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Outworld had certainly been an interesting place recently. First the death of Shao Khan and then the return of the Original Emperor the Dragon King Onaga. And now after the death of Onaga a new Emperor has come, Kotal Khan.

Born in Z'Unkaharah to the Osh-Tekk people, Kotal was a young boy when his realhm was invaded and taken over by Shao Khan. Kotal K'etz ruled the Osh-Tekk then. And during Shao Khan's reign and for the brief reign of the Dragon King they served their overlord well. But now things were different.

In the fires and destruction that lay in Onaga's aftermath a new Kahn emerged. Kotal Khan took it upon himself to unite the scattered empire of Outworld and bring peace, something his predecessors never did. And Peace was brought but it was still an Outworld peace.

Kotal Kahn had to deal with rebuilding the Empire from scratch, bringing them all together once more, putting worthy enough people to run the large area of the empire as well as surrounded himself with delegates to hear and know all throughout the realhms. All that along with dealing with plague, famine, and now open rebellion.

Edenia had always been a place of unrest even when Shao Khan took the land, taking it's Queen and Princess as his wife and daughter. And in Outworld's Edenia there were some old faces.

Ermac the warrior of a thousand souls was originally created under the Emperor's orders and was made as his Ultimate Weapon. Reptile was the last Zatteran, a race that had been conquered by Shao Khan. And during his life time Reptile served the man who wiped out his race faithfully.

The two were united under a single goal, the one they'd known all their lives. Serve Shao khan but with him dead they served his next of Kin. Princess or rather Empress Kitana.

This was her home once and is once again. The people remembered her fondly and would shield her against their new ruler even against the grimmest of outcomes. But they had to be cautious, Kotal Khan knew how to deal with anyone who defied his rule and they were dealt with swiftly.

She had gathered her own forces. Made up of her bodyguard and best friend Jade as well as her father's men Ermac and Reptile.

The Empress had been given her own room in one of the castles of Edenia. Those who followed her were also greatly gifted as well. And now with a headquarters they were ready to begin. With her advisors and warriors at her side the next move would be decided.

"Your Highness." Reptile began taking a knee before her." We have brought you this far. Taken you to the safety of Edenia. What would you have of us now?" Kitana glanced around the room. Step one had been completed, the time for action was now.

"For over ten thousand years my father ruled in Outworld." She began." And Outworld grew under his rule. And now a usurper sits on my father's throne. The throne that by all rights belongs to me. And I mean to take it back by whatever means necessary." And no one in the audience seemed to disagree with her.

"The People offer this." Said Ermac stepping up." As a token of their loyalty." Kitana looked down and at Ermac's hands were he showcased a shining necklace. Although it was no mere piece of jewelry to Kitana.

"My Mother's Necklace." She said in awe. It was silver with blue sapphire gems embedded all along it. Sindel wore it on special occasions, like the wedding to her father.

"Allow me Empress." Ermac said. Kitana turned her back to him, moving aside her long black hair with one arm. Ermac moved forward and draped the necklace over her chest as he tied it in place around her neck. When the deed was done Ermac stepped back and Kitana turned around with the new necklace for all too see.

And with the symbol of Edenian royalty around her neck and her claim for the throne her people were 100% behind her.

Standing in the back of the room behind all the others was Sub Zero Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei and Frost his student. They did not cheer along with all the others, instead choosing to stand silently by themselves.

The Lin Kuei were a clan several hundreds of years old founded in Earthrealm. Though their allegiance and goals have always shifted, their primary purpose had always been to themselves. They had no stakes in Kitana's claim to Outworld, they had an entirely separate purpose here. Frost gave a glance up at her Master wondering what could have persuaded him to come here.

After the meeting Sub Zero moved himself out onto the balcony so he could gaze at the wonder that was Edenia. Even though it had become a part of Outworld, it's darkness could never block out it's beauty. Why somebody would trade this for Outworld Sub Zero did not know but it was not his place to question.

"Why so glum friend?" A voice from his right questioned. Sub Zero tilted his scared face to see Ermac standing there." A new age has come, a new power is rising." Ermac continued. "Soon everything will be as it should." He laid a playful but firm hand on the Grandmaster's shoulder.

"And the bloodline of Shao Khan will rule this place." Said a hissing voice from Sub Zero's left. He turned over and saw Reptile standing there.

"And you will be there to see it my friend." Ermac said happily leaning closer to Sub Zero. Their loyalty was understandable, Sub Zero could not question that. They in turn did not question his own, though that wasn't true for everyone.

Meanwhile in the Capital of Outworld, the Palace of the Emperor.

Word had already spread fast about the uprising in the empire, quickly working it's way to the top of the pyramid. And for those who worked directly with the Khan knew this was news not to be pushed aside.

From this report Princess Kitana daughter of Shao Khan had appeared in the Edenia sector with forces at her back. Her motive seemed very clear.

Erron Black was one of the oldest enforcers of the Emperor's, and right now had just heard the news. It had arrived by letter from the Kahn's own father. And that's when Erron Black knew this was not something to be overlooked.

He went to see the Kahn himself. The guards posted along the walls of the palace were not Shoakan or Tarkatan like the previous Emperors. They could be anyone though they gave up personal ambition when they donned the skull helmet, choosing only to follow the Khan's wishes. Black himself didn't care for such practices.

He was almost at the throne room, only a big wooden door stood in his way. The carvings on it and even the knobs were in the shape of skulls, fitting. Black put one hand up and against the door, pushing it open.

"Emperor." The gunslinger said upon entering. Sitting on the throne of Outworld was the Khan himself. His back was straight with both hands on each armrest, a calm expression on his face. But he was not alone. To his left was his other chief enforcer D'Vorah the Kytinn. And to the right looming over all was the earth ninja Tremor.

"What is it Erron?" The Kahn questioned. Black showcased the letter in his gaining the attention and the curiosity of the trio before him. He walked up the steps and handed it off to him.

With one hand Kotal took it with one hand and opened it. His plain white eyes moved over each word but none could guess what he was thinking. And when he was finished he simply rested the letter down at his side.

"What'll we do Emperor?" Black asked.

"My father controls that sector, it falls to him to deal with it." He answered." This issue does not require my attention. Why should I allow myself to get mixed up in that mess when I have my own problems in my very capital?" That wasn't the answer Erron was expecting.

"But Emperor the Princess-"

"The Fallen Princess does not concern me." Kotal said his voice rising slightly. He sank back in his chair and resumed his normal posture." You will tell my father to end this by any means necessary." And that seemed to be his final word on the subject.

"As you command, Emperor." Black responded.