Chapter 12
Choasrealm Party
The confrontation between Kitana and Tessen had long-since ended. Mother and interdimensional child sat across from one another under a makeshift shelter of a cave entrance. Tessen leaned forward with her elbows on her knees and her dark hair framing each side of her face. Her eyes settled on the ground as she completed explaining her situation with the Egg, the Kollector, and Kronika. Though there was still a little bit more for her to go into detail about.
"I did what I had to do to push this in the right direction," Tessen explained, "I told people that father had to fail, to motivate them. But I want the opposite. I want him to win. I want him to become strong enough to end Kronika. I want a universe that doesn't have to live in fear of her meddling. You have to accept this tournament, mother. Once Outworld is defeated, they will no longer pose a threat. Armageddon will be averted. Kronika won't have a stranglehold on destiny anymore if we can destroy her."
"You ask a tall task." Kitana said as she sat in a regal stance across from her daughter. She set her hands over her elevated knee and looked upon the girl with mounting concern. "Accepting this challenge feels like a trap waiting to be sprung. Mileena's daughter, however, must be saved. I just do not understand, Shen. Why antagonize?"
"It is the only way to keep Kronika from coming here." Tessen sighed. "I have to do as she expects. I have to fight against you. If I die doing so, it isn't much of a change for you, now is it?"
"Don't say that." Kitana said with her eyes shut tightly. "Don't say that to me. Losing you once was…the hardest thing I've endured in my life."
"I'm not real." Tessen said quietly. "When this is over, I'll be gone one way or another. Either back to my universe…or dead. It's best if you let me go now."
"No!" Kitana stood with a crack of thunder impacting the land around them. She clenched her fists tightly and looked upon the young woman with widened eyes. Kitana was winded just from that outburst. Her power was fading fast. "I will find a way. I will murder Kronika myself if it means your safety!"
The rumbling of the storm continued on in the distance.
The scent of rain followed soon after, with the light pitter-patter of invisible tears Kitana held back poured from the clouds instead of her eyes.
"You can't fix everything, mother." Tessen stood reluctantly. "There are only two options. You accept, or you do not. That is the only thing you can control."
"There must be a way."
"Mom-."
"There must be something I can do!"
"Mother-."
"This medallion. This stupid medallion can send me back, then I can-."
"Kitana!" Tessen snapped. "Your answer. Once I have it, there is no going back. No deciding later. The longer I wait, the longer Mo Chou is in danger, and that has a finite expiration date."
Kitana's tongue felt as if it weighted twenty tons. She pursed her lips tightly and stared at what could have been her daughter, had she survived in this timeline. It was hard; like gazing into a mirror of possibilities, and seeing what could never be held.
"What does this tournament involve?" Kitana asked.
"The War Realm is outfitted with its own special arena." Tessen began. "Two teams, with elimination happening via ring-out, surrender, or knock-out. Death, pending. The winner of the preliminaries determines this. Each team will have to obtain a dagger on the island, with a goal of obtaining both. Whoever inserts both daggers into the objective wins. Death will always be legal when there are only two participants left."
"Then I will amass my team. I accept." Kitana's gaze ventured away from Tessen and watched over the falling rain. "I am sorry it had to be this way, Shen. Are you…still ill?"
Tessen brushed her hand through her dark hair and left her hand on top of her head. "Yeah."
"Do you have treatment?"
"I do."
"Are you happy?"
"Not really." Tessen said with a long sigh. "Mom, this is probably the last time we'll be friendly with one another. Give dad my best…and my brother. I lost him in my timeline. He got sick, really young. You didn't take it well."
"I'd hope not." Kitana turned her attention back to her daughter. She reached out and placed her hand on her shoulder. Her touch was as gentle as a feature, with all of the comfort and warmth of a blanket. "Do what you have to do. Just understand that there can be another way. You just have to know in your heart that your will can be done. Nothing is impossible, Shen. You have to know you can do it. You have to believe steps can be taken to achieve what you need to do, not what you are told to do."
"I prefer this version of you, so far." Tessen confessed as she stepped out of Kitana's range. "Goodbye, mother. Good luck." With those words, Tessen faded into the shadows and thin wisps of black smoke.
With the absence of her daughter, Kitana was left in a state of contemplation and instant regret. Her soul had always led her down the correct path, but as she stood at the border of dry land and a softly pouring storm, she began questioning her path. From the very moment she arrived in the new timeline, she had done everything she could to control the situation.
Her grip was slipping.
Not only on the fate of her family and friends, but also on her own sanity. She took hold of Raiden's medallion and held it before herself. She gazed endlessly over the polished finish of the object as if she could see her clear reflection on its surface.
"Have I doomed us all?" She asked.
After a distant rumble of thunder, the smallest crack formed on the medallion's edge. Kitana's brows furrowed as she returned the object to her regal garments. Her heart sank to her ankles, but she had to push forward into the rain.
She teleported with a bolt of lightning back to the kamp. Everyone was still there, including Reiko and his ilk. The two sides were negotiating terms with Kung Lao and Sub-Zero acting as representatives, and Reiko and Rain did the same on their side of things.
Rain explained the arena that Tessen told Kitana of, but as the storm around them subsided, Kitana interrupted their talks.
"I have agreed on behalf of Earthrealm to participate." She said as she walked with power behind every step. "Tessen has given me the terms. Our team will be assembled."
"Kitana, what are you doing?" Kung Lao asked with anger bubbling on his tone's surface. "This is a team effort, on who's authority does it grant you final say on the fate of billions?"
"My authority as protector of Earthrealm." She said with a burning stare into Kung Lao's soul. "Whatever terms were being negotiated here should be returned to Tessen who has our agreement in place."
"Protector of Earthrealm or not, there are considerations to be made!" Kung Lao argued.
"Mo Chou's life is on the line. Time is not on our side, Kung Lao." Kitana said firmly. "I did what I had to do to make sure my niece's survival is put first."
Sub-Zero's arms crossed, but he remained silent. His cold stare radiated red-hot anger, even while wordless.
"Then it is…unequivocally settled!" Rain said with a double-clap of his hands. "We will consult with Tessen and talk it over. Details will be given to you by one of our own. We shall honor our deal and give time for your team to be created. We look forward to a good clean bout, Kitana."
Reiko stepped forward with his hammer slung over his shoulder. "A good clean bout of mayhem. Are you sure this is what you want, Kitana? Choices made under stress crumbles kingdoms."
"How considerate, given you have a hostage." Kitana fired back. "My word is final. As long as nothing happens to Mo Chou, I will not bring the fury of the realms down on you."
Rain clenched his teeth and gave Reiko a firm pat on the back. "Righ then! Let us be off to prepare, team!"
Shang Tsung in the back examined his fingernails briefly, and had a grin on his face as if he'd just won a Chess game in two moves. When the portal was created for their exit, he turned and walked out first with the others on their side following.
Upon the gate closing, all eyes were on Kitana. No one, not even the Tarkatans were happy about Kitana's hasty choice.
"I was left with no choice." Kitana said as she turned her back on the others. "Once Kenshi is safe, we will prepare back on Earth. We amass our union with Kotal Kahn and others to face off against the Outworld alliance."
"I wish you luck, then." Kung Lao said bitterly. "I do not think the White Lotus will be assisting you this time, God Kitana." Shortly after speaking, Kung Lao marched away to clear his mind. He did not stay long enough to see Kitana's regret lead to her posture slouching.
Kuai Liang remained in place, but now with his arms dropped at his sides. "Did my daughter's safety truly drive you to such a hasty choice, Kitana?"
"Mileena and I have lost years." Kitana said while looking slightly over her shoulder. "My loyalty is to my family."
"Or are you controlled by guilt and sorrow?" Kuai asked as he stepped closer. "The burden I carry as Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei makes me fear for those who must take my position. I cannot even begin to imagine the burden you must have, for all you have gone through." He paused. "For all you have lost."
The word 'lost' made Kitana shut her eyes and face away again. Her heart burned like a wildfire born in the pits of hell itself. Her stomach churned and produced a foul-tasting burn at the back of her tongue whenever she tried to speak. She just saw her child in her arms, breathing her last breaths. She was powerless to heal her.
"We must win." Kitana said as she turned her eyes to the heavens, in hopes of seeing some guiding light on her new path.
MEANWHILE…AT THE CHAOSREALM PARTY
Liu Kang, Mileena, and Skarlet stood side-by-side as Bedlam ran a small golden bell. As soon as the sound chimed, the members in attendance, with their alcoholic drinks in hand, all turned their aggressions to the trio. To achieve their objectives, they had to endure entertaining one of the two chaos twins, so they endured.
The battle started with someone attempting to break a bottle over Mileena's head, only to be stabbed though the wrist with one of her sai. The attacker was knocked away by Liu Kang, who then palm struck a rotund man attempting to grapple Skarlet. With the large one out of the way, Skarlet drew the blood of the man Mileena stabbed and formed a lasso that wrapped around the legs of a trio of attackers closing in on Liu Kang.
Once Skarlet tripped them, Mileena dropped down from a portal and stomped on two of the three men's heads, and knocked out the third with a brutal jumping knee across the bridge of his nose. In the rumble, everyone started to blend together as the trio was overrun and separated in the masses. However, it was Liu Kang who stood out among the brutality as a shining light of hope. While Mileena and Skarlet each took a shot here and there…Liu Kang was untouched. The opponents tried their best, but he had an answer for all of their attacks.
He ducked, weaved, and countered as if he could read their minds like a children's book. When Liu knocked someone down, they stayed down. He was all focus, and highly aware of his environment. Liu kicked up a bar stool and used it to defend against a man wielding a short sword. The attempted impalement went through the stool, and Liu used the legs of the chair like a steering wheel to twist the man around and off of his feet.
When he landed, Mileena darted in from nearby with her mouth ripping open like a shark to bite clean through the man's forearm in a single chomp.
Skarlet took a few more strikes, but determination roused her heart. She drew the blood created from Mileena's bite and formed dozens of daggers. She threw them in non-lethal locations on each target to stun them. Some hit their thighs, others went through hands, but the end result was Skarlet dashing in and taking them down with brutal kicks and throws that cracked their skulls against the bartop.
Skarlet backed up back-to-back with Liu Kang, and the two turned to face one another. Skarlet threw a punch, and Liu deflected it so that she hit a person behind him. In turn, Liu jumped and kicked an individual behind Skarlet. The two briefly acknowledged one another before moving on with their brawl.
Mileena moved like an animal. She crawled along the floor to avoid thrown objects, and sprung up to wildly attack a larger foe, that she ended up throwing over the bar with a loud clatter of glass following it. It was here Mileena came face to face with the hiding Kollector.
"What are you doing here-?" Mileena asked. She paused and took a sniff of the Kollector that made her eyes go wide.
"Mileena! Such a pleasure to see you!" Kollector nervously chuckled. "I have been meaning to speak with you! I was on my way to deliver something important to you-!"
"Where is she?!" Mileena screamed as she grabbed hold of the Kollector by his throat.
A bell rang.
Suddenly, all of the Chaosrealm and Outworlders still standing stopped fighting, much to Liu Kang and Skarlet's collective confusion.
A tall and slender woman stepped inside. She was dressed in minimal armor, and flowing black and white silk garbs that left her arms and sides of her legs exposed. Her left arm held a head against its hip – her own head. A partial skeletal female face with short spiked hair…that may or may not have been literal black spikes. It was hard to tell from a glance. She had an eyepatch as well, and several scars leading toward the concealed eye.
"The party is over." Ataxia said as she rang a larger bell attached to her opposing hip. "Clear out. We have business with our visitors."
"I have business with this one!" Mileena snarled. "He stays!"
Kollector had no objection to this. He held all of his hands up – even the little ones in the back.
"Very well." Ataxia said as she put her head back on her shoulders. "Brother, why hold this blind man captive?"
"For fun. I think?" Bedlam said as he sprawled out across his stage, making dust angels. His legs and arms swished back and forth until he got bored of it and rolled onto his stomach. "Guy thought we were housing Black Dragon, or Red Dragon. Silver Dragon? I don't know. The big bald guy only came by for a drink. Figured I'd do Kenshi a solid and capture him until Dragon Baldy gang guy came back. That way they can handle business for my enjoyment!"
Ataxia looked over Liu Kang, Mileena, and eventually Skarlet. "Have the three of you come on behalf of this bald man my brother speaks of?"
"No," Liu spoke up, "we have come to rescue our friend, Kenshi. We would rather there not be any trouble. This woman, Skarlet—." Liu motioned to her politely. "She has her own means. She only aided us because we each have our reasons to reach out to the two of you. I ask that our friend be let go peacefully. We do not want more trouble."
"Boring." Ataxia said as she settled her gaze on Liu Kang. "You have no chaos in your soul. You should welcome the challenge. I can smell your boredom from here. We only align ourselves with those who embrace challenge. The strongest warriors are the most uncertain, after all."
Bedlam pushed up on his hands, but cocked one leg in the air, similar to a dog. Literally for no reason. "He's bored alright. I can smell it. This is a man who is unsatisfied with his challenges."
"If you believe this to be true," Liu said calmly, "then let Kenshi free. I will accept any challenge you offer in return for his freedom."
Those remaining in the room were quiet.
Mileena still had a firm hold on Kollector to make sure he didn't go anywhere.
Ataxia looked to her brother and removed her head once more. "Head's up." She said as she tossed her head over the others for her brother to catch in his hands. He walked on his knees across the stage with an awkward shuffle…and drove the spiked hair of his sister into the lock holding Kenshi behind bars. Once the lock came undone, Bedlam tossed his sister's head back to her.
Ataxia put herself back together and snapped her fingers. "In return, Liu Kang, you will give my brother and I a two-on-one battle for title of Mortal Kombat champion at a time, date, and location of our choosing. You accept these terms, or Kenshi remains ours."
"I accept." Liu said without hesitation.
"Then you are dismissed." Ataxia said while turning her focus to Skarlet. "And your business?"
Skarlet's mission may have tipped off her opponents, so she altered her approach. "It is best discussed privately."
The Chaos twins looked to one another, and each shared a gut-busting laugh at Skarlet's reply.
"She's hiding something!" Bedlam said as he wiggled his hips. He pushed up to stand and held his hands out as if to welcome physical conflict. "We in Chaosrealm do not believe in private business dealings. Whatever you have to say must be said before the people you wish to hide it from!"
"Is this not a private dealing?" Skarlet challenged. "You sent away your charming party-goers."
"They all went to Bingo." Bedlam said with a dismissive wave. "Tomato, tomato! Say it in front of these folks or there's no deal!"
Skarlet relented. Her shoulders drooped while she turned to face Ataxia, as she was likely the most reasonable. "Those I work with are seeking recruits for a possible tournament. A conflict between realms. We seek you two in particular." Skarlet folded her hands nearly behind her back. She had nothing else to hide.
Liu Kang took this information in with a frown, and Mileena grit her fangs together.
Ataxia seemed to be deep in thought. She pursed her lips together and narrowed her one visible eye on Skarlet. "We will give you our answer when we talk and think it over. We will not decide until the conflict is made clear and battle lines have been drawn. Your name is the first in our figurative hat we will draw from for allegiance."
"I have a hard hat." Bedlam knocked on the top of his head. "We may use that, draw straws, or flip a coin. We may even end up on opposin' sides if its more fun." He said while jutting his thumb toward his bare chest. "That's about as satisfactory of a reply you're getting' from us Red Rum. Now, unless you wanna bar fight more, beat it."
Skarlet lowered her head. She feared punishment for her apparent failure, but at least the word was out there. She walked away from the others, but was stopped when Liu Kang grabbed her forearm.
"Skarlet." Liu said quietly. "Kitana helped you. Spared you." He searched her eyes for answers. The two of them seemed equally confused emotionally on what was transpiring. "Yet you seek to challenge her in Mortal Kombat and war?"
"Outworld is my home," Skarlet said quietly, "I am doing what I must to protect its future, much like you do your own realm. Unhand me, champion."
Liu hesitated, but eventually released his grip on her forearm. "I am sorry. But perhaps you should consider this is not how things need to be? She speaks to me about a sisterhood you once had."
"She is not my Kitana." Skarlet replied. "A traveler from a different time. A weary soul seeking peace, not a princess struggling to gain control. My Kitana would have hated me. Kept me under her boot. Never acknowledge me. Yet…this one acknowledges me, but did not remember me initially. I suppose…her timeline lacked a street rat seeking mercy." She pulled away from Liu entirely and walked toward the exit.
"Things can be different." Liu said with hope to reach Skarlet. "Kitana is proof of that."
"I can never be redeemed." Skarlet replied. She looked over her shoulder at him one last time. "I have never done anything wrong."
As their talk closed, Mileena had the Kollector off to the side. The Chaos Twins left to wrangle their party back together, but there was no fun happening inside their establishment. Mileena was nearly strangling Kollector with both hands for information.
"Do not lie to Mileena!" She screamed. "You have my daughter's scent! Where is she?!"
"I am getting to that part!" Kollector pleaded. "Please, allow me to speak!"
"If you hurt her. If you harmed a hair on her head, I swear it upon Sindel's soul that I will devour you for days, but keep you alive long enough to suffer each and every bite!"
"She is—." Kollector gulped. "She is right outside. My cart. Unharmed. She got sick, I gave her proper medication. Nothing more!"
Mileena dropped the Kollector onto the floor and rushed outside. She passed by Liu Kang as he picked up Kenshi from the cage, and knocked over a few of the folks returning to the party. Once outside, Mileena's keen nose picked up on several scents, but settled in on her daughter's. She rushed through the crowd of people outside and eventually emerged on the other side. Her heart swelled three sizes as she felt her daughter close. Her breathing picked up, as if she'd ran a marathon for hours on end.
"Mo Chou?" Mileena called out repeatedly. Her footsteps were quick as she searched each cart she came across.
She was so close, but so far. Her stomach tied in knots as she feared for the worst.
"Mama?" The small voice called out from one of the carts.
"Mo Chou!" Mileena ran quickly to the Kollector's cart. She didn't care what else was in there with her daughter. She climbed inside and threw her arms around her as tight as she could. Mileena's once savage eyes filled with tears. The emotion came pouring out as she peppered her child's forehead with kisses.
Mother and child both sobbed and held one another tight. Though the sweet moment was interrupted when Mo Chou began coughing.
Panicked, Mileena held her child by her shoulders. "Let's get you home, okay? Everything will be okay. Your father has been worried sick."
Footsteps approached.
The Kollector came into view. He wrung his hands firmly, but kept his head down to show respect.
"Lady Mileena," Kollector said with his head lowered, "I did everything I could to keep your child safe. I only ask that I am spared of any violence in return. She's a good child; curious and talkative, but a good child. This, coming from a man who hates kids."
"You will be rewarded." Mileena said while scooping her child up.
"That's the thing," Kollector stepped back to allow Mileena off of the cart. "I don't want any payment. Not for this. Get her to the Nexus to get back home, or by whatever means you must. If she has another flare up, give her this." Kollector reached into his bag to give Mileena several dose bottles for her child's condition.
"Mileena insists-, I insist." Mileena corrected herself while holding her child snugly to her shoulder.
"If you insist, then pay me in taking my advice." Kollector said. "This girl needs to be tended to in Outworld. The only real cure for her condition can be created and maintained in this realm. Outworld doctors need to see her."
"This realm was my prison." Mileena fired back. "I cannot stay here longer than need be. There is another way. We will find it."
"You're the boss." Kollector surrendered and returned to the front of his carriage. "I have deliveries to make and supplies to get. My pick-up was ruined by that brawl."
"Thank you, Kollector. For this." Mileena said.
Mo Chou even chimed in. "Thank you for taking care of me, Mr. Kollector."
"It was a short time, but a long time for me." Kollector said playfully. "Take care of yourself, child. I hope we meet again someday. I could use a protégé to pass my business to."
Mileena scowled, but detected it was only a joke. Mo Chou seemed entertained by it.
-
A/N
So, for those who do not know, as of this chapter, the entire original story was re-edited, fixed, and slightly altered. Feel free to re-read the story with updated names, lore, and an alternate ending for Skarlet to better flow with this story. It is my attempt to make this behemoth of a story more entry-friendly and less clutter.
I am working on providing more substantial entries into the story going forward, but please do leave feedback on the characters and their expanding arcs. Who is your favorite character currently, and what characters would you like to see more of?
Also, tell me what you thought of the chapter, and the events unfolding!
Thank you all so very much.