonya's progression. "We're not sure what we're getting into or if you're well enough to grab a gun. There will be no back-up…just us."

"I don't give a damn, Briggs." Sonya snapped back, refusing to be put on the sidelines when something this important was going on. "He killed my brother, he slit my partner's throat, and Kano almost took my life too. Wish he did." She spat off to the side as the words fell bitter on her tongue. "Maybe I wouldn't be filled with this hatred still."

Jax was quiet. His concern was now heavier than before, but also he had a bit of anger building in his chest. "You think killing him is going to bring them back, Sonya? You think…" He looked away from her as he tried to focus his words and not resort to bitter expressions. Once he turned to face her again, he pointed at his chest with his right metal hand. "You think I don't feel bad about loss too? Your brother and your partner were great people, Sonya. If you'd stop thinking about yourself for a second, consider the fact that the entire world is gone."

Jax pursed his lips as he stood in front of Sonya as she started to strap on her fingerless gloves once more. Jax proceeded to speak after the first glove was slipped on Sonya's hand. "My family's dead, all my school friends, all the guys you and I trained with, innocent kids and people we swore to protect before we took this job. All of them are dead, Sonya. We can avenge them, we can bring them back, but we have to focus on this Shao-Whatever guy and not solely Kano. Do you understand me?"

Sonya slipped on her second glove, refusing to make eye contact with Jax until it was strapped in. "Stay the hell out of my way. If I see Kano, he's mine." She said as she walked away from Jax.

Side Event #28: Weakened Alliance

"Tanya!" Denise screamed as she entered the 'new' Flesh Pits in Shao Kahn's Earthrealm fortress. "Tanya! Where the hell are you?!"

"Mistress!" Tanya called out as she stood from her seated position among Rain and Reiko. The two men stood as well, as their meeting was now interrupted. Tanya held a book shut tightly to her chest as the angry Sorceress descended down the steps. "Mistress, what is wrong?"

"Everything!" Denise growled as she knocked over several potions and glass vials sitting on one of the desks near the stone steps. "These abominations of experiments Shang Tsung left me to care for, this idiotic Emperor who took him from me, and the bitch of an Empress at his side!" Denise rattled off her anger as she approached Tanya with a closed fist. She pointed at her face with her left hand. "What are you doing?!"

"We were…!" Tanya looked to Reiko and Rain for reassurance. "We were just talking…about…"

Rain attempted to complete her words. "The fall of Shao -…"

Denise lifted her palm and fired a large ball of flame into Rain's face that sent him toward the back of the room screaming in pain. "He'll survive!" She snapped her sights back on Tanya. "You are plotting his fall? How?"

Reiko was a bit shaken by Denise's fury, so he looked to Tanya to answer her instead.

The Edenian woman took a deep breath. "We're going to team together and attack him at once. We'll overpower him…"

"That's your idea?" Denise sounded disappointed. "You all really are idiots." She looked over Tanya's shoulder where Rain was formerly. "Rain, are you alive?"

"A little toasty, but alive." Rain responded in the background.

"Good." Denise placed her hands on her hips. "There are better ways to go about this, idiots and fools. Earthrealm and Edenia's forces will be here soon, and when they do…we allow them to pass us. Especially Mileena."

"Why is that…?" Reiko now had the courage to speak.

Denise snickered as she turned her back on them. "My husband and I had the brilliant idea to create the ultimate weapon to weaken and destroy Shao Kahn. The best way to hide a weapon is in plain sight, and to play against the trust and vanity of your enemy." She curled her lips slowly. "On Earthrealm, I was amazed by the history of the Greeks, Romans, and so on. There is an old story about a Trojan Horse…, but I doubt you idiots have ever read Earthrealm history."

Denise turned to face them again, now with a devious smile on her face. "Mileena was infused with dark magic built specifically to counter-act Shao Kahn's power. She weakens him when she's near. He has never realized it…and allowing her to murder him opens Outworld wide open for you to rule." Many people forgot Denise was as sneaky a serpent as her late husband. It was for this reason that Tanya, Reiko, and the returning Rain never questioned why she was allowing them to rule and not leave it to herself.

"It sounds easy." Tanya nodded. "A little…too easy, Mistress."

"Enemy of my enemy." Denise chuckled. "As for Sindel, we will work around that. All you three have to do is not die, and Outworld will fall into your palms. Return all the Souls to Earthrealm, and we'll call it square with Earth." She started to head back toward the stairs. "I'm glad we had this talk. As much as I want revenge for my loving husband…I believe getting even is much better…"

As she ascended the steps, she looked back to the three. "Now, get ready. There is a lunatic ninja outside killing people. Some of the soldiers are fleeing inside as we speak…"