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Deceptive Mirage: Mileena's Kombat Fantasia by Jade Gretz

Mileena, her crimson veil a stark contrast to the bone-chilling fog rolling off the Dead Pool, stalked through the skeletal remains of a long-forgotten city. Every krokodeen denizen of Outworld knew the Dead Pool was a cursed place, a graveyard where even the souls of the damned dared not tread. Yet, here she was, Mileena, Princess of Outworld and adopted daughter of Shao Kahn, drawn to its depths by a power both alluring and terrifying.

Whispers had reached her ear – whispers of a hidden amulet, an artifact rumored to amplify Tarkatan rage, a rage that already coursed fiercely within Mileena's own veins. The constant battle between her Edenian heritage and Tarkatan biology was a war she fought daily, a war that fueled the grotesque grin perpetually etched on half of her face. The amulet, these whispers promised, would grant her complete control, turning her into the ultimate warrior, a predator unmatched in all of Outworld.

Ignoring the gnawing unease in her gut, Mileena pressed on. The fog thickened, obscuring even the faint glow of Outworld's two moons. The eerie silence was broken only by the rasping of unseen creatures and the chilling wind that seemed to whisper her name.

Then, it appeared – a dilapidated ziggurat, its broken spires clawing at the shrouded sky. In the heart of the ziggurat, bathed in an unnatural purple light, lay the amulet. Its obsidian surface pulsed with an energy that resonated with the Tarkatan side of Mileena.

As she approached, a spectral figure emerged from the shadows – Quan Chi, the enigmatic sorcerer. His yellow eyes gleamed with a predatory glint. "Mileena," he rasped, his voice a dry whisper. "You've come for your birthright."

A flicker of doubt crossed Mileena's mind. Shao Kahn had always warned her of Quan Chi's manipulative ways. But the allure of the amulet, the promise of absolute control, was too strong to resist.

"The amulet," she demanded, her tone laced with impatience. "Hand it over."

Quan Chi chuckled, a sound like wind rattling through a graveyard. "Ah, but power never comes free, Princess." His eyes flickered towards the amulet, then back to her. "The amulet requires a sacrifice. A piece of your humanity."

Mileena scowled. "Humanity? I have little need for such a weakness." She reached for the amulet, but Quan Chi's spectral hand shot out, stopping her.

"Think carefully, Princess," he hissed. "True power comes at a price. Are you willing to pay it?"

Mileena hesitated, a tremor of fear momentarily disrupting her bravado. However, the image of Kitana, her supposed twin sister, flashed in her mind – Kitana, the epitome of Edenian elegance, forever favored by Shao Kahn. Mileena wouldn't be denied.

With a growl, she ripped off her veil, revealing the grotesque side of her face in all its glory. "Take it," she snarled, thrusting the veil towards Quan Chi. "I have no need for such illusions. This is who I truly am!"

Quan Chi smirked, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. He snatched the veil and tossed it into the purple light. It disintegrated with a shriek, as if consumed by a ravenous beast.

Then, he placed the amulet around Mileena's neck. A surge of dark energy shot through her, a primal power settling deep within her core. She roared, a guttural sound that echoed through the ziggurat, the sound of a feral beast unleashed.

The fog swirled around her, taking on the shape of grotesque Tarkatan demons. They snarled and clawed, but Mileena tore through them with a newfound savagery. Her razor-sharp sais became instruments of horrific efficiency, ripping and tearing at her spectral foes.

But with each kill, with each burst of bloodlust, a change came over her. The other half of her face, the Edenian half, began to fade. The smooth skin roughened, the beautiful blue eye started to cloud with a milky Tarkatan white.

She reveled in the power, feeling invincible. This was what she was meant to be – a pure Tarkatan warrior, a predator without remorse. Kitana would tremble before her, Shao Kahn would acknowledge her true strength.

But as the last demon dissolved into mist, a chilling reality settled over Mileena. The fog had cleared, revealing the desolate landscape of the Dead Pool. And staring back at her from a nearby shard of polished obsidian was a monstrous figure – a full-fledged Tarkatan, its face a grotesque reflection of her own.

Panic roared through her like a trapped beast. She clawed at the amulet, trying to rip it off, but it wouldn't budge. The price Quan Chi spoke of – it wasn't just her humanity

– it was her very identity. Her Edenian half, the remnants of the princess she could have been, were gone, consumed by the Tarkatan rage she had so readily embraced.

Tears, hot and sticky against her roughened skin, streamed down Mileena's face. But these weren't the tears of a lost Edenian princess; they were the frustrated roars of a caged beast. The power she craved had come at a terrible cost.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the Dead Pool, a scream that held the anguish of a lost identity and the terrifying realization of a future filled with nothing but primal rage. The fog began to swirl once more, coiling around her like a shroud, obscuring the monstrous figure from sight.

Mileena stumbled through the Dead Pool, no longer the warrior princess draped in crimson, but a ravenous beast driven by a hunger that could never be satiated. The power of the amulet surged through her veins, a constant reminder of her folly.

Days turned into weeks, then months. Mileena became a terrifying wraith haunting the desolate corners of Outworld. The Tarkatan warriors, who had once revered her ferocity, now cowered in fear. Even Baraka, the ruthless warlord of the Tarkatan horde, felt a tremor of unease at the sight of the monstrous being that claimed Mileena's name.

One night, as she stalked the desolate plains beneath the sickly glow of Outworld's moons, a flicker of recognition sparked deep within her. A silhouette, bathed in golden light, landed before her. It was Kitana, her sais gleaming with a celestial luminescence.

But this Kitana was different. Her Edenian features were hardened by a life of kombat, her eyes blazing with a focused intensity. Gone was the naive princess; in her place stood a warrior queen, tempered by loss and grief.

"Mileena," Kitana spoke, her voice laced with sorrow. "It doesn't have to be this way. We are sisters. We can fight this together."

For the first time since the transformation, a spark of lucidity flickered in Mileena's clouded eyes. Did Kitana truly see her? Not the monstrous beast, but a shred of the princess trapped within?

Mileena, in a voice roughened with disuse, let out a guttural snarl. But even Kitana, seeing the flicker of hope, recognized it as a plea for help.

"I know the amulet's hold is strong," Kitana said, her voice unwavering. "But there's a way to break its power. We need to find Quan Chi. He holds the key."

The journey to find Quan Chi was arduous, filled with battles against creatures born from the very darkness that consumed Mileena. But Kitana, fueled by unwavering determination, never faltered.

Finally, they found him hidden within the desolate ruins of Shang Tsung's palace. Quan Chi, surprised to see them, smirked with his usual malevolent charm.

"Ah, Princess Kitana," he rasped. "And what brings you to my humble abode… and your monstrous companion?"

Kitana ignored his taunts. "Release Mileena from the amulet's curse, Quan Chi," she demanded.

Quan Chi chuckled, a sound like bones scraping together. "Such a powerful enchantment," he mused, circling Mileena with a predatory gaze. "A shame to let it go to waste."

Before he could utter another word, Kitana lunged, her sais a blur of light. Quan Chi, caught off guard, barely managed to raise his staff to deflect the blow. An epic battle ensued, Kitana's Edenian grace clashing against Quan Chi's dark sorcery.

While Kitana kept him occupied, Mileena wrestled with the power within, fueled by the faintest echo of her Edenian heritage. With a primal roar, she unleashed a wave of Tarkatan energy, momentarily interrupting Quan Chi's defense.

Kitana seized the opportunity. With a swift movement, she disarmed Quan Chi, shattering his staff and sending him sprawling across the ruined floor.

Quan Chi, his power waning, let out a frustrated scream. "Fools! You cannot undo what has been done."

Ignoring his threats, Kitana approached a trembling Mileena. "Focus, sister," she urged. "Remember who you are. Fight back against the darkness."

With Kitana's words echoing in her ears, Mileena dug deep within herself, searching for the last vestiges of her Edenian spirit. It was a desperate struggle, a tug-of-war between a ravenous beast and a fragile memory.

Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from within Mileena. The amulet, unable to withstand the renewed resistance, shattered into a million pieces, dissolving into a wisp of dark smoke. Mileena, gasping for breath, collapsed onto the dusty floor.

The change was immediate. The

Tarkatan features receded, revealing the scarred but familiar visage of Mileena, her blue eye shining with newfound clarity. Tears welled up in her eyes, tears of relief and gratitude.

Kitana rushed to her side, pulling her sister into a tight embrace. "You did it, Mileena," she whispered. "You came back to us."

Mileena clung to Kitana, the warmth of the hug a stark contrast to the chilling loneliness she had endured. Shame washed over her as she remembered the trail of destruction she left in her wake.

"What have I done?" she croaked, her voice hoarse.

Kitana squeezed her hand. "We'll deal with the consequences together," she promised. "But for now, let's just get you back to Outworld, away from this cursed place."

The journey home was long and arduous. Mileena, still weak from the transformation, relied on Kitana's support. Yet, a flicker of hope remained. The darkness hadn't consumed her completely. There was still a fight left in her, not just for survival, but to redeem herself for the devastation she caused.

Back in Outworld, Mileena faced a harsh reality. Shao Kahn, enraged by her actions, decreed she would be held accountable for her crimes. But something had shifted within him too. He looked at Mileena, not just as a weapon, but as a daughter who had strayed.

Under Kitana's watchful guidance, Mileena embarked on a path of atonement. She helped rebuild the villages she had ravaged, using her skills for good instead of destruction. The fight against the darkness within wasn't over, but for the first time, she faced it alongside her sister, not as rivals, but as allies.

Years passed, and Mileena earned a measure of respect from the people of Outworld. The scars, both physical and emotional, remained a constant reminder of her folly. But she also carried another scar, one of honor – a new crimson veil, worn not to hide her Tarkatan side, but as a symbol of the darkness she had overcome.

Mileena, the warrior princess, wasn't just a legend whispered in the shadows. She was a testament to the enduring human spirit, a flicker of light that refused to be extinguished even in the darkest corners of a war-torn world.

...for more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue, power girl, poison ivy and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support

Description
Deceptive Mirage: Mileena's Kombat Fantasia by Jade Gretz

Mileena, her crimson veil a stark contrast to the bone-chilling fog rolling off the Dead Pool, stalked through the skeletal remains of a long-forgotten city. Every krokodeen denizen of Outworld knew the Dead Pool was a cursed place, a graveyard where even the souls of the damned dared not tread. Yet, here she was, Mileena, Princess of Outworld and adopted daughter of Shao Kahn, drawn to its depths by a power both alluring and terrifying.

Whispers had reached her ear – whispers of a hidden amulet, an artifact rumored to amplify Tarkatan rage, a rage that already coursed fiercely within Mileena's own veins. The constant battle between her Edenian heritage and Tarkatan biology was a war she fought daily, a war that fueled the grotesque grin perpetually etched on half of her face. The amulet, these whispers promised, would grant her complete control, turning her into the ultimate warrior, a predator unmatched in all of Outworld.

Ignoring the gnawing unease in her gut, Mileena pressed on. The fog thickened, obscuring even the faint glow of Outworld's two moons. The eerie silence was broken only by the rasping of unseen creatures and the chilling wind that seemed to whisper her name.

Then, it appeared – a dilapidated ziggurat, its broken spires clawing at the shrouded sky. In the heart of the ziggurat, bathed in an unnatural purple light, lay the amulet. Its obsidian surface pulsed with an energy that resonated with the Tarkatan side of Mileena.

As she approached, a spectral figure emerged from the shadows – Quan Chi, the enigmatic sorcerer. His yellow eyes gleamed with a predatory glint. "Mileena," he rasped, his voice a dry whisper. "You've come for your birthright."

A flicker of doubt crossed Mileena's mind. Shao Kahn had always warned her of Quan Chi's manipulative ways. But the allure of the amulet, the promise of absolute control, was too strong to resist.

"The amulet," she demanded, her tone laced with impatience. "Hand it over."

Quan Chi chuckled, a sound like wind rattling through a graveyard. "Ah, but power never comes free, Princess." His eyes flickered towards the amulet, then back to her. "The amulet requires a sacrifice. A piece of your humanity."

Mileena scowled. "Humanity? I have little need for such a weakness." She reached for the amulet, but Quan Chi's spectral hand shot out, stopping her.

"Think carefully, Princess," he hissed. "True power comes at a price. Are you willing to pay it?"

Mileena hesitated, a tremor of fear momentarily disrupting her bravado. However, the image of Kitana, her supposed twin sister, flashed in her mind – Kitana, the epitome of Edenian elegance, forever favored by Shao Kahn. Mileena wouldn't be denied.

With a growl, she ripped off her veil, revealing the grotesque side of her face in all its glory. "Take it," she snarled, thrusting the veil towards Quan Chi. "I have no need for such illusions. This is who I truly am!"

Quan Chi smirked, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. He snatched the veil and tossed it into the purple light. It disintegrated with a shriek, as if consumed by a ravenous beast.

Then, he placed the amulet around Mileena's neck. A surge of dark energy shot through her, a primal power settling deep within her core. She roared, a guttural sound that echoed through the ziggurat, the sound of a feral beast unleashed.

The fog swirled around her, taking on the shape of grotesque Tarkatan demons. They snarled and clawed, but Mileena tore through them with a newfound savagery. Her razor-sharp sais became instruments of horrific efficiency, ripping and tearing at her spectral foes.

But with each kill, with each burst of bloodlust, a change came over her. The other half of her face, the Edenian half, began to fade. The smooth skin roughened, the beautiful blue eye started to cloud with a milky Tarkatan white.

She reveled in the power, feeling invincible. This was what she was meant to be – a pure Tarkatan warrior, a predator without remorse. Kitana would tremble before her, Shao Kahn would acknowledge her true strength.

But as the last demon dissolved into mist, a chilling reality settled over Mileena. The fog had cleared, revealing the desolate landscape of the Dead Pool. And staring back at her from a nearby shard of polished obsidian was a monstrous figure – a full-fledged Tarkatan, its face a grotesque reflection of her own.

Panic roared through her like a trapped beast. She clawed at the amulet, trying to rip it off, but it wouldn't budge. The price Quan Chi spoke of – it wasn't just her humanity

– it was her very identity. Her Edenian half, the remnants of the princess she could have been, were gone, consumed by the Tarkatan rage she had so readily embraced.

Tears, hot and sticky against her roughened skin, streamed down Mileena's face. But these weren't the tears of a lost Edenian princess; they were the frustrated roars of a caged beast. The power she craved had come at a terrible cost.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the Dead Pool, a scream that held the anguish of a lost identity and the terrifying realization of a future filled with nothing but primal rage. The fog began to swirl once more, coiling around her like a shroud, obscuring the monstrous figure from sight.

Mileena stumbled through the Dead Pool, no longer the warrior princess draped in crimson, but a ravenous beast driven by a hunger that could never be satiated. The power of the amulet surged through her veins, a constant reminder of her folly.

Days turned into weeks, then months. Mileena became a terrifying wraith haunting the desolate corners of Outworld. The Tarkatan warriors, who had once revered her ferocity, now cowered in fear. Even Baraka, the ruthless warlord of the Tarkatan horde, felt a tremor of unease at the sight of the monstrous being that claimed Mileena's name.

One night, as she stalked the desolate plains beneath the sickly glow of Outworld's moons, a flicker of recognition sparked deep within her. A silhouette, bathed in golden light, landed before her. It was Kitana, her sais gleaming with a celestial luminescence.

But this Kitana was different. Her Edenian features were hardened by a life of kombat, her eyes blazing with a focused intensity. Gone was the naive princess; in her place stood a warrior queen, tempered by loss and grief.

"Mileena," Kitana spoke, her voice laced with sorrow. "It doesn't have to be this way. We are sisters. We can fight this together."

For the first time since the transformation, a spark of lucidity flickered in Mileena's clouded eyes. Did Kitana truly see her? Not the monstrous beast, but a shred of the princess trapped within?

Mileena, in a voice roughened with disuse, let out a guttural snarl. But even Kitana, seeing the flicker of hope, recognized it as a plea for help.

"I know the amulet's hold is strong," Kitana said, her voice unwavering. "But there's a way to break its power. We need to find Quan Chi. He holds the key."

The journey to find Quan Chi was arduous, filled with battles against creatures born from the very darkness that consumed Mileena. But Kitana, fueled by unwavering determination, never faltered.

Finally, they found him hidden within the desolate ruins of Shang Tsung's palace. Quan Chi, surprised to see them, smirked with his usual malevolent charm.

"Ah, Princess Kitana," he rasped. "And what brings you to my humble abode… and your monstrous companion?"

Kitana ignored his taunts. "Release Mileena from the amulet's curse, Quan Chi," she demanded.

Quan Chi chuckled, a sound like bones scraping together. "Such a powerful enchantment," he mused, circling Mileena with a predatory gaze. "A shame to let it go to waste."

Before he could utter another word, Kitana lunged, her sais a blur of light. Quan Chi, caught off guard, barely managed to raise his staff to deflect the blow. An epic battle ensued, Kitana's Edenian grace clashing against Quan Chi's dark sorcery.

While Kitana kept him occupied, Mileena wrestled with the power within, fueled by the faintest echo of her Edenian heritage. With a primal roar, she unleashed a wave of Tarkatan energy, momentarily interrupting Quan Chi's defense.

Kitana seized the opportunity. With a swift movement, she disarmed Quan Chi, shattering his staff and sending him sprawling across the ruined floor.

Quan Chi, his power waning, let out a frustrated scream. "Fools! You cannot undo what has been done."

Ignoring his threats, Kitana approached a trembling Mileena. "Focus, sister," she urged. "Remember who you are. Fight back against the darkness."

With Kitana's words echoing in her ears, Mileena dug deep within herself, searching for the last vestiges of her Edenian spirit. It was a desperate struggle, a tug-of-war between a ravenous beast and a fragile memory.

Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from within Mileena. The amulet, unable to withstand the renewed resistance, shattered into a million pieces, dissolving into a wisp of dark smoke. Mileena, gasping for breath, collapsed onto the dusty floor.

The change was immediate. The

Tarkatan features receded, revealing the scarred but familiar visage of Mileena, her blue eye shining with newfound clarity. Tears welled up in her eyes, tears of relief and gratitude.

Kitana rushed to her side, pulling her sister into a tight embrace. "You did it, Mileena," she whispered. "You came back to us."

Mileena clung to Kitana, the warmth of the hug a stark contrast to the chilling loneliness she had endured. Shame washed over her as she remembered the trail of destruction she left in her wake.

"What have I done?" she croaked, her voice hoarse.

Kitana squeezed her hand. "We'll deal with the consequences together," she promised. "But for now, let's just get you back to Outworld, away from this cursed place."

The journey home was long and arduous. Mileena, still weak from the transformation, relied on Kitana's support. Yet, a flicker of hope remained. The darkness hadn't consumed her completely. There was still a fight left in her, not just for survival, but to redeem herself for the devastation she caused.

Back in Outworld, Mileena faced a harsh reality. Shao Kahn, enraged by her actions, decreed she would be held accountable for her crimes. But something had shifted within him too. He looked at Mileena, not just as a weapon, but as a daughter who had strayed.

Under Kitana's watchful guidance, Mileena embarked on a path of atonement. She helped rebuild the villages she had ravaged, using her skills for good instead of destruction. The fight against the darkness within wasn't over, but for the first time, she faced it alongside her sister, not as rivals, but as allies.

Years passed, and Mileena earned a measure of respect from the people of Outworld. The scars, both physical and emotional, remained a constant reminder of her folly. But she also carried another scar, one of honor – a new crimson veil, worn not to hide her Tarkatan side, but as a symbol of the darkness she had overcome.

Mileena, the warrior princess, wasn't just a legend whispered in the shadows. She was a testament to the enduring human spirit, a flicker of light that refused to be extinguished even in the darkest corners of a war-torn world.

...for more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue, power girl, poison ivy and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support