Chapter 3: Discussions

Kahn's Office, Outworld

"So let me get this straight...", Kitana said in a harsh tone as she held her temples while seated in her office. Beside her was Liu Kang who sighed at the two people in front of them. "You two went for a drink, went for more rounds after that, and both of you couldn't remember what happened?"

Kung Lao looked indifferent since he was quite used to this type of conference as a member of the Shaolin. Jade on the other hand, gripped her knees in shame for what had happened, feeling like a little child being reprimanded by the parent, in the form of her best friend who is the current Kahn no less. "Yes..", Kung Lao answered as Liu Kang seemed to buy his response from his best friend.

"But still...", the Chosen One cut in behalf of the Kahn. "That does not explain why the Market District was destroyed, not to mention among those who are injured are Ferra/Torr and Reptile. Are you sure you two didn't remember anything else?"

Kung Lao shook his head while Jade continued to look down, not wanting to see her best friend eye to eye, knowing that their friendship was to be set aside at the moment. Despite her current anger with Lao, she knew it was also her fault.

"According to the reports here, while the Market District was being torn apart, Shao Kahn was freed during the impending chaos after the guards who watch over him were killed in the spot. It was likely during this time that he used this circumstance to his advantage to escape", Kitana told them as she handed the scroll to Kung Lao, who read its contents. He could tell that the damages would cost the Shaolin half of their treasures at the Groto at this point, not to mention compensation to those who were injured.

"No one was seriously hurt here, I hope?", he sheepishly asked, hoping their drunken rampage didn't caused too much damage to the people of Outworld.

"Save to the fact that an old lady named Blanche was thrown at one of the guards, there is no one else", Kitana answered before he sighed in exasperation before she turned towards her best friend. "Jade, you know that this incident, wether drunk or not, will not go unpunished?"

The Emerald Assassin nodded, accepting whatever punishment her best friend would give her. "Jade, I am sorry to say this but until Shao Kahn is captured, I will have to suspend you from your position as General and I will have to get Kotal back into the army soon enough as punishment", she said with a hint of remorse or regret, not wanting to speak to her like that after thousands of years worth of friendship.

"I understand, your Highness", Jade said in an obedient tone to Kitana while Liu Kang looked at her with sympathy. The Kahn then turned her attention towards Kung Lao. "Kung Lao, as an Earthrealmer, I have no jurisdiction at deciding your punishment.", she said as the hat-wielding monk raised his head to gaze at her but inwardly, he knew he wasn't going to get scotch free from that.

"However, your penalty will be delivered by the Shaolin themselves, and Liu Kang here will decide for me instead", the Kahn told him as Kung Lao sighed, but inwardly hoped his best friend wouldn't be so harsh but that is unlikely.

"Your Highness", Liu Kang interjected. "I think it is best if Kung Lao is to help Jade in resolving the impending conflict until Shao Kahn is captured. From what they had said, both of them caused considerable damage that indirectly caused Shao Kahn's escape, so I think it is only fair if both of them help one another at this one", he suggested as Kitana cupped her chin in deep thought.

Jade would want to protest, wanting to pin the blame to Kung Lao alone, but she knew better than that since they were the ones who caused all of this. And that fighting over it wouldn't help at all.

"I have to agree with you, Liu Kang", Kitana affirmed. "But we have to warn Earthrealm about this, otherwise Shao Kahn would try and find allies on that realm", she told him.

"Kano of the Black Dragon is out of the question, but I know he will work with whatever lieutenants that he had left. We cannot count on Raiden at this one because of his own duties at the Netherrealm. I will tell Kung Jin to warn the others within the Special Forces and to the clans of the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu. Until then, we have to deal with Shao Kahn and his remaining enforcers", Liu Kang finished as Kitana nodded.

"Reptile wouldn't be able to operate as a spymaster at this time. So, Jade and Kung Lao, you will have to do until he recovers. Ermac and Erron would be watching over you and to aid you as the best they can if necessary", Kitana said to them before they dismissed their respective bodyguards who bowed at them before they went through the door.

Once they left, Kitana leaned on her seat while exasparately sighing. "Are you sure it's wise to have them work together?"

Liu Kang simply gave a smile as he put a hand on her shoulder. "I think they can manage. I do not see they can't"

Meanwhile outside Kung Lao sighed in relief as his best friend chose not to tell the Shaolin what had transpired and gazed at the Emerald Asaassin, who was still recovering from her earlier shock. "So where do we start?", he asked but the woman only shot a glare at him.

"Shut up", Jade harshly replied as she stormed off, with the monk sighing, knowing this will take a lot of time to manage. 'This is going to take some time...'