Mileena felt weak, like all her bones had been shattered. She was dead… D'Vorah… that Kytin wretch… she had killed her! She was… No, she wasn't dead. How could she feel the cool night air if she was dead? The Netherrealm didn't conjure illusions this intricate to torture someone, it was more eternal fire and agony. The half-tarkatan was extremely confused, not helped by the many wounds she saw on her body, no doubt sustained form the attack by the Earthrealmers. Mileena scowled, she'd make them pay… she'd kill all of them… she'd…

Mileena fell to her hands and knees, and gasped in pain. She wasn't dead yet, but she would be soon. She could feel her strength draining, no matter how much she tried to summon some extra reserve, she knew she was weak.

"Father would never allow me to die like this…" She thought angered. "I am the Empress of Outworld… Not some peasant who…"

Even now Mileena's thoughts were slowing. She bit her lip aggressively and forced herself to her feet, refusing to be seen like this. She looked around, not knowing where she was, but she suspected she wasn't in Outworld. The ground was covered in grass and the air was cool, unlike the blistering hot sands of Outworld. She blinked, looking around in confusion, now noticing that there were trees around her, still, lifeless and oddly calming.

"Am…am I in Earthrealm?!" Mileena thought, shocked. She had been in Earthrealm once before, back when her father's forces were invading, but that was nearly thirty years ago, now she…

She was dead. Emphasis on was. She knew she wasn't now, so how did she survive? The half-tarkatan shook her head, dragging herself along, trying to find something, anything, to eat or drink. Off in the distance, she could see a faint light, and what looked like a building. Now Mileena knew her mind was tormenting her, showing her what she needed, but refusing to give it to her.

"Hello?" A voice suddenly called. "Is someone out there?"

"H..hel…" Mileena wheezed out before collapsing again, seeing that the light was getting closer, she closed her eyes, letting the darkness envelop her, knowing this was where she would meet her fate again.

Mileena slowly opened her eyes, groaning warily, she saw… a ceiling? Yes, a ceiling with some strange device rotating in circles that was affixed to it, moving cool air throughout the room. Mileena tried to sit up, but winced in pain, looking down at her body, now covered in blood-soaked bandages. Mileena's senses kicked into overdrive as she scanned around for any sign of where she was, or who her potential savior was. Or her potential capturer…

One thing that was clear was that she was alive, and now laying on a somewhat old bed. A blanket was folded up at her feet, and a glass of water was on a table next to her. What was most surprising was how quiet everything was, there weren't the sounds of guards or mercenaries talking or moving about, in fact, the quiet hum on the odd device above her was the only sound- no wait, Mileena picked up a sound, as well as a smell.

Meat.

Sniffing the air, Mileena recognized the smell of meat cooking, so there was someone nearby… Ignoring her pain, Mileena forced herself to stand, feeling wobbly and exhausted but refused to let it show. She looked down, seeing that she was covered in bandages, but her clothes were torn, not leaving much covered… The ex-empress growled slightly in annoyance before trying to adjust what little she had left, as she worked, the door that the smell was coming from opened after a few tiny knocks.

"Um, Miss?" Came a small voice. Mileena didn't hear it, and kept trying to make due with what she had. When she turned around, she saw a small boy with long dark hair and glasses standing in the doorway, holding a tray with food on it. His eyes widened in shock as Mileena realized two things; one, she was practically naked on front of a child, and two, her face was exposed.

"Get out!" She shrieked with more volume than she knew she had. The tiny boy trembled, frozen in fear. Then seemed to begin stammering uncontrollably.

"Uh-oh-oh… it's the… it's the pancakes… he mumbled. You…you don't like them… I'll-I'll get you something else…"

Mileena was genuinely taken aback by this, what was this boy talking about? Then she saw the tray of food he was holding, and Mileena connected the dots, realizing that he was the one making the food she smelled…

"I..I'm sorry!" The boy exclaimed, terrified. However, what he said next Mileena wasn't expecting. "Damn it you retard! You can't do anything right! Can't make food… can't help Zee with the guest…what good are you?" He slunk out, head low, as if he had committed a horrible crime. Only as he left did Mileena get a better look at the newcomer, and was shocked to see he was a very young boy. She wanted to say something, but felt like saying anything might worsen the situation. She found some clothes sitting on a chair, and while she didn't understand how (or why) anyone in their right mind would wear such… horrific clothes, she knew it was better than nothing. About fifteen minutes later, the boy shuffled into her room with a different tray of food, simply set it on the nightstand, and wordlessly left not looking at Mileena the entire time, his demeanour was that of a terrified puppy. Once the door was closed again, Mileena looked to the food. She didn't care who made it, she was starving. The boy had brought her some sausages, eggs, bacon and milk. She hungrily tore into it with a reckless appetite. After a few minutes, the food was gone and she sat down on the bed again. Now realizing her body felt… clean. Well, clean aside from the dried blood, but there wasn't much she could do right now. Once again, she heard a knock on the door, followed by the boy's small voice.

"Uh, Miss? I brought you a housecoat… it's not much but it might keep you warm, and cover you…"

Very timidly the boy entered again, handing Mileena a light pink bundle, without another word, the boy turned around to go and let Mileena change. She got a better look at him now. He had jet black hair, much like her sisters, tied up in dreadlocks. He wore stained blue jeans and a white shirt; his skin seemed a bit darker than Jade's and he had brown glasses on his face.

"Come here child." Mileena suddenly said in a gentle tone, beckoning to the bedside. The boy froze in his tracks and paused, uncertain of what to do. Mileena quickly slipped the long, fluffy housecoat on, pulled her veil back up to hide her face, and waited. Slowly, the young boy made his way over, still looking down. "It's alright little one, I'm not going to hurt you."

"I'm sorry…" The boy mumbled. "I didn't mean to walk in on you like that, and I know the food wasn't that good, and-"

Mileena put three of her fingers on the boy's lips, silencing him. While in almost any other case, this would be seen as a calm, gentle gesture, Mileena did it more forcefully than she intended.

"None of that now." she said, her tone still regal and somewhat commanding. "Your food was delicious, and I was startled because I didn't know where I was or who you were."

The boy pushed his glasses back onto his face and replied:

"I'm Ezekiel."

"Hello Ezekiel, my name is Mileena." Mileena replied with a smile, she gently took the boy's hand and helped him up onto the bed. She rested a hand on his lap to try and show her friendliness, Tanya used to love when she… Tanya… what had happened to her!? A million shocked thoughts rushed through her mind like needle pricks, but she couldn't let herself get caught up in that right now. "This might seem like an odd question, but, where are we?"

"Oh. Uh, you're at my family farm." Ezekiel replied innocently, Mileena chuckled slightly realizing she should've been more specific. Ezekiel seemed to realize that as well. "It's… it's located in the town of Trinity. In Newfoundland and Labrador."

"Newfoundland and Labordor?" Mileena replied quizzically, never having heard of those places. "Are they part of a realm Outworld has not contacted yet?"

Now it was Ezekiel's turn to be confused, as he cocked his head and raised a brow.

"What's outworld?" He asked. "None of my books have ever mentioned a place with that name… Is it like, Australia or something?"

"Australia?" Mileena thought. "Where have I heard… Kano." Her mind snapped to the man from the land down under, he was originally from Earthrealm. "Then somehow… I'm… I'm in Earthrealm!"

"Miss Millina?" Ezekiel timidly spoke up again. "Are you okay?"

"Yes… yes, I'm fine little one." Mileena shook her head coming back to reality. A new plan forming. She had to place nice, learn all she could about this 'Trinity', and eventually find a way to either contact Outworld or return there herself. Mileena would once again rule her kingdom, and any who opposed her, she would enjoy feasting on.

And as for little Ezekiel? She may have found a new friend to take along with her, either to eat later, or maybe… just maybe… one day, rule Outworld. All that was clear to Mileena now, was that she had to play her cards very carefully. She was still weak, and none of her allies were here to help her. She was pulled from her thoughts again by another female voice calling:

"Ezekiel?"

"I'm in here! The lady is awake!" Ezekiel called back.

Without warning, a woman threw open the door and stared at Mileena. Then, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Who are you, and what did you do to Ezekiel?!" She demanded.

To be continued…

So, as someone who wasn't always the biggest Mileena player, I kind of understood why fans were angry at his absence from MK11 but the truth is, she ain't gonna be in the game. Just get over it. Anyhow, I had this weird idea and just started writing, let me know what you think!