Reptile picked the head up, smelled it, but then threw away. Usually he ate them. He always liked human brain most. Baraka was obviously disappointed with my reaction, but what a present was this for a girl ? The beast knew my secret, and he lusted for my body, but I wasn't going to let him have it. Not at once, at least. He obeyed my slightest wish as it was, only to be allowed to kiss my heel or touch my leg where it was bare above the knee-high boots. For major services, he'd have asked me to slap his face. I liked these small games, even if he himself disgusted me. And I always pretended to detest his unclean wishes.

  And never I allowed this freak to see my face, no matter how much he praised it. Somehow he guessed that I was his kind, and though I would never have admitted it, this gave me at least one understanding soul, if Baraka had one that is.

  Well, I must explain some things before I proceed.

  It all began long ago. Let me try to get things in order.

  Oh, and I'd like to make myself clear right here. I do what I like and I kill for pleasure. I'm not a writer, so get the fuck off me. If you're unhappy with my jumping way of thought, it's your problem. Or would you rather have one of my sharp friends in your eye socket ? No ? So shut the fuck up and listen.

  And some lyrics by the way. I adore Earth language. Here on the Outworld, we'd have to say " Curse your black heart to the deepest pits of burning Hell ", when on the blessed Earth it's enough to mutter " Fuck you, bastard ! ". See the difference ? I've never been the talkative one in fact. Bringing silent death suites me much more.

  I'm still considering where to start. First, since my secret is out, let me explain about my teeth. Yes, these sharp-looking mutant teeth that can bite your adam apple out if you mention them to me once again. So listen carefully, I was not like this at the very beginning.

  I was a usual girl. Hell, no. I never was just another bloody ordinary usual girl. I grew to the shape of a teenager in some seven or eight years, and I was smarter by this time than you will ever be. My strength was that of a grown-up male, and my speed knew no match. I was raised among arrogant warriors and no-one showed me kindness or mercy. So no-one can excpect any from me now. And those who were plain cruel to me - well, they've long ago fed the vultures of the Wastelands with their flesh. Nice distribution, if you come to think of it. I took their lives, Father took their souls, beasts devoured the bodies. And this will be the fate of anyone in my way ! Ever !

  But even innocent ones got no mercy from me, or compassion, or anything. Weaklings deserve death for my pleasure. One thing I truly despise is weakness. I swore to be anything but weak ! And I will keep my word. No-one crosses Mileena ... and lives. You think I'm arrogant now ? I have my reasons to be. It was I who set Shao Khan's Arena record. And I'll always be the winning one.

  Well, back to the Father, and to my teeth. Then, when I was in the relatively fragile teenager body, and could not challenge anyone I didn't like, I still had a human face. And I didn't call Shang Tsung Father. I demanded him to clarify my position. I felt robbed by this silly Kitana. I was created of her blood, of mutant's flesh, of Father's magic. But what did I have ? Nothing ! I wanted a certain title, I craved power. I needed attention and respect she got. And the only thing I recieved regulary were my fighting lessons Father provided me with. For food, I had to care myself. Oficially, I was allowed in the warriors dining hall, but unlike Princess, I had no real rights there. She sat at the head of the table, and I had to be at the end. I got what others didn't want, and even of that I didn't get enough. I could barely survive on these leavings. Kitana brought me food several times, but I was too proud and too angry with life to accept it. And too mad with her personally, of course. I tried working, but my explosive character was against it. Not in my nature was theft, but I tried it. There, I knew pain. After being caught and beaten to the death, I decided that stealing was not my way too. Father revived me, and added more bruises to the body, and to my immature soul. He said I disgraced him as a teacher if some cooks could do this to me and ordered Reptile to train me from the point. Reptile. Yeah, Reptile. Cold-blooded, stinking of lizard, flesh-eating, scaly and unhuman thing. Fish, I called him. I hated him, but he was stronger. But gradually my skills grew as my body did. Two years passed. Feeding was still my responsibility, and I sneaked to the same kitchen where I was caught, and killed the cook before he could call help. Of course, I had to attack him from the back, but I felt no voice of conscience when I drove my sai in his head. There, in the bloody room, I had my first queen's meal of half-burnt and half-raw meat. There, upon my first corpse, I first enjoyed the fruits of my murder. And Elder Gods be my witnesses, it felt good.

  So, proud of my achievements, I went to Shang Tsung, and demanded a higher position. Of course, I still was no match for him, and I knew it. But when speaking to him, I already imagined one of my sais in his black cursed heart. I suspected that he was scanning my mind, but this didn't bother me. I was determined not to suffer from such injustice any more. I was not to be denied !

  Childish wishes for attention and ... even if I don't want to admit it, love. Hell, what does it mean now, what I want and what I don't want to admit ? I'm dead, and unless revived for future tournaments, got the emotions of the dead. Can't imagine why it bothers me still. But, let me return to the Father.

  What he did was a deed of a monster. He laughed at me. Yes, there was time when I was humilated, laughed at, defeated in combat. But mind, this time is just a memory now. Do not try such things now, or suffer the consequences. Two of them. My shining twin sais, so sharp you can pierce a tiniest seed with them. But laughing infuriated me, and I rushed forward, to kill the bastard. He could incenerate my body with hellfire, but he just stood there, laughing out loud. However, on this day I didn't hear him scream. Something wet, acid-burning caught my neck from behind, and its tight embrace on my throat stopped my rush and had me striving for breath helplessly.

  - You are good, my dear, - Shang Tsung said, still smiling. - And I love your fighting spirit. But remember this, darling - I made you, and I can halt your pathetic existance at will. I'm stronger and will ever be. Challenge me again, and you will die forever.

  He came up close and stroke my long raven hair, which soft and silky flow has always been a secret point of my pride.

  - Beautiful ... and soon you'll be an exact copy of the Princess, - he frawned at my face starting to become blue. - And so proud, too ! You won't ask for mercy, will you ? Yes, I thought so, - he sighed. - All right, Reptile, let her go. I said, let her go !

  Suddenly I found myself on the floor, gulping air greedily. Reptile swallowed his tongue with a hiss and faded into invisibility again. Bastard. But a dangerous bastard, always was. Not as dangerous as Father, though. Many underestimate Shang Tsung's power, but they are wrong. Oh, so wrong. For instance, he was a human by birth, but lived for more than half a millenium. He didn't fight on the Arena, but his skills surpassed easily most of Arena's champions. His magic was even more lethal. And his cunning - oh, this was his greatest asset. He survived Kobalt Mines of Shokans and returned to the court. All the most devious plans were always his. Emperor had sheer force, but Shang Tsung had cleverness to be always useful and always needed, even though the lowest servant in the palace knew that Father was not to be trusted. Everyone knew Tsung was constantly planning to overthrow the Emperor and rule the realm, and Shao Khan knew that too, of course. And still, Father was his right hand.

  - You know, darling, I've changed my mind, - said Father thoughtfully. - I will train you myself. But first, you must be perfected in your hatred. Chain her !

  I was chained to the large stone slab Father used as a working table for his experiments. It smelled of death, as necromancy was one of the Father's favourite hobbies. Sometimes you could meet a bloody skinless corpse walking the palace just like this. Dreadful jokes Father loved so much. Fear assaulted my heart when I thought of what could be done to me, but I tried to stay firm.

  - Now you'll know the love of man for the first and last time, dear.

  As if what followed could be called love, ha ! He raped me right there. I had a body of fourteen, and he was not gentle. On the contrary, he made every effort to hurt me, both physically and mentally. But pain I knew by the time. Humilation was worse. And all these freaky Shadow Priests chaining me, ripping my clothes off, watching the Father.

  But I had not even imagined that it was not the worst of what was ahead.

  - And now I'll ensure that you keep your wonderful ... personality ... forever.

  And he read a long and terrible curse. My face began to twist in pain one can't imagine. I lost consciousness a couple of times, and it seemed to last for eternity. Pain almost crushed me. But in the end, I survived. It made me stronger. I tried to clutch my teeth and suffer without more screams, but something was terribly wrong with my jaw.

  Father snapped his fingers, and chains opened. I slowly touched my face. My beautiful face ... no more. The eyes were all right, but the lower half was melted into freakish mutant smile. Father - it was then when I bagan calling him that, always with despise in my voice - Father produced a mirror, and tears ran down my cheeks. Last tears in my life.

  - Now, this, - he threw me a piece of cloth. - From now on, you must always wear a mask. But I'm sure you wouldn't want anyone to see your pretty face yourself.

  He shrieked in laugh again. He was right, and he won ... for the moment. He achieved his goal - I hated everyone. They didn't know about my misery, and they would have laughed if they did. This being the reason, I could no longer eat in public, and this irritated me too. But most of all, I hated Kitana. She had everything that was supposed to be mine. Beauty. Wealth. Power. Attention. I'd kill her right away, if I wasn't forbidden to. I'd kill her off anyway, but there was no point - as long as she was under protection, she'd just be resurrected and that's all. And she refused to enter Arena with me, no matter how hard I insulted her. Bitch. I loathed her. Loathed her being what I was meant to be.

  She was a bird in the cage, just as I was, but her cage was golden.

  My training went on. I recieved lessons in many disciplines - from stealth to the weird languages of the more even weird worlds. But the main emphasis was always on fighting skills. I was strong and extremely fast, gifted to kill. Father was impressed. He gave me power over teleportation and with my own power for acceleration, I perfected it into the deadliest weapon. They said - or rather wispered, knowing that I could hear at amaizing distance, that I had a wind demon in my soul, thus allowing me these abilities, but the truth was simply that my element was air, and such was my magic. My sais became famous on the Arena - no-one survived a battle with me. Then Father began sending me on important missions as an assassin. I liked it. My newly aquired skills brought swift death to the enemies of Emperor, and everyone was happy. Still I dreamt of killing Shang Tsung every night and day, and he realised it. I made no effort to hide my hatred, but this only amused him.

  I got used to wearing mask, always, even when I was alone. Always. I would have preferred to appear in public naked than without my mask. At least my body was something to be proud of. Men paid me so much attention I could have a couple each day and each night if I wanted to. But the pain Shang Tsung caused me and hideous curse he placed on my face almost killed all the desire. They all craved sex with me, but those who insisted met their deaths on the Arena, and those who allowed themselfs to spread dirty rumours about me, found their deaths wherever I found them. The choice was to be mine, and I was too afraid. And Kitana enjoyed her admirers freely, even if they knew she was centuries old, and in spite of the simple fact that all her lovers were doomed to death from the single kiss for such was a curse Father placed on her. This was making me only more envious of her, and causing the pain growing into hate.

  I rose to leave the Arena. I was bored. Baraka was recieving his magic healing from the Father, and gave me a pleading look. Father looked very young this day, not the aged cripple with long white beard, but a man in full strength with smooth black hair and a short goatee. He came back from some realm, and though nothing was known to us about his mission, it helped him regain his youth, even if the Emperor looked angry and disappointed with him. Anyway, no-one was much surprised with such changes any more.

  I nodded at Baraka slightly and headed to my rooms. In some time he followed me, scratching the recent wound. I never liked magic healing. It's fast, but the wound leaves an ugly scar and itches terribly. Scratching it can open the wound again easily, so I just prefer natural way of things. But I was never wounded seriously, on the other hand. If you got a bad wound in the Outworld, in most cases it meant you were doomed.

  - You wanted something, slave ? - I asked.

  Baraka liked when I caled him that. Of course, he'd have killed anyone else for such a word.

  - Just to see you, mistress, - he answered and lowered on the knees.

  - Lies ! - I turned away from him, but so that I could see his reflection in the mirror.

  - I have an offering for you, mistress, - he took out a package and passed it to me, bowing.

  I opened it and took out a black leather whip. It was wet, probably Baraka tried to wash the blood off it. I mad a couple of trying movements with it, and the thing fitted me perfectly. Not much of a weapon, though some like these, but defenitely a quality item. I liked it. Baraka offered his back readily, and I made a couple of strikes. It felt nice. Not as good as my sais, but more fun.

  - I take it.

  - Will I be allowed ... - Baraka started and faded under my gaze.

  - Well ?

  - A kiss ? - he begged.

  - Have you washed yourself ?

  - Twice, mistress, - he answered hastingly. He still looked a bit wet, so I believed him.

  - All right, then, - I sighed as if annoyed.

  He raised on one knee, and I put my foot on his leg. Baraka carefully took it with both hands and swallowed. His tight pants demonstrated his excitement. Then he slowly kissed - well, he called it kissing, but you know that he had no real lips, so it was more of a licking - he licked my leg at the knee and slowly went up with his tongue. When he reached my suit hem, he moved his head to my groin, without touching, and smelled it with a vibrating hiss. Well, that he dared for the first time ! I kicked him with the leg he was still holding, and almost cut the skin on the knee at his teeth.

  - You dare !

  - Forgive me, mistress ! I couldn't resist it ! You smell so sweet ! - he screamed when my newly presented whip left red marks on his body.

  After a some time I tired of it and of him. Besides, I started to suspect that he liked it and provoked me intentionally. I dropped down the whip and sat in the chair, back to him.

  - All right, enough of you, - I said and seeing that he wasn't leaving, raised a brow and added. - Anything else ?

  - I ... I thought ...

  - Speak up.

  - I thought of a new game ... if you needed something big from me ...

  - Yes ? - I was beginning to wonder what so indecent he invented that it took him such effort to tell.

  - You ... you could ... you could touch me ... my ... - he made unclear gesture. - ... with your hand !

  Suddenly I realised what did he have in mind. The freak wanted me to mastrubate him.

  - Leave ! Now ! - I shouted at him, and he ran off.

  I laid back and thought of it. Well, possibly, after he whines and begs some more. This way it would mean much more for him. I must pretend angry and insulted with such idea, and forbid him to speak of it. Then, maybe in a month, I may really need some huge service from him. And what did I lose ? Nothing, and got to see the man's member for the first time. Well, for real that is. I was always curious, but didn't know what to undertake. I wondered wether Baraka could be counted as man in this aspect - not that I doubted he had this thing, but how it compared to usual humans. Father hadn't killed the woman in me, and I had subtle desires beyond mere killing. Could this be of help ? It was defenitely worth exploring.

  I sat by the mirror, still dreaming of how this could feel through the glove ... or should I use bare hand ? I considered doing it with glove and demanding more for taking it off. Combing my wonderful hair, my other hand went to fix the mask almost by reflex. Doing so, it rubbed the chest lightly and the sensation pleased me. The girl in the mirror had two tiny but distinctly visible spots of the stretched fabric on her outfit. The gloves were redundant, so I took them off.

  The conjunction of my long and elegant legs felt itchy, so I scratched it there ... and more, seemed like the more I scratched the more it burnt ... I just prepared to relax and try to comprehend this fenomenon, when a tiny movement of reflection in the mirror warned me. It looked like a small wave on the smooth surface. A rather familiar effect for one who lived so long with Reptile. Of course, it could be a trick of the eye ... but I doubted it. While behaving natural, I shifted my body so that the next movement could be done swiftly and without anything in the way. A mere mortal wouldn't even see me, jumping from the sitting position, up and around, throwing the sai in the direction of the suspected guest. I'd have felt quite stupid if it turned out I was alone, but I was not.

  The sai stuck in the wall, much lower than I intended, but it wasn't a throw you can calculate perfectly. The air went bending around the spot I struck, and Reptile materialised with angry low roar. The sai pinpointed the loose end of his ninja sash, right where it hung between his legs. Sheer luck, all I could hope for was it hitting anywhere near him to make it clear I knew of his presense, but like Hell I was going to show it.

  - Unwisssse, little girl, so unwisssse ! - he said in low menacing tone. - You could find me a valuable ally if you were kind to me !

  Ha, yeah ! Kind ! I wondered if all men were this dumb and blind with lust. And just to think of it, " kind " to him ! To this ... thing ! I loathed the idea. And I laughed, making him fall in rage again. Hell it felt good to humilate him for a change.

  Besides, kindness is just not my way somehow.

  - Masssster wishesss to sssee you, - Reptile spit out in barely controlled rage, and left in a crouching run of his that always betrayed his unhuman origins.

  I followed. What else was left ? I was still a pawn in the court games, no matter how strong a warrior. The Father wasn't to be found in his quarters, but the guards told me to hurry to the Emperor's Throne Hall. And there, I saw Shao Khan up close first time. Not a pleasant sensation, let me tell you. Tall, muscular, too big to be human, with penetrating stare of red eyes behind the hideous mask. And this look, stone cold, it penetrated your soul and watched all it wanted inside with the same feelings one watches an earthworm on the sole of his boot.

  - Mileena, beautiful Mileena, - the Emperor's voice boomed. - So deadly and gorgeous on the Arena. But so too wilful. Are you sure, sorcerer, that she'll obey ?

  - Does it matter, my lord ? - replied Father with a snakish smile. - We'll benefit anyway. Besides, it's her will what makes her so good and therefore so valuable to us.

  - You better be right, sorcerer, - Shao Khan shifted his heavy gaze on Tsung, - I won't torlerate another of your so-called "perfect plans" fail.

  - You will be pleased at how smooth it will go, - said Father with a bow, but one who had known him as long as I had couldn't help but notice his smile twist in subtle fear.

  - All right then, let us begin, - said the Emperor and green energy started to form in his hands. - And make away with this face, she needs to look like the Princess.

  - But lord, - Father protested. - It is only to guarantee ...

  - DO _ AS _ I _ SAY, SORCERER ! - Shao Khan's voice shook the walls, and I felt stone dust falling from the ceiling. - AND NEVER DARE TO QUESTION ME AGAIN !!!

  - Of course, Lord, of course, forgive me ! - screamed Father under the burning gaze of the Emperor in wrath.

  He quickly started to mutter some spell, and hellfire danced around him. Quite a scaring image, half-mad of fear old bastard weaving another curse in a hurry. I suddenly realised that a couple of shadow priests were holding me, but had no will to move an eyelash. Shao Khan's stare was holding me firm, drawing all willpower to the last drop.

  Then, green fire formed a dragon. Small and gorgeous beast with lizard scales and bat-like leathery wings. The little monster curved its tiny neck and looked around, fixing his eyes on me with angry hiss. The Emperor moved his hands away, and the dragon literally shot through the hall, accelerating until it crashed into my stomach, making me bend in half, twisting in pain as if the beast was eating my entrails inside. As I learned much later, these curses were half-intelligent and indeed fed upon the host body, though not much. More pain than harm, and to pain I was used.

  Just as I thought I was getting over the top point of suffering, the second spell from the Father hit me in the head, knocking down - and out for some time. When I made it to regain consciousness again, I found my mask and my outfit torn and burnt, and head and stomach were aching like hell.

  - Proceed with the plan, and prepare her for the mission. Be quick, - the Emperor raised to leave. - We still have other matters to attend.

  I was allowed to leave for some time. When I got to the mirror and stripped, I discovered two changes. On my stomach, there was a beautiful tattoo of a dragon hurling around my navel in a triple spiral and holding it in its teeth in the centre, but as marvellous as it looked, it didn't compare to me with the changes on my head. Cracked, burnt, dried and swallen at the same time, my lips were back, with a curve of a smile I couldn't hold. My beauty, back, after all this time ... and as simply as that. In several days my mouth gained all the beauty it deserved. Mask I still wore, first to hide the healing process, then out of habit. Couldn't feel comfortable without it, but was striving against this feeling.

  The only thing that really worried me was that nothing was done at Shao Khan's Court for free. I started to guess what I was being prepared for, right from the moment of my birth. No, not birth. I had to face it, not birth, but ... creation.

  And so it begun. And so it begun for me, I should have said, because as I later discovered, it all begun so long ago only Elder Gods may remember when and how. As if they cared to remember, ha !

  I was sitting beside the mirror again - yes, seems that I spent quite a lot of time there - and was trying different lip paints. I've never done it before, but I've seen a lot. The trick is that when I started recieving my stealth lessons, I practised them on the palace servants, watching their life in secret. This gave me the feeling of life communication I missed and knowledge I could never have on my own. I spied on them as they dressed, cut their hair, spoke, put on their make-up, and much more. As they had sex, also. I once killed a soldier trying to rape a girlslave who was pretty to my eye. She never knew who, why, and how did this, but thanked the darkness I came from and dissappaered into. I was pleased to hear these words, and enjoyed watching her even more often. From her I learnt quite a lot of the ways of seduction, even if she never intended this in her sweetness, I studied ready to repeat what she was doing unintenionally, and repeat it on purpose. Even if I wasn't ready to have a man, I felt great to make them crazy of me.

  You can see that I knew life in all its aspects, or at least have seen every last one of them.

  So, it was a late evening, I was resting in a chair, wrapped in a large towel after a shower following my language lessons with Kano - these became rather often, first with Father attending, to help me get some basic knowledge and sometimes torture the chained prisoner should he try to rebel against Father's wishes, then alone, as Shang Tsung was overbusy on the Emperor's service.

  Once even Kitana appeared, and sat present, showing by occasional remark a perfect knowledge of the subject. But by the time I myself was pretty good at it, so if she was intending to show-off, this didn't work. Kano started to make sleazy jokes about us sisters, and this infuriated me. Father laughed softly, in his snakish way, but who surprised me was Kitana. She raised and laughed too, and came up close to him in a leasury way.

  - These dirty thoughts turn you on, big boy ? - she said in deep sexy voice that wasn't natural for her, and therefore indicated danger. - I like it.

  Kano smiled insolently at her. She smiled back, opening a fan behind her back.

  - In fact, I like it so much I may want to keep it as a souvenir, - she continued and moved the razor-sharp fan he could see in work so many times when he was chained beside the Emperor's Throne on the Arena, moved it in an upward motion between his chained legs, so that Kano had to dance on the tips of his toes in order to stay in one piece. I found myself laughing out loud.

  - On the other hand ... why spoil such a beauty ? - Kitana went on, hiding the fan as fast as she took it out.

  She embraced him with one hand, running the other behind his head, and kissed. Deeply, passionately, enjoying the sensations. I choked. Father stopped laughing and sat upright, angry as Hell. Wow, Kitana, you did surprise us all.

  - ... if I can do without a need to clean it later, - she said reffering to the fan she took out again and was waving at herself lazily, while taking her seat.

  Kano stared trying to comprehend.

  - Princess Kitana ! - Shang Tsung was almost screaming at her. - You had no right !

  - Oh, shit ! - said Kano, as his body atarted to swell. - OH, SHIT !

  In a matter of seconds, he exploded, covering the room with blood and meat pieces, and I didn't even want to know what else. Kitana used her pink energy wall spell to cover herself, and I simply teleported through the floor when the explosion hit, reappearing above the mess. Father was the only one who simply hid behind the chair.

  - Oops, sorry, - I heard as I was opening the windows.

  It did smell awful, what do you expect ?

  When I turned back, Kitana was gone, and Tsung was resurrecting Kano. The sceleton was already done, and muscles were being formed around it.

  - Never let them do it again ! - Kano shouted. - You need me !

  - Do I ? - Father was at the boiling point himself. One of the rare occasions I've seen him loose temper. But Kano pressed, lowering the tone to the acceptable level.

  - I can do much more than be a toy for these stupid bitches and teach bloody English ! If you want Earth, you need someone to teach your army how to use Earth weapons, and what to expect there, and someone to lead them into the fire !

  - Bitches, huh ? - I interrupted, playing with my sai and looking directly in his artificial eye. - I wonder how much can I get for this fake ruby of yours ?

  - Take him away, - Tsung regained his mind and stepped back. - Today's lesson is over.

  Knocking on the door awakened me of deep thoughts, and I realised it had been sounding for a while.

  - Who's there ?

  - Me, dear, just me, - I heard Kitana's voice. - Can we talk ?

  I sank deeper in the chair, so that I couldn't be seen from behind, and watching the door in the mirror, turned the secret lever.

  - Enter, - I said, dropping the mask on the floor.

  The door slowly opened and the visitor appeared.

  - What do you want ?

  - Just to talk to you, - she replied, coming close and sitting on the floor beside me.

  She placing her head on the chairarm, and covered my hand with hers. I didn't hurry to jerk away, as usually would have done. I was in a weird mood then, and didn't know what to feel.

  - You're a woman now, sister, - she sighed. - Not a child I remember. And all this time we couldn't have a single talk without a quarrel.

  That was true. Strange as it may seem from what I was saying before, we did grow up together, and we trained together, and we spent quite a lot of time together, usually in competition, and we never had a single - serious - talk we could come to an agreement about. Sometimes I had to go against my own beliefs taking just the opposite point of view simply to confront her.

  - You're very beautiful, sis, - she went on, and I realised she was looking at my reflection in the mirror.

  I was originally intending to show her my face was as good as hers, but forgot it by the moment. In the mirror, I saw two girls almost identical if not for the hairstyle and clothes.

  I kept silence, not knowing what to say. Suddenly she seemed almost tolerable.

  - Will you allow me ? - Kitana asked, pointing at the table.

  I nodded slowly, and she picked a small brush.

  - Here, and here ... and here, my pretty one ...

  With few masterful strokes she painted my eyes, not like hers were done, but in a slightly different way. Sharper, more bright. More in my style than her soft colours. I had to admit it, I did look better this way. And I liked how it felt when her hands went on painting my face. Such an exquisite tickling sensation.

  - Let me tell you a story. I was a child when Khan seized Edenia and it became the Outworld you see now, - Kitana's voice was sad. - In order to make a legitimate claim for the Throne, he adopted me. The rest members of the Family were slaughtered. And then Tsung placed a curse on me, clever old bastard. I fell in a dream, frozen in age and mind, for thousands of years I couldn't even count. I became immortal, tainted with his magic. It was a torture you can't imagine - to watch the world around, world I loved change into ... this, and not be able to move a finger, always dreaming.

  She smiled softly and sat back, watching the fruit of her work. I inspected my new appearance carefully. Flawless deadly gorgeous beauty.

  - Then a rogue Shadow Priest released me. When Tsung learnt of that, he suggested to create you as a countermeasure, since he couldn't restore the broken spell. I managed to grow up and survive. My time to rule came, but no way Shao Khan was going to let go of the Throne. I started to fight the Emperor as I could, protected by secrecy and his need of me by the Throne. Time passed, nothing really changed. And now I see you, a sister I never had. The same Shadow Priest told me of your sufferings. He opened my eyes on many things, this wiseman.

  I felt a strange feeling in my chest. I didn't know how to act in face of the woman I learnt to hate opening her soul in front of me. No-one had ever done such a thing to me. A tear ran down her cheek. I almost cried myself, a thing I had never expected.

  - Why can't we love each other, Mileena ? - she asked, and slowly embraced me, leaving me time to push her away if I wanted to. I didn't. There was such a passion in her speech, I just couldn't hate her as much as I used to at the moment. I knew she was sincere.

  Then she bent over and kissed me right on the mouth, first lightly touching the lips, then gently forcing her tongue in my mouth when I showed no resistance. The kiss went on, rapidly gaining strength and passion. I was pretty excited, and shaking with emotions. My feelings went in a vertigo, I didn't realise anything. My hatred and recent sympathy to her, our rivalry, my wish to show-off and be better than her in everything, desires of sex, shame of the supposedly wrong actions we were taking - all this mixed in a spicy coctail. Finally she moved away and we both were breathing heavily. Kitana smiled and watched me with a spark in her eyes I used to see when she was about to do something crazy, something that'd make all the world to hiss in anger and her laughing with joy.

  Suddenly I realised what happened to the persons she kissed. The worried look must have come over my face, because she spoke, guessing correctly:

  - Don't worry about the curse, dear, - she giggled wryly. - It only works with boys. I checked. I can even sleep with them, but never kiss. Once ... a man ... said, I could only kiss without fear one with a pure soul. Haven't found this one yet. But, I found you, right sis ?

  She kissed me again, on the mouth, on the neck, litarally covering me with kisses. Then her head went lower, and reached the rim of the towel I was stll wrapped in. She quickly looked up, and proseeded to unfold this last garment, took my breast in her arms, massaging and kissing them. Not that I was totally unfamiliar with what she was doing, but it never happened to me, even though I liked to watch other people making love, and I've never seen a girl doing it. All this made the situation feel like a forbidden fruit, always the sweetest one for me. Kitana reached my navel, and I noticed that my nipples changed their natural shape, became more tense and sensetive. Her tongue in my belly-button felt tickling, and I guess I even moaned, just a tiny bit. I threw my head back and closed the eyes to concentrate on the feelings. Kitana parted my legs, and I felt a kiss where no-one ever kissed me before. First reflex was to press the legs back to each other, but her head turned up in the way. She went on kissing madly, and I felt something building up in me, something very promising ... and then I got scared. Well, not really scared, but I didn't want it this way. I had to be in control, and things were going too fast for control. One moment, I hated my so-called sister, next moment she was giving me the strongest pleasure in my life. I just couldn't accept it so rapidly, at least not from her. I had to get used to even liking her, I had to be the leading party, I had to take by right - a right of birth, earned right or just the right of the winner, but I had to take, not simply accept !

  I pushed her away with such force it must have hurt her. Her eyes were full of pain and surprise, but I turned around and almost cried:

  - Leave !

  She stood up and left, without saying a word, but I could hear her silent "Why???" hanging in the air. Hell, I still don't know why myself, and surely didn't know then. It was just not my way to give in to the love and tenderness.

  Next morning a knocking on the door woke me up so early that I got up angry as a swarm of Wasteland mutants. And I was still unsettled about the day before.

  Quickly I dressed, put my mask on, and opened the door. Baraka was there, with a package in his ugly arms. One of the atrophied claws on his armed pierced the wrapping and I noticed something made of black fabric inside.

  - What do you want, beast ?

  - Forgive me , mistress ... I needed to see you now, before you leave.

  So, I was about to leave ? That was interesting. Interesting was that he learnt of it before me, not that I was going somewhere. I was always going somewhere, to kill and destroy in the name of the Emperor.

  - I know you're not as you were before, mistress. I'm not so dumb I pretend to be. Behind this mask, you've changed. And you wouldn't want our little games anymore. I've always disgusted you, but now you're free to be with humans.

  His voice was full of pain, real pain. I had never seen him like that before. He was desperate.

  - So I took this burnt dress you threw away, and repaired it. I know it was one of your favourites.

  He gave me the package.

  - Please take it, and remember me sometimes, a beast who loved you.

  I opened it and took the dress in my hands. Beautiful. It was so damaged I lost hope to fix it, and now I saw it, changed a lot, but still recognizable. The belly part was missing almost completely, but that'd only let people see my new dragon tattoo. Then, it was originally all violet, and now a lot of it was replaced with black leather. Bra part was leather, and occasional triangle patches of blackness here and there. Made it look more catchy and aggresive. And you couldn't see it was repaired, it looked completely original. He must had found a true master and paid a fortune. I loved it at the spot. Baraka always chose so exquisite presents, but now he overdone himself.

  - It's beautiful, - I said, and looked up.

  He wasn't there, and the door was opened. I hardly had time to put this present on when I was called to the Father. Hell, and all this even before breakfast.

  I found Shang Tsung among the group of his Shadow Priests in the small inner garden. He looked pretty occupied and simply told me to wait. He looked pretty busy, arranging some stones in a circle and arguing over some ritual stuff with the man in the gold-trimmed hood that indicated his high position. Reptile saw me and turned away angrily. Well, getting any information from him seemed unprobable, and besides, I was sure I'd get everything he could tell in time from Father himself.

  One priest approached me. I could swear I saw his face several times, though these men tended to conceal themselves. This made me curious.

  - Lady Mileena ? - he adressed me.

  It was the first time someone called me a lady. It made me smile behind my mask.

  - Yes.

  - I believe you're curious about your destination, - he said with a courteous bow.

  - So ?

  - I posess some information that might be interesting for you.

  - And what do you want for it ?

  - Nothing, - he smiled.

  His face was clever and sincere, but I didn't trust man's appearance so easy.

  - Go on.

  - Recently, - he sat down and made an inviting gesture, and I sat beside him. - You've been prepared to the venture Master adressed as "mission". You learned language and some culture aspects.

  - I know all this.

  - Patience, lady. Master has to do some preparations, so we have our time. You're going through the portal to a world called Earth.

  To me it sounded a stupid name for a world. As good as calling it Dirt. But I kept listening. I could always move to insults later on.

  - Tsung has a plan of luring their best warriors here for Mortal Kombat. He needs their souls in order to open a portal and capture their world. You are the part of this plan, as your resemblance to the Princess Kitana. But don't get too proud, you're not a crucial part - he's too careful for that. Shang Tsung plots to set an inevitable bate for everyone. He even wants to send General Baraka and his extermination squads to slaughter the entire Temple of Earth Champion in order to get him here, in his power. He has a big and complicated plan. Even failing in some parts won't stop it. You have a separate mission in it, but of it Master will inform you himself.

  - Not much of a new info here either.

  He bowed and smiled again.

  - But I hope it provides another look at the situation, lady.

  - I gonna find some breakfast, - I said and stood up.

  - No time for that, and besides, I wouldn't recommend eating right now, - the Shadow Priest replied.

  - You ! - Father shouted, pointing at the man I was talking to. - Get away from her.

  - One last thing, lady, - he said in a hurry. - You know Kitana's curse ? It's triggered by true love, and yours too, but in a different way ...

  Suddenly Shang Tsung was up close, and steaming furious.

  - Leave ! Now ! - he cried, and the man bowed and went away.

  Pity. Right when we got to the interesting point. But I dismissed these thoughts soon, since he was most probably meaning the curse that crippled my jaw, and it was off, right ?

  I saw Kano dragged near. Now, what was he to do here, I thought. It was too damn early for a language lesson. But I was already guessing what was the whole affair about.

  - All right, everyone in position, - Father said. - Let's begin with it.

  They started chanting, singing in a mesmerizing fashion. Stones glowed ghastly white, and slowly a portal emerged in the morning air. Father made a gesture, and a young girl slave was produced before his eyes. The Priests ripped her white garment off, and placed her naked on the flat slab. She was pretty, if not a bit thin, and obviously scared. Knowing Tsung's love for the black arts, she had a strong reason to be. Father's eyes glowed white, following the light from the stones, and a curved knife was in his hand. Kano muttered something through the clutched teeth and truned away his head. Shang Tsung's hand went up and down, and the girl cried in pain and terror, as her beating heart was ripped out and Father held it to the portal direction. He was singing his unholy hymns constantly, followed by these creepy monks, and then girl's body was covered with green mist, and it went up to her heart, gathering there, and the girl was still screaming and screaming and screaming, and then the mass of the green energy I knew must have been her soul shot to the protal, and its glow became more bright and stable, and the girl was still screaming, and I was sick with all this, in a stupor, and all I could hear was this scream, even though Father was looking at me and shouting something ...

  I vaguely remember Shadow Priests bringing me and Kano to the portal and throwing us in, after the Father. The sensation of the passage itself was terrible, and I'm glad I can't remember it completely. The dragon tattoo was burning like Hell, making me swirl in pain, as my body drifted between the realms. The journey seemed an eternity of suffering, but finally it was over, and we found ourselves on the solid ground. The wind was humid, and brought a morning chill with it. I welcomed it, as it also brought some relief, but it didn't help for long. Kano was lying close, choking with blood, and Tsung standing quite happily waiting for us. I was glad I had no breakfast, but then my body declared it wanted to vomit anyway, and I wished I did have something inside my stomach to do it with.

  - Are you done with this pathetic weakness ? - I heard Father say. - We all have a job to do. I believe you're impatient to hear about your mission.

  That sounded damn freaking familiar.

  - What's this fucking place ? - I questioned.

  - Welcome to Earth, honey, - Kano replied through the cough, watching Tsung walking away.

  We both gathered ourselves and went without much enthusiasm after the Father. Soon a deserted beach was in front of us, and I saw the ocean for the first time.

  Quite a sensation, for me. The ocean. The sheer might of unfriendly waves, crushing restlessly at the sand, force to be reconed with. Water, but for the first time I saw it in power of its own, not just a tiny stream or caged in a glass. It seemed alive, and unfriendly, willing to reach for us.

  I loved it at once. And ocean has always been my best friend on Earth. A friend I could confess to, fight with, and enjoy. Later, when I was wandering about, I always liked to keep close to the coast.

  - Get on board, babe, we're leaving, - I heard Kano's voice.

  He was standing on a large wooden boat. For me it seemed huge, but later I saw cruise ships bigger than some palaces, and learnt it was rather small. On the other hand, it felt close to the living body of the ocean, it heard its heartbeat, it lived with the ocean. On these large ships, you can never feel anything like it. I loved everything about it, from salty smell of the fresh air to the creaking of the masts.

  So, I woke up from my dreams, and walked on the narrow piece of wood on the ship. Tsung muttered a spell, and then spent about five minutes to pump it up with energy enough to move by itself. The boat gained life, even the dragon head looking forward had a strange light in its empty carved eyes.

  - In here, my darling, - said Shang Tsung and we all entered a cabin in the rear of the ship.

  The air was stale, and smelled of rot and mustiness. Father wiped a chair with his sleeve and sat down, gesturing us to join him.

  - This mission is a test for you. Succeed, and be rewarded with a General title and anything in my power. Fail, and I will dispose of your useless lives.

  Father watched us carefully, emotionless stone expression on his vicious face.

  - Mileena, my child ... - he smiled nastily, - I'm about to present you the best time of your life .... go, live, have fun. When time comes, the mortals I seek will come to you. Kano will arrange a good meeting for them. And I'll be around in my time, too.

  - You mean, they'll be looking for her and get into your trap ? - Kano asked.

  - Yes, - Tsung smiled in his usual snakish way.

  - Why do you think they'll come for her ?

  - Trust me, they will, - Tsung assured him.

  - And then ? - Kano was smiling too, and his artificial eye glittered in the semi-darkness with hellish fire.

  - Then, you can have beautiful Ms. Blade all in your disposal. Her soul will be mine anyway.

  They both started laughing like devils. Why men constantly behave like half-mad idiots and the rest of the time like completely mad idiots ?

  - That's a deal, man ! I'm in !

  I assumed my agreement wasn't nessecary and didn't say anything.

  - It's a big opportunity for both of you. Do not disappoint me, it is _highly_ unwise.

  And with these words, Father left us. I declined a couple of indecent offers from Kano, and went exploring. In a short while, I found a more or less safe place, and slept through the rest of the day. Next morning I felt healthy enough to try and eat something, but before I could find anyone, we landed at some dirty docs. Plenty of dirty stone and rusty steel combined with general noisiness and disgusting dirt and awful smells that came from every stinking source possible almost killed the beauty of the ocean, but as Kano led me away, it got better.

  Kano found a strange-looking device that seemed akward and purposeless at first.

  - What's this ? - I asked.

  - Bike, babe, - replied Kano. - Stick around, and I might teach you to drive one.

  - You drive them ? - I didn't believe. - They don't seem stable. You'd fall over.

  - Watch me, - he offered with a smile, and after a short manipulation that as I understood implied stealing this thing, we hit the road, to use Kano's expression.

  Well, that was something that had me thrilled. A metal beast faintly vibrating between my legs was carrying us at crazy speed and the wind was cherishing my face. I didn't think much that it was just one of many means of transportantion, but rather enjoyed the adventure. My mood shot up. I was in a really new and exciting place, I was beautiful to perfection, I was away from the people I knew most of my life, of all kinds of authority, I was riding along the ocean, wind was so fresh and smelled of sea, I was drunk with all this. Serene happiness got over me. Even Kano got some rough charm in this light. I didn't even remember I wanted to eat until Kano said we ran out of gas and needed to make a stop. When he was parking, the bike started smoking and Kano kicked it down with a curse.

  - Japanese shit ! - he swore. - Don't worry, babe, we'll get another one.

  We found a small diner called "Sleazy Joe's" and went in. Place was pourly lit and not very clean. Not much difference from the torches-lit dirty dining hall for the warriors in the Emperor's Palace, but by the time I got used to eating alone and in a place I found suitable. The idea of doing it in such a place and in front of this crowd didn't make me delighted. The good thing was the music. It was loud and not very beautiful, but it appealed to me in a weird fashion. Mostly it was drums in a fast rythm, so loud that it creeped inside one's head and swept all thoughts away, filling it with simple but pleasant images. Later I found hard rock to be my favourite. It had a savage part of my soul take control and make me feel free and happy and invincible. Through the music I heard Kano calling me. With a sigh, I sat at the table he had already chosen.

  - Ok, sweety, we'll have two cheeseburgers, couple o'beers and a pack of Marlboro.

  I first didn't understand, but a girl in the worn uniform who was standing near nodded and went after his order. I looked around. Most of the visitors were drunk, all were talking loudly and laughing. Several men were playing a strange game with balls and sticks on the green table, some were trying their strength in armrestling. We were getting some strange looks, but I guess it was mostly me and my obviously unusual appearance.

  - Take this mask off, babe, and eat your burger, - Kano said. - It could pass in your shithole, but here on Mother Earth it looks stupid.

  - It stays as long as I want.

  - Hey, honey, you better listen to what I say here, - Kano said chewing his food at the same time and spitting pieces of it all around. - You won't get far without me.

  - That's real life, babe, - he drank half of his beer in one large gulp. - Ooh, I missed it. But now it's gonna be allright. I'll contact my boys at the Black Dragon, hey, and we'll bathe this whole fucking city in blood to celebrate my return ! Kano lives !

  - Yeah, sure.

  I didn't even try to conceal that I didn't like him at the moment. Even what I felt on the road started to diminish rapidly.

  - I mean it, babe, - Kano said in anger and grabbed my hand. - This ain't your fuckin' Outworld ! You better listen to me if you wanna live here !

  - Hey, big boy, the girl doesn't like you ! - I heard from a rough-looking man who approached our table. - Maybe, she'll better like me ?

  He did look good in this black leather outfit, usual for the place but matching him a bit more than most of the fat unshaven individuals that made up a majority in that bar. Though this one hadn't bothered himself with shaving for several days too, but he was at least handsome.

  - See, babe, not one day in the city, and you're already in trouble ! - Kano said putting down his bear. - And you, jerk, get lost.

  - And who do you think you are - Terminator ? - the man went on.

  - It's you who seem to be in trouble, - I stuck in with as much of sarcasm as possible.

  - I warned you, fellow, - Kano replied, producing his knife in a flash of a second. - It's not your fuckin' business.

  - Oh yeah, - this man said. - Look boys, he got a knife. You better take it away before you cut yourself ...

  He was definitely going to go on, but for poor Kano it was enough. He attacked, and managed a few good hits. The man managed to evade the blade, but was loosing clearly. After all, Kano was one of the Earth best and most brutal fighters. This he had in common with Baraka, I noticed. The man took his own knife out, but this wasn't helping him much. Soon a red line appeared on his hand, and then on his stomach. The wounds weren't serious, but I suspected Kano was holding back in order to play with a weaker opponent. He managed a good uppercut, sending the bleeding man on the dirty floor, and moved towards him, but the man made a fast movement with his hand, and a gun was looking right in Kano's head. And guns made quite an impression on me when I was shown one back home. Slowly, he got up and with shaking voice said:

  - You should have left man ...

  Someone sneaked up from behind and hit Kano's head with a short club. Kano fell down, and his previous opponent took a good time to have some revenge-filled kicks. Then he moved to the bar and some other thugs continued to beat Kano on the floor. They obviously had a lot of practice of kicking a man on the ground. Cowards, in my opinion, but not my business.

  - Enough, - the man who must have been their leader said. - Get out of my sight.

  Last words were addressed to bleeding and beaten up Kano. He got up, hardly.

  - I'll be back ... - he said and spit with blood.

  Yeah, that was brave. And stupid. He was just asking for more. I giglled softly.

  - And you, dolly, you're on your own now ! We'll see how long you can last !

  And Kano left. The gang leader sat close to me, and embraced me with one hand, still beer in another. He smelled of blood and sweat, but he was a handsome one after all, otherwise I wouldn't let him this much.

  - So, babe, what's this thing about ? - he asked, nodding at my mask. - What are you, a nurse ?

  - No, - I replied. - What, you need one ?

  The others laughed. He looked at them with a frawn, and suddenly they were all minding their own business.

  - You better play nice with me, babe. Your friend got me enough.

  - I don't exchange one jerk for another, - I said, annoyed by his lack of manners.

  No, really, that's unfair. A girl is in the mood for some romance, the place is ok, the music is great, she had a pleasant day, and every man around is a jerk ! Yes, probably a bikers' bar wasn't exactly the place to look for true romance, but Hell, how was I supposed to know ? In the Outworld, almost everyone I had met behaved the similiar way, so I kind of assumed it was typical. I tried to concentrate on the feelings I had when driving the bike. No, I thought, I defenitely should get myself one. And a man, that's too. I mean, get myself one. That was kind of vocation for me, and I was going to get the most of it.

  My first mate candidate opened his mouth with a clear intention to swear, but a cracking sound of the door announced a new twist of the whole thing. A biker literally fell in, heavily bruised and bleeding in the stomach area.

  - He took your bike, Bill ! I tried to stop him, but he ...

  My admirer ran just in time to catch the falling gang member, and looked in his fading eyes.

  - Who was it ? Wake up, damn you ! - he shook the dying man brutally. - The guy with a red eye, it was him ?

  Man nodded and this last effort killed him at the spot. Well, hats off for the passed away, but I can't say I was going to cry my eyes out for some asshole.

  - Get me this motherfucker ! You, all, get on your bikes and find him !

  - Hey, Bill, I think I remembered some talks ... - one of the bikers said unsurely.

  - And so what ? - this Bill character was out of his mind with rage.

  - I think it was Kano, the Black Dragon leader ... - the biker swallowed, but continued. - We don't wanna mess with the Black Dragon ...

  - He can be Jesus Christ himself, no-one steals my bike and lives !

  But his men were looking away, confused and embarrassed, but determined to stay away from what scared them more than their leader. Bill watched them and then his eyes fixed one me. He gave a short nervous laugh.

  - He got my bike, but I got his girl ! And you dear gonna pay me for it !

  Oh my, my. Such a handsome young man, and such an asshole. But I already had a playful mood and a plan. And I wasn't going to spoil this great day. I took off my mask and smiled at him, as he grabbed me and kissed forcefully, our tongues coming to a draw in a short but ferocious wrestling. Then he picked me up, and brought to the room at the back of the bar. Wneh we were crossing the door passage, I remembered of an Earth tradition Kitana told me about.

  - Just like a bride, huh ?

  - Yeah, sure ... - he muttered as he threw me on the bed. - Undress.

  It was rather fast, and probably ugly, but for the first real time he was quite good. Strong and lasting, and he worked hard to get satisfaction for all the evening's offense. I could be disappointed if I had not wisely prepared myself, mentally, for the worst. I mean, I expected him to be clumsy and hurting, but he wasn't that bad. Soon my excitement grew into something more, and exploded with warmth in my body. Just before it happened, I switched the position to get on top, and liked it much more. Felt more my style, and I had more control. I felt victorious. I mean, in my life. When the top point came, I felt I finally got everything I needed in my life. And that reminded me of the plan. The man beneath me rolled his eyes and I felt that he was close to his share of pleasure. Still rocking my body in the same way - I was even still getting an occasional fading push of the previous thrill, I reached for my outfit. My hands went into the sectrety compartments, and as Bill had a culmination, my sais raised and sank deep into his body, and again, and again, mixing his convulsions of pleasure and death. Quite a sensation, I got to tell you, to feel a living body that close to give you the last drops of life in such a moment. That added to the flavour, let me put it this way. I guess we both screamed, but I don't remember. Blood was everywhere to see, and I couldn't clean it completely.

  - Bill ? You all right ? - I heard from the door.

  I kicked the door open and entered the bar, hair a mess and blood all over me.

  - I don't think so, - I said loudly, with a smile.

  Every pair of eyes in the bar was at me.

  - This bitch ... she killed him ! - someone said in an extremely surprised tone.

  The crowd went into motion, silence broke with curses and exclamations. A couple of men moved towards me with menacing looks, but a couple of well-placed kicks placed them on the floor screaming in rage and pain at my knees.

  - Eat this, bitch ... - I heard from behind, and turned in a jump, evading whatever was coming.

  A man was pointing a machine gun at me, and already shooting ... not fast enough. I dropped through the floor, and his bullets just decorated the bar wall with numerous holes. I teleported right above him, falling down in one of my favourite moves. Acceleration I achieved by my magic and gravitation concentrated on the point of my boot, and when it hit his temple, it was enough to make him drop dead with a broken neck. The gang was demoralised, and only one of them, close to me, attempted to grab his gun, but I think it was more a reflex of fear than a thought-out decision. Even before his hand reached its destination, one of my shiny sais was at his chin, and a small streak of blood ran down. The man gulped heavily.

  - Anyone else with a problem here ? - I wondered with a sweetest smile. - Speak up, don't be afraid. I won't kill you too painfully. No-one ? Great.

  Now I assumed I had enough of their attention to proceed.

  - Ok, I have a small announcement to make. Here and now, I declare myself your new Queen. You may challenge me for a fight for this position anytime you like. Be warned, I'll most probably kill the challenger. The rest of you are to call me Mistress and obey my every word without question, doubt or delay. Be warned, these who do not, will most probably be slain by my hand too. Anyone not happy with it may leave now or never, and be forever unsure of their lives. Loyal sevants, on the other hand, will be rewarded well. Decide, now.

  The crowd watched me in silence for some time, then I heard a nervous whisper from the last rows:

  - Did you get it ? What does she want ?

  People started to speak in muffled voices, trying to hide general uneasiness in talk. The man I was still holding at the point of my sai forced a smile and gestured me to take it away. I did, slowly. He smiled to me again with completely begging looks, and turned to the rest of the gang.

  - She says she's our new leader, - the crowd shut up and eagerly listened. - We call her Mistress. Anyone got a problem with that, he's dead meat.

  The crowd sighed. The crowd even smiled carefully. Now everything was in its place. Nothing big, just a leader change. Poor old Bill. Viva la Mistress. No, that'd be too intellectual for them. The crowd looked at itself and found itself happy, absolutely. Problem ? No problem ! You got a problem ? Stick it up your arse, man, I never knew ya, this bitch's crazy, get lost now. Crowd started to sit back in places and have some beer.

  - You, smarty ! - I addressed the man who explained my words to my newly acquired followers. - What's your name ?

  - Weasel, Mistress ! - the man smiled again.

  - That was some fast thinking there, Weasel.

  - Thank you, Mistress !

  - I promote you to my personal assistant. And now, I want to eat, and you will tell me everything I need to know.

  And so the good days began. Oh, the happiest time of my life.

  We really had fun out there. We became the strogest gang on the coast, police went mad with us. But they could never get us, and we grew like pastry. More and more people wanted to join the "Night Demons" - the name of the gang I had as a part of my inheritance. We robbed banks and every other establishment I wanted, we had free services and literally everything I wished. In fact, all this gang business came as a surprise for me. By a sudden sway, I decided to occupy this position, and did so, and it amused me for a moment. I truly uintended to leave in a couple of days or so. I didn't. It gave me the freedom I craved. The gang was pretty understanding when I wished to be alone, and ready to join me whenever I gestured. I rode the coast on my metal beast, I breathed the ocean air, I got crazy with speed and sex and rock'n'roll. And all that without any scent of restriction.

  I remember once we made an extremely successful ambush on the rival gang, and had them stuffed with lead before they could even notice us. Their leader was the only one who survived the massacre, due to his long black raincoat made of bullet-proof material. He challenged me directly, and I accepted. Then he said he chose bikes fight, since he must had heard of what my hand combat opponents got. I only smiled. By this time, I was a Queen on the road as well as on feet. He used a heavy chain as a weapon, and I tested my skills with Baraka's whip. I had had some practice and was sure of myself. Well, there were a couple of dangerous moments when he got too close, but most of the time I managed to hold him at distance where the length of my weapon decided everything. I finished him off by strangling his neck in a successful swipe. There, I got my beautiful raincoat. Later it saved my life several times, and besides, it matched me like as if it was made for me by the most talented tailor.

  What else ? I got used to wearing high heels. Knee-high high-heeled black leather boots became my favourites. Getting my colours in a needed style was a constant problem, so most of my garments changed their colours to black.

  Quite unexpected to myself, I got on with killing my lovers. Most of them disappointed me, not meeting my standarts of strength and stamina, and that was reason enough. Some started to think funny things when I had my attention on them, and some were just asking for it. I don't know. It just got in habit, to get rid of them after the first time. But funnily enough, they never stopped coming. I can't remember a single night I had no choice at all. And most of them knew. Hell, hardly any didn't. Some people joined my gang just to have the chance to be picked by me, so I could maintain high standarts by careful choice.

  You see, I became a figure of cult and fashion. My glory exceeded any reasonable limits. I don't mean to brag, I hadn't expected that myself, but accepted it as given. My appearance stunned the public and my deeds shocked it, so I had all one needs to be world famous. Newspapers called me Night Lady, after my gang's name I suppose. But who knows Earth newspapers ? They'd call me Black Widow, but a recent female murderer occupied this all for herself. Meanwhile, I had to constantly split my band so that I didn't have to go around with a thousand people crowd behind me. That wasn't much of a problem, really, since almost all doors were open gladly for us. The word had it I didn't kill or destroy if treated like a lady ( and of course, no police called - once when my star was just rising, I burnt down a couple of places in a fight with police ... or right after it ... I guess I always had a taste for meaningless destruction ), and seeing me enter his restaraunt was a dream of every manager. I got all the respect possible, and had to press my money into their hands if I wished to pay. Not that they were that scared of me, mind, it's just that they knew public would rush into the place even before I left, just like if naked Claudia Schiffer walked in and started to give free autographs. Probably _my_ visit draw even more attention. At least, my gang was a reason enough to give me a choice if I wanted to give autographs, speaking of them. I mean, without my nod the boys didn't let anyone close, and that became their main occupation. Original gang members were royal rich by their standarts, had hundreds of men under their command and recieved almost unlimited respect and envy simply because they were with me when it all started.

  And another fun thing, women were a big part of my fans, even rivaling the men. I assume they felt I defended their rights or something ... taking revenge on males ... but I didn't, it was just a way I lived. Just as I liked.

  But let me move on, I can continue with these sweet memories forever.

  Time passed, and I was having a dinner in the small roadside cafe. Most civilized, let's say so, of my boys accompanied me, but at my table this evening I preffered to sit alone. Just as I was preparing to make an order, I noticed a man in a smart suit coming towards me. His suit was so out of place in this club where everyone was dressed to look tough, rough or plain cool, as I'd put it, that it made me smile. The man smiled to me in return, with a reserved smile of a businessman, as it seemed at the moment. Later I learned he always smiled this way - very lightly and with a bit of self-irony, like saying "let's laugh at me together" ... One of the boys stuck in his way with usual "Wadda ya want ?", and I heard the stranger speak:

  - I wish to talk to the lady, obviously.

  He had a way to say it in a surprised tone, like making a statement "What are you, an idiot ?". I'm afraid my boy wasn't in the mood for such a tone, cause his reply was short and angry:

  - Well, SHE doesn't want to talk to you !

  And with this word, he put his hands on stranger's shoulders. Big mistake. I didn't see what exactly did he do, since my boy had a wide back you could project a movie on, and obstructed my view. But the next moment he was on the floor unconcsious, and the stranger was fixing his tie. Then he stepped over the body, and approached me.

  - Forgive me for the incident, - he smiled again, such a devil. - May I ?

  I nodded slightly, and he joined me by the table. I studied him more carefully. Straight face, half-European, half-Asian, dark hair, very light blue eyes. Handsome, in a calm way.

  - Who are you ?

  - Call me John, - he answered and bowed.

  He took out and passed me a small piece of paper stating John Frost, plus some names, titles and company logo, but I put it away for the moment, and of course lost later ...

  - And I assume you know who I am ? - I went on.

  - I hope so. Night Lady, Mileena, - he again bowed slightly.

  He produced a cut piece of newspaper with my picture there.

  - Oh, that ...

  Once they posted a police drawing in the paper, absolutely ugly, and I didn't like it. I went to the professional photographer, and he made a cool and sexy picture of me on my bike, in my tight-fitting suit and black raincoat, like wings of darkness behind my back.

  - I have a poster over my bed with it.

  - Well, what do you want, John ? - I wondered.

  - To talk to the lady, mostly, - he said and we both smiled.

  The waitress appeared and we ordered a couple of beers.

  - So, another fan ? - I felt slightly disappointed.

  - You could say so. But there is something more.

  - There always is.

  - Indeed. My company specializes on certain services, often unique and always best on the market.

  - Get to the point, honey.

  Conversation had to stop when the waitress brought us our beers. I took my in hand and swore.

  - Damn ! It's warm !

  John raised a brow.

  - Is it ? Here, have mine.

  We exchanged glasses and his was real cold. Such a pleasure it was in this hot cafe with stale air, that my mood improved at once. I thanked him with a smile and approving nod.

  - So, what are these services you mentioned ?

  - Let's say, the closest defenition would be Public Relations, - he said carefully.

  - And what exactly is that you want ? - I asked.

  He paused and looked at me seriously.

  - I want to know your story.

  - Afraid that's impossible, - I said with - just a bit - of bitterness. - You wouldn't believe the truth.

  John smiled cheerfully.

  - Who spoke of truth ? I want to know _your_ story. People don't want the truth. They want a nice reading, that's all. Let's create a beautiful fairytale for them.

  - All right, - I hesitated. - In a place out of this world, I was created of royal blood and demon's magic ...

  - Sounds like an interesting beginning, - John smiled encouragely. - Demon ?

  - Powerful sorcerer who sold his soul to the demons for immortality and thus became one himself.

  - You do have a vivid imagination, lady, - he remarked. - But please continue. So, are your parents still alive ?

  And I told him everything. Every last thing. I didn't intend to, it just came out naturally. He laughed at my jokes and grieved along my sadness. The only thing I didn't lay open before him was my mutant teeth. I just said Tsung placed a curse too awful to be discovered on me, and that he removed it later. John was so understanding I couldn't resist but reveal my soul to him. I didn't have sex this night. We went to the roof and watched stars and moon and drank wine and it was simply one of the best moments I had ever had in my whole life. By morning I felt in him the closest soul I had met since my birth. We talked the night through - well, it was mostly I speaking with John's occasional comment, soothing the pain in me or cheering me up. I almost felt a different person. When the sun announced a new day and surprised Weasel found us, my companion still alive, I felt pity it was over. Damn. No, that doesn't show fully all I felt. Kids, cover your ears, I promised to Morpheus, my host, to be kind and nice in my tale. Ready ? Ok. Here I go. FUCK ! FUCK FUCK FUCK ! That's exactly what I felt. Don't know why - we just talked, but I was terribly sorry when that night was over. John ... he kissed my hand, and said it was a pleasure. My heart melted like snow, but I went to attend my gang management business. I was a bit harsh on boys that morning, and they loved me too much too take offense. Damn again. I did behave like a bitch sometimes, this much I got to admit.

  Anyway. We continued on our victory ride. Small private joke here. The night club that was our destination was called "Victory". Not too original, but that's none of my business. They held pretty popular tournaments there, without rules, to the death, and of course totally illegal. I loved them. Easy as a cake, most of them, good for career and I enjoyed the fans. In all meanings possible, and by all means, if you get my idea.

  The club was much to my taste also. Good music, large, with constant shows - from striptease to brutal fights, nice dancing and exquisite food - what else do you want ? John just smiled once, watching the fights and lost all interest in them. I in turn had seen enough of these at home, and watched them purely out of sport interest. I could earn a lot on bets, but I had more money than I could spend by the moment, so there was no true interest in it. I did a couple of fights, rapidly gaining score and place in the competition. There were only two or three of really good fighters, not counting those little mysteries such tournaments tend to have. One of these fighters - and a mystery - was a Spanish guy called Vega. He used a set of metal claws and covered his handsome face with a mask for a fight. He had not only the face, but also a delicious body, and he danced divine. The only thing about him was that he was totally in love with himself, pretty dumb and assumed that every girl found him irresistable. Good-looking yes, but irresistable ? I found his beauty more a cherished flower matching a decent virgin than a real man. He was cute, but his superior ego spoiled every chance he had with a girl who had brains. Like me, for example.

  Another announced fighter was Kano, but he hadn't shown up yet.

  We were having a nice dinner with John, candles ( his idea ), wine ( also his pick ) and great selection of seafood ( my favourite ). John seemed a bit sad about something he didn't want to speak of first, and I wasn't sure of how to ask him. I had no practice at normal human relationships, and never was sure of what to say in particular situation, but the most amaizing thing with John was that it never made me feel uncomfortable.

  As we were talking, Vega raised from his table not too far from us and headed towards me. He approached us and spoke.

  - Buenos dias. Seniorita dances ? - he addressed me directly.

  - Only when she wishes to, - I said.

  John made a gesture meaning that I was free to go if I wanted. Not that I wanted to go much. By this time Vega's public behaviour only irritated me, even though we hadn't spoken to each other yet. But my, what a body. And a very impressive fighter, that too.

  - Mostly I just prefer to have sex, - I looked straight into his eyes. - Do you know who I am ?

  - I've heard of your habits, seniorita, - he gave a short laugh. - But I'm sure in my case an exception can be made. We're so much alike, after all.

  - Don't be so sure of yourself, sweety, - I said in a lowered tone people who knew me recognized as menacing.

  Vega threw back his head and laughed out loud.

  - What a spirit ! You'll be a gem of my collection !

  Now that almost set me steaming. John noticed and stood up.

  - I believe it's better for you to leave, - he said seriously.

  - I wasn't speaking to you, mister, - replied Vega, pushing him in the chest without even looking.

  Well, he attempted pushing, to be correct. John grabbed incoming hand, and with a professional lock slammed Vega's face into the dish filled with shrimps. Vega realised his mistake too late and could do nothing but roar angrily. But in such position it only begged for pity. Well, a nice lesson of necessity of paying attention. I looked at John.

  - I can speak for myself, darling, - I said, but couldn't be really angry with him. Never could. - Let him go.

  - Sorry, - he answered with usual smile so slight a less careful person wouldn't even notice. - Just a reflex. It was no way to speak to the lady.

  - Men ... - I muttered, watching John carefully turn Vega another direction and add certain acceleration enough to throw him solid ten meters away.

  Vega jumped up, furious as all demons of Hell in one body. He rushed forward, but I used my teleport to knock him down again.

  - I thought you were speaking to me, - I noted.

  - You ! You'll pay for that !

  - On the arena in five minutes, - I said.

  - I'll slice you into pieces ! - Vega shouted. - And this son of a bitch will be next !

  - Always for your services, - said John, sitting down. - You shouldn't have done it, lady. I can speak for myself too.

  - Ah, but you shouldn't have done it also, - I said. - It was well done, though. Must be a very dangerous profession, Public Relations ?

Damn, it very well done in fact. To do such things to a fighter of Vega's class demands pretty good skills itself.

  - Can be sometimes, - John smiled and sighed disapprovingly. - Public these days ...

  When in five minutes I entered the ring, John was sitting in the first raw, speaking to some guy in worn white kimono I hadn't seen before. They spoke in low voices, and surely didn't expect anyone to overhear, especially with that loud music and crowd noise, but my mutant origins gave me hearing far beyond human abilities.

  - ... nice to see you, too, - said this other guy. - It's been a while.

  Vega prepared himself in front of me, and the refery started countdown.

  - ... beauty, yes, - I still heard this conversation while preparing myself. - But her soul is dark. How can you love her ?

  The fight began, and I tried to concentrate on Vega's attacks, but couldn't stop myself from tuning my ears to hear John and his mysterious pal.

  - Look at her, Ryu, - said John. - How can you not love her ? Besides, I am an a... - I couldn't hear that piece - ... myself. My soul is dark too.

  Vega almost cut me with his claws, and I considered iot was time to stop playing around and get him down. I dived under the next kick and rolled into his feet, knocking Vega down. As he jumped up, he met my foot from teleportation, and was set to the floor again.

  - ... my friend, you flatter yourself if you think your soul is dark, despite your supposed occupation ...

  I produced my twin sais and launched a serious attack at Vega. He had a hard time defending, since he only had one blades glove. Soon he had several wounds, none dangerous, but all bleeding and spilling venom on his ego. I guess being beaten by a woman was his worst fear. Probably even worse than a fear for his handsome face. And this was pretty much the end of it, since Vega lost all his mind and reason from the humilation he had before and his inability to touch me now. Unlike Baraka, who always fought best when going berserk, Vega was just a usual fighter. Without concentration and care, his moves were just stupid and easily predictable. Blood pumped in my ears and I was breathing rather heavily, but Vega was a totally miserable picture. My last powerful uppercut bent his mask, and he fell down, shaking and almost crying. The only reason I didn't finish him off was that I was sqeamish to even touch him. Don't get me wrong, Vega was one of the best fighters I've ever seen, and that's quite a lot, mind. But loosing temper never helped anyone, and that defeat he earned himself. But the way he took this lost match wasn't a way man should behave. It's all his narcissism to blame, I assume.

  When John met me exiting arena, he was alone.

  - Who's that Ryu ? - I asked.

  John raised a brow, defenitely surprised.

  - He's a very good fighter, lady. One of the best. Why do you ask ?

  - Just because, - I put my hands around his neck and looked into his blue eyes. - Well, NOW I do want to dance.

  - Want to go look for someone ? - John asked.

  - No. I want to dance with you, silly, - I said and kissed him.

  He lost half a second due to surprise, but then supported me with great enthusiasm. And then we went dancing. We drank wine, and kissed, and danced, and drank again ... The night belonged to us. I took him for a ride on my bike, and he asked to stop at the jewels shop. In two minutes he came out and presented me a tiny platinum ring with a beautiful diamond in it. I laughed and said I wanted to keep it with me forever. So we found a master of piercing, and soon I had my ring wielded in my flesh. It sparkled in the light of the moon, right in my navel, surrounded by the dragon tattoo. John kissed me in there, and it tickled wonderfully. We kissed again, and I drove us back to the club at the maximum speed. Then I invited John into my room, - a thing I had never done before. There I turned the music at the rate of "walls shattering" and threw my closes off. I had two wardrobe-sized amplifiers by the sides of my bed, so nothing else but music could be heard. We had already said everything we needed, it was time for actions. Naked and with a playful smile, I showed him some acrobatics on the bed, impossible for most of the women. He joined me, and I tore his clothes off, ruining several thousand dollars suit, but John didn't seem to mind. He entered me at once, we were both so exctited none of us needed any preparations. Once again I noticed how strong he was, not all sportsmen I had met had such a body. Music and alcohol took control of me, and I lost my mind in a frenzy. I embraced John with arms and legs, and for some time - seemed to be eternity - our bodies worked so close they almost merged together. I think my nails left scars on his back. Then I felt even that madness wasn't enough. I pushed him away, we moved to the edge of the bad, so that I laid and John stood, and I directed him the other way. I was still a virgin there, but pain was exactly what I needed right then. When after all I felt I was ready, we returned to normal, and even without thinking, automatically my hand grabbed my suit, reaching for the secret compartment ... Final moments came, and came again, strong as never before, and my hand was still trying to find one of my sais. And then I lost consciousness.

  The morning came with distinct feeling of hangover. I moaned and opened my eyes. According to the clock, it was an early evening already. John wasn't anywhere to be seen, so I took a shower and dressed. My hands went to check the sais, and found them missing. I remembered the day before.

  - Motherfucker ..., - I muttered.

  Well, even in that situation I couldn't get really angry with John. I could have killed him, easily, without even intention to. After all, killing my lovers was just a habit, not a rule. To speak the truth, I never could get angry with him, and that's probably why I liked him so much. He was soft with me when I behaved like a bitch, and he let me have everything my way, even if afterwards it appeared that he did everything his way too. Just think, we both wanted sex, and we had it the way I wanted it. He just took my weapons away so that in the end it turned out as he wanted. Ah, to Hell. Analysing my own behavior was never my strength. I just liked John, take it as irrational, and let's move on.

But stealing my sais was something I couldn't forgive so easily too. I decided to go get my favourite weapons back. I hadn't parted with my sais ever since I recieved them. So I went down to the hall, and found John sitting with a whole coffee pot. He smiled and raised to greet me.

  - Good morning, lady, - he said helping me sit, a gentleman thief. - Would you like some coffee ? I have a spare cup.

  He poured me some coffee, and I already opened my mouth to speak, when the door broke down, and people in military uniform with USSF logo broke in. In seconds, they directed thier guns at us. My men were standing up holding their weapons too, but no-one seemed to start shooting yet. I raised too, wishing I had some firearms too, but determined to show my boys I was with them. John poured himself another cup of coffee. Three persons stood forward, obviously leaders. A blonde with crazy haircut reminding of an explosion in shape with an American flag tattoo on the hand, a huge black man, and a blonde girl with a very stubborn look on her face. Suddenly almost half of the visitors jumped up too, and produced their guns. Now almost everyone in the hall was holding a gun pointed at someone else. The blonde girl spoke to me:

  - Kitana ? What's happening ? I want to speak to you !

  - And I want none of you here ! - I said. - Get the hell out.

Among the men who joined us last, I noticed Kano, and the blonde girl noticed him too.

  - Kano ! - she shouted, - I want him !

  - Come, come baby, - Kano replied laughing. - I want you too !

  - No, Sonya ! - the black man said. - We want her ! - he pointed at me. - Stick to the mission !

  - And I want him ! - declared the guy with tattoo, pointing at Vega who was sitting at the table with three or four girls at once.

  - And I want another doughnut, - said John thoughtfully, sipping his coffee. - Oh, don't mind me guys. Please go on.

  Almost everyone was staring at him.

  - And who the Hell are you ? - asked the black guy.

  - Me ? - John raised. - I'm a PR agent. Considering your manners, you seem to need one too, but I'm with the lady.

  The officer shook his head.

  - Anyway ! Sonya, Guile, stay where you are ! You - drop your weapons and surrender !

  - Oh, ok, - said John. - Here you go.

  And before anyone stopped him, he took a grey sphere out of his pocket and dropped it by his feet. The sphere exploded with heavy smoke that covered all around in a fraction of a second. At once the shooting began, but I escaped through the kitchen door. There I found John and right after me Kano ran in.

  - Are they following ? - he asked.

  - I believe so, - John said. - I suggest that we go to the dancing. There we can tinker with light and sound, that should help.

  - You do that, John, - I said. - But then, I want you to disappear somewhere safe.

  - All right, lady, - he said shaking his shoulders indifferently.

  This gave me a start. "All right" ? Just "all right", after all this ? But there was no time to discuss. We moved to the dancing, and there I met Weasel who had my bullet-proof raincoat and two semiautomatic guns ready for me.

  - Thanks Weasel, - I said.

  - I heard the shooting and thought you might need these.

  - And now get outta here, - I ordered.

  He disappeared. The music was already loud enough that dancers heard nothiong of that little war in the dining hall, so they just continued with their never-ending party. Then the dim light went off completely, and started to flash occasionally, restraining normal view. The music changed also, became faster, more agressive, and absolutely deafening. That should have disoriented anyone in vicinity. Kano roared right in my ear, but even I with my mutant hearing could hardly hear him.

  - Do you have your men here ?

  - Very few ! - I shouted. - They are all elsewhere !

  - Me too ! Then practically it's just two of us, babe ! Let's rock !

  I noticed a pole used for striptease, and had an idea. When the Special Forces came in, they could see nothing. I saw Sonya sigh as if the situation was familiar to her, and they dispersed all around looking for us. Don't know where Kano hid, but when several soldiers came on the stage and passed the pole, I slid down it, hanging on my legs downwards. Both my hands lifted and lead rain came from my guns, slaying the unsuspecting bastards. Then I jumped down on the ground, and recieved several shots in the back at once. None of them got through my garments, but I was knocked down. I rolled aside, and grabbed my guns. Our men were few in number and showed no considerable resistance, most of the work had to be done by us. Soon even these few were dead or captured. The massacre began. they were not too bad, but I was faster and meaner and more skillful. Blood redecorated the design of the club, and it did look nice. Soon I ran out of ammo, and had to use my hands and legs, but even so I was deadlier then them. Kano worked his way, like a butcher with his knife, leaving fresh corpses at least every ten seconds. Of course, soldiers had to take care not to shoot the civilians, all the worse for them. Soon it was over. I looked around. Some people from the dancing joined our party, I recognized several fighters from the tournament schedule, and several unknown to me.

  I found myself facing Jax, while Sonya was trying to force her way to Kano. He in turn got on the stage where I began, and without thinking long I teleported there. The music finally stopped and light lit the place, revealing the massacre to those few who hadn't noticed yet. The silence was almost deafening itself after all this. I noticed soldiers in the glass cabin where all the controls were, but no sign of John. Good, I didn't have to worry at least about him. Jax and Sonya reached the stage and got on too, aiming at us. I offered to cover him with a side of my raincoat, but Kano produced a grenade, bit off the safety plug, and spoke with a wicked smile instead.

  - Imagine how many innocents in such a crammed place this toy can kill ?

  - Put it down, Kano ! You're under arrest !

  - No, babe, - he laughed. - You put it down, and let's discuss our problems in a fair fight !

  A familiar looking man climbed the stage too. Sonya looked at him in amaizement.

  - Johnny ? What the Hell are you doing here ?

  Yeah, right, I remembered. The lame actor from cheap Hollywood movies. Well, no, he was pretty good I got to admit. For the entertainment business, at least.

  - Just checking how are you here. I thought you killed this guy ?

  - I thought so too, - she replied. - Well, I'll just have to kill him again.

  - Let me hold your gun.

  Kano passed me the grenade, and Sonya gave her gun to Cage. Then she turned to face Kano, and the most surprising thing happened. The actor took her rifle and slammed it in the back of her head. She fell down without even a sound. Cage took aim at Jax and gestured him to drop his weapon.

  - So much for the trust in people, Major Briggs ? - he asked, but the voice wasn't the same.

  In fact, I recognized the voice even before he transformed back into Shang Tsung.

  - And where is your friend Guile ? - Father asked.

  - He ran after Vega, - Jax answered.

  - Great. Now, help her up.

  And as soon as Jax bent to pick up his unconsciousness partner, Father hit him in the nape too.

  In twenty minutes we had the remains of Special Forces troops dead or captured and Sonya along with her partner chained in the basement. I have to mention, Father just loved these chains everywhere. We were talking in my appartment, Kano left to guard the prisoners.

  - Get ready, Mileena. I believe Liu Kang is arriving soon, maybe even with real Mr. Cage.

  - And what then, you want me to kill them ? - I asked wearily.

  I suspected I had been manipulated all along.

  - No, no need for direct confrontation, - Father answered. - We've had enough of these. Kang will think you're Kitana. Just do what you do best, my darling. Seduce him. Mr. Cage I take on myself.

  - Yeah ... whatever.

  - Add some enthusiasm, darling ! - Tsung grabbed my chin. - You don't want to fail me, do you ?

  I jerked away and looked at the window. It was raining outside. I felt that good time was over.

  - Don't you think police will interrupt ? - I asked hopelessly.

  - No, - he replied using Jax's voice. - I took the liberty to tell them everything is under control .

  I sighed. It was typical of Tsung to think of every last detail.

  - Cheer up, my child, - Father added. - Now I'll open a portal and your Prince will join you. Ready ?

  I nodded wearily. My head started to ache, and I decided to open the windows till Father is preparing. Wehn I turned back, he was already creating the portal about between us. Soon it grew so that I couldn't see Shang Tsung from it. It was a small one, just to travel within the same world. On the other side I could see the blurred image of a young Chinese man. He stood up.

  - Kitana ?

  - Come to me, Liu ... - I called him, trying to sound natural and happy.

  I don't think I succeeded, but he stepped through anyway. The portal faded, but Father was no-where to be seen behind it. Probably gone in it from the other side just before the portal disappeared.

  - Kitana ? - Liu asked again. - I was coming to America. They said you were here, and ...

  - Hush ! - I stopped him.

  I didn't feel much like talking to him, so I just embraced and kissed him deeply. It didn't feel way better too, but at least I didn't have to invent stupid lines for him. Hell, I was in no mood to seduce anyone, let alone this particular asshole. When the kiss broke, he spoke again.

  - What's going on, Kitana ? Johnny said to come as soon as possible, that you were here and doing these ... murders ...

  - Don't let us talk of it, not now ... - I pleaded. - It wasn't me, it was Kano. I'll tell you everything, but later.

  An idea occured to me how to escape this akward situation.

  - Want to drink anything ? Wine ?

  - Water, please, - he said, obviously lost.

  - That means yes, - I said with a smile, offering him a glass.

  He drank a little, looking at me, and put it down.

  - Kitana ... - he started.

  And then just fell down. Of course, I got this sleeping drug for another ocasion, but it did come in handy. And this moron bought it. I hoped I didn't put too much in it, but didn't really care if he was to live or die. I waited for several minutes, but Father didn't appear. With a sigh, I picked the body and brought it down to the cellar. Why does a girl have to do all the hard work herself ?

  And so I got Liu in chains by his fellows. It could have been Father's taste, but I didn't see anything truly spectacular in the sight of them hanging on the bare wall. What we were supposed to do should the collection exceed any reasonable size ? If we wanted them alive, we were at least to feed them and take other care. I mean, why the Hell ? If they lost the fight, they should have been dead. No trouble at all.

  The air swirled around an invisible point, and Father stepped in through just another portal, breathing heavily. This constant jumping exhausted even his energy.

  - Him ! - he shouted, seeing Liu. - Alive ? What's wrong with you ? I take the trouble you can't imagine to drag Earth Gods attention off this enterprise, I waste my precious magic to lead them away, and you can't even kill this pathetic mortal ! You were MEANT to do it !

  Pathetic, yeah, I thought. If this bugger was so freaking pathetic, why couldn't you do away with him yourself ? He must have read my mind or just took control of himself, cause suddenly Tsung was all his usual honey and venom spitting snake as always.

  - Doesn't matter, - he even smiled. - But my sources are all but dried. I wanted to wait until I have all the Chosen Ones in my posession to achieve the complete victory, but I can do with these and have the rest later.

  He turned to Kano and his thugs, two or three men armed to the teeth.

  - Kano, kill them all. I need fresh souls to recreate my power.

  - But she's mine, that's the deal ! - Kano protested.

  Father snapped his fingers in anger, and hellfire erupted from beneath, scattering the Black Dragon men all over the floor.

  - Do it ! - Shang Tsung demanded. - Now !

  He prepared to gather the souls, muttering the necromancy spells I didn't even want to hear. Simply being near disgusted me. I moved towards Liu, just to have one final look at him. Usual mortal. Couldn't see what Kitana and others found in him. Well, maybe ... there was something, but he surely didn't look as a greatest warrior on Earth. Then again, looks can be decieving. Liu Kang moaned, regaining consciousness.

  Suddeenly I felt something ... Kano was readying his gun, him and his men clearly unaware of the growing sensation ... Tsung stopped his preparations and gazed around frowning. Kano sighed and pointed his gun at Sonya's temple.

  - Sorry, babe, - he said, shaking his shoulders.

  The sensation grew to the point I could almost feel it physical. Magic, and pretty deadly. Not brutal unlimited force of Gods, but rather an aiming blow of a hunter ... Like in a dream, I heard last Kano's words ...

  - I hoped we could have some time for just two of us ...

  I almost shouted " Shut up ! " when the energy unleashed. Blue sphere blew through the door, two men in its way exploding in a shower of shattered glass ... then it hit us, and I realised it was not glass but rather ice. Damn it felt cold, colder then anything in my life. I was totally immobilized, though could hardly see through the thin but strong layer of ice over my body. Slowly I realised that Kano and the remaining couple of his men were trapped in the same ice statuette garden, leaving only Father free. He turned to the figure that came through the broken door. A ninja in ceremonial black and blue uniform. Seeing was pretty hard since ice itself was only semi-transparent, and it annoyed me that I couldn't move even my pupil to see clearly. Shang Tsung spoke, and I heard his speech distantly.

  - Sub-Zero, - he bowed slightly smiling. - My very persistant nemesis.

  The ninja launched an attack without saying a word. Smooth grace of his movements was strangely familiar, but I couldn't nail a guess ... yet.

  - Very impressive, - Father continued. - What was it, Polar Blast or what do you call it ?

  Sub-Zero, as Father called him, still pressed his attack, but Father evaded serious damage so far, still speaking to his opponent.

  - How long have you been meditating, gathering your power to do it ? No, now I see ... it was an artifact that gave you such power ... I see an image of a magic urn in your mind ... And all for what, just to waste it on these weaklings ... - Tsung ducked a fast roundhouse and at once jumped over a leg sweep. - You could get me with it, you know.

  Slowly my suspicion gained more and more confirmation. I was practically sure the man was John. Exactly his style, to behave like this. Father suddenly stopped his slow retreat and moved into offensive himself, still talking.

  - Mortals ... you never fail to amuse me ... - he punched Sub-Zero in the stomach, but the last didn't show he noticed. - You come to get answers and then kill me, you prepare everything with almost impossible thought and care, including this stupid masquerade ... - Father faked an uppercut and unleashed his fire sculls up close, crushing John into the wall. - And then, you let it all slip from you out of pathetic emotions ...

  Father gave up his fighting stance and looked at the fallen ninja.

  - Even now you waste your energy and concentration to maintain this spell, though realising you can never win this fight like this !

  Sub-Zero raised heavily and moved forward again. I felt ice was melting ... but not enough ... all I needed was just another few seconds ... Shang Tsung sent John down again. I knew Father cherished his skills in hand combat and battle magic through centuries, beating him was nearly impossible, and frankly speaking I was surprised to see John last this long.

  - Last chance, Sub-Zero, - Father said, and menace in his voice showed it was really his last warning. - I like you. Join me, and recieve all you truly deserve, or simply die. You know you can't win.

  I almost broke free, and was determined to do anything in my power to save John from Tsung's grip, but this almost didn't seem to be fast enough ! The beaten ninja caughed, and Father picked him up by his neck, looking coldly in the icy eyes. I could swear under his mask John forced his usual wry smile.

  - Winning ... is not ... - he caughed again. - ... obligatory.

  Shang Tsung raised his free arm, and I recognized a movement he used just before stealing one's soul. I called upon my power to teleport, but a flash of light, bright enough to lit all around with unbearable light, stopped us all. When eyesight returned to me, three more men joined us. One with a magic aura of God at least, with long white hair and in white robes, another one Chinese in a ridiculous round hat, and Johnny Cage, his real self this time. The God-like one spoke.

  - Shang Tsung! All this stops now !

  - Lord Rayden, - Father said, with a mocking bow. - How kind of you to grace us with your presence !

  - I said enough ! This time I caught you !

  The lightning stroke from Rayden's figure, exploding the chains and setting all our captives free. Sonya almost fell down, not having expected this, but jumped up and launched at Kano, who just regained his own freedom from the ice prison. Two bodies hurled in a deadly fight, but then both screamed in pain, as from Kano's back a dragon emerged, just like my own, and embraced them both. For two long seconds, the agonizing bodies couldn't escape this ghostly creature, and then all three figures diminished rapidly and disappeared in a wirlwind of green splashing energy.

  - What ... where are they ? - someone asked.

  - On their road to the Outworld, - explained Shang Tsung, smiling.

  The guy in funny hat which looked completely out of place, helped Liu up.

  - Kung Lao ? What are you doing here ?

  - Rayden brought me. They burnt our Temple, Liu, - he looked at us. - ... and killed everyone inside.

  Rayden glowed with blue sparkling aura, and it smelled of thunder.

  - This time you've gone too far, sorcerer !

  - On the contrary ! As a messanger, I'm perfectly safe.

  - Messanger ? What's he talking about ? - asked Cage.

  - It is my honour ... to invite you all for Mortal Kombat ... held at the Outworld ! - Father declared slowly.

  - We'll come, - said Rayden simply. - And then you and your Emperor will pay for everything you've done.

  Shang Tsung only smiled, and faded. I realised I was alone in the room filled with enemies. Liu Kang was the first to speak to me.

  - Kitana ! Explain all this at last !

  - I'm afraid, - John said, standing up from his sitting position. - Lady's not Kitana.

  I only raised my head higher. If I was to die, I wasn't going to beg for mercy. Liu frowned.

  - Not Kitana ?

  I laughed sadly but proudly. What a moron.

  - I challenge you for Mortal Kombat, whoever you are, and promise to the souls of my slaughtered brethren, you will fall.

  - Mileena, - I said to him, bowing slightly, and prepared myself. - I accept.

  - No ! - John shouted. - Stop it !

  - Too late, Sub-Zero, - said Rayden, putting his hand on John's chest.

  - Stay away, John, - I said. - It's my fight.

  John sighed. But I was going to fight, and Liu Kang was burning with rage. John took out my sais and trew them to my feet. I smiled at him, picking them up. They felt strange, familiar and not at the same time. I felt new magic inside of the old metal. And as I touched them, sais began to charge. Liu Kang looked around and collected a piece of chain. The fight started, and I had to concentarte on it. I wouldn't bother to describe it all, let me just say I lost. I spent a day dancing and drinking, then a night making love, then fighting and shooting, then just feeling bad. My body still ached and my head was occasionally spinning from hangover. I was akward and unimaginative. I was weary with my troubles and had no inspiration whatsoever. For the first time in my life, fight didn't awake a warrior spirit in me. I lost. The only time I managed to surprise Liu was when my wish to reach and hurt triggered the spell and a cold blast hit from the sais, not enough to freeze but good enough to make considerable damage, a gift from John. What can I say, I was probably even more surprised myself. In less then five minutes I was hardly standing, practically helpless, awaiting my destiny without any emotion but relief. Liu roared and suddenly morphed into a huge and angry-looking dragon. Hatred burnt in his eyes, and fire erupted between his teeth. And then John just came up and stood between us, facing the dragon. For a second they were just looking at each other. John turned to me, and cought me right in time to catch me. He sat down, holding me in his arms. I smiled weakly, and he took off his mask.

  - My lady ...

  - John ... - I forced out.

  - That's not my real name, - he said.

  - I know.

  And he kissed me gently. It felt good at first, but then I felt my lips burning. First I thought it was because of the fight, but then I found my face in growing pain, and rolled aside. The grim realisation struck me. I touched my mouth with fingertips and covered it with my hand at once. My teeth ! My mutant teeth were coming back ! Shang Tsung, you bastard ! I wished I was somewhere alone, and I wanted to cry but couldn't.

  - What is it ? - John asked with concern.

  He tried to hold me, but I pushed him away.

  - Don't touch me ! - I shouted at him. - Don't ever approach me again !

  Then an arrow of pain pierced my stomach so that I almost let go of my face. Mesmerized, I saw the dragon tattoo raise, gain volume and jump at me, entering my body and leaving it again, embracing me, causing pain everywhere it dived into my flesh.

  - Mileena ! No ! - I heard through the struggle.

  The world around blurred and swam away, replacing every colour with red. I don't know if it was just scarlet spots in my eyes caused by pain or simply the space between the worlds. I don't remember mush of this travel besides the fact I felt very bad and longed to be a small girl in my bed. I landed in the garden near the Emperor's Palace, where Baraka found me after about two hours of suffering.

  - Mistress ... I brought you a mask, - he sad to me. - Master is very surprised. I think he placed this spell on you so that if you kiss someone you love, you go back here ... and you change back.

  I kept silence, sitting under the tree and hiding my head in my arms.

  - I am sorry, Mileena. I know it meant a lot for you. I am really sorry.

  And he left.

  So it ended. Strange. It felt like a big fight was coming, some mass massacre, a final battle that would decide the fate of worlds. And it came, in fact, in the form of Mortal Kombat held at the Emperor's palace, but I expected it earlier, back on Earth. On the other hand, Father hoped to kill off the Earth Chosen Ones simply and without any fight whatsoever, using just deceit and ambush.

  The rest you know. I took part in tournament, and was good. But something important had died in me, and I couldn't be my past self. Couldn't be that free and proud way that made me so good in fight, though I still was a very good fighter. John - I still call him that name - tried to speak to me, but I evaded him by all means, and in the Outworld it was easy for me. Then Kitana betrayed the Emperor openly, and I challenged her. And lost, and died. And so I'm now here, in the Land of the Dead.

  Damn, these memories make me uneasy, even in this world of ghosts. I better go play chess with Morpheus, it relaxes, even if beating this smarty is almost impossible. But I will not forget. I don't want to. Hurts or not, these memories are what makes me the person I am.