A/N: Just a random oneshot of some ideas/figments forming in my mind. This takes place several weeks after Final Kombat. Never thought I'd do another Mortal Kombat fic, even though I'd said there'd be a oneshot in the future which I wasn't certain, but here we are!

Kontentment

Kung Lao had left Aiko be as he was going thru personal training with his mind, as he was restoring his inner strength after he reinstated to the Order of Light. Needless to say, everyone was still readjusting their lives after the fatal Battle of Armageddon as well as Raiden's and Liu Kang's sacrifices while they'd been decimated by Blaze and his spirit-incinerating firestorm. At times, Kung Lao and Aiko still mourn of their mentors' losses.

As she was sulking inside her bedchamber shared with her new fiancé, a red portal appeared beside her. At first, she was startled, but then her expression changed to anticipation as she recognized the rip and whom it may belong to. She noticed a red dragon's snout peek out thru the rip and identifying it, she gave out a thin smile and she followed it in. Before she knew it, the red orb led to the isolated tropical location known as Yin Yang Island, one of few desolated isles within the Lost Sea, an oceanic terrain between Earthrealm and Outworld.

The kalming krashes of the waves soothed her just as they did when she first arrived during the aftermath of Armageddon. Even the balmy air was just as relaxing. ...Until she felt it suddenly pick up in a sharp gale, her hair flew as if she had whiplash and the temperature dropped. She immediately noticed the clouds building up rapidly as they churned to a dark grey before it ripped with lightning! As an astraphobic she desperately scanned for shelter and spotted a nearby cave! Without a care as whatever beast occupied it, she just dastardly ran into it as a torrent of rain was soaking her! Despite her goloshes squeaking with water inside, she was thankful she was able to reach a warm, dry place!

The first thing she noticed was the sudden welcoming, tepid air, then her eyes made out some flickering orange hues from a distant torch or two within alcoves of the cave walls. She wandered further where a spacious area and a wide burning urn greeted her. Even green and red dragon decor enwrapped some side poles. She made it out as an ideal place for relaxation and meditation...

Aiko felt something on her back, although nothing was touching it. She turned and noticed it was Caro! She was happy to see him after so long! As she embraced his neck, Caro nuzzled her with some purrs.

She soon recovered, "Where's Liu Kang and Kitana?"

He stated, "They went thru time and took the Hourglass and Krown with them, to settle down. They wanted to give us some time to seek komfort after Armageddon."

"I see..." Aiko was impressed how the cave was suitable for them as Caro mentioned they all redesigned it!

"The elder chronokinetics needed somewhere to call their own; better than the atrocious Keep in the Netherrealm."

Aiko's peripheral vision picked up a few sudden flashes of lightning, before there was a clap of thunder. Her heart skipped a beat as she whimpered. Knowing of her phobia, Caro relaxed her as his snout escorted her kloser to the large burning urn which was even emitting a calming fragrance.

She perched near the display as Caro slithered like a snake behind it, giving her some space. She wondered how the isle'd be protected from natural disasters. but with Liu's temporal abilities, he kreated a barrier to protect everything from harm.

"Liu Kang, Kitana and I have renovated this cove. We needed some place to settle ourselves. Just as Taven and Orn did at Argus' and Delia's own sanctuary."

Aiko complimented on the elders resetting time and making history right amongst the realms! She wondered if that was when she was sent back in time, although Caro mentioned something was still off...

"...It all started after Liu Kang became the Fire God, kourtesy of Raiden gifting him his holiness and his electrokinesis, reducing himself as a simpleton. And after the new savior decimated Kronika, at the prehistoric era."

Caro flashed back to the moment when Liu's pyrokinesis was so intense, that he actually churned the titaness into a crystallized statue! He chopped off her arms and was still disgusted as he gazed onto the atrocity's face, before he made a twirl kick shattering her head, and shoved her back with her body in numerous shards! He kalmed himself and wondered how he should return to the present...

"Our work is finished, Liu Kang." A vehement voice greeted him. He turned and was astonished to see his mentor, who seemed more subtle in appearance and voice.

"Lord Raiden...?"

"I am merely Raiden now. You have proven worthy to take my place as Earthrealm's new Protector. Lord Liu Kang." He generously bowed, but the monk was still taken aback.

He replied in a coarse tone, "We...honor you, Raiden." He made a slight bow with a hint of sadness.

Raiden wasn't fazed but determined. "The honor is mine, Lord Liu Kang. The sands of time are now yours to shape. You must return the Hourglass to the dawn of time. And sculpt a new history, a better one."

"The fate of all realms...? In my hands? Raiden. I kannot do this alone."

"Yes. You will need a partner with whom you can share the eons."

An epiphany struck him like lightning. "Kitana."

Raiden nodded, "Your destinies have always been intertwined." Ever since the first modern tournament...

Liu walked toward the Hourglass, to the edge of the ravine, as it stood majestically at the other side. "We are far in the past." He knew only his heart will guide him, "But not so far that I kannot reach her."

The former Thunder God affirmed, "Return with her to the dawn of time. Sculpt the Hourglass' sands to architect a better future. I will be looking forward to meeting you again, in the next timeline."

Liu faced his mentor one last time, "Then I will not say goodbye."

He just nodded with a grin before his Champion ascended toward it.

Caro then stated that Liu actually reunited with Kitana right after she received the title as Outworld's Kahn. He appeared before her in the hearth of the Edenian Palace's fireplace. She noticed the orange hue and was startled of Liu's new composure and attire; he explained that he already decimated Kronika and righted all the wrongs that she and her followers had wrought, she was assured, and Liu Kang suggested for her to shed her obligation, and give it back to Kotal and Jade. He shall restore him with the Jinsei flowing inside him, before the Edenian shall prepare.

It wasn't easy leaving her past life behind, but since she was reluctant on her duties for governing Outworld and its feral inhabitants, even with a kingdom she no longer recognized...

Moments later, the Fire Thunder God stood within a meteorite, in the midst of a void with hardly any celestial bodies, excepting the sun at the start of the Big Bang; it was unmistakable he had arrived at the Chaotian Era as the Hourglass stood like a piercing mountain. He stood idly, pining for Kitana to show and he hardly anticipated the sudden, delicate handhold. He smiled knowing it was her as he clutched it...

"Are you ready?"

She nodded, "Yes. But no matter how we sculpt the sands, we kannot plan for every possibility. Mortals will make their own choices; new evils will arise."

"Each realm must choose its own destiny." He added, "Whatever those choices..." He shifted toward her and held both her hands in a warm grip as the sun shone onto them as if their hearts were glowing, "We will face them together..."

"So... THAT was how they became the new Keepers of Time..." Aiko was beyond amazed on their accomplishments, especially erasing all the hellish circumstances and starting anew as far back as the beginning of existence! "And they are finally together while doing it... I couldn't imagine it any other way."

Her eyes glazed, even when Caro kontinued, "Indeed, Aiko. Liu Kang and Kitana were always meant to be together. And having a mortal attain godhood, eternal life, with an Edenian can't be any better."

Aiko beamed more, "I wonder if Kitana actually became a goddess! Edenians are descendants of Gods, after all!"

"Just as are dragons. Well, the elders told me. That not long after his victory over Kronika..."

Kitana just looked into her soulmate's face, "Have no doubt, Chosen One. You are up for the task to architect a better history." She reached and caressed his cheek.

Liu grinned with her as he held her delicate touch, "Then together...let us begin."

They had trodden to the Hourglass, and Kitana stayed behind Liu Kang as he rose his hands and the heart of the glass ignited. He swayed his hands, shifting the sands as if he was expediting the flow of time to a certain pinpoint-

"Seize, Liu Kang! Before you doom us all." He looked over to a large portal made of flame and three figures stepped out! He and Kitana were surprised they can still breathe as they entered a vacuum of space! What was even more stupefying was in the front and center was Shang Tsung, Nightwolf was to his left, and Fujin to his right!

Kitana had the komposure as white as an ethereal spirit, "Shang Tsung?"

Caro then mentioned, "He didn't have the audacity to kombat him! The sorcerer was just trying to koax him that if he shall wield the Hourglass without Kronika's Krown, all of existence will be lost."

Aiko tried to take komposure, "It was almost like how the klimax of Armageddon was..."

"At first, both Liu and Kitana never bought the twisted sorcerer, as they realized all too well of his duality and deception. No better than with Daegon, Shinnok, or even Blaze. Fujin and Nightwolff, however, took in his forked tongue, and eventually they realized that Shang had a point. Thru the memories of his Revenant kounterpart, Liu recalled it was located in the Well of Souls upon Shang's abandoned isle. Kitana, however, refused his offer.

"Liu then had a pep talk with Fujin as Shang kontinued to discuss with Nightwolf and Kitana. And then he offered to stay behind with Kitana and the Hourglass while the trio shall proceed."

"Why would he do that...? I mean, has he not recalled his brother's death, or his own by the Deadly Alliance...?"

"This was a different era, Aiko, unlike our own. After you escaped from your destroyed future. Things occurred radically different from yours. Someone needed to stay with the Hourglass if there should be an anomaly. And he offered for Kitana to stay, to keep her out of harm's way. He only allowed the warriors to head thru the portal, to the current time, before Jax and Jacqui retrieved the Krown..."

"Was...Raiden still around?"

"Yess." He hissed. "He was his unaffected self as he received the news from his brother. However... nothing has boded well!"

Caro summarized all the numerous deaths and sacrifices throughout the grand mission. As the quartet headed en route to Kronika's Keep over the Sea of Blood, Liu and Kitana observed their friends dying in large quantities: from Sindel and Kahn fatally wounding the elders' past vessels, to Lao being thrown overboard after receiving the same fate, to Johnny, Sonya, Cassie and Jacqui being enslaved as koncubine, Liu's Revenant having his leg shattered which the ripple of time affected his past self, letting the undead and Geras live on... Before the red dragon said that as Shang escorted the god brothers and the two Konqurers toward their destination, he fought off each one and assimilated their souls before challenging the titaness!

Aiko was just flabbergasted, she even slapped her leg in disgust, "Why would Liu Kang and Kitana do that? They'd NEVER sit idly by and watch their friends bite the dust! They aren't so passive, they're more proactive than that! I bet Kitana was beyond miffed on what he did! I would..." She ranted.

Caro just sulked, "I would regretfully do the same. But I guess...he was just waiting as Shang was clearing the playing field. I mean...they stayed behind before Armageddon arose." Aiko hung her head for a moment before the krimson serpent went on.

"After Kronika absorbed Cetrion's soul, Shang was still able to win over her seamlessly, without relent nor any mercy, just as how Daegon would do it! With the kombined souls of Revenant Kung Lao, Raiden, Fujin, along with Sindel and Shao Kahn. she was overmatched. He even had a taste of her own essence, before he possessed the Krown."

The demon sorcerer kommenced his New Era as he waved his arms being koated with the light temporal energy.

"Seize! Before you doom us all..."

At the sound of a familiar Oriental tone as Shang caught thermal light in his peripheral vision, a fiery portal ignited to his right and Fire God Liu Kang kame storming out!

Never fazed by his intimidating presence, Shang just greeted his old archnemesis, "Liu Kang. I thought your duties required you to stay behind..."

He simply replied, "A lie. Something you know well." After the discussion of him being a snake, even though the stacks were against him, he still was a double-crosser. And the Chessmaster tricked him back. Yet still, he saw the mystical rip.

"I see now... The Hourglass shown you that only I would wield the Krown and be Kronika's successor... You...let me win!" Shang just smiled like a wry krocodile. "And to ensure victory, you sacrificed the lives of your friends." He sounded as if he inhaled something sensuous, "How deliciously cold-blooded...!"

Liu Kang still stood firm, "They are not gone, Shang Tsung. They will live again, in my New Era."

"YOUR New Era?" Shang snickered, "You underestimate my powers, Chosen One. I have the Krown. I absorbed Kronika's power. YOU may have attained godhood, but I am the Keeper of Time. You are no match for me."

They began to circle each other, waiting for the other to strike like a pair of ravenous beasts. "Kronika said much the same, Shang Tsung. You will share her fate."

"Long have I waited for this moment. I will savor your death for eternity."

"Hand over the Krown. This is your only chance."

"MY only chance... This is only my triumph! And your final moments! Your futile existence is at its end!"

Aiko's heart began to thump in her ears, nearly as loud as the roaring thunder. "Caro...! Did he-? Is he...actually Shang Tsung!?" She held her breath and squeezed klose her eyes... She kan't possibly picture all of hers and her friends' existence was all masqueraded by a devil in disguise, even one that kan rival Shinnok...

When her terrifying paranoia started to break, she slowly opened them... Her vision was kovered with stars before Caro spoke,

He slowly rose his serpentine head, "...He won, Aiko. But not without a grave kost..."

"Make no mistake, Shang Tsung. You have chosen this fate."

Liu faced the Hourglass, conjured temporal energy from it, and absorbed it into his body, before he unleashed two massive bursts of flame which thrown the Earthrealmer a foot. He let him rise slowly, only to find himself vanishing into grains of blown sand beginning the eradication from his hands!

"No more timelines will be twisted by your evil."

Without his limbs, the kowardly warlock was still trying to scurry away, until his legs began to dissipate, followed by his chest, and as Liu snatched the Krown away, his face vanished as well! The remaining particles of his vessel kollapsed and poofed on the floor before Shang had been erased from existence, just like when denizens dared to konfront Blaze...

The official Keeper of Time rose the Krown and delicately placed it on his head. His eyes sizzled within blue lightning, never being pained by its intensifying effects! He truly was destined as Earthrealm's Chosen, even bigger than destiny itself!

"So... what did he do?" Aiko asked, her tongue tied.

Caro then went on...

"After he won the Krown, regretting on shattering Kronika's stature with the headgear attached, he began to rewind time. Back to the start of the New Era with Kitana awaiting him. However... after his arrival...something was still amiss."

Although the portal was still foggy, Liu still marched toward the Hourglass's eye, never missing what transpired in 2008. By the time he broke thru, his vessel suddenly began to weaken. He became limp as if his energy was being sapped out of him like someone slurping a cup with a straw. His sight abruptly went fizzy, he became lightheaded, and he sharply fell to a krouch!

Kontinue here!

He struggled as he removed the Krown, as if his arms were being weighed by heavy gravity. It took that simple task most of his endurance as he slowly started to lay on his right side.

Kitana raced toward her life partner, alarmed, and somewhat she knew he wasn't Shang who won over the power of antiquity. She karessed his cheek which was tender to the touch, "Liu Kang...!"

Hearing her serene voice was just music to his ears despite his battered body. "Ungh... The Krown is safe..." he replied in a looked down his side and noticed he affirmed this. After a slight grin, she kissed him on the forehead, and he never grimaced.

"...Kitana... Wake me up...when the realms are kreated..."

She swallowed a lump in her throat, before she nodded and took in his request. She watched him slowly klose his eyes and became very still. She was alarmed, thinking she lost him forever as she attempted to feel a pulse with shaky fingers! The thumps were very faint, and before she knew it, she saw the Krown that Liu relinquished and hesitated before she put it on! She shut her eyes for a few moments before she activated a portal and dragged Liu Kang into it, even using her adrenaline. He was so deep in a koma that he never noticed Kitana pulling him across the Edenian terrain and even shouting for help! Not even when some kind denizens offered him a warm broth, nor when he muttered her name a few times in his delirium...

The next thing he knew, the weakened Fire God kame to with his head klearing gradually. He hardly made out the kozy bedchamber as he saw his beloved look over him...

"Unh... Kitana..."

She karessed him, "There now... You've been asleep for 14 hours."

"...Where are we...?"

"We are in Edenia, Liu Kang."

He gave her a questionable look, "How...? If it's been 14 hours..."

She glanced to a side drawer. "I... needed to use the Krown in order to expedite time. To save you. ...You wanted the realms to be restored, but...I kould wait no longer and let you die."

His heart warmed with gratitude, "Thank you..."

She rubbed his head before they made a passionate kiss. From then on, she never left his side. And it was fortunate that even the monarchs pitched in; needless to say, it took all of Kitana's will to not be shocked seeing her parents alive and well, even when she hadn't been born yet! This was like a fish out of water, but Liu was her anchor, never letting her go astray.

Overtime, Liu's strength began to regenerate but he seemed too fatigued to let loose his Jinsei prowess; he theorized that Earthrealm was still too primitive and underdeveloped than the majestic kingdom. And as time passed, he began to become more accustomed and even...attached to the friendly subjects, even the hierarchs. The regal, peaceful atmosphere was like his home away from home, despite the occasional pangs to return to his own realm and time. Luckily, Kitana's moral support along with the Edenians gave him the comfort and strength he needed, yet still he wasn't entirely whole...

"He was actually knighted as one of Edenia's best royal guards, even betrothing to the...future princess. Though they never mentioned it. He actually met Argus as well!"

Aiko's eyes widened, "Wow. This must be quite an honor."

"He was the only one who knew of Liu Kang's predicament, as a God himself. He actually lacked the power of worship, the energy a member of the pantheon needs to exist, to give off their light or darkness. Without it, they weaken, and wilt. Elder Gods do not need this extra source."

She was deep in thought, "God-why does it sound so familiar...?" Although the storm was starting to wind down.

"The Edenians support him, but it was minimal. He wasn't enlisted to the pantheon, and he needed to perform an astonishing feat. He knows that Edenia's been in konstant turmoil, by its most tyrannical enemy..."

She knew exactly who it was. "Outworld, and-Shao Kahn."

"Even us dragons fled from the dangerous realm. Onaga was the first dragon who wasn't an elder, and starved for its prowess, thus combining the more smaller realms into one. Kahn poisoned him as he was too power hungry, and he set his sights on Edenia. Argus appointed me and Orin as guardian dragons, not just for Taven and Daegon, but for the realm itself. Once the elders were slain by Daegon, and Armageddon compromised all, Edenia was defenseless in Kahn's totalitarian."

"And... Liu Kang defended it?" Aiko wanted to change the subject.

"Indeed. He was a true hero. He defeated the Emperor and assisted against his mighty generals! He won in Mortal Kombat, and thru his valiant deeds and vigorous training, the pantheon welcomed him as their own! Argus escorted him to the Hall of the Elder Gods!"

The kardiokinetic's face like it never had before!

"He was humbled as he bowed before them. They made him to never suffer from his fatigue ever again and offered to make a request as payback. He wished for Kitana to become a goddess without even dying. They granted it easily due to his chastity. But alas...he was saddened Raiden didn't exist."

"Perhaps... as a mortal, he will exist." Kitana assured him to never give up hope.

Still, he was wounded. "Perhaps...in another timeline."

"He was heartbroken. But it mended once they'd done the unthinkable. The Edenians helped them...to become one."

Aiko gasped, "You mean they...!"

Caro just nodded with a wide grin and blazing eyes. He didn't mind her jumps of joy nor her enthusiastic stims. It took her a few moments to kalm herself, and she kouldn't wait for her own union with Kung Lao!

"Yes, in due time." Caro made a serious tone to have her grounded again. "Liu Kang and Kitana finally embraced their love for each other, and he offered to take themselves back to the Hourglass. To go to the Chaotain Era to avoid...the watchful eyes of the Elder Gods and the Titans."

"They...got intimate." Aiko envisioned of the heavenly couple being intertwined. Then her mind abruptly stopped! "Wait! Hold up!" She forced any erotic visions from her mind! "If everything was so euphoric and going so well, then how in the hell did WE end up here!? There...must've been like an Achiles Heel. What happened to them?"

Caro sulked again. "...Something did transpire. A tragedy Liu never anticipated. Kontent, he fast forwarded to 1492 and met the Great Kung Lao."

Several lines of monks were performing their training exercises at the center square of a green-tilted building. Cherry blossoms were blown, and all the occupants were warming up, all except one...

A lone man was crafting a green dragon statuette, and he just kompleted his magnum opus when...the stranger shown up behind him with the orange hue.

"Kung Lao."

He was startled the higher up knew him... "Who-who are you?"

"I am Lord Liu Kang. God of Thunder and Fire."

"A god of-" the bald man quickly bowed down. "Forgive me, my lord."

He just rose a hand as he landed, "Enough, Kung Lao..." He observed his stunning proposal. "You are humble, not like the Kung Lao I knew."

"The Kung Lao YOU knew?"

"A story for another time. I have chosen you as my Champion, Kung Lao." He stepped kloser and laid a firm hand on his loose shoulder. "You must be prepared, trained."

"Trained...? For what?"

All he did was smile as his eyes glistened in a white-purple hue.

"Mortal Kombat!" Aiko's kry as she raised her arms high didn't faze the dragon at all. She made a striking pose, "Yes! He trained the Great Kung Lao! He must've won! Right!?" There...was no answer. "...Right...?" Noticing Caro's denial, she murmured, "Has he lost...?"

"He won. By the former Champion, but just barely."

"Barely...?"

"He did win against Shang Tsung, and then 5 decades later, there was Goro. He...was able to take his title as Champion, but...he succumbed to his injuries."

"Did...did he...?" All the red dragon did was nod.

Liu Kang saw his disciple kollapse onto the octagonal arena. He rushed to his side, encouraging him to stay alive. Unfortunately, since Jen was still mortal, she passed on before him and the next tournament. His master was all he had, and they'd grown klose, but...even though he fought with all his might, it still wasn't enough. His limbs were broken, his body disassembled. He could barely keep his eyes open and his breathing steady.

No matter how hard he pleaded, his life was fading. Liu refused to let his prodigy go, as he was like a son to him for 50 years, even his komfort after Jen died of natural kauses. Still, the Fire and Thunder God watched his prodigal son fade...

"Don't go-! Kung Lao, don't-!" With quaking hands and a hoarse throat, he saw him close his eues and stilt his head to the side. All he did was whimper, "K-Kung Lao-! Please-don't...!" He soon kollapsed beside him as he quivered and let his tears flow.

"Once the Great Kung Lao passed away, hsi soul wasn't taken, at least that wasn't what Liu and Kitana thought... However, after they lost him, she kouldn't konvince him to go back in time and try again. He kouldn't bare witness to this tragedy, and so..." Caro stopped for a few moments, biting his snake tongue. "Liu decided...to undo everything..."

Aiko just let out a quiet whimper, "Caro..."

"He...erased all of his and Kitana's history as they went back to the dawn of time once more. I wonder if that's how Kronika used to kreate multiple timelines and dealt with their mulligans. Losing Kung Lao was too much for him. And without Raiden's existence...he and Kitana decided to sit history out.

"He eventually decided to fast forward to the first modern tournament, the one taking place in 1992 on Shang Tsung's Island. After his isle was abandoned, thus reducing to rubble, he made himself a sanctuary for the Hourglass here, in between the two realms. And he made a solemn vow to never interfere with history. Till Armageddon, of course."

"Huh. No wonder Liu and Kitana wanted to disguise themselves..."

The red dragon rose his head with a more positive expression. "But now that he's at rest, and Armageddon hast passed, they never had been more jovial since they saved Edenia and formed their eternal bond. I will look forward to the day if you and Kung Lao shall do the same."

Aiko just kouldn't help but grin at his words, "I will!"

"He also watched over your birth and decided to fast-forward to the future; it seems...your birth was the konnection and it toggled his mind of his Revenant self. That was how and why he set you free."

She was for once at a loss for words...

"Aiko?" An alto spoke from behind her. "I have someone whom you'd like to meet."

She turned, and there was Kitana, without her vial and stunning as ever. She was actually holding a bundle. By the time she stepped kloser to the subtle light, it was a light-blue cloth. Aiko slowly went toward her, as Caro slithered around the urn and elongated his neck to see...a blissful baby boy with jet-black hair! He kooed as he started to stir.

His sapphire eyes began to sparkle like the gems themselves, and the kardiokinetic tried her best to keep her ecstasy at bay. Her smile grew, astonished she managed to settle. "...I can't believe you did it...!"

"Yes, Aiko/ You were right when you mentioned I shall pass the torch of the Chosen One." To her astonishment, there was Liu Kang! "There is Kung Lao, but our son, Cheung Kang, will live on his destiny. And Caro, you will be a guardian once more, with both the Hourglass and our kin."

"I am... deeply honored, Lord Liu Kang," he bowed.

"No, Caro. The honor is mine," the God bowed back. "You were trained for this very moment. Kitana was the ref as I prepared him in kombat, even when he dealt with my Dragon Animality. He has then proven himself as the new Keeper of Time. I have even staunched his aging, as he grew ancient thru eons of watching over Daegon and torment by him. You have truly earned this."

"I am forever in your debt." The red dragon made a toothy smile. And Kitana murmured in her tired tone that she'll be putting herself and Cheung to rest. Liu just smiled and gave each of them a warm, deep kiss before they left.

"I... kan't believe you two pulled it off." Aiko whispered.

"Indeed. I have never been this kontent since I first married Kitana."

"It was...something I always wanted since I was young...!"

"And that relationship has lived on thru the eons. And it would still. Our son has been our salvation." He then mentioned Liu, Orin, Taven, and the royals were there for Kitana during her sickness and labor after he first escorted her to Edenia over the previous weeks, after the delivery she rested for several hours before they headed home; Liu was astonished to become a father especially to a gifted demigod!

She immediately took out a heart gem and handed it over to the Champion. He took it and klutched it delicately. "Cheung would be honored to have this gem. I am certain Kung Lao awaits you, Make him proud. And you shall be free to visit us anytime."

She would cherish the past history of the two heroes she admires. By the time she saw Kung Lao emerge from the Temple of Light, she kouldn't wait to tell him all about it!

A/N: I thought it was a nice idea to have Liu, as a God, still have limitations, to receive prayers in order for them to maintain their strength; I'm sure Raiden and Fujin need it, and it always reminded me on how the protagonist in Actraiser functioned. The Master was introduced BEFORE Mortal Kombat, a year or 2 ago, and it always made me feel as the hero since I was only 4.

I also wanted to give Caro a more pivotal role than he was in Armageddon; it took place a few weeks after Final Kombat, and since I saw the Keepers of Time trailer involving Geras and remembering the fate of all realms was too much for Liu, someone had to keep things in check. So, since Caro volunteered to stay without Daegon, he was given a better purpose! And what better trainer than with Liu Kang, even when using his Dragon form! I can't wait to see it in action as the new Fire God and Keeper of Time!

Speaking of the trailer, that was how I came up with that cave sanctuary, even though it seemed slightly different since there'd like smaller windows; since it's still in between realms, at Yin Yang Island and the Lost Sea, even though Geras' turf hasn't been unveiled...

Besides, the Hourglass and Krown, even the elders, needed somewhere to reside, better than the horrid Keep in the Netherrealm!

And I always wanted Liutana to be together, ever since I was little when I grew up with the Threshold movies and Defenders of the Realm! What better way than the perfect ending in MK11! If only Aftermath didn't kompromise things... Yeah, Kitana might've been affected by the anomalies, but since an Edenian is a descendant of the Gods, she might not be as she stayed in the dawn of time. Sure, it was a warped version when they became Emperors of the Netherrealm, but it still happened! And... I hope the fluffs between them won't be too unsettling...

And the cherry on top were their son, Cheung! A Chinese combined surname, but it sounded nice with Kang and close to Chan. I think Halycon'd be his theme, even when he was held by Kitana. After all, Tobias wanted this but ever since he left, Boon squandered it all with Deadly Alliance instead of Vengeance. Pisses me off to this day! Better yet, Yin Yang ans Shang's isles were in between Earthrealm and Outworld, so problem solved! And I certainly don't want his tragic ending from MK11's arcade ladder! And as still defender of Earth, being the Chosen One has its burdens, so why not pass the torch, which I wish he'd do in MK1!

As for the scenarios with the Great Kung Lao, I hadn't seen much of Conquest yet... But I always wanted to konnect Aftermath's ending somewhat, instead of just jumping to it like the game. I wanted something tragic in this euphoric Era that Liu made; Lao won over Goro, but he wasn't invincible. Thus, his tragedy holding back Liu's role in Final Kombat and his disguise!

Also, sone elements can be found in MK's Storyline within the MK wiki! It was an interesting source, even concerning the dragons, how it was intermixed with other myths, etc.

Perhaps I'll make more in the future, but don't kount it. Due to life in general and developing ideas for fics, the occasional roleplay, and kountdowns, it ain't easy.