DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mortal Kombat or it's characters in any way.
This story begins years after Mortal Kombat 4, before Deadly Alliance, and into Deception. After that it reaches Armageddon and reverts to Mortal Kombat (2011). The story follows mainly Mileena. Also stars Kitana, Jade, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and others!

MORTAL KOMBAT
REDEMPTION

Chapter ?: Before the End Began

EDENIA ; After First Slumber

The sounds of heeled footsteps brought the golden eyes of Mileena to a sudden opening. Her nose twitched, picking up the scent of...spaghetti? She had been leaning against the stone wall along the back of her cell, right next to the provided bed and a stone's throw away from the provided toilet. It was a much larger cell than she had last year. Her said 'good behavior' had granted her such a privilege. No longer in the cramped war traitor prison, but a secret cell just a few floors above ground.

The moonlight had poured through the barred stone archway window located diagonally from her cell, illuminating her ragged form. She wore a brown cloth that remained draped around her entire body like a dress, with her own personal black veil worn about her lower face. She searched the darker region of the cell, seeing a candle light just a ways down the hall. The guards watching her began to step away from their posts as it became visible who the visitor was. Her 'sister', Kitana.

The azure clad Princess held a smile, regal night garment only enhancing her beauty further in the eyes of the guards. Mileena knew this to be true – Kitana was seen as the most beautiful woman in all of Edenia. The hood of Kitana's sleeping robes had concealed the upper portion of her face, but Mileena could still feel her eyes on her. She searched Kitana as she came to a stop and immediately noticed the large tray she held in her hands. The tray held a candle within it's holder, a book, as well as a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

"Are you awake, Mileena?" Kitana's sweet voice came forward, noticing her 'sister' begin to stir once she got closer to the cell. Kitana kept her distance however, starting to lower down to her knees a few feet from the cell — out of arm's reach. "I brought your favorite."

Mileena started to lean away from the wall, crawling toward the bars of her cell. There was an opening just a few inches off the ground along her cell's lower region, just enough to slip meals through. Mileena was excited, though her recovery from slumber was keeping that from being so apparent. She placed her hands on the bars, still sniffing through her mask, wanting to get to that food.

"Let me see, first." Kitana said, starting to move the tray aside. She scooted closer to the cell – at least close enough to make the guards stand a bit closer to protect their princess of Mileena chose to strike.

"...Does Mileena have to?" The feral woman grumbled lowly as Kitana grew closer.

"Yes, you do, Mileena. Let me see your progress." The elder twin added in, though keeping a near motherly soft tone about herself. "I am sure it is complete by now."

Mileena leaned away from the bars..., reaching up to the corners of her veil to start to pull it down her face. Kitana watched in delight, holding her candle up so she could get a bit more light on her twin's face. As the veil came down, Mileena's cheeks were not as high as they were before. Her nose had curved naturally, and not as thick in the front. Her lips were a little dry – nothing a little cosmetics wouldn't fix – and her mouth was much smaller than ever before. Mileena's mouth was normal.

Kitana smiled softly, reaching back toward her tray. Cracking open the book, she pulled a hand held mirror from the pages it was kept between. She placed it face up on the stone floor...and slid it beneath the opening of Mileena's cell. "What I say won't matter. You have to see this for yourself." She kept her smile alive, reaching back to close that book up once again.

Mileena's golden eyes went to the mirror, and reached over for it. It had become something of a routine these past few weeks. She hated seeing flesh forming over gaps of her mouth – she looked even worse than before! Though when she lifted the mirror this time...she was very surprised. Her eyes widened as she would gasp – bringing her left hand over her lips. She touched her cheek bones, her jawline – all of it was completely...normal. She had no words – only tears starting to drop from the corners of her eyes.

Kitana was happy to assist her. "The mages can truly do a great job when given a task. I am glad I was able to assist you, sister," Sister being a name she had only been recently regaining with her now frequent visits from Kitana. Since her imprisonment after the defeat of Shinnok, it wasn't believed Mileena could ever reform. She was 'evil', though the Edenian side of her soul could throw that out of balance if shown proper affection, it seemed. "You have grown a great deal these past years. I hope you do not think me a harsh and cruel elder for leaving you locked away for so long."

Mileena's emotions were getting the best of her. Through her entire life she was made to believe she was worthless. Kitana got all the favor, resentment grew, enhanced by her rowdy Tarkatan blood. She did everything for her 'father' Shao Kahn, and still gained no respect. She tried to fit in with the Tarkatans and Baraka..., and still no respect. She spent her entire life trying to get out of the shadows of others, and finally...finally...she found some respect and affection in that of a woman she grew up hating.

"N-no...," She began, "Mileena understands. You did what you had to do to help Mileena. You could have killed her, but you kept Mileena alive." She wiped her eyes, lower lip wobbling as she looked at her reflection a bit longer. Though her sniffles were really just making her stomach growl. She wanted that damn spaghetti!

Kitana bowed her head slightly. This was her least favorite part of the check-up. Also the most dangerous. "I know this part makes you uncomfortable, but let me see your teeth." She dared lean closer to the cell...her guards remaining on standby.

"...Nngh!" Mileena backed away from Kitana, holding the mirror far from her. She turned her shoulder to her sister, frowning deeply.

"Mileena – "

"Nngh!" She pouted deeply like a spoiled child.

"Mileena, show me your teeth or you're not going to get your supper." She took a firm tone, keeping her eyes locked on her.

The feral woman had to make a choice. Either go without food...or go through a process of devolution. Spaghetti outweighed everything. She started to shift back toward the front of the cell, putting the mirror down. She placed her hands on the bars, and opened her mouth up for Kitana to inspect.

Her teeth were all there, all dulled and normal in appearance. Kitana reached in bravely, touching Mileena's chin. She would turn and move her head around to inspect her inner mouth and teeth.

"Alright, they're all there. Now show me your other teeth." She said, bringing her hand back to the outside of the cell. This part was too dangerous.

Mileena grunted, as those dagger like jagged teeth of her's ripped downward over and in between her dull teeth. Her mouth stretched like that of a snake's, tearing that smooth flesh away to recreate that Tarkatan maw of her's. This made the guards cringe. Mileena turned her head about so Kitana could see all of her teeth...then began to let the teeth collapse back into her gums. As she shut her mouth, it began to shrink back to it's 'normal' size.

"Very good. Your skin seems to regenerate once stretched..." She noted to herself, reaching up to pull back the hood over her head to expose her face fully. She watched as Mileena continued to dry her eyes off for a brief time. Soon the book and candle holder were taken off of the tray, and the food was slid beneath the opening at the bottom of the cell. There was a dull fork placed beside the dish for Mileena to use to eat with. Right away, she dug in with a feverish hunger.

Amidst the gobbling, Kitana sat back and watched. "Your sentence will be over soon, Mileena. You have earned your right. If your good behavior keeps up, many good things will be in your future, sister." Though she got no audible response – Mileena was busy chowing down and slurping the spaghetti right up.

It didn't take too long for Mileena to finish. Once she did, she practically licked the plate clean before returning it to the tray along with the fork. She slid it back out to Kitana, now feeling quite full and satisfied! "Mileena can't wait to walk around again freely..." She leaned her head to the bars, once again holding them. "Can Mileena oversee the kitchen duties and prepare Spaghetti?"

Chuckling, the elder would give a nod of her head. "It is quite possible, sister. We will discuss that at a later date. Have you been reading at all?" She asked, now grasping the book she brought with her.

"Mileena has been. It's a little hard reading for so long..."

It was a sad truth. Kitana had found that Kahn refused to educate Mileena as highly as Kitana had been. It explained her odd speaking patterns, and willingness to serve even when it had become obvious she was expendable to her superiors. Kahn kept her undereducated in fear she would rise against him much like Kitana had eventually. Though Mileena's hunger for knowledge had led her to experimentation in battle and ultimately played a part in her at times brilliant schemes.

"Would you like to read a bit more of The Frog Prince with me?" Kitana placed the book across her own lap, looking back up to her sister.

Mileena gave it some thought, "For a little while." For she was still a little tired! She crawled back toward her provided bed, and reached underneath it to draw out the matching book. She moved herself to the corner of her cell, with one shoulder against each set of bars. The moonlight came through right over her shoulder so that she could read. There was a bookmark where she had left off.

"You read a page, and I'll read a page. We'll read just three each, okay? Follow along with your eyes." Kitana said softly, moving along side the bars with her candle to assist in lighting the way or her to read as well.

The two sisters read together – with Kitana helping Mileena pronounce certain words she struggled reading. Yet another consecutive night ending on a high note for the two of them. Mileena was proud she had finally gained what she wanted ; affection, respect, and family.

( Side Event #01: Jade in Outworld )

The bronze-skinned beauty had been pulling her attire back upon her body as she sat down on the edge of a bed. Her trusted staff was leaned against it as well, and snatched up as she came to a stand.

"Lost about an hour on the trail. You sleep well, babe?" Called the voice of a man as he sat up in bed. He was just as dark skinned as she, though his black hair was a mess of short spikes atop of his head. The sheets still draped across his wast, he reached over along the floor to pull up his pair of dark crimson pants.

"Next to you, who wouldn't?" Jade narrowed her eyes back at him, giggling a bit. It was something of an inside joke! "The trail's time period will be fine. We just need to head back to your home in Earthrealm to have this chemical reproduced a lot more than this town could offer." Jade said, pulling a small glass orb from her carrying bag. She handled it with extreme care. "To think Tarkatan essence could be created to make them go mad." She said examining the orb.

"Yeah, well," The man spoke out, once his pants and vest were back over his toned body. "These people live in this world, so I'd think they know what they're talkin' about. We get enough of these babies, then our enemies become our assassins. For now? One for Tanya," He pointed to Jade's orb, "and one for Kahn." He motioned over to his own carrying bag.

Jade nodded, starting to put the orb away. "You know, Nido, we should probably visit Sub-Zero in Earthrealm. The Lin Kuei could serve as body guards on our journey back through here. It may not be wise to trail Outworld like this twice." Coming to a stand, Jade pulled her carrying bag about her shoulders and holstered her staff at her back as well.

"Sub-Zero? Whoa, isn't that guy dead?" Nido had been clearly out of the loop!

"No...dummy," Jade scoffed, turning to face him. "That was his older brother that got killed. We've seen the other Sub-Zero before, remember?" She waited for some kind of visual confirmation that he did indeed remember – if not vocal.

"Uh...I remember the guy being a real prick on the island." He confessed, pulling his Spear from the wall it leaned on.

Jade threw her hands up in defeat, rolling her eyes. "When you came here for the tournament after that and got eliminated by Johnny Cage, when we started sort-of dating?" She was annoyed at this point, he forgot the day they met! "We watched Sub-Zero fight Mileena. He beat her and spared her life despite the crowd wanting more blood shed. Remember, it was our first date immediately after that match?"

Nido tapped his scruffy chin a moment, soon remembering. "Oh! Yeah, I remember!" Though he saw Jade didn't believe him. "Because that prick in the yellow was muttering how he was going to kick that guy's ass. I thought he looked like Sub-Zero..., I just thought his name was like...Freezer or something."

Jade remembered Scorpion being there..., and just leaving silently after seeing Sub-Zero spare Mileena. It was kind of weird. Though her boyfriend was still annoying her. "...You and your Earthrealm cartoons." She said at the mention of Freezer, which was awfully close to something he spoke to her of before. "Anyway, that guy is the current Sub-Zero. It's more of a title or code-name than his actual name." Jade explained.

"...So what's his real name?"

"...!" S he lifted a finger as to speak, but drew a blank. " …. That's not important. What is important is that we find a way to Earthrealm, get this essence produced more, find the Lin Kuei and enlist them as body guards, and then I can seek out Tanya, and we can finish off Kahn with his own army. Right?"

"Right!" Nido stepped forward, giving Jade a swat on her backside with his palm. "Better get moving then, Brown Sugar." He said as he headed toward the door.

("Augh...I hate that name...")

"-and WHEN do I get to meet your parents?" She complained, following after him just a moment after.

"When you let me hang out and treasure hunt in the desert you own!"

( Side Event #02: Sub-Zero )

A knocking would come onto the chamber doors of the Lin Kuei's newly appointed Grand Master, Sub-Zero. He had sat at his desk, currently writing the certificate that would authenticate the Lin Kuei tournament champion Frost as his new apprentice. He turned his attention away from the paper, and looked over his shoulder. "Come in." He simply stated.

As the doors opened, a pregnant woman would begin to step into the room. Dressed seemingly opposed to the cold weather, but perfectly fine in it. She wore a long white dress over her pale skin, with long black hair frosted at their very tips down her back. "Brother," She spoke out. "Are you sure it is wise to take up a student so quickly? Perhaps you should view more than just her combative skills..."

Sub-Zero nodded, coming to a stand. The scar that ran along his face being visible since he did not wear the Dragon Medallion on his person currently. He had yet to leave his combative attire – as he planned on practicing a bit before he himself went to bed. "Hyuna is perfect." He said with a smile of confidence, of course speaking of Frost. "Her combative skill shows much promise. With a little mentoring I am sure I can mold her into one of the greatest warriors our clan has seen. Could you imagine? More warriors learning the gift we have, Rebekka?"

The younger sister just accepted it. "Yes..., that would be great, Shikai." She spoke to her elder brother, offering a weak smile. He was still riding the wave of excitement for a role she wasn't sure he was fully ready for. He was always trying to prove himself to everyone, prove that he was as good, if not better a man than the previous leader and their elder brother.

His hands went to her protruding belly, "How is my niece and your husband?"

"My husband is just fine. Still recovering from his match with Frost, but I am sure he will be fine." Her husband had been in the finals with Frost, and was defeated by a powerful kick to the head, no longer able to fight. "As for your niece, she's been keeping me up with kicking."

Sub-Zero laughed to himself. "Mother did say you kicked the hardest of the three of us. I guess it is only natural?" He removed his hands, starting to let them hang at his sides.

"I suppose," Rebekka just laughed lightly, looking to the floor and back up to Shikai. "I just wanted to tell you something, brother. You don't have to risk your neck for strangers nor prove yourself a worthy protector to any of us. You are a great man and brother, and I just...don't want to see you leap before you think, and get yourself hurt."

He knew she wouldn't hold her tongue on the matter very long. "At times thinking can take away the critical moment of reacting when it comes to life and death. I just take my opportunities before they fade, Rebekka. This opportunity with Hyuna will raise the morale of our clan and – "

"Alright." She would stop him in his tracks. Her eyes already shut in slight annoyance. "I've said my piece. No need to defend yourself." She turned, starting to step back to the door. " Have a good night, Shikai."

Though before she could open the door herself, he had done it for her. It was the only gentlemen thing to do for his sister. "...Goodnight, Rebekka." Though the annoyance in her tone was apparent, he tried to play it as if it had gone unnoticed. Once she left, he closed the door and secured it.

His vision would turn toward the ceiling soon after. "...I am sure that amused you, didn't it, brother?" Exhaling, his feet began to carry him back to his desk.