Snake in the Grass

With her new **** sent out on a mission, Mileena got dressed and set out for the Great Swamp to find and save her former lover, Tanya. She exited the secret chamber and began heading south. The moon shined bright over the sandy dunes as the wind howled, kicking up dust like a curtain of shimmering fabric. Mileena trudged thorough the barren desert for several hours until she came upon a wall of tall mountains blocking her path. The mountain range extended as far as the eye could see and Mileena knew it would take too long to go around, so she pushed forward and began hiking up the mountains.

As Mileena ascended the mountainside, she couldn't help but feel the nagging suspicion that something was watching her. She continued onward, not wanting give away her awareness to whatever it was that was following her. When she reached a cliff edge, she climbed up and pretended to be setting up camp. Within moments, her stalker revealed himself as he leapt toward her. Mileena, knowing of his presence, dodged out of the way and turned around to get a good look at her pursuer. She saw a humanoid reptilian man with green scaly skin wearing a tribalistic ninja outfit. "Reptile. So you've come on my father's orders, I presume? Always the obedient fool."

Reptile glared at Mileena with his yellow lizard eyes, "You have betrayed the great Shao Khan and I will bring him your head!." He hissed as he lunged toward Mileena with animalistic madness, swiping his sharp claws in a flurry. Mileena managed to dodged the swipes and spin around her attacker, kicking him in the back of the head.

Reptile fell face first to the ground with a thud as Mileena laughed, "Why do fools in green always think they have any chance in beating me?" She leaped into the air and slammed her knee down on Reptile's spine, causing him to scream in pain. Mileena kept him pinned to the ground and whispered to him, "I know why you follow my father. You want your homeworld freed from Outworld's grasp just like most folks here and you think that if you obey, he will grant your wish, but Shao Khan will never willingly give up even one iota of his dominion. I, on the other, would be willing to negotiate Zaterra's freedom if you were to aid me in becoming the new ruler of Outworld. I may even know where you can find one of the last remaining people of your race."

Reptile stayed silent as he contemplated the dominant woman's words for a moment before he spoke up, "How do I know I can trust you to keep your word?"

"You don't." Mileena chuckled, "But you must know deep down that Shao Khan is lying to you. He is nothing but a treacherous tyrant who cares only about his own power."

"And you care for more than just power?"

"Well....no." Mileena shrugged, "But I have different goals in mind that do not involve Zaterra or its people. Should we come to an agreement, I would set Zaterra free when I take my father's throne."

Reptile grumbled. He didn't trust Mileena, but he was willing to take the risk of betrayal if it meant the chance for freedom for his people and their realm, "If you are telling the truth then I would consider working with you to take down Shao Khan, but I need details of my role in this takeover before I decide."

Mileena rose up off Reptile's back and stood beside him as he got up, "Of course. You are a skilled assassin....well, when I'm not your target, at least." She chuckled, "So I need you to take out my father's highest ranking generals and other important members of his regime. Make it look as if the deaths are the doing of the rebellion and don't let them gain any suspicion of you or this whole operation could be lost."

"And what will you be doing?"

"I am currently working on building an army. It is going to take some time, so don't worry about being quick." Mileena put out her hand, "So do we have a deal or shall we start round 2 of the fight?"

Reptile hesitated for a moment, but shook Mileena's hand with caution, "Deal."

Mileena smiled widely under her mask and shook back, "Good. Now we shall part ways, as I have important business to attend to and now, so do you."

Reptile nodded and without a word, turned invisible before heading back down the mountain.