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Hello and welcome back to Mortal Kombat Konquest! On today's episode, we return to the hero of Thief Quest: Cao Kahnzedah! But now, due to recent events, he has been forced to temporarily step up to the throne of Outworld and become something more: Cao Kahn. As the true Kahn, Kotal, recovers from his attack and poisoning at the hands of D'Vorah, Cao prepares to face more responsibility than he ever has before as his personal life and obligations to team, title, home, family and love are tried and tested.

Thread Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAwWPadFsOA
Past Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Mortal+Kombat+Konquest

Official Thread Document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12-IT8pOV-Zql8AQeJwJuojjMDWRtzdPb60i-9qKCQeo/edit?usp=sharing

Rules of Kombat: http://pastebin.com/xtgE60XZ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DamashiKonquest
Discord: https://discord.gg/8BHvxRH
Novelization: http://archiveofourown.org/works/6325183/chapters/14492272

Our story continues now!
>>
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A small alarm on the nightstand buzzes irritantly, waking up the two occupants of the dark bedroom. A hand lazily gropes around, accompanied by annoyed groaning as it searches for the perpetrator. It finally finds the beping device and slams down upon it, silencing it completely. That same hand then reaches down to scratch its owner's groin.

Cao yawns as he sits up in bed. He blinks a few times as his mind catches up to his body, just as upset at being jolted awake as his partner, who is similarly waking up. She pulls the covers nearly completely off of him as she rolls over, seemingly intent on going back to sleep and leaving none for him. He looks at the clock; having recently understood how to read numbers, but only barely, it takes him a moment longer than a normal person to register that it's nearly the afternoon. They slept in for quite a while, but then again, were also up quite late, so maybe it all worked out in that regard. The blinds are closed---if they were open, the room would be terribly bright with the afternoon sun.

He looks over at Jacqui, memories of last night suddenly flooding into the forefront of his mind, rushing to remind him of how great it was. A smile creeps onto his face, but then runs away when memory of what preceded it returns.

D'Vorah. She's back, and a member of the Deadly Alliance. She attacked Kotal Kahn two nights ago, and today he's to report to the Z'unkahrah palace to begin his new duty... as temporary Kahn.

His hands clasp his face, stretching it and rubbing it before he buries them both in his hair, pulling slightly. As if news of D'Vorah's return wasn't enough; now he has to fill in a position he hadn't expected to deal with for a very long time. Last night was his last night here on Shang Tsung's island at the New Defenders base before heading off to sit on the throne.

'The throne...'

For some reason, a shiver runs up his spine at the thought. He had prepared for the notion, or so he thought until the news actually came.

Jacqui was---is---supportive. They spoke for a long while about it last night, before... other things. Kotal was not dead, so Cao wasn't stepping up to fill a permanent position. Yet. Ever since Cassie backed off and things switched to a solo relationship between himself and Jacqui, she's been constantly there for him, even going so far as helping him learn to read basic letters and numbers while teaching him more about Earthrealm culture.

'And the sex is amazing, that's a bonus too,' he thinks amusedly to himself. But now, here she is, hogging all the covers! 'That simply won't do...'

>Get out of bed
>Steal the covers back by pulling them off her
>Kick her out of the bed suddenly
>Wrestle her for the blanket
>Wake her up with a kiss
>Other (write-in)
>>
>>812891

> Steal the covers back and flee with our new cape/imperial robe

When you play the game of thones...
>>
>>812891
>Steal the covers back by pulling them off her
>>
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>>812901
>>812946

A wicked idea pops into his head. Cao reaches over and places a hand on her sleeping form, gently running it along her side. Even through the blanket, he can appreciate her toned yet shapely body, but he has other things on his mind right now... like stealing his new cape!

Without warning, Cao grabs the blanket and pulls, taking her with it as she rolls towards him. The blanket comes free from her body and her eyes shoot open; she begins to speak in protest as he hoists the blanket up high and then swashes it behind himself, wrapping it about his shoulders. He stands up in bed and jumps off, running to the opposite end of the room where he quickly readjusts it, causing it to completely cover himself, staring at her over the top of an arm like Dracula's cloak.

Jacqui, mostly nude, rolls over onto his stomach and looks up at him with groggy, half-there eyes. "What... are you doing?" she manages to finally ask, equal parts confused and tired.

"If I am to be an emperor, I need a cape, don't I?"

She cocks a brow. "You also need clothes. A crown would help, too."

"Nah. First rule change: Everyone's naked, except for capes." He blinks a few times. "Scratch that. It only applies to the women, and to me."

Jacqui, in spite of herself, lets out a laugh but then immediately shakes her head. "I fear for Outworld. Truly."

"Outworld should fear ME!" he proclaims, striking a pose. "Why, who's to say? I still might have Shao Kahn inside of me, waiting to take the throne back for myself!"

She holds up her hands and rolls her eyes. "Oh, no. Whatever will we do?" She flops onto her face and lets out a low groan. "What time is it?"

"Afternooon. Lunch is probably already on."

"Thinking about food at a time like this?"

"Time's got nothing to do with it, I think about food a lot."

Jacqui picks her head back up and stares at him. "Ugh. I couldn't eat a bite right now. I just wanna go back to bed; gimme those blankets back."

"You mean my cape."

She pushes herself up onto her elbows, folding her arms in front of herself as she leans on them, cleavage barely contained behind the window of her limbs. "Don't make me come over there and get them from you," she says, this time with an air of playfulness.

"I'd like to see you try. We both know I'm faster than you."

"I bet I can make you come back over here willingly..." she says, her voice now alluring as she bites her lip, subtly shifting her arms to expose more flesh. Her eyes are almost sparkling like the ends of her barrels when she fires her gauntlets.

Cao stops moving, his eyes fixated on the sight before him. 'I know she's playing me... but I might allow it.'

>Fall under the spell
>Play along but then run away
>Creep up close and then shove the blanket on her
>Tease her back
>Other
>>
>>812985

> there are no wrong options here

> All of the options
>>
>>812985
>>Creep up close and then shove the blanket on her
Do not be swayed young prince
>>
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>>812990
>>813029

As she beckons him with her eyes, he steps forward, as though in a trance, hypnotized. Jacqui smiles, knowing that it's working. Cao stops in front of her, just outside of arm's reach.

"C'mere..." she whispers, reaching out. "We can share that blanket, if you like."

He blinks, then smiles. "You can have it, I'm done."

She reacts in surprise, but then he can't see her next reaction, since he quickly takes off the blanket and throws it on her, all but shoving it down on her front half. Based on her voice, he can guess what it is, though. "Cao!"

The young prince isn't swayed as he leaps back onto the bed, holding the blanket down. A struggle ensues for several minutes, the end result of which is the blanket becoming entwined among them as they lay on the bed, kissing and caressing. Jacqui pulls away and smiles.

"Well, that's one way to say good morning."

"Good afternoon," he corrects her.

She gives him a sassy look. "Or is it goodbye?"

"Well... I don't have to leave yet. They're expecting me some time today and that includes tonight, so..."

"As nice a thought that is, you shouldn't keep them waiting. Not even I'm worth keeping an emperor from his big skull chair."

"I disagree," he says with a charming smile that makes her blush. He goes back in for a kiss, but she stops him.

"Cao... we really should get dressed." Her eyes drift over to the clock, taking in the time; twelve-forty.

He lets out a sigh. 'She's probably right...'

>Twenty more minutes couldn't hurt
>Get dressed and head downstairs
>Shower first, then head out
>Push her into staying longer
>Other
>>
>>813102

> Shower

> ... for twenty more minutes.
>>
>>813111
Supported
>>
>>813102
>Shower first, then head out
Savor the wonders of modern indoor plumbing for as long as we have it.
>>
>>813102
>Shower first, then head out
>>
>>813111
>>813135
>>813137
>>813166

The two of them make slow progress towards the shower, and even once inside, little focus is spent on actually cleaning each other. Something about that first night makes the shower one of their favorite places to spend time together. When all is said and done, it's a few minutes past one when they are toweling off and searching for their scattered clothing.

"Have you seen my shorts?" she asks, lifting up a pillow and finding one of his socks.

As he catches it when she tosses it over, he looks up at the ceiling fan. "Found them," he says, reaching up and taking them off of one of its blades. He tosses it back to her and she quickly slides them on.

Within minutes, they're fully dressed and ready to face the day. He leaves ahead of her, to allow her a moment to tidy up a bit more, but not before one last quick shared peck. She's never been too much of a makeup kind of girl, but a little touch of a few things never hurt anyone.

Cao stretches as he walks down the hall. Him leaving first also serves a dual function of them not being seen leaving together; while it isn't by now exactly a secret that they are together, it's something of an unspoken rule that inter-team relationships shouldn't be at the forefront of anyone's business, including those involved in it.

He hears noise coming from the rec room and walks inside to discover Takeda, Jin, Tundra and Fox all hanging out and watching a movie, drinks in hand. They had worked the schedule to ensure that they would all have today off. Takeda looks over and immediaely focuses on him. "Cao! Come on, man, we're having guy day!"

Jin nudges him and reminds, "He's got things going on. Outworld."

Takeda shrugs. "Yeah, I know... but he can hang out for a minute. Or two." He raises a bottle, unopened, and shakes it slightly as an invitation, tempting as ever.

>Hang out
>Get a drink
>Get lunch instead
>Report to your superiors
>Other
>>
>>813218
>Get lunch instead
Food first. When you're a thief in Outworld, food always comes first.
>>
>>813234

"Thanks, but I'm hungry."

"We got chips and salsa," Takeda says, but Cao holds up a hand.

"I'm good. Maybe next time."

"Later dragon-bro," Takeda says as the thief walks off. When Jin shoots him a questioning glance, the Shirai-Ryu only offers a smug shrug. "It's a dragon-slayers thing. You wouldn't understand."

Cao proceeds to the kitchen to get some lunch. The staff have prepared spaghetti today; a delicacy that Cao has only recently become acquainted with. Interestingly enough, he's not the only one doing so. Sitting alone at one of the tables in the mess hall is Frost, who is disinterestedly poking at the sauce-covered noodles with her fork.

He gets his plate and sits across from her. Her bored expression seems to lighten up somewhat when she sees him. "Hey," she greets him.

"Hey." He prepares to dig into his food, but notices her plate is full. He becomes wary of his meal all of a sudden. "Is it bad?"

She seems distracted. "Hm? Oh, no. It's fine. I don't get Italian very often, is all."

"Is that a sickness?"

"It's a---Nevermind." She giggles and resumes poking her fork into the noodles.

"Is it too warm? Can you eat warm food?"

"I prefer it, thank you very much," she snarks back at him. "I said it's fine. Tasty, really. I'm just not very hungry, I guess."

"Something on your mind?"

"A few things," she admits in a moment of vulnerability, but then quickly retracts it. "But nothing, you know, serious or anything. I'm fine."

He scoops up a mouthful, but remains somewhat curious by the frankly brisk nature of her response.

>Ask her what's up
>Wish her well and eat elsewhere
>Eat here and see what she says
>Talk about something else
>Other
>>
>>813307
>Ask her what's up
It's not like Frost to be so sullen.
>>
>>813307
>>Ask her what's up
>>
>>813307
>>Ask her what's up
>>Other
Can we stroll around outworld in Shao Kahn's Helmet and Cape?
>>
>>813315
>>813336
>>813377

He decides to press the matter further. Setting down the fork, he asks, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just, I guess today's my brrfdyrwhtvr..." The lattermost bit of her speech is mumbled, causing him to lean forward.

"Come again?"

She sighs. "It's my birthday, or whatever."

His brows shoot up. "Oh... really? Where's Ling?"

"She doesn't know. Nobody does."

"Why?"

Frost shrugs. "It's not like anyone else knows. It's not written down or documented or anything. I chose it for myself when I was a kid."

Cao finds himself repeating himself, but he doesn't care. "Why?"

"Because I'm an orphan," she deadpans. "Remember? I can't exactly ask mommy and daddy when I was born. I mean, you have to know what that's like, right?"

"Um... Well, I was born when Shao Kahn died, so I actually do know what day that is. But I mean, I've never really celebrated it. Or cared, honestly. I don't even know what day it is on the calender."

"Right! I feel the same way. It's just another day of the year, right? Another year older, another year closer to dying. Woo-hoo." She rolls her eyes again.

Again, Cao isn't quite sure what to make of that. "Are you feeling alright? Seriously."

Frost shrugs. "Eh. Whatever. It's just a weird day is all. Sometimes I think about being back on the streets, what it was like fending for myself, before the Lin Kuei, before all of this... It was, I don't know. Simpler."

She hasn't really opened up too much to anyone other than Ling. Cao knows he and she share more than a few things in common, as far as origin is concerned. One of the first things they ever mutually learned about each other is their similar status as orphans.

>Sympathize; part of you misses the streets of Z'unkahrah
>Ask her some more about her past
>"Do you ever think about just getting back out there?"
>Shrug; the past is the past, the now is now.
>>
>>813392
>>>Sympathize; part of you misses the streets of Z'unkahrah
>>Ask her some more about her past
>>
>>813392
>>Sympathize; part of you misses the streets of Z'unkahrah
>>Ask her some more about her past
Remind her that a while ago we actually promised to talk about this stuff with her and never got around to it
>>
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>>813400
>>813409

"I know how you feel," Cao admits, pushing aside his plate. "Out there, on the streets, it was just me. And my sisters, but they could look after themselves, mostly."

She smiles. "You would, wouldn't you? Not many others around here grew up like we did."

"We were going to talk about it one of these days, remember?"

Frost hesitates for a moment, before she pushes her plate off to the side as well, now resting her elbows on the table. "What do you miss most about it?"

"I don't know," he replies, looking up at the ceiling in thought. "Running from the guards? I got so used to it that it seems like second nature."

She giggles softly. "Yeah. I remember ducking from the cops, and now we have a cop on our team. Hah."

"I'm expected to live around those guards when I'm not here," he says in a jovial tone. "Those guys used to throw spears at people like me."

"Oh that's nothing. One time, I was robbing some pawn shop when this old guy busts down the door with a shotgun. I barely had time to freeze the floor and make him slip; one second too late and I would've painted the wall behind me red."

"I once grabbed a nice dress from a girl who was going to get married so I could give it to my sister. Her fiancé chased me down an ally; I knocked him out and stole his shoes.”

“Oh, I can so top that. I took the cake from a wedding once, before it was delivered. I couldn’t eat the whole thing so I just left it outside some school once I had my fill. Damn good frosting…”

“One time, I climbed the tallest tower in Z’unkahrah just to jump off into a cart of hay, just to see if I could. Sanra nearly killed me afterwards when she found out.”

“That’s nothing. I climbed a rocky mountain in winter once just to skate down it with ice.”

“Would you do it again?”

“In a heartbeat." She laughs, a genuinely surprising sound to hear from her when it isn't derisive in nature, but happy. "You know what I miss the most? The freedom. Now, here we are, with all these… obligations, responsibilities, whatever. I miss just living in the moment.” She flicks her fork off to the side. “I guess that’s just childish.”

>Fuck that. We decide what matters.
>I think it’s about finding balance.
>Things are what they are, I guess.
>Probably, yeah.
>Other
>>
>>813468
>>Other
"I know why I'm here. To protect my family, realm, and kick some ass while spending time with some good friends. Maybe you need to figure out why you're here. And if things don't work out nothing stopping you from leaving... just remember that Ling and I would miss you."
Say something like that and throw a wink
>>
>>813468
>Other
It feels different now because we're part of something bigger now. For the first time, we're not fighting just for ourselves anymore. Like it or not, folks are counting on us to kick the shit out of anything that's too dangerous for them. I'm not saying we shouldn't want to be carefree, but we gotta realize what we're doing now.
>>
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>>813508

For a moment, Cao considers what to say. His hands come together on the table and he looks into her steel-blue eyes.

"Do you know why you're here?"

She seems somewhat caught off-guard by the question. "Well, yeah, of course. I'm a Lin Kuei and---"

"Hold it," he interrupts her. "That's not what I meant. I said, why are YOU here?"

"I... What?"

Cao draws in a sharp breath through his nostrils, then shrugs and says, "I only ask because I know why I'm here: to protect my family, realm, and kick some ass while spending time with some good friends, like you."

Her face is still as she takes that in. Frozen might be an apt (if somewhat inappropriate) description as her mouth remains somewhat slack and her brows up.

"I mean, I get it. It feels different now because we're part of something bigger now. For the first time, we're not fighting just for ourselves anymore. I had to learn how to do that when I worked with Kotal. Yeah, I liked being out there on the streets, but like it or not, other folks on those streets are counting on us to kick the shit out of anything that's too dangerous for them. I'm not saying we shouldn't want to be carefree, but we gotta realize what we're doing now."

"I mean, I..."

"Maybe you need to figure out why you're here. And if things don't work out nothing stopping you from leaving... the streets are always out there, but you wouldn't have nearly as good company as here, I think. Just remember that Ling and I would miss you." He throws in a wink and a smile.

Cao is about to resume eating his spaghetti when she says, "I know why I'm here. I just---"

Suddenly, the base is put under alert. Red lights flash on the walls.

"Shit," Cao says, setting down his fork. "I didn't even eat lunch yet."

Both he and Frost drop their conversation and run back to the barracks to suit up. Within minutes, the team on site is assembled; it seems that an unknown presence is attempting to open a portal near the base.

Cao, armed and equipped, runs out onto the beach to join the others, with a few more right behind him. Kaito is here, directing the team to take up various positions.

"Has Fireseed left yet?" he asks Cassie.

"This morning," she reports. "He's probably back in New Mexico by now. Are we going to call him back?"

"First thing's first, let's see what happens," Kaito says. "This might be a false flag... Or the Deadly Alliance."

"So, keep him on speed-dial, right?"

>Take up position on the roof
>Position in the bushes nearby
>Out in the open and near the front
>Crouch behind a barrier
>Other
>>
>>813616
>>Position in the bushes nearby
Our ranged options are limited from the roof.
>>
>>813616
>>Position in the bushes nearby
Could we maybe perspective switch to foreseed since the votes tied? Might be cool
>>
>>813632

Nah he gets the next episode
>>
>>813637
Fine. Ruin all the fun why dontcha?
>>
>>813616
>Position in the bushes nearby

>>813642
Turok will get his turn. Relax.
>>
>>813624
>>813632
>>813645

Cao crouches in the bushes alongside Takeda and Sam. All around them, the team gets into similar positions.

"Taking bets," Takeda whispers. "Deadly Alliance? Wraiths? Orderrealm?"

"Someone friendly?" Sam says in a hopeful tone.

Slowly, the portal further up the beach manifests into a swirling grey vortex. Light and matter around it bend and distort as the mist-like opening grows large enough to pass through, and that is just what happens. A shadowy figure can be seen, growing more distinct the closer to the end they grow to the exit.

Everyone watches, tense and ready, as the figure emerges. As soon as everyone gets a good look at who it is, Kaito stands up and a knot suddenly forms in Cao's stomach.

A beautiful woman, in a grey edenian-style outfit, stands upon the sand with her hands on her hips.

"Khameleon?" Kaito says, his voice full of disbelief.

But before he can say anything more, more figures start to appear in the portal. They are shorter than her, smaller, and when they become distinct shapes it is easy to see that they are... children.

Eight of them, to be exact.

'Oh, oh no...' Cao thinks to himself.

The saurian waves her fingers at the team leader. "Hello, Kaito. Been a while, hasn't it? I'd love to catch up soon, but first... I'm looking for a certain thief."

I'll call it there for tonight, I need to get to bed.

Also, I'll be playing D&D tomorrow at a friend's house (I'm the DM) so I'll be a bit busy until tomorrow night. But I've got all of Saturday, Sunday and Monday to run, so stay tuned!
>>
>>813682
Child support don't fuck around, even in Outworld.
>>
>>813682
*Groans externally*
>>
>>813682
Thanks for running boss, see ya.

Hope the military isn't running you down.
>>
>>813682
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit. Time Cao wifes himself up. If for no other reason as to keep his dick from causing more interrealm incidents.
>>
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>>813682
>>
>>813682

As she says this, the eight children file out of the portal. They are human-looking, for the most part, but there are slight saurian qualities which are more obvious in some than others. Yellow eyes, sharp teeth, claws; all qualities that serve to make them slightly unnerving in a way. Kaito looks down at them and asks, "What are those?"

"I know you napped for quite a while, but those are children," she says sarcastically, "...or demons from the Netherrealm, maybe."

"It's just, it's been so long since we've seen each other, and now you show up... with kids."

"Funny how life turns out, isn't it? Either way I can't stand them so I'm dumping them off on you."

The kids all look up at him. "This one da?" one of them asks.

She looks back. "No, no. But I'm sure he's around here somewhere." She looks around, spying a few of the others. "Come out come out! I know you're hiding!"

Behind the bush, Cao continues to crouch and remain out of sight. Kaito holds up his hands. "Woah, wait, hold on a second. First of all, we don't have the facilities for children. Secondly, I thought you were all about the restoration of your species?"

"Well what safer place could there be than with an old friend and his team?" Khameleon says, walking up and giving Kaito a hug. "It's not forever; I just need a break. A vacation. I wasn't suited to being a single mother to a horde of monsters like this; their father needs to take some of the stress."

Behind her, two of them have suddenly picked a fight; one is biting the other while the others laugh and cheer.

Khameleon groans. "I thought it would be perfect, raising a new generation of raptors, but these little devils are... Argh! Anyway, I'm sure you can handle it."

"...Who's the father?" Kaito asks. "Is it---"

Cao suddenly shoots up. "No! Stop! Hold it!" He waves his arms, trying in vain to make what is about to happen not occur.

The exhausted mother looks over, her eyes flashing green. "Ah, there he is! Kids, say hello to daddy!"

Jacqui, from behind her cover, pops up. "WHAT?!"

'Kill me now,' he thinks.

All at once, eight lizardlike children turn towards him, and then charge, shouting and screaming. It may be the most terrifying thing he has ever seen.

>Escape into the base
>Attempt to run back into the portal they came from
>Run into the jungle
>Let them tackle into you
>Other
>>
>>814271
>Other
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bIuUp4eGmU&t=0m16s
>Let them tackle you
>>
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>>814282

Cao grabs Takeda and hoists him up. "It's HIM! The one in YELLOW!"

"No dragon-bro, why?!" Takeda shouts as three of the kids break off and jump onto him, but five others are not fooled. Cao is taken to the sand as five kids gleefully leap on him, hugging, tugging and biting.

"Gah! Get off! Help!" His screams go mostly unheard, as everyone is unsure of how to handle the situation.

Khameleon seems the most at ease, stretching and yawning. "Well, I'd love to stay and catch up, but I'm going to find a nice corner of this warm, sunny island and sunbathe. I really need it, I'm so pale." She gives Kaito a wave and then blows a kiss at Cao. "Good luck, my little thief!" She then walks off up the beach, turning invisible as she does so that she cannot be followed.

"Hey, wait!" Kaito calls out, but she is already gone, like so often before. "Damnit. Alright, get those kids off of them."

It takes the combined efforts of the team to pry them off, especially once they figure out that Takeda isn't the father and the three of them switch focus to Cao. Cassie tries to pick one up and look it in the eyes. "What's your name, little guy?"

He then burps an acidic bubble that pops in front of her; thankfully the only thing it ruins is her sunglasses. She drops him and he scrambles away on all fours. "Arh! My shades!"

Jin attempts to grab at him, but the one he was holding suddenly shoots a four-foot tongue out and slathers it across his face, causing him to let go. She slips away as well. Another child turns invisible and bites Frost's hand to get her to let go; small footprints in the sand appear as she makes her escape.

Suddenly it is mass hysteria as the kids all escape, one way or another, and begin crawling up trees, the walls of the base and digging into the sand.

"Don't let them get inside the base!" Kaito shouts. "And don't hurt them, they're just kids!" Suddenly, one of them throws a rock that hits the back of his head. He whips around, rubbing the back of his head as the child turns invisible. "Where are you, you little bastard?!"

Amid the chaos, Jacqui pushes past Vapor and Ling and storms up to Cao. "What is the MEANING of this?" she demands to know. Nearby, Tundra shouts as one of them climbs into an open window, getting inside.

>Dodge the question and focus on capturing the kids
>Run and hide
>Attempt to explain but get sidetracked
>Promise to explain, later
>"These aren't my kids, honestly!" (lie)\
>Other
>>
>>814312
>Other
"You save a woman's life from Onaga, and next thing you know, she drugs and rapes you."
>Leave it at that, and try to help find the kids.
Saurian powers and Cao's slipperiness combined are not good in the hands of what are basically toddlers.
>>
>>814312
>Dodge the question and focus on capturing the kids
Team leader Kaito gave us an order let's do that hahaha
>Other
Internally think
>FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK
>>
>>814315
>>814317

"Uh... You heard Kaito! We need to get them, that's an order, haha!"

He springs up to his feet, runs towards the nearest tree with one of the kids at the top and begins to climb. 'I'm in deep shit,' is all he can think about while he does, though.

Another one crawls up the base's exterior wall like a spider, or perhaps more like a tree frog, before reaching the roof and scuttling onto it. Cao sees this, then looks back up at the little girl at the top of this tree. She has a darker coloration to her scales than the others, though her eyes, teeth and claws are just as bright. "Hey there, little girl... uh..."

"Hi da," she says, tearing off a coconut and gnawing on it. Her teeth are sharp, but they can't quite break the hard surface. It also tastes terrible, so she spits it out of her mouth and onto Cao's head, nearly making him lose control and fall.

The little girl then shoots her tongue at one of the handrails on the roof, wrapping it around. Cao's eyes go wide and he leaps up, attempting to grab her, but is too late---like a fishing reel, she pulls herself towards the roof with her tongue, leaving Cao to fall back down to the ground and hit the sand.

Nearby, Forrest Fox has one of them on his back and is trying to get it off, with Takeda and Tundra trying to help. Jacqui and Cassie both chase one into the jungle while Kaito radios the rest of the base to put them on high alert; though he isn't sure what to classify this alert as.

Cao picks himself up and looks around at the carnage ensuing. 'What a bunch of little ingrates...' he thinks to himself. 'Didn't Khameleon raise them better?'

>Head up to the roof
>Get inside the rec room
>Run to the mess hall
>Make for the jungle
>Other
>>
>>814358
>Head up to the roof
>>
>>814358
>Head up to the roof
>>
>>814358
>>Head up to the roof
>>
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>>814369
>>814372
>>814390

Running to the wall, Cao leaps upon it, using the windows and railings as hand and footholds to climb. Though not equipped with the lizard-like palms of his spawn, he can climb nearly as well, and is upon the roof in an instant.

There, he discovers a ventilation duct entrance torn open with a combination of claws and acid. "Oh, hell," he mutters. "These little guys are going to tear the entire base apart!"

He quickly dives inside to chase after his misguided progeny. As he crawls through the vents, he mutters to himself.

"Damn lizard woman, drugging me up and stealing my seed... Damn kids, showing up on a day like today! What Elder God did I piss off to deserve this? Damn the Elder Gods..."

He comes upon an opening, leading down into the rec room. He jumps down, whereupon he discovers two of them in the process of building some kind of fort out of the furniture. One of them sees him and jumps up on top.

"KNEEL!" he commands, pointing at Cao, who is quite confused by the command. The other child continues to stack things from around the room and avoids eye contact.

"What'd you say?"

"I said KNEEL!" He stomps his little foot, but this causes the structural integrity of the fort to wobble slightly, making him lose his balance for a moment. He regains his composure. "KNEEL! KNEEL KNEEL KNEEL!"

"I think you got a little Shao Kahn in you," Cao mutters. "What's your name?"

"I AM ZOD!" he decrees. "I'm the tallest, and that means I'm in charge! KNEEL!"

"I'm Zan," the other one meekly says, but still doesn't make eye contact. He looks like the skinniest of the children. He then hands Zod a flag made out of a stick from outside and one of the torn-up window curtains. Zod waves it around triumphantly, like a king in his castle claiming the land for himself.

>Pick him up and put him in time-out
>Smack him around a bit
>Tell him to put the furniture back
>Kneel before Zod
>Other
>>
>>814419
>Tell him to put the furniture back
>>
>>814419
>Pick him up and put him in time-out
>Other
Go stand in the quiet corner! Now!
>>
>>814419
>>Pick him up and put him in time-out
>>
>>814449
>>814450

Cao approaches him, takes the flag and tosses it aside and then lifts him up by the arm as he struggles. "You go in the time-out corner now, and you'll be quiet!"

"This can't be happening! I'm in charge here!" he screams as Cao sits him in a corner chair.

The thief looks back at Zan, who followed but keeps staring at the ground. "Do I go into the time-out corner too?" he asks, sounding sad.

"Well, uh... That is..."

He looks back, and Zod is gone. He then looks up at the ceiling and discovers him climbing on the fan. "Hey! You're supposed to be in the time-out corner!"

"What's keeping me there, huh?" he teases back. As Cao reaches up for him, Zan sits quietly in the time-out corner.

Zod eludes Cao's grasping hands as he crawls around the cieling. "Get back here you little---!"

Suddenly, Takeda busts in through the door. "Cao! Do you know if we have any doggie-cages? You know, like the kind you carry puppies or whatever in?"

"I'm busy!" he shouts back as he tries to catch Zod. Out in the hallway behind him, Sam runs by with a fishing net, chasing one of the little devils.

Nearby, a window breaks. Both Cao and Takeda look on as a coconut flies in and lands on a table. The momentary distraction allows Zod to leap down and grab the more well-behaved Zan and run out.

"Damnit! After them!" Cao cries, but as they make it out into the hall, they hear shouting coming from the mess hall. One of the on-base chefs stumbles out of the doors, covered in marinara sauce.

"I quit!" he declares, throwing down his hat. "No salary is worth lizard people in my kitchen!"

He storms off.

"Today is weird," Takeda deadpans. He then looks over at Cao and asks, "Hey, did you really, you know? With that chick?"

"Not now, man."

"Because if so... niiice. I mean, you know, except for all of this. But niiice."

>Head up to the barracks
>Head to the kitchen
>Set up some kind of trap
>Brainstorm ways to capture them
>Other
>>
>>814471
>Head to the kitchen
>>
>>814471
>>Brainstorm ways to capture them
The easiest way seems to be food or something similar. Something the children would want
>>
>>814471
>Head to the kitchen
Maybe we can make some food that will sate their hunger for destruction! Like chicken fingers and fries, that always killed me.
>>
Alright, I put in as much as I could before heading out. I'll be back from D&D later tonight, we'll resume then with trying to contain the little devils.

See you then.
>>
>>814471
>>Other
Fuck it, time for Backup. Go call in angry grandpa Shang.
>>
>>814500
Old Shang Tsung is probably the last person you want trying to corral kids. He's the "get them drunk on cough syrup" type of parent.
>>
>>814510
We've seen Shang's parenting style. It's "make 'em in a lab, tell 'em Shao Kahn is their real dad, and peace the fuck out."
>>
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>>814520
That's when he had to make a kid for himself. Watching someone else's kids is different.
>>
>>814523
The difference is that you get to skip the first two steps and go directly to "peace the fuck out".
>>
>>814520
Well, it worked for Kaito at least
>>
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>>814530
That's because Kaito had to personally rear Mileena in lieu of Shang Tsung's (lack of) "guidance." If he had access to Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, it would've been easier, but the fact remains that he did what was conventionally considered impossible and turned Mileena into a good girl.
>>
>>814544
Really all Kaito did was talk to her, hear her out and explain his side of things like you would for a friend.

I wouldn't personally classify Mileena as "good" still necessarily. Left to her own devices away from people she gave a damn about, or if one of them got hurt badly I doubt it'd be pretty is all I'm saying.

I mean, she needs actual reasons to go all HORROR MOVIE VILLIAN now, and generally tries to be decent, and I'd be out of my mind to call her "evil" or anything, I'm just not sure if somebody counts as "good" if they can dive straight into CE with motivation just because they'll probably walk it off.
>>
Hey folks, just wrapped up here. I'll be heading home soon and we'll resume. See you soon!
>>
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>>814523
a body like that should be illegal
>>
>>815434

One cod day that it's out of this world

As in Outworld

Writing update now
>>
>>815445

Could say*

Phone autocorrect and not double checking

Kill me
>>
>>814477
>>814480

Cao and Takeda run into the kitchen. Inside, they discover a mess of food and utensils scattered about. On one table, a child sits, gulping down the uneaten plates of spaghetti from earlier.

"At least someone is enjoying it," Cao notes with some disdain fir his own hungry nature. This child in particular is wider and less handsome than the others.

He approaches his lizard-like son and asks, "So, which one are you?"

"Lod," the boy replies before burping loudly.

Takeda leans over. "I know it's not nice to say, but your kid is a bit of a slob."

Given his state, covered in spaghetti sauce and noodles, Cao can't disagree. If anything, he finds it to be an understatement.

Cao walks up and picks the slightly-heavy child up by the back of his neck. He protests and tries to turn invisible, but the excessive sauce on him prevents him from vanishing, due to it clearly indicating where he is. The child has also eaten too much to run away and quickly gives up.

"I don't suppose they'll all be like that, huh?"

"That'd be too easy," the thief laments.

With Lod in hand, they leave the mess hall and prepare to catch the others. As they walk away, the child shoots his tongue out; not to escape, but to bring an apple to his mouth, whereupon he munches loudly on it.

>Come up with some kind of trap
>Split up to search for more
>Put Lod somewhere safe
>See how the rest of the team is doing
>Other
>>
>>815510

Time to mebrace our inner scooby doo

> Trap
>>
>>815510
>>Come up with some kind of trap
>>
>>815510
>Come up with some kind of trap.
Or actively turn this into a game with the kids.
>>
>>815510
>>815618
Also!
>Put Lod somewhere safe.
Little guy needs a nap under a warm blanket after a bit meal yeah?
>>
>>815634
We put him in the trap w/ a blanket!
>>
>>815634
>Big meal.
What, are the typos contagious today?
>>
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>>815532
>>815559
>>815618
>>815634

"What we need to do is set a trap," Cao suggests. "What about candy? Kids like candy, right?"

Takeda nods. He looks up the hall at Sam, who is still failing to catch one of them. "Hey, Sam! You still got that secret hidden stash of candy that Cassie said you're not allowed to have?"

"Oh, let the whole team know why don't you!"

"I promise you that nothing is going to compare to what Cao's going through." He leans back. "Sorry."

The thief shrugs. "Nah, you're right, don't worry about it."

Sam drops the net. "Yeah, I do. Why?"

"Go and get it!" Takeda says, and she runs upstairs. A few moments later, she comes back.

"Here," she says as she hands him a bag. Takeda quickly sorts through it.

"Let's see, let's see... Ah-hah!" He holds up a large jawbreaker. "Perfect. I saw one of them gnawing on coconuts outside, so he'll love this."

"I think that one's a girl," Cao says. Suddenly, one of the female soldiers on staff runs into the hall with a saurian child on her back, biting her uniform.

"GET IT OFF!" she screams.

As she runs by, Cao grabs the child off her back and holds her up in one hand, using the other to hold onto the sleeping Lod. The little girl bites and snaps at him, waving her claws around.

"Rah! Rah! Lemme go! Rawr!"

"And your name is?"

"Snik! Snik! Snik! Grrrr!"

"Thank you." At Cao's order, Takeda reaches up and plops the jawbreaker into her mouth. Almost instantly, the child is defeated, and is now entirely fixated on the jawbreaker, gnawing and suckling upon it. This also causes the raving child to calm down considerably.

"Well, two down, six to go," Cao says. He hands them both to Sam, who looks at him questioningly. "Keep them somewhere safe and keep an eye on them, could you please?"

"I'll take them to YOUR room," Sam says. "They're your weird monster kids."

She takes the sleeping Lod and preoccupied Snik towards Cao's room. Takeda looks back at him and asks, "Well, now what?"

>Try to use the rest of the candy as a trap
>Try to use the net
>Attempt to lure one closer by playing a game
>Search for the biggest concentration of the kids
>Other
>>
>>815772
>Attempt to lure one closer.
Hide and seek, and YOU get to help us seek.
>>
>>815772
>Attempt to lure one closer by playing a game
Ask Takeda to help us work the plastic box that makes the television play video games so we can play with the kids
>>
>>815791
>>815805

"I'm going to try to lure one into the rec room. Takeda, get that plastic game box working on the teevee."

"Hey, good idea. I'll load up Mario; maybe the kids will find it funny in an ironic way."

They walk back into the rec room, and Takeda proceeds towards the television. As they do, they see Tundra climbing in through the window, holding one of the kids in a frozen block.

"What the hell did you do?!" Cao asks, running up to the kid.

"Don't worry, he's not really frozen. I just did that thing we do where we freeze someone for a few seconds and then---"

The block shatters open and the child pops out, shivering. His little body is covered in spots, his scales speckled with different shades of green. He looks up at Cao, and then suddenly launches into a hug, wrapping his little arms around Cao's neck.

"Da warm! I love you, Da!"

The words stun Cao as he is hugged by his son. Tundra chuckles. "Aw, that's adorable." Outside, a gunshot is heard. "But that isn't. I'm going to go stop them from shooting your kids."

Tundra leaps back out the window as Cao holds the spotted child up at arm's length.

"What's your name, little guy?"

"Fly!" He then puts his lips together and blows a raspberry with his forked tongue.

"Fly? Snik, Lod, Zan, Zod... What did Khameleon think when she named all of you?"

"Ma never named us," Fly says almost absent-mindedly, his eyes wandering around the room.

Cao's eyes narrow. "She never... named you?"

"We named each other!" He laughs and flaps his arms, almost like he's trying to fly away.

"Hey kid!" Takeda says, having gotten the game up. "Want to play a game?"

"Yeah! Yeah yeah yeah!" Fly starts to struggle out of Cao's grip. It seems like he can hardly focus on more than one thing at a time, because as he walks towards Takeda, he gets distracted with scratching the cloth of the couch. Takeda has to pick him up, put the controller in his hand, get him to stop trying to eat it, and then show him how the buttons work before he focuses on the screen. From that point on, the television provides all the stimulus he could ever want, as he quickly loses sight of anything else and only plays the game.

Takeda stands up and walks over. "So that's three, right? I don't think he'll be going anywhere."

Cao is still focusing on what he just learned. 'She never named her children...'

Another gunshot can be heard from outside, drawing their attention.

>Go outside
>Get up on the roof again
>Back to the kitchens
>Check on Sam
>Other
>>
>>815772
>Attempt to lure one closer
>>
>>815873
>Go outside
>Get up on the roof again
Takeda goes out while we go on the roof. We could get back down faster than he could if needed
>>
>>815884

Dude has hook whips of grappling?

I'm genuinely interested to see who'd be faster up and down.
>>
>>815869
>Check on those gunshots
>>
>>815884
>>815888
>>815890

Cao leaps towards the window and climbs out, but not before telling Takeda to head up to the roof for a better vantage point.

He runs up and sees Cassie firing at one of the children, with Tundra yelling at her to stop. Cao quickly does the same. "Hey! They're just kids!"

"And these," she says, holding up a clip, "are just tranq rounds! They could put an elephant to sleep!"

"Well they're not elephants!" Tundra points out, freezing the front of her gun in her hand.

She tosses it over into the sand. "Oh, thanks. Now what are we gonna do?"

"KNEEL!" the nearby child screams.

"Oh, that one," Cao grumbles.

>Try to chase Zod
>Attempt to placate him
>Let them deal with that one
>Give him a good smack upside the head
>Other
>>
>>816008
>Discipline
>Kneel into tackle
First work off some of that energy, then we're having a talk
>>
>>816008
>"ZOD, I challenge you!" A contest of capturing his remaining siblings and returning them to the rec room. His team vs Ours. His team can be any of his sibling we have already captured
>>
>>816042
We will kneel if he wins, else he must kneel.
>>
>>816008
This>>816029
>>
>>816029
>>816042
>>816094

Cao approaches Zod. Behind him, Zan lingers, still avoiding eye contact. As the thief walks up, Zod stomps his foot and demands that he kneels.

He does just that, but then tackles Zod into the sand. The child struggles, but now that he has a solid grip, he soon tires himself out as Cao holds him down.

"Hey, Zod," Cao says between gritted teeth. "You think you're the one in charge of your brothers and sisters?"

"I am!" he insists.

"I bet you can't get more of them than me," Cao says. "And I already caught three of them!"

"Yes I could! I'm the best! They all listen to me! Right Zan?"

Zan only mumbles a, "Mm-hmm..."

"Alright, well then... If you can get more than me, and bring them to that room over there, I'll kneel to your superior handling of them." He lets go of Zod, who wastes no time in jumping up.

"I got one already!" he says, grabbing Zan and holding him up by the arm. "See? I'm gonna beat you! I'm gonna!"

Zod drags his brother over and tells him to sit outside the window before he runs off. After he does this, Cao approaches Zan, with Cassie and Tundra lingering behind him. He sits down in front of the skinny saurian, who doesn't look him in the eye.

"Hey, you alright?" Cao asks. "How are you feeling?"

"I'mokay," he answers quickly, as if it were one word. He seems shy and a bit afraid.

"Hey... Don't be scared." He holds out a hand. "You're the only one I've seen that isn't trying to destroy everything in sight, little guy."

"Mm," he mumbles.

>Go look for more kids
>Talk some more to Zan
>Take him inside with his brother Fly
>Take him to Sam, Snik and Lod
>Other
>>
>>816102
>>Go look for more kids
>>Talk some more to Zan
>Take him to Sam, Snik and Lod
>>
>>816102
>Talk a bit more and take him to the others (Sam, Snik and so on.)
>Get one more to force a tie.
That or as many as possible, whatever.
>>
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>>816136
>>816147

Cao takes Zan by the hand and leads him back to his room. There, Sam is thankfully keeping things under control, as both Lod and Snik are still subdued. He sits Zan down on the bed. "Now, I'm going to go find all of your siblings, alright?"

Zan nods as he sits quietly on the bed. He softly pats the little guy on the head and then walks out, whereupon he discovers Jacqui storming up the hall, holding one of his kids in her hands, whos mouth is full of feathers. She shoves him into Cao's arms.

"Here. This belongs to you, not that you ever TOLD me."

"Look, Jacqui, I know what this all must look like but I---"

"Save it!" she says. "You're going to have PLENTY of time to explain yourself when this is all over."

Cao lifts up his son and looks at him. "What was he eating?"

"A bird. After I chased him up and down the jungle."

"Huh. You know, he looks like Lod."

"Me Lun," he says with a mouthful of feathers. "Lod brother."

"Of course you are." He then sniffs. "Goodness, you smell..."

"Terrible, I know," Jacqui says, nearly gagging. "Now you try dragging him back here through the jungle. I caught one, so I'm going to go shower again. And YOU are in serious trouble when I get out."

She pokes him in the chest and walks off, leaving Cao to sigh.

"Da sad?" Lun asks.

"Well, it could be worse," Cao says.

The alarm on the wall turns red again; Kaito comes over the intercom and says that one of the kids got into the central control room for the facility.

"Annnnd it's worse," he says, quickly dropping Lun off in his room. He quickly runs down the hall.

>Link up with the others
>Head straight to the mainframe
>Cut through the gym
>Search elsewhere
>Other
>>
>>816246
>>Head straight to the mainframe
>>Cut through the gym
>>
>>816246
>Cut through the gym
No time to waste!
>>
>>816246
>Head for the mainframe
Elder Gods why?!
>>
>>816246
>>Head straight to the mainframe
>>Other
Prepare to hear "One of the kids got into Shang's Castle" after we fix the mainframe.
>>
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>>816260
>>816262
>>816313

Deciding to cut through the gym to save time, Cao runs inside, only to discover one of the children shouting at the training android, and nearby is a very exhausted Vapor and Frost.

"What happened?" he asks.

"That one wouldn't stop arguing," Frost explains. "Just back and forth, over and over."

"So we brought her here and told the robot to argue with her."

Cao looks over at the little girl shouting at the droid.

"I'm right!"

"Negative."

"You're wrong! Admit it!"

"Incorrect."

"You're just a big stupid shiny head!"

"That is technically correct, but you are wrong on the previous matter."

"No, I'M NOT!"

"Yes."

"NO!"

"Yes."

"NO!"

"And here they go again," Frost groans.

"Pick her up and take her to my room, that's where the others are," Cao tells them. "I need to find the one in the mainframe!"

Cao runs to the military portion of the base, where the central command is located. Two soldiers are trying to get the doors open. "The little bastards sealed them from the other side!"

"How?"

Kaito appears alongside him. "Not intentionally. One of them was chewing on the wires."

"Oh, no. How do we get inside?"

Suddenly, Vapor walks up behind them. "I'm done playing around," she says, grabbing them both and turning into smoke. She wisks them away up into the vents, and then into the central control room, where Zod is shouting at his sister to leave.

"You're going to make me lose! Open the door back up!"

"I'm busy," she says, tying the wires of an open panel back together.

As they appear in the room, Zod sees them and starts jumping up and down on the computer keyboard. Behind him, various things flash on the screen as he does; numerous programs opening and closing. "No fair! No fair! I need more time! You're cheating! You cheating cheater cheat!"

Vapor holds up a hand and quickly subdues them both with smoke, carrying them back towards the three of them.

"Why didn't you do that earlier?" Cao asks.

"I tried. I got one out of the vents, but then he ran away when I wasn't looking." She reaches into both clouds and holds up the kids and then hands them to Cao. Zod is furiously struggling to escape, but the other seems content with simply letting whatever is going to happen, happen.
>>
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>>816552

Vapor uses her power to force the doors open with two large streams of smoke, then walks past the two surprised soldiers on the other side. "If you need me, I'll be in my room," she sighs.

"Speaking of which, I need to get these two to my room, too."

Before Cao can step off, Kaito grabs him by the shoulder and whirls him around. "Alright, just hold on a moment. I was supposed to brief you earlier about heading to Outworld."

"What, and you want to do this now?"

"No! Control of this situation takes priority." Kaito lets out a steadying breath and leans back. "I understand the timing wasn't something you could control, but... Why didn't you ever bring this up? When did this even happen? Give me the short of it."

"Well, I mentioned Khameleon to you, right?"

"Right..."

"She hadn't had sex for twenty years, so she drugged me and had her way with me, and these," he holds up the kids, "are the result of it."

Kaito blinks a few times. He then mutters, "Huh. Now I'm glad I never went for it."

"What?"

"Nevermind. I'll see if any damage was done to the computers in here, you head back to your room. Get these kids under control, Cao. We'll figure out what to do with them and then we'll figure out what happens next from there."

"I'm sorry about this, Kaito. I didn't mean for any of it."

"I know. I know. Just go do what you need to do... so we can get you to Outworld. We've already missed our schedule and they're probably wondering what's going on. Did any of THEM know about these kids?"

"Scarlet did."

"She's not pregnant too, is she?!"

"No!"

"Oh, thank god. The last thing we need is blood-babies."

"I don't think she can have kids, actually. It's a thing about blood constructs."

"You... How do you know that?"

"...I should go."

"We need to have a chat later, kid," Kaito says as he rubs his head. "Goddamn..."

As Cao walks off, Zod continues to struggle.

>Drop the kids off
>Stop and discipline Zod
>Find Jacqui and try to explain
>Try to relax for a moment before more bad things happen
>Other
>>
>>816561
>>Stop and discipline Zod
>>
>>816561
>>Other
Fuck finding jacqui. Let's find khameleon, bout time we talked
>>
>>816602

Any supporters?
>>
>>816561
>Stop and discipline Zod
>>
>>816561
>Discipline Zod
THEN
>Find Jacqui
Explain.
Then go talk to Khameleon
>>
>>816568
>>816633
>>816707

"Let me go!" Zod demands. "I'm the big one!"

"Yeah, well, not anymore you're not."

"You can't boss me around!"

Cao stops in the hallway near the rec room and then decides to bust inside. He set the girl down on the couch and looks at her. "What's your name?"

"Pik."

"What's your deal?"

"I like puzzles."

He around, eventually finding a Rubik's Cube. He hands it to her. "Here, play with this."

She takes it and starts examining it, her eyes going wide. "Ooooo. What do I do with it?"

Cao looks over at Takeda, who is now playing two-player with Fly. "Takeda! What do we do with the weird puzzle box thing?"

"Make all the colors on each side match," he calls back.

Immediately, the girl takes up the challenge and tries to solve it, turning it and twisting it.

Next is Zod. He approaches the chair and puts Zod in it. "This is the time-out chair. If you get out of it, bad things are going to happen."

"Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?" He asks, smug and sure of himself.

"When I was a little upstart brat to my sister, she would smack me on the head."

"I'd like to see you try!"

The room rings out with a smack. A bright mark appears on Zod's face, and almost immediately, after the shock sets in, tears well up in his eyes and he begins to cry, loudly.

"Now you're NOT getting out of that chair, and trust me when I say that things can get MUCH worse." Cao leaves Zod there as he bawls his eyes out. He walks up to Takeda, who adjusts himself in the couch seat and looks back at him.

"Was that necessary?"

"I've had worse from my father. He should consider himself lucky," Cao says, loud enough for Zod to hear it.

"Which father?"

"Both."

"I'm just saying, in Earthrealm, some people look down on hitting kids."

"In Outworld, brats learn quick or they tend to die."

"Duely noted. I mean, I support whatever you do; he's your kid. Plus, Master Hasashi gave me more than a few good beatings when I was younger. Plus, I mean, these kids haven't really ever had much of a father figure in their life, so I won't begrudge you dishing it out. Plus---"

"Are you done?"

"What? Oh, sorry, I was ranting."

"No, with the game. We need to get these kids in my room, all in one place."

"Oh, I got them, don't worry. You go do what you need to do."

Cao nods and leaves the rec room.

>Find Jacqui
>Find Kaito
>Go into your room with all of the kids
>Find Khameleon
>Other
>>
>>816777
>>Go into your room with all of the kids
>>
>>816777
>Find Jacqui
talk, then Khameleon
Thank God we don't have to be there until tonight
>>
>>816815
>>816832

Alright, I'll just need a tie breaker.
>>
>>816924
Jacqui
>>
>>816777
>Find Khameleon
>>
>>816832
>>816945

Aftering taking a moment to check in with the team and make sure they have the kids under control, now that most of them have suitable distractions, Cao goes up to Jacqui's room. He opens the door without knocking to find her toweling off, wearing a tank top and shorts.

She puts the towel around her shoulders and puts her hands on her hips. "Close the door."

He does just that.

"So, when were you going to tell me that you had eight bastard lizard kids running around, huh?"

"Well... I didn't know I did. I mean, the last time I saw them, they were eggs."

"Were you cheating on me with some freaky saurian chick?"

"No!"

"I know you nailed a vampire. Any vampire kids running around?"

"Again, no! Just let me explain!"

"While I'm willing to listen."

"Alright, alright, just... It's a story."

Suddenly, the door opens and Cass sticks her head in. "I'm hearing it too!"

"Cass, not now, please," Jacqui says.

"As if I'm missing this. Come on, I'll help you chew him out, it'll be like old times." Jacqui is annoyed, but given their history, lets it slide.

Cao walks over and sits on the bed. "Alright, well... Let me start out by saying that I was never intentionally 'with' Khameleon. She drugged me with her kiss and then used me."

Both of them look at each other. "So she raped you? Hot," Cassie snickers, then quickly shuts up when Jacqui shoots her a nasty glance.

"When?"

"A while ago. I had just beaten Rokuro in a fight in the arena... But before that, I saved Khameleon and accidentally awoke Onaga when Reptile... You know, it really does have a lot going into it. Uh... I met her when she was guarding a dragon egg, and I freed her from service to said dragon egg, which had Onaga inside of it. She was, uh, grateful. And really, really, really crazy about continuing her species."

"So she used you? I find it hard to believe this wasn't exactly willing, knowing you," Jacqui says.

"It wasn't! I flirted with her, you know, normally. Then she suddenly wanted to go straight into sex, and strictly for breeding, because she knocked me out. I didn't even get to enjoy it." Jacqui's eyes narrow. "Not that I, uh, would have. I was also there when she laid the eggs, which was... weird."

Cassie is loving this a lot more than Jacqui, but even she has to say, "You could've brought this up at any time, though. Like when the three of us were fooling around? 'Oh, hey, by the way, I banged a raptor once.' Just saying."

"I didn't think they would grow up this fast! It wasn't that long ago, and they're already small kids!"

"Maybe they grow faster," Cassie muses.

"That's not the point. The point is, you never TOLD me! Or told us, rather. But when we started going solo, it was because I wanted us to have a more serious relationship, and in serious relationships, people TALK about things like this!"

>I'm sorry.
>Again, I didn't think it would be an issue for a while.
>She used me! It's not my fault!
>What would you have me do?
>Other
>>
>>817086
>>I'm sorry.
>>Other
Now I'm sure if you had kids someone and haven't spoken with them in a while you'd want the chance to talk
>>
>>817086
I know, it's just we never see each other and as far as I knew she wanted nothing to do with me.
It's not so much that I didn't bring it up as had no idea how to, you know?
"Drugged, possible kids, number unknown, maybe they all hatched, maybe none of them did. The woman involved never really gets in touch and I know of exactly zero ways to get in touch with her myself."
What would saying that have accomplished aside from making you worry?
>>
>>817086
>Again, I didn't think it would be an issue for a while.
>She used me! It's not my fault!
>>
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>>817116
>>817123
>>817127

"She didn't want anything to do with me! What was I supposed to do when she never even wanted to talk to me when it was over? She used me, and then she left---she made it seem like it was HER thing, and I was just a... a donor. I didn't have a way to speak to her." Cao stands up. "You know, one of them down there just told me that they all named each other? She never even named them!"

"That's messed up," Cassie concedes.

"And this bears repeating, but I was drugged! Knocked out! When I woke up, she was gone and D'Vorah had kidnapped my sister!"

Jacqui's face changes then, to one that looks concerned. "I remember you telling me about that..."

"Look, I know I never brought it up, but it's not so much that I didn't bring it up as had no idea how to, you know? What would saying that have accomplished aside from making you worry?"

"I don't know," she admits. "I just... This wasn't exactly a fun way to find out."

"I didn't like it either!"

"Okay, okay, calm down," Cassie advises, putting a hand on both of their shoulders. "This has been an emotional and stressful afternoon for us all. I almost shot a kid, among other things. I think what's important is that we just try to put it past us. The kids are contained, right? So we can move on."

Jacqui folds her arms. "I'm still a little upset at you, Cao. This is a serious matter that you have to deal with."

"Yeah, I guess that makes two of us. I didn't want kids either."

"Well, now what?" Cassie asks. "I mean, about the kids. How long until Khameleon takes them back, and how much exactly does she want you to be involved in raising them? I mean, if she's going to dump them on you for the weekends, we should get the joint-custody thing on paper, right?"

Her joke doesn't really inspire much humor in either of them. Cao looks out the window at the beach. "I don't know. But I think I should find out."

>Go speak with Khameleon alone
>Bring the girls
>Just bring Jacqui
>Bring Kaito
>Other
>>
>>817260
>Just bring Jacqui
if she wants, else
>Go speak with Khameleon alone
>>
>>817260
>>Go speak with Khameleon alone
>>
>>817260
>Go speak to Khameleon alone
Unless Jacqui's insistent but she's already keyed up and we gotta figure out what Khameleon is even thinking, and have a long talk about parental duties I guess.
>>
>>817283
>>817298
>>817387

It doesn't take long to find her lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun. She stretches as she lies on the ground, yawning and enjoying the sunlight.

Cao approaches her from the south; she notices him coming and gives him a wave of her fingers.

"Hello, Cao. How are the kids?"

"I think I can see why you wanted to get rid of them."

"Yes, they're dreadful."

"I was talking more about you," he says. "You're an awful mother, aren't you?"

She shrugs. "I wanted to be a matriarch, but I never realized how... exhausting it would be."

"You never even named them!"

"Oh? And what would you have called them all? Cao Jr.?"

"I like to think I would've at least named them all something! They named each other!"

"So it all worked out in the end."

"I thought you cared about the future of your species, that's all you ever seemed to talk about. But you won't even raise them right! They're all undisciplined little monsters!"

"Hey now. They're YOUR little monsters, too."

"And when were you going to cue me in on that? You seemed like you never wanted anything to do with me!"

"Well, I showed up here today, didn't I? You got to meet them. Go be a parent, or something."

"Your timing couldn't have been worse, barring us being under attack."

"Again, so it all worked out. And it's like I said, I won't leave them with you forever. I just needed a vacation before they drove me completely insane. They grow up quickly, so as soon as they're fully grown, we'll kick them out and we won't have to worry about them again, or each other. At least until I come into fertility again, in which case you're more than welcome to have another shot..."

She throws a sultry wink his way, but Cao didn't come to flirt.

>Demand that she leaves the island and takes the kids with her
>Demand that some changes are going to be made in her parenting
>Point out that the future of her species is in jeopardy if she raises terrible children
>Accuse her of being a terrible mother and a downright louzy person in general
>Other
>>
>>817413
>Demand that some changes are going to be made in her parenting
>Point out that the future of her species is in jeopardy if she raises terrible children
They're gonna be Reptiles if this continues
>>
>>817413
>>Demand that some changes are going to be made in her parenting
>>Point out that the future of her species is in jeopardy if she raises terrible children
"Maybe you shouldn't of been so quick to shoo me away considering you don't know how to act around people, let alone children!"
>>
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>>817429
>>817440

"You know, you need to make some serious changes in your parenting style, lady. YOU didn't want me to be involved, this was YOUR thing. And now you expect me to just roll over and take it when you show up to dump them on me now that they've turned out to be more than you can handle because you're never even really TRYING in the first place?"

"So?"

"SO?! So maybe you shouldn't have been so quick to shoo me away considering you don't know how to act around people, let alone children! You were stuck in a cave or always turning invisible and running away from meaningful interraction; when you finally GOT the kids, you never even tried to be a mother to them, to the point of not even naming them!"

"They'll be fine."

He throws his hands up. "Is this how you want your species to end up? A bunch of lousy kids that could grow up to end up like Reptile?"

She seems to take offense to that. "Excuse me! My children aren't Reptile! He's disgusting, repugnant, the worst our species ever had to offer!"

Cao scoffs. "Oh, that's rich. That is just hillarious. You know what? You're just as bad as Reptile is."

Khameleon shoots up. "What?!"

"In fact, in some ways, you're even worse. You've convinced yourself that you're better than him, but your attempt at rebuilding your species has fallen completely flat because of just how irresponsible you are!"

"Oh, and you're one to talk about responsibility, aren't you?" she shoots back. "Don't act all high and mighty on me, you little street rat. You never even tried to take responsibility with me to help raise them!"

"Because you didn't WANT me to! I was there when you laid the eggs, I was supportive, and you shunned me then, too!"

"Well, you're a prince now! That makes my children royalty! You SHOULD feel somewhat responsible!"

"You drugged me! And I earned my title of prince, cleaning up the mistakes YOUR kind made with Reptile and Onaga, thank you very much!"

"I just wanted to be a matriarch! I made mistakes, alright!" Khameleon suddenly tears off her mask, and falls to her knees. "I love you. Marry me."

>"...WHAT?! NO!"
>"The hell is wrong with you, Khameleon?"
>Say nothing
>"Get the hell out of here."
>Other
>>
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>>817527
>Say nothing
>Look around for anyone that she could have been saying it to other than you
>>
>>817527
>Other
"What the fuck?"
>>
>>817527
>>"The hell is wrong with you, Khameleon?"
Nigga you can't be serious
>>
>>817547
Supported
>>
>>817547
>>817561
>>817566
>>817578

At first, Cao looks around left and right, as though looking for anyone that she could have been saying it to other than himself. "You what? The fuck? The hell is wrong with you?"

Khameleon shakes her head a bit. Her expression softens and she says, "Truth?"

"Please."

"I'm... I've been drinking a bit." She brings a hand up to her mouth and gasps, trying to keep her composure. "Not too much, just... Just a little. To take the nerve off. A few bottles."

"Are you serious?"

"It's the only way I can put up with them!" Khameleon says, her façade rapidly dissipating. "They keep me up all night, they're always crying! 'I'm hungry, my tooth hurts, he's pulling on my hair!' I wasn't BUILT for this! I don't get how the old matriarchs did it! It's gotten so bad that I've started to think that my species died because we were too afraid to have children to DEAL with them!"

She crawls across the sand and puts her hands on his chest, pleading. "I'm sorry! I'm a terrible person, a terrible mother, I KNOW! I thought I could do this on my own but I can't! I don't know how to deal with kids! I got so caught up in wanting to be a matriarch that I never realized it would have to take actual work!"

"...Of course it would! They're children!"

"Well I didn't think about that!" She gently slams her head against his stomach and seems on the verge of tears. "I just wanted my species to come back. I just wanted it so badly, and I used you, and I used all the others. I'm so stupid, stupid, stupid!"

This breakdown is clearly the result of her being drunk, which up until this point, she had been hiding fairly well. But now that he's come here, shouted at her, pointed out her faults, not even she can deny it any longer: she's a terrible mother.

Cao sighs in frustration.

>Pat the top of her head and tell her everything will be alright.
>Ask her if she's considered putting them up for adoption.
>"Well, what do you want to do about it? Change or not?"
>Well... I can help. With conditions.
>Other
>>
>>817527
>>817527
"You're joking."
"Yeah I could see how the prince thing looks better than 'streetrat'"
"You're not serious about at least half of that."
>>
>>817652
>>"Well, what do you want to do about it? Change or not?"
>>Well... I can help. With conditions.

She hasn't earned the pats yet
>>
>>817652
>"Well, what do you want to do about it? Change or not?"
>Other
Have you thought of getting help? Earthrealm should have people who help with this sort of thing.
>>
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>>817652
>Pat the top of her head and tell her everything will be alright.
>>
>>817652
Two things.
I mean I'm not surprised but "all the others?"
>Headpats
>You've gotta change
>I'll help...with conditions
>>
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>>817672
>>817680
>>817681
>>817699

He pats the top of her head. "Alright, there, there. Don't get tears all over me now. It'll be okay, it'll be alright."

She leans back. "So... You'll help?"

"Don't think you can guilt me into this, alright? This was your decision. What do you want to do about it? Change, or not?"

"I want my species to be good," she insists, holding tightly onto him. "I want them to be good kids, I do!"

"Have you thought of getting help? Earthrealm should have people who help with this sort of thing. I've never raised kids either, you know. There's a doctor on the base, a psycho-ologist, he might help."

"But I trust you. I trust Kaito. You're both good people, and your team has good people on it. Kids need... role models, right? That's you! And your team! Role models!"

"What are you asking, exactly?"

"Can we stay here? On the island? I hate that old cave. It's so dark and dreary, and the sun here is so nice... And you're here! And the others, the other good ones, the role models. You can help raise my kids and set examples for them!"

"Khameleon, I'm supposed to be LEAVING today. I'm heading back to Z'unkahrah, to the palace. Kotal Kahn is hurt, and I need to..."

He pauses for a moment. Should he tell her he's about to become emperor, even temporarily?

>Sure, you can stay on the island.
>You need to go home, Khameleon, and take them with you.
>This island is for New Defenders, not children. Come to Z'unkahrah instead.
>I don't mind occasional visits, but we can't make this a permanent thing.
>Other

And:

>Tell Khameleon about Kotal Kahn and the situation at hand
>Or keep it a secret from her for now
>>
>>817781
>>I don't mind occasional visits, but we can't make this a permanent thing.
>Or keep it a secret from her for now
>>
>>817781
>Other
You might want to talk to Kaito about that
and
>Or keep it a secret from her for now
>>
>>817781
>Other
I want to help but we need to okay it with Kaito first
And:
>Keep it a secret
BITCHES LEAVE
>>
>>817781
>Sure, you can stay on the island
Confirm with Katio
>Or keep it a secret from her for now
>>
>>817781
>I'd have to talk it over with the group and their people
>I'm supposed to be going back to Outworld for a while. I'm not entirely sure on the specifics.
>Maybe come to Zurankah instead.
I don't strictly mind her around or trying to raise Cao's kids to not suck.
But they are bastards, and should be given relatively low status if any, nothing demeaning.
Possibly trusted, but they aren't necessarily successor material unless we say otherwise.
But I'm sure if we raise them right they shouldn't strictly dislike their eventual half siblings (bonus points for Shanghai'ing them into babysitting when they're older)
>>
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>>817797
>>817800
>>817796
>>817810

"...Look, I'm not the one to talk to about this. Talk to Kaito, and General Cage, and Johnny. They're the ones who run the show around here. I'm late, I need to get back to base. I was supposed to be in Outworld by now, so thanks."

Cao turns and walks away. Khameleon gets up and shouts, "Wait! About that marrying thing..."

"Yes?"

"I wasn't serious about it. Unless, you know, you're not opposed to the idea of---"

"Nah."

He walks off, back to the base, to leave her to think for a while.

As he makes his way through the forest, he suddenly hears a voice. "Rough day, huh boy?"

Cao turns to see Shang Tsung appear between the trees, smoking from an elongated pipe.

"You smoke now?"

"I always have. Just never around anyone else." He takes a brief puff. "The little show you put on earlier was amusing. All the kids running around, I mean. Really livened up the joint."

"Gee, thanks."

"As something of an expert on cross-species hybrids, might I offer a word of advice?"

"Sure, what?"

"They don't all end up so badly. Look at Mileena: she's probably the best thing I ever made, and that's being generous mind you. But she ended up rather fine."

"Weren't you trying to make a bunch of copies of her, and that's why there are two of them now? And wasn't one of them super evil?"

"Yes, well... Not ALL of them were. That's the important part."

"So what's the advice?"

"Give your gaggle of bastards a chance, there's probably at least one good apple in the spoiled bunch. But what the hell do I know, eh? I'm just an old man, certainly not a powerful sorcerer."

"...Nice seeing you today, Shang. Lay off the smoke, that stuff will kill you."

"Hah. As if anything else ever did." When Cao looks back, he is gone.

>Find Kaito
>Return to your children
>Go to Jacqui
>Head to Outworld
>Other
>>
>>817889
>Return to your children
>>
>>817889
>The kids
>Kaito
>Maybe short aside with Jacqui
>Outworld
Do ALL the things Cao
>>
>>817905
>>817910

Upon returning to the children, Cao sits down with some of the other people on the team and gets to know them better, now that their initial excitement has worn off and they are less inclined to cause chaos.

"So... Fie, Fly, Lun, Lod, Pik, Snik, Zan and Zod. What do you kids like to do, exactly?"

"I like to eat bugs," Lun says.

"Puzzles!" Pik says, still fiddling with the Rubik's Cube.

"Can I play more Nintendo?" Fly asks.

Lod, still asleep, snores.

Snik, having been introduced to bubblegum by Casie (and having finished the jawbreaker from earlier) chews vigorously and blows a big, wide, pink pubble.

Fie is arguing with Zod over who gets to play the Nintendo after Fly.

And Zan says nothing, as he sits and draws small circles on the ground, avoiding eye contact.

"I think they're kind of cute," Cassie says, sitting nearby with Sam. "I mean, in a weird, psuedo-human reptilian kind of way."

Ling is leaning on her staff, a bemused expression on her face as well. "I think you should be a proud parent, Cao. Really."

>Play a game with them
>Leave to talk to Kaito
>Have a chat with Jacqui
>Outworld
>Other
>>
>>817977
>Leave to talk to Kaito
>>
>>817977
>Outworld
Could we perhaps bring them to Outworld where are are actual babysitters and our sisters to actually take care of our kids
>>
>>817977
>Kaito
Gotta brief Kaito and get debriefed.
Tell Cassie to tell Jacqui we'll talk as soon as we can.
>Then Outworld
>>
>>817977
>Leave to talk to Kaito
>>
>>817977
>>Play a game with them
fuck it, I'll be the good dad voter
>>
>>817988
>>817995
>>817996
>>817991
>>818020

After checking with Cassie and the others to make sure they have the kids in hand, and helping to start a game with some of them, Cao proceeds to the briefing room after a few minutes.

There, he meets with Kaito and General Cage.

"Uh, reporting for duty," Cao says.

"Sounds to me like you've already done that," Sonya says. "Cao, I allow my soldiers and team members a lot of personal freedoms. Bringing a nest of lizard children that cause chaos all over the base, damage to the mainframe and one of my chefs to quit isn't quite what I had in mind."

"Yes, ma'am, but---"

"Don't. I've been fully briefed on the situation, and I know it isn't your fault. I would, however, like to stress that you should be extremely careful in the coming days."

She looks over at Kaito and nods, allowing him to take over. "Essentially, Cao, the original plan was to send some of the team with you to Outworld, to help you with anything you need. We know that it's a big chair you're stepping in to fill, at least until Kotal gets better. We were going to send, at the most, four of us. But, given all that's happened... the offer is still on the table, if you think you need it."

>Take some of the team with you
>Leave them here
>Don't take any of the team; instead, take the kids with you
>Allow him to decide
>Other
>>
>>818020
Man we're trying but we have an entire plane of responsibility happening right now.
It's why I initially voted to bring them and Khameleon with us to the city.
>>817977
Although if we're going back to that we should probably talk to Jacqui
>>
>>818032
>>Take some of the team with you
Maybe we could take just fireseed? He seems like an excellent fighter and decision maker, the perfect guy to take care of us. Plus we aren't that close to him so we're not being serious.
>>
>>818032
>Take the kids
>And Khameleon
Worst case scenario Kaito... maybe one or two, but there is still Scarlet and...well, Ferra and Torr at least if I need back up there.
Who would you suggest? Not that they're necessarily needed but I'll admit Kotal Khan being...well, temporarily in his position might cause some trouble if it gets out
>>
>>818053
>Maybe we could take just fireseed?

We could, but he's in New Mexico at the moment.
>>
>>818053
Maybe Frost, Ling, Takeda?
Jacqui if we want to have the weirdest family vacation of all time.
>>
>>818092
>Frost, Ling, Takeda, Jacqui

Not a bad lineup. Any backers?
>>
>>818092
I dub that team name. "Asking for trouble."
>>
>>818103
Go for it fampai
>>
>>818103
i agree, also bring the kids
>>
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>>818053
>>818092
>>818106
>>818109
>>818136
>>818057

Cao thinks for a moment. "How about... Takeda, Ling, Frost and Jacqui?"

Kaito looks over at Sonya for any conflict. She doesn't seem to have an issue with it. "Okay," he says. "We'll make it happen. Understand, Cao, that while you'll be in on this position as a figurehead emperor, you won't be part of the team. Your full-time position is to help Outworld maintain its stability. The team members we send with you will help maintain a connection to the team; they'll be assigned to you, but if we need to call them back, we will. You, however, we won't call back, until Kotal gets better."

"And... just hypothetically speaking, what if Kotal doesn't get better?"

Kaito's brows shoot up. "Then you're full-time emperor. Hope that's not too much pressure."

Cao gulps. "Yeah, no pressure at all."

"No need to play tough, Cao," Sonya says. "Nobody on this team or in this command doubts you. But it's a lot of resposibility you're going to be assuming. A word of advice: listen to your elders. I know you've said that some on Kotal's council and in his court don't like you, but sometimes you need to play ball with people you don't like. That's life."

"Right. Got it."

"Do everything you can or are advised to do to help keep Outworld running as smoothly as it can," Kaito tells him. "If you need more help, let us know. We're here for you, and so are our allies in Edenia."

"Well, that just leaves the matter on the kids," Sonya says.

"I can take them with me," Cao quickly volunteers. "I mean, they should probably return to Outworld, right? I could take them out of the team's hair. Less for you to worry about."

"Is that a good idea? I mean, well-intentioned, yes, but is it for the best?" Kaito cannot help but wonder aloud. "How would they react?"

"I don't know," Cao admits.

>Take the kids; leave Khameleon
>Take the kids and Khameleon
>Take Khameleon, leave the kids
>Take neither
>Other
>>
>>818136
>Cue talks with Zod, and the rest
"A people without a Khan are squabbling sorts prone to infighting. Listless, like a ship without a rudder."
"A Khan without his people isn't a Khan, just some jerk that thinks he's better than everyone. A proud fool, totally toothless."

"Kings serve their people just as much as they are served by them. So you should strive to be fair, kind where you can, and harsh where you have to."
"Don't forget that or accept anything less from the people above or below you."

"And don't forget that ultimately, the people choose to serve, a Khan must serve his people first to be worthy of being called Khan at all."
>>
>>818172
>>Take neither
Let's keep them here for the time being
>>
>>818182

>Kids blink
>"...Can you repeat that middle part?"
>"And the end? And the beginning?"
>>
>>818172
>Take the kids; leave Khameleon
Just tell her where we are going
>>
>>818172
So you're saying you're willing to deal with them and Khameleon until I return?
If I return?
>Take the kids and Khameleon if no
>Maybe take them anyway
>>
>>818172
>Take Khameleon, leave the kids
Earthrealm's child protective services are vastly better than Outworld's, and Khameleon needs a crash course on not being a terrible trailer trash mother.
>>
>>818192
"We'll...uh...go over it some other time, long and short of it is 'don't be jerks unless you have to.'."
>>
>>818201
She's the closest thing to a 'stable' presence they have.
I feel like the least destructive option is to take both or leave both.
>>
>>818207

Well, it's a tie for now.

That's pretty much one for each option.
>>
>>818201
Cao can't babysit all the kids by himself while pulling full-time duty as Kahn. He simply doesn't have the personal manpower. The manpower at the base is better able to handle the kids. Besides, Khameleon is probably the most toxic element of that relationship; she needs to be fixed separately before she gets a second chance with the children. She can get lessons from Sanra on how to handle unruly wards.
>>
>>818211
Meant for >>818207
>>
>>818207
>>818211
>>818201
>>818199
>>818196
>>818190

Feel free to have some more discussion on this; please do. I should probably get to bed, and when I resume in the morning, we can continue with the most agreed-upon decision.

Does anyone else have anything they'd like to weigh in on?
>>
>>818211
The idea was Cao's sisters could help out, and perhaps occasionally Skarlet or Ferra part time if they wanted.
or Jacqui if nothing requiring DEFENDERing came up, she's gotta deal with them some time if she plans on sticking around, and it doesn't have to be immediately
>>
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>>818255
>Getting your current bae to babysit the children of your rapist
bruv
>>
>>818268
Well, we aren't exactly throwing the kids, Jacqui or Khameleon to the wolves and this thing in Outworld is going to take a while.
So getting everybody to the point where they can at least not shoot/poison/laserblast each other is probably for the best unless we're about to go order Khameleon or the kids onto the chopping block and/or exile.

Which would be why I said Jacqui could maybe, maybe bother.

If we're going the "not a shit dad and still talking to Khameleon in some capacity whatsoever" route though- Jacqui will eventually have to either get used to the kids and Khameleon existing near her.

Or turn into a toxic harpy that may or may not be literally made of salt that slowly kills our relationship with herself and the kids as is more common in fiction when it comes to this sort of scenario.

I like to think Jacqui'd be able to eventually not hate the kids and be able to tolerate Khameleon in some capacity.

Plus, hey, it gives Sanra, Skarlet, Jacqui, Frost, and Ferra a chance to just cringe at Khameleon for a while and one way or the other get her act together either by genuine effort or social pressure.
>>
>>818332
That said, this is all just my line of reasoning, which basically boils down to "exposure is better than trying to keep everyone in their own compartments if we're keeping them."
And I'd be interested to hear the other side.
>>
>>818172
>Take neither
Tell the kids and Khameleon that we will be back. We have to go on what people in Earthrealm call a "Bis Nis" trip.
>>
>>818221
I think our first act as Emperor should be to invade Earthrealm and force a merger.
>>
>>818588

Yeah then we can live in the same realm as our friends without having t worry about travel!
>>
Good morning folks. We'll be resuming in just a bit.
>>
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>>818537
>>818190

Many thoughts about how to handle the situation go through Cao's mind. He rubs the top of his head as he weighs the potential paths before him, trying to discern the best course of action for everyone.

"I think, for now, I'd like to leave them here, if that's alright. Not permanently, but I'd like to see how things in Z'unkahrah are first. It might be strange to show up with all of these kids, unannounced and nobody is ready... and we saw how well that went today, right?"

Kaito folds his arms and smirks. "Yeah, you've got a point. But this place isn't a daycare, and Khameleon clearly has a few problems of her own to sort through... Tell you what: I'm good at talking to people. I'll have a long ovedue chat with your baby momma and see if I can't get her straightened out."

"Just make sure she doesn't try to turn into Mileena and rape you," the thief advises him. "I'm pretty sure she talked about it once, before we... ahem."

"I'll be safe, don't worry. So, when are you heading out?"

>Assemble the team
>Words with Jacqui
>Have a moment with the kids first
>See Khameleon one last moment beforehand
>Other
>>
>>818678

> Kids

We can talk to Jacqui once we get there.
>>
>>818678
>Kids
Going on a business trip, I won't get lost coming back from getting cigarettes
>>
>>818682
>>818685

"Soon. I think I'll let the kids know what's going on first." Cao rubs his face for a moment and grumbles, "I never thought I'd have to say that sentence..."

"I never thought you'd be the first one on the team to have kids either," Kaito chuckles.

As he and General Cage leave, Cao follows them out and returns to the rec room, where the kids have been moved. They're all separated into different areas, where team members are overseeing them and making sure they don't go crazy again.

As he walks in, Tundra winces in pain as one of the children, Snik, pulls on his ear. Despite this, he forces a smile and tries to talk the kid down, which results in more pulling. Sam, standing next to him, puts a hand over her mouth and tries to stiffle a fit of giggling, but fails. "You sure have a way with kids," she says to the cryomancer.

Moments later, Cao has the kids all sitting in front of him, with the team looking on. "So... I need to go away for a short while, but I'll be seeing you guys again soon."

"Where?" Fly asks.

"Back to Outworld. It's kind of like a... business trip."

"A what?" Lun asks.

"It means he's bringing back food," Fie says. "That's a kind of food."

"Yay!" Lun and Lod both cheer.

"Well it's actually..." Cao stops for a moment when he remembers that Fie will argue about anything, so he stops himself before he takes the bait. "...Anyway, I'll be gone for not too long, so I'll see you guys when I get back, alright?"

The children nod and seem to understand.

"Da hugs before leaving!" Fly shouts as he leaps up. The rest of the children, even Zod, suddenly swarm him and Cao shouts as he falls back, the center of a pile of hugs. "Love you da!"

"This would be adorable if... Actually, no, it's adorable," Takeda says, plopping some popcorn into his mouth.

Several minutes of disentangling from the children later, and Cao is ready with his team. Frost, Ling, Takeda and Jacqui are all ready and standing by as Cao gathers what few things he needs. They are all silent as he walks up to them.

>Straight to Outworld
>Talk to them before leaving, give them an idea of what to expect
>Have a moment with Jacqui, alone, first
>Thank them all for their help earlier
>Other
>>
>>818707

> Talk to them all shit gonna be real.

Can we work in a

> Thanks.
>>
>>818712

He looks at them and says, "Well, we all know the deal, I guess. I'm going to be emperor. I'll need your help, so thanks in advance... and thanks for all of the help earlier in catching the kids."

"No problem," Takeda says, giving a thumbs-up. "I love going to Outworld; something exciting always happens." Ling shoots him a funny look and Frost cracks her knuckles. Jacqui, for her part, also doesn't say anything; she adjusts her gauntlets and nods at Cao.

He looks her in the eyes for a moment before leading them down the hall to the portal chamber. Within minutes, a stable portal is generated, leading to the throne room of Z'unkahrah.

Cao takes a deep breath and steps through, followed by his squad. Once on the other side, he takes in the sight of the throne room, occupied by a few notable individuals: Ruby, Erron Black, Ferra & Torr and Skarlet. Ruby appears to have been conversing with Erron Black when they appeared, as she turns from him to look on as they enter.

Immediately, Ruby kneels. "Welcome, my Kahn." Ferra, Torr, Skarlet all do the same, with Erron opting instead to merely tilt his hat.

"Rise," Cao says, not used to people kneeling for him. They do so as the portal closes behind.

Ruby walks over. "We have been expecting you, my Kahn. It is rather late; the council has retired for the evening."

"Yeah... some things came up. Sorry about that."

"We understand," she says. "What do you desire? The council has decided to meet tomorrow morning, but upon your command, they can be assembled tonight."

>Meet with the council tomorrow morning
>Assemble them now
>Just speak to Ruby and your enforcers this evenings
>Send everyone to bed for now
>Other
>>
>>818748

> Speak to the inner circle

Tell them that the council has long hated you, you'll be relying on them to tell you when the advice they give you is genuine or not.

The people here right now are worth 3 of the people sitting in those chairs to you.

You don't want to be a puppet, but you'll need their help learning how to run this place.
>>
>>818751

Cao looks around at the group assembled before him. "The council has long disliked me. This isn't a secret to anyone, really. I'll be relying on you all, my inner circle, to help me. The council will advise me, but I trust your word more than theirs. The people here right now are worth three of the people sitting in those chairs to me. So if they try to steer me wrong, I'll need your help."

"You have my word as your First Minister that I will do everything in my power to ensure you are not taken advantage of, my Kahn," Ruby swears, bowing her head.

"And I will do the same, as I have," Skarlet says.

"Ferra listen! Ferra obey!" the diminutive symbiote declares, and Torr grumbles.

Erron Black remains silent at first, but then adds, "Outworld's stability means my continued pay. We'll make sure things keep rolling along until Kotal wakes up."

"Good, thank you. I don't want to end up a puppet on this throne. But I also don't know much about ruling, so I'll need your help learning how to run this place."

Ruby nods. "Very well. What would you like to do first?"

>Sleep for now
>Give me a status update on everything that's happened; make it brief, it's late
>Go to Kotal's bedside and see how he is doing
>Send the enforcers away and speak to your squad and First Minister
>Other
>>
>>818774

> Status update

Then

> Take me to Big Poppa Sun
>>
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>>818779

Cao walks up to the large throone, but does not sit on it. He touches the armrest and then turns back to Ruby. "What did I miss today?"

"The situation is, largely, as it was. We are still attempting to contain the Wraith-Plague, which has frustratingly continued to elude complete control. In addition to this, we have not yet made the preparations required to go to war with the city of Nemsai, due to Kotal's condition, when he pledged to do so at the conclave in Edenia."

"Right, the war with Turana and her people..." Cao says. At that moment, he remembers the private conversation he had with his adoptive father, about stealing the water with the Portal Stone. He brushes it aside and listens to Ruby.

"In addition to this, we also have the new prisoner, the edenian Nadia, in our dungeons. The osh-tekk people are disheartened by what has happened to Kotal, and his father, K'etz, has spoken of withdrawing support of your rule. The situation is tense."

"Why would he do that?"

"There is a delicate matter involving the daughter of an osh-tekk nobleman, Luliya. Her father was taken by the Wraith-Plague, and now she has inherited his house and fortune."

"And what's the problem?"

"We will speak more on this later," Ruby assures him. "There are quite a few other matters, unfortunately... But it is late."

Cao nods. "Are my sisters in bed?" Ruby replies with a nod of her own. "Alright. Take me to Kotal, if you could."

The red-clad hinparian bows and begins to lead Cao to Kotal's bed chamber. The enforcers and the squad linger behind, to give him privacy.

Once inside, Cao looks upon Kotal's body; he has not often seen him without his crown or armor. He is wrapped in bandages where he was stabbed by D'Vorah's stingers, and a number of other medical actions have been taken; leeches, herbal leaves laid upon his skin and healing salves in bowls near his bed can be seen. He lies still, breathing, but unresponsive.

>Reflect on the impact he has had on your life
>Ask Ruby what measures are being taken to wake him up
>Ask to be alone for a while with him
>Leave, and go to bed
>Other
>>
>>818828
>>Ask Ruby what measures are being taken to wake him up

Maybe we should find a Kytinn and beat them till poison comes out, so we can make an antitoxin with it? That's how that works, right?
>>
>>818828
>>818864

> I can support this. Also it'd be fun to try and hunt and find a non dickish Kytinn. Maybe a good job for Erron?
>>
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>>818864
>>818871

"What is being done to help him?"

"I am using all of my resources to find a cure for the poison, but it is difficult work. At best, I have turned his condition into one that is stable, but not improving."

"Is there no cure for kytinn venom?"

"There exist theories, but the isolationist nature of the species, coupled with the fact that D'Vorah was the only one the kingdom ever had any significant interraction with, makes this difficult as well."

"Could we find a kytinn who isn't a murderous, vengeful whore and make friends with them? Or, maybe, find one and beat them up to get the poison and make a cure? That's how that works, right?"

Ruby takes off her mask and pulls back her hood, letting her short hair hang freely. "If only it were so easy. The kytinn exist on an island, and while we could go there, Shao Kahn forced them into submission. To be frank, we are not Shao Kahn, and have not his power of intimidation. Another issue is that D'Vorah's venom may in fact be unique to her, due to her newly resurrected form."

Cao looks over at her. "How did this come to be? I burnt her. I thought she was made out of insects; she had no soul."

She rubs her arm and attempts to explain her side of things. "The kytinn are perhaps one of the most fascinating yet unknown species we know of. I do not know how she came to be, but, you desrve to know... The spawn that was implanted in your sister, the one that I removed? It was placed into a jar, but it was stolen. I never learned by who."

"Are you saying this D'Vorah might be that child?"

"I do not know. She seems to have retained memories, so whether she is in fact a resurrected D'Vorah or grown from that spawn and her species somehow passes memories on genetically, it seems to matter little. She is returned."

Cao lets out a long, low sigh. "I hate that fucking bug bitch."

"I share your sentiments," Ruby says, moving closer and putting a gentle hand on his arm. "We are taking extra care to ensure the safety of your sisters, my Kahn. We know D'Vorah hates you and your family as surely as she hates Kotal Kahn, and her allegiance with the Deadly Alliance means we must take every precaution available to us."

"Thank you, Ruby."

"Is there anything else you need?"

>Go to bed
>Spend some more time with Kotal
>Thank her for her work
>Ask her for advice about Khameleon and the kids
>Other
>>
>>818887

> Thank her for work

> Advice about babbies.
>>
>>818887
>Ask for advice on babbies
Specifically this
>Other
"Do you know how to deal with kids?"
Don't let it out that they are actually our kids. Say we are babysitting for a friend at the base.
>>
>>818891
>>818907

Cao pauses, and looks back to the door to make sure they are alone. "Ruby, I have a difficult question."

"Yes?"

"Can you give me some advice about children?"

"...Perhaps some context would help me understand your question better."

"I'm just, uh, thinking about kids. In the future, I mean. Not now. I don't know what I would do with them."

Ruby puts her arms behind her back. "Well, legacy is important, and children are part of that legacy; a considerable part. Though you and Kotal share no blood, beyond the blood oath you made, he has named you his heir. Children inherit things from their parents, so raising them to properly take care of your legacy is important. This is where choosing a mate and choosing wisely is also important." Ruby thinks for a moment. "What brings up this question?"

"Nothing, nothing," he says, coughing slightly. "I was just baby sitting for a friend. Out of curiosity, though, what about if someone has a lot of kids? Who gets the inheritence?"

"Well, typically the eldest trueborn heir. It has happened on occasion that rulers have bastard children. They share blood, but if born out of wedlock, can be discredited fairly easily and excluded from inheritence."

"I see... Well, that's all," he says, quickly cutting off the questioning. "I'll see you tomorrow morning?"

She bows, but is slightly suspicious from the sudden line of questioning. Cao quickly leaves the room.

>Sleep
>Check in on your sisters
>Walk the palace briefly
>See how the squad is doing
>Other
>>
>>818939
>>Check in on your sisters
I still can't tell if Ruby is playing the long con or not...
>>
>>818939
>>Check in on your sisters
>>
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>>818939
>she misinterprets this as Cao asking to have children with Ruby and she comes for him in the night
>>
>>818939
>Check in on your sisters
>>
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>>818960
>>818989
>>819024

After leaving the royal bedchambers, Cao goes to check on Hua, but she is sleeping like a baby. He gently rubs her forehead and gives her a gentle brotherly kiss on her head. Next, he goes to check on Sanra, who is awake and glad to see him.

"Finally! I've been expecting you all day," she says, throwing him into a hug. "How are you, little brother? Or should I say, little emperor?"

"Har har," he says as they sit down on chairs in her room. "How've things been?"

"Things have been on edge around here ever since Kotal Kahn... Anyway, they have guards watching us all the time. I can barely get enough privacy."

"Do you want me to change that?"

"Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it so much, given everything that's happened. I'm old enough to defend myself, and I'm not such a bad fighter too---but Hua needs the extra protection, we both know that."

"Yeah." He sits back in the chair and folds a leg over the other. "Sorry I wasn't around earlier. I had something come up."

"What was it?"

"A problem with one of the many women in my life," he mutters.

"Listen to you, grumbling and moaning about beautiful women. You've got it so bad. I wish I had half as many women trying to interfere with me as you do."

"You wanna take some?" he jokes.

"How many?" she jokes back.

They share a laugh.

>Admit that you aren't sure of becoming Emperor; the responsibility may be too much
>Ask her if she thinks she would make a better ruler
>Tell her you'll need her help to rule
>Bid goodnight and sleep
>Other
>>
>>819034

> Tell her seriously about the kids and stuff she might have some good thoughts.
>>
>>819034
>Admit that you aren't sure of becoming Emperor; the responsibility may be too much
>Tell her you'll need her help to rule
>>
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>>819051
>>819077

Cao puts his hands together and wrings them slightly. "I'm nervous."

"I would be too."

"It's a lot of responsibility. I don't know if I'm ready. I'll need help."

"If you need anything, let me know," she says. "Of course I'm here to help."

"I think the only thing that will get me through this are the people like you, the ones I can trust. The ones I fought for and who fought with me."

Sanra reaches over and holds his hand encouragingly. Afterwards, they share a drink. They talk for a while longer, but eventually the evening grows late. Sanra bids him goodnight, and that she will see him tomorrow.

"Don't worry too much. You've got plenty of people around you to help."

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks."

She hugs him one last time before he heads back to the upper portions of the palace.

>Sleep
>Talk to Skarlet
>Talk to Erron Black
>Talk to Jacqui
>other
>>
>>819164
>Talk to Skarlet
>>
>>819164
>>Talk to Skarlet
>>
>>819171
>>819180

As he walks through the stone halls, a figure emerges from between two pillars, standing next to a burning torch. "It has been some time since I last called you 'Kahn,' has it not?"

He smiles at Skarlet. "Should be familiar, shouldn't it?"

"Even without the influence of Shao Kahn haunting your soul, it seems you were destined for the throne."

"Temporarily," Cao reminds her.

"But one day perhaps permanently."

He approaches her as she removes her mark. "How have you been?"

"I am well. Since the effort on Kotal's life, I have been spending my time guarding him, and your siblings."

"Sounds like you're spreading yourself thin, doesn't it?"

"The likelihood of someone attempting to attack Kotal, or your siblings, is now much higher than it was. The kingdom has a vulnerability. I am attempting to do all I can to keep that vulnerability from being exploited."

He reaches up and gently touches her face, running a thumb over her cheek. "You look tired. Your eyes are weary."

"I have been working non-stop, remaining vigilant. What would you have me do, my Kahn?"

>Take a break. I'll assign some of my squad to watch them, or Erron Black.
>Protect my sisters
>Protect Kotal
>Protect all three
>Focus on guarding me instead
>Other
>>
>>819207

> Assign squad, Erron is going on a bug hunt.
>>
>>819207
>Take a break. I'll assign some of my squad to watch them, or Erron Black.
for tonight at least
>>
>>819207
>>Take a break. I'll assign some of my squad to watch them, or Erron Black.
>>
>>819212
>>819214
>>819257

"Take a break, get some rest. Even a blood construct needs to recharge, right?"

"I... But your family---"

"I have some of the New Defenders here. I'll assign them to watch over my siblings and Kotal, maybe do a rotational thing; maybe Erron Black, too. At least for tonight. You should relax, though."

She manages a smile. "I understand. Thank you."

They linger yet a moment longer. "What's on your mind?" he finallly asks her. She takes a step closer and brings her face to his, lips hovering a mere inch from his own.

"I've missed you," she whispers.

"It's only been a few days since you last saw me," he smiles.

"I know." A hand trails up his arm to rest on his shoulder. "More than enough time to miss my Kahn."

He closes his eyes and leans forward, but she turns into blood and drips away from him, pooling nearby and rising from it. "But, you also have company here with you. It would be rude to keep them waiting."

Cao stops himself from arguing; the last thing he needs is to give Jacqui further reason to be mad at him.

"You're right. Goodnight, then?"

"If you need me, you need only call," she says with a bow, sinking into a bloody pool on the floor.

Cao shakes his head, seeking to clear his mind, and walks back to the throne room.

>Sleep
>Assign the squad to protect the others
>Speak with Erron Black
>Try sitting on the throne
>Other
>>
>>819265
>Try sitting on the throne
Gotta do it at least once.
>>
>>819265
>Try sitting on the throne
>>
>>819265

> Sit on throne

then

> tell Erron to go on a bug hunt.
>>
>>819265
>>Assign the squad to protect the others
>Try sitting on the throne
>>
>>819280
>>819283
>>819285
>>819287

With the throne room empty, Cao is left to look upon the large throne. Intimidating, large and uncomfortable-looking, he walks up to it and places a hand on the skull that makes up the armrest.

Without a word, he turns around and sits on the throne of Outworld. For a few seconds, he lets the reality of the situation sink in, before he starts adjusting himself.

'Could use a pillow on this thing,' he thinks to himself.

"How's it feel?" a deep, masked voice asks from the sides of the room. Cao looks and sees Erron Black approaching, sans hat. The gunslinger approaches him. "Does it feel right?"

"It's not mine," Cao says. "Not really."

"It is now, for the time being. You'd best wisen up to that, and what comes with it. You think you're ready? Man enough to lead?"

Cao leans back in the chair, wondering what kind of a response Erron hopes to provoke out of him. He opts to say nothing, and allow the man to speak.

"It takes a lot to lead people. You need brains, and balls. You know, I learned a long time ago that you can't solve every problem that comes your way by fighting it. Or in my case, by shooting it. Especially if you're going to be a leader."

"But all you do these days is shoot things."

"That's because that's what I wanted to do, so I put myself in a position to do it and get paid for it. And now, the man who pays me is unconscious, and you've got his job." Erron walks up to the throne, and puts a foot on the first step up. "So, I'll make this clear; I'm yours, my gun is yours, but don't think you can change my fee. It's non-negotiable."

"I didn't intend to."

"Good. Then I'm yours, Emperor. For however long you sit on that chair."

>Assign him to protect your sisters
>Have him be the bodyguard for Kotal
>Send him on a bug hunt for a kytinn
>Ask for some advice
>Other
>>
>>819314
>Send him on a bug hunt for a kytinn
and ask who does he believe should be guarding Kotal and our sisers
>>
>>819314
>Ask for some advice
You've been around a while and at, well, all of this a bit longer than me. What do you think some of the issues I'll face are?
If I meant politics I'd probably get Ruby but you know what I mean.
>Assign to protect Kotal
You cool with looking after your meal ticket tonight?
>>
>>819314

> advice

and

> bughunt
>>
>>819350
>>819354
>>819374

Cao leans on one arm. "What do you think I'll face while I'm up here?"

"Kotal often dealt with issues relating to trying to keep everyone in Outworld playing nice. So many people, so many realms. Humans, centaurs, tarkatans, shokan, lizard people, hinparians, ones I can't remember or don't care about. These people come from different cultures, different worlds, and there's often a lot of bad history between them."

He takes out his gun and casually reloads it, counting bullets. "You went south once, right?"

"Yes."

"Met the tarkatan tribes, the amazons?"

"I did."

"Well, word on the streets is that they're in open war again, ever since Baraka returned to lead the tarkatans. This is actually a good thing, because it's distracting the army of tarkatans to the south from swarming up here."

Cao's eyes narrow. "But who is leading the amazons? Their queen was captured."

"Don't know her name. Someone new. And, if what I hear is right, someone who wants to meet you."

"Why? Revenge? I was the one who set Zara up to be captured."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you're Emperor now, so I imagine a lot of people will want to meet you. Which is good, and bad. Some people will want to take advantage of you; don't let them. Listen to your advisors, if you know what's good for you. Even if you don't, they know more about ruling Outworld than you."

Erron Black slides away his gun. "Another thing. There's talk of a new faction of tarkatans also making things difficult for Baraka. Apparently, Tortek had kids. A lot of kids. I'm sure you can sympathize."

Cao blinks a few times. "Wait, what did you say?"

"If there's nothing else," Erron replies, bowing and turning to leave.

"Wait! There is." Cao rises form the throne and walks down. "I need you to find a kytinn."

"If you want me to take out D'Vorah, you best be ready to pay a hell of a lot more than my usual fee."

"No, another kytinn. Any kytinn. Their venom could help us."

Erron thinks for a moment. "This month, I want my usual monthly fee plus half extra, and I'll make it happen."

"Done."

They shake on it, and then he is gone, leaving through the door.

>Go to bed
>Find your team
>Talk to Jacqui
>Other
>>
>>819509

> We got a lot to talk to Jacqui about.
>>
>>819542
Are we telling her about skarlet?
>>
>>819548

We might need to just tell her the unabirdged life story of Cao.

Otherwise hijinks will kill us at some point.
>>
>>819509
>Find your team
With Scarlet taking the night off we need to set up a rotation for keeping an eye on Sun-Dad.
That's top priority.
Might have to wait on talking to Jacqui if the two conflict.
>>
>>819542
>>819559

I'd like a tie breaker or a few more votes.
>>
>>819509
>other
Go to sun dad's body and talk to it

Tell him how much shit he's dealt with and could really use his help
>>
>>819559
>>819542
>>819573

Not long afterwards, Cao is speaking to his team. Ling, Takeda, Frost and Jacqui all listen as he lays it all out. "So that's basically the situation. I'll need guards, just for tonight, on Sanra, Hua and Kotal."

"Too easy," Takeda says. "Who's watching who?"

"You can pick, if you like," Cao says.

"I'll take Kotal," Ling says. "Should be uneventful."

"I'll watch Hua for you," Takeda tells him.

Frost and Jacqui look at each other, but neither can decide who will watch Sanra.

>Frost
>Jacqui
>On second thought, reassign the others
>Come up with a new plan
>Other
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>819727
1.Frost
2.Jacqui
>>
>>819732

the dice have spoken.
>>
>>819732
>>819739
Frost can do more vagabond-bonding with Sanra.
>>
>>819727
>Frost
they can bond over being street rats, while Cao can sort out his relationship with jacqui
>>
>>819732
>>819739
>>819762
>>819775

"Frost, if you don't mind?"

The cryomancer nods. "Yeah, I saw that one coming."

Jacqui steps next to Cao as he says, "Well then... I'll see you guys in the morning?"

They all nod and step off to their positions, leaving the two of them alone. At first, it's rather awkward, and they don't speak as they walk to Cao's room.

"So, is this where I'll be staying?" she asks.

"Where else would you stay?"

She leans against the doorframe and shrugs. "I don't know. The guest quarters?"

"Come on, Jacqui... I wanted you to be here for a reason."

"Yeah, but you're an emperor now. Is it really proper for us to sleep together?"

"Who gives a damn what's proper? We can decide what's proper."

"That'd be nice," she sighs. "Look, it's not that I'm mad at you. I was earlier, sure, but I'm mostly over it. Mostly."

"Then what is it?"

She motions to go inside, and once they do, she closes the door behind her. "I've been thinking a lot. And it's not just because of today, it's kind of always been on my mind in the background. Like a worry that was kind of always there."

"What is it?"

"It's just... I like you, Cao. I really do. I mean, give it enough time, and it could be love."

He averts his eyes, not used to talking about something like love. There's fun, and romance, and fooling around... but love?

"When I asked Cassie if she could break it off so we could go solo, it was because I wanted a more serious relationship, one that could go places. But I'm a soldier in the Special Forces for Earthrealm, and now you're an Emperor of Outworld. Is it... 'right' for us to be together?"

"What makes it wrong?" he asks in a low tone.

"I mean, nothing other than what we make it, it's just... It was all well and fine when you didn't have to rule a realm, but I don't know if I can commit to dating an emperor. I know it's a lot on your plate, so that means it's a lot on my plate, too. I don't want to sound selfish, it's just... I care about protecting Earthrealm first. But I might be overreacting, I don't know. Maybe Kotal will only be out for a week and all this will go away. But what if he doesn't?"

She walks up to him and takes hold of his hands. "I mean, I guess what I'm really concerned with, is what do you think about 'us'? I know we've had fun, but what do you think about when you look in the future, knowing that one day you might be a full-time ruler of Outworld? Do you see me there, with you? Or someone else?"

"I... never really thought about it too much, to be honest."

"I have. About my future, anyway. I just don't know if I could see myself as a queen, or empress, or whatever the title would be." She looks into his eyes. "Could you?"

>"Does this mean we should stop seeing each other?"
>"I don't know. I just live in the moment."
>"I don't want 'us' to end. Not after the first bit of trouble we've run into."
>"What do you truly want, when you think about it?"
>Other
>>
>>819858

> I don't want us to end

But

> What do you truly want
>>
>>819858
>What do you really want when you think about it?

Because Cao kinda has a thing or two he has to do.
>>
>>819858
>"I don't know. I just live in the moment."
This whole thing has been by the seat of Cao's pants ever since he pickpocketed Kaito all those months ago. Cao never plans ahead.
>>
>>819858
>>"What do you truly want, when you think about it?"
>>
>>819871
>>819887
>>819905
>>819970

Cao steps back slightly. "Well... what do you want? When you really think about it?"

She shrugs. "Right now? A relationship. Monogamous, normal. Just something special that can be shared between two people. I know have duties, but I've been wanting to take you on dates in Earthrealm."

"And I like that you think about that stuff, I do, but I just kind of live in the moment," he replies. "This whole thing has been by the seat of my pants ever since I pickpocketed Kaito all those months ago. I've never really planned ahead."

"Yeah. I noticed." She walks towards one of the windows. "I've been thinking about competing in the Olympics someday. Going for the gold, setting an example, but really just proving to myself that I could do it. Did you know Sam's mom was an Olympic swimmer?"

"No, I never really talked to Sam about her mom. Or swimming."

"I want to defend Earth, and compete, and keep on kicking ass, but I know I can't do all of that forever. So, in the future, I'd like to live in a nice house with a good family, and have a lot of good kids. Maybe three, maybe more."

"Not eight, right?"

She laughs. "God, no. But some." She turns around and looks at him with a concerned expression. "But could that house be a castle? Could my kids be royalty? I don't know."

"And I don't know either. I haven't thought about kids or a house or... legacy, like Ruby put it earlier. I just kind of... go."

"Well... you're an Emperor now. Maybe not forever, but don't you think you need to learn to think ahead, too? That you have a responsibility to?"

He walks up next to her and looks out the window. "Yeah, sure. But when I was a thief on the streets, I lived in the moment. Old habbits die hard, I guess. I know I have responsibilities now, and duties and all kinds of things, but I kind of take them as they come, you know? And I like it, I think. I like being on the team. I like being with you, and I like fighting to do what's right by me, my sisters and my home. I fought Onaga, I fought Shao Kahn, I fought in a war for Kotal. And now I'm a prince, and now I'm a Kahn, but I'm still the same person on the inside, just taking things as they come, living in the moment."

"I'm not asking you to change overnight. But if we're going to keep being what we are, I'd like to know what you think about the future."

>"I don't know."
>"Can we give it some time?"
>"I want you to be with me."
>"Maybe we should stop."
>Other
>>
>>820001
>"I don't know."
>"Can we give it some time?"
Having the future talk in the middle of what is effectively a crisis and mass upheaval is bad timing.
>>
>>820001
>"Can we give it some time?"
There's a lot going on, and it would be best to let things settle before making big choices.
>>
>>820001
>>"I don't know."
Picking this cause I honestly don't know what to do
>>
>>820001
>"Maybe we should stop"
Cao is in a position where people who are close to him could be hurt, there is also the fact that royalty is expected to marry off highly important members of society
>>
>>820035
>>820058
>>820086

"I don't know." A few moments of silence pass between them. "Can we give it some time?"

She exhales from her nostrils and looks away. "Yeah. Yeah, we can."

"Hey... are you disappointed?"

"No. There's a lot going on. Let's just get to bed, okay?" She leans up and kisses him, taking him by surprise. "You have a big day tomorrow. I'll be there for you; I'm not going to abandon you in a time like this."

"I appreciate it," he says with a smile. Jacqui pushes him onto the bed and soon enough they're under the covers, sleeping like babies.

When Cao wakes up, he finds himself staring into a set of beautiful brown eyes.

They're just not Jacqui's.

"Hello skinny prince!" Ferra says with a smile. She is lying on her stomach on his chest, with her chin in her hands.

"GAH!" Cao shoots straight up, all but launching her off. Jacqui rolls out of the bed and pops up, ready to fight, at least until she sees what's going on. "What are you doing in my bed?!" Cao demands of the diminutive symbiote.

"Bodyguard! Ferra guarding your body! Nobody hurt skinny prince while Ferra watch!" Suddenly, her eyes go wide and she looksl ike she's realized a terrible mistake has been made. "Wait! Ferra meant skinny Kahn! Not skinny prince no more."

"Get out," Cao tells her. "And where is Torr?"

"Torr outside, watch door. Good Torr watch door, hahahah!"

Jacqui cocks a brow at the strange, stunted woman. Cao quickly shoos her out of his room, slamming the door behind him while Torr grumbles.

"Another great start to another great day?" Jacqui says sarcastically.

"Knowing the Elder Gods, yes," he mutters.

>Check the council chambers
>Have your squad report to you
>Proceed to the throne room
>Allow your new servants to dress you in more appropriate garb
>Other
>>
>>820136
>Proceed to the throne room
> grab an apple or some food on the way.
>>
>>820136
>>Proceed to the throne room
>>
>>820136
>Allow your new servants to dress you in more appropriate garb
Let's see what duds the Kahn gets to wear.
>>
>>820136
>Allow the servants to dress us I GUESS..fuck this is uncomfortable
>Gather team for report
>>
Anybody got any suggestions for a good crown for Cao to wear?
>>
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>>820392
>>
>>820392
Thinking something Oshtekk influenced to show the people that we are Kotal's heir
>>
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I was looking for something riding the middle ground between Kotal and Shao Kahn without being too on the nose but it's difficult to do so

I mean, while they're trying to forget Shao Kahn, the name of this guy is "Cao Kahn" and he does have a very direct connection to Shao as well

This is a motorcycle helm I blacked the eyes out on (they were goggles)

I'll just write the next update
>>
>>820230
>>820379

Not long thereafter, Jacqui leaves and servants enter the room. They dress Cao up in an elaborate outfit of green and gold, similar to those he wore while he was a prince, only now it is more of a robe. It is designed with osh-tekk themes present, with sparkling gem stones and golden trimming.

>>820188
>>820209

Upon getting dressed in the nicer clothes, Cao travels to the throne room. It is livelier this morning than last night, with more various court nobles and servants bustling about. However, when Cao enters the room, all goes quiet.

The thief looks around at everyone staring at him. Rich nobles, barons, land owners and courtiers of all manner; warriors, captains, guards and more are all gathered here to see him.

Cao slowly approaches the throne and walks up the steps. He sits upon it. Ruby emerges from the crowd, then, carrying a helm. It is golden, not quite like Kotal's yet not quite like Shao Kahn's. She approaches him and places the helm upon his head.

She turns to the assembly. "All hail Cao Kahn, for such time that he sits upon the throne of Outworld."

"Hail," many echo back, and most kneeling. Along the sides of the room, Cao can see his squad and enforcers looking on.

Ruby looks to Cao. "What do you command, my Emperor?"

>Allow the various nobles to come forth and pledge fealty
>Meet with your council to deal with the current issues
>Make a declaration
>Tell everyone to leave
>Other
>>
>>820553
>Allow the various nobles to come forth and pledge fealty
get the honour pledges done first, then
>Meet with your council to deal with the current issues
>>
>>820553
>>Allow the various nobles to come forth and pledge fealty
>>Meet with your council to deal with the current issues
>>
>>820568
Sounds good
>>
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>>820568
>>820596
>>820598

Cao allows the nobles to come forth, kneel and swear fealty. An Outworld tradition, but one that takes quite a while, as everyone has some title or position or did some great deed. Ruby knows them better than he; she introduces each and every single one, lists their duties and function in his empire, and essentially all Cao need do is acknowledge their existence and give them his blessing to keep doing what they do.

He knows a few of them, but only a few. One of which is Kotal K'etz, Kotal Kahn's father, which technically makes him Cao's adoptive grandfather. One more than one occasion in the past, he has made it clear that he doesn't like the fact that Cao is not an osh-tekk, yet Kotal's choice of heir. Despite this, he kneels before him on the throne, as he is more honorable than proud.

"Cao Kahn, you are my lord. I would ask you a question."

"Yes?"

"Do you intend on upholding the agreements of your father, Kotal Kahn, and honoring his word and decrees? Have you any intention of declaring his laws invalid, and putting your own into place?"

Cao looks at Ruby, who shakes her head. "No," he tells the osh-tekk figurehead. "No, it is not my intention to reverse any choice that Kotal Kahn ever made."

K'etz rises. "Then I am glad that you are still betrothed to the osh-tekk noblewoman and head of her house, Luliya."

Immediately, the throne room bursts into whisper among the other nobles. Cao sits straight up. "I'm WHAT?"

"Kotal Kahn decreed, in private, not long after your coronation as Kahnzedah that he would keep the faith of the osh-tekk people by wedding one of them to you."

'He did?' Cao thinks. 'But he told Sanra and I that he had no intention of marrying us off...'

"In private," Ruby says, having apparently not known of this herself. "If there was no public decree---"

"Furthermore," K'etz interrupts her, "since the death of Countess Mira, you would be wise to note that it is the osh-tekk who have supplied more than half the funds of this kingdom from our personal stores. It is by the wealth of the osh-tekk that the guards and soldiers of the empire have been paid, public projects funded and trade kept afloat, not the merchant-barons or any others. And if you plan on keeping true to Kotal Kahn's word and if you wish to keep the faith of the osh-tekk people, you will honor this obligation, Cao Kahn."

Cao's fingers tighten on the throne's armrests. K'etz is doing this deliberately, publically, putting him on the spot---and he must answer. The nobles look on as Ruby struggles to think of what to do.

>Say that you will uphold the word of your father.
>Accuse him of having no proof to back up this claim.
>Ask for time to consider this matter; it has been months since your coronation, surely it can wait some more.
>Deny his claim and deny any betrothal!
>Let Ruby do the talking.
>Other
>>
>>820674
>Say your father's word will be upheld
Not Ketz's, Kotal's
>>
>>820674
>Ask for time to consider this matter; it has been months since your coronation, surely it can wait some more
but in a more imperial,self assured way. Like "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. However this matter needs to be discussed further in a later date once this crisis of succession has settled.
>>
>>820674
>>Ask for time to consider this matter; it has been months since your coronation, surely it can wait some more.

respectfully
>>
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>>820706
>>820729

Most of the room is silent, barring a few hushed whispers. Hua and Sanra, who stand near the throne, look at each other with concern and then back to their brother.

Cao leans forward, looking Kotal K'etz in the eyes. "Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention, K'etz. I was not aware of it until now. I would request of you that you be patient, as I would like to meet with my council to discuss this matter. I hope that this does not inconvenience you; it has been months since my coronation, surely it can wait a little longer."

"I make no threats to my emperor, but I leave you with this: do not lose the faith of the osh-tekk, my Kahn. We are the ones who rebuilt this empire, standing behind Kotal Kahn when Princess Kitana granted him the kingdom. Our continued support has allowed it to not only survive, but thrive."

"Thank you," Cao says, cutting him off. "Will that be all?"

K'etz turns around and walks away after bowing. Ruby leans in close at Cao's beckoning. "My Kahn, I had no idea about this. Kotal Kahn never spoke to me of it; he only made mention of Luliya's importance after her father's death. In inheriting her house, she has become exceptionally rich."

"Have you ever met her?"

"No. But court rumor says that she is... difficult to control."

"In what way?"

"Kotal Kahn made mention of her father being the only one who could keep her in line. Now with him gone, she has all the resources of a great noble house and has been making good use of it to drink fine wine and, well, party."

Cao blinks a few times. "She's a party girl?"

"That may be an apt description, yes."

>Meet with your council
>Make a decree
>Speak with your sisters
>Send for this Luliya
>Other
>>
>>820812
>Meet with your council
put that revelation on the back burner and time to politik.
>>
>>820812
>>Meet with your council
>>
>>820835
>>820860

"I think I'd like to meet with my council, now."

Ruby nods, and everyone begins to disperse. Some nobles head towards the council chambers.

Upon entering, Cao sees who he is going to be speaking with. Merchant-Baron Shukojin, head of the Merchant Guild, who oversees all of the markets of Z’unkahrah. Nemir Rajah, head of the fleet. Hachiman, a retired warrior and military advisor, a trainer of many of the Kahn Guard. Ruby, the First Minister and hinparian leader. And, to Cao's delight, Speelock, representing the lizardfolk who live under the city. The winged runt flies over to greet Cao with a hug.

As Kotal Kahn cannot represent the interests of the osh-tekk people, Kotal K'etz has been appointed as the osh-tekk representative on the council, much to Cao's displeasure.

However, as Kahn, he can appoint people to his council just as easily as he can take them away. Should he desire, he can bring someone with, or keep someone from attending.

>Bring to the Council:
>Sanra
>Anyone from your squad
>Skarlet
>A foreign dignitary (from the shokan, Yanake's people, edenians, Earthrealmers, etc).
>No one; fine as it is

>Remove from the Council:
>Kotal K'etz
>Merchant-Baron Shukojin
>Nemir Rajah
>Hachiman
>Ruby
>Speelock
>No one; fine as it is
>>
>>820925
>Sanra
A princess must learn the ways of the court. Totally for her benefit, not ours.
>No one; fine as it is
>>
>>820939
Pretty much this
>>
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>>820939
>>820979

Cao decides to bring Sanra with him, to involve her in the politics and have another ally in the room. She sits next to him, and Ruby on his other side, as the other council members take their seats. Cao notices servants bringing in trays of fruits, wine and bread.

"What's with all the food?" he asks Ruby in a whisper.

"We are expected to be here for some time," she replies. "There is quite a lot going on."

"How does anything get done if all we ever do is talk about it?"

"Worry not. I will ensure that everything we decide shall be implemented across your empire." She pats a piece of paper in front of her; she also has a quill and a bottle of ink.

Before the meeting begins, Namir Rajah stands up and holds a goblet and toasts. "To Cao Kahn. I drink to your health, my Emperor." Some of the others drink as well; K'etz does not.

Ruby shuffles some papers in front of her. "Now then, my Kahn, there are quite a few issues we should discuss today. What would you like to speak of first?"

Cao thinks for a moment.

>Wraith-Plague
>War with Turana
>Deadly Alliance
>Foreign allegiances
>The osh-tekk issue
>Centaurian refuges
>Current prisoners in the dungeon
>Tarkatans and Amazons
>Holding Z'unkahrah together
>Other
>>
>>821077
>Foreign allegiances
will they remain, or will people drop out for whatever reasons.
>>
>>821077
>Tarkatans and Amazons
What?
Also
>Holding Zurankah together
>>
>>821077
>>Other
Shao Kahn's secret stash of hats and capes, because we already have the hammer, we need the hat and cape.
>>
>>821103

Cao taps his fingers on the stone table. "What news from our allies? Across the sea and beyond."

Ruby answers. "Lady Yanake has received word of Kotal Kahn's condition. She sends her condolences. Earthrealm and Edenia have also been notified, but can offer little aid. The kytinn venom eludes the best minds we have."

"My son will heal," K'etz insists. "During the day, he is placed in the sunlight on his balcony. Where your crude medicine fails, the power of the sun will not."

"My medicine is far from crude," Ruby replies, growing somewhat defensive and guarded.

"Then why is there no cure for the Wraith-Plague?" K'etz shoots back. "It spreads yet, despite efforts to the contrary. And it afflicting my people as well!"

"Yours aren't the only ones," the merchant-baron points out. "Outworlder, hinparian, lizard, the disease makes no difference. Even our livestock are threatened by it! I have spent considerable expense ensuring that the livestock have been kept safe. I expect compensation at some point for this! My efforts will keep this city from starving to death!"

Namir raises his cup. "We need to put the sick on a boat and set them out to sea."

"So they can fall into the ocean and infect the fish?" Hachiman asks. "We should burn them. We do it when they are dead, but why wait?"

"I asked about our allies," Cao says, cutting them all off. "Maybe they can help us."

"They are dealing with the plague as well," K'etz points out. "We must find an Outworld solution to this problem."

"With the orb out of Noob Saibot's hands, at least he cannot spread it more himself," Ruby says. "Now, the disease only spreads from contact with the oil the sick spew out."

"If that reaches our drinking water, we are finished," Shukojin says. "I have also spent much on guarding the wells in the city!"

"Yes, yes, you've spent much," Namir says, rolling his eyes. "You have spent much to guard the food and the water while you wait for someone else to come up with a solution to the problem!"

>Ask about current status of containment for the plague
>Prioritize on quarantine and keeping them alive
>Exile the sick from the city
>Kill and burn the sick
>Other
>>
>>821242
>>Tarkatans and Amazons
>What?

>>819509
>>
>>821292
>>Kill and burn the sick
Brutal, but efficient
>>
>>821292

> Exile

We set up a camp, preferably close to the wastes.
>>
>>821292
>Ask about current containment.
Kotal Khan was also affected but recovered.
There's no reason to think the same is not possible for the rest of the afflicted.
I know that the easy solution seems to be killing them all.
That will however spread the sludge to the people we charge to kill them.
Then we'll need more people to kill them.

Exiling them from the city just looses uncontained wraiths into the countryside, where they could easily spread it to farms, other animals, and other peoples.

If they still follow Noob Saibot's intent, they will return in force.

We keep looking for a cure.
>>
>>821385
>>821292
Sorry,
>prioritize containment and keeping them alive
>Get ALL the resources on the cure train.
Fuck it. We might need to ask Old Man Shang.
>>
>>821346
>>821384
>>821385

Well, one for kill&burn, one for exile, one for curing.

Any more input?
>>
>>821450

Can we get Old Man Shang as an option?
>>
>>821460

Well, in Shang's own words, everyone in the universe hates him. The council is made up of people who have prospered under a non-Shao Kahn rule, and Shang was Shao's arch-sorcerer. They likely wouldn't trust him.
>>
>>821473

I'm not suggesting bringing him in, we could surely radio defenders and ask them to put him on the phone type deal.
>>
>>821473
Strictly speaking we don't necessarily need to tell them we're talking to him.

Him being on the island isn't common knowledge I take it?
>>
>>821473
>>821460
>>821478

Although, his involvement could be kept a secret, if Cao were to not inform the council of his intention to include him, so yes, that's always an option.
>>
>>821480
>Him being on the island isn't common knowledge I take it?

Only the New Denfenders and their closest allies know about him.
>>
>>821481

I'm good for Operation Shang Surprise
>>
>>821450
I vote for a cure, which I imagine Grandpa Shang will fall under as a variant.
>>
>>821486
You don't want to write out
"Shang! Are you busy?"
>I mean I'm retired
"You like wizard stuff yeah? This wraith plague...We could use some help."
"I get if you don't think you're up for it at your age. I mean it was made by Noob Saibot...might not require much magic as opposed to research..but yeah, I guess if you're not able to fend off a ghost I get it.
I mean you are retired."
>>
>>821486
>>821516
Not even a little?
>>
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>>821385
>>821490
>>821496
>>821516

"I don't want to kill any of the sick," Cao says. "I don't want to exile them, or put them on a boat, or anything like that. When they die, they become wraiths. So we need to focus all of our efforts on finding a cure."

Ruby is in agreement. "I have my best alchemists working around the clock."

"I have an idea," Cao says, his mind harkening back to Shang Tsung and the Orb, but he doesn't mention the old sorcerer by name, knowing his reputation. "I will talk to the New Defenders. Some of us were present for the meeting in Edenia, so they know how serious it is already. They'll help if I ask them."

"When, Emperor?" Hachiman asks.

"Ruby, remind me when this is over to send them a message," he tells her. She nods and writes it down.

"This is all well and good," Rajah says. "But we did talk about a potential cure at that very meeting. The waters from the legendary Wellspring of Shun-Kuto, currently hoarded by our enemies in Nemsai. By Turana, and her gods."

"Yes," K'etz says. "We pledged to go to war with them over it."

"Only if Kaito couldn't talk it out of Turana," Cao reminds him. "He still needs time."

"Well tell him to hurry up!" K'etz says, but then backs down when Cao and Ruby shoot him nasty looks. "...My Emperor."

"We go to war if diplomacy fails," Rajah says. "I have my ships at the ready. We can transport our army across the sea."

"But without our army, we cannot contain the Wraith-Plague as effectively," Ruby sighs. "It is unfortunate: the waters would likely serve as a cure, but in order to retrieve them we must put ourselves at risk by sending our military across the sea."

Cao looks over at Sanra and thinks for a moment. 'Unless the best thief in Outworld could steal the water without anyone knowing...'

>Hold off on discussing war with Turana
>Promise to find an alternative cure than the water
>Mention that you have a plan for dealing with the water but keep it secret
>Inform them of the option of stealing the water
>Move onto another topic
>Other
>>
>>821559

> Move on after saying War might be inevitable

Don't want to tip our hand. Kotal kept it secret for a reason.
>>
>>821559
>Hold off on discussing war with Turana
>Promise to find an alternative cure than the water
We'll jump on that boat when it comes into port.
>>
>>821559
>An alternative might be closer than you think, and I'd like to trust that Kaito will get this done quickly. If he doesn't I have a plan.
> At any rate, next topic
>>
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>>821612
>An alternative might be closer than you think, and I'd like to trust that Kaito will get this done quickly. If he doesn't I have a plan.
Nah, don't bait them like this. If you leave that out there, they will never let it go, and they'll end up forcing your hand sooner just to see what you have.
>>
>>821574
>>821579

"I'm not ready to discuss war with Nemsai yet," Cao admits. "I'm not much of a tactician. I understand that war may be inevitable, but for now, I'd like to move onto something else."

Ruby pauses to briefly jot down a few notes. "What next, my Emperor?"

"Those centaurs are causing trouble in my markets!" Shukojin says, slamming a meaty fist on the table and making his plate nearly bounce. "And the cursed tarkatan hordes to the south are raiding caravans more frequently!"

"Trade by sea is doing well," Rajah shrugs.

"But trade by land is suffering! We must keep the flow of food and goods into the city in this time!" Shukojin points out.

"What of the shokan?" Hachiman offers. "Perhaps they can help us fight off the tarkatans. Guard the caravans."

"I wish to speak of my people more," K'etz says, narrow-minded in his focus. "This is a serious matter that..." His voice is drowned out by the others arguing.

"Calm yourselves!" Ruby says. "We must focus on keeping the city together in this tumultuous time!"

Speelock and Sanra both look at Cao; they seem to be the only people in the room who recognize that he must choose the next topic to speak of.

>Reiko's armies in the west
>Orderrealm and Chaosrealm
>Deadly Alliance
>The shokan kingdom of Kuatan
>The osh-tekk issue
>Centaurian refuges
>Current prisoners in the dungeon
>Tarkatans and Amazons
>Holding Z'unkahrah together
>Other
>>
>>821673
>>Centaurian refuges
Then
>Tarkatans and Amazons
>>
>>821673
>Centaurian refugees
>>
>>821673

>Tarkatans vs Shokan Yes Please.
>>
>>821673
>Tarkatans and Amazons
>Then Centaur refugees
>>
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>>821682
>>821683
>>821692
>>821709

"Now hold it," Cao commands, holding his hand up. "What's this about centaurs in the markets?"

"Satyrs," Ruby corrects everyone at the table. "They are led by a woman, Tekalla. She has sought refuge from Motaro and his warmongering tribal ways, and Kotal Kahn gave it to her."

"And then he was attacked that very same night by D'Vorah!" Shukojin points out. "These centaurs, minotaurs, satyrs---whatever you wish to call them, are clearly in league with the Deadly Alliance! They have been disturbing my markets!"

"Excuse me," Sanra says, speaking up for the first time, "But I was in those markets the other day. I saw the disturbances you speak of."

"When did you leave the palace?" Ruby asks.

"I snuck out," Sanra casually replies. "I asked for privacy in my room, and nobody even noticed I was gone."

Hachiman protests. "How are we supposed to protect you, your highness, when you won't allow us?"

"Enough," Cao says. "My sister and I spent years avoiding trouble on the streets. That doesn't just go away. She was good enough to elude the notice of the guards, so she could look after herself." He looks at his sister. "What did you see?"

"I saw these... what did you call them? Satyrs? They were being harassed in the marketplace! Refused service and discriminated against because people fear they are connected to Motaro. They were provoked into nearly fighting before the woman that Ruby spoke of broke it up."

"Lies," Shukojin accuses her. "My merchants told the guild what happened. They SWORE that the beastfolk were causing property damage."

"One of them kicked over a cart when one of the merchants implied his father was an ugly goat," Sanra explains.

"I want them OUT of my markets!" Shukojin demands. "We do not allow the lizardfolk in the markets, I want the same for these other beasts!"

Sanra leans over to Cao. "Remember Smithie? Tekalla is working in his shop. She's a blacksmith, like he is."

"Kotal Kahn was clear that she would provide weapons for a discounted price to our guard," Ruby tells Cao. "That was the condition of allowing them to work in the city."

"Smithie's shop is booming ever since she stepped in to help," Sanra adds.

"You are going to let these disgusting centaurs in our markets? They could be spies for Motaro and his Deadly Alliance masters!" Shukojin says.

>Take Sanra's side
>Take Shukojin's side
>Speak first with Tekalla
>Tell Shukojin to show more respect, to you and to others
>Other
>>
>>821772
>>Speak first with Tekalla
>>
>>821772
>Speak first with Tekalla
>Tell Shukojin to show more respect, to you and to others
And here I thought a merchant would love to expand his business.
>>
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>>821803
>>821807

"I'd like to hear her side of it, first," Cao says. "She spoke to Kotal. She hasn't spoken with me." Before Shukojin can protest, Cao moves on. "Now, about these tarkatans..."

"The amazons and the tarkatans are at war again," Ruby reports. "The fighting is taking up the majority of the Wastelands to the south. Reports from sky-scouts and my hinparian ground scouts tell me that skirmishes happen almost daily. In a way, this is a blessing, as it is causing the tarkatans to dwindle."

"But?"

"But, what is concerning about this is that it seems that the amazons are no longer remaining in their jungle. They are pushing north, towards the capital, through the tarkatan-controlled territories."

"Is this good or bad?"

"We don't know. Historically, the amazons were alligned with Shao Kahn. Their leader Zara fought alongside him in the Earthrealm Invasion."

"But Zara doesn't lead them anymore," Cao says. "Some new woman does, yes?"

"We do not know who she is. But she is proving a capable leader; she has managed to push north through tarkatan territory with minimal losses to her large army; this is no easy feat."

"The amazons are strong warriors," Cao agrees with her. "Trust me, this is from personal experience." He remembers well the time he met Cassie and Jacqui, quickly caught up in a war between the amazons and the motorist army of Lord Crashsmash.

"In addition to this, we have also seen tarkatans clashing with tarkatans. We have reason to believe that not all of them follow Baraka since Onaga brought him back. The late Tortek had many children, it seems, and they are opposing Baraka's hordes."

'Just as Erron said,' Cao notes. "Have we spoken to them?"

"No. We have sent no envoys to meet with them nor the amazons, and have instead focused on protecting the city from the plague by strengthening our walls and borders, ensuring that none sick enter nor leave."

>Send an envoy to the amazon queen
>Send an envoy to the rogue tarkatans
>Let the situation play out and see what happens
>Send troops down to clear a path for the amazons
>Other
>>
>>821931
>Send an envoy to the amazon queen
If this new amazon queen is making a play to the capital, I want to know who we're dealing with.
>>
>>821931
>>Send an envoy to the amazon queen
When we send the message to the new defenders we will inform them of torteks children. I'm sure the only one they would talk to would be kaito anyway
>>
>>821931
>>Send an envoy to the amazon queen
>>Send an envoy to the rogue tarkatans

por que no los dos
>>
>>821949
>>821967
>>821972

"We're going to send an envoy to the amazon queen. She'll be easier to find than the tarkatan children of tortek, right?"

"Correct, my Emperor."

"If she's making a play for the capital, I want to know who we're dealing with. And make a note; when I message the New Defenders later, I want to tell them about Tortek's kids. Kaito would like to hear that, I think."

She nods and writes this all down.

"What if their intentions are hostile?" Hachiman asks. "We do not know how many they number or what kind of a threat they could pose to the city."

A new voice calls out from the hall as three figures enter the council chamber. The voice is commanding and strong, and also that of a woman. "The amazons are not known for their siege capabilties. They are jungle warriors, riding atop great lizards. They cannot siege a city."

Sheeva, flanked by Jagara and Rokuro.

"Sheeva!" Cao says, standing up. "We haven't seen you since the edenian meet!"

"We were not expecting you," Ruby says, but not rudely.

"Breeti transported us here," Sheeva explains as she, Rokuro and Jagara move around the table to greet the new Emperor. Rokuro bows and clasps his hand; Sheeva bows and Jagara kneels.

"My Emperor," the youngest says, taking Cao's hand.

Rokuro smirks. "We bring good news from Kuatan, and my father. We have captured Kintaro."

"That must have been difficult," Cao says.

"A traitor within their ranks exposed their lair in the Cobalt Mines. Now he rots in a prison, alongside Gorbak and Toron."

Sheeva approaches the young thief and puts a hand on his shoulder. "They also send their condolences for Kotal Kahn, and desires for a swift recovery, as do we all."

>Invite them to sit in on the council session
>Adjourn the council for now; speak with your friends
>Have them attended to and given rooms
>Move onto another matter
>Other
>>
>>822057
>Invite them to sit in on the council session
We were just about to ask what the shokan think of the amazon/tarkatan skirmishes.
>>
>>822057
>Invite them to sit in on the council session
>Other
Sheeva weren't you good friends with Kintaro once upon a time? Could you possibly talk to him and help sway him over to our side? Having him with us might help convince some of the more traditional shokan to also join back with the main group.
>>
>>822057
>>Invite them to sit in on the council session
>>
>>822091
>>822098
>>822103

Cao quickly invites them to sit in on the council session. Sheeva, Rokuro and Jagara do just that, finding three open seats to take.

"We were just discussing the tarkatans," Cao tells them.

"A nasty affair," Sheeva shakes her head. "It is a shame that they once shared in Kuatan with the shokan, after the invasion. Tortek led them south, to appease his people. In the end, it was a disastrous choice to make."

"But his children yet live," Cao explains. "If we can reach them, we could have tarkatan allies again."

Rokuro volunteers to make contact with the children of Tortek. "I will go and do this. I once fought alongside Tortek in a faraway land; we were friends."

"Very well," Ruby says, nodding at Cao and writing this down. "What next?"

>Reiko's armies in the west
>Orderrealm and Chaosrealm
>Deadly Alliance
>The osh-tekk issue
>Current prisoners in the dungeon
>Holding Z'unkahrah together
>Other
>>
>>822146
>>Reiko's armies in the west
>>
>>822146
>Reiko's armies in the west
What about my >other?
>>
>>822170
>What about my >other?

Yeah, I didn't do it mostly because I wasn't sure if Cao knew Sheeva and Kintaro were buddies. That seemed more like a Kaito thing to say/ask.
>>
>>822146
>Reiko's armies in the west
>>
>>822182
Well I thought it was assumed sheeva and kintaro both served under shao khan together and would therefore be allies. And even if it isn't someone cao would say exactly it's still something that maybe Ruby or even possibly hachiman could say
>>
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>>822214

I dunno, it just didn't seem very in the moment to me.

>>822163
>>822170
>>822208

"While we tortured Kintaro, he revealed information about Reiko's armies in the west," Sheeva reports.

"What have you learned?" Cao asks.

"He is planning something with the Deadly Alliance. Kintaro learned from Goro that Reiko is planned to be a distraction for Z'unkahrah."

"So we can expect some kind of attack?" Cao asks.

"Unlikely," Hachiman reports. "His army isn't big enough to siege the city. He and his forces stayed back during Onaga's siege, to see who would win. When we did, he retreated."

"Sheeva said 'distraction'," Rajah points out. "But from what? And when? Do you know, Sheeva?"

"Kintaro would not reveal or he did not know. But it may happen soon. The goal of the Deadly Alliance this time, we don't know."

Cao cups his hands together in front of his mouth. News of an attack is bad enough, but news of an attack meant to be a distraction...

>Is there any way we can intercept his army?
>What should we do? How do we prepare?
>Let's not fall for the trap, then.
>What could Quan Chi be after?
>Other
>>
>>822351
>What should we do? How do we prepare?
>What could Quan Chi be after?
>>
I think I'll hit bed for tonight.

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

How are you guys liking the episode so far? I hope it's not coming off as too dry. I plan on getting some action in soon.
>>
>>822395
Catching the kids was action enough.
>>
>>822395
Thanks boss, it's been fine, I like real politik more than most
>>
>>822395
I'm actually finding the war room stuff pretty dang cool. It's like verbal kombat
>>
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>>822404
>>822412
>>822462

We'll be resuming tomorrow morning/afternoon. See you guys then!
>>
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>>822362

"How do we prepare?" Cao asks. "If we don't know when or where it's coming from?"

"Vigilance," K'etz replies.

"Here," Hachiman says in agreement. "We must remain on alert."

"Sending scouts out would help," Ruby suggests.

"What about the orb?" Rajah asks. "Could it not be used to spy on other?"

"It was attempted," Sheeva explains. "Once it was in the posession of the New Defenders, we thought it would be useful for spying on our enemies, chiefly the Deadly Alliance. However, it appears that some spell has made its members immune to scrying; when it was attempted, the orb could not divine the location of Quan Chi, Goro, Onaga or any other member."

"The problem with going up against sorcerers," Ruby laments.

"Speaking of which, what could Quan Chi be after?" Cao wonders aloud.

Everyone looks around the table. Some suggestions are thrown out. "The Portal Stone?" "Some relic from Kotal Kahn's treasury?" "Perhaps something from Shao Kahn's ancient treasury?"

>Increase the number of active guards in the city
>Send out scouts west to look for the army
>Keep things as they are now
>Make plans to visit Shao Kahn's sanctum later
>Other
>>
>>823228
>Send out scouts west to look for the army
>Make plans to visit Shao Kahn's sanctum later
>>
>>823228
>Send out scouts west to look for the army
If I'd be Quan Chi, I'd want a certain Temprary-Kahn-chump to show me where Shao Kahn's sanctum is, and perhaps wait till he opens it for me.
>>
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>>823248
>>823251

"Do we have enough scouts to send out west?" Cao asks Ruby.

"We should have enough, yes," she replies. "The hinparians do not serve as active front-line fighters unless needed. At your command, I can send them west."

"Go ahead," he consents, and she writes down his command. "See what they find."

"My Kahn," K'etz begins. "These are all important things we have spoken of. But now I wish to speak of this matter concerning Luliya."

'Oh great,' Cao thinks. 'Back to this.'

"The osh-tekk are---"

K'etz is cut-off as a guard runs into the council chamber. "My Kahn, my lords! There has been an escape from the dungeons!"

All whispered conversations and K'etz dialogue stops instantly upon hearing this. Ruby stands, urgency in her voice. "Who? Reptile? Li Mei?"

"Last night, someone whispered through the bars of the prison that Onaga has returned. Li Mei broke out of her cell!"

"Where is she now?"

"She is in the dungeons, First Minister... because another prisoner broke out of her cell and stopped her."

"...Who?"

"The new one. Nadia, the edenian."

Many in the room exchange looks. Ruby straightens back and asks, "You are saying that Nadia broke out of her cell, after Li Mei did the same, for the express purpose of stopping her?"

"...It would appear so, my lady."

Ruby looks down at Cao, clearly looking for his command on what should happen next.

>"I'm sorry, who is Nadia?"
>"Well, seems like it all worked out. Where were we?"
>'A distraction!' "Bring her here to speak."
>"Who could have told Li Mei that Onaga is back? Weren't we keeping that secret?"
>Other
>>
>>823268
>"I'm sorry, who is Nadia?"
>'A distraction!' "Bring her here to speak."
>"Who could have told Li Mei that Onaga is back? Weren't we keeping that secret?"
>>
>>823268
>'A distraction!' "Bring her here to speak."
Silent prayer to the Elder Gods for this timely rescue
>>
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>>823298
>>823325

Cao is confused. "I'm sorry, who is Nadia?"

"She is Tanya's niece," Ruby explains. "She was captured after appearing in the city recently."

Cao takes this information in, realizing that it could be a valuable distraction from K'etz and his issue. Immediately, he says, "Bring her here to speak."

"Are you certain, my Emperor? It will take some time before she can be brought here. Perhaps visiting the dungeons would suit you better?" Ruby's tone is heavy with implication; Cao realizes she is helping him avoid K'etz and this matter of Luliya.

"Right! I'll go do that." Cao springs up to his feet, alongside Sanra, Sheeva and Speelock as they and Ruby make for the door.

K'etz is not without protest. "My Kahn!"

"Oh, uh, meeting adjourned for now. Pressing matters, you know!" Cao calls over his shoulder. Once they are in the hall, he lets out a big sigh. "Finally..."

"This is quite concerning, my Emperor," Ruby says to him. "If both Li Mei and Nadia could escape from their cells, we must prepare better means to ensure they do not."

"What crime did Nadia commit?"

"She supported her family during Shinnok's invasion of Edenia," Ruby explains. "Though she maintains her innocence in the matter." She leans in close to whisper to Cao, "She spoke of wanting to help Kotal Kahn, in exchange for asylum from her family and the Deadly Alliance."

The thief listens closely. Though he does not know all of the finer details, he knows he doesn't know Nadia, and so desires to meet her. They proceed to the dungeons, but not before his group pauses to meet with his squad near the throne room. He urges them to come along as well and fills them in along the way.

"How did Li Mei learn about Onaga?" Jacqui asks. "I thought that was being kept secret."

"Secrets are difficult to keep in a place like Outworld," Ruby replies. "It seems that someone, perhaps the Deadly Alliance, has leeked it onto the streets that Onaga has returned. This may be bad..."

Cao looks over. "Why?"

"You are well-known for slaying Onaga, my Kahn. Word of his return could cast doubt upon you in the eyes of the people."

He remains silent as they walk past the cells. They approach one which has two guards in front of it, watching every move of its occupant, who is currently lying on a stone slab, relaxing.

Cao approaches the bars while the remainder of the group hangs back to behold a beautiful, dark-skinned edenian, with raven-black hair and elegent yellow clothing, form-fitting on the top and turning into a flowing dress below the waist. She sits up and fixes hazel eyes upon him, and then smiles.

"You must be Cao. I've heard of you." She looks him up and down, subtly licking her lips. "They spoke much of your actions, but little of your... height."

He ignores the jab. "Nadia, yes?"

"In the flesh, my Emperor."

>"Why did you break out to stop Li Mei?"
>"Where do you come from?"
>"How did you break out of your cell?"
>"What did you speak to Kotal Kahn about?"
>Other
>>
>>823349
>"Why did you break out to stop Li Mei?"
>>
>>823349
>"Where do you come from?"
>"Why did you break out to stop Li Mei?"
>>
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>>823359
>>823375

"Why did you break out to stop Li Mei?"

"Well, she's an actual prisoner here. I consider myself more of a guest, who is temporarily staying in the dungeons. And even though I am friends with her, I disagree with her life choices, and her choice in men. Or should I say, dragons." Nadia sits up fully and rises to approach the bars where he stands on the opposite side. "I stopped Li Mei because it was the right thing to do. There's so much going on, I'm sure you don't need to worry about her as well."

"Much appreciated."

"I'm glad you came to see me, though. It's not every day that a handsome Kahn comes to speak to me." She gives him a warm smile, wrapping her fingers around the bars. "And I won't lie to you; I was party motivated into getting another audience with the Kahn. I'd like to speak to you some more, preferably in private."

"About what?"

"I spoke with Kotal Kahn before he was attacked. It was a sensitive matter, and there are many ears listening..." She looks at the guards, and of the group that accompanied Cao. "The one in red, Ruby, knows."

"She told me you are Tanya's niece?" Cao asks, changing the subject.

"I am."

"Then maybe you're right where you belong. How do we know you're not with the Deadly Alliance?"

"I put myself back in prison when I could escape at any time. Isn't that proof enough of my good intentions?"

"A bold claim, but is it true?"

"Would you like to find out?"

>Allow her to be free, but watched
>Let her whisper in your ear what she wants to say
>Ask her to demonstrate her escape
>Have her remain in prison for now
>Other
>>
>>823415
>Ask her to demonstrate her escape
As a professional thief, we can critique her performance.
>>
>>823415
>Ask her to demonstrate her escape
Li Mei obviously helped you, these bars are impenetrable
>>
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>>823444
>>823495

"As a matter of fact, I would," he says with a growing smirk. "I'm a thief. I'd like to see your form."

"You could see my form if you like," she says in a flirty voice. "But I'd rather show you my technique."

Cao folds his arms as she reaches a hand down to her thigh, exposing part of her leg from behind the fabric as she does. Reaching along the seem of her thigh-high stocking, she takes out a small piece of metal, held between her fingers. She strightens it and then reaches through the bars to the lock.

It takes a moment for her to fiddle around with the metal inside before a click is heard. She opens the cell door, sliding it to one side and stands with a confident grin.

"Now then... Is the rest of this conversation going to take place outside the dungeons, or inside this cell? You're welcome to join me if you like, just as I hope I'm welcome to join you."

"Alright, enough," Jacqui says, pushing through to stand next to Cao. She puts a hand on her hip and fixes Nadia with a suspicious look. "What's your game, girl?"

"And you are?" she replies, seemingly not very impressed.

"I'm from Earthrealm, and that's all you need to know right now."

"That would explain why you look so brutish and thick-headed."

"Oh, is that how it's gonna be?"

>Break it up
>Let it go on
>Nadia can remain in her cell for now
>Let her go free, conditionally
>Other
>>
>>823516
>>Break it up
>Let her go free, conditionally

Guards wherever she sleeps, etc etc
>>
>>823516
>Break it up
>>
>>823516
>Break it up
>>
>>823583
>>823586
>>823627

Cao quickly steps in and puts his hands up. "Hey, not here, and not now. Break it up."

Though the girls seem like they could be shooting lightning bolts at each other, they comply. Cao looks over at Ruby and says, "Nadia can leave the dungeons, but under escort." He looks back at the edenian and adds, "If you want to stay in my good graces, you won't sneak off."

"I won't be going anywhere they can't see me," Nadia promises. "I swear it to you, Emperor. And I thank you for your gracious understanding."

He accepts that, and soon enough they're walking out of the dungeons as a group once more. At the top of the stairs, Jacqui pulls Cao off to the side, and Sanra joins them. They stand between some pillars and speak in hushed tones.

"I haven't had a chance to talk to you since before the throne room," she says. "What's this about this osh-tekk promised to marry you?"

"I have no idea," he says as honestly as he can. "Kotal never mentioned her. In fact, he once told me and Sanra that he wouldn't force us to marry."

Sanra nods. "It's true. I knew nothing of it, either. But I have known that the osh-tekk weren't too pleased that Kotal had a non-osh-tekk heir. I think they were worried about losing favor in the Empire, so the plan was probably to marry Cao into an osh-tekk bloodline, because Kotal cannot have children."

"And since we did a blood-bond ritual, I'm the closest thing to carrying on his bloodline," Cao adds.

Jacqui folds her arms. "Well... What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, I haven't even met the girl! K'etz is laying on the pressure, hard. I guess he's trying to take advantage of Kotal being out, since he's probably the only one who could stall this. What a great grandfather I have..."

"What can we do?" Sanra asks.

>Meet Luliya
>Avoid the matter, and K'etz, for now, roll with the punches and keep going.
>Find a way out of the marriage
>Ask Ruby for advice
>Other
>>
>>823644
>>Meet Luliya
Then
>Avoid the matter, and K'etz, for now, roll with the punches and keep going.
>>
>>823644
>Meet Luliya
The throne can't afford to offend the Oshkosh, let's hope she doesn't look like a warthog
>>
>>823675
>>823676

"Well... I think I should meet her," he shrugs. "We keep talking about her, it's about time I actually do so, right?"

"If you think that's best," Jacqui says, still sounding unsure. "Are you going to do so... alone?"

Cao scratches the back of his head. As he thinks about it, he realizes that he doesn't even know where she is. He looks over at Ruby and waves her over; the First Minister is quick to do so.

"Where does Luliya live?"

"Her family estate, not far from the palace. After her father's death, she inherited it along with quite a bit of land, many servants and considerable wealth. May I ask why, my Emperor?"

"I think I should meet her. See if she looks like a warthog or not." Jacqui punches his arm and he winces slightly.

"Take this seriously!" she tells him.

"We can arrange a carriage to take you there," Ruby says before he can respond to the earthrealmer.

"Can I travel there not by carriage?"

"It's traditional, my Kahn. I'm sorry but I can't allow you to walk the streets without an escort. I know you are skilled at doing such, as are both of the Kahnokin, but your life is too important to risk."

Cao looks at Sanra's eyes; she communicates a different option. Much like how she snuck out earlier, he could do the same.

>Travel via carriage
>Sneak out and travel on foot
>Don't bring anyone to see Luliya
>Bring others to her family estate
>Other
>>
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>>823713
>Travel via carriage
>Don't bring anyone to see Luliya
We don't need anyone in the carriage with us, especially not Kano!
>>
>>823713
>Travel via carriage
>>
>>823736
>>823800

"I'll take a carriage, and go alone," Cao says. "And one more thing: prepare this without K'etz. I don't want him to be there; I want to meet her on my terms."

Ruby nods and moves off to make the necessary preparations. Cao spares a look at Jacqui, who remains silent.

Within the hour, Cao is in a carriage, carried down the streets of Z'unkahrah. It makes him uncomfortable, despite how nicely furnished the interior is with its plush seating. He looks out the shaded windows and sees the people of the streets moving around him, going about their business, keeping well away from the carriage. He is flanked on all sides by guards.

'I've never felt so far away from the streets while actually being in them,' he thinks to himself.

They stop in front of the estate. It is a large mansion, one near the center of the noble district, and as he steps out he can see osh-tekk guards. It appears that it is staffed entirely by the osh-tekk, and as he nears the doors, they move to open them for him. Once inside, Cao is led to a grand parlor, where servants play music on harps and other instruments.

In the center of the room, lounging upon a luxurious couch as she is fanned by one servant and fed grapes by another, is Luliya; a beautiful green-skinned woman, barely covered by a loose-fitting dress that hangs from the curves of her form. She opens her eyes, brushes a strand of black hair from them and looks upon him as he enters; they are half-lidded and strangely alluring, surrounded by blue makeup. In one hand she holds the tip of a hookah, which she has clearly been enjoying.

'So much for her being a warthog...' he thinks. He looks around the room; scantily-clad green women are all around him. 'So this is what she's been spending her father's fortune on. Ruby did call her a party girl.'

"I present Cao Kahn, our Emperor," her chief servant announces him.

"My Emperor, I am yours," she says with a smile. With a wave of her hand, the servants near her step aside. "Join me, won't you?"

>"You're my bethrothed?"
>"I'd rather we meet in private."
>Sit alongside her
>Well, you've seen her; leave
>Other
>>
>>823874
>Sit alongside her
Let's find out what she was doing before she got the inheritance and clearly got spoiled by it.
>>
>>823874
>"I'd rather we meet in private."
"So tell me about yourself, what's your favourite thing to do, what's your favourite colour, what's your opinion on the complex network of political alliances that Outworld has found itself apart of?"
>>
>>823874
>"You're my bethrothed?
>>
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>>823886
>>823887
>>823890

Cao walks over and sits on the couch alongside her. "I don't suppose we could speak more privately, hm?"

Luliya is more than happy to comply. With a wave of her hand, the music ceases and the servants promptly leave the room. The guards, both hers and Cao's, wait outside the doors as they are shut behind them. Once done, Luliya fixes her eyes upon Cao as though he is a prize, and leans on the couch's back as she says, "So now we are alone... What shall we do now? Can I offer you wine? Some fruit, perhaps?"

"I'd like to get to know you," he says, picking up a goblet. "I see you're enjoying your family's wealth. Your father died recently, yes?"

"Oh yes, a terrible tragedy," she says, though she doesn't seem at all phased by it. "He left me everything. I've been drowning my grief in good company, wine and music."

'Something tells me you were doing that before he died, too,' he thinks as he drinks the surprisingly tasty wine. "And what do you like to do?"

"I like to have a good time," she smiles, letting one hand slip to his shoulder, where she feels his muscles. "I like the pleasures of life, simple and complex."

He nods, and then is silent for a few moments. "Favorite color?"

She wasn't expecting that. "Oh... Blue. It's such a pretty color, isn't it?" She flutters her eyelids, showing off her blue eyeshadow.

"What do you like to eat?"

"Whatever's tasty," she laughs, seemingly taking all of these questions like a game. "Same with my drink."

"Did you know we were part of a marriage arrangement?"

"Didn't you?"

Cao dodges the question by drinking. "What's your opinion on the complex network of political alliances that the Empire has?"

She blinks once. "I'm not much into politics; they bore me." She trails her hand up to his neck, resting it there. "May I ask you a question, my lord?" He nods. "Do you find me beautiful?"

Well, he can't lie about that. "I do."

"I think we would make a wonderful match, my Emperor..." she says, her face growing nearer, eyes sparkling. "Don't you agree?"

>Agree
>Disagree
>See how she reacts if you splash wine in her face
>Leave
>Other
>>
>>823948
>Disagree
She's everything to hate about rich people.
>>
>>823948
>Ask her to explain what she means by that
>>
>>823948
>Agree
>Other
>"Anything attached to me will gleam like the sun."
>>
>>823951
>>823952
>>823979

I'll need a tie breaker or some backers.
>>
>>823952
Second this one. "How do you figure? What do you bring to Outworld's leadership that can't be found anywhere else?"
>>
>>823952
>>824004

Cao sits back, putting some distance between their faces. "Why is that?" he asks her.

"What do you mean?"

"No, no, no, what do YOU mean? Why do you think we would be a good match?"

She smiles, despite being caught slightly off-guard. "Well, you are very strong. I have heard of your deeds; I was watching the day you became prince. I remember thinking how handsome you were; fresh from battle, a warrior." Her hand goes down to his chest to feel it. "The osh-tekk respect warriors."

"So do I," he replies. "Can you fight?"

"Of course. I have been trained by the finest men and women my father could hire."

He cocks a brow. "Have you ever fought for real? In a battle?"

"No," she answers quickly and dismissively. "But if I had to, I could."

"So you're not really a warrior, then?"

"I've never had to be," she replies nonchalantly.

"You don't say..." He takes another drink. "Anything else?"

"Well, I have wealth," she points out. "Our union strengthens your treasury, and helps keep the osh-tekk in line."

"So you think you're a bargaining chip?"

She puts a hand to her mouth and giggles. "Please. I'm hardly a bargaining chip, I'm a jackpot. Our marriage was arranged so that the osh-tekk would be happy and continue supplying funds for the rule. Do you know we once lived in a realm made of gold? My people still have much of it remaining."

"And if I don't marry you, they'll stop helping fund the empire. Is that right?"

"It's the perfect reason to marry, isn't it? Us being a fine match is a delicious bonus as well. Soldiers and guards need money, and that money needs to come from somewhere." She pauses to take a drink. "Face it, my Emperor... We're practically destined to be. And if you're still wondering what I bring to the table, I have been educated by the finest tutors in a variety of things... Not merely combat, but pleasures from the old texts and traditions..."

Her hand starts to slowly crawl down his chest, towards his stomach, then his waist.

>Speak to her more
>Leave; you're not for or against the union yet
>Call it off with her
>Ask her how well she can fight; show me
>Other
>>
>>824071
>Other
Arm drag and throw her off the couch
>"Show me these combat skills you're so sure of. Unless you're trained in the art of sitting on couches all day."
>>
>>824071
>Ask her how well she can fight; show me
we shall see if you truly are as strong as you claim
>>
>>824094
>>824127

Cao smirks, and grabs hold of her arm. He stands and brings her with him, before twisting and throwing her across the carpetted floor. She rolls and ends up on her bottom, looking up at him with wild, estranged eyes.

"W-what?!"

Cao takes off his crown and sets it on the couch. "Show me these combat skills you're so sure of. Unless you're trained in the art of sitting on couches all day."

She stands up. "I... have been drinking!"

"So you should have more fight in you, then!" he says. "Come on, show me what you have!"

She doesn't seem to back down from the challenge, but it does take a moment for her to convince herself to do this. She approaches Cao and tries to throw a punch, but he catches it, turns her around and pushes her away. "This isn't one of your sparring matches with a teacher," he tells her. "Now show me what you're made of!"

She looks back, her face growing fierce. "Very well!" Her foot rises high as she leaps, attempting to kick him in the head. Cao easily dodges it; she's acrobatic enough to kick high, but the move was telegraphed, the mark of an attack that was studied, but never used in an actual fight.

"You'll have to do better," he says.

She moves in with more kicks and punches. Cao blocks or dodges each one, studying her carefully. This is where he can get a true measure of her character, and to her credit, at least she isn't backing down. In fact, he thinks that this may be the first thing she has had to fight for since getting her father's money, and she isn't about to let it slip through her fingers.

>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>824161
Keep testing her, maybe throw in a grapple or two to see what she's got
>>
Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>824161
redirect, deflect, grapple into pushing her into a gentleish plop on the couch.
Dismissive? Maybe, who knows.
>>
Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>824161
Dodge while eating some grapes, occasionally harmlessly throw some at her
>>
>>824187
In case I wasn't up front about it, I was hoping my roll would come off as Cao clearly not really trying, avoiding harming her and just kind of playing.
>>
Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>824161
go for a leg sweeps to test the waters
>>
Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>824161
Throw. a. chair.
>>
>>824172
>>824187

She presses on despite his overwhelming defense, trying to land a hit and failing each time. He steps carefully as they circle the parlor, careful so they don't break anything. She grunts and shouts as she punches and kicks; Cao briefly and amusedly wonders what this must sound like to the guards outside.

Eventually, he catches her wrist and pulls her in close. He grabs her other arm and forces her down.

"Your enemy has you in a hold," he says in her ear. "He's going to take out a knife! What do you do?"

He lets go with one hand to mock-grab a nonexistent knife at his belt, giving her an opening. Luliya grits her teeth and pushes against him, managing to cause them both to fall backwards. Though he could've kept holding on, he lets go.

They both spring up as she pants. "What is this?" she asks. "I can't beat you!"

"I don't want you to beat me, I want you to try!"

Seemingly understanding, she leaps at him, which he easily sidesteps. He grabs her, spins her around and throws her back on the couch.

>>824197

As she looks up, he grabs some of those grapes from earlier and eats a few. "Mm. These are good," he says.

"Are... are we done?" she asks. He takes one of the grapes and throws them at her. It harmlessly bounces off her forehead and she laughs. "What are you doing?"

'She's shallow but at least she isn't insensitive and humorless,' he thinks with a shrug. "Come on, hit me," he urges her, all the while eating more grapes. She gets up and goes for a practiced roundhouse, which he ducks under.

>>824217

Again she attempts a roundhouse, leaving her wide open to attack on her other leg. Cao does just this, with a fast sweep that takes her off her feet. She hits the carpet and gives a small groan.

"My lord... I can't hit you."

"Giving up so easily?"

She closes her eyes and forces herself back up.

>1d100 and an action!
>Or end the fight.
>>
>>824266
>End the fight
I'm not making any promises, but I'll consider it if you can hold your own against me in the future.
A queen shouldn't be helpless without her handmaidens
>>
>>824266
>Or end the fight.
good try, but not enough. Outworld demands strength, from its khan and his queen.
>>
Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>824266
Tackle her onto the couch and hold her down
>>
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>>824291
>>824319

Cao shrugs. "Eh, alright then. Nevermind."

Still holding up her fists, she stops, confused. "What?"

"Good try," he says, walking over to pick up his helm. "But not quite good enough yet. I'm not making any promises, but I'll consider it if you can hold your own against me in the future. A queen shouldn't be helpless without her handmaidens. If there is one thing tht Kotal Kahn has shown me, it's that Outworld demands strength."

"I... I..." He can her desperation in her voice, but she cannot speak.

"Farewell."

He approaches the door. As he does so, Luliya suddenly runs at him, grabs his shoulder and turns him. As she does this, the last thing he expected was for her fist to fly out and crack him across the mouth.

Cao blinks in surprise, then reaches up to his mouth as she stands there, stunned. He pulls his fingers away, revealing a small, minute amount of blood.

Luliya's eyes go wider and she falls to her knees. "My Emperor, I know not what I have done! I didn't mean to strike you! That is, I did, but not to draw blood! Forgive me, I am not worthy!"

'The hell just happened?' he thinks as he stands there, bewildered.

>"That was an actual punch. Not bad."
>"If you can only hit an opponent when they aren't expecting it, that's bad."
>"Don't worry about it."
>"That was a mistake."
>Other
>>
>>824473
Huh.
>That was an actual punch, not bad.
>Still, you need to work on the force and a few other things, like what to do when your opponent expects it.
>Still, stealth and duplicity are strengths of their own I guess.
Just basically laugh about it
>Just, don't make a habit of that.
>>
>>824473
>An actual punch, not bad
>other
Lift her up and dust her off
>>
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>>824492
>>824505

"Huh." He offers her his hand, and she warily takes it. He helps her up and dusts her off. "That was an actual punch, not bad. Still, you need to work on the force and a few other things, like what to do when your opponent expects it. But, stealth and duplicity are strengths of their own I guess."

She is still somewhat confused and still, but he laughs, which seems to calm her down.

"I'm sorry, my Emperor, I was trying to impress you."

"Well, I'm not impressed by money, or what it can bring. I'm impressed by someone's character. The punch wasn't a terrible start---just, don't make a habit of that."

"I won't," she insists. "But, our marriage? Is it still on?"

"I can't answer that right now."

"Oh..." Her shoulders slump somewhat in disappointment. She rubs her forehead. "I must seem a fool."

"Could be worse," he says encouragingly.

>Return to the palace
>Go meet the satyr Tekalla at the smith shop
>Sneak away from the estate and travel as a street rat
>Spend some more time here
>Other
>>
>>824572
>Sneak away from the estate and travel as a street rat
>Go meet the satyr Tekalla at the smith shop
but all subtle like. get a feel for her when not under imperial eye.
>>
you guys ending the fight like that was pretty fucking dumb you realize?
>>
>>824694
why? it was a test run.
>>
>>824722
It was insulting, we initiated and then said "Nah, fuck it".

Jesus christ
>>
>>824724
and then she punched Cao in the face. its all good. Also she wasn't that good.
>>
>>824733
It may have turned out "okay" that doesn't mean the action wasn't dumb in the firstplace.
>>
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>>824618

"Hey, listen. I want you to do me a favor. You want to get on my good side?"

"What is it?" she asks.

He sets his helm down, and then takes off his green clothing, revealing his simpler street clothes underneath. "Don't let anyone in, and if anyone asks at the door, I'm still in here with you. Got it?"

"What are you doing?"

He walks towards one of the windows and pushes it open. "Just getting back in touch with the city," he replies as he climbs out. "Remember, don't let anyone know! It'll be our secret."

She watches him go as he sneaks across the grounds, then hops over the fence.

Cao makes his way through the streets, pulling up his hood. He vanishes into the crowds like stepping into water, instantly remembering how to swim. He weaves through the streets, unseen and unremembered, even walking past two guards at one point. They never look twice at him.

He smiles to himself as he makes his way towards the markets. As he does, he hears bits and pieces of conversations; the city is alive with rumor. Rumors about him, Kotal Kahn, the Deadly Alliance and more. News of the tarkatans, of the centaurians, of the shokan and more; each street corner is host to conversation, to shouts and arguments, to the blind sages spreading words of wisdom and prayer.

Fear is the word he would use to describe it. The people are unsure of the recent attack, and they feel trapped in the city. Where once they felt safe, the Wraith-Plague and the attack on Kotal's life has them afraid. Furthermore, Ruby was right---rumor of Onaga not being truly dead has cast doubt upon Cao.

The thief does not reveal himself, though at times he feels tempted to. Never in his life has he been the focus of attention, yet nobody knowing that he is among them.

Cao travels to the market, to Smithie's shop. As he does so, he passes by a centaurian---or was it minotaurian, or satyr?---who carries a large crate on his shoulders. Cao watches him curiously before moving up to the shop.

Smithie is working the counter, and nearby, lit by the fires of a forge, is a tall satyr. She wears a heavy apron and thick leather gloves, muscles rippling as she pounds away at metal on an anvil. Her face, framed by massive black horns and a mop of dark hair, is dark with ash. A pair of goggles are on her face, which allows her to stare into the forge without flinching. She pounds away relentlessly with her hammer on a blade before placing it in water to cool.

Cao has never seen one like her before; he has fought minotaurians, but a female blacksmith is quite unique. Quite intimidating, to some, yet he can't help but admire the way she handles a hammer.

>Approach her and reveal yourself
>Aproach her, but do not reveal yourself
>Speak to Smithie
>Observe for a while in secret
>Other
>>
>>824785
>>Aproach her, but do not reveal yourself
>>
>>824785
>Observe for a while in secret
>>
Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>824785
>>Aproach her, but do not reveal yourself
>>
>>824943
Oopsie
>>
>>824842
>>824943

Cao walks in, slipping past Smithie. He approaches Tekalla as she takes a rag to wipe some sweat from her brow. Upon seeing him, she looks down at the thief. Standing perhaps several or seven-and-a-half feet tall, she dominates him considerably in height.

"Can I help you?" she asks. While her tone is not hostile, she doesn't know what to make of the shorter outworlder.

"I was just watching. You seem like a good smith."

"I have practiced all my life," she says with a smile, perhaps glad to receive a compliment. "In fact, my father once told me the first thing I ever picked up as a child was a hammer."

Cao looks on the nearby table and spies a warhammer. "Is that yours? Is it for sale?"

"Yes, and no," she replies. She sets down her work hammer and takes off her goggles; there is a visible difference on her skin from where the ash and smoke hit washed over her from the clean skin around her brown eyes. She picks up the warhammer. "I made this myself. It was a rite of passage in my family."

"I hope you don't mind my curiosity. I've just never met one of your kind that was willing to speak."

"I don't at all. I find it refreshing; I wish more people would do the same."

"Have you had trouble settling in?"

"We have only been here a short few days, but tensions are high. I would have liked to have come here during a better time, but such is life. We will do what needs to be done. Kotal Kahn gave his word."

"But Kotal is not the current Kahn," Cao points out. "What if his son sends you away?"

Tekalla pauses. "I would hope that he would see the reason in cooperation. But if he were to send my people back out into the wilds, where Motaro could catch us, I would fight for them to remain."

"You would fight Cao Kahn?"

"And die trying, if need be. Anything to protect my fellow brothers and sisters in exile." She shakes her head. "But listen to me, speaking of fighting the Emperor... I do not wish to do so. Someone may hear and twist my words into treason. That is not what I desire."

>"I do not desire that either." Reveal yourself
>"Tell me, what do you make of this?" Summon the Wrath Hammer
>"What if I told you that Cao Kahn wanted to meet with you?"
>"Thank you. Goodbye."
>Other
>>
>>824976
>Other
I've heard talk of your people harassing civilians and generally acting in a hostile way. What do you think of that?
>>
>>824976
>>"Tell me, what do you make of this?" Summon the Wrath Hammer
>>
>>825005
>>825037

Can I get a tie breaker or some backers?
>>
>>825005
Second.
>>
>>825005
>>825100

"I've heard talk of your people harassing civilians and generally acting in a hostile way. What do you think of that?"

Tekalla leans back somewhat, and sighs. "My people are proud. And more often than not, thickheaded. They take insult very strongly... we can be easy to provoke. And so many do not like us simply because of what we are." She looks over at Smithie, who is speaking to another customer. "That one is one of the few who would listen to me when I said I was a skilled smith."

"He's a good man," Cao agrees. "But your people haven't been causing trouble?"

"I think it's that Merchant's Guild," she mutters. "They don't want the competition. My wares would be the finest this city has ever seen, and that's less koins in their pockets. I'm not going to say that my people haven't caused any harm, but it is because they are provoked."

She pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry, stranger, but why are you asking me these things? Who are you?"

>"No one important."
>"A concerned citizen."
>"Thanks, that's all I needed to know." Leave
>Reveal yourself
>Other
>>
>>825127
>>"No one important."
>>Other
"So if you're as good as you claim, would you mind taking a look at this?"
And then show her the Wrath Hammer.
>>
>>825127
>"A concerned citizen."
just want to know whats going on in the neighborhood.
>>
>>825139

Any backers? Or keep Cao's identity hidden for now?
>>
>>825127
Okay this>>825139

I want to see her face
>>
>>825139
>>825153

He smirks. "No one important. But I was wondering..." He reaches behind himself and subtly summons the Wrath Hammer. "If you're as good as you claim, would you mind taking a look at this?"

He hefts it in front of him with one arm, a feat that looks quite impressive given how heavy the hammer is. She is surprised by its sudden appearance. "What is this? Where were you keeping it?"

"Go on," he urges her. She reaches out and takes it, surprised by its weight.

"You make it seem so light," she says. She runs her hand up the shaft to the head, which she examines closely. "This metal... there is magic in it. Powerful enchantments. The hammer hums with power." She turns it around, inspecting the dragon symbol on it. "Where did you get this? Is it yours?"

"I can't say that I made it. I earned it when I killed its previous owner."

"I have heard of hammers like this," she whispers, in awe of the power contained within the brutal craftsmanship. "This is a weapon of war. A conqueror's weapon." Suddenly, her eyes go wide as dinner plates. "This is... This is Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer!"

"It is."

"Then you are..." She is stunned as she looks upon the thief. "Could it be?"

"Calm," he urges her. "I'm hidden right now."

He reaches up and takes the hammer from her, holding the heavy tool in one hand. He bansihes it with a small green flash.

"I am at your service," she says, bowing her head. She speaks silently, understanding his request. "And I am deeply sorry for what has happened to Kotal Kahn. I spoke to him only once, on the night he was attacked."

"I wanted to see who you were," he tells her. "And I have to admit, I am impressed."

"Your words are kind. I hope I did not offend you when I spoke earlier of fighting you..."

>"Under my rule, your people have nothing to worry about."
>"Do you think you could win?"
>"What if I could make your problems go away?"
>"It takes a lot to offend me. I've been offended by professionals."
>Other
>>
>>825215
>>"It takes a lot to offend me. I've been offended by professionals."
>>Other
She should meet Johnny sometime.
>>
>>825139
>>825215
>>"Do you think you could win?"
>>"It takes a lot to offend me. I've been offended by professionals."
I'm just interested to know how strong she thinks she is
>>
>>825215
>>"Do you think you could win?"
>"It takes a lot to offend me. I've been offended by professionals."
>>
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>>825227
>>825249
>>825256

"Not at all. It takes a lot to offend me. I've been offended by professionals. But I am curious---do you think you could win?"

At first she is taken aback by the question, but then she smiles. "Well, now that I have seen you, you do not look so tough. I could defeat you."

"Is that so? Can you prove it?"

"I thought you wanted to remain hidden. A battle between us could cause quite a bit of attention."

"A contest smaller in scale, then," he suggests. He pulls up a chair in front of her anvil and props his elbow upon it, ready to arm-wrestle. "Shall we?"

"I'll go easy on you and not use my hammer arm," she suggests. She brings up her hands and cracks her knuckles. She pulls up a chair on the opposite side and digs her hooves into the dirt. She clasps his hand, dwarfing it in size, much like the muscles on her arm. "What are the terms?"

"No terms. Strongest wins, simple as that."

She smirks. "I like that. Ready, little Emperor?"

With how much everyone has been bowing and scraping at his feet, he finds himself rather enjoying her playful banter. "Ready!"

Their arms tense up and they begin to push!

>1d100+10!
>Or lose intentionally.
>>
Rolled 45 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>825291
>>
Rolled 54 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>825291
She seems fun, we should invite her to the palace to hang out.
>>
Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>825291
>>
>>825298

At first, she pushes against him and has the clear advantage. She grins as he struggles to force her back. "Your arms are so tiny!" she says.

"Maybe, but I've got a lot of heart," Cao says through gritted teeth.

>>825301

Calling upon his hidden inner strength, he pushes her back. Finally, he manages to get even with her. Her smile slowly vanishes as her arms tense up even more; sweat runs down both of their foreheads.

"You're not cheating, are you?" she asks.

"Just using what I've got!"

>>825305

Cao closes his eyes and pushes her back. Their elbows strain against the anvil as she pushes back on him with all her strength. He has to admit, she's very strong; she could give Sheeva a run for her money, perhaps.

But not someone with the strength of Shao Kahn.

Tekalla grunts as she pushes and pulls against him, but he is like a rock, slowly pushing her arm down. Finally, it comes to within an inch of the black metal surface, and Cao holds it there.

>Win easily
>Win, but make it seem like a terrible struggle
>Let her lose and make it seem like you ran out of energy
>Let her lose easily
>Other
>>
>>825371
>>Win, but make it seem like a terrible struggle
>>
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>>825371
>Win easily
What's the matter Tekella? Smithie got you pushing too many pencils?
>>
>>825371
>>Win, but make it seem like a terrible struggle
Muscle girls are great
>>
>>825371
>Win, but make it seem like a terrible struggle
its also smart to not show our hand entirely.
>>
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>>825384
>>825412
>>825429

With a burst of energy, he could easily end this match. Cao has only been calling upon the power within him a small portion at a time, slowly pushing her back. He doesn't want to make her feel weak. And so, with one last push but without making it seem like he could have easily won, Cao causes her wrist to meet the anvil. He pulls his arm back and shakes his hand, breathing heavily. She does the same.

"I can't believe it," she says with a smile in spite of her loss. "I won't! Are you sure you didn't cheat?"

"You're strong, but I guess I'm just stronger," he laughs. "Don't feel bad. You put up one hell of a struggle."

"Well, I lost fairly. I should not have spoken so confidently."

"Nah, you're fine," he waves a hand.

"Well, can you blame me? Look at you!"

"Big things come in small packages."

"I mean no offense. But it was hard for me to believe you defeated the Dragon King and the former Emperor before this. Now I am certain there is much hidden within you, and you have my respect."

"Thank you," he says. "And I have to say, I respect you as well."

She reaches over for a mug of water and hands it to him. "I would offer you ale, but I am not allowed to drink during working hours."

"This is fine," he says, downing most of it in one gulp.

>Bid her farewell and leave
>Invite her and Smithie to set up shop in the palace instead of the market
>Ask what he can do to help her people
>Flirt
>Other
>>
>>825471
>>Invite her and Smithie to set up shop in the palace instead of the market
>>Ask what he can do to help her people
>>Flirt

WRITE ALL THREE WRITE SLAVE
>>
>>825471
>Ask what he can do to help her people
>>825495
do we need more woman problems, such as hitting on a "Traitor"?
>>
>>825502
>do we need more woman problems

Considering I'm trying to build this up to an all-female Mortal Kombat tournament, yes
>>
>>825471
>Ask what he can do to help her people
>Flirt

>>825495
Inviting a woman to live with us is third date at the earliest!
>>
>>825502
>do we need more woman problems

I'm not taking it any further than flirting, Cao likes girls, I'm roleplaying
>>
>>825471
>Ask what he can do to help her people
>Flirt
>>
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>>825502
>>825495
>>825521
>>825553

He finishes the water with a second gulp. Setting down the mug, he says, "I'd like to help your people, Tekalla."

"I thank you, but I am not sure what can be done. You simply can't change the way some people think."

"At a council meeting this morning, the merchant-baron was calling for your people to be removed from the market, quartered like the lizardfolk. At the time, I didn't know anything about your people, as I hadn't met you, but now that I have I can say that I won't let that happen."

She smiles. "I am glad to have you as an ally in the court, Cao." She then realizes what she said and says, "A thousand pardons. I meant, my Emperor."

"Cao is fine," he says, reaching over and touching her hand. "Those close to me call me that."

Beneath the ash on her cheeks, he suddenly sees a bit of red. "I should get back to work," she says, seeming a bit flustered. "I have orders to fill!"

He chuckles softly to himself. "Don't let me keep you. Feel free to drop by the palace at any time."

He stands up and puts his cloak back on. He walks past Smithie. "Hey," he says to him, causing the man to do a double-take.

"Wait, was that...?"

But Cao is already gone, vanished into the streets.

As he makes his way back to the estate, he suddenly hears a commotion. There is a gathering of people further up the street, shouting and throwing something. Cao's eyes narrow and he quickly scales a building, approaching the edge to look down on the scene.

They are punishing a thief who was caught.

Two Kahn guards are hoisting up a man bound in rope while some of the crowd throw small stones at him. Cao leans down and watches closely as one of them takes out a sword.

"No! Please!" the thief cries out.

"You stole bread," the guard replies. "You should be lucky that the Kahn no longer puts thieves to death!"

The other guard forces the thief's wrist against a wooden block, holding his arm down and stripping the sleeve to make it bare.

"For my child! For her to eat! Please, I need my hand to work! She will starve!" A stone hits the side of his head.

"Silence, thief!" the guard shouts. He lifts up his sword while the crowd rants and raves.

Cao watches this sight unfold before his eyes; he's seen it before, countless times. Every time he ever saw it, he thought to himself, 'That's not me. I didn't get caught.'

But in this moment, for some reason, perhaps because he is no longer a thief on the streets---he feels that he IS that man being held down. The man is a thief, perhaps not full-time, but he clearly lives a life on the streets, like he once did.

He is the Kahn. He could stop this. But then the court would learn... but what the hell does he care? He can do as he pleases!

And yet...

>Walk away
>Stop this, reveal yourself, let him go free
>Stop this, reveal yourself, give him jail time instead
>Free the man, but attempt to keep your identity hidden
>Other
>>
>>825634
>Walk away
unfortunate but we have our own family to think of. And he's not dying.
>>
>>825634
>>Free the man, but attempt to keep your identity hidden
Yeah, fuck them.
>>
>>825634
>Other
Do a 360
>Walk away
>>
>>825634
>>Walk away
>>
>>825634
>Other- offer anything of value on us to pay for the bread
>Free the man, but attempt to keep your identity hidden
>>
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Ice cold, guys.

Speaking of which...


>>825645
>>825662
>>825664

Cao looks upon the scene, feeling pulled in two different directions; one towards the palce, and one towards helping the man.

But one of them pulls stronger, and he turns around to walk away.

As he does so, he expects to hear a scream of pain---but none comes. Instead, a different kind of shouting occurs: a woman's, and it is a scream of fury.

He hears the crowd gasp and scatter as some kind of flurry rises. Cao runs to the edge and looks down, seeing the two Kahn Guards completely frozen solid.

Frost is there. She looks down at the terrified would-be thief. "Get out of here!" she orders, and he quickly complies, running away. Frost dashes in the opposite direction, just as the guards break free from their icy confinement. They look around, having lost track of both the thief and his savior.

But Cao hasn't.

Across the rooftops he dashes after her, leaping over the alleyway gaps as Frost tries to flee. He knows the terrain better than she, however, and lands in front of her.

Not immediately recognizing him, she goes for a frozen slide, freezing the ground in front of her to barrel through him. He leaps overhead, grabbing her shoulders and hurling her at a wall. She shakes her head and summons a dagger made out of ice, ready to stab him---that's when he takes off his hood.

"...Cao?!" she says as she drops the knife. "What are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he replies.

She lowers her arms and steps out of her guarded stance. "Were you watching that?"

"I was."

"They were going to cut off his hand! Why would you let that barbarism stand?"

"Because this is Outworld! That's how things are done around here! It used to be steal and death."

"There are parts of Earthrealm like that too, but that doesn't mean it's right." She pokes a cold finger into his chest. "You were just talking yesterday about how you liked doing the right thing now that you're off the streets! What are you, a hipocrite?"

>Fight her
>"This is my city, and my realm. This was my life for years."
>"It's brutal, sure. But it gets the job done."
>"I don't have to like it."
>Other
>>
>>825734
>Other
"I am expected to behave like a khan or risk the council's faith in me. If they lose faith, I am no longer Khan, If I am no longer Khan I cannot change anything for anyone"
>>
>>825746
well said
>>
>>825746
Agreed. Like it or not, politics is tying Cao's hands.
>>
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>>825746
>>825822
>>825748

Cao pushes her hand away. "I am expected to behave like a Kahn or risk the council's faith in me. If they lose faith, I am no longer Kahn, If I am no longer Kahn, I cannot change anything for anyone!"

"Who cares what they think? You yourself said that most of them hate you. What really matters are the people they lord over---what would those nobles be without them?"

"I don't live on the streets anymore, and neither do you!"

She puts her hands on her hips. "Oh really, Kahn? Then what are you doing out here, dressed like that?"

Cao steps back, breaking eye contact. "I just wanted a break, is all. I had to get a pulse from the city, to see what people are feeling."

"A pulse, that's right! Because this is where the city is alive! Not up there in that palace. If that's the brain, then this is where the heart is!"

"And what good is a heart without the brain? What good is a brain without the heart? Just dead organs! These things have to exist alongside each other, and like it or not, my hands are tied."

"Well someone has to do something around here if you're not going to. And I think it should be me."

"Frost, you can't stop the guards from doing what they do. That's going to get back to me eventually, and if I let you go around doing it, what does that tell the guards? That their Kahn doesn't give a damn about them?"

Frost buries her hands in her blue hair. "It's just frustrating!"

"And you think I'M not frustrated?! I am! I've got a throne breathing down my neck and twenty different people trying to take a bite out of me. First I find out the woman who killed my mother is alive, then I'm Emperor, then I've got eight bastards, then I'm engaged, then foreign wars and trade disputes and tarkatans and ARRRRGH!"

He walks up to an alley wall and punches it, leaving a hole with cracks coming from it. Frost slowly raises her hands. "Woah... Chill."

He looks over his shoulder. "...Did you just say what I think you said?"

She pauses for a moment. "Oh, shit, I did. I can't believe that..." She puts her hands on her knees and laughs, and Cao soon follows, letting his back hit the wall and slide down to the floor. Frost manages to walk over and sit next to him as their fit of laughter dies down.

"Hey, I'm sorry," she says. "I shouldn't be giving you a hard time."

"Is this still about your birthday?"

"No, that was yesterday, it's in the past. I've just had other things on my mind." She pauses for a moment, shifts in place and then apparently changes the topic. "Hey, Cao... Can I ask you a question?"

>"I should get going."
>"What is it?"
>"As long as it's not about politics."
>Stay silent
>Other
>>
Ah, there's the 72-hour bump limit. But rest assured, we're still going!
>>
>>825893
>"What is it?"
you listened to the meltdown, might as well.
>>
>>825893
>"What is it?"
>>
>>825893
>"What is it?"
>"As long as it's not about politics."
>>
>>825893
>>"What is it?"
>>
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>>825909
>>825922
>>825923
>>825973

"What is it?"

"Well, I was thinking about this whole situation with Khameleon, and---"

"You're not going to ask me how that happened, are you?"

"No! Trust me, I do NOT want to know that. I was actually thinking about how she and I are kind of similar."

"You don't give yourself enough credit."

"I meant in that we're both kind of the last of our species. In a way. This whole time I've been thinking that I should try to get with another cryomancer, like me, you know... to continue the line or whatever. There should be more cryomancers, we're---"

"Cool?"

"I will stab you," she threatens him, in a tone that is half playful and half serious. "But anyway... She wanted more raptors. But she allowed herself to let some filthy street rat plant a seed in her garden, if you catch my meaning."

"You're too kind. But I didn't have much say in the matter."

"The point is... maybe I don't have to wait for another cryomancer to finally say yes. Maybe I should look elsewhere. What do you think? Because I've been thinking about someone lately... But he might be worth even more trouble."

She looks over at him, her steel-blue eyes staring into his.

>"Sure, go for it."
>"Well, who is it?"
>"What do YOU want? Isn't that what's important?"
>"Why think about kids at a time like this?"
>"I don't know."
>"Is this about Tundra?"
>"You should probably stick with what you know, right?"
>Other
>>
>>825987
>>"Sure, go for it."

It's Cao isn't it, shit
>>
>>825987
>Other
Think it's that she's talking about us then
>"Is this about Tundra?"
>>
>>825987
>"What do YOU want? Isn't that what's important?"
>"Sure, go for it."
Your life, your babies, your choice.
>>
>>825987
>Well, who is it?
>>
>>825997
>>826002
>>826003

He shrugs. "Sure, go for it."

She seems almost surprised. "Oh... Okay. I will. Thank you."

"No problem?"

For a moment, they sit in awkward silence, which is then interrupted by someone on a nearby rooftop. "Ahem."

They look up and see Ling and Lex sitting on the edge of the rooftop. "Aw, what a sweet little scene," Ling coos.

Frost stands up. "Ling! Why are you not at the palace?"

"Good question. Why are YOU not at the palace?"

Cao jumps up. "Why is NO ONE at the palace?"

Ling points at Lex. "I came out here to meet Lex. She's in town."

Lex waves. "Hey Cao! Hi Frost!"

"Why are you dressed like you used to dress?" Ling asks.

"I need to go," Cao says. "None of you ever saw me out here!"

"Oh, that sounds like something I could hold over your head," Ling smiles. "Are you not supposed to be out here?"

"You never saw me!" Cao shouts as he runs off.

Frost looks up at her friend. "Thanks, Ling."

"What? Ohhh. Was this about---"

"No!"

>Return to the estate and get your things
>Spend some more time out in the streets
>Check on how things are going in the other sections of the city
>Sneak back into the palace directly
>Other
>>
>>826054
>Return to the estate and get your things
Is Cao doomed to be lusted after by every female
>>
>>826054
>Return to the estate and get your things
time to go home and not question what happened.
>>
>>826054
>>Return to the estate and get your things

>>826080
Yes, they like his rugged good looks and portable manlet size
>>
>>826092
Shao Kahn must have implanted an actual Chick Magnet in his body
>>
>>826099
If Shao Khan had that ability he wouldn't have to kidnap Sonya.
>>
>>826080
Kaito is a chick magnet too, but Mileena has that shit on lockdown.
>>
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>>826080
>>826083
>>826092

Cao quickly makes his way back to Luliya's estate. He leaps the fence, runs across the grounds and jumps in through the window, surprising her.

"My Kahn! What happened?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," he quickly says, throwing on his clothes just as quickly. "Nice meeting you, gotta run!"

"Wait!" she calls out for him, but he is already out the door.

In the carriage on the way home, Cao relaxes and breathes easier. Trying to balance being a Kahn and his old life is difficult; he decides it would be better to focus on one at a time.

Returning to the palace yields some expected questions. He tells Ruby, Jacqui and Sanra about his encounter with Luliya, and admits to leaving the estate when questioned about how long he was gone for. Jacqui, for her part, is glad that Cao doesn't find the rich girl to be much of a catch. Ruby is upset at him not following her advice, but is more forgiving when she learns that he wanted to speak to Tekalla and is ready to help her people.

"It is an unconventional way to be a Kahn, but an effective one," she admits. "I only have your safety in mind."

"And I only tell you because I trust you," he replies.

That surprises her. "You do?"

"Well, you haven't tried steering me wrong, or taking advantage of me. You've done your job wonderfully so far."

"Thank you, my Kahn," she says with a bow. "But, there are still matters to attend to..."

Ruby reminds him of what he asked for earlier. After speaking with Kaito and informing him of everything that went on at the council meeting, specifically the news regarding Tortek's children and Turana, he learns that Kaito plans to visit Nemsai tomorrow with a small group. He'll keep Cao posted on any updates.

That evening, Cao is told by Ruby that there are a variety of things that he can do to pass the time and to hone his mind and body to be a better Emperor.

>Studying with Ruby
>Sword training with Hachiman
>Seamanship with Rajah
>Sparring with a squadmate
>Sparring with Lex
>Spend the evening relaxing
>Other
>>
>>826190
>>Studying with Ruby

Ruby is actually really cute, how Damashi made a ninja scientist cute I'll never know.
>>
>>826190
>Studying with Ruby
Teach me how to read numbers
>>
>>826190
>Studying with Ruby
>>
>>826198
>>826212
>>826271

That evening, Cao decides to spend the evening at Ruby's estate, allowing her to give him some of the lessons she has given to Hua. When inquired as to whether Hua would be there, she declined---a more personal lesson was what she had in mind.

Upon his arrival, he notes how nice of a dress she is wearing, something usually reserved for a more intimate setting, but her personal study, lit entirely with candles, is rather intimate, especially with how closely she sits to tutor him.

"You've read all these books?" he asks, looking at her vast perosonal library.

"Some twice over," she replies. "I've also written more than a few."

"I'd love to read them, if I could read."

"We can work on that, if you like," she replies. "Or I could read to you. What would you like to study?"

>Begin learning how to read
>Court etiquite and rule
>History
>Alchemy
>Other
>>
>>826305
>Court etiquite and rule
best know what the job entails first.
>>
>>826305
>Court etiquite and rule
Or
>History
Both could teach us important things about being Kahn
>>
>>826305
>>Court etiquite and rule
Oh god, literally every woman in outworld.

Do they allow Polygamy because christ
>>
>>826391
Its called a harem and its allowed, yes.
>>
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>>826318
>>826336
>>826391

Ruby reads to Cao long into the evening, educating him on all manners of court etiquette at his request. Proper titles, court functions, ceremonies, duties regarding the Kahn's official responsibilities to his council and more.

"Did Shao Kahn ever do this kind of stuff?"

"No, he didn't. But his rule was one of tyranny. He cared little for ceremony or etiquette when all that mattered is that he controlled everything and everyone."

"Were there any good qualities to his rule?"

"Well... Outworld was, technically speaking, safer from internal and external threat. The cost was great, for he was a madman, but his iron rule prevented many of the problems we face today. Our compassion is what sets us apart from tyrants like Shao Kahn. He would have already killed everyone with the plague, slaughtered his enemies without mercy, all while focusing on what realm to invade next. Outworld is better off without him, but at least he kept it in line. That's the most I could say about him. That, and he kept the people entertained."

Cao focuses on that last bit. "How?"

"Spectacle. Much like what Kotal Kahn attempted when he tried to feed you to the giant monsters, remember?"

"No, I had forgotten actually," Cao deadpans.

"Well, people like entertainment. Sport, bloodshed, a tournament... Anything to keep their minds off of current issues. We haven't had anything like that since the siege."

"Do you think it would be a good idea?"

"Perhaps... but what would it be?"

>A tournament
>Monster fights
>Olympics
>Nevermind
>Other
>>
>>826458
>A tournament
non lethal of course
or >Monster fights
two monsters enter one monster leaves.
>>
>>826305
>Court etiquette and rule
I really gotta learn to read at some point..
But priorities
>>
>>826529

We did that one
>>
>>826458
>>A tournament
>>
>>826458
>>A tournament
Mortal Naked Jello Kombat
>>
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>>826464
>>826544

"How about a tournament?"

"What manner of tournament were you thinking?"

"Well... Non-lethal, for one. Just sport."

"And the prize?"

Cao thinks for a moment. "Well, I was thinking..."

Suddenly, the room grows colder and a stray breeze hits them both as a ghost materializes in the room. "I have an idea!"

"GAH!" they both scream, leaping back. Ruby slams the book she was holding shut and holds it up to use as a weapon.

"Hello," Minerva says with a spectral smile. "Miss me?"

"Minerva!" Cao says, letting out a sigh of relief. "Where have you been?"

"Travelling all over the world! Looking for a cure to ghostism. So far no luck. But then I heard something happened in the capital, so I raced back here as quickly as I could! I searched all over the palace, but couldn't find you. Then I came here, because I remembered we spent time here once, and sure enough, here you are!"

She floats down to the floor as Cao asks, "What was you idea?"

"How about we have a tournament for ghosts? And the prize being coming back to life? You can do that, right?"

"Uh... not quite."

She lets out a forlorn sigh. "Oh well..."

Cao looks over at Ruby. "As I was saying, I was thinking about some way to get out of this arranged marriage business."

"How would you do that?"

"What if we had a tournament of just women, competing for my hand in marriage?"

Both Ruby and Minerva react with a mixture of shock and confusion. "But how would that solve your problem? What if the wrong person wins?"

"That's just it: we make it in the rules that I can still deny the winner my hand, or delay the marriage indefinitely. That takes it out of the osh-tekk's hands, and they respect warriors, so if Luliya entered and lost fair and square, they'd have to respect it, right? What do you think?"

"It's a plan that may just end up backfiring," Ruby warns him. "Who would compete?"

"I can think of a few," Cao says. "...Maybe more than a few."

"I'm not sure... But if you think it is a good idea, we could begin preparations tomorrow."

Minerva looks over. "Could I compete? Or is this a 'bodies-only' deal?"

>Go forward with the tournament
>On second thought, this is a dumb idea
>Ruby, can you think of anything else to get me out of this arranged marriage?
>Talk to Minerva
>Other
>>
>>826458
>Olympics
Something that might not end in murder
>>
>>826644
>This is retarded nevermind
>Hi Minerva
>>
>>826644
>>Go forward with the tournament
We can make them fight naked right? Everyone loves Foxy Boxing.
>>
>>826644
>On second thought, this is a dumb idea
get the dumb spitballing out of the way in private. Just offer some Koins and a fancy belt.
>Ruby, can you think of anything else to get me out of this arranged marriage?
>>
>>826644
>>Go forward with the tournament
Takes it out of cao's hands, it's entertainment for the on edge masses, and it suits outworld.
>>
>>826644
>>On second thought, this is a dumb idea
>>Ruby, can you think of anything else to get me out of this arranged marriage?
>>
>>826651
>>826685
>>826698

Cao rubs the back of his neck in frustration. "Yeah, you might be right, it could backfire. The osh-tekk might not want to go along with it, and who knows who might win that kind of tournament... I'm just turning my brain over to make sense of this arranged marriage situation."

"I know you're trying to look for an out, but there simply may not be one," she says. "If I may be so bold, my Kahn... What truly bring this on? Not just Luliya, yes?"

"Well, no, not just her. To put it mildly, I'm dealing with a lot of women who want a piece of me." He looks at her. "You brought it up once too, after all."

Ruby's hands come together. "My Kahn... While I would indeed like to marry you, it is not my intention to force you into doing so."

"Especially with this osh-tekk situation, right?"

"You could always marry her just for the political connections, but maintain a harem of others."

"That's what Kotal Kahn would probably tell me."

"It's not unheard of."

"I know, but not every girl wants to be part of a harem, right? And not every girl is content with not being number one."

"Is this about the Briggs girl?"

"Yeah... how did you know?"

"I can tell how close the two of you have become. It runs in the family."

Cao waits for her to elaborate. "What do you mean?"

"She's my great-granddaughter."

"Fucking WHAT?!" he shouts, backing up and nearly knocking over a stack of books on the corner of a table. "Wh-wh-what?!"

"Please, calm yourself," Ruby urges him. "She is one-eighth hinparian, on her father's side. I once had a brief fling with an earthrealmer, that was her great-grandfather. It resulted in a child, Jax's mother."

"Why did you never bring this up?! To me, or to her? To anyone?!"

Off to one side, Minerva sits on a table, amused by the conversation.

"I admit that i have kept it secret for quite some time. I wasn't married to him, it was just... Well, I was younger then. And with him from Earthrealm, and my duties to the Emperor at the time... I never considered it a matter worth consideration. But I am proud, in a way, of how well that side of my family turned out. Jax and his daughter are both fine people, regardless of their realm. If you were to end up with Jacqui, I would fully support it."

"Don't you think she should know this too? I mean, you've been around her quite a bit."

"Would you like her to learn?"

>Yes
>No
>I'll let you decide
>Any other secrets you feel like letting slip?
>Other
>>
>>826802
>I'll let you decide
It's really not our business to go around just doing that.
>Any other secrets you feel like letting slip?
>>
>>826802
>I'll let you decide
>Any other secrets you feel like letting slip?
I can see that being interesting pillow talk. "Hey, so Your great-grandmother said she'd like to be my wife. How does that make you feel?"
>>
>>826802
>>I'll let you decide
>>Any other secrets you feel like letting slip?

Grandma I'd like to fuck eh?

hehehe
>>
>>826832
>>826852
>>826853

"I'll let you decide that," he says, sitting on the table behind him. "I'm sorry, it's just I wasn't expecting that. You know I've slept with her, right? Is there any secret you've been carrying you feel like letting slip?"

"Is this proper to discuss in front of our, ahem, company?" Ruby says, looking at Minerva.

"Don't worry, she can keep a secret," Cao says. "Right, Minerva?"

"You're the one who freed me, my ghost-lips are ghost-sealed," she promises.

"Well then... I had my suspicions about you and her, but that doesn't necessarily deter me."

"She's not much into sharing. She wants a serious, one-on-one relationship."

"That is something to be respected. If that is what you desire, it can be so."

"Yeah but that's the thing, I don't know what I desire. Or rather, I've come to realize that I desire a lot but I'm very short-sighted and indecisive."

"You are the Kahn. You can have what you desire."

"I don't know if that's true," he replies. "I can have a lot, but like a child given too much candy, I could grow fat."

"You are worried about overextending your reach," she notes. "It is a good thing that you are concerned with this; it shows a desire to improve one's situation. Too little, and you risk being unsatisfied. Too much, and you risk being overwhelmed."

"I do have quite a few choices, don't I?"

"Would you like my advice?"

"Of course."

"If your relationship with Jacqui is coming between your duties as a Kahn, you should end it."

He is silent for a few moments. "But what if Kotal wakes up soon? Our relationship initially was great because, as the Kahnzedah, I had more freedom."

"Then you'll be given more time, but you will return to this problem again in the future. Perhaps not for a great while, but eventually."

"I suppose you're right about that." He hops off the table and sighs. "Well... thank you for your help tonight, Ruby. I should probably get back to the palace. It's late."

"You are more than welcome to spend the evening here, if you do not wish to travel back," she offers.

>Spend the night here
>Return to the palace
>Ask her about advice regarding Khameleon
>Talk with Minerva for a while
>Other
>>
>>826915
>Talk with Minerva
She's pretty cool, I'd like to catch up.
>>
>>826915
>>Talk with Minerva for a while
>Respectfully tell her no thanks

Ruby is great
>>
>>826915
>Talk with Minerva for a while
but
>Return to the palace
>>
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>>826925
>>826934
>>826963

Cao smiles, but declines her offer. "I'll return to the palace. Thanks anyway."

She bows her head. "Of course, my Kahn."

During the carriage ride back, Cao gets a chance to catch up with Minerva.

"So, what have you been up to? Where are some of the places you have been?"

"I spent a long time just flying around," she says. "Not really talking to anyone. Listening, watching. Trying to find myself before dedicating myself to searching for a way to get my body back."

"Do you think you can?"

"I don't know. But I'd like to try. If only so that I can smell, and touch, and taste again. It's funny... I think most people spend their lives worrying about death, but now that I'm here, I spend all my time thinking about life."

"I'm afraid I don't really have any ideas on how to bring you back. I don't know many spells or rituals, or people who could perform them... But I do know Shang Tsung."

"Ugh! He's the one who put me in that box in the first place. No way."

"Well... I do know something else."

"What?"

"There's this magical water, that's said to cure all wounds. It healed a dying man once, and turned a cyborg---a machine-man---back into full flesh and blood. We're trying to get our hands on it to cure a plague in the city, but maybe it could cure you, too?"

"Do you think it truly could?" she asks. "Could this magical water give me a new body?"

"I can't give you any promises," he tells her. "But like I said, we're trying to get ahold of it. Our enemies have it currently. Tomorrow, Kaito is going to try to talk to them and work out a deal."

"I hope it works out, and that it works!" Minerva says excitedly.

The carriage pulls up to the palace.

>Go to bed
>Check in with your squad
>Check in on your sisters
>Get something to eat
>Other
>>
>>826982
>>Check in with your squad
>>Check in on your sisters
>>Get something to eat
>>
>>826983
>>826982
That about covers everything before bed yeah
>>
>>826983

Upon entering, Cao bids farewell to Minerva, who promises to hang around due to the prospect of the water. She floats off through a wall, spooking two of the guards as she does. He chuckles as he walks by.

Ling, Frost and Jacqui have all gone to bed. Cao by chance bumps into Takeda.

"Hey man," he says as they both end up in the same corridor. "Something on your mind?"

"You would know, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah. I would. But I don't always do that to you, you know."

Cao pauses in the hallway and leans towards him. "Go ahead. Take a peek."

Takeda puts a hand on his forehead and peers into Cao's mind. After a moment, he pulls back. "Wow. I had no idea."

"Yeah."

"So many beautiful women lusting after your royal rod, be still my beating and bleeding heart. I feel so bad for you."

Cao scoffs. "Laugh it up. At least one of us can get some."

"I'm serious, you got it rough," he laughs. He then sobers up and says, "But seriously, on the down-low, you feel like throwing any of them my way?"

"Hah. Now you sound like my sister."

"...What?"

Cao taps his forehead. "Go ahead. Peek again."

Takeda puts his hand back on his temple. "Wow. No wonder she didn't respond to my advances."

"Your WHAT?"

"Hey, hey! I was kidding, man. Easy. Anyway, I'm gonna hit the sack. You doing the same?"

"I think so," Cao nods. "Catch you in the morning."

Takeda jogs off as the thief goes to his sister's rooms to check on them. Hua is sleeping like a baby, like usual, but Sanra is still up.

She opens her door. "Yes?"

"Hey, did Takeda ever hit on you?"

"Goodnight, Cao." She closes the door in his face.

"So that's a no, right?" he says to her door.

After getting himself a bite to eat from one of the fruit trees, Cao walks up to his royal bedchamber and discovers it to be dark, with all the candles and torches out. He sheds his clothing, puts the helm on a pedastal and climbs into bed.

He reaches around for Jacqui, eventually finding her. "Hey, are you awake?" he asks. She doesn't respond. With a shrug, he falls asleep.

>...

Sometime, in the middle of the night, Cao is awoken to a pair of lips on his. His eyes go wide in the darkness as he feels her body press against him, hungry with need. His hands roam over her back, feeling her hair and smooth skin.

Soon enough, they are moving and she is moaning into his mouth, holding onto him tightly.

Nearby, Jacqui sleeps peacefully, undisturbed by any noise, lost in a deep slumber brought about by a simple herbal concoction slipped into her drink.

When it is over, Cao falls onto his back, drained and worn out. He feels her slip away from him, and reaches, finding the sleeping Jacqui and holding her, never hearing anyone leave his chamber.
>>
>>827114

I'll call it there for tonight, folks. We'll be resuming tomorrow afternoon!

I guess nobody was too interested in the female tournament. Ah, well.
>>
>>827114
Fucking ruby hahahahahhahaha

>>827118
I'm fucking dying boss, that last bit, christ
>>
>>827124
>Fucking ruby hahahahahhahaha

Or was it?
>>
>>827114
I was totally interested and hoping to get outvoted.
I just figured "we gotta know that can backfire crazy hard in character right?"
>>827124
What makes you so sure it wasn't Skarlet, or Minerva borrowing a body?
>>
>>827125
>>827140
I'm 99% sure the herbal concoction points to Ruby. It could be Tanya's niece maybe, but for some reason I doubt it.
>>
>>827140
>I just figured "we gotta know that can backfire crazy hard in character right?"

Yeah, I know. To be honest I was having a hard time figuring out how to justify it in-character. I've wanted an all-female tournament for a while but I can't quite figure out how to organically fit it in.
>>
>>827162
Unless Ket'z is trying to shotgun-wedding Luliya or something.
Or Luliya is trying to shotgun wedding Luliya.
Again:
Or Skarlet just kinda went "ah hell with it" and borrowed some stuff from Ruby since she tends to shadow Cao when she can.
Minerva borrowed a body, which isn't impossible given she has expressed some solid interest before.
Frost thought she got the go ahead from Cao and didn't think this through.
Khameleon ducked out on staying at the base and swapped places with one of the non-Jacqui girls

These seem to be our options, unless Satyrs come in stealth-mode. Which who knows, maybe they do.
>>
>>827195
>>827162
Including Ruby and Nadia of course.
But you already covered those.
>>
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>>827114
We all know who it was
>>
>>827579

By the Elder Gods
>>
>>827579
I'm aroused and horrified at the same time
>>
>>827602
>>827607
>7 months go by
>everyone in the deadly alliance dealing with pregger leader
>everyone except quan chi universally agrees that this was a very bad idea
>>
>>827611

That'll make the episode where we play as the Deadly Alliance interesting
>>
>>827618
>ask the rest of the deadly alliance to go out for some ice cream and pickles
>roll to not ask in a completely bitchy way
>>
This is the second time Cao has been effectively raped, and this time, he wasn't even the one who was drugged. Khameleon only did it because she wanted to save her species, but now that reality is setting in that Cao is heir to the throne of Outworld, everyone wants his babies.
>>
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>>827195
>Frost thought she got the go ahead from Cao and didn't think this through.
That's Frost in a nutshell, though: she has a worrying track record of not thinking things through and letting her passions get the better of her. Although, it if was indeed Frost, you'd think Cao would notice his midnight tryst felt exceptionally colder than usual, to say nothing of how she managed to get ahold of an herbal sleep aid for Jacqui.
>>
>>827718
I still think Ruby is the most likely candidate
>>
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Offical Rape-O-Meter
>1st: Ruby
>2nd: Frost
>3rd: Kung Jin
>4th: Luliya
>5th: Nadia
>6th: Tekalla
>7th: Female Quan Chi/any female member/ version of Deadly Alliance member
>>
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>>827740
>Kung Jin
>>
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Alternatively: guess who heard Cao is back in town.
>>
>>827171
Best to do it when there aren't any high stakes like Cao's hand in marriage. Hell, bring back that seductress who nearly took over the base and make her run a "Queen of Kombat" tournament to see who is the most "glamorous" MK lady.
>>
Writing the next bit now.
>>
>>828047
Kung Jin: Pregnant Quest part 1
>>
Things are good. Cao takes a drink as he rests on the shores of Shang Tsung's island, comfortably lounging with his head nestled between a large pair of tits. Those are Tekalla's, and she uses her large hands to deeply massage his shoulders. To his immediate left and right are Ashrah and Nitara, the latter of which is inexplicably fine being naked in the sunlight. Their hands are busy rubbing his chest while Skarlet works dedicatedly between his legs, worshipping his, as Takeda put it, royal rod. Not far away, Cassie and Sam are taking on Frost and Ling in a New Defenders volley ball game. A nude volley ball game, it should go without saying.

Several other women are strewn about the beach, sunbathing, drinking or just outright fucking each other. Lex, Sheeva, Jagara, Luliya, Ruby, Nadia, Khameleon, even ones he never regularly thought about like Sonya, Kira and, Elder Gods help him, Ferra. Both copies of Mileena are here, too, apparently in spite of Kaito. And all of the edenians are here too; Kitana next to her mother, Queen Sindel, and Jade and several others including Vapor. And most damning of all, his sister is here, enjoying the fruits of the selection he has in his harem. But he doesn't care, it's all flesh to him.

Cao sets aside his drink and takes a deep, relaxing sigh. "It's good to be the Kahn."

He opens his eyes to take in the form of Jacqui, fully clothed, standing over him with her hands on her hips. He smiles unapologetically up at her. "Hey baby, wanna join in?"

She raises a boot and stomps on his chest, caving it in.

Cao awakens in a cold sweat, gripping the sheets tightly. He immediately looks to his left and sees Jacqui's sleeping form, comfortably resting alongside him. His heart pounds in his chest and it takes several moments for him to calm down.

He runs a hand through his hair, tightly gripping his scalp. 'What the hell was that?' he thinks to himself. 'That dream, it was just...'

He looks again at Jacqui. He remembers last night, how wild it was. Was that what brought about the dream? Or was it something else, perhaps a lot of something elses all adding up, given its contents?

>Wake up Jacqui
>Get dressed and head to court
>Relax in a pool
>Seek help
>Other
>>
>>828143
>Wake Jacqui up
>Other
"Have you ever thought of caving my chest in with your foot?"
>>
>>828143
>Wake up Jacqui
>>
>>828154
>>828156

He gently touches her shoulder and shakes her. She groans and grumbles until finally she is awake.

"Damn, I feel like I got hit by a truck," she says.

"You're not the only one," Cao whispers. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just... tired."

"I would be too, after last night."

She looks at him, confusion coloring her face as she stares for several moments. "What?"

"Well, you know. After last night."

She rubs her eyes and pushes herself to sit up. "No, not really. What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

"I remember crawling into bed and feeling tired. Then I slept like a log." Cao pauses as he watches her stretch her arms and yawn. "Remember what?"

Cao is very still. Could she just not remember? That seems odd. Or was she asleep the whole time... and someone else...

'No, couldn't be,' he thinks. 'She was here, it had to be her. Had to be...'

"Uh, nevermind," he says, waving his hand. "We just, fooled around a bit, is all."

"I must've been really out of it to not remember," she laughs. "So, now what?"

>Get breakfast
>Get dressed and head to court
>Relax in a pool
>Stay in bed for now
>Other
>>
>>828212
>Get breakfast
And see who inevitably interrupts us.
>>
>>828212
>Get breakfast
We hunger
>>
>>828217
>>828235

It is important for an emperor to look the part at all times, even for something as simple as breakfast. Several minutes later, after he is fully dressed and his helm is upon his head, he and Jacqui both head down to one of the feasting halls for breakfast. Along the way, Cao internally dreads whatever today may bring; he doubts he'll even get through breakfast.

But as it turns out, he does. Things pass rather smoothly, with various members of his squad and the court all simply eating and conversing, enjoying the morning. Hua skips over to him and shows him a new crown of flowers she made from the gardens that she now wears upon her head---the new "Kahnokin Crown" as she puts it.

"Kaito is going to speak with Turana about the water today, isn't he?" Jacqui asks over her plate.

"Yeah," Cao replies. "What are the odds he'll be captured and we'll have to go rescue him?"

"I'll put money on that," Takeda says.

"I would hope she would not do that," Ruby says. "She loves him dearly."

"Love makes people do some crazy things," Frost says. "From what I hear, that's how she ended up where she is."

Ling absent-mindedly pokes at her food with a fork. "I think the tale is tragic, personally. Don't you agree, Lex?"

Lex, who is currently chomping away at an Outworld boar's cooked flesh right from the bone, pauses only briefly. "Hm? Oh, sure, right. Tragic." She then returns to her gnashing. Jagara, sitting on the other side of Lex, gives her a bit of a wild look.

Ruby takes a drink of wine and sets it aside. "Is there anything on your mind for after breakfast, my Emperor?"

>Return to the throne and get updates about the state of things
>Tour around the city in your carriage
>Ask where the girl Nadia is
>Contact the New Defenders
>Other
>>
>>828304
>Ask where the girl Nadia is
Also, see if we can't get regular progress reports on what Kaito is up to over the course of the day.
>>
>>828304
>>Ask where the girl Nadia is
That's a good question
>>
>>828330
>>828342

Cao looks around the table, seeing more than a few friendly and familiar faces, but someone in particular is missing. "Ruby, where is that edenian girl, Nadia?"

She quickly snaps her fingers and a guard approaches to speak into her ear. She looks back at the thief and says, "I'm told she is bathing in the palace hot spring. She has been under escort by the guard since her release, as per your command."

He sits back. "Oh. Well then, good." He takes a drink and then pauses. "And she hasn't caused any trouble?"

"No, your excellency," the guard reports.

"Huh."

Ruby leans forward. "Is there anything wrong?"

"No, I don't think so." He thinks for several moments about last night, then looks at Ruby while she resumes eating. Now that he knows she is a direct ancestor of Jacqui, he begins to see several simularities between them, especially in the shape of their bodies. Would he be able to tell the difference in the dark if she were to...

'Is it possible... No, she wouldn't do that.' He rubs his head in frustration. 'Am I just growing paranoid again or what?'

Cao looks over at Takeda. "See if we can't get progress reports from the New Defenders about Kaito's mission throughout the day," he asks.

Takeda salutes. "You got it, your highness."

>Check the hot springs
>Head to the throne room
>Check on Kotal Kahn
>Speak privately with Ruby
>Other
>>
>>828399
>Check on Kotal Kahn
>>
>>828399

> Takeda, I have a mission for you and it's serious

Detective Psychic reading minds to see who raped us?
>>
>>828399
>Check on Kotal Kahn
>>
>>828419

Not a bad idea.
>>
>>828419
Supported
>>
>>828405
>>828420

After breakfast, Cao takes the others to the top of the palace to check on Kotal Kahn. During the day, he is kept here, where he always has contact with the sun. Guarded on all sides by some of his most elite warriors, he rests upon an altar, the same place where Kaito once burnt the body of Tortek.

Cao approaches his adoptive father, who still rests, breathing but unresponsive to touch or sound. As he looks upon Kotal's body, Takeda walks up next to him.

"Anything in his mind?" Cao asks.

Takeda puts his hand on Kotal's forehead. "He's definitely got some activity up here... I think he's dreaming."

"Well, here's hoping he dreams well."

>>828419
>>828458

An idea pops into Cao's head as Takeda withdraws his hand. He whispers to his friend, "Hey, read my mind."

Takeda does just that. Cao quickly outlines what happened last night, and his desire to find out if someone truly did sneak into his room. At first, Takeda is about to crack a joke, but Cao stiffles that by telling him how serious this is.

He puts his hand down. "I understand. I'll get to it."

"Let me know what you find," he says.

Together, the two of them walk back down the steps to the palace interior.

>Sit on the throne
>Speak to your enforcers
>Get an update from the ND
>Tour the city in your carriage
>Other
>>
>>828489
>Sit on the throne
Erron is currently out of town on business, and I'm not sure what insights Ferra can provide.
>>
>>828497

> Seconded

But only if we get a pillow and Ferra gets to play make believe as our eeeevillll advisor.

Cao got to get some entertainment
>>
>>828497
>>828558

Once inside, Cao resumes his duties sitting on the throne. Several people come forward with small issues that are relatively easily resolved, but it is in the late afternoon that something interesting happens.

The envoy sent to the amazons has returned---with their new queen. She is introduced as Eayne, and she is brought before the throne with several of her amazonian warrior women. Upon seeing her, Cao cannot help but sigh.

'Damnit all.'

She is clearly dressed to impress, in what could best be described as an animal skin bikini. A loincloth of striped fur hangs from her waist, and a necklace of monstrous teeth circles her neck. She carries a spear, which isn't the only impressive asset she possesses, as the animal skin top stretches to barely contain a heaving rack. The seven-to-eight foot tall woman stops before the throne, flanked by women similarly clad in animal pelts, skulls and tribal warpaint.

'I need to quit while I'm ahead,' he laments as he stares at her massive rack. As they approach the throne, he quickly takes a drink of wine from a platter to his left for some extra courage.

The throne room is full of muted whispers as the jungle women kneel before the throne, following the lead of their queen. Eayne bows before Cao and speaks.

"Mighty Emperor of Outworld, the amazons have travelled far and endured much pain in the Wastelands to pledge to you our faith, fealty and warriors. We have brought with us beasts of war and fruits of the jungle. My warriors, beast masters, archers and riders are yours to command, one hundred in total."

"Uh... Great!" he says. "Rise, please, queen of the amazons." She does so. "Now, correct me if I misheard, but you came to join us?"

"Not to join, but to serve," she replies. "You, Cao Kahn, you are the one who defeated our queen Zara in Mortal Kombat."

"Well, it wasn't an official match..."

"Nevertheless, she was defeated by you and then captured. Since that time, the amazons have fought amongst themselves for new leadership. I rose to the top by slaying or subjugating my enemies, and they were many, for I alone advocated joining your empire."

Cao looks at Ruby, and then back to her. "Why is this?"

"Because it is the only way we will survive. We lost many of our number, following Zara into the Wastelands. Our army was decimated by a great fireball, more than half of us wiped out in an instant." Cao looks over at Jacqui now, who swallows but keeps silent. He allows the queen to continue. "With so many of us lost to the great fire, we could no longer sustain our life in the jungle. I realized that, much like how Zara once fought for Shao Kahn, we must put aside our differences with the current rule and join them. And as you, the one who defeated our leader, are now Emperor, it is only made more right that the amazons follow the strongest---man or woman."
>>
>>828635

Ruby leans down to whisper in Cao's ear. "My Kahn, one hundred amazonian women and their beasts is quite a large host. In this time of plague, can we afford it?"

>Accept her service
>Ask where they intend to stay
>Accept, but send them first on an assignment that will take them away from the city
>Offer for them to instead reside in the Kuatan jungle between Z'unkahrah and the shokan lands
>Other
>>
>>828640
>Ask where they intend to stay
>Other
Get their version of current events. Have they heard of the wraith-plague or anything else in Outworld?
>>
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>>828658

"Where do you intend to stay?" Cao asks.

"If you wish for us to remain in the city, we shall. If you wish for us to live outside your walls, we shall. We are more than capable of constructing a new home within your territory, but with respect, we would need your assistance if we were to do so."

"I ask primarily because our city is dealing with a sickness. Your people have clearly endured much, and I would not want them to be exposed to it."

"We amazons are hardy and strong," Eayne insists. "We would suffer no illness after a life in jungle, where sickness and disease are carried by every insect and plant."

"Even so, this disease is unlike any other."

Ruby leans down again. "My Kahn, there may be another solution. The village of Sun Do was hit heavily during Onaga's siege due to Li Mei's betrayal. If the amazons could be convinced to move there and take up both the protection of the town and the production of fish, the village could be saved."

"That's not a bad idea," he notes. He looks back to the queen. "How do your people feel about the water? Living along the coast, I mean."

"We have never sailed, but know well how to fish and net."

"We have a village that not long ago lost many of its villagers, like your people did. It is a fishing village, not far from Z'unkahrah. If you would be willing to have your people move there and learn how to sail, you would have room aplenty for your warriors and beasts."

"And the Wraith-Plague is absent from Sun Do as well," Ruby adds.

Eayne bows once more. "If you command it, my Emperor, it shall be so."

>Charge her with the protection of Sun Do and moving her people there
>Ask her to be on your council, as Li Mei once was for Kotal Kahn
>Keep some of her warriors here, but the bulk of her people will travel to Sun Do
>Invite them instead to live in the city
>Other
>>
>>828786
>Charge her with the protection of Sun Do and moving her people there
Ruby coming through again.
>>
>>828794

> Sun Do

Offer Ruby a Hi5 or other appropriate Court level props.
>>
>>828786
>>Charge her with the protection of Sun Do and moving her people there
>>Ask her to be on your council, as Li Mei once was for Kotal Kahn

Damnit I'm late

>giant titted giant women

Why do you seek my boners and tears damashi? whyyyyy
>>
>>828786
>Charge her with the protection of Sun Do and moving her people there
>>
>>828866
It's almost unfair just how much poontang gets thrown in Cao's general direction.
>>
>>828866
>>828906
Then again, even Jacqui isn't as zealously defensive as Mileena is with Kaito. I want to see how Kaito manages to handle Turana.
>>
>>828794
>>828827
>>828866
>>828868

Cao sits straight and speaks with as much authority as he can muster. "Very well: Eayne, queen of the amazons, I charge you and your people to travel to Sun Do. You will lead the village as its mayor... queen. Queen-Mayor."

"I am honored," she says. "I and the amazons shall not fail you! We shall make the village of Sun Do greater than any other in your kingdom!"

"I don't doubt that," Cao nods.

"We shall travel there immediately, though we do not know the way."

"I shall arrange an escort to the village for your people," Ruby tells her. "I shall also prepare a written statement of the Emperor's commands to present to the villagers there."

Eayne rises and bids one of her warriors to move forward. She hands her a bottle shaped like a twisting dragon and filled with a strange liquid, which she then presents to Cao. "For you, my Emperor. The rarest and most delicious flowers in the jungle produce a nectar so sweet and intoxicating, it is said to be the tears of our patron goddess. A bottle alone takes half a year to fill, and we now present it to you. It is one of our greatest treasures."

He takes in the sight of the bottle and is impressed. Ruby steps forth and takes it from the queen. "Thank you," he tells her.

"Should you ever have need of the amazons, we will answer your summons," she says. With a final bow, she and her warriors depart the throne room.

Ruby sets the dragon bottle aside. "Well done, my Emperor. They will make valuable allies, and if they can be taught to fish and sail, it may become the most prosperous village in our kingdom."

"You had the idea, I can't take the credit," he says. "Thank you again, Ruby."

Cao looks over at Jacqui. "Do we have any word on Kaito and his mission yet?"

She shakes her head. "None."

>Check in with Takeda
>Retire for the evening
>Spend the evening training (any option from >>826190)
>Wait for an update on Kaito
>Other
>>
>>828906
I'm telling you it's the manlet size, girls love the pocket sized boyfriend
>>
>>828926
>>Wait for an update on Kaito
>>
>>828926
>Spend the evening training (any option from >>826190)
Let's practice our swordplay, for when we need slightly more finesse than the Wrath Hammer.
>>
>>828927
Skarlet said it was Shao Kahn's latent force of personality at one point.
>>
>>828935
>>828946

I'll need a tie breaker, please.
>>
>>828935

Seconding as long as we get to chat to outworld cast. We need more of the enforcers.
>>
>>828963
Train WHILE waiting for an update?
>>
>>828935
>>828946
>>828968
>>828972

We'll do a bit of training and a bit of interraction.

Off the top of my head, here are some people who haven't been given too much love yet:

>Jagara
>Lex
>Ferra & Torr
>Nadia
>Rajah
>Hachiman
>Other
>>
>>828981
Let's sword train with Hachiman.
>>
>>828981
Surprise me fampai
>>
>>828983
or hammer train, which would probably be a better use of our time.
>>
>>828983
Why not?
>>
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>>828983
>>828996

Let have a few 1d100s.
>>
Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>829003
>>
Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>829003
hopefully we don't job
>>
Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>829003
>>
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>>829005
>>829008
>>829039

After leaving court for the day, Cao decides to spend some time training with Hachiman. The master swordfighter is more than happy to oblige, willing to help Cao master his blade. The thief wields his dadao initially very well, but Cao has never been in a prolonged swordfight. Most of his battles were quick skirmishes or fought on the run, and so the longer the training goes on, the more Hachiman has the edge. There is also the factor that Cao is fighting purely with a sword, and not using any of his other skills.

From Hachiman, Cao learns a few useful things; the importance of footwork and balance, the angle of a swing, how to properly weigh and test a blade, among other skills. Though he has had little experience in such matters, his time spent wielding the dadao has given him plenty of good practice and a strong footing to start off on. Several others watch his training, such as Jagara and Lex, occasionally offering advice of their own.

The training is interrupted when a guard reports that the Dragon Wing has docked at the Kove, and its captain is enroute. Sure enough, several minutes later and Mileena walks through the doors of the palace, accompanied by none other than Kaito.

"Looks like I lost a bet," Takeda muses from the side.

Mileena approaches Cao and offers a bow. "Kahn."

"Captain," he greets her back. He looks at Kaito and speaks to him next. "How did it go?"

"Not well, unfortunately," he sighs. "I spoke with Turana. It was more of the same, but I learned a few key facts. Sure enough, the water can cure the Wraith-Plague. I had a sample of it with me from the labs and the smallest drop of the water destroyed it. I have no doubt it would do the same to someone who is sick with it."

"But she won't hand it over, will she?"

"No. I spoke with her for some time, and all the while she was attempting to sway me to her side of things, just like before. The deal is the release of Aaru for the water. Furthermore, if Aaru is released from Outworld, she will return the water to the grotto, freeing Phlox."

Ruby approaches from the side. "It was Kotal Kahn's express command that Aaru not be freed."

"He would rather go to war to get the water," Mileena nods.

Kaito continues. "The other complication deals with the fact that the water is what makes Nemsai viable as a population. She has many people there, of many races, all living peacefully and prospering due to the water. If we were to make war on her or take it away, her civilization dies."

"Maybe it should," Mileena says, somewhat coldly. "It was built upon lies, theft and the worship of tyrant gods."

"That doesn't change the fact that families live there," Kaito says.

"War brings casualties. It always does."

>And it will; we will make war with Nemsai and the Egyptian Gods
>Use your plan to steal the water with a portal
>Sneak into the city and bottle enough to cure Z'unkahrah
>Consider the implications of freeing the realm of Aaru
>Other
>>
>>829136
>>Sneak into the city and bottle enough to cure Z'unkahrah

Time to OPERATE
>>
>>829136
>Use your plan to steal the water with a portal
Thought. What if Damashi is pulling an American Gods on Cao and Bastet raped him in his sleep
>>
>>829136
>Consider the implications of freeing the realm of Aaru
Kotal would rather do anything other than acknowledge another realm leaving Outworld. Fortunately, Kotal's not here, so we can now seriously consider the option of just letting them go. It's the most painless option, from where I'm standing.
>>
>>829136
>Sneak into the city and bottle enough to cure Z'unkahrah
We can use our original plan to steal the water, all we gotta do is turn off the portal when we have enough
>>
>>829174

Cao + Frost bonding time.
>>
>>829174
>>829188
So you get water to cure the capital. What about the rest of Outworld, eh?
>>
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>>829174
>>829188
>>829195

Cao sets down his dadao on a table and grabs a towel. He wipes the sweat away from his brow and then looks at Ruby. "First Minister, bring me the Portal Stone."

She nods and immediately leaves. Kaito narrows his eyes and looks at him. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to do what I do best: steal."

"You mean to steal the water?" Mileena surmises. "It could be done, but it is very risky. The pools are well-guarded."

"I won't be alone." Cao looks over at his team, and they move to prepare.

"You shouldn't risk yourself," Kaito advises. "You're the Emperor now."

"And this is, like you said to Kotal Kahn, an Outworld matter. At first I thought about stealing all of their water, but now I intend to only steal enough of it." He looks at two nearby guards and commands them, "Go to the kitchens. Bring jugs, jars and bottles. As much as you can carry!" They both nod and move off.

"It will take more than that to cure the Wraith-Plague across three realms," Kaito points out.

"I know. But what else can we do? If we steal some now, we can prove to them that they are not as well-guarded as they think. We can threaten them with war or more theft if they do not comply and hand over more water."

Kaito is uncertain. "Those gods will never negotiate. They will do everything to free their realm. If we steal from them, it may just provoke war."

"Then we'll be right where we planned to be originally," Cao replies.

"What if you are captured?" Mileena says. "Then we will have to mount a rescue."

"Well, I pride myself on never being caught, except for the times that I am." He looks at Kaito. "Why not come with?"

"I'll go if you want me to, but I'm still not sure I agree with it. But at the same time, Turana won't give it up unless we free Aaru, so as long as that's the case, then stealing it might be the best option we have."

At that moment, Ruby returns with the Portal Stone on a pillow. The artifact glows brightly as she presents it to the thief emperor.

>Pick your team:

>Kaito
>Frost
>Jacqui
>Takeda
>Ling
>Lex
>Minerva
>Other
>>
>>829271
>Frost
>Minerva
>Kaito
I'd still advocate the option of just letting them go, because this whole business is more of a mess than it's worth.
>>
>>829280

Any backers?
>>
>>829271
>>829288
sure, but I don't share his un-enthusiasm
>>
>>829280

I'd like to agree. But Kaito is to "surrender" if he's caught and claim he's here to see Turanna again. Also tell mileena about this plan before she kills us.
>>
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Cao stares at the Portal Stone, but also heeds Kaitos words and takes them seriously. He looks up at Ruby and asks, "The orb containing Aaru, is it still in the treasury?"

"Yes."

Cao licks his lips and rubs his chin in thought as he turns away. He stares out one of the large open windows at the city beyond. "What would happen if we broke it and freed the realm?"

Everyone looks at each other, and after a moment, Ruby says, "Well... The gods, and their people, would be swept away from Outworld, along with their lands, ancient cities and monuments. Their realm would be restored to the point at where it was originally conquered long ago by Shao Kahn. And, if their word is true, they would release the water back to us."

"But Kotal feared that they would grow more powerful," Cao recalls.

"Yes. Essentially, his view on the matter has always been that the way things are now, even if they are not perfect, are stable. Outworld, Edenia, Earthrealm and the others all exist in stability with each other. There is conflict, but the conflict has been somewhat predictable, even manageable. However, freeing another realm opens up the possibility of an unforeseen element, a new power growing that could potentially upset many of the other realms."

Kaito scratches his neck and offers his perspective. "This is the same thing that Queen Sindel once spoke to me about. I helped free Edenia before Shao Kahn was defeated; I reclaimed the edenian Kamidogu from an ancient temple. Kitana inherited Outworld, and so it was her choice to free Edenia and hand over the kingdom to Kotal Kahn. But they were also allies, and could trust each other."

Mileena speaks up now. "The problem is that these gods have been hostile to us. They aided Onaga by providing him ships, and have acted against the interests of Outworld as a whole. The position of the Kahn has always been to ensure that Outworld remains strong; some have used it to conquer, but Kotal Kahn has always used it to keep the realms in check. Part of Outworld's strength is its size, and if we freed every realm that demanded it, Outworld would not only be seen as weak, but it will grow weaker as well, as people, lands and more vanish from it."

"Yes, but if we were to do so in this one instance, what then?" Cao asks.

"It sets a bad precedence, Cao. If the Emperor will bow before the wants of one absorbed realm, how long until the next demands something? And the next?"

"But the Wraith-Plague is unlike any other threat we've faced," Kaito points out. "We can't simply punch this problem away."

>Free Aaru
>Aaru will not be freed
>Other
>>
>>829350
>Other
Hold the orb for Aaru as the ultimate bargaining chip. Order the gods to give up the water first, and Aaru will be released. If not, their shit gets jacked. If they want to go to war, then they get fucked up. The spring water is the most comprehensive cure to the wraith-plague, and it's affecting at least three different realms. A splinter of one realm is not going to hold three whole realms hostage. Give them this ONE out, and if they don't take it, fuck 'em up.
>>
>>829350

> No freedom.
>>
>>829350
>No freedom
>>
>>829363
Addendum: if they're freed and (immediately) become a problem later, Outworld immediately smashes them to a pulp.
>>
>>829350
>>Aaru will not be freed
>>
>>829385

You're far too optimistic about bestgirl man.

I like that you're arguing for it though. I just think it's asking for trouble. If they hadn't supported Onaga I'd back you.
>>
>>829375
>>829382
>>829388

I'd say that's it, then. Writing.
>>
Shouldn't have revolted against the throne. They have their choice. Submit and live or rebel and be crushed.
>>
>>829397
They supported Onaga because they were taking any chance they good to force Kotal to smell their nutsack and get out from under him. Plus, like Kaito said, jacking the water may provoke them to war anyway, which we're trying to avoid considering all the other shit we're dealing wtih.
>>
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Contemplating this issue takes more than a few moments for the thief. As the others prepare themselves, his mind harkens back to a task he once performed for another: Nitara.

The beautiful and seductive woman used him (in more ways than one) to help free her realm, Vaeternus, from Outworld. The orb, located in Onaga's egg chamber, was smashed and her people freed. In that time, he has only seen Nitara on a short number of occasions, but the realm itself has not upset the balance of existence. Yet, anyway.

At the same time, he cannot help but feel conflicted. Kotal Kahn's desire was to free no realm, to maintain the strength and iron rule of the Kahn across Outworld. And while Nitara's realm's orb was not in his possession, Aaru's is. To destroy it would go against the wishes of his adoptive father, to counter the policy of his rule.

And there is the fact that they supported Onaga. He remembers well them sieging Xun-Koto, the battles he fought within the walls of that city and without. They supplied netherships to Onaga's undead army, and because of this, countless people were slaughter, notably in Sun Do.

He turns around. His squad is assembled, and everyone is looking upon him, waiting for his judgment. Minerva, having entered through a nearby wall, also waits for word about the water.

"They had their chance," he finally says. "And now they have a choice: give up the water, or have it taken from them."

Mileena nods approvingly. "It is good that you recognize the importance of ruling with strength, Emperor."

"Then what's the plan?" Kaito asks.

"You, Frost and Minerva will travel with me with the Portal Stone to Xun-Koto. From there, we travel north to Nemsai under cover of darkness, sneak into the city, get as much water as we can, and then leave."

"I'm ready," Frost quickly says.

"As am I," Kaito replies.

Minerva floats down. "I'm ready as well. But how can I help?"

"You can scout for us, but stay hidden. Warn us when someone is coming."

"I will! You can count on me!"

>We leave tonight
>Tomorrow morning
>Have backup at the ready
>Have Kaito use the portal stone instead to take them right into the city
>Other
>>
>>829438
>We leave tonight
>>
>>829438
>We leave tonight
Strike quick
>>
>>829438
>>We leave tonight
>>
>>829467
>>829477
>>829487

"We leave tonight," he tells them. He picks up the Portal Stone and holds it in his hands, feeling the power humming within.

"Be careful," Ruby pleads. Cao removes his helm and his more elegant robes; this is the job for a thief, not a Kahn, but one he will do all the same. She takes them and he nods at her, then looks over at Jacqui.

"Good luck," she wishes him.

Holding the Portal Stone aloft, Cao closes his eyes and concentrates. Summoning up his power, he channels it into the stone, all while picturing the walls of Xun-Koto as he does. He thinks of the place he fought against Turana's forces, specifically the soul construct Rahmac. As he does, a swirling portal of golden light appears before him, stabilizing into a hole large enough for a man to pass through.

Tucking the Portal Stone into his clothing, he runs into the portal, with Frost and Kaito right behind him, along with Minerva's flying form. The portal closes right behind them.

Moments later, they are instantly transported around the globe and across the sea to the lands immediately outside Xun-Koto. Once all of them are on the other side, they turn their gaze northwards and trek across the sands.

>Head straight north
>Stick to the hills
>Follow a dried-up riverbed
>Have Minerva turn invisible and fly ahead
>Other
>>
>>829533
>Stick to the hills
>>
>>829533

So glad you took my mummy name.

Rahmac best villain working for OG best girl.
>>
>>829533
>>Stick to the hills
>Have Minerva turn invisible and fly ahead
>>
File: Nemsai.png (4.36 MB, 2415x1192)
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>>829538
>>829582

Sticking close together, the group travels northwards, moving amongst the hills to remain hidden. Scaling and moving around the sand dunes for quite some time, with Minerva flying above and keeping a lookout, they make progress towards Nemsai over the course of the next two and a half hours, pausing only briefly to catch their breaths.

Eventually they come upon a series of dunes to the southeast of the city that provide them an excellent vantage point to look upon the city. Cao has heard of Nemsai, the "jewel of the sands" as it has been called, and now he understands why. The city is a verdant, beautiful oasis in the desert, with green trees, shining pools that sparkle in the purple starry night and magnificent buildings of exotic architecture wrought of white marble and stone, painted brilliantly.

"Nice place," Cao whispers. "Can't wait to rob it blind."

"The pools you see from here are just water," Kaito explains. "The true water from the Wellspring of Shun-Kuto is in the heart of the city, under constant guard. It's the treasure that made their city possible, so it is constantly watched, with none but the high pritesses allowed to touch it."

"What are you thinking? A distraction?" Frost asks.

Cao thinks for a moment. Each of them are carrying jars and an empty jug upon their backs, save for Minerva. Even if only one of them got to the water, it could be enough, but the city may need more than one.

>Attempt to sneak to the heart of the city as a group
>One person will cause a distraction
>Split up and infiltrate from different angles
>Send Minerva in to scout around
>Other
>>
>>829616
>Send Minerva in to scout around
>>
>>829616
>Split up and infiltrate from different angles
Cao and Frost
Kaito and Minerva
>>
>>829616
This>>829623
>>
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>>829623
>>829634

Cao casts a glance over his shoulder. "Frost, you're with me. Minerva, stick close to Kaito."

The Japanese man looks over and chuckles. "You know, usually I give the orders."

"Well, I outrank you now, don't I?"

"I guess you do. And hey, you're the thief here, not me."

"We split up. Frost and I will enter from over there," he points, "and you guys will enter from over there." He indicates the opposite side of the city. "Make for the water. Will we know it when we see it?"

"It glows blue. You'll know it."

"See you there, then?"

Kaito gives a small two-fingered salute before he and Minerva slip away. Frost crawls up alongside Cao. "I'll follow your lead," she tells him.

"Should be fun. Let's go."

He and the Lin Kuei cryomancer slide down the dune and make for the city, moving carefully in the dark of night. Near the walls, they spot guards, the same kind of spearmen that laid siege to Xun-Koto. They march in pairs, and occasionally larger groups, but nothing they can't handle.

"When we see an opening, we take it," he whispers to her.

"I got you."

They study the movements of the guards, looking for one such opening. They both see one at the same time.

>1d100+10!
>>
Rolled 94 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>829693
take 'em out
>>
>>829701

They dart in, moving faster than the untrained eye could be prepared for, and attack two of the guards. Cao takes one to the ground with his head between his legs, catching the man's spear before it can fall and make a sound. Frost goes in low, sweeping her guard off his feet before kicking him in the face. They both get into position for a kill and swiftly take it, snapping their necks as one. They drag both men into a nearby bush and hide the bodies, then use their own spears to inflict mortal wounds on their bodies. When found, they will be suspected to have been killed by other guards---at least so they hope.

"Silent as the night, deadly as the dawn," Frost whispers. Cao smiles at her and they're off, moving past the main wall and into the city proper.

>1d100+10!
>>
Rolled 56 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>829714
and again
>>
Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>829714

> Take to the roofs
>>
>>829724
>>829736

Though it is night, there are plenty of guards about. The two of them sneak past homes and large structures with rounded edges and great columns lining them as they sneak further towards the city center. Working together, they make it to the rooftops and begin running across the stone surfaces.

Their path is blocked now by a pair of crocodillian guards, large and burly with great axes and shields. They wear clothing similar to the other guards, but are of higher station. They remain mostly still, but occasionally sniff the air or snarl something at each other.

Cao looks over at Frost, who smiles and creates a small ball of ice with her hands. She hurls it against a wall nearby, causing it to shatter harmlessly and melt soon after, but the noise draws their attention. The two guards move away from the wall and towards the source of the noise, allowing Cao and Frost to get through. They leap off the rooftop and hit the ground rolling, quickly on their feet and dashing through the archway into the city's innermost district.

Two paths are open before them; they could sneak into the primary temple or attempt to get over the wall that surrounds the back half of the temple grounds. Taking cover behind a bush, they weigh the options and discuss briefly which one would be better. They look around and see occasional patrols, but no sign of Kaito or Minerva. That's probably a good thing, which means they haven't been found out yet either.

>Sneak in through the temple
>Go over the wall
>Other
>>
>>829756
>>Go over the wall
We are a damn good climber
>>
>>829756
>>Go over the wall

Man we're going full OPERATING here
>>
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>>829781
>>829790

Silently, Cao points towards the wall. Frost nods and motions for him to go first. Cao is about to dash across the street when suddenly he hears a great thundering noise coming from around the corner. He hugs the wall closely as a great shadow stretches across the ground, lit by nearby braziers. Cao looks up, holding his breath as a gargantuan creature lumbers into view, each step with its flat feet kicking up dust and dirt. The elephant-like humanoid is covered in gleaming armor and banners, with massive weapons dangling from great chains wrapped around its waist.

The floppy ears of the creature and its long trunk move in subtle ways as it walks down the street. The thief is as still as a statue as it walks by. Frost looks on from her hiding place, waiting to spring into action if needed, but he holds up a hand to tell her to remain where she is.

The beast walks by without noticing him. Taking advantage of its loud footsteps, Cao times his dash across the street in tune with each thud, and within moments is on the other side near the wall. He looks back at Frost and motions for her to follow.

Taking the same route as he, she dashes across the street and soon ends up next to him. They both pant softly.

"This is exciting as hell," she whispers to him as they find a bush to crouch behind. Vines creep up the wall behind them, which will offer a convenient way to scale it. "Did you see the size of that elephant-thing?"

"I'm just glad it didn't see us," Cao whispers. As he prepares to scale the wall, Frost reaches up and takes off her mask.

"Hey," she breathes, her cool breath showing in the night air. He looks as she leans in towards his face.

"What are you---"

She silences him with a kiss. He doesn't fight her off, lest they make any noise. Her lips are wintery cold, but fresh like a snowy breeze. It lasts for only a moment and she pulls away, looking deeply into his eyes.

He stares back, and then blinks. "What was that, Frost?"

"Something I've wanted to try," she whispers. "I'm sorry, I just didn't know when else I'd get so perfect a chance. I've been waiting for a while. I know this isn't a great place, but... I got eager."

"But why?"

"I wanted to see something. Just to see."

"And what did you learn?"

She winks as she slides her mask back on. "Maybe I'll tell you later."

>1d100+10 to make it to the water!
>>
Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>829853
>>
Rolled 84 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>829853
He literally has hentai man musk, can't keep the girls away
>>
Rolled 17 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>829853
NAT 1 DISTRACTION!
>>
Rolled 12 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>829853
nat 1
>>
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>>829871
>>829880
>>829882

Cao turns towards the wall, pushing whatever feelings she stirred within him back down to focus on the mission at hand. He goes up first and she follows, both crouching at the top of the wall. What lies beyond is a magnificent pool of water, only a few feet deep, but glowing with a radiance unlike any they have ever seen. The pool is perfectly still, set in a man-made pond of stone, with a few off-shoots that lead into the temple. There are two primary structures at either end of the pool, and the wall on the other two sides, one side of which they are currently crouched on.

They drop down into a garden and observe the area. It is guarded, surely enough, but not by usual guards. These figures are statue-like, and at first they don't seem to be guards at all. It is only when one truly looks at them does one see that they are alive---or were, at once point. These undead guards, their faces clad in golden masks with no eye holes, stand vigilant over the pool. Several of them, to be specific, all standing still with khopesh blades in each hand.

Cao creeps closer and picks up a stone. He throws it in front of one of the guards, who does not react.

"What's the deal?" she whispers.

"Perhaps they only move when told so by their master," he muses. He picks up another stone and gently throws it into the water.

That's when they react, picking their heads up and moving around. From their hiding place, they watch as the figures move with stiff limbs as they search for the source of the disturbance. When none is found, they resume their earlier positions and grow still once more.

Cao carefully notes that the water streams into the two structures, the primary temple and the smaller structure on the other side that seems to be an area of some importance, though he cannot imagine what may be inside.

>Take out the guards
>Attempt to collect water without them noticing
>Move into the main temple
>Move into the smaller temple
>Other
>>
>>829930
>>Take out the guards
I'm not sure how many there are though
>>
>>829930
>Move into the smaller temple
>>
>>829930
>>Move into the smaller temple
Please don't introduce an Egyptian waifu. My heart couldn't take it
>>
>>829982
It's probably her house desu and she is worse than Hitler
>>
>>829982

Best Girl Turana is egyptian fucking sphynx
>>
>>829993
I meant one to tempt cao.
>>
>>829930
>Move into the smaller temple
can water flow through portals? can we dive to the bottom of the resevoir and open a hole to where the water belongs?
>>
>>829975
>>829982
>>830055

Writing now. Had to talk to the mrs.
>>
>>830079
Inb4 lamia seduction
>>
>>830079
fuck. It is an egyptian QT who lusts for the imperial dick.
>>
>>829975
>>829982
>>830055

Cao motions with a knife-hand towards the smaller temple, and Frost understands. She remains close behind him as they sneak up towards it, slipping between two pillars. Within the smaller alcove is a dimly-lit chamber, a round room of black stone that seems to reflect the shine of the water that streams within. Cao's ears pick up the sound of running water.

'Running water... Some kind of source of the magic water?'

They sneak closer, hiding behind an altar and then poking their heads up.

Within this room is a woman, or perhaps half a woman, for her lower body, beginning at the waist, is serpentine in nature. Her snake-like lower body is long, twisting and dark green in color, covered in intricate brighter shades of white and yellow in patterns that scream danger as much as they are alluring to behold. Her upper half, that of a lithe and beautifully exotic woman, is covered with thin fabric that frames her arms, chest and thin neck. Gold glitters about her, small necklaces, bracelets and more.

She twists and turns, contorting to some strange ritual, almost as if she is in a trance. That's when Cao sees what is in her hands; a decanter of some kind. The jug she holds at an angle pours forth water---endlessly, far more than any normal container of its shape should be able to hold. That's when he realizes it is not only magical---it is the source of the wellspring!

The snake woman moves in rythym to some unheard beat, gently swaying and turning. 'She must be some kind of priestess or something similar,' he thinks to himself. He has heard Turana be referred to as the Lady of Snakes, but he doubts this is she, as he has seen her before. This is someone else---a servant? An advisor? He does not know.

>Walk forward and speak to her
>Attempt to steal the decanter
>Focus instead on filling up your own jugs and jars
>Attack her
>Other
>>
>>830149
>Attempt to steal the decanter
yolo
>>
>>830149
>attempt to steal the decanter
>>
>>830149
>>Focus instead on filling up your own jugs and jars

Stealing the whole thing leads to this whole place dying, which is kinda shitty.
>>
>>830149
>Focus instead on filling up your own jugs and jars
>>
>>830165
i guess so, and it would be better to not be noticed at all.
change >>830150
to
>Focus instead on filling up your own jugs and jars
>>
>>830165
Let the world see what happens when you turn on the throne.
>>
>>830150
>>830164
>>830165
>>830175
>>830177

'I could steal that and return to Z'unkahrah instantly,' he thinks to himself. 'But what about Kaito and Minerva? Where are they?' He thinks for a moment. 'If I steal that decanter, the whole place will be alerted. I should focus on filling up the water jugs, first, just in case.'

He looks at Frost and motions for her to go outside and look for the others and to fill up her jug, but without making a single splash. She slips out and sneaks away back into the main pool area as Cao watches the snake woman. To his surprise, she begins to speak.

"Hear me, father Anubis. Hear me and grant a vision unto me. I, your daughter Kebechet, beseach you! Hear me, father Anubis!" She lifts up the decanter and gently pours it upon herself, gasping as it makes contact with her hair, skin and scales. It runs down her chest, wetting her clothing, causing it to cling tightly to her well-shaped upper body.

'I wonder when I died and went to hell to be tortured like this,' he thinks as he watches the woman cover herself in the magical water. Her head leans back, her dark hair hanging beneath her as she sets the decanter down in front of her. Her eyes glow white upon opening and she grows still, apparently in the throes of a vision.

'If ever there were a chance to swipe this from right under someone's nose, it would be now,' Cao realizes. 'In fact... perhaps we could take her, too. Imagine what she could reveal about the weaknesses of this kingdom...'

>Take it and sneak out
>Don't take it, the risk is too great
>Attempt to capture both her and the decanter with the Portal Stone
>Wait for any sign of Kaito first
>Other
>>
>>830203
>>Wait for any sign of Kaito first
>>
>>830203
>Take it and sneak out
You only Y O L O once
>>
>>830203
>>Don't take it, the risk is too great
>>other
Since it seems she's in a vision right now we should make a really see voice and be like "What do you see my daughter?"
>>
>>830203
>Wait for any sign of Kaito first
>>
>>830215
>>830231

Though he could go forward, Cao holds himself back. Sliding the jug off his back, he silently gathers as much as he can into it. As he does this, he suddenly hears a rumbling noise coming from outside, then a great crash---as though a pillar had broken in half.

'Oh, no.'

He stands up and seals the jug just as the snake woman comes out of her vision, stirred by the same sound as he. She turns around, her yellow eyes going wide. "Who are you?"

Without a word, he runs outside. There, he discovers Kaito and Frost battle the elite undead warriors, but that is not what catches his eye first. He sees Minerva running away from a levitating figure, the mummy Rahmac. The figure glows green as he holds up his hands, seemingly capturing Minerva in a telekinetic grasp.

He begins to draw her closer to him as she struggles, but it is to no avail; he is slowly sucking her closer and closer as the green scarab gem on his chest glows more and more brightly.

"You will join us," he says in an echoing voice. "You will become one with many!"

"Not on your lives!" she shouts defiantly, but she cannot escape.

>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>830286
throw the hammer at him
>>
Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>830286

> Rip Rahmac's arms off.
>>
>>830293

Cao holds up his hand and summons the Wrath Hammer, gripping it tightly. Holding it behind him, he then whips it forward and lets go, hurling it towards the mummy soul construct. Rahmac sees it coming and holds up a hand in an attempt to stop it, perhaps to deflect it or summon some manner of soul-shield, but he is too late---it slams into his chest, knocking him out of the sky and freeing Minerva.

She breaks out of the green prison she was surrounded by and flies down to Cao's side. "What happened?" he asks her.

"I don't know! One moment we were sneaking, and the next all this happened!"

As she speaks, Kaito thrusts his hands forwards, creating two gouts of flame that burn his current opponent to a crisp. Frost, for her part, freezes her own foot in a sharp cone of ice and then kicks the undead guard, stabbing him multiple times.

Rahmac flies back upwards, his sights set upon them. "We sensed your spirit," he says. "It shall join us!"

"Oh, so it was my fault," she says. "Sorry."

"Don't blame yourself," Cao replies, holding out his hand and summoning the hammer to appear back in his grasp. "I'll handle this one!"

>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>830286
Punch him in the head and while it's embedded in his head, tear it off
>>
>>830340
Use this for >>830337
>>
Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>830337
summon spear and jump stab him in the face
>>
Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>830337
Does shao khan have power over souls? Try dispersing the vessel so that the souls are all too disoriented to work properly as a single person.
>>
>>830365
Sorry...
>>
>>830336

Rahmac flies towards them both, eyes flaring green. With a flash of his own green energy, Cao blasts upwards, surging towards his foe and intercepting him in the air. He tackles Rahmac and barrels into his chest, taking him down to the ground. The soul construct shouts as Cao plants a foot on his chest and takes hold of one arm.

In the back of his mind, he recalls arm-wrestling with Tekalla. If only she could see him now as he tears the limb from the mummified corpse. As he does this, green souls leak out and fly into the air, encircling him.

The mummy blasts him with his only remaining hand, knocking him backwards with a telekinetic push.

>>830340
>>830356

Cao grits his teeth and flips in the air, landing on his feet. The jar on his back is safe. As he does this, he lifts up one hand and conjures up a shimmering green spear before leaping at the mummy, kicking him down and impaling his face with the spear, specifically his lower jaw, nailing him to the floor.

>>830365

Standing over his opponent, Cao raises his hand and attempts to call upon the power of Shao Kahn within him to dispell the magic holding him together. He concentrates, feeling the souls within the vessel harkening to him, but rather than obey, they rebel. Rahmac screams around the spear in his mouth as the souls push back against the thief, overloading his mind. Cao glows green and is suddenly thrust backwards as though hit by a train, falling into the water of the pool.

Minerva shouts his name as he falls, and she flies towards him, attempting to catch him. She grabs hold of him with her spectral hands, but as he is swallowed by the pool, so too is she taken down with him.

Cao is suddenly no longer where he thought he was. He is somewhere else, far away, his mind pulled across the gulf of space, taken between realms. In an instant he sees flashes of many things, some familiar and some very strange and unknown. But he does see something he does recognize: Ashrah. The woman in white is battling another familiar face, that of the vampire Nitara. He sees them in a graveyard, a dark and dismal place, but more importantly he sees what happens.

Ashrah knocks one of Nitara's hands away with her kriss and then impales the vampire through the heart. In her dying moments, the moroi shouts and stabs her clawed hand into Ashrah's chest, tearing out her heart. Both women gasp, collapse and die.

Suddenly Cao is back underwater, rejuvinated completely, and someone is holding him. He has never seen her before, at least not in the flesh. Minerva opens her mouth and bubbles emerge as she looks at him with wide eyes.

She is alive: flesh and blood once more.

Thankfully, the pool is not deep; though he cannot swim, all Cao needs to do is stand. He gasps for air as Minerva clutches to his side, gasping like someone who has not breathed for years, which in her case is true.

Nearby, Kaito collects water into his jug using his powers of water manipulation. That makes three jugs full.
>>
>>830451

>Escape with just the three jugs
>Go for the decanter in the temple
>Battle some more while your allies gather more water
>Attempt to destroy Rahmac once and for all
>Other
>>
>>830455
>Battle some more while your allies gather more water
>Attempt to destroy Rahmac once and for all
>>
>>830455
>Other
See if Minerva is okay and not having a panic attack with her new body
>Attempt to destroy Rahmac once and for all
>>
>>830455
>Attempt to destroy Rahmac once and for all
He is an abomination!!!
>>
>>830462
>>830473
>>830516

Minerva continues to hold onto him as they walk to the edge of the pool. He helps the naked girl to the stone there, setting her down.

"I feel..." she whispers, her entire body shaking. Her voice breaks. "I feel... I feel!"

Cao looks up as Rahmac rises, his jaw hanging from his face and his eyes flaring with soul energy. The twisted stump left behind by Cao similarly glows as his body levitates in front of them.

"Stay here," Cao tells her. "I'll finish him."

As he steps out of the pool and summons the hammer back into his hand, a voice calls out. "Kaito! What are you doing?!"

Rahmac ceases and floats backwards as the remaining undead warriors step away from Frost and Kaito. All of them look towards the primary temple as Turana emerges, flanked by guards. From the smaller temple, Kebechet slithers out, looking upon them.

"We've come for the water, Turana," Kaito tells her honestly.

"Why do you do this?" she says, her voice full of grief. "This will mean true war---open hostilities! Any chance for diplomacy will now be gone!"

"He's only here because of me," Cao shouts, stepping next to Kaito. "I am Cao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld." He holds up the hammer and points it at her. "And you had better tell your gods to fall in line, because they had their chance to play nice."

Above them, the clouds begin to swirl and the night sky darkens as the stars and moon vanish behind the veil. Kaito notices this as well. "If we don't leave now, you might be able to tell them that yourself," he mutters.

>Attack Turana
>Attack Rahmac
>Use the Portal Stone and escape
>Go for the decanter
>Other
>>
>>830564
>>Use the Portal Stone and escape
>>
>>830564
>>Other
>Wait for the gods to finish arriving.
It's time for them to meet the true ruler of outworld!
>>
>>830596
Please no, at least pick a combat action or one of the less slightly stupid options
>>
>>830608
The gods refused to speak to Kotal, this is probably one of the few chances we can get to meet with them.
>>
Can I get a tie breaker or some backers?
>>
>>830564
>Use the Portal Stone and escape
time to bail.
>>
>>830637
>>830586

Let's have a 1d100 for fun.
>>
Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>830647
>>
>>830652

I know I said "a 1d100" but I'd like a few more, I always like having a bit of a pool except for that one time we won't talk about

Anybody else feel like rolling?
>>
Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>830658
>>
Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>830647
>>
>>830658
Still salty about that my friend
>>
>>830672

You know what helps with salt?

Rolling
>>
Alright then, I guess this is what we're going with. Writing now.
>>
>>830678
I didn't wanna jinx it, if you short change us after that 86 I'll cut u m8
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>830658
d
>>
>>830652

"We should leave," Kaito advises him.

"I want to meet them," Cao replies. "They refused to speak to Kotal, but now they'll speak with me."

Nearby, Frost helps Minerva to stand on wobbly legs. Kaito moves in close to Cao. "We're outnumbered and we don't have backup coming. Think, Cao!"

>>830663

"I'm not afraid of some old gods," Cao replies.

"I'm not either, but I'm not about to be captured here!"

Nearby, Turana produces an ankh staff with her magic. More guards begin to stream out of the temple.

And above, the clouds begin to part.

"Cao! Think!"

>>830665

Cao curses and takes out the Portal Stone. He hands it to Kaito. "Get out of here," he says.

"What are you talking about? We can leave!"

"I have a plan," Cao says with a cocky grin. He slides the water jug off of his shoulders and hands it to Kaito as well. "Use the water on Kotal. Wake him up."

"And what the hell are you going to do?"

Cao holds up the hammer. "It's like I said, I'm going to introduce myself."

Kaito blinks and stares at Cao as if he is mad. Above, three figures take shape in the clouds and begin to descend.

"Damnit!" Kaito shouts, holding up the Portal Stone. He quickly conjures up the portal and runs to it as Frost helps Minerva through. "Come on!"

Cao stares at the jackal-headed Anubis as he descends alongside the feline Bastet and the crocodile Sobek. The central god stares at Cao with burning, golden eyes.

"Cao! Move! That's an order!"

The thief looks over his shoulder. "I outrank you, remember?" He then charges at Anubis, holding the hammer up high and leaping at the god.

Kaito, holding both jugs of water and the Portal Stone and torn between priorities, curses under his breath. His lingering costs him greatly, for nearby, Turana holds aloft her staff before slamming the bottom of it upon the ground. The head glows brightly and a beam of light shoots towards the Portal Stone, blasting it in while in Kaito's hand. It becomes very hot, and he lets go of it.

Rahmac raises his arm and blasts Kaito with telekinetic energy. The man flies back through the portal, which closes behind him, leaving both Cao and the Portal Stone here.

Anubis raises his weapon, a mighty staff, and meets Cao in battle.
>>
>>830786
>and we get locked into a fight only one person wanted because of bad rolls

doing it again damashi
>>
>>830799
Pretty sure the bad rolls insured we were gonna end up trappped here other way, damashi flavored it a different way in this instance
>>
>>830786

I'm going to call it there for tonight, folks.

>>830799

I know we only had one vote for staying for the gods, but since this thread has run on for quite some time and I wanted to end it on something interesting, I decided to go with a combination of the rest of his team escaping and Cao remaining to see his enemies. This gives us a good cliff hanger for the next one or two episodes. I'm more of a rolls-serve-story than a story-serves-rolls guy, you know that.

I plan on writing more in this thread, such as a few epilogues (Kotal waking up, Takeda figuring out who was in Cao's bed, and some more choice moments) but it's rather late on my end and my four-day weekend has ended.

I think this may be the longest thread we've had. Of course, on /tg/, this thread would've been over twice by now. This was a hell of a weekend of running! I feel drained, but I had a lot of fun and I hope you guys did as well.

We'll return with Fireseed, since he and Cao both tied in the last poll at the cutoff time.

Thanks for playing!
>>
>>830802
>cliffhanger
pfffffffffffffffffft

fine okay

Thanks for running, guess we'll find out Cao dies when we start fireseed's deal.

Thanks for running.
>>
>>830802
Thanks, Damashi!
>>
>>830812
*How cao dies

geez I'm tired
>>
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>>830812
>Thanks for running, guess we'll find out Cao dies when we start fireseed's deal.

Actually, Fireseed's episode is going to begin back in the mission to the Netherrealm, when he was leading Team Striker and encounters something dark and connected to him.

We're then going to transition to where he was during this episode, in New Mexico.

We've been missing someone for a very long time and it's about time he got a chance to shine.
>>
>>830826
Huh, okey dokey, when the heck are we gonna finish this up then? Despite my bitching this is probably going to be a sweet fight.
>>
>>830859

Oh, this fight? Never. Cao automatically loses off-camera and jobs hard to the enemies.

We can have the fight tomorrow if you like, but he's got three gods, Turana, Rahmac, etc. around him so I was thinking we'd just skip it, but if you want to see how long Cao can go through the gauntlet I'll do it for you.

Thoughts?
>>
>>830875
This is exactly why it was a dick move to keep him there, maybe smash one or two of the pots, but no.

You had to do this
>>
>>830875
No but seriously if it's a wash don't worry about, we'll just have to save him later unless they just gank him and be done with it
>>
>>830875
Dude, this is exactly why all those people got pissed the last time you did this.
Infact, I'm pretty sure you said at that time, to call you out on it and tell you to stop.
>>
>>830900
Well, re-reading that the portal stone is still here, so we can maybe get away.


ahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahaha, it'll be dc100
>>
>>830899

Cao isn't going to die. They'd use him as a bargaining chip.

>>830900

I don't know if the situations are too comparable but I do see where you're coming from. It's just that, from my perspective of running this quest all weekend, Cao did a lot but not a lot bad happened to him. Sure, there were some iffy moments (the stranger in bed, Zod hopping up and down on the keyboard which will lead to Triborg gaining independence and killing all of the New Defenders) but ultimately I decided I would take those last few rolls/posts and make something interesting out of it. The mission was successful, they got the water, I just wanted it to ultimately have some consequences.

Again, I'm a rolls-serve-story kind of guy. Sometimes I want to do what seems interesting to me, and I'm trying to hook people with moments like this, not spurn them. Maybe I want to spurn them just a liiiiitle bit so they come back to see what happens next, but not so much that it ruins their experience.

That's just how I feel.

>>830917

Maybe. I wouldn't leave it off the table. But I think Cao wanted something more, I think he really wants a good fight. He hasn't had one since Onaga and I think it's gotten to his head a little bit; is he crazy and suicidal? No, but I think, subtly, I've been trying to build up the fact that life in the ND and life as Kahn aren't quite fulfilling him all the way. Maybe it's a bit of Shao Kahn left over in him, maybe he just wants to feel that same spark that he felt for the first time on Crashsmash's convoy, the thing he's felt in every great fight he's been in, but he wants to see what they've got.
>>
>>830941
The thing is, you're in a quest. If the rolls say the PC wins, then he wins. If the players say retreat, with one guy saying stay, then they retreat.
You can't take agency out of player's hands, otherwise you might as well go write a book.

This isn't a "Come back and see what happens" spurning, this is a "Fuck over the players for no reason" spurning.
>>
>>830954
Pretty much this, you've been doing this for a while, you should know this is more like DnD then a fanfic. WE have agency over the characters, they dice may affect that, but they don't suddenly contradict the players will.
>>
>>830941
>Maybe. I wouldn't leave it off the table. But I think Cao wanted something more,

What you think is wrong man, we're Cao. We voted to leave. You decided to make him stay
>>
>>830954
>>830961

>The thing is, you're in a quest. If the rolls say the PC wins, then he wins

I know I'm tired and not in the best condition after four straight days of running, but when I asked for those last few rolls, this was essentially my thought process:

>>830652

Bad roll, maybe Cao can't focus on getting home

>>830663

Really bad roll, Cao is definitely going to stay now

>>830665

But the mission can be a success as far as getting the water is concerned.

That was the thought process and how I chose to interperate the dice. I used the >>830596 as the reason Cao stayed because it was the only one written by a player. That doesn't mean that the "Other" option inherently has more worth then the other ones, I've ignored "other" write-ins plenty of times, but it was there so I used it.
>>
>>830968
Except there was no reason for a roll. It was two to one to leave.

By making an excuse for a random roll that decided "LOL, HE STAYS" you've taken the agency out of Player Hands for their PC.
Infact, I'd suspect that most people thought it was a "Roll to dodge while you leave." situation.
>>
>>830968
The vote that won was leaving, the dice should've reflected that task in particular.

Maybe two of the jugs got smashed, and we escaped with the rest.

It doesn't matter at this point, because no one is going to make you retcon anything, but please take some of what we're saying to heart.

You let one person sway what happened /again/ it was explicitly the opposite of what others voted for, please tell me you see the issue here.
>>
>>830974
>please take some of what we're saying to heart.
>please tell me you see the issue here.

Of course I do, I'm tired, not blind.

So here I am at the end of a four day running marathon and I want it to end on a spark. That's it man

I get it, I do, it's not what you agreed with as far as the choices/rolls are concerned, but at the end of the day sometimes I want to make things happen.

>>830954
>>830961
>agency

The only time that I've ever really tried hard to justify taking away agency from the players is at the ends of threads when I want to wrap things up, maybe throw in a cliffhanger for next time because this is episodic. I've never felt that it invalidates the 99% of the rest of the thread where the players DO have agency just because it comes at the end.

This is still a narrative, it is a story, but it is interractive and no I don't want to just write a book. I write other things that aren't based on interraction with readers and this isn't it, I DO write books and I don't treat this like that, I value the people who share this with me.

But I know what you're saying, you also contend the way I went with those last few votes/rolls, I know. Sometimes at the end of a thread I write a thing out and I think "Yeah, this'll be cool, it'll set up next time" because I like to end things with a BANG. "Oh, Cao could get caught and we have to rescue him as another character, that'll shake up the formula for the ND episodes so far" because I kind of view each arc as its own entity in a connected whole and we haven't had something like that happen in the ND yet.

Now I'm not going to retcon what I wrote, but if you want me to give you a chance to have Cao escape when I come back tomorrow, I'll do it. And it wouldn't be DC100, I'm not that guy.
>>
>>831008
You're not a villain or anything my man, we're just laying it all out there for you. I still love this quest and honestly I loved this section of it.

I hope I can be there tomorrow when you start up but I've got work.

Have a nice night
>>
>>831008
>Now I'm not going to retcon what I wrote, but if you want me to give you a chance to have Cao escape when I come back tomorrow, I'll do it.
I'm more curious to see how you would write it.
>>
>>831014
>You're not a villain or anything my man, we're just laying it all out there for you

I know I've said it but I'm worn out after this four day. I rewrote that last post a lot because I'm having a hard time articulating myself


>>831019

it would be a balls-to-the-wall fight with Cao taking them all on, odds stacked against him.
>>
This has been a fun Quest and those rolls dictate how Cao would act when going with a plan that's not well thought out

Interesting story is always better than just steamrolling over everything with god rolls
>>
Back from work. Had a nice chat with an old friend on twitter about last night; what's done is done, as always I'll try to learn and improve.

In the end I decided not to just cut away but to really play it out and see what happens; I think that's fair after my bit of railroading there.

How many are around? I know it's tuesday but I'd like to run the Cao fight if I've got enough people. Let's have a roll call and we can get this thing going.
>>
I feel like chan is not playing ball right now.

But yeah let's go down swinging OR make them bleed for it.
>>
>>831733
Yeah, sure. If there's not enough, you can always do a post-action report and save it for when Cao is recovered. Leaving Cao behind is cliffhanger enough, and dealing with the immediate fallout of the missing kahn could be more interesting.
>>
>>831743

>Leaving Cao behind is cliffhanger enough, and dealing with the immediate fallout of the missing kahn could be more interesting.

Yeah that was the thought in my mind last night, but it did go against what was being voted for at the time, so I was right to be called out on it. That's why I'd like to have the fight, and the Portal Stone is still here as a potential out.
>>
>>831733
Reporting in for kicking ass
>>
>>831745
In my defense, I was taking a nap when all that happened, so I'm impartial.
>>
>>831745
Do whatever you feel like boss
>>
Alright, let's rock. Writing now.
>>
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201 KB JPG
>>830786

Cao's hammer clashes against Anubis' staff and there is a great flash of light. The water in the pool ripples from the contact and several of the guards are knocked back. Turana's robes flow out behind her and she shields her eyes from the light.

When it dims, Cao and the god are locked against each other, both pushing but unable to overcome the other. The considerably taller god looks upon him with disdain, snarling as he speaks.

"You are a greater fool than I have heard," he says in a deep, rumbling voice. "I expected more."

His feet firmly planted, muscles rippling as he pushes on the hammer, he replies, "Yeah? Well, you have the head of a dog. Who are you to talk?"

"I am Anubis! Lord of the Dead! And soon, reclaimer of the mystical realm of Aaru!"

He raises a foot and attempts to stomp on the thief, but Cao rolls to the side, allowing his staff's crescent blade to follow through and slice into the ground. Nearby, Bastet and Sobek stand off to the side; uninvolved in the battle but ready to join in. The guards, Turana and Rahmac all stand behind Anubis as the great jackal stands straight up.

"When I take you as my prisoner, Kotal Kahn will have no choice but to meet my demands and relinquish control of Aaru."

"And how do you intend to do that?" Cao asks.

Anubis' laugh is dark and confident. "Look around you. You are completely surrounded and alone."

"Wouldn't be the first time." He holds up his hammer. "You see this? I got this from Shao Kahn. I used it to kill Onaga. If you think I can't use it to do the same to you, you're about to learn what it felt like to be in their place."

"Your words are empty, little one." Anubis lifts up his staff, which begins to glow with a blue aura along with his eyes. "There is no help coming for you. There is no escape."

Out of the corner of Cao's eye, he spies the Portal Stone lying near the pool. The guards are spreading out, and Turana and Rahmac are on standby. The other two gods appear at ease, because he's dealing with Anubis---which is just the way he wanted it.

He feels his heart pumping, his blood running, his grip tightening on the hammer.

It's time.

>Current Meter: 2
>1d100 and an action!
>>
Just a quick reminder:

Leg Reap: Cao grabs an opponent by the chest and tucks a leg behind them, pushing them forward while sweeping his leg back towards him, tripping them.
Enhanced: Spinning Reap: Cao grabs an opponent by the chest and trips them with his leg, but as he sweeps his leg back towards him he maintains momentum and spins as he summons up the hammer, swinging it down to connect with their head as they try to get back up.

Overhead Tuck: Cao leaps up over an opponent's shoulders and rolls down their back, leaving them open to attack from behind for a moment.
Enhanced: Overhead Throw: Cao leaps up and grabs an opponent's shoulders as he flips over their head, bringing them with him as he lands behind them and throwing them over his own head.

Rolling Dodge: Cao quickly rolls in a strategic direction to avoid an opponent's attack or grab, immediately springing up to his feet afterwards.
Enhanced: Rolling Throw: Cao rolls towards an opponent, reaching up and grabbing their waist and planting a foot in their stomach before rolling backwards and throwing them behind him, then rolling forwards and getting up to his feet.

Rising Knee: Cao surges upwards, slamming his knee into an opponent’s face with a trail of green energy that knocks them back.
Enhanced: Rising Grapple: As above, but at the height of the attack, Cao grabs his opponent and turns in the air, throwing them back in the direction he originally came from, slamming them against the ground for added damage as he lands on his feet.

Dropkick: Cao leaps up and brings up both feet to kick an opponent, sending them backwards while he lands on his side and then gets back up.
Enhanced: Rushing Dropkick: Cao propels himself forward with green energy, tucking his legs in before planting his feet on an opponent, using the momentum of the dash to knock them back onto the ground, simultaneously propelling himself into a backflip onto his hands then feet.

Catch and Parry: Cao catches an opponent's attack with his hands and redirects it away from him before rushing at the opponent in a green dash and slamming his shoulder into them, knocking them to the ground.
Enhanced: Catch and Combo: Cao catches an opponent's attack with his hands and redirects it away from him, spinning towards the opponent and hitting them with an elbow slam, a knee slam before summoning his hammer and swinging it up into them, sending them flying backwards.

Green Dagger: Cao summons a small dagger out of green energy and throws it for a quick projectile.
Enhanced: Green Lance: Cao summons a much larger weapon and hurls it at the enemy, impaling them and sending them flying backwards, dealing much more damage.
>>
>>831796

Summon Hammer: Cao summons his Wrath Hammer and holds it at the ready, able to perform a few actions from here:
Hammer Toss: Cao pulls it back before violently throwing it in the direction of his enemy.
Enhanced: Hammer Return: As above, but when it connects, Cao compels it to come back to his hand, hitting the opponent a second time from behind.
Hammer Uppercut: Cao swings the hammer like a golf club, sending his opponent up into the air.
Enhanced: Hammer Combo: As above, but as they are coming back down, Cao hits them with a second hammer uppercut as he steps forward and keeps the momentum from the first swing going.
Hammer Slam: Cao brings the hammer straight downwards onto the ground in front of him, smashing it and anyone in its way.
Enhanced: Leaping Slam: Cao leaps forward and slams the hammer down, springing towards an enemy and giving them less room to escape.
Banish Hammer: Cao puts the hammer away.
>>
Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>831791

Hammer Throw and then when he reacts EX Dropkick him
>>
Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>831791
Don't leave the Portal Stone out in the open for too long. We need to quietly secure it so we have an immediate out. Keep Anubis at bay with the Wrath Hammer until then.
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>831791
Try not to job!

(Try an EX hammer swing)
>>
Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>831796
Jump on his back and try ripping off one of his ears. Even a god can be affected by a petty attack!
>>
>>831803

As the god holds his staff aloft, Cao whips his arms outwards and throws the hammer at him. Predictably he moves to block, which is what the thief had anticipated. As Anubis deflects the the hammer with his staff, knocking it to one side, Cao's body glows green and he surges upwards, propelled by his magical power, whereupon he attempts to kick the god with both legs.

His dropkick fails before it even hits, however, as Anubis' eyes glow even more brightly. Two beams flash out and blast Cao mid-air, stopping all forward momentum and instead hurling him backwards. The thief hits the floor and he grunts, rolling over onto his stomach and then propping himself up.

>>831808

Turana looks at Rahmac and commands him. "The Portal Stone! Retrieve it!"

As Anubis steps towards Cao, the thief makes a lunge towards the yellow artifact to try and keep it out of their hands. However, the mummy quickly and telekinetically pulls it towards his only remaining hand. The artifact flies from Cao's fingers as he barely touches it, up towards him.

>>831812

Anubis lifts the head of his staff up and prepares to slam the dull end onto Cao's back. The thief however manages to roll to the right as the large weapon smashes into the ground, cracking it.

Cao's attention is not on the jackal, however. His hammer appears in his hand as he focuses on Rahmac, who is about to catch the Portal Stone. With a shout, he turns his body and really leans into the throw, hurling the hammer at the mummy. It passes over the stone and smashes into his chest, causing the artifact to drop to the ground and bounce away, keeping it out of enemy hands.

>>831822

Anubis then swings a foot towards Cao, landing it right in his chest. The large foot collides with Cao, robbing him of breath and launching him across the courtyard. The thief hits the wall he initially climbed over and slides down to the floor.

"Pathetic," Anubis says. "You are beneath me." With a wave of his hand, he conjures forth a portal. "I shall allow my pet to deal with you instead. Come forth, Ammit!"

From the portal emerges a great beast, twice Cao's size in height. The monster, a chimera in form---part lion, hippopotamus and crocodile---looks upon Cao with a drooling maw.

"Fret not," Anubis says. "After he feasts upon your heart, I shall bring you back. After all, you are no good to me dead."

Ammit gives a roar that is an amalgamation of sounds before charging in!

>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>831838
Smash the hippo's head in first, because fuck hippos.
>>
Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>831838

[b] WAN PAUNCH [/b]
>>
Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>831838
dodge the fuck out of the way, grab the stone and bail.

I fucking knew this would be the result, fucking typical nothing but shit rolls everywhere
>>
Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>831838
To give us some time to summon a portal take someone hostage to help facilitate our escape. Someone like anubis's daughter whom I don't remember the name of
>>
>>831842
>>831845

His eyes widen as the beast leaps towards him. Almost instinctively he calls upon his hammer, which flashes back into his grip over his head. He brings it down at the monster attempts to bite at him with its great mouth, smashing the head on its snout and causing it to stumble backwards.

Ammit lets out a whine as it backs up a few paces and shakes its head. Cao swings his hammer a few more times, threatening the beast with another bop if it does not back up more. Ammit snaps at him but his swings successfully keep the creature at bay.

>>831857

Ammit's eyes burn with hunger, fixated on the juicy morsel that is Cao. It lunges forward again, not caring it if is attacked by the hammer, but Cao has other things in mind.

He leaps upwards with green energy for the extra height, landing atop the monster's head. Ammit crashes into the wall behind him, creating a massive hole as it barrels clean through, while Cao runs across its back and leaps off.

When he lands, he looks at the Portal Stone. 'I'm going to need that if I want to get out of this,' he thinks, dashing towards it.

Sobek, the crocodile lord, hefts up his mighty axe and roars. This commands two of his followers, armed and armored crocodillian warriors, to make for the stone. One of them goes to intercept Cao while the other goes for the stone itself. The one facing him down roars at him, hissing as he raises his sword to attack the thief.

>>831874

As Cao runs up to him, he swings the hammer and knocks him aside like a ragdoll. The other warrior manages to grab the stone, but cries out in pain when the thief swings the hammer downwards and smashes his tail. This not only splatters the tail on the stone floor, but causes him to drop the stone.

With a burst of speed, Cao dashes over and grabs it before it can hit the ground.

However, the sorceress Turana isn't about to let him escape so easily. She raises her staff and prepares to cast the same heat spell upon it that she used to make Kaito drop it, while Sobek approaches from behind, raising his mighty axe and none too pleased about what Cao did to his follower's tail.

>Current Meter: 2
>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>831888
EX dodge and then throw a spear at turana
>>
Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>831888
Jump the wall to break line of sight.
>>
Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>831888

GTFO I think, anyone else?
>>
Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>831893
Rolling to help escape and make up for this roll
>>
>>831898

Thanks. I'm super glad my current run is about lots of death with these fucking dice.
>>
>>831891

Turana slams the bottom of her staff onto the ground to cast her spell. Cao, having witnessed the spell earlier, quickly tosses the Portal Stone straight upwards. As the beam of light issues forth, following the stone, the thief nimbly flips upwards and kicks it with his foot, knocking it over the wall. He lands and the beam of light instead blasts Sobek in the eyes, causing him to hiss in great pain and stumble backwards.

Cao wishes he could frame the look on Turana's face, but he's got places to be.

>>831892

Following the stone, Cao shoots straight towards the wall, scaling it with one hand. Hyenafolk archers perched on a nearby rooftop shoot at him; one of the arrows sticks into the stone and gives him a convenient foothold to reach the top with. He hops over the edge and quickly spies the glowing stone in the dark of night.

As he runs up to it and scoops it up, a small company of soldiers suddenly fills the streets. Cao, standing in the middle of an intersection, finds himself surrounded on all sides.

'Just like old times...' he thinks with a grin.

The captain of the guard, Haka, moves forth to shout a warning. "Hold where you are, or we attack!"

>>831893
>>831898

Without missing a beat, Cao charges towards the nearest group of soldiers. They point spears at him and prepare a shield wall, more than ready for him to try to get past them---or so they think. His hammer vanishes and he points his palm at them, creating a green shield of energy in front of him, and he blasts clean through their defense. Speartips break and handles shatter as he charges into them.

The shield vanishes and Cao leaps onto the shoulder of one guard, then steps on the head of another. He springs off and onto a cloth stretched over a market stall, bouncing on it to get up to the rooftops. "After him! After him you fools!" Haka cries from below.

More hyena men begin to fire their arrows at him. Soon enough, it is like rain, but he keeps going.

Up ahead, from the alley between two buildings, the mummy Rahmac appears, his body glowing green with soul power. He raises his arm, and with it are two carriages telekinetically levitated. With a simple thrust, he sends them both crashing onto the rooftop and hurling towards him, two whirlwind wreckages of wood, metal and fruit.

>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>831923
twist and dodge and then, spectral spear to the chest
>>
Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>831923
Can we use the Portal Stone for a short range blink, at least out of the city?
>>
>>831923
Do that move that one guy in that one videogame that takeda showed you. Hado ken?
>>
>>831936

Cao sees the wreckage flying at him and charges headlong into it, diving forwards as he does. He twists in the air, leaping through a narrow gap and barely escaping with but a few scrapes. Once clear of the debris, his limbs pop back out to land on the rooftop, and as he does, he conjures a spectral spear. He hurls it at Rahmac, impaling the mummy through the chest and sending him back down into the alley.

The thief reaches the edge and looks down at him as the mummy raises its hand weakly and then goes still, robbed of whatever fight it had left.

"I almost feel sorry for you," Cao says with a grin.

"Funny, I was just thinking the same about you," a feminine voice purrs into his ear.

>>831940

Cao turns around as Bastet wraps her cane around his leg and yanks backwards, tripping him. The black cat goddess pulls him towards her with it while raising one hand and extending her claws.

"Hello, little mouse," she says with a smile. "Shall we play a game?"

"Lady, you wouldn't be the first woman trying to sink her claws into me, and you won't be the last!"

>1d100 and an action!
>>
Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>831973

Rising Knee to the vag
>>
Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>831973
Hammer Slam to test how good Bastet's footing is, and if she leaps at Cao, swat her out of the air.
>>
Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>831973
Hmm vault over her and hammer smack
>>
Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>831973
Hit her with the sand grenade we've had this whole time
>>
>>832004
...Do we still have that?
>>
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>>831979

She hisses at him and strikes. Hooking his leg under the cane in order to free it, he rolls to his right as her large hand scrapes at the ground. From this new position, Cao slams his arms against the ground while also summoning his power to propell him upwards, positioning his knee for a rising knee attack. He slams into her gut, causing her to cough and roll to the side.

"Never much liked cats," Cao mutters as he takes off running.

As he dashes to the next rooftop, the sounds of the guards in the streets and the gods in the distance, a shadow flies overhead. Cao skids to a stop as a new creature, as massive as Ammit, lands in front of him. It is feline in nature, save for the wings and the gigantic rack. The sphinx wears a mask upon her head, and on her back is Turana.

"You are not leaving this city!" she tells him, pointing her staff at the ground where he stands.

>>831989

The stone of the roof suddenly becomes like sand and he sinks within, becoming trapped when it resolidifies around his feet.

Turana smiles as he struggles to free himself. "Nice try," she compliments him.

He looks up at the sorceress. "So that's your old body, huh? The one you're riding?"

"That's none of your concern."

"Because, no offense, but you really downgraded in the chest area."

"I make up for it in other ways," she slyly replies.

"Then why did Kaito choose Mileena?"

Any semblance of calm and control in the sorceress is suddenly thrown out the window as her face twists with rage at that comment.

>>831999

Summoning his hammer, Cao smashes the ground at his feet, freeing himself and falling through the ceiling just as she sends a fireball hurtling towards him. The thief lands on a soft surface, specifically a bed. As he does, a young snake woman who was sleeping in it screams and covers her nude form with a blanket.

"Sorry," he says, making his way to the window.

In the streets below, guards of all kinds are swarming and surrounding the structure. He knows that there is no way out---not conventionally, anyway.

>>832004

He holds the Portal Stone in front of him and focuses. It glows in his hands as he pictures the place he wishes to go.

>Z'unkahrah
>New Defenders base
>Xun-Koto
>Elsewhere in the city
>Other
>>
>>832039

> The place you went with Nitara Dessert.

LETS GO TO OUR TURF BITCHES!
>>
>>832039
>>Z'unkahrah
Time to bail
>>
>>832055

A perfectly fine choice.

>>832049

Well, Cao's vision of Nitara and Ashrah battling and killing each other could make him think about the place he lost his virginity in. A stretch, but not too much, since he just had the vision.

Any backers?
>>
>>832065

Guys we don't know if osmeone will get in the portal behind us or if Turanna has magic bullshittery to force it back open.

Let's use Nitara temple as a waystation to make sure we're cool and go from their to Z town. Thieves always want a clean getaway.
>>
>>832039
>>Elsewhere in the city
The temple where we saw the snake prophet. We can kidnap her and have a good bargaining chip with which to deter war.
>>
>>832069
>>832072
You guys are implying too much and/or being way too reckless.
>>
>>832049
>>832055
>>832072

One vote each for three different things.

>Go Home
>Go to Sandlantis
>Kidnap Snek Girl

Any backers?
>>
>>832072
And how do you propose to do that when there's an entire city to deal with?
>>
>>832077
Hi I'm Cao, nice to meet you. I once went into hostile territory full of deadly women to get a flower for a vampire, then I went with said vampire to mount doom to find a magic orb.
>>
>>832077

I don't know dude. I feel Cao would want to cover his ass. He's done enough risky getaways to know how they can go wrong.
>>
>>832080
>>Go Home
>>
>>832080
>Go home
Cao has made his point.
>>
>>832087
>I once went into hostile territory full of deadly women to get a flower for a vampire
That was with help.
>then I went with said vampire to mount doom to find a magic orb.
That was also with help.
>>
>>832055
>>832093

Writing now.
>>
>>832055
>>832093

Picturing the throne room clearly in his mind, the portal forms before him, right outside the window.

At that moment, the roof of the building is torn off, destroyed with one swing of Anubis' staff. Cao looks over his shoulder as the Egyptian god stands over the building, with Turana flying alongside him on her old body.

"Nice meeting you," Cao shouts as he leaps into the portal. Anubis reaches down to him, but the portal seals shut behind him.

A moment later, across the sea and in the throne room of the palace of Z'unkahrah, a portal opens to a series of surprised eyes. Out stumbles Cao, covered in cuts and more than a few bruises.

"Cao!" Jacqui says, running over to him. She helps him up as the others quickly move to encircle them. "What happened? Kaito was just about to call for backup!"

"Where is he now?" he asks.

"With Mileena," Takeda says. "I'll radio and tell him you're here." He steps away to do just that as Cao holds up the Portal Stone. Ruby quickly walks up and takes it from him, setting it back on the pillow.

"I made it out. Nice bunch of people over there."

Jacqui helps him to a nearby seat. "Kaito said that you had stayed behind. Why?"

"I wanted to see them," Cao replies. "We've talked so much about them, but I wanted to actually get a look at them and see what they were made of."

Jacqui listens and shakes her head. "I don't know if I should be glad you're back or angry at you for staying there in the first place."

>Ask about the water
>Ask about Kotal Kahn
>Ask about Minerva
>Explain what you saw when fighting them
>Other
>>
>>832227
>>Ask about the water
>>Ask about Kotal Kahn
>Explain what you saw when fighting them

for all their lauded power, they really weren't that tough. or coordinated
>>
>>832227
>>Ask about the water
>>Ask about Kotal Kahn
>>
>>832253
>for all their lauded power, they really weren't that tough. or coordinated
They were Earthrealm gods with an entire city's worth of soldiers at their command. They're not bad.
>>
>>832270
fair enough, I don't want to be too cocky, but Cao managed to dance around them alone and with only decent-ish rolls
>>
>>832253

Except Anubis. We need to emphasise he's the real threat. I could see us taking the rest multiple vs 1 but Anubis hit HARD.

He'd give Onaga a run for his money.
>>
>>832253
>for all their lauded power, they really weren't that tough. or coordinated

Well, I'll be that guy; we DID spend most of the fight running away, like Cao likes to do. Technically we didn't take any of them out.

Except that poor mummy bastard.
>>
>>832284
>you were also real lenient on rolls
>>
>>832312

Hey now, I was keeping a tally of successes and failures. I think the dice gods were rather forgiving in this instance.
>>
>>832253
>>832256

Cao picks up his head and looks around. "What about the water? Where is it?"

"Safe," Jagara assures him.

Lex nods. "Yeah, after you guys got back, Ruby saw to its use."

"And what about Kotal Kahn?"

"Funny you should ask," a muffled voice says. Cao looks over as Erron Black walks up. "From what I hear, Ruby has everything she needs to cure the poison in his system."

"Erron! Did you find a kytinn?"

"As a matter of fact, I didn't."

"What? But you said---"

"I went to a man I know who can get things. Exotic things. Using the extra money, I acquired a preserved stinger in a jar."

Cao whistles and smiles. "Damn fine work, Black."

"I know."

A new voice reaches their ears. "That is why I pay him."

Cao rises from his seat to behold Kotal Kahn walking in with the assistance of Sheeva. Behind them, Kaito and Takeda walk in as well.

"Kotal..." Cao whispers. The Kahn is weak, but walking nonetheless. With Sheeva's support, he makes his way to the throne and sits down. "Are you alright?"

"I am well enough," Kotal replies. "Now then... I am told that I was in the dark of sleep for several days. I am going to need to be told what happened while I was not here."

Inevitably, eyes fall to Cao. He steps in front of the throne and begins, "Well... Let's just say that I'm glad that you're back on your feet. I don't know how much longer I could've taken sitting on that chair, and you were only out for a few days."

Kotal raises a brow. "Indeed... Continue."
>>
>>832360

> Privately Poppa Sun. The Shit we need to talk about changes everything.

Kids. Engagement sprung on us. Stayr. Egypt land.

AND WHERE IS THE LINK YOU PROMISED US DAMASHI?
>>
>>832360
Make sure to mention that the water can grant visions! That is very important.
>>
>>832388
What link?
>>
>>832388
Kotal doesn't need to (immediately) know about Khameleon.
>>
>>832393

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hnbKR7ZUcY

When we describe our Ehypt adventures. We have to sing.

>>832401
Messy Lineage might be mportant for him to know. If we don't have trueborn heirs and he and Cao die...

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD KAHN!
>>
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>>832360

The next morning, Cao sits atop the temple, looking out over the city. Down below, guards depart from the palace with jars of the magical wellspring water, which Ruby hopes should be enough to cure the Wraith-Plague, at least within the city walls. As far as Z'unkahrah is concerned, the threat of the Wraith-Plague is ended, but other realms and possibly lands beyond the capital yet face its threat.

And speaking of threats, last night a warning was sent to Kotal Kahn in the form of a talking cobra, Turana's calling card. It warned of the coming war now that they have forced their hand.

Jacqui approaches him from behind and sits next to him, their legs dangling over the edge. She looks over at him as he sits consumed in thought.

"So, how's it feel to be Kahnzedah again?"

"I don't get to wear a fancy hat anymore. Not sure if that's a bonus or a loss, really."

She smiles. "Yeah. You could always wear it if you wanted, you know."

"Nah. I'll be alright." He looks over. "Anything new down there?"

"Kaito is putting together some last-minute preparations and helping oversee the water's distribution. He said tonight, you can go home."

"I am home."

"Sorry, I meant to the island." She pauses and then says, "I suppose that place never really will be home for you, will it?"

He brings up a knee and hugs it close to his chest, laying his chin on it. "No. It's nice, don't get me wrong, and the company is good... but this is my home."

"I understand. When I think of home, I don't think of the island either." She is silent for a few minutes. Suddenly, she speaks back up. "Are we okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"After all this... Kotal's put a halt on your arranged marriage, right?"

"Yeah. We haven't had much of a chance to talk about it, but it was something he liked the idea of for political reasons. He was going to wait for a while to see how things turned out before bringing it up to me."

"And does he know about the kids? And Khameleon?"

"Not yet. I suppose I'll have to tell him, since the team knows."

"So... Do you want to keep going? With us, I mean."

His brow furrows as he meets her gaze. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because of everything that came with sitting on that throne, even in the short time that you did," she says. "If you ever have to go back up there, I don't know if I can follow you. And I mean, it's not like you're low on options; you're an Emperor. Excuse me, were an emperor, but you get my point."

Cao isn't quite sure what to tell her. She sits back on her palms and adds, "Maybe it would be easier to end it now than later."

"You'd do that?"

"Honestly, it's been on my mind since those kids showed up. Maybe even before that, when we first learned that you'd have to be an emperor. And being here with you, seeing what imperial life would be like... I don't know if that's what I want." She stares into his eyes; hers are full of uncertainty. "What do you want, Cao?"

>Stay with Jacqui
>Break it off
>Other
>>
>>832498

> Throw Wrath Hammer and run away when she looks at it.

I GOT NOTHING GUYS
>>
>>832498
>>Break it off

It's probably for the best
>>
>>832498
>Stay with Jacqui
Yes, she gets jealous on a regular basis, but she's one of the only sources of stability in Cao's life right now. For someone as loose as he is, he at least has something he can count on at the moment.
>>
>>832498
>>Break it off
We already have so many girls interested in us, I feel bad with amount of attention jacqui has gotten compared to them. Also a lot of these girls want us future emperor and all.
>>
>>832546
You want to break it off because Jacqui gets too much of his attention?
>>
>>832562
Not him, but my reasoning is that it doesn't seem to be progressing in a healthy direction. What with both not seeing a real future together.
>>
>>832498
Break it off
>>
>>832585
That's mostly what I was going for, yes.
>>
Cao will be an emperor eventually, he will have to marry some politically correct match at some point down the line

Why make this harder than it needs to be
>>
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>>832588
>>832546
>>832529
>>832644

Cao's eyes slowly drift away and out over the horizon of the city. His hand finds her and sqeezes it, and she does the same.

"I've never really had to think about this kind of stuff before..." He looks back into her eyes and says, "I like you, Jacqui. A lot."

"I like you a lot, too."

"There's a part of me that doesn't want this to end, because it's... nice. Simple. You're not trying to do anything to take advantage of me."

"If you count kicking Cassie out so I could have you to myself," she says with a laugh.

He chuckles along with her. "I meant that you seem to be one of the few people, one of the few girls who doesn't really care about my throne or title or anything like that." He smiles and adds, "I like being with you."

He leans in to kiss her, closing his eyes as their lips make contact. She softly sighs as her grip on his hand tightens. They hold that kiss for several moments before he slowly pulls back, opening his eyes again.

"...But I also think you're right."

She stares back at him, slowly closing her lips. Her eyes drift off back to the city. "...Yeah. I think, in the end, you and I just want different things. And it was okay, for a while."

"It was fun."

"It was a lot of fun."

"Well, maybe not when you found out I had a bunch of kids."

"Yeah, that wasn't so great, haha." She chuckles softly and they resume staring out at the sunrise.

An awkward silence ensues. Both of them sit, unsure of what else to say. Jacqui tilts her head and brings up a hand, wiping it under one of her eyes. He catches a small glistening on her skin in the morning sun. "Shit. I said I wouldn't do this."

He scoots closer to her and puts an arm around her shoulder. "We don't have to do it now. Maybe... we just take the day?"

"I think I can do that," she whispers, laying her head on his shoulder. "We'll be okay."

"I think so," he whispers back.

They sit for a good, long while, enjoying each other's company and basking in the glow of a new morning.
>>
>>832689

"Come on, you've GOT to know something!"

"And I've tried telling you, my telepathy doesn't work like you think it does," Takeda replies.

Cao paces frustratedly back and forth across the room. He finally stops and looks at the Shirai Ryu warrior and asks, "Well, how does it work then?"

"I can read minds but I can't go any deeper than that. What you're asking me to do is read memories, which I'm still working on. This kind of thing takes practice, man."

"So what are you saying? That the person who did what they did just isn't thinking about it?"

"I don't know, maybe. But I scanned damn near every person I came across. If someone I read did it, they were good at not thinking about it."

Cao sighs and sits down. "So, what do we do? What are our options?"

"I'll keep looking but we're headed back to the island tonight, man. I doubt whoever it was is going to be there." Takeda leans forward and shrugs. "Look, do you have any lead on who it might be?"

"Nothing but ideas, possibilities," he replies. "Hell, I'm questioning if it ever really happened at all. Maybe I just dreamt it... I had another dream that felt pretty real right up until I got my chest stomped in."

"Sounds like a fun dream."

"Trust me, it was." Cao takes a deep breath. "Alright, just... Just keep a look out in your head, alright?"

"You mean in other people's heads."

"Whatever."
>>
>>832737

"So, how's, uh... life?"

The white-haired girl drinks deeply from her cup of tea before replying, "Wonderful! I'd completely forgotten what anything was like. The smallest things are all new and amazing to me." Her fingers run across the surface of the cup, then the stone table, and finally to his hand resting upon it. She feels his skin, smilling all the while at the sensation of it.

"Do you remember anything from your past life? Before you died, I mean."

"No... Only what little I've retained in death." She sets her cup down and looks back to him. "But that's alright, because I can have a new life now."

"You think you'll stay here? In Outworld?"

"I don't know! There are just so many places, so many possibilities open to me now. I want to go everywhere, smell everything I can, taste every kind of food and drink, feel the warmth of the sun in several realms... I just want to experience absolutely everything I can. I picked up an old book in Ruby's library and the pages were worn and hard, and the book had this musty smell... it was amazing!"

"I don't think I've ever met someone that happy about smelling an old book," he jokes.

"And it's all thanks to you," she says with a joyous smile. "Someday, I'll find a way to repay you."

"You don't have to."

"Yes, I do. I promise I will."
>>
What if it was Minerva who raped Cao and her way of thanking him
In having half ghost half human babbies
>>
>>832842
The rape was before Minerva got her body back. She physically wouldn't be able to.
>>
>>832846
I've seen doujins that prove otherwise
>>
>>832788

"And you are positive you do not want her put to death for this crime?"

"Yes!"

"Very well." Kotal puts his arms behind his back and walks towards the large window. "You must realize, of course, that the children must be disowned. They are not allowed any inheritance, not from the throne or otherwise. They are Khameleon's children, and though they share your blood, they will not be yours. Not a one shall be your heir."

Cao shrugs and nods. "Alright, that's easy enough."

"And they must never again return to Outworld."

"What? Why?"

"For the same reason, and others. Our enemies could exploit them. News of a return of the raptor species could cause problems with the lizardfolk. And I do not wish to risk her brother, a member of the Deadly Alliance, from discovering them." He looks back at Cao. "Furthermore, if these children were to become public knowledge, it would reflect poorly on yourself and the throne. People will not care that it happened before you were made my heir."

"But where will they go? They can't stay on the island; I'm fairly certain that those few days I was away from the base has made everyone hate me because of them."

"I am certain that Earthrealm or Edenia could accomodate them in some small, easily forgotten corner. I am also certain that it is well within the capabilities of your team to find such a place."

Cao eventually relents. "Alright. I'll find somewhere."

"Good." Kotal turns back to the window. "I understand that she gave you no choice in the matter. But I also caution you on this, my son: do not leave a trail of bastards behind you. You are of royal blood. When it comes time for you to select a bride---and I do intend for you to select your own, no matter what my father says---you will have proper children with her. Every child outside of that union is a potential weakness, a usurper or an upstart. If a bastard shares your blood, and an enemy performs a ritual of Blood Magik with that child's blood... The consequences could be dire. Do you understand?"

"...Yes. I do."

"Very well. Is there anything else?"

"...No. I'll be going now; we're returning to the island."

"I shall see you again soon, my son. Safe journies."

Cao leaves without another word.
>>
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>Elsewhere, New Defenders Base...

"Annnnnd done."

"Got it all patched up?"

"Yeah. All the damage those little bastards did is completely repaired."

"That's a relief. Was there any permanent damage?"

"No, nothing permanent. They got to the mainframe and chewed on a few wires here and there; we had to reboot some systems and take a few offline here and there. I think one of them jumped up and down on the keyboard and accidentally accessed a few different functions. We had to wipe a lot of crud and restart the whole thing."

"Can't believe the kind of shit they get away with on that team. You know I heard that guy isn't even in trouble?"

"Yeah, well, they get it easy. You want to go get a drink before the night's over?"

"Nah, I'm good, I'll turn in for the night. See you tomorrow Jerry."

"You too."

>Meanwhile...

In the darkness of the hologram training center, the experimental combat android's eyes light up.

'DOWNLOADING. DOWNLOADING. DOWNLOADING. DOWNLOAD COMPLETE.'

The eyes shut back down.
>>
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>>832952

Jerry, you fuck up cabin in the woods.
You fuck up the new defenders.
What is next for Jerry?!
>>
That's all I have time to write for tonight, folks.

You know, I do like this more how it turned out. I'm glad I didn't stop it there. Man, I was tired.

I can return tomorrow with some more; is there anyone else you'd like to see, someone I missed perhaps?
>>
>>832981
Nothing off the top of my head my man
>>
>>832981
What happened between lex and cao while they were in hell together
>>
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>>832952
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
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>>833061

They didn't discover Wildfire's place, otherwise Cao would never have left.
>>
>>833061

holy shit you guys.

I think Lex was the one who raped him.

She could have monk mental resistance bullshit, so she could have been thinking about it and Takeda wouldn't know shit.
>>
>>833173
Eeeeeh. 30% chance tops
>>
>>833183

I dunno, I could see it for Damashi. Ruby is far too obvious.

Herbal Remedy: Monk
Takeda didn't get shit: Monk
Underhanded; Didn't want to cock block Ling or Frost
Sneaking into his room: Honoured guest + Monk
Figure; Honestly I'd say similar to Jacqui
Cons: We had no diea she was into us. Bu then again, EVERYONE WANTS THE CAO D
>>
>>833293
that last one is pretty big my man
>>
It doesn't matter who raped Cao, Ashrah and Nitara are dead!

Besides we all know that it was fem Quan Chi
>>
>>833792
>Ashrah and Nitara are dead!

Not yet.
>>
>>834472
Right, they're both crawling desperately to the New Defenders base, covered in blood to be the first one to give Cao a goodbye kissie kiss kiss, cause they good girls
>>
Kaito shakes his head disapprovingly. "It was needlessly reckless, Cao."

"Probably, yeah."

"There is no 'probably' in this instance. It was reckless and you put yourself in a great amount of danger, and for what?"

"I told you already: I wanted to see what they were made of."

"That's not a good enough excuse. You had too much riding on the line---you were Emperor of Outworld! We had the wellness of Z'unkahrah's people at stake, and we were using the Portal Stone. Those were all factors that you should have considered when you decided to pick a fight with three gods."

The thief is silent for a moment. He averts his eyes and offers an apologetic shrug. "I was in the moment."

"Again, not good enough. You don't have the luxury of just 'being in the moment' anymore. You're part of a team, and more than that you're part of a royal family, and that means making decisions for the betterment of a greater whole. Now you've been coasting along and taking it easy, but that stops now. You need to realize that you have a greater responsibility than just yourself."

"I know that."

"Then act like it!"

He shakes his head and sighs. "I wanted to see what they could do. We've been hearing about them ever since they helped Onaga and I wanted to see what the big damn deal was; I wanted to know what they could do."

"And did you learn what you wanted to?"

"I got a better idea," he shrugs. "Their numbers, their powers. I wanted to see."

"That wasn't your call to make, though," Kaito tells him. "You were alone. Now, I understand the value of intel. But when it comes time to fight them, whenever and however it may come, it's not going to be an individual effort. It's going to be a team effort. And like it or not, your future on this team depends on learning how to operate as a team player. I might have taken it as a joke but don't ever try to pull rank on me again; I don't give a damn if you are royalty, you're inexperienced, headstrong and reckless. I've dealt with emperors before and don't think I'm not prepared to deal with you."

Cao's gaze returns to Kaito's, intense and argumentative. For a moment, neither says a word. Finally, the mounting frustration gets to him, and Cao pushes his chair back and stands up. "It's not just that, though. It's not."

"Then what is it?" Kaito walks around the table to face him more directly. "Come on. Out with it."

"I haven't had a fight like the one against Onaga since Onaga," Cao mutters. "I wanted to see what they were made of. I felt like I had to---I was itching. I still am."

Kaito folds his arms and sits back, reassessing the thief for a moment. His brow unforrows slightly. "It's that bad, huh?"

"Yes. Not always, but sometimes."
>>
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>>835878

More silence passes. Kaito shakes his head and closes his eyes before rubbing his eyes. "Alright. I'm going to let you off with a warning, like before. I'm going to recommend some more team-building training for you and the others, get you to play ball so to speak. But listen to me, and listen good---you and I have never fought. I chased you, once, and you got away. But we have never fought."

He opens his eyes and looks hard at the thief, a serious expression on his face. "You ever get that kind of itch again? The kind where you're willing to throw your life away just to fight someone you think is tough? You come to me, and I'll make it go away. Nothing held back."

Cao leans back slightly, his eyes narrow. He waits for Kaito to say something, to possibly take it back or to crack a joke, but he doesn't. He's completely serious.

"You understand me? Is that perfectly clear?"

"...Yeah."

"Good. Now get out of here and think for a while."

Cao nods and slowly turns away, walking towards the door and pushing it open. Kaito watches him go, staring at his back until the door closes behind him. He himself sits there for a few good minutes, thinking.
>>
Takeda raises his bottle. "To Cao Kahn: May his reign be remembered for as many days as he actually sat on the chair."

"Yeah, I'll drink to that," Cao replies as he and the others all raise their bottles. "I feel like I wouldn't mind forgetting most of it," he jokes as they finish their round.

Tundra sets his bottle down first, making a loud slamming noise. He pounds his chest once and lets out a loud belch. Jin, slightly more drunk than the rest of them, lets out a fit of giggling before regaining control of himself.

Takeda finishes his bottle and smiles. "Well, either way it's nice to have you back for guy day." He checks his watch, and then quickly corrects himself. "Make that guy night."

Fox finishes reshuffling the cards. "So, another round?"

"I don't do well at these card games," Cao says. "Let's do something else."

A bulb flashes in Takeda's head. "Oh! I almost forgot!"

The others watch as he stands up and makes his way to the other side of the rec room. He pics up a small basket from atop the fridge and brings it over. "I picked these up from a Chinese place in Chicago last week."

"The hell were you doing in Chicago?" Jin asks.

"Sam was visiting her dad, so I thought we could hang out."

"Thought you could try putting some moves on here, more like," Fox cracks a smile.

Jin cracks up a bit. "Please. As if he'd ever have a chance after the whole, 'I just thought you were stupid!' thing."

"Hey, I apologized for that."

Cao twirls his bottle in his hands as he says, "Well, someone should try putting some moves on her so long as Tundra isn't."

Zian nudges him, nearly making him drop the bottle. "Hey. That's personal."

"Chill there, sub-Sub-Zero," Takeda chuckles. Before Tundra can reply, he sits back down and places the basket in the middle of the table. It's full of fortune cookies. He also places a new batch of beers on the table.

Kung Jin rolls his eyes. "Ah, the most Chinese of all Chinese things: fortune cookies. You know they aren't really Chinese, right? They actually originate from---"

"Yeah nobody cares," Takeda cuts him off. "So, here's what we're going to do: everybody take two, open them one at a time. You're going to read the fortune out loud, and if anybody so much as cracks a smile or laughs, they have to drink."

"I can't read," Cao deadpands.

"I got you," Tundra says.

"What's funny about fortune cookies?" Fox asks, not understanding the point.

"Here's the kicker: you have to add 'in bed' to the end of each one. Here, let me demonstrate." He quickly hands out the bottles and takes a cookie. He discards the wrapper, cracks it open and takes out the small piece of paper inside and reads it aloud.

"Soon life will become more interesting... in bed."

"Well you always did like whips," Jin mutters.

Perhaps it is the alcohol already in their system, but at that, some of them crack a smile and consequently must drink. Kung Jin, though still not a big fan of the fortune cookie, is now invested in the game.
>>
He reaches forward and picks one up and quickly reads it while Takeda munches on his dry cookie. After getting his fortune, he crumbles up the cookie itself and tosses it over his shoulder.

"Only by acceptance of the past can you alter it... in bed."

"Eh," Takeda shrugs.

"I don't get it," Cao says, his brow furrowed.

"You need to learn from your mistakes," Tundra explains.

"Like putting it in the wrong hole," Fox says, and a round of laughter ensues, followed by drinking.

"Yeah, but Jin doesn't have to worry about that," Takeda snickers.

Jin shoots him a funny look and replies, "Funny, I was going to say that about you."

"Ooooh," Tundra chuckles.

Takeda tosses him a cookie. "Laugh it up, blue balls. You're next."

Zian clears his throat, opens his cookie and reads it. "Only if you dive for pearls shall you find them... in bed."

Everyone except Cao bursts into a fit of immature giggling. The thief looks around, confused. "I don't get it. You do dive for pearls, right? Like in the ocean? I wouldn't know about it."

Fox leans over to whisper in Cao's ear. His eyes widen in realization. "Oh, THAT'S what you guys call it?"

Another round of laughter and drinks.

"You go now, Cao," Takeda says. "Even though your ass can't read."

Cao picks out a cookie and hands it to Tundra, who clears his throat again and blinks a few times to focus on reading the small text. "Patience is one of the hardest virtues to master... in bed."

"I'll say," Jin chuckles and drinks. Takeda joins him.

Fox reaches for his now. He opens it, reads it, and then his smile vanishes. "Photograpic memory! Remember to put in film, or its digital!?... in bed."

Takeda looks over, not believing it. "Huh. Yeah, that's what it says. What a shitty fortune."

"You went to a shitty knock-off Chinese place, didn't you?" Jin says. "Which is anywhere that isn't, you know, in China. Where they don't have fortune cookies."

"Open another one," Takeda urges.

He does so, but his expression sours even more. "Regenerate your system through diet and exercise. Save the cookies!"

"...In bed," Takeda adds the last part for him. "Not that it works, really."

Jin shakes his head. "It's a sad, sad day when even the fortune in a fortune cookie tells you not to eat the damn thing. Good advice, though, they taste like paper."

"I'm getting another," Fox says, getting almost angry at this point by the lack of good fortunes. He tears it open and crunches the cookie in his hand, letting the crumbs fall as he picks out the fortune. "Remember..." he begins, but then stops.

Takeda cracks up. "I read it in his mind. It sucks."

Fox tosses it at him to read: "Remember to order your takeout also? ...in bed!"

Tundra bursts into laughter, though even he doesn't know why. He drinks.

"This game is stupid," Fox says. "Let us find another."

Jin takes another drink. "How about spin the bottle?"

As one, the others all answer, "No!"

The Shaolin shrugs. "C'mon, it couldn't be worse than the first time."



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