Back in the Wastelands, Kitana and Jade are conversing.

"Is this how you show your loyalty, Jade?" Kitana asks.

"Kitana, I–" Jade tries to answer but Kitana cuts her off.

"You follow me when I clearly wish to be alone, then you upbraid me? I will not be scolded like some child!" Kitana scoffs.

"You need to be careful. I have never seen your father this angry with you." Jade warns.

Kitana dismisses this advice and begins to walk away before stopping when Jade speaks again.

"You are a princess. He expects more from you than this." Jade informs.

"I know what he expects!" Kitana snaps.

"We will talk later. When you are in more of a mind to listen." Jade says before walking off, leaving Kitana alone.

At the sound of a lightning flash, Kitana turns around to face Raiden, Johnny Cage and Smoke.

"Princess Kitana. I request an audience." Raiden requests.

"Earthrealmers! You dare approach me?" Kitana asks.

"Hey listen, honey, we don't wanna fight." Johnny says.

"But we will if we must!" Smoke warns.

"You will learn respect!" Kitana says.

The three warriors then start to fight. Both Johnny Cage and Smoke find out the hard way that this was the wrong time to approach Kitana. Caught off guard by her furious assault, both of them are soon lying on the ground in front of her.

"Shao Kahn wants death to follow kombat. I will give it to him." Kitana promises.

"Perhaps Manado was wrong about you. Or perhaps he sensed, as I do, that there is conflict within you." Raiden says to Kitana before helping Johnny get back to his feet.

"Thanks. Ow. You couldn't have seen that in one of your hot flashes?" Johnny asks.

Johnny then walks off to help Smoke back up, leaving Raiden and Kitana alone.

"Something whispers to you that circumstances should be different. That you should be different. You are much more like Sindel than Shao Ka–" Raiden says before seeing another vision, one of Sindel brainwashed and screaming.

"But... she is dead..." Raiden says.

"My mother is dead, yes. Why do you–" Kitana asks before being cut off.

"You need answers, Kitana. I can help you find them, if you will trust in me. Go to Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits. Much will be revealed there." Raiden suggests.

"The Flesh Pits? But I am forbidden to–" Kitana says before being cut off.

"Yes. You are. And why is that?" Raiden asks.

"I... don't know. I have always assumed it was because I freed Manado from the pits." Kitana explains, much to Raiden's surprise.

"Regardless, you must discover your true path. Alone." Raiden says before he walks off and teleports away.

Later, Kitana is walking through the Living Forest. She then looks around and then comes to a standstill.

"Show yourself, Jade. I know you're following me. Again." Kitana says.

Jade then comes out of where she was hiding and walks in front of her.

"Following you still. I know where you're going. I am ordered to prevent you from going there." Jade says.

"And why is that?" Kitana asks.

"I do not question the emperor's commands. Kitana, please. Turn back." Jade says.

"I cannot. This path might lead me to the truth. I'm sorry, Jade... but I will not allow you to stop me." Kitana says.

They then fight. While her friend is an athletic and agile warrior, Kitana's fighting skill and determination see her through the battle. Eventually Jade is beaten unconscious.

"I tried to warn you... This is something I have to do." Kitana says.

"I never expected you to fight your own friend." A voice calls from behind.

Kitana quickly turns and finds Manado standing before her.

"Manado?" Kitana asks in surprise.

"It pleases me to see you again, your highness." Manado says as he bows to her.

"What are you doing in the living forest?" Kitana asks.

"After freeing the shaolin masters, I was heading to the koliseum for the tournament when I heard a fight taking place and as it turns out, it was you. But I got to ask, why do battle against your friend?" Manado explains and asks.

"She stood in my way against my entry into the flesh pits. Raiden explained that answers may lie in there." Kitana explains.

Hearing the name of the pits brought back all of bad memories Manado had in there. He could still memorize the feeling of needles filled with all sorts of mixtures being injected into him as he screamed in agony, much to Shang Tsung's delight. His fearful expression doesn't go unnoticed.

"You are still haunted by that horrid place, aren't you?" Kitana asks in concern.

Manado looks up to her, a mixture of fear and sadness still plastered on his face.

"Every day." Manado replies.

Kitana then places a hand on his shoulder.

"That place does not bind you anymore. You can fight your fears. You just need to face it." Kitana explains.

Manado then takes a deep breath.

"Your right. I am no longer a prisoner of the pits. I might still fear it... but I won't that fear consume me." Manado says.

Kitana smiles, even through the mask.

"I must go to the pits to search for answers. Your welcome to join." Kitana says.

"Very well, your highness." Manado replies.

Kitana and Manado then walks off and into the Flesh Pits. Looking around, they spot what appear to be remains of Tarkatans, their blood spilled and flesh removed. Several tubes of liquid contain unidentifiable humanoid abominations.

"Shang Tsung has been busy since my departure." Manado says.

"Indeed." Kitana replies.

One in particular catches Kitana's eye. The occupant of the tube is naked expect for several bandages in strategic places, and aside from the grotesque mouth being of a Tarkatan origin, the face, hair and body is that of Kitana.

"What in the name of..." Kitana asks herself, wondering what exactly Shang Tsung is doing down here.

Kitana turns to find Manado in the corner of the pits, kneeling down in front of one of the cells. She remembers that the cell was the same she freed Manado from all those years ago. But it wasn't the cell Manado was focused on what was on the floor in front of it. It was a talisman, bright yellow in color with the Osh-Tekk symbol and a bright pink flower at the bottom. Manado picks up the talisman as his hand begins to shake uncontrollably as his emotions began to go into overload. Kitana takes notice of this and approaches him, placing a calming hand on his right shoulder.

"This was my mother's. She gave it me when I turned four years old. She said it would keep us together and to give strength... and hope. But now, seeing it here, I wonder if this was what kept me alive through all the hell I've been through. But you know what the worst part is... I never even knew my parent's names. " Manado explains.

He begins to stutter as he struggles to keep the tears from coming out of his eyes.

"I may not have known your parents Manado, but I do know that would be proud of you." Kitana assures.

Manado then slowly looks up to her and softly smiles.

"Thank you." Manado replies.

Kitana nods her head in response and goes to continue her search.

Kitana then notices another one of the clones on the table. This one looks identical to the one that was in the tube from earlier. Kitana then leans in for a closer look. Her eyes then open wide.

"She looks like... me!" Kitana says.

"What?" Manado asks in surprise.

Manado then approaches and looks at the clone Kitana mentioned.

"Your right... she does. You don't think Shang Tsung is trying to replace you is he?" Manado asks.

"Impossible. Shao Kahn would never approve of this.

Suddenly the clone suddenly opens its eyes, revealing them to be of the same orange glow as a Tarkatan. Gasping, Kitana and Manado back up.

"Sister!" The clone that would be later known as Mileena says in glee.

Mileena then sits up and gets off the table, causing Kitana to back away. Manado backs away towards the tubes as Mileena continues her approach towards Kitana.

"So pretty, so fair, so sad and alone... Come. Let us be a family!" Mileena says as she walks towards Kitana in a seductive manner.

"You are not my family. You are a monstrosity!" Kitana yells.

They then fight. As the fight ensues, Manado heard footsteps coming from the staircase. Hiding behind one of the tubes, Manado sees that the source of the footsteps is none other than Shang Tsung himself, who looks at the ensuing fight with a evil grin on his face. Manado glares at the sorcerer as he badly wants to take his revenge on the sorcerer, but knew that would blow his cover so he kept quiet.

Meanwhile, Kitana finds out the hard way that the clone is able to use magical powers and is not averse to getting violent. Nonetheless, her own weapons and fighting skill manages to see her through the fight, and eventually the clone is left unconscious on the floor.

"Farewell, sister!" Kitana says.

Before she can finish the clone, Shang Tsung approaches the unconscious body of Mileena.

"That is no way to treat your sibling." Shang Tsung says.

"Despicable swine! Do you think my father will stand for this... these... abominations you have created and the experiments you've done here?!" Kitana scoffly asks the sorcerer.

"I am merely perfecting you, princess. As difficult as that might be." Shang Tsung replies.

"Silence! I will drag you before Shao Kahn by your pointed beard!" Kitana yells.

They then fight. Despite the sorcerer's recent revitalisation, Kitana's fury gives her the edge in the fight. She soon has Shang Tsung on the floor, beaten.

"Get up." Kitana demands.

She then picks him up by the shirt.

"You will stand before my father and confess your deeds." Kitana says.

She then turns him around, shoves him forward and leaves the Flesh Pits with him. Seeing that the coast is clear, Manado exits his hiding place and looks at the clone beaten on the floor.

"You only wanted to have a family. Can't blame anyone for that." Manado says.

Mileena's eyes then open again, much to Manado's surprise.

"Sister rejected me, called me a monstrosity. Am I not worthy of her affection?" Mileena asks herself, conflicted about what has occurred.

"She just didn't understand your intentions. She thought that you were a threat." Manado explains.

Mileena quickly stands and looks towards Manado.

"Who are you?" Mileena asks.

"My name's Manado. I'm... a friend." Manado says.

"A... friend?" Mileena asks in confusion.

"Yes. I can see the confliction in your eyes. You merely wish for a family, no one can judge you for that. Maybe I can help you." Manado says.

"Help me?" Mileena asks.

"Yes. I can help you have the family you always wanted. Maybe I can even convince Kitana to give you a chance." Manado offers.

"Why do all this for me? Someone who you just met?" Mileena asks.

"Because I believe that everyone deserves a chance at life. My family was taken from me and I failed to protect them, but I will not fail anyone else." Manado says.

Mileena looks stunned at Manado's words. She then lunges at Manado but to his surprise, she embraces him in a hug. After a brief moment of shock, Manado hugs back.

"Thank you." Mileena says.

"It is my pleasure." Manado replies.

A moment passes before the let go of their embrace.

"I must go. I suspect someone will return for you, but I can't risk being seen here." Manado explains.

"Will... Will we see each other again?" Mileena asks.

Manado then smiles at the construct.

"Of that, I am certain." Manado assures.

He then begins walking up the stairs, leaving the flesh pits with Mileena standing in the middle of the room, contemplating what to do next.

Later in Shao Kahn's throne room, Shang Tsung is kneeling with two Tarkatan guards standing over him.

"I would not disturb you, father, if this matter were not of utmost importance. I felt you should know what Shang Tsung has been doing as of late. This conjurer has created horrid replicas of me, crossbred with Tarkatan blood! One was alive-- and attacked me!" Kitana explains.

Shao Kahn then stands from his throne and walks toward Shang Tsung. He looks toward Kitana, and then to Shang Tsung... and motions with his hand that he was to rise.

"Well done, sorcerer." Shao Kahn says.

Shang Tsung bows his head and smiles before standing. Kitana is shocked at this revelation.

"You know... You... approve? How could you? My own father!" Kitana says but backs up when Shao Kahn starts to yell.

"I am your emperor! Your father was a weakling Edenian king. I annihilated him while merging his realm with Outworld and took his queen as my wife. If only I had not allowed Sindel to convince me of your worth... But now I have a true daughter!" Shao Kahn says.

"Raiden was right. You have lied to me my entire life." Kitana says in shock.

"Escort her to the Tower. I will make an example of her." Shao Kahn orders the Tarkatan guards.

The guards then restrain Kitana and carry her off. Shao Kahn addresses Shang Tsung once more.

"Return to the Flesh Pits. Bring me my daughter, Mileena." Shao Kahn orders.

As the Tarkatan guards escort Kitana off, Jade follows them outside of Kahn's view.

"I failed you, Kitana. Now I will make amends." Jade says before following the guards.