Chapter III

"Transfer of Power"

Two years had gone by since Ash brought Sareena into Shao Kahn's fortress. She was always introduced as his servant girl and her presence, for the most part, went unnoticed. In that time, she and Ash had grown very close, like a brother and sister. Reiko still didn't care for her though. He never liked children and between her always being with Ash and Kitana always being with Shao Kahn, he felt surrounded. Sareena hadn't warmed to Reiko either. She could tell he didn't like her, which actually was fine by her anyway. She thought he was creepy and weird.

One day, Ash and Reiko were summoned to see Shao Kahn in the throne room. Preparations were being made the next Mortal Kombat tournament and Kahn had yet to decide who would represent Outworld as Champion. Ash and Reiko entered the throne room where Kahn sat waiting for them. Shang Tsung was also there, already kneeling before Kahn. Tsung was also being considered to represent Outworld and he very much wanted this honor, figuring if won he would be celebrated as the champion who defeated Earth. Lately he had been training Kitana extra hard and offering his services to Kahn for even the slightest task.

"Ash. Reiko. Come close." Kahn ordered, motioning them to approach the throne. Ash, Reiko, and Tsung knelt before the throne as Kahn spoke "As you know, we are beginning preparations the next Mortal Kombat, and I must choose one of my warriors to represent Outworld. It is of extreme importance the this champion have the strength and skill to best our opponents' fighters. We have come too far to lose now." Kahn rose from the throne and approached the three warriors and said "So, this is why I have chosen you, Ash, to represent Outworld."

Ash looked up at Kahn surprised by this decision and humbly said "It is an honor to represent you in this tournament, my lord. I swear I shall use all my power to bring our enemies to their knees."

"Excellent. Now rise." Kahn said pleased. Ash, Reiko and Shang Tsung rose to their feet and Ash humbly bowed again. Reiko could see that Tsung was not pleased with this decision.

Kahn was about to speak again when he was suddenly interrupted by someone shouting "Lord Kahn! I demand a word with you!" The shouting belonged to Sindel who stormed into the throne room and straight to Shao Kahn.

"You demand..?" Kahn sneered, shocked at this interruption.

"Yes demand!" Sindel snarled. "I said I would be your bride on the condition that no harm would come to my daughter! However, in the past eight years I have barely seen her! I am forbidden to see and speak to my own daughter?! Whenever I am allowed to see her, we are never alone! We are watched at all times! And now I have not seen her at all in the past two months! So I demand to know where Kitana is! Where is my daughter you bastard?!"

"You demand NOTHING from me!" Kahn shouted infuriated. "I have honored my promise to never harm Kitana and I can assure you that she is quite safe! You are in no position to demand anything from me! I decide when and how long you see Kitana and if I want you watched with her, then you had best deal with it! Now get out of my sight!"

"No! I will not stand aside and watch you corrupt my daughter any longer! I will not stand aside and watch you turn my daughter into one of your monsters! I won't stand for it!" Sindel screamed leaving the throne room.

Ash could only watch in stunned silence this sudden outburst. He looked at Reiko who seemed unconcerned with the whole thing. He then looked Tsung and noticed a slight hint of a smile on his face.

"Pay no matter to her. She is irrelevant." Kahn sneered looking at Ash. "On to important matters, Ash you will represent Outworld in Mortal Kombat. You and Tsung are now dismissed. Reiko, stay here. I wish to speak with you."

Ash and Shang Tsung bowed and left the throne room while Kahn motioned Reiko to follow him onto a balcony outside. From the balcony, they could see for miles; the blood red sea, the scorched mountains and the faded sun.

"I was curious to see your reaction to my choosing Ash." Kahn said looking at Reiko. "As I suspected. I can see in you eyes. Not a hint of jealousy or ambition." he continued with a laugh. "I know as well as you that you're a much better fighter than Ash. However, I need you here Reiko. You truly are my best warrior. Unquestioned loyalty and unparalleled efficiency. I can only hope I can create that same kind of devotion in Kitana. You are the son I should have had." As Kahn said this Reiko couldn't help but be a little surprised. He had never expected this kind of praise, especially not from Shao Kahn. "Once we take the Earth, your loyalty will not go ignored. Once all of reality is under my control, I shall grant dominion of some of the realms to you Reiko." Each word was a shock to Reiko. "And I am certain that Kitana shall grow into a fine woman. When the time comes, I hope that you will be willing to take her as your bride." He then paused, probably to allow those words to sink into Reiko. "And, if the time should ever come, I want you to take my place as Emperor of Outworld. I trust you will continue my legacy." Kahn then patted Reiko on the shoulder and said "You are dismissed, general."

Reiko returned to his chamber still trying to take in everything that Kahn had said to him. He kept repeating the words in his head, but he could not grasp it all. Never, in all his years of service, had he expected to named Kahn's successor. To be named the betrothed husband of the princess. Nothing could have prepared him for all of that.

Reiko sat in his chamber staring at the wall for about an hour trying to come to grips with what Kahn had said when Sareena came running in.

"Reiko! Ash sent me to find you! He said he needs you to get to the queen's chamber. It's important." she said quickly and then ran off. Reiko rose and composed himself and went to queen Sindel's chamber where he found Shao Kahn, with Kitana clinging to his leg, Shang Tsung and Ash standing over what looked like a dead body. As Reiko came close he saw that it was Sindel, her wrists were cut.

"The queen has committed suicide." Shang Tsung said solemnly. "It seems her grief was too much for her."

"So it seems." Ash said grimly, glaring at Tsung.

"Such a waste." Kahn sighed as he started to walk away. "Tsung, I want you to take care of the body."

"It will be done, my lord." Tsung answered. As Kahn left, he noticed that Kitana was no longer with him. She was still staring at Sindel's body, crying.

"Kitana, come." Kahn ordered, but she didn't move. "Kitana! Now!" He ordered again. This time she left and returned to his side and they left Sindel's chamber.

"Generals if you'll excuse me." Tsung said, pointing at the door. Reiko began to leave, Ash was still glaring at Tsung.

"You go on ahead Reiko. I want to have a talk with Shang here." Ash closed the door as Reiko left and walked toward Tsung.

"Something troubling you general?" Tsung asked indifferently.

"Enough. What did you do to the queen?" Ash demanded.

"What did I do? The queen committed suicide. I was with the Shadow Priests..."

"Quiet! Don't think I haven't seen you with the queen. Whispering in her ear, poisoning her thoughts. You drove her to this didn't you? You made the queen kill herself!"

"Hold your tongue, boy. Don't make accusations you can't support." Tsung hissed and walked over to the window. "The queen sought my council and I gave it to her. How could I have known what she'd do?"

"Council? Do you really think I'm that stupid sorcerer?!"

"Suppose I did compel the queen to kill herself, what business is it of yours? What did you care about the queen? Anything I did, I did for the good of the Emperor."

"What?! Who are you to decide what's best for lord Kahn?" Ash yelled, outraged at Tsung's audacity.

"You realize that Kahn actually felt something for the queen? For her little brat, too? His sympathy for these whores will be his undoing, mark my words!" Tsung snarled.

"Don't try to fool me with your lying words sorcerer! You care nothing for what's best for lord Kahn! You only care about your rank!"

"I have worked far too hard and too long to watch my rank be overshadowed by a pair of Edenian bitches."

"Enough! You will not get away with this betrayal sorcerer! I'll tell lord Kahn of your treachery and I'll see to it you suffer a painful death!" Ash yelled as he left the queen's chamber. As Ash left, Shang Tsung began to smile.

Ash quickly ran to the throne room where he had hoped to warn Kahn about Tsung's disloyalty. He charged into the throne room yelling "Lord Kahn! There is something you must know...." Ash trailed off when he saw Shang Tsung standing beside Kahn, bruised and bloodied.

"I agree Ash." Kahn said calmly. "Lord Tsung here has told me that you attacked him just a few moments ago. Would you care to tell me why?"

"I did not attack him! And I came to tell you that he's the reason Queen Sindel killed herself!"

"See my lord! It's as I said, he blames me for the queen's death. I don't understand why..." Tsung began to complain.

"He lies! He poisoned her thoughts and he drove her to suicide!" Ash quickly interrupted.

"These are ravings. This is what he yelled to me as he beat me."

"I did not lay a hand on him my lord!"

"The why is my blood on your hands general?!" Tsung snarled.

Suddenly Ash noticed that his hands were stained with blood. "This is sorcerer's magic! Do not believe him my lord!"

"Lord Kahn, he did beat me. The other Shadow Priests saw it with their own eyes." As Tsung said this, five Shadow Priests who were standing behind him all nodded in unison.

"He has corrupted them with his lies and trickery and now he seeks to turn you against me! My lord, I have served you loyally since you first took up arms, why would I betray your trust now?"

"Indeed." Kahn answered. "Tell me Tsung, why should I take your word over Ash's when I have never had to question him before?"

"Honestly my lord, I suspect the servant girl whom he took in just two years ago."

"Leave her out of this sorcerer!" Ash shouted.

"Do you not recall my lord, that this girl suddenly became his servant after he was sent to 'quell' a potential rebellion? Perhaps this girl has been corrupting his mind, making him suspect things..."

"It's a lie! Sareena is no rebel!" Ash yelled.

"Perhaps we should ask her? Maybe she can shed some light on Ash's behavior?" Tsung hissed.

"Perhaps we should. Summon Ash's servant girl." Kahn wondered.

"No! Leave her out of this!!" Ash shouted again. Ash knew from experience that if Sareena was dragged into this she'd only get hurt or worse.

"No? You defy me?" Kahn asked.

"If she be just a simple servant girl then why do you care about her so much?" Tsung demanded.

"I will not allow you to harm her sorcerer!" Ash proclaimed drawing his sword.

"Ash! What is the meaning of this?!" Kahn demanded, outraged.

"Look how quick he is to defend her! She's just a servant girl yet he's ready to kill for her!" Tsung yelled.

"I've had enough of your tongue bastard!" Ash screamed lunging at Tsung. However, unfortunately for Ash, Tsung used his sorcery to deceive Ash's eyes. Instead at attacking Tsung, he attacked Shao Kahn.

The blade cut into Kahn's arm, drawing his blood. With his eyes now burning with rage Kahn bellowed "You dare strike me!!" and in a blind fury he shot a green energy spear through Ash's chest. Ash flew ten feet away from throne and landed hard on the marble floor.

"Guards! Seize him, he just attacked the Emperor!" Tsung began to scream. As Ash lay on the floor he realized that he had been played by Tsung. Badly hurt and losing a lot of blood, Ash pulled himself to his feet and ran out of the throne room.

Ash desperately made his way through the halls of Shao Kahn's fortress trying to reach Reiko's chamber. He knew he had lost and that he was going to die, but only one thing mattered to him now.

He burst into Reiko's chamber and said "Reiko! I was right....about Tsung." Ash collapsed onto the floor and Reiko ran over to him. He could not think of what to do, Ash's wound was too large and he had already lost too much blood. "Listen...." Ash continued, "he made the queen....kill herself....and now....he's convinced lord Kahn....that Sareena and I....are traitors...." he stopped to cough up some blood, "he'll do the same....to you....he wants....our rank...." he coughed again, "I want you.....to promise me something....." he pulled Reiko close and struggled to say "I want you....to get Sareena out of here and....I want you to watch over her...." Reiko suddenly sneered at this suggestion. "Promise me....you'll look out for her....don't let anything happen to her...." Reiko looked unsure. He didn't want anything to do with Sareena. And doing this would mean leaving Kahn's army forever. "Promise me....please..." Ash began to fade away and Reiko solemnly nodded. Ash smiled and whispered "Thanks....brother..." And with that, Ash died.

Reiko stood up and stared at Ash's body. He then made one last solemn bow before his fallen sworn brother and then began to run to Ash's chamber. Reiko ran into the chamber and found Sareena asleep on her bed. He could hear some guards on their way outside so he didn't have time to wake her up gently. He grabbed Sareena's arm and pulled her out of bed and ran out of Ash's chamber. Sareena tried to mumble something that Reiko couldn't quite make out, but he didn't care. He quickly and quietly made his way to the front entrance.

The entrance was being guarded by ten sentinels. Reiko motioned Sareena to stay down and quiet and he began to approach the guards. Before any words could be uttered Reiko unleashed several ninja stars which downed four guards instantly. Two more were taken out by an attack maneuver called the Flip Kick. Reiko then took a spear form one of the downed guards and killed the last four.

With the guards out of the way, Reiko grabbed Sareena by the arm and pulled her with him. They ran out the front entrance and didn't stop for at least two miles. Reiko threw Sareena into a ditch and they both took cover in it.

"What the hell's going on? Why are you dragging me all over the place? And where the hell is Ash?" Sareena demanded trying to catch her breathe, but she got no answer. "Look, I know you don't talk for some reason but would it kill you to at least give me an idea of what's going on?" Reiko turned at looked at Sareena ready to offer some kind of answer. "Where is Ash?" she asked again.

Reiko then dragged his thumb across his throat. Sareena suddenly felt as though she was stabbed in the gut. "Dead..? He's dead?" Reiko nodded and began to look around to make sure no one was coming.

Sareena suddenly grabbed Reiko by his shirt and yelled "Where were you?! Why didn't you help him?!" Tears began to well up in her eyes, but Reiko still wouldn't answer. "Why didn't you help him?! You were his friend! He said you were like his brother! Why didn't you help him?! Why did you let him die?! Why?! Why?! Answer me you freak!!"

Reiko looked at Sareena who was getting hysterical. Although he couldn't say it, he understood her grief. Ash was like a brother to him and he did wish he could have been there to help. Sareena then started to scream at him again. "Why didn't you help him?! Why?! WHY?! WH-" Sareena was cut off by Reiko punching her in the stomach. She sank to her knees, coughed and passed out on the ground. Although Reiko understood her grief, he needed her to calm down and be quiet.

Reiko picked Sareena up and carried her away. He needed a place to hide out, although he wasn't sure where to go or what to do. He knew better than anyone, you can't hide from Shao Kahn in Outworld. Reiko placed Sareena on the ground by a river and sat down. He tried to think of what to do, but no answers were coming.

"It looks like you could use some help general." a voice whispered from behind Reiko. The voice was a deep slimy voice that felt like spiders crawling in the dark. He turned to see who said that and it was a bald man with a white face and black tattoos over his eyes. He wore spiked black armor and he had blood red eyes.

"My name is Quan Chi. Perhaps I may be of some assistance to you?"

End of Chapter III