Chapter Text
"Sometimes we're loyal to more than one thing. When there's a conflict, we have to choose which loyalty to honor."
― Claudia Gray, Lost Stars
Maintaining his invisibility, Reptile trekked along a path outside the borders of imperial domain. There was no guarantee he would find what, or whom, he sought here, but what other options existed?
A risk of failure, perhaps the biggest he had experienced, or repetition of an old one. No risk, no reward, and this reward was worth everything. Even if he failed, he would not weep or shudder; he would return to his emperor and find other ways to aid their battle, or work with what they had.
He was ashamed of the past, no longer afraid. Not the kind of terror a foe demanded.
And so he held his head high and back straight, determination driving him.
It grimly amused him to think how far his loyalty and camaraderie towards Kotal had come. Their unofficial first meeting involved him sleeping with one eye open whilst the Osh-Tekk warrior decided not to kill him as Shao Kahn ordered him to. Their official first meeting involved the Zaterran kneeling before him as Shao Kahn expressed his reservations about Kotal's decision to take Reptile under his command.
To say Reptile had been wary of his new commander would be an understatement, but over time, Kotal earned his trust, respect, loyalty, and friendship. He had even revealed his true name, Syzoth, to Kotal. And so he hadn't thought twice before rushing to protect his comrade from Mileena's sai.
He did not spend every waking moment anticipating Shao Kahn declaring he had outlived his usefulness, did not anticipate Mileena losing interest in his existence, his skills were needed and his presence was wanted. It was no blind servitude; a home, a purpose, a true life worth fighting for however possible. Death did not terrify him, nor was he suicidal, simply careful and proud.
Of course, he would be a foolish liar if he tried to deny feelings of disquiet and shame. It was deserved, for what he considered to be his worst and most foolish mistake, ruining a possibility to save his race without relying on tyrants. Not a day went by that he did not hate himself for it.
For years, his mind was balancing toward a breaking point and when the solution formed, he all but destroyed it, let Shao Kahn's influence make him think everything was too good to be true, that it was impossible without the emperor's power. And so he attacked and drove the chance away, and stayed under Shao Kahn's heel, becoming an animal struggling with his thoughts and wallowing in his own misery, until ten years ago when he pledged his allegiance to Kotal Kahn.
His senses now piqued, knowing he was getting closer.
His body tensed as it was becoming certain he was not alone. Invisibility mattered not for him nor for them, sight was not the necessary sense at this second.
Footsteps, claws, hisses, growls, scents.
They were surrounding him, though not intending to attack. Violence was pointless here and now.
Reptile allowed himself to be seen, and so did those around him.
They were like him, similar claws and tongues. Others had stronger camouflage. They were Raptors, Saurian instead of Zaterran. The Zaterran origin only applied to him and the two whom he sought.
A duo of footsteps belonging to those two stopped a few feet in front of him. In unison the duo made themselves seen. Fraternal twins with practically identical names.
Khameleon's wavy hair and limbs were translucent. Her headband, mask, leotard, gauntlets and boots occasionally changed color. Her eyes glowed white. Her weapon of choice, a falchion, was strapped to her back. She was the matriarch that led this group.
Chameleon too possessed translucent skin. So too did his headband, mask, shoulder pads, pants, and boots switch color every now and then. His eyes glowed green. A simpler sword was strapped to his back. He served as the matriarch's second-in-command.
Their voices slightly differed, hers being deep and hoarse while his deeper and clearer. Together, they spoke his true name: "Syzoth." Both twins were torn between shock and curiosity.
The rest of their group materialized. Half resembled humans and the others shared some of Reptile's harsher appearance. None bore the characteristics of the twins.
Forcing himself to meet Khameleon's gaze, Reptile knelt and then bowed his head low. This was as much to show respect for her matriarchal status as due to fighting with his nerves over seeing her again after their last...far from happy encounter and everything that had changed for both of them since then.
Reptile had bonded with Kotal over the destruction of their realms and people at Shao Kahn's hand. Eventually, however, Reptile truly came to understand he was not as alone as he'd thought.
These siblings came from his realm, but it took him so long to comprehend and accept that, Shao Kahn's brainwashing and his own struggling sanity making him unable and unwilling to see the truth.
Zaterra's former inhabitants remained in himself, Khameleon, and Chameleon. The Saurians around him never left Earthrealm and thus were spared Shao Kahn's conquest. At some point, Khameleon and Chameleon had found them and brought them to Outworld to quietly rebuild their race and form a new home. The Raptors were together again and would flourish in the centuries to come.
When Reptile had discovered this, he'd broken down in a mix of joy and dismay. Because his race was not destroyed, yet he felt unworthy of rejoining them. He feared he had forgotten what it really meant to be a Raptor, and his focus on their existence was questionable given his betrayal of Khameleon.
Some time before Shao Kahn's tenth tournament against Earthrealm, she had found and come to him, overjoyed to tears over her search as she begged him to go with her. He too was overwhelmed with joy, yet he was painfully, dreadfully unable to fully realize this solution and salvation. Shao Kahn drove him against her, calling her a liar, insisting it was a trick, and other manipulations that broke his lackey's mind for a promise he would never care to keep.
Khameleon had pleaded for Reptile to join her, to forget that tyrant, even as she was forced to fight him off. More danger formed around her, from the person she believed she could trust most and the monster responsible for her grief, and from more incoming enemies, forced her to flee.
He had not known about Chameleon, who too served Shao Kahn, not as clearly and intensely as Reptile did. Chameleon had never trusted him, a distrust not entirely unfounded, and thus he kept himself secret from his kinsman. Of course, the emperor preferred that.
The twins found each other after she'd escaped Shao Kahn and Reptile, family separated since childhood, believing one another to be dead. They fled together and disconnected themselves from the emperor and the fellow Raptor that they declared a lost cause. Now here they were, restoring and guiding their people to a new beginning.
Reptile hadn't pondered much of leadership, desperation to just have his kinsman back consuming his soul to a delusive point. As it turned out, he was good for neither of those goals. It hurt and heartened him to know they were thriving, with or without him. Better this than extinction and despair. Until now shame had prevented him from seeing them, and every feeling he'd endured in regards to this stung at its worst.
Khameleon took a step forward, inclining her head as she studied him."You are actually here," she said softly, stepping thrice more so she stood directly before him. Sensing his unease and needing to be certain his face was the one from her memories, she reached out to place two fingers under his chin to make him face her. A mix of an exhale and a scoff escaped her once he complied.
Releasing him, Khameleon stood straight and turned toward her subordinates."Go. I will handle this." She made a gesture at them; they made themselves scarce. When Chameleon remained, she shook her head at him."You as well, brother." Her voice was quiet but firm.
Hesitating, he tensed and was looking to Reptile with eyes that would be narrowed if he had pupils. He clenched his fists, a protest on the tip of his tongue. Lifting a hand to stop him, she added,"Please."
Chameleon glanced at her, then to Reptile. Nonetheless, he complied.
Once it appeared they were alone, Khameleon turned to Reptile. Sighing, she folded her arms over her chest and shook her head."I cannot decide if this is too good or too bad to be true," she remarked, voice and eyes hinting a mix of wistfulness and uncertainty. Moving closer, she went on,"I never thought I would see you again, never been certain if I wanted to either."
Swallowing his hesitation, he too moved closer and shook his head."I do not blame you," he said quietly."What I did...and said-"
"I do not remember much of what you might have said," she interrupted, just as quietly."I primarily remember fleeing for my life, I could not understand a sound I was hearing from anyone, truth be told." She kept moving nearer."I can guess, though." She gave a shrug, now stopping before him.
"I am sorry," he breathed."That changes nothing, is nowhere near enough to fix-" He was cut off as she lowered her mask and reached out to grab his arm.
"Do not mistake this for forgiveness," she stated with a ghost of a smile."But I am pleased that you are doing better, after everything that has happened. I suppose we both are in our own ways." She met his eyes."I can guess why you came to us."
He was not shocked. Part of him wanted to explain while another part was glad she figured it out right away. One did not survive this long as a member of an endangered race by being oblivious or unobservant.
She chewed her lip."We saw the storm, heard the…attacker."
Reptile shut his eyes."All of Outworld did," he muttered."As that devil wanted, I suspect."
"Raiden." Her body tensed as she spoke."Which was louder, his lightning or his laughter." She looked him over, taking note of his wounds.
"I was lucky," he stated with a hiss of contempt for Raiden."This is naught compared to what he inflicted on our soldiers. Even the Kahn is better shape than them! He would have done far worse if not for-"
"Your emperor declaring Mortal Kombat," she icily interrupted."I cannot form any other explanation for an attacker suddenly giving up and leaving." She sighed and folded her arms."Which is why you are here. To seek help for your emperor."
"Yes." Mincing words would do no good for anybody."But I bring more than merely pleas for-"
"Pleas?" she interrupted."I have not met Kotal Kahn; what I have heard does not sound like someone who pleads."
"You do not know him, let alone as I do." Reptile felt an ounce of pride as he mentioned that.
Khameleon inclined her head."Should I feel relieved or worried about that?"
"I will let you decide that for yourself." He then waved a hand to brush aside the banter as he went on."But I did not run to you to simply beg for help. The Kahn has an offer to ensure your people rise."
"My people?" she uttered, lifting a brow, unclear if his wording discomforted her.
Reptile tensed, and gave a headshake."They are not mine, not you or your brother or those from Earthrealm. I do not deserve that."
"Syzoth-" She cut herself off with an exhale and dropped the argument."What is he offering?"
"A place in his court, more power for you."
Khameleon tapped her fingertips on her elbows while saying,"For a moment, I was wondering if he was insane enough to offer splitting Zaterra from Outworld."
"That is impossible!" Reptile snapped despite himself."And dangerous beyond words!"
She hummed in agreement."I am aware, hence the insane part." She snorted."Do I look like an Edenian Rebel to you? I am uninterested in taking that explosive a risk nor bringing back something long dead and associated with little except pain."
Turning away from him, she began to pace as she considered the offer."We have been on the sidelines for some time, though," she acknowledged, pausing and touching her chin thoughtfully."Rising that way is something our people have been thinking about and wanting for an even longer time. Fitting that this comes up now." She sent him an offended stare, and added,"Even if it involves pretending no one is yet there."
Reptile gave another headshake."As I said, I do not deserve that connection. I am a guard and advisor to the emperor, nothing beyond that."
Refolding her arms, she replied,"Mayhap you have a point with that, but I disagree." Her stare softened."You are one of us, regardless of who likes or hates it. Both of us can think of whoever fits which group. But that debate means little here and now."
He could tell she was close to accepting, so he went on."Raiden will not give up, not until the Kahn, myself and the others are dead, perhaps worse. He will go through every part of Outworld, make anyone and anything he finds aware of what he desires." He stiffened."He may go to you first. The Kahn needs help, and your people need safety. We can provide you that."
Somberly, she nodded, and restarted pacing in further contemplation of the offer. Though anxious on the inside, he maintained his patience as he awaited her choice.
Khameleon stopped, and turned to him. Stepping closer, she met his gaze and dipped her chin. Her voice grew cautious."Very well. Our people will join you and your emperor."
Reptile kept silent, expecting her to say more.
She clasped her hands behind her back, and straightened her posture."I am coming with you, so will my brother, we are leaving the others here, at least until we can be sure of some things."
Reptile relaxed, accepting her declarations.
Ermac had existed to serve Shao Kahn, whether to fight and kill, or act as a living prison, the latter an ideal punishment for the most irritating enemies. Fitting that Shao Kahn now suffered that punishment.
Truthfully, he was not certain how he ended up containing Shao Kahn's soul, only that he sensed his presence one day. Perhaps enchantment as a failsafe to protect his master until he could be restored.
Shao Kahn was silent for a time as Ermac served Mileena, content that his will was being fulfilled. Ermac supposed he was waiting for Mileena to establish a strong rule amongst Outworld that he could return to once he was restored. He did not react until Mileena was overthrown, cursing her betrayers, demanding that her reign be restored. Ermac acted swiftly, protecting her, conspiring with her, everything to ensure she regained the throne.
As the years passed, he started to falter, a lingering feeling in the back of his mind that slowly but surely grew. He managed to suppress it, ignoring it as best as he could, continuing to serve his master's will, but he could not deny the growing doubts. Perhaps it was his own sense of rationality being encouraged by other souls within him, an urge to seek a purpose outside his creators' orders. It finally surfaced once the Blood Code was ended, emotions unleashing as he realized Mileena's failures outweighed her temporary successes. A waste of time and effort, a hindrance to Outworld's safety and stability.
He did not regret that; he was honored to be part of Kotal's entourage as he helped to lead, guide, and protect Outworld. He was satisfied with the decisions he had made for himself, feeling free and alive, something he had not known he wanted for so long.
Yet in the back of his mind, there was a sting of guilt that rationality and honor could not get rid of. Mileena's shock, anger, and verge on pleas when he declared his intentions to join Kotal's side, the most vulnerable he had seen her. Ermac had given her the opportunity to flee the island before the others recovered, but when Ermac knelt before Kotal and offered his services, the emperor commanded that he prove his intentions by arresting Mileena. And so Ermac caught up to Mileena and captured her, though she was later freed by Tanya. He would be lying if he denied feeling sadness over Mileena's execution.
Recently, Ermac found himself thinking about his other 'sister'. Skarlet had not been all that different from Ermac, a construct created from the essences of others' lives and existed only to serve, not to think or want anything for oneself. After their master was killed, she had tried to convince him to side with her, reminding him of their similarities and imploring him to understand, but he chose that master's will and did not spare her a glance.
Ermac had not seen or heard anything of Skarlet in the seven years since the Blood Code, when he had restrained her during her battle with Mileena so the clone could destroy her legs. Ermac had no clue what happened to Skarlet after. Her conspirators might have decided that she outlived her usefulness and killed her, or she somehow escaped. She was missing and presumed dead, because the potential betrayals, and deaths, of her allies at the time rendered her helpless and alone, vulnerable and as good as dead. That lack of answers left him similarly saddened and guilty.
Ermac shut his eyes as he walked down the halls. A spark of an emotion he could not identify had come out of nowhere, urging him to head this way. No matter how capable he grew at suppressing emotions from the souls within him, some slipped through. Shao Kahn did so a handful of times. They did not last long, except this time, yet this was not Shao Kahn. He opened his eyes and continued walking; he was getting closer, to what he was uncertain until this moment.
The armory. He rarely came here, relying on his powers rather than weaponry. He looked around, and startled as his eyes locked onto the weapon he sought: an intricate black and grey axe with a green and red symbol at the top. It had not been wielded for years, but was still in decent condition and would be useful with basic tending. As he took the axe from its place and examined it, he realized what that emotion and this weapon were:
Determination. And this axe belonged to King Jerrod of Edenia. Shao Kahn took this as a trophy, tending and admiring it above the others. Whenever he was bored, this entertained him the most. It had been forgotten after his death, hence its lesser condition. Jerrod's soul led him here.
Ermac had known from the beginning that Jerrod's soul was among those within him; Shao Kahn had taken special pleasure in defeating the fallen king, as well as taking his wife and daughter as prizes, so why not add to his pleasure by making the man witness this in a magical prison. Jerrod had been silent for a time, suppressed by the other souls in the construct. The sorcery used to create Ermac was too powerful. Or perhaps it been a gradual rebellion as he tried to fight from the inside?
Was Jerrod the reason for Ermac eventually developing a logical mindset and switching sides? Did he realize that there was too much chaos within the being of 10,000 souls and decide to soothe it? It was a comforting thought, and required patience, but was there really much choice for anyone in that situation?
Shutting his eyes, Ermac settled into deep focus, trying to reach out to Jerrod's soul to directly communicate with him. No luck. Jerrod was resisting, willing to guide but not too closely, not yet anyway. He wanted something first. Ermac could guess what.
Freedom? No response. Then what? Maybe freedom in addition to something else. Or someone else. Sindel and Kitana? Did he want Ermac to seek them out and help him reunite with his loved ones? This time, a response: yes.
Ermac opened his eyes and stared at the axe in his hands in contemplation. Doing that was risky, but they must do what was necessary to win and survive. If he could reveal the truth to Sindel and Kitana, convince them to ally with Kotal…he had to try. Reptile had gone to seek help from people he was uncertain but hopeful would join them, so Ermac should do the same.
Jerrod agreed to the terms. So Ermac took a deep breath, and resolved to explain this to his emperor before seeking out Jerrod's family.