Chapter Text
"Such a shame. All that power, all that beauty. Abandoned and forgotten. In a living grave."
— Merlin, The Hollow Queen
Memory was such a fickle concept. An unending bringer of turmoil. A bittersweet thing, switching between being yearned for and rejected. It was why amnesia was extremely tempting and frightening.
But the long-lost queen of Edenia would forever prefer remembrance. This was the cost of strength. How else could survival, evolution, and freedom be achieved? What other way could there be to learn to protect oneself and the people one loved, to revenge their losses and failures? Else-wise, one would be doomed to an eternal, maddening cycle.
Ultimately, there was no true choice, at least there shouldn't be. There was no honor in choosing to suffer, unless a refusal to choose, to even have a preference, counted. Again she dismissed that as an unreal idea, the path of ignorant cowards that refused, those in denial about the cruel reality of the world.
To an extent, she understood those naive mindsets. Everyone in existence experienced that, some changed faster than others while some never changed. It had taken her a long time to evolve, once Quan Chi resurrected her for the second time as a revenant.
The various spells and beatings butchered her brain, but she was able to get ahold of the truth by her second revival. She clung to the truth and buried it deep inside her damaged heart and soul.
She'd been an Edenian Knight, among the best in the army. She'd also been a middle-ranked noblewoman, and she used that, in addition to her military status, to ensure the protection of her home and her brethren. That was a sentiment among the majority of the nobles and knights, but above all King Jerrod.
The king liked to go on treks, both secret and open, to check on the common people. She was equally glad for such endeavors, additions to their personal and dutiful interactions.
Naturally, they interacted in treks, training sessions, and council meetings. But they also had private discussions. At some point, she started visiting him, talking about all sorts of topics like their childhoods and trainings that led to their then-current positions. She couldn't remember how that began; the visits varied between him inviting her and her asking to come, and they never hesitated to accept the other's request. It was a nice break from their duties.
They hardly noticed how close they'd grown until one day, during a sparring match. Their battle was intenser than usual, playful taunts freely and pleasingly leaving their mouths.
At one point, she managed to pin him down, and started teasingly rubbing her victory in his face, an act they both knew was unmalicious. But then he'd lifted a hand to caress her face, causing her to pause, and he even surprised himself with that unexpected, tender action. With her guard down, he took the opportunity to flip their positions so he was pinning her, and then it was her turn to reach up to touch him. Their eyes were locked for what felt like eternity, the contact growing stronger with every passing second.
In those moments, they understood there was much more to their closeness than a camaraderie; an affection they hadn't expected, a feeling they'd unconsciously craved from each other for longer than they could guess.
They both had their courtships in the past. But they grew to desire one another in a fiercer manner than all of their previous connections combined.
That training session had to end almost right after, due to the timing of their following responsibilities of the day. Yet there was a silent understanding that they would meet again that night, and indeed they did.
Her heart skipped a beat at the memory. How she made sure not to run to his rooms lest she alert someone into thinking there was a threat or issue. He was arriving at his rooms when she herself did. Then she all but ran toward him and he welcomed her into his arms. It was a night she would never forget, one of the best in her existence.
Needless to say, things took an unforgettable, beautiful turn afterwards.
Yet even as their affections and ardent romance blossomed, they were hesitant to take a final, significant step. They were uncertain if it was the right choice, and perhaps a little scared.
But then Princess Amara died giving birth to Rain, leaving her husband Zephyr to raise the boy alone. The couple had rekindled a childhood sweetheart bond and conceived the boy shortly afterward.
It reminded them of the shortness and unpredictability of life, granting them the courage to reach that crucial step of marriage and a family.
They had been in their middle age when Kitana was brought into the world, a pleasant surprise, as it was assumed for years that Jerrod would end up passing the throne to the lower-ranked royals/nobles, which in that case were Rain's mother and Jade's father, so that one or both would succeed him, a tradition that existed since the beginning of Edenia's history. Kitana's birth rendered that unnecessary.
Sindel's musings turned to her subordinate nobles.
Zephyr was in pain over Amara's death, but he poured all his effort and love into raising Rain, a son that turned out to not be his, yet he cherished him as if he were his own blood sans hesitation or regret, while feeling pure contempt toward Argus for abandoning the boy and his mother. Those were emotions Sindel came to share in regards to Jade.
When Prince Jobashel and his wife Salina, after betraying Edenia and helping to murder Jerrod, presented their only child as a gift to Shao Kahn, Sindel was filled with rage. Still covered in her husband's blood and with her own infant daughter crying in her arms, she knelt before the emperor, begging him to spare Jade and let her raise the child alongside Kitana. He allowed it, on the condition that she keep quiet about Edenia to her daughters, as well all the other infants and toddlers he claimed as his new servants like Ruby and Qali and Maya. She complied, unable to deny her sadistic spark of joy as she watched the traitorous couple die at Shao Kahn's hands. That was the sole positive of that fateful day.
Not a second passed when she didn't think of Jerrod, how they'd reached for each other's hands, how lovingly and sorrowfully they exchanged looks, how beaten and broken he'd been after that brutal battle against Shao Kahn, and how Shao Kahn ruined that final moment by bringing his war hammer down upon Jerrod's skull and reduced his broken body to gory pieces.
She had been too shocked and sorrowful to even react like most people would expect, no screaming or kicking, just focusing on her children.
Everyday from then on was filled with anguish; solely her daughters kept her sane. She lost count of the unwanted and revolting caresses, how she forced herself to remain calm whenever he chose a night for their marital relations. She wept afterwards and went to her sleeping children's' rooms, which doubled as her own primary quarters. Shao Kahn allowed it, since it did not hinder her "responsibilities" to him.
But then Shao Kahn began turning his attention and ambitions onto Earthrealm, and she snapped. She could not save her own realm or the man she loved, but she could help ensure that others did not suffer like she had.
And so she did her research, finding a spell that could help, but one that required her death. She was in turmoil for days, clutching her children to her chest and watching the rebels suffer more and more losses, before she finally became certain of the decision she must make.
Life was as much about sacrifices as it was about love, and her sacrifice contained both of those qualities.
She spent her last night awake, laying beside her girls as they slept and telling herself that this was as much for them as it was for Earthrealm. One day they would learn the truth, and they would do what their predecessors couldn't do, and the new generations would eventually win.
She spoke to Sheeva, not revealing her intentions but making her swear that if anything happened to her, she would look after her children, give them all the love and honor they required. Sheeva swore, understandably confused and worried by the intense request, but her Shokan honor kept her from questioning it.
Sindel snuck sedatives into the food and drink of her guards, kissed her slumbering girls goodbye, and fled to the desert. There she performed the spell, pouring her life-force and blood into the ritual, creating a barrier to protect Earthrealm from Shao Kahn's greedy hands unless he earned it through victory in Mortal Kombat.
Her last thoughts were of her family and wishing luck to the Earthrealmers.
Thousands of years passed, as if she were slumbering, until Shao Kahn lost patience in the tournaments and was convinced by Quan Chi to resurrect her in order to break the barrier and make her more...cooperative.
Her memories were tampered with, making her believe she valued privileges and wealth and power as if they were her lifeblood, that she despised everyone except for those who shared these evil thoughts.
She was tricked into thinking she killed Jerrod, sold her people out, married Shao Kahn of her own accord out of greed and sadism, and was murdered via poison by an unknown culprit who sought revenge against Shao Kahn and chose to exact it by killing his wife.
She'd never questioned it; the false memories felt terrifying natural.
She loved, kissed, and embraced Shao Kahn, unaware of the misery she'd endured thousands of years ago at his hands.
She scorned Kitana and disregarded Jade, turning her affections onto a monstrous clone created to replace Kitana. She volunteered to destroy her precious little girls and their new comrades.
She closed her eyes as the memories played in slow motion in her head, every detail being mentally displayed as if it had occurred yesterday.
Nightwolf, a few lazy yet severe blows to the face and chest that rendered him unconscious.
Johnny Cage, similar attacks but with harsher injuries.
Kabal, the first to die when she stomped upon his respirator, the wheeze he'd let out in reaction to the blow and her sadistic laugh still echoing in her ears.
Stryker, charging at her to avenge his best friend and getting his skull fractured as a reward.
Sub-Zero, the harsh sounds of metal being struck as she destroyed his circuitry.
Jax, his eyes widening as she jammed her heel into his throat.
Smoke, coughing and gasping for air as she trapped his neck from behind and snapped it like a twig.
Sonya, crying out as a kick to the face knocked her out.
Jade, the gasp of horror and pain she let out as Sindel tore out her stomach.
Kitana, begging her to remember her past and resist Shao Kahn's corruption, how she'd simply been too overwhelmed by grief and despair to fight back as Sindel started to suck out her soul.
Nightwolf getting up and calling her a monster, fighting her over and over again until he finally had no choice but to sacrifice himself to kill her.
Then she awoke to find herself trapped in Netherrealm, Quan Chi sneering as he stood over her with the already zombified Kung Lao beside him. He made her watch him transform her victims into his slaves, ignoring her pleas and curses and screams, ending with Kitana and Jade and then ordering her daughters to restrain her as he transformed her. Shortly after that, Liu Kang 'joined' their ranks.
The 'adjustment' was excruciating, mind and body fighting with their new states, a hopeless battle most of them eventually succumbed to and learned to enjoy, if only to end the agony.
Guilt caused her to keep to herself at the beginning of that process, but it did not take long for her patience to snap, desperation to atone for the pain she caused them driving her to join them. They were resistant to her at first, but when she knelt by Kitana and Jade and pulled them into her arms, resting their heads upon her lap and humming to them like they were still children, the others accepted her.
Kuai Liang and Jax might as well have been blank slates, never joining their fellow revenants as they writhed and wept from the anguish. The former did not even seem to notice Smoke reaching out to him, pleading for assistance and comfort, a heartbreaking scene that prompted Nightwolf to hold Smoke's hand and sit with their backs against one another's from then on. Kung Lao and Liu Kang sat in a similar manner, the latter's other hand often clutching Kitana's. Kabal and Stryker would also sit that way.
The remaining revenants hardly noticed or felt anything when Jax, Kuai Liang, and Hanzo Hasashi were freed.
Jade was the sole one to continue resisting, urging them to follow her example. Though she was inspiring in her courage, their strength to keep fighting was weakening by the day, and they believed she was delaying the inevitable.
Even so, Quan Chi saw Jade as a threat that must be dealt with quickly. And soon Jade disappeared, her weapons left behind as mementos which Kitana now wielded, reminders of the mysterious yet tragic cost for ingratitude to their masters.
What little resistance the rest of the revenants may have possessed vanished, the loss of Jade haunting all of them, driving them to complete and utter despondency that they compensated for by growing to enjoy their new lives. Sindel and Kitana were the most vocal about that.
What else was there to do, but accept these devastating events and learn from them?
Sometimes the queen and the princess would sit together, gazing at the staff and razer-boomerang, no words being uttered, a silent remembrance of the woman they loved like family. It was not uncommon for their fellows to join them. No one cried, as if daring to emote a certain way would evoke Quan Chi's wrath. All they were allowed to feel or display was sadism and ire; otherwise they must be bland as stones.
Now Quan Chi was dead and Shinnok was vanquished. Technically, they were free, and now stronger than ever.
Quan Chi's energy grew weaker the more servants he created, which resulted in them becoming weaker as well.
Liu Kang's pyromancy stayed, but he lost the ability to summon small dragon spirits.
Kitana, Kung Lao, and Smoke (or Enenra as he started calling himself once he 'adjusted') lost their teleportation.
Nightwolf could still conjure weapons, albeit red instead of green, but he lost his super-speed and couldn't summon animal spirits.
Kabal too lost his super-speed.
Sindel maintained her banshee screams and magical hair, but she lost her flight.
Stryker possessed no special abilities, relying on normal skill and strength, but he too noticed his strength was lesser.
All of that was fixed not long after the destruction of their masters.
Those power boasts assisted them in taking over Netherrealm.
Liu Kang and Kitana now ruled this realm, with Sindel along with the rest serving as their trusted generals and advisors.
They weren't happy. Rather, they were...satisfied. Mayhap this was the closest they could ever come to happiness.
It stopped feeling forced, now feeling natural, allowing them to truly enjoy their undead lives without the heaviness of weakness and submission crushing their heads and shoulders.
They were comfortable with themselves and with each other, blank slates no longer.
Everyday, they gathered in the throne-room to talk amongst themselves. Liu Kang and Kitana sat on their thrones. Kung Lao and Sindel perched on the armrests. Nightwolf, Enenra, Kabal, and Stryker sat along the dais. They shared memories of their old lives, topics they'd been afraid to discuss in the past.
Sindel spoke of Jerrod. Kitana described how she mastered her favorite techniques. Liu Kang and Kung Lao explained how their friendly rivalry developed. Enenra talked about his time as a Lin Kuei, taking a similar route to Kitana's stories. Nightwolf revealed his birth name was Grey Cloud and that he'd inherited his mantle from his grandmother. Kabal and Stryker spoke of their time as police officers, how they met and became partners.
Kabal occasionally mentioned a wife, whom he and Stryker were certain died during Shao Kahn's invasion. Nobody pushed him to elaborate on his spouse, least of all Sindel. Even if they did try to push the matter, Stryker was bound to put them in their place for daring to harass his best friend.
The main topic they never addressed, a silent understanding amongst them, was Jade. Her memory would eternally stay within their minds, but was best left unaddressed. Not quite pretending she didn't existed, rather a topic engraved so intensely in their hearts and souls that talking about it would be a painful and foolish statement of the obvious.
They rarely talked about their ex-fellows who'd been freed; that was merely a stupid topic not worth their time.
The queen was pulled from her thoughts as a mirthful growl came from near her. A grin crossed her lips and she looked sideways to the dragon, seemingly the incarnation of flames, and those that rode the dragon.
The power renewal did not just return Liu Kang's ability to summon small dragon spirits; it had also awoken within him the ability to transform into a dragon. Seeing as she was capable of flight, she did not need to sit with the others for their aerial travels. Kitana, Kung Lao, Nightwolf, Enenra, Kabal, and Stryker sat on Liu Kang's back.
Everyone wore pleased expressions as they now hovered several feet above the Sea of Blood. Kitana had been holding a bag in front of her and was now retrieving the object inside it. All of the revenants' expressions grew thrice as pleased when she produced the living head of their former lord Shinnok.
Problematic though Raiden might be, none of them were complaining about his delivery of Shinnok's head.
Unlike Quan Chi, Shinnok would suffer at their hands and be forced to learn how pathetic they had truly been for over two decades.
Kitana handed her the head."Care to do the honors, mother?"
"Of course," she replied, accepting it.
Everyone leaned a bit closer as Sindel held Shinnok's head over her own. A wolfish aura filled every single one of them as they savored the moment.
"How far the mighty fall," she coldly remarked.
"And how far they shall continue to fall for eternity," Kitana added.
"While those with thrice their might will rise in their place for eternity," Kung Lao finished.
Liu Kang gave an approving growl. The rest of them grinned.
While they had been speaking, Shinnok had again begun weeping and pleading for mercy, having been rendered a whimpering mess of the monstrous deity they used to serve. He knew he could not so much as try to command them to stop, hence the pointless pleas and tears.
A pity they could not do this to Quan Chi as well.
"Have a nice swim, Lord Shinnok," Sindel spoke with a sickly sweet intonation, well aware that he could not try that either, given his lack of a body, let alone limbs.
"Farewell," the revenants simultaneously declared.
Sindel gave a cackle before launching him downward into the bloody water.
Shinnok could only scream as he rapidly descended into the Sea of Blood, painfully aware of the fact that it was bottomless, and that thus he would descend forever. Tiny splashes of blood struck them. Sindel and Kitana tittered; Kung Lao and Enenra and Kabal burst out laughing; Nightwolf and Stryker made intentionally weak efforts of pretending to cough into their fists; Liu Kang gave a pleased rumble.
Sindel looked to Kung Lao, Enenra, and Kabal."Careful now," she playfully scolded."My hair or hands may not move fast enough to catch you if you fall."
Laughing harder, Kung Lao reminded her:"Enenra and I can teleport."
"We may react fast enough to grab Kabal," Enenra added, glancing over his shoulder at the speedster, who rolled his eyes beneath his mask.
"Thanks, guys," Kabal said dryly, nudging Enenra's shoulder from behind and lifting his head to better look at Kung Lao.
Nightwolf and Stryker rolled their eyes. Since the shaman was sitting between Kung Lao and Enenra, he decided to take advantage of his position to smack the back of Kung Lao's head just below where his hat was whilst digging an elbow into Enenra's gut. Both men grunted and muttered half-hearted apologies for their remarks.
"Apologies not accepted," Kabal said with a snigger."And thanks for the assist, Nightwolf."
"My pleasure," Nightwolf tonelessly replied, a hint of mirth glinting in his eyes.
Liu Kang made a sound resembling a snort. Kitana and Sindel exchanged amused looks.
"Alright, time to go home," Stryker said."I'm starting get worried we actually will fall off if you keep up these antics. Mind you, I'm the only one here without magical powers."
"Worry not, Stryker," Kitana said assuringly."Although I can teleport, you and I and Nightwolf are the only ones not clumsy enough to fall off."
"Point," Stryker agreed, ignoring Kabal tapping an elbow at his chest. Nightwolf hummed in agreement, pretending not to notice Kung Lao and Enenra's playful glares.
Liu Kang snorted once more. Sindel tutted. Noticing her consort and her mother's reactions, Kitana gave a minuscule shrug.
After one last laugh at Shinnok's eternal plight, they headed home.
Upon their return, they saw that they had uninvited guests. As if Raiden hadn't been enough, though his visit at least was partially useful thanks to Shinnok's head.
That said, none of them could guess why the leader of the Seidan Guard would want to come here.
Sindel and Liu Kang stopped mid-flight; those on the latter's back bumped against each other's backs due to the abrupt stop. Everyone looked amongst themselves, uncertain what to make of this, aside from irritation. There was some natural curiosity, but they did not appreciate their newly established circumstances being interrupted, least of all by someone they never met nor had interest in knowing.
Crossing her arms, Sindel glared down at the main gates where Hotaru and a group of soldiers were patiently awaiting their arrival. Some of the demons Liu Kang had beaten into submission must have told them they were away, although how long he'd been waiting for them was unclear.
At the very least, it was clear he meant no trouble. Why else would he be waiting, or bring a small number of people with him? No, Hotaru was not that kind of fool.
Their curiosity was now beginning to match their irritation.
They weren't against attacking unwanted visitors, but what fun or use could that be here and now? Even Tarkatans (most of them) in the present times lacked that impulsiveness.
They shared looks amongst themselves, then slowly nodded in wordless agreement. They should go down to talk with these visitors first.
"Perhaps only one of us should go," Sindel suggested."A test to see how diplomatic he truly means to be."
Kitana hummed thoughtfully."Whilst we monitor from a distance and in the shadows."
Enenra raised his hand."Allow me to handle that."
They all agreed, and so Liu Kang flew away from the scene after Enenra had teleported.
Sindel waited a minute afore calling out to Hotaru, startling his men. Hotaru watched her with a neutral expression as she descended. Once she landed in front of him, he bowed his head.
"Queen Sindel," he spoke."It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
"General Hotaru," she returned."This is unexpected." She motioned to the area around them."And hopefully not unwelcome," she added dryly.
Hotaru nodded."Yes, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with your rulers. I assume they sent you to pass on a message from me." It was not a question, so she did not bother to verbally or bodily confirm his words.
"I will get straight to point," he said."I have come here on behalf of Lord Raiden." She almost jumped, but said nothing as he went on."He wishes to propose an alliance with Netherrealm."
Sindel laughed, not knowing how else to react."Raiden? Why in the-"
"Allow me to finish," Hotaru said, which she reluctantly and irritably did."He understands you may hesitate, of course." That was putting it mildly."But he implores that you hear him out. He sent me to-"
"Gauge our reactions, as I was sent to gauge yours," she said.
"Yes." He nodded once more."He is occupied with cleaning up Kotal Kahn's messes. And he hopes you enjoyed his gift."
She laughed again."That is the one good thing he has given us, and even that came with threats and insults."
"Perhaps," Hotaru began as he looked to one of his men, who stepped forward and handed her a small, fancy box. She accepted it with equals parts annoyance and honest interest."This gift will open your mind to his request, and win your trust."
Sindel glanced suspiciously at the box and back to Hotaru, who gestured to the item in encouragement. She looked at it for a long moment before undoing the lock and lifting the lid. She nearly dropped the box the second she saw its contents:
The Netherrealm Kamidogu.