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Thousands upon thousands of years had passed since she gained control of the hourglass. Her sheer determination to beat Kronika outweighed even that of a titan’s power. Beyond that, she would spend years carefully perfecting her world. Making sure everything fit into place, Kitana erased, her rule going unchallenged. It had all come together beautifully, she could hardly complain.
Though, there was a small part of her mind that ate away at her with each passing day. Everyday that she woke up alongside Tanya, everyday that they cared for their daughter, the feeling grew stronger. This was Tanya in every way, shape, and form, but.. Not her Tanya. The Tanya that had long since been removed from this world, prior to Mileena even gaining control of the hourglass. Every time she looked into this reconstruction’s eyes, it pricked at her heart.
But how could she find fault in this world? She built it from dust. She knew that anything out of placed could simply be manipulated, so she would bury those feelings.
It worked for a time. She found herself able to slip into a comfortable happiness, among her acquired friends and family. She was loved in her world, she loved in her world. Nothing could break her bliss save for herself, and she simply would not choose to do that. The previous timeline brought her nothing but suffering. Fond memories of her Tanya are forcibly carded away by her mind, saving her the heartache of once again acknowledging that the Tanya she built a new life with was nothing more than a recreation.
As if knowing of her newfound peace, worlds beyond her control find her once more.
One moment, she was sat before her wife and daughter, happily chatting away over dinner. A routine thing that was done nightly, catching up on their respective days while both occasionally gushed over their child. The next moment, she was blinded by a flash of light. To her wife and daughter’s pure horror, she would fall away into a pile of sand.
It is not long before blurred vision clears, revealing a scene of pure chaos before her. Much to her shock, Kitana is clasping hands down on her shoulders, orienting her fully.
“We must stop Shang Tsung.”
The crown atop Kitana’s head perfectly resembled her own, white and gold same as hers. This was the Kitana she knew. The Kitana from the timeline of old. Eyes dart around, catching all familiar faces, accessorized in similar fashions. Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Baraka – all titans, just like her. All were clawing their way up a vast set of steps, fighting among clones of themselves all from varying timelines. The chaos was all too familiar, but not entirely unwelcome.
Wordlessly, she’s fighting alongside Kitana. They didn’t have much choice but to be on the same side, considering a version of their father had taken notice of them, and was trying his hardest to snuff out both sisters.
Fan blades glide through the air, stopping only when they meet Shao Kahn’s chest, spinning wildly before falling away. Mileena takes this window of opportunity, lunging into a spin of her own, finishing the job of neutralizing Shao. She stands triumphantly after the fact, glancing to Kitana, who had become occupied with fighting off both Kenshi and Takeda. A chuckle to herself, before she turns, leaving her sister behind to fend for herself.
She continues to ascend the stairs, her sights now completely set on Shang Tsung. She didn’t care about saving this world, but she couldn’t deny enjoying the thrill of reliving old times.
An offshoot of Kung Lao is cut down, a Raiden taken a bite out of, a Sindel beheaded, stairs continued to be traversed. She’s swarmed by a trio of Kano’s, though they are easily dispatched after initial struggle. In the midst of removing her sai from the throat of one of the men, her eye is caught, and it feels as if time slows to a halt suddenly.
Adorned in garments of gold, the Edenian titan stood before her. Yes, this was her Tanya. Her breath leaves her, like she’s only just now seeing Tanya for the very first time. Like a true ethereal being, Mileena can almost see a glowing aura around her lover. She stands, nearly stumbling, moving forward with intent. All previous violence had seemingly washed away, replaced with an insatiable desire to have Tanya in her arms once more. For the first time in the thousands of years they had been apart, she felt like she was being seen once more.
“Tanya..”
She rushes forward, both women catching each other in a tight embrace. Eyes squeeze shut, mostly to prevent any threatening tears from falling. Her heart felt full once more, being able to hold Tanya. She knew, though, that their time together would not last long. Especially with the looming threat of Shang Tsung and all the other timelines.
Both women turn to fighting side by side, slowly progressing their way up together. Soon enough finding themselves locked in intense combat with alternate timeline Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Shang Tsung was just beyond their fingertips, and they were refusing to let him have this one. Both knew all too well of the torment the sorcerer took pleasure in committing, even if they had at one point trusted him to a degree. It would be too great to spare him of the same suffering.
Sub-Zero is launched down the stairs with a well placed kick to the chest, and Mileena is turning to Tanya once more. She was fatigued, defeated, and Scorpion was about to send a surge of fire straight through her chest. The realization sends a jolt of pure energy through Mileena, and she’s quick to leap into action. Magic is expended, allowing her to teleport directly into the path of the fireball. Sprinkles of magic energy hardly have time to clear up as the flame connects to the Kahnum’s chest.
The burning sensation hammers into her ribs, undoubtedly shattering a few bones in the process. She collides with Tanya, both women sent tumbling down the stairs. They come to a slowed stop at the midway point of the tower, weak wheezes leaving both women. Undoubtedly, they would be found and finished off, far too weak to defend themselves. Though just for this moment, they are able to quietly be with one another.
Sluggishly, Tanya’s hand finds Mileena’s. Even her eyes hurt to move, but she refused to die looking away from the woman she loved. Their gazes meet, and while Mileena would have preferred to return to her timeline alive,
“I would choose to die no other way than at your side.”