What If... Venom Stayed Evil? (The Cheated Kombatant) (Male Reader)

Chapter 19: Tarkatan Camp

In Outworld, inside a beautiful temple garden. Luscious plants surround the walls, while patches of mildew adorn the marble steps. A waterfall flows into a nearby fountain, and standing on the steps are Raiden, Jade, and Kotal Kahn.

Kotal: The Tarkatans, long extinct, have also returned. 

Raiden: Shao Kahn will seek them out. He relies on their power. 

Jade: Kotal's scouts tracked a Tarkatan war party to the Kytinn's Lost Hive, D'Vorah's ancestral home. Y/N's hand in Shao Kahn's escape makes that our starting point. 

Raiden: Please advise me of what you learn. I must consult with the Elder Gods. 

He lifts his hand into the air and teleports away with a flash of lightning. As Raiden exits, Kitana walks down the steps of the temple. 

Kitana: When do we leave? 

Kotal: Your duty lies elsewhere, Princess. I need you to enlist Queen Sheeva. Her support is critical, against both Kronika and Shao Kahn. 

Kitana seems none too happy at being ordered around. 

Kitana: Surely you can- 

Kotal: Queen Sheeva does not trust me. No Shokan has since my bloody battle with Goro. 

Jade: Sheeva's always respected your opinion more than anyone's. When she hears you support Kotal, she'll join us. 

Kitana narrows her eyes at her friend's words, but seemingly takes the advice in. She turns to Kotal. 

Kitana: If that is my duty, so be it. 

Kotal: Thank you, Princess. 

Kotal walks up the steps of the temple and takes his leave. Once he is out of earshot, Kitana angrily turns to Jade, who takes it all in stride. 

Kitana: Are you my friend or his consort? 

Jade: It was my idea, Kitana. It's in your best interest. Succeed with Sheeva and Kotal will pledge his loyalty to you. There's no bond more sacred to an Osh-Tekk like him. 

In the wastelands of Outworld, a barren desert filled with nothing but rocks, sand and dead trees. A scouting party mounted on some striped horses (all with exotic colours) walks through the desert. Kotal and Jade travel on horseback as well, Kotal on a steed with the same colour as his blue war paint, while Jade travels on a brown horse the same colour as her clothing.

Jade: I remember when we could ride like this alone.

Kotal: My life has changed as Kahn's righthand man. Thankfully, you have not.

Jade: You haven't changed much either, despite the years. You're still the same noble warrior I met in Shao Kahn's court. And now you're Kahn. I'm surprised no woman has claimed your bed and become your queen.

A rare smile adorns Kotal's lips as he snorts in amusement.

Kotal: Many have tried.

Past Jade: Yet they failed. Why?

Kotal: None of them were you.

The scouting party continues on their trek through the desert. They have now reached an area where unnatural looking stalagmites reaching dozens of feet high are littered across the landscape. The party draws to a halt and all the scouts dismount, Kotal and Jade included. Jade looks to one side and points her finger toward the ground. 

Jade: There are fresh tracks leading into the Hive. If Shao Kahn's in there, he'll be difficult to find. The tunnels are endless. 

Kotal: Set fire to them. If he's hidden, he will be smoked out.