Lao and Aiko

A/N: I'm not waiting for this much longer. It has been too long since Aiko and Kung Lao have been dating and been engaged; they've been together for 6 years and hadn't tied the knot yet. I only have one couple that did just that, and it was from F-Zero, with Rick Wheeler and my OC, Tinsel. Only this time, it's a solo project.

Prologue

New Year's Eve, 1997

The sheer, chilly wintry air blew onto the Shaolin couple, Kung Lao and Aiko Krackle, though not enough to go thru their warm bodies being closely snuggled together. They were wandering out of the White Lotus society base, arm in arm. And the comfortable aura temporarily broke.

"Kung Lao...? Look, I... I've been thinking... About us." He faced her with a warm concern.

"Yea...?"

"Yea... I'm concerned, thinking about your ancestor, how he lost Jehn, and only being boyfriend and girlfriend. Until their souls were separated; with her being in the afterlife, Lao having his soul imprisoned for 500 years by Shang after losing to Goro. And they never had the chance to tie the knot nor be engaged."

"Yes. I know..."

"I was thinking if maybe...in order to become true soulmates, we've been dating for about 4 years, and we've been thru so much, even exceeding what the Great Kung Lao has been thru... I was hoping if something should happen to us...I hope either Fujin or Lord Liu Kang would own our souls. But..."

"You want us to be wed first so that if one should perish, their soul would remain with their lover until his time comes. So we could ascend together."

"...Right... Yea. That's it, exactly."

"You wonder how I know so much?"

"Oh yea, why...?" Aiko can't help but grin, since she really thought Lao's wittiness was charming as he tried to be funny; his hat seems as sharp and quick as his fighting style.

He became earnest. "Because I see into you too. I mean that. Ever since our heart meld. You're the best friend I've ever had, anything I say you completely understand. And I cherish you just the way you are. In and out, just as you always support me. And I do want to go above and beyond than from my ancestor, and Jehn..." Lao's mind wandered to the stories told by the Shaolin.

Aiko touched and caressed his face. "I know, me too."

"I know you and I want to remain by our sides, even after death. To be true soulmates. And it can only be possible, if we were to wed." He rubbed her hand before she noticed him lowering himself. She looked down and barely saw Lao kneel amongst the opaqueness and the dim light of the moon reflecting from the light frost.

Aiko became frozen, as if she was encased in ice by a talented Lin Kuei warrior. He took out something shiny and tiny, then he looked up with eyes as glossy as the object. His voice was caught in his throat as he queried, "Will you marry me?"

Aiko's eyes became as large as saucers; she could've sworn her heart palpitated, and her hands were sweating despite the slightly bitter cold. Her face beamed, her mouth was almost as wide as a dragon's maw. She dropped to her knees, and it was no hallucination; it was real despite feeling like a dream. "Yes, Kung Lao...!"

His grin grew as he slipped the sparkling diamond ring onto her thin ring finger. His contact as warm and welcoming as an open fire beneath a hearth. They looked into each other's eyes before they dove into their snug embrace.

Moments before the New Year was struck, both Lao and Aiko shown off the diamond ring to the Shaolin, and soon to their family as well. Their future has become more secure than ever.

A/N: I felt curious about Kung Lao's and Aiko's souls ever since I saw The Truth: MK9 Raiden was Never a Hero by Heavenly Gamer, when Raiden made a retarded decision as he wanted assistance from the Netherrealm, particularly Quan Chi, as he pledged for his own soul for the Oni to own, despite him possessing the dead warriors. If it was me, God forbid if something happens, I don't want my soul to be owned by anyone, not until if my parents should pass; I hope it's possible. After all, we're only getting older, so we need to be prepared.

Forgive me for spoilers, but after Armageddon, it was seen that Kung Lao gave Aiko a diamond ring at the lei tai grounds of the Wu Shi arena where Jin and Kai arrived, so it's going full circle. Besides, Aiko and Lao were dating for about 4 years, and in the present time, engaged for 2, so it's about time their relationship shall move forward! I was even a little miffed when Liu and Aiko's relationship flourished and not her and Lao's since there were complicated ideas and I didn't have the heart for it... Plus, unlike the Rick and Tinsel wedding, it's a solo project, it's tough!

Also, on December 30th, 2024, H&I pulled Mortal Kombat Conquest from their lineup, despite premiering on June 30th, 2024, so that can be a factor revolving around New Years before the Twilight Zone marathons and Lao has kept exceeding his ancestor. I know it's been a couple years, but since it's been over a year, as if this writing, it got me a bit anxious here. If only neglectful Netflix, NRS and Woker Bros would continue their abandoned works, i.e. with CGI, or whatever else without overexertion.

This is only the prologue, but I still got a very long way...

Con't I

January 1999

"It's been 2 years since you both became engaged." Fujin affirmed within the Sky Temple. "And it's true that in order to become konfirmed soulmates, you must first tie the knot too and make your bond complete."

"Yes, Lord Fujin," Lao replied.

"I appreciate the offer on Lord Liu Kang and I keeping you and Aiko's souls when one of you will perish. So, it must be done. And it has been done in the past since my brother saved the mortal Liu Kang's soul in his dragon amulet before it was taken by Shang Tsung. And it decided to stay amongst the living until he was vindicated. Until Onaga komplicated matters... And we..." He was lost in thought, reminiscing on the grave losses of Raiden and the Champion, all the intense trials they went thru...

Ashrah broke the silence, "When had you decided to be unified, Kung Lao? Aiko?"

"February 14th, the western world's celebration of Valentine's Day." The descendant affirmed.

"Excellent. This should ease some tension amongst the Chinese and their traditions, as they appall unions taking place on the seventh day and seventh month of the lunar kalendar; they konsider that as bad luck." The Wind God knew it all.

"Plus, this makes it easier for us, as it is a fortnight after my birthday and one day after Kung Lao's!" Aiko mentioned.

"Indeed. And at what time shall it be?"

Aiko glanced at Lao for a moment. "...The US West Coast... How many hours is it from us?"

"About 13 hours, with China being ahead. We used to orchestrate a koncert utilizing your koherence, remember?"

"...Yea." Ashrah and Lao konfirmed the same, with the latter having a vacant expression recalling how deeply hypnotized he was with the Matoka's heat dance.

"So, I suggest you should have the wedding take place in the evening hours. That way, the Special Forces shall be prepared," Fujin broke the silence. "I'd also konsider it within 8 or 9pm; primetime shall be perfect for big events."

"And that shall give Sonya, Jax and Johnny some time to prepare for the ceremony." Ashrah perspired. "It's surely going to be quite the jetlag."

As the future newlyweds discussed who should be invited, they jotted down their friends as well as notes loncerning their predicaments.

"Would you be willing to lead the ceremony? As a reverend, Fujin?"

The Wind God beamed. "As Earthrealm's primary defender, it shall be my honor, little one!" He affirmed with a formal bow.

Aiko was koncerned on what time the ceremony and reception should be, as people in the western world would be preoccupied with their kouples during their own romantic kustoms on the 14th. Kourtesy of Fujin's F0 funnel, they visited the Blade mansion in Los Angeles.

"I knew you two would tie the knot eventually." the general praised. "And I'm sure we can manage Valentines after that."

Johnny smirked at her with tongue in cheek, but she ignored it. "Just in time to be in the mood."

"Hush!"

"So, what about the babies, Cassie and Jacqui," Lao queried.

"We think they'd be better off with Vera; I feel they're too young as toddlers... The overcrowding and simulation may just be too much..." Aiko knew perfectly when it came down to overload, especially in large crowds... "So, the infants shall stay with Vera and her farm for the time being, and I think Cyrax shall accompany them; at the Special Forces, we don't take any chances." She remembered the sneak attacks Hsu Hao made on their doomed base even the Dragonfly in Outworld... "Then it shall be decided around the late afternoon, Chinese standard time, 16 hours ahead of California's own timezone. So, it shall be on 8pm, if done the math, while the Shaolin prepares at noon. It was also good for Japan since it was only an hour apart, so Hanzo, Kenshi and Takeda would be ready for 7pm."

"Great! But can I also invite a professional photographer, with your permission...?" Johnny's face dropped.

"Uh...sure, alright." Aiko was at first hesitant, "As long as we won't be swarmed with celebrity..."

"I'll make sure it's private. Maybe Mokap can be some good use."

"...I'm...sorry we didn't invite you two for our weddings and baby showers; we requested them to be small, private events." Sonya mentioned.

Lao was relieved and understood, as did his kompanion. And the prepared general stated she'd kontact Kenshi, Takahashi and Hanzo via kommunicator to Japan. A shrill cry was heard nearby. "Move it, Lao and Aiko. Official business?" She left for Cassie's kare as the pairing thanked for their kooperation.

Aiko needed to readjust her overwhelmed mind, so they returned to the Kung Kottage as they vigorously wrote down more notes:

Bridesmaids: Kitana, Li Mei, Sheeva, Sindel, Jade, Dr. Esuna Kavita, Mileena, Kung Ling, Ashrah, Frost, Sonya Blade, the Shaolin daughters, sisters and wives

Ushers: Kai, Kung Jin, Liu's grandfather, Kenshi Takahashi, Takeda Takahashi, Hanzo Hasashi, Taven, Goro, Jerrod, Johnny Cage also as photographer with Mokap as his assistant, the Shaolin, Bo' Rai Cho, Baraka, Asgaarth, Kuai Liang, Smoke, Jax Briggs, ...perhaps Caro?

Her mind stopped for a few moments as she heard scuffles and noticed Little Guy and Jehn playing with each other. She sighed, "How are we going to find a pet sitter for these two...?"

"Perhaps Kiba shall hold the fort while our family and Nightwolf will be with us," Lao answered.

"I guess so..." She then put away the business cards, including one that had their wedding vows.

"Ling said we must choose our own maids and men of honor. I'll choose Liu Kang since he's been my Shaolin brother since the day we met as we were both enrolled at the Wu Shi Academy."

"Nice! I'd love to see Lord Liu Kang again! I guess Kung Ling would be the maid of honor?"

"Yes, but...she's closer to my bloodline. You must choose another. Ling said that according to customs, she can't be shared and must either be a close friend or relative."

Aiko was in deep thought, as if her mind fazed away... Her face drooped, this was going to be more difficult than she realized... "Then...Nightwolf would be my chosen as man of honor, especially since we have a distant bloodline with the Matoka... I wonder if some of them would make it..." Silence engulfed her mind, until a soothing voice entered it-

"Kitana."

After she heard Liu's voice in her mind, she declared her as her glazing eyes lit up! "Yes! Kitana! This will be perfect since she has a strong bond with Liu Kang, your equal! A perfect match!" She stimmed a little.

"I am honored, brother and sister," Lord Liu Kang responded with a smile and bow. They kouldn't wait to discuss the matter at the Kang kave.

"Yes. I'm also humbled I'll accompany you as the maid of honor." Kitana added. "Although...I believe Caro kan kome; however, for a short while since he needs to watch over the Hourglass and the denizens. The outside realm isn't quite ready to accept a real dragon."

"Of course," Caro affirmed with a low bow. "Congratulations, Aiko and Kung Lao. And... what of the baby, Cheung."

"He shall remain here, on the island, while he will observe via the Hourglass. I'd heard Cassandra and Jacqui won't be eligible." Liu stated.

"They're still very young, and the capybara puppies would be great kompany. Perhaps I shall karry the amulet if things will go awry." Kitana gazed what used to be Kronika's possession.

"And I will hold the Krown. We will be safe. However, you must discuss kustoms with the Order of Light. It isn't like those in Edenia..." He reminisced his ceremony at the start of his so-called New Era...

"I... quit the Order of Light and joined the White Lotus full time," the cardiokinetic konfirmed.

"I'll escort you to it, Aiko. I've reinstated with the monks. Ever since the aftermath..." Lao lost his voice recalling the grave tragedies.

"Then go, we shall await your invitations." The Fire God said.

The Order of Light weren't so uncomfortable seeing Aiko again, much to her relief. Liu's grandfather and Kai were also delighted to meet the kouple, be invited as ushers, and the former already picked out who'd assist arranging the exotic, unfamiliar Mandarin kustoms; he was smack dab within the Temple and the Shaolin gossip was inescapable.

Aiko wondered if her name shall be Kung Aiko, similar to her family. Ling chimed in that she didn't have to share the same name if she didn't want to, kontrary to American traditions in which they were often male-dominant. The cardiokinetic still volunteered sharing the prestigious name, and she didn't want to stay with the name, Krackle, anyway... She even expressed discomfort as the surname was a lousy one chosen by her distant European ancestry, symbolizing the miniature kandy bar or the signature sounds of Rice Krispies... Lao beamed with pride sharing his name passed down for more than 500 years.

After the monk presided, the kouple decided to go with the Cantonese traditions of the wedding:

During the wedding rituals, Cantonese brides donned on a qungua, a highly embroidered red silk dress, which konsisted of a petticoat, adorned with the images of a dragon and a phoenix, provided with a long skirt.

"A hair combing ceremony must be performed," the holy man stated.

In addition, the groom was expected to give a pair of matching dragon and phoenix bracelets, which were most commonly made of gold, to the bride, and are to be worn during the wedding festivities. Aiko was intrigued as the monk shown them, overriding her distaste for jewelry as they glistened amongst the massive candlelight. The dragon and phoenix motif symbolized a blissful union, as described by the Chinese phrase, "lùhng fuhng pui," a union of the dragon and phoenix.

He also described on the third day following the wedding, the newlywed bride's first return visit to her family home after marriage was called, "gwài nìhng." He went on saying a whole roasted pig was presented to the bride's family, who'd kustomarily keep the pig's body and return the pig's head and legs, along with other gifts. Traditionally, a perfect roast pig was offered as a sign of the bride's virginity. Aiko kringed at the thought; she was about to show disgust until she bit her tongue not wanting to disrespect the newer traditions. She felt as if they were from a different planet rather than kountry...

"Don't worry. It'll already been kooked for us," Lao assured as he laid a hand on her shoulder.

"However..." the monk's face tensed a bit, as due to komplications, some of the six pre-wedding traditions had to be sacrificed, in which Ling didn't mind; only the formal proposal which was done back on New Years of '96, the sending of betrothal gifts which'll be done the month before the wedding instead of 3 months, while the selection of wedding date and ceremony remained.

It wasn't easy for the Shaolin monk to pick a time of birth since the kouple's parents were pretty much nonexistent, such as Lao's elders who passed during the Chinese mob wars, and Aiko only kame from 16 years into the future, with her younger self's family withstanding. Although, their dates seemed kompatible enough as it was set the day after Lao's birthday and a fortnight after Aiko's. The zodiac signs of a rabbit with a dragon were also probable. And it'd be the Year of the Earth Rabbit in 2 days from their wedding. Kung Lao even pulled his white rabbit, Little Guy, out of his hat to symbolize their kompatibility more. The Buddhist was also relieved it wasn't during the Hungry Ghost Festival nor during the seventh month of the lunar calendar; Aiko muttered she never liked the summer heat anyway...

He went on the betrothal must follow the groom's ancestral traditions only, not the other way around. Aiko was adventurous, so the bride would receive red envelopes of bride price, whereas the bride's side returned gifts and bride price to the groom. Lao konfirmed to divide it amongst them in half.

For Aiko's birthday, within 11 days, it was agreed to insert the new kouple's bed, komplete with red sheets, a slightly wider frame, and a plate of dried longans, lotus seeds, red dates, persimmons, sprig of pomegranate leaves together with two red packets placed on the bed. A pair of bedside lamps shall be lit to symbolize the addition of sons to the family. In fact... Ling chimed in that her bedpost would be switched with Aiko and Lao's, as hers was a queen bed that she once shared with her divorced husband.

The monk then described a hair combing ceremony conducted on the eve of the wedding. After showering with water infused with pomelo or pomegranate leaves, which he retracted and requested for Fujin to fuse it with the Jinsei, and the bride and groom would change into a new set of clothing and shoes. Attending female family members bless them aloud as they would sit in front of an open window, where he pointed, with the visible moon or in front of the mirror if there'd be rain.

The four blessings were with the first combing, be blessed to be together to the end. The second combing'd be blessed with a hundred years of harmony in marriage. The third combing'd be blessed with a houseful of children and grandchildren which Aiko rolled her eyes at. And the fourth'd be blessed with longevity which was easy for the Rabbit.

A sweet dessert soup containing pink glutinous-rice spherical dumplings shall be served after the hair combing ceremony to wish the couple a complete and sweet marriage.

It was a lot for the trio to take in, but thankfully, the monk was kind enough to give the preparation notes in both English and Mandarin.

A/N: Forgive me if the chapter's boring, but preps had to be made for Lao and Aiko's wedding. The switching of the bedposts was a random, more convenient idea with Ling's since she's a single parent to Jin. I also had to do some exhausting research on Chinese wedding customs, and many were so komplicated such as getting a fortune teller, or finding out what time the birth was... Not even the Japanese and American customs were so excruciatingly difficult when I did To Be Married and Loved! Also, this story is sort of a coping mechanism since my personal narcissist has Fox and Misty being wed with her usual unfinished works, and Crazy, Lazy Clement had one before Christmas with Caro; I'll usually konsider them as Scourge the Hedgehog and Fiona Fox! At least my dad was married to my new Philippines mom who soon became a permanent legal citizen, so...that's a thing. Best to take in your personal victories, I guess. I hope the fic won't keep getting dull since the kustoms are outta the way.

I'd had 2 weddings I've experienced. 1 was in August 2003 when my dad tied the knot with my abusive stepmom; her name was hyphenated as a result, and I NEVER liked the idea on sharing mine and dad's surname! As she was a stark contrast to my late mom as well as my kurrent one! Kompletely unsupportive involving my mental disorders including Showitious and hyper fixation by suppressing my hobbies and no outlets! There was a divorce on the first day of fall in 2019 which kost many irreplaceable things! My kurrent mom from the Philippines was married in March 2024 and she accepts my setbacks, despite both weddings kinda being rushed, with the former as formal but taking place in my former house's backyard and even raining on it... Ironically, the first wedding was in Lucky Leo's at Las Vegas during the korruption of the Italian Mafia, kounting some of the Casino events.

Also, as of this date creating this Continuation, I found out yesterday that Matthew's wife and voice acting partner has passed away after a 5-year cancer battle... RIP... They have 3 children too, so...all I can do is hope for the best. And if possible, make a donation to help them... I won't expect him to be in any future MK project for maybe several months to a year, but he has my condolences... He was the best actor for Liu Kang, especially Lord Liu Kang, and Fujin, not counting MK 2023 since it's AI-infested and is Dominic's failed experiment. Hopefully I'll work on another chapter soon.

Con't II

January 31, 1999

It was Aiko's 29th birthday. And the previous snowstorm, just 6 days prior, had postponed deliveries of gifts for her and Lao's upcoming wedding scheduled for February 14th, the western world's version of Valentine's Day. The Kottage's porch and steps had a thin, translucent layer of snow, compared to the white, thick sheets outside, as the Shaolin was prepared salinizing their properties including the Wu Shi Academy, with saltwater hoses drawing from the Yellow River during the day prior to the storm.

A red banner was placed on the Kottage door. This practice represented red, which symbolized joy, happiness, and protection aside from Aiko's heart and cardiokinesis. It also served as a visual cue for the community to recognize the kouple's union and celebrate their new status as a married kouple.

Because of the inclement weather, school's been kancelled for the people even Jin, and the family was just relaxing for the occasion.

Several displays of double happinesses, pairs of crimson symbols representing the male and female, were placed within the bridal room. The family was amazed, although Aiko warned that shared mattresses can carry lice and bedbugs. Ling was a bit startled; however, Lao had warned Fujin the same, so he sprayed Jinsei to eliminate the pests. Not only to terminate potential pests but actually blessing the new bridal chamber! Their room wasn't even colder after the vapor was applied.

The bed itself became komplete with red sheets; a slightly wider frame; and a plate of dried longans, lotus seeds, red dates, persimmons, a sprig of pomegranate leaves together with two red packets placed on the bed. A pair of bedside lamps were lit to symbolize the addition of sons to the family; Aiko was pessimistic on baring any children at all on account of her mental illnesses. In fact... Ling chimed in that her bedpost was switched with Aiko and Lao's, as hers was a queen bed that she once shared with her divorced husband. The kouple hardly knew the difference amongst the opaque room

.

Fujin soon stopped by and he was relieved they've prepared well fairing the storm. He actually delivered the wedding gifts to them via portal, and Liu's in progress melting overwhelming snow and ice, including Yin Yang Island.

The kouple had the following:

Eskimo-like clothing including boots from Nightwolf and the Matoka tribe, even a new massive drum. The golden rings... which actually turned out to be skull rings! Aiko and Lao agreed to use them for battle. The bride price envelopes in which they decided to share with their family. There was also a twin dragon statuette consisting of a blue and gold one intertwined

He suggested to bring out invitations late tomorrow. He actually overheard Aiko's lament on her disabilities, but there was still a dark secret he felt she wasn't ready for, until his brother's sacrifice:

"We all know Aiko was born today, just 12 years ago, even her," He motioned with his hand, "And we are also aware she has mental illness. However..." He hesitated as his face lowered, his eyes closed for a few moments... "She was born 5 months prematurely, according to Raiden anyway who once told me long ago. On the end of January, upon his observation, when we tend to sense new life and death, she had to leave the womb on account of severe complications, even her mother was close to a mini stroke... Aiko's entire body was the size of a tiny kitten, nearly more than fitting into an adult hand. Since she was born so early her brain didn't develop much... It only formed halfway, as far as behind her earlobes, while the rear only had mixes of spinal and brain fluid, even electrical misfiring..."

"By the Elder Gods...!" Raiden's shock entered his mind

"It is very rare for an organism to be born within 5 months and live thru malnourished development... She had seizures which caused her to nearly perish, but thanks to the docs' resuscitation up to 3 times, she was barely alive... Only...it was Raiden who was desperate after witnessing her arrival into Earthrealm...

"It seemed as if Aiko was one of his chosen, destined to defend or at least assist Earthrealm, thus her enlistment when she was 6 visiting the mountain base... Raiden wasn't sure when she'd be recruited in adulthood, until her future was secure once Aiko came back 16 years from the future."

She leaned onto her knees, trying to make sense of everything. "I can't believe Raiden saved my life... Before he sacrificed himself..."To Aiko, it reminded her of the rapid electric sparks within V'ger... And it may have explained her stimming, her astraphobia aside from her light, sound and touch sensitivities... "Raiden... I wish I could thank you for saving and choosing me... I wish I could've done more..." She began to tear up...

Lao immediately faced her with sympathetic eyes and held her, "Aiko... You should never feel it's a curse, but as a blessing. If the Gods never let you live...then...I never wouldn't have had met you. You've endured thru so much..." Referring to the unfortunate Revenant invasion. "I never would've had a love life, or a prosperous family. You're the heart of us all. You should accept your limitations, and overcome more, but...without those shortcomings, you probably wouldn't have used your heart and become the best person that you are. I will always love you, no matter what your defectors."

Tears began to fall again as she struggled to break a smile. "Oh, Kung Lao..." She laid on his shoulder, her head buried. He gave her a warm, deep kiss on the forehead.

Little did everyone knew that Fujin considered Lao's words to be his wedding vow.

A/N: During the writing of this chapter, a snowstorm was brewing throughout the majority of the US including NJ. So, real life wrote some of the plot here, thus the gifts arriving late. Also, I was unclear on whether or not it could be either a Side Story or a part of Lao and Aiko's wedding, but the latter soon won.

However, my birthday's been closing in so I couldn't resist unveiling some gory details. Aiko's circumstances from her birth were some of mine too... I always wanted Raiden to be the one resuscitating her ever since I was told I was revived that way, contrary to him receiving electroshock therapy during the lousy web series, MK Legacy... As well as the thunder god choosing Aiko as another random, future champion; her destiny began to unravel very slowly by then. My OC is definitely someone special.

A lot of organisms are born within 3 trimesters, and they still have a chance on living well within 7 months, but due to the early evacuation from the womb, I was born within 5 months and stayed in a hospital for 6; they even stated my foot is the size of a thumb. I wasn't breastfed neither, which is probably why I always cover my face. And Aiko and my other relatable OCs are indeed anemic.

The Matokan gifts were random, while the intertwined twin dragons was an idea made by a Liu Kang rper as we collaborated for Caro's baby journal. But the bride money was a part of Chinese tradition, and it also reminded me of a similar process on the movie, Goodfellas; even sharing that same concept in my F-Zero wedding fic, To Be Married and Loved.

It was just another segment I wanted to get out of the way, now I need to work on the invitations, as well as my Top 10 Sky Levels; hopefully the latter can be done before my YT anniversary.

Con't III

With the new bridal chamber set up later that night, kourtesy of Fujin's Jinsei vapor covering the room as well as the two used mattresses to prevent any infestations, the red covers and linings flickered amongst the pair of crimson Chinese lanterns dedicated to the upcoming marriage; although in this case they were illuminating despite the opaqueness, not necessarily counting the light being deflected by the fresh snow. Not unlike Kung Lao and Aiko themselves, as if the heavy burdens had finally been lifted from their souls amongst the complex traditions, the blizzard itself hindering progress, and any last-minute ends to tie up. All they needed to do was relax, wait, and they knew only the invitations were next on the agenda after their wedding gifts were transported, including the new bedsheets in which they're sure they'd sleep like hibernating baby animals.

As Lao was taking a shower, Aiko had the room to herself, and she can't stop admiring the brand-new setup which would always be there even after a hard day with the White Lotus or after they're wed! However, upon gazing in from the upper corridor, something about the new, glowing, obscure and bloodred environment made her feel... strange. She observed upon the wider, red bedspread as she walked in, then the new, massive, elaborate Matokan drum caught her peripheral vision. She closed the door then slowly, she took it out never wanting to disturb, and the colorful feathers dangled after she sat it on the bed as if they were ready for her... Hyper focused, she shifted it close, around her lotus position. It was barely over the same sitting height, enough space to tap on it easily, rhythmically with her hands emitting a simple tribal beat, but in less than a minute into the ritual, she closed her eyes, taking it in more... Aiko soon swooned and squirmed as she beat harder, her body loose like a snake's... Even the waist below began to throb and swell, absorbing the drum as if it had a sensuous heart... She was in a deep hypnosis, like her past experience with the Makeba... Her mind shut down, never caring for any observers overhearing, not ever when Lao walked in as the light shone in for a brief moment. In fact...he participated, as if the performance was affecting him too as he made a sudden rapid beat. Aiko made out his face thru the candlelight, and she became entranced, holding the sides, and let him lead as she just let herself go...She squirmed vertically, even leaned back momentarily; she shifted against it feeling the intense vibrations...

Using his subconscious trance he had from the Matokan tribe, Lao gained some exotic skills and even he was getting deep... It felt they were in their own teepee, just them, getting aroused but distant from one another. Lao then followed her lead, and it was his mate's turn to guide him... He swooned as she encouraged him; she hardly saw him shift close, and she didn't mind his breathing getting husky ... They'd never seen nor heard themselves relax like this, excepting partially in their shared incidences... She wondered if Liu and Kitana would be affected the same way. They needed to unwind, to break the ice, to relieve the tension, and they knew from that one heart meld of Aiko's hypertension, as Lao understood the Matokan's hold. Finally, it was over as both became lucid and the beats stopped.

They both took down the drum and put it off to their left bedside and took a few deep breaths. "I couldn't help it..." Aiko chimed. "I was proud on how it looks in here... Then, I just kouldn't resist... "

"I know. At least...we weren't within each other. I just...I was just attracted like a magnet, as I heard and saw you. Even though we were clothed... You were amazing."

She kouldn't help but smile, "Likewise...Tribal Kung Lao." They both smirked and they each assumed they had that said hyper focus and subconscious, sultry skill... Aiko declared she's no longer turned away, and Lao proudly accepted the same. He even wished if they'd impress the Matoka and their youngest, Fortunate One; maybe invite them which reminded them they needed to arrange their invitations. She even wondered if this'd be a new relaxing ritual for Liu and Kitana since they've once explored the Makeba and Matoka. They were surprised no one was there as Lao checked outside their territory. They shall look forward to doing this passionate performance again, with a different rehearsal or two.

The couple bowed down before the Edenian monarchs, Queen Sindel and King Jerrod, who were both surprised to see them again in more benevolent circumstances.

"What brings you two lovebirds to Edenia?"

Aiko was genuinely too shy to address. "We would like you to be invited to our wedding, your excellencies. In a fortnight at China's standard time," Lao intervened.

"We shall be honored to accompany you, Sir Lao and Lady Aiko!"

"Our realm is a day ahead," Jerrod added. "It is at the Order of Light, I presume?"

"Indeed, at the Temple. Liu Kang, Kitana and Caro shall also be invited."

"And about us?" Jade replied.

"Uh...of course, Jade." Aiko hesitated. "And I'll offer the same to Asgaarth, Taven, maybe Orin if he's willing-"

"Kiintaro!" Kung Lao drew down his hat in protest, ready to strike.

"Fear not! Do not fret!" the soulshifter declared. "Stand down, Shokan!" He dropped his arms and let out a snarl.

"We don't wish any bloodshed!" The chaetokinetic scorned.

"I suppose not all Shokan have changed their ways..." Asgaarth lamented. "But do you wish to invite Sheeva and Prince Goro?"

Lao's eyes widened, "Goro..."

"I... guess... I mean, as long as they can since they're like the ambassadors of Australia." the cardiokinetc wasn't so confident.

"I think Goro at least is applicable, Aiko," Sindel assured. "After all, he has made good graces with Kung Lao." He bowed.

"I wonder if Baraka and Mileena should get involved..." Jade figured. "Or even Li Mei or Bo' Rai Cho..."

There were some disgusted murmurs at the mention of the drunkard's name. Aiko didn't have a good first impression with his intoxicated encounter, even though he taught her, Lao and Nightwolf of their few distinctive fighting styles as well as evading the enemy to make time to strategize. And even spared Lao and Fujin from the Soulnado, or participated valiantly in Armageddon...

"We'll think about it, we shall see if they'll be acceptable for the occasion. If we observe a drop of blood or a trace of inebriation, they'll be escorted and perhaps banned from the premises." Jerrod spoke with caution and authority.

The kouple replied with low bows. Aiko stuck up a finger, "Oh, one other thing! Um...can we...also have the Edenian Palace for our honeymoon?"

"Of course, Sir Lao and Lady Aiko!" Sindel beamed. "And I'm greatly honored that Kitana is your maid of honor!"

"With my honored sister, Kung Ling, of course."

Sindel requested the Edenians would assist on making the RVSPs, even use the few of the knights for security personnel. It was a huge relief for the pair since the Palace was made as a hasty haven during the expedition in Outworld to search for the Deadly Alliance, preps for the war against Onaga, even gathering recruits for the koherence koncert and the Battle of Armageddon.

"You must be wary on your choices, Lao and Aiko," Fujin was firm. "You must not be like Bruce Lee succumbing to infidelity. Your honeymoon shall be free reign. There seems to be no principle against it as you remain faithful and celibate. Urges do occur, but it depends on how you use them I cannot stress enough many mortals fall prey to their unhinged desires."

They were at the Wind World taking in the god's wisdom. He also explained Sindel shall offer to design the invitations and RVSPs for them, as she was also inspired on witnessing Kitana's own wedding from a different era. Especially having them being encoded in blue with satin ribbons. He offered to drop them off at the invitees' designated locations like a messenger pigeon.

While word got out, Nightwolf stated that Kiba shall be the pet sitter of the rodents, Little Guy and Jehn, in order to ease tension since Jin and Ling were invited.

About a day later back at the Kung Kottage, an envelope suddenly appeared with Japanese symbols on the label, a translated letter was enclosed:

Dear Kung Lao and Aiko,

I'm sorry I cannot make it to your holy matrimony; however, the Takahashis are still willing to go despite the 3-hour difference here in Japan. The capybaras at Sodeguara are also doing fine despite Nagasaki and Aso still destroyed. Forgive me for not arriving to your blessed celebration, although someone must keep a watchful eye on the Shirai Ryu. Sonya, Johnny and Jax shall also accompany you while Cyrax volunteered to guard Vera, Cassie and Jacqui as they're too young. Kuai, Smoke and Frost are also interested as Bi-Han and Sareena will stay with the Lin Kuei.

Enclosed is a CD with the unknown couple song you adored, Kawa no nagre no yoni by Teresa Teng, it's been very popular and following the twisted path suits you two well of your trials and tribulations. Raiden shall be proud, and may the Gods bless you on your union.

Sincerely,

Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi

Aiko's smile grew and she was nearly in tears, feeling she still owed the redeemed ninja so much...It would have been like PTSD on losing Harumi, Satoshi, and his clan...

Fujin eventually gave word that Kabal and Stryker also declined since they're obligated to secure the New York streets as usual. While Cyrax officially volunteered to stay with the Special Forces.

A/N: The first scene was like a spur of the moment; the couple's chamber isn't necessarily a b-y'know what I mean! It's more like a hubbub for comfort, their pleasure, their place to relax, their sanctuary, and show their love for each other, even before tying the knot. It was about time they needed to embrace those tribal customs they'd been holding back for so long. Their Revenant counterparts in the Unaliving War, especially my OC, took advantage of the Matoka and Makeba's might against Darkseod, or just leading their undead clan.

I wasn't sure what to do with some Kombatants like Kabal and Stryker, or Cyrax, Hanzo and Bi-Han with Sareena standing by, even with Kiba, a wolf, for the wedding; someone needed to babysit the rodents and the toddlers.

The invitations are out, and I figured the Edenian Palace would be the perfect place for a honeymoon; heck, I even had random ideas in Edenia for Liutana, like the first-ever tournament defending it from Kahn's invasion or bits and pieces on Lord Liu Kang recovering there, them settling down in their New Era as done in my oneshot, Kontentment. I always feel Edenia has lost potential, like Kronika but better, as it's been swept under the rug since after Armageddon! Damn you, Woker Bros!

It is vital to be vigilant and restrain yourself with your urges. Always use protection, check for any diseases, and don't jump to intercourse straight away unless you're married and prepared! Good thing the Shaolin have more sense than us, and I'm not religious but even the Bible makes a good point with celibacy and abstinence. We do have urges, but like dark abilities, it depends how it's used. Hopefully Sky Levels won't be a burden and miss my anniversary too much, speaking of virtue...

Con't IV

With invitations finally given on account of the snowstorm subsiding, the ice barely melting, and the usual groundhog seeing his shadow predicting six more weeks of winter, Lao and Aiko decided to visit the Yin Yang Island. Not only revisiting it as Aiko admired the rescued capybaras, but there was a snag involving their honeymoon. It turned out that Sindel already gave the titans the updates in which she'd design the invitations personally as well as payment arrangements; it was easy booking February 14th.

"Yes, my mother already made the invitations for you, and she made several by hand with assistance from our talented artists; mostly by adding that satin bow and writing in cursive." She handed out a small stack of royal blue cards. "She was thrilled to be engrossed in art again after so many eons. Even Cheung loves blue more than his father's red," she snickered.

At that mention, Lord Liu Kang added, "Admittedly... that...passionate spur of the moment you both had... I was involved in it."

The kouple's eyes widened. "That...that was you?" Lao was genuinely taken off guard. "I thought it was just us, not from some outside influence."

Aiko bashfully rubbed the back of her neck, "Yea... When I saw our newlywed bed, all red and comforting and everything, my eyes were glued to that large drum the Matoka gave us, and I-we just..."

"But I had led you through it. It was dopamine that consumed you both; no different than with the Makeba, at the Matokan ground, even with Shinnok. It turns out that the exotic percussion does induce trances, even when going under. You wanted to use it at one time, even assisting us. If you were able to control your urges; not necessarily suppress it but use it without tarnishing virtue."

"You were testing us?" the monk couldn't believe it, especially from his Shaolin brother.

"Yes. We both had urges, and due to tension and the production of dopamine, they seem connected; no different than the heart itself." Kitana said. "And we theorized it'd be a way to help you feel more relaxed. Especially from what Fujin told you... You two are still celibate and abstinent."

"I even set up the mood, flickering and igniting the lanterns. Making the atmosphere feel more tense. And the Matokans have an outstanding style and fashion trends. We even wish for them to join the Shaolin." He went on influencing Lao and Aiko to relax while using the Matokan drum, so that they can be more focused about the preparations for their upcoming union... It was also a test of strength, as they never needed to resist that said ritual, but rather how they've used it; they're still pure, they've proven their bond is still strong and mutual, they didn't even touch nor intertwine which could've broken the Shaolins' sacred vows. He was actually glad they're no longer nervous of the Matokans' customs, yet the Makeba are still questionable...

"The Makeba are a different case entirely, wilder and less civilized than those tribes in Earthrealm. And about the honeymoon itself?"

"Queen Sindel said the first two nights are free; however, thru the rest of the week, we need to pay for each night." Lao stated.

"We...aren't sure how to konvert yen with other realms, and it was something named Dragon Koins," Aiko added.

"I suggest you use them to pay for the rest of the week despite having it free for the first couple days. Lady Sindel said each day shall be about 50 Dragon Koins which is nearly equivalent to 50 yen."

"I shall volunteer to deliver the sum to Mother as payment." Kiitana offered. The pair gave her the coins which was a large mound adding up to 250 yen, so big that it had to be cupped with two hands like cradling a baby.

Lao murmured in deep thought. his eyes glazing, "I heard Shujinko helped Shinnok retrieve his amulet despite being a phony in the Netherrealm as part of the temporal flux I was in with Lord Raiden. But never had the chance to use them..."

"Excellent! You have found my amulet, though it seems somehow... different. Take these koins as your reward. When next we meet, I will no doubt be supreme ruler of all the realms. I will remember your service to me." Shinnok spoke to the mimic as Lao's mind flashed back to the distant past.

Liu's voice hardened slightly as he warned, "Only the commonfolk outside the Shaolin aren't ready to understand... Apparently other kurrency including yen became more prominent. As in exploring other realms, and the certainty of invading them... A lot of us aren't as virtuous as we are. In due time..."

Kiitana konfessed, "No extra charge. I can gift Mother the lump sum." She dropped her head for a moment, "She...actually gifts us Dragon Koins every month to help make our ways of living here."

"As do the Shaolin, as they offer us gifts as worship, often things that're needed. Even a donated crib for Cheung, bamboo for the capybara and fruits for the peacock and lemurs; the sea wolves often kare for themselves," Liu added. He stuck up a digit, "Oh! I have a surprise awaiting you, something from the past..."

It wasn't until Aiko found it, or rather THEM, within the fridge, whereas everywhere else never changed at all; there was a bottle and a few cans of Crystal Pepsi which was discontinued in her future! So too a few containers of Bon Bon ice cream! A package of Dessert Dunkers was also shown, in which she never heard of, but Jin didn't hesitate! Even a couple cans of Vanilla Coke and Cherry Vanilla, in which the former her older half-sister was obsessed with, superficially the soft drink and the tin box of gummies. As well as an assortment of Milk and Cereal Bars.

"Only use them in moderation," he spoke into Aiko's mind.

By February 10th, just eight days later, the RSVPs returned, with everyone excepting Hanzo, Orin and Vera participating, each with either a Yes or a No checkbox filled at the rear of each card. The Grandmaster checked off No on account on the letter given to them from the former. The future newlyweds presumed that Orin'd rather stay and guard Argus and Delia's former castle without incident of Blaze and Armageddon.

While Aiko was done restacking, with the rejected invitees in a separate pile, she noticed Lao at the corner of her eye. He sat idly still, drooping a little, as if in hesitation. He reminisced on how his ancestor's and Jen's love fell apart, when Baron kept scolding them to never be together since Lao's Chinese and often rich, adding pressure onto Baron and Jen as they owed a lot of debt to the Black Dragon clan... Then when he was close to being executed...

The cardiokinetic figured," And I thought I was the only one spacing out," she wrapped a gentile arm and caressed his back. "What's wrong?"

Lao looked up, his face still in a fog. "I... have a bad feeling. Something might become awry, just as what my ancestor, the Great Kung Lao and Jehn went thru... We...we've been thru so much, gone so far... And now...? I feel it'd fall apart instantaneously... Maybe it's cold feet. But... I pray to the Gods it won't take a turn for the worst."

Aiko was surprised that Lao was now sharing her usual pessimism and anxiety... This felt more than just dividing common instincts and triggers from a heart meld, contrary to his usual wittiness and charm. Understanding kompletely of his angsts, she simply bit her tongue and held him close before they, and even Jehn and Little Guy, hit the sack. She silently prayed that not another intrusive force would be afoot during their peaceful two-year period after Armageddon.

A/N: The Dragon Koins hadn't been mentioned in the Khronology since the fourth book, Return of the Dragon King; I was never sure how to use them kounting real-world kurrrency such as yen, dollars, etc. It'd be komplicated on how to use money throughout all realms... So, I think I'm only going to use them once here... Also, if I should ever make a countdown on kurrency in video games, I hope I'll include that; been brainstorming a lot lately, even with my Lunar Levels.

I thought I might give this chapter a very nostalgic twist kounting the Crystal Pepsi along with the listed snacks. I hardly remember them, not even the clear soda itself... I recalled it was there, then disappeared shortly, but I kan't pinpoint what it tastes like... I wish I knew, but my guess kould be a hybrid between a Sprite and Pepsi mix. And yea, I looked up that the groundhog did see his shadow in 1999; it was Groundhog Day recently which peaked my kuriousity.

Also, just as a middle finger, since this is literally my new era, my Khronology, my rules and so on... SpongeBob shall not exist and ruin Nickelodeon, EVER! And Malcolm in the Middle shall be cancelled after one season, and MK Conquest and other Threshold properties shall thrive! It's time to end the wasteful, ever-suffocating shows once and for all, especially that puss-filled sponge!

As of this chapter, Valentine's Day is looming nearer. If time permits, maybe I'll have a chapter for that, if not, hopefully it won't be too late and be rendered irrelevant like the same deal with my Lunar Levels involving the Lunar New Year.

Con't V

Eve of the wedding, February 13th, 1999, Kung Lao's birthday

"I'll miss the wedding while I'm at school." the teenager Jin stated with irritation.

Aiko was karessing and scratching Jehn atop the newlywed bed who's fur stuck upwards like a cat, only it was out of glee rather than being threatened. "No, you won't. Actually, you won't be missing anything at all. The ceremony's gonna start around 8pm, and you usually go home at 4. ...I don't know why students sometimes stay until 5... Not even schools in America don't have after school activities for that long. 3pm at most."

"Oh good! That means you, Lao and mom would still be here?"

"Yea. I think the preparations won't start until...I think around 6pm. The dress rehearsal, the invitees gathering... And your mom said that tomorrow there's supposed to be a hair kombing ceremony here. No offense to traditions, but it sounds kiinda boring. Even Kung Lao is going thru this."

Jin's face brightened, like a sun bursting thru stormy clouds, "Still, I kan't wait for you to be my aunt, my āyí!" He spread out his arms in triumph.

"Aww, I kan't wait neither!" Aiko beamed and embraced him. Jehn let out a few purrs in affection, her hair still on end. "Our family will prosper, just as what your uncle wanted."

There were some grunts heard from downstairs, and Kung Ling announced Nightwolf was at the door. John looked out, and Aiko immediately descended.

Sure enough, the shaman and Kiba paid a visit as Aiko stood beside Jehn. "Hey guys!"

"Hey! Listen, since tomorrow's the wedding, I presume that Kiba here needs to be house warmed while we're away. Especially to get to know this little girl." The wolf sniffed the pup out of kuriosity, in which she imitated. He went thru and kontinued to take in the new aromas. "It's the first time we ever get to meet a capybara."

"Yea, right. I hope he does get used to being in an actual house for once. I still kan't believe he's chosen as the house sitter; he...still needs to get along with the rabbit, though."

He sighed, "He doesn't have that much of a choice. It's up the Kung Lao's rabbit on whether he should ignore his natural instincts."

They followed the friendly wolf to the kitchen where Ling was making supper, and a certain odor kaught his nose as he wagged his tail vigorously and panting heavily. Aiko already knew, "Oh great... He already knows what's in there. In the freezer." She perspired before she opened the top door. Kiba squatted in anticipation with light growls. She took out a box with a white dog enjoying ice kream, and she knew that the Frosty Paws snacks were his favorite ever since she began gifting them for the first time on Christmas a few years ago. Since he was being house trained, she figured it'd be an incentive. She even observed Little Guy glare at Kiba and he stared back, but he kontinued to munch and the rodent hopped away.

Nightwolf was just discussing with the future arrangements, even installing some sensors for security reasons, Gods forbid. He then began planting small cameras around the perimeter, similar to looking like solar panels. Eventually there were some perched in one per room.

Kung Lao returned and Aiko embraced him tightly wishing him a Happy Birthday; she has never forgotten since it was konveniently smacking dab between her mom's birthday and western world's Valentine's koinciding the wedding. He announced the Shaolin shall postpone training in preparation for the ceremony as well as the day after. They'd actually train in intervals during the Chinese New Year celebration of the Earth Rabbit. She figured it'd be a great sign since she and Jin were born in that zodiac sign representing longevity and luck.

Ling broke off the konversation as it was time for supper and kake for the virtuous Champion! The assortment of gifts konsisted of Brillo pads to kleanse the metallic rims of his hats, along with a fancy black tux for the upcoming matrimony, a blood-krusted headband with Matokan feathers even another one for Aiko; the kouple actually volunteered to visit the Indian grounds to kommemorate on their union in the tribe's unique ways. Nightwolf was thrilled for the pairing to participate; at least Fortunate One and his brethren won't be excluded after all. Even to the cardiokinetic, it was a nice change of scenery since she was growing weary with the usual American customs.

As if my parents' and Father of the Bride weren't obvious enough...

Before everyone knew it, Fujin summoned Aiko and Kung Lao for their separate kombing ceremonies; the bride had it at the Kung Kottage while the future husband actually had it done within the Sky Temple, with the Wind God leading it as she had Ling herself!

The hair kombing ceremony was konducted, much earlier than the kouple anticipated. After they were both showered with water infused with pomelo and pomegranate leaves respectively the bride and groom changed into a new set of light klothing. An attending female family member, Ling in this kase, blessed them aloud as they sat in front of the mirror, instead of an open window due to the nippy air outside. Kung Lao sat in front of a mirror as well adjacent to the Jinsei pool.

The four blessings were as follows:

The first kombing, done in silence, was blessed to being together to the end; in which Lao and Aiko prayed to do, and pass on together once each of their times kame. With the second kombing, it was blessed with a hundred years of harmony in marriage. With the third kombing, they were blessed with a houseful of children and grandchildren. With the fourth combing, it was blessed with longevity; Aiko bit her tongue as she doubted that they'd have kids due to her troubling birth and only Jin should uphold their legacy...

Kung Lao actually grinned at the reflection once the ceremony was komplete. "How does it look?"

"It looks great, Kung Lao." Fujin said. "The petals can be brushed off." He sat up and kalled in Ashrah who brought over a sweet dessert soup kontaining pink glutinous-rice spherical dumplings was served. "These are often served after the hair kombing ceremony to wish the kouple a komplete and sweet marriage." Both Lao and even Aiko enjoyed them.

Later on that night, Lao kame in their newlywed chamber greeting Aiko, and kan't help but grin, "You know, it's amazing. After all these years, and the trials we went thru, it has all kome down to this. ...I still remembered our first night when we met, when you were lost in time, and I've saved you from that drunken predator."

Aiko smiled warmly, "Yea. I wouldn't know what to do nor would I be the same since I kouldn't fight."

"And then I've shown you the ways of the Shaolin. You were bitter with the Chinese, until I helped relieve your fears. Even when we did our first heart meld... Our first date..." he reminisced.

"Yea..."

"And my nephew admires you."

"Do you...still feel nervous?"

He nodded, "Yes. But...we kannot let our souls, and our love, be in vain. My ancestor and Jen never wed." He then kupped her delicate hands. "I will guard your heart and soul always. That's a promise."

She dove into his warm chest and arms which imbued them both with warmth like a thermal blanket. "We're going to be wed tomorrow... I know you want a peaceful life, to uphold your family."

"...I kannot do this without you," he whispered.

At a komfortable 46 degrees and no possibilities of snow and ice in the forecast. Aiko and Lao's wedding finally arrived! Only it was 6pm which was just the dress rehearsal. There was a slight indigo tint within the sky making the pink clouds darken, indicating twilight starting to creep in. Several displays of double happinesses were placed within the bridal room, and a red banner was placed on the Shaolin Temple's door.

Monks already had the Temple of Light alit with many krimson lanterns illuminating and displaying happinesses, and the pathways and steps were thawed, kourtesy of Kai's pyrokinesis as well as saltwater from the Yellow River and rearranged the sacred ground for their union. An older woman, which happened to be Sindel, was assigned to tie Aiko's hair with a pink kotton thread; the wife-to-be wore a red skirt symbolizing happiness, adorned with a dragon and a phoenix on a longer skirt over it. This was such a relief as the procedure was more self-contained than konstantly being shoved around to multiple Shaolin sisters getting her prepared for her first date with Lao.

In addition, Liu's grandfather instructed the groom was expected to give a pair of matching dragon and phoenix bracelets, which were most kommonly made of gold, to the bride, and are to be worn during the wedding festivities; the dragon and phoenix motif symbolized a blissful union, according to one of the monks.

Almost an hour passed when the invitees began to arrive. Then Kai, one of the ushers, was assigned karrying Aiko to a black sedan. Surprisingly, it was little to no problem for him. The attendees were directed to visit the groom's location, the Wu Shi Academy, within other sedans.

She murmured, why do I feel so nervous...? She felt her heart racing.

"Maybe it's because you have kold feet?" the prodigy estimated.

"Maybe... I do have a bad family history involving marriage... Even Kung Lao was a bit paranoid with his ancestor and Jen."

"It's too bad I never knew him..." Sindel lamented. "But you should never turn back now. You must follow through with you and Sir Lao's obligations. I'll be looking forward to your arrival in Edenia for your honeymoon." She smiled admiringly. "After all, Liu Kang shown his matrimony to my daughter in their New Era kut short."

Aiko took a deep sigh, but she still felt a trepidation or two... She wished she kould observe it once the wedding is over.

"Agh, do I really have to wear this!?" The young Takeda complained while using a rented black tux.

"Don't worry, my son. I've made certain it'd be roomy and komfortable," Kenshi reasoned.

Hanzo was behind the guys in his usual yellow garbs as the father and kid looked in a tall Japanese mirror. The ronin instead wore a maroon-like tux.

"What if it gets stained or torn...?"

"The dry kleaner and tailor would take kare of any damage, even though there'd be a fee. Best to keep a kloth over you while you eat."

"I kan't believe klothes kan be rented just like kars or tapes..."

"It is time." Liu smiled as his cerulean eyes sparked as they gazed upon the Hourglass atop a kascade.

Kitana nodded, "Yes. Their blissful betrothment is upon them. Just like how ours used to be." She wrapped an arm around her lover and they kissed.

The Fire God turned to his faithful kompanion. "You may come along, Caro. The Shaolin accept dragons more than the kommonfolk."

"You have my upmost gratitude, Liu Kang," he bowed.

The timekeeper then knelt to Cheung, "You be good, Cheung. You may play with the capybaras. We'll only be gone for about a few hours; I shall look forward to immersing and reunite amongst the Shaolin again. Please look after him, Donut, Hinase." The capys let out their signature songs, while the toddler embraced and kissed both parents. Another female capybara made her own coo beside the parting quartet. "Ready to go, Kikyo?" Liu queried to the giant rodent with a pair of tin containers hanging from her chest.

All a sudden, several gems ignited within each holder. The illumination became heart-shaped and in a neon bright red hue, then began to dissipate quickly, as if the organ itself worked so rapidly and hard, then on the verge of shutting down... Both titans took them out and observed with alarm.

Aiko immediately took out her own heart gem with the exact same effect, ironically within her bra built in by her kimono.

"Aiko, you weren't supposed to bring that," Kai reprimanded.

"I know. But since Kung Lao and I got nervous, I thought I-" her words were kut as she suddenly had sharp pangs in her chest!

Sindel urged him to put and lay her down on the elaborate carpeted floor. Even Lao felt the same urgency while his own gem ignited! It almost felt like a hot battery after being charged! As he gazed into it, the hue obscured the vision of his wife-to-be becoming still as she was laid down. With the gem in hand, Lao ran and teleported straight to the Temple of Light ignoring alarm from bystanders.

The sharp pangs subsided, though replaced as Aiko felt lightheaded and powerless, as if something's draining her life force like a vampire. Her face churned pale as a ghost and her breathing became shallow, her eyes glazing, her vision becoming foggy and disoriented only making out the lights.

Kung Lao kept busting thru the krowds as he headed to the Temple, desperately giving the victim his own energy. Until she stopped in an open area, just giving him a moment to kalm down. Then upon his peripheral vision heightened by adrenaline, he observed an opaque figure clad in crimson just below the Temple steps. The intruder rose a right hand gradually, and a liquified object started to take shape. Lao presumed it was a bleeding heart, as if that assailant was the culprit! Without hesitation, he threw his deadly hat summoned on his head! It made the usual buzzsaw noise as it sliced thru the air, grinding what looked to be a woman imbued in black and bloody attire!

She responded in a gurgled tone, "You! How dare you interfere with my sustenance!"

"Who are you!? And why were you killing my wife!?" He snarled.

"Ooh, she's your wife, eh? She has quite the nutritious, delicious beverage."

"You shall get a taste of my cold silver platter!" He threw his hat again, only this time, he let it slice thru the saboteur repeatedly. Thankfully, the rushing bystanders were hoping to aid their fallen komrade and paid no heed for the pools of blood being splattered. With the ribbons splattered, Lao retracted his hat which was hovering in midair and he took a sigh of relief. His face then dropped as he witnessed the bloody streak oozing away as if it were an anthropomorphic slime! By the time he ran into the Temple screaming his life partner's name, Sindel and Kai were distraught and she remained barely konsciouus. Amongst the khaos, he still karessed her face and took out his heart gem which ignited in a very dim hue in an attempt to heal her.

She simply just moaned and murmured the name, "Ruby..." after a sudden epiphany as a sort of jolt in her heart. Aiko's vacant mind was then smothered by flashbacks on how Jax was ambushed, first gassed then carried away by red ninjas along with the likes of an unmasked dark-skinned woman all within a cabin of sorts while a firepllace was ablaze. There were fragments of Shao Kahn torturing Jax in his Tower, with a pair of Shadow Priests torturing him to reveal the location of the mountain base...

Outside her mind, Kung Lao, Sindel, and Kai noticed Nightwolf and Fujin rushing in the Temple, observing Ako who's breathing became shallow again as she was muttering that same name... The future husband just held her face, "Aiko, who is Ruby? If she's the one who attacked us, who is she!?"

But... there was no response. She let out a few weak exhales before her head drooped to the side. Lao implored her to awaken as he kept shaking her and calling her name in a frantic manner. The two strayed heart gems simply went dark and lost their luster as if they became brittle like bones.

Fujin urged to take her to the Jinsei in the Sky Temple at once.

A/N: I kind of wish I had that special sweet dessert soup containing pink glutinous-rice spherical dumplings. I know it's a Chinese kouple thing, but I wished it was more common. Also, as of writing this chapter, I've made a 2nd blog konsisting of my MK Khronology and all things Mortal Kombat; I hope I'll get a bigger following and it'd make things organized and less komplicated. Tumblr isn't quite as reliable as DeviantArt.

The wedding procedures were listed as follows, but just to keep things simplistic. The truth was, I was never married, even finding friends is extremely difficult, whether finding common ground, trust, social challenges, etc. However, I've been to a family wedding or 2:

My original parents were married in Las Vegas, in Lucky Leo's, while the mafia was assassinating each other under Sam Rothstein and Nicky Santoro's rise and falls; yea, some of the events of Casino actually transpired then! And if my parents would've perished or stayed longer, I never would've been born! I despise that accursed Scorsese film! True sowers of discord!

My dad then got remarried to my stepmom, though I never liked the idea on sharing the deceased surname, especially to someone who always suppresses my anxieties and hyperfixations! Ironically it took place in my house's backyard, and it began to rain then... Even more troubling was that this was the 5th marriage in her history, which is troubling to begin with; she's been abusive and toxic for 17 years, a state warden on that same timespan before she retired, and love is bound to fail with that many divorces! It was surely irreversibly painful, especially involving non-replaceable items!

After my stepmom passed just a few years ago, my dad got re-remarried to another new mom, from the Philippines no less! However, it was very casual, with just them, me, and a witness.

Also, counting marriage, Aiko already tied the knot in an alt roleplay with a clone of Liu Kang from MK 2023, in August 2024! He had fantastic ideas for their union and honeymoon especially! Before they'd decided to raise their baby dragon, Caro, shortly. So too, this was nearly the second time involving my fanfics since my F-Zero fanfic, To Be Married and Loved, as Rick Wheeler and my OC, Tinsel, tied the knot on October 9th, the second anniversary when they first met.

Quite a plot twist at the end if I do say so myself! I wanted to get things outta the way in time for Valentine's as well as make more time for my Lunar Levels list due within this month.

Con't VI

"That intruder attacked the Shaolin," Fujin observed, then she turned to Aiko who was completely comatose within the Jinsei pool... "And she sucked out Aiko's heart like a straw. Ony a fraction of her blood is left." Kung Lao sat beside her, caressing her face, and she never stirred. "She couldn't fight back as her assailant was a mistress who specializes in blood magik, surpassing the heart and her cardiokinesis..." He perspired, "She is extremely volatile..."

The Wind God witnessed Aiko let out weak moans before she became limp, as her head dropped to the side, passing out. He recalled Kung Lao attacking the krimson stealth with his deadly hat but kept regenerating after slithering away. Kai soon blasted her as an animate blood mass, then she retreated and remained hidden. Worst of all, with the cardiokinetic out of kommission, she kan't be detected of her whereabouts, putting more innocents in danger!

"So why kan't you stop her!?" Kung Lao's voiced kracked with upset and fury. "You're a God! You would've prevented this! That saffron succubus almost killed Aiko! She's still out there and I'll put an end to her!" He immediately stood up and held his hat.

"No! Kung Lao, stop!"

There was a burst of orange flames which almost immediately extinguished as Lord Liu Kang emerged. The surprised observers bowed. But Lao still stood firmly.

He rose a hand, "If you look for that warrioress with that negative mindset, you will meet the same fate."

"Brother...! Who is she? Where is she!?"

"Unh... unh... Ruby...:"

Kung Lao looked upon her, as did the other monks, Ashrah, Sindel, Fujin, Nightwolf, and Kai.

"Ruby/ That name sounds vaguely familiar," Nightwolf chimed in. "I remembered we were chasing after her, when she abducted Jax and took him to Outworld. But...that was only several years ago. I doubt she's kapable on blood manipulation."

"Ruby... A red female ninja... She does seem familiar. Similar to Tanya," the Edenian queen stated.

"Forgive me, everyone. I needed to alert our loved ones the wedding needed to be postponed," Lord Liu Kang explained. "Ruby... She does sound like an actual threat. Someone Aiko and Nightwolf knew...long ago." They were in stunned silence as he treaded to the center chamber, knelt, then laid a soft hand clutching her heart. "Our hearts, Aiko. One, and together."

She groaned as if she felt a surge of thermal energy go thru her, emanating from Liu's godly organ. Kombined, he klosed his eyes and visions entered both their minds.

He muttered each observation as they kame to him while Nightwolf konfirmed them; starting at the Pacific northwest: From within a log cabin with a fireplace ablaze as Jax fought against ninjas klad in red and black, then a black woman gassed him and made him faint muttering her name... He was escorted and then chained by Shao Kahn and a pair of Shadow Priests. She was the same dark-skinned female with a black kowl, red face mask, and garb matching both shades. He then heard Kitana say that after Jerrod's death, Ruby vowed to help her rebel, but she backstabbed the princess instead, and Raiden said she's from a small realm named Hinpar at the mountain base, then she turned to serve Kahn after the world of endless night was assimilated. Then her mind shifted to a battle inside Kahn's Tower as Ruby fought Kitana, then suddenly had a change of heart as Jax, Sonya, her and Nightwolf went thru a trapdoor. Outside, next to a few Dragon Jets, Jax tried to convince Ruby to go with the team, but she decided to stay and overturn the Emperor while Sonya urged the konflicted man to go. As her posse kept shooting the jets with red lasers, they flew into the sky portal back to Earthrealm...

Liu opened his eyes as the last memory dissolved, "Ruby, she was unsuccessful..." He klosed his eyes in despair. "We all were..."

Aiko sloped again, Fujin rushed to her side and felt the diminishing pulse in her neck, "Don't move! Aiko's vital signs are fading!" Everyone noticed her face growing pale!

"Aiko, no!" Kung Lao was stunned, never knowing what to do.

"Everyone, give her your heart gems to sustain her. She's fazing fast." The observers obliged and laid each of their jewels around her. "Kung Lao. Your duty as future husband is to stay by her side; safeguard her and her heart, in kase Ruby should trace her essence here. Kitana shall follow her and konfront-" He hesitated, then the shaman queried what's wrong. A grim look appeared on the timekeeper's face. "Her name WAS Ruby. If I'm korrect, she must also be..."

"Skarlet!" Kitana was outside the Temple of Light, gazing onto her amulet which glimmered the same visions Aiko had as well as watching Liu Kang. "I know who she is... Liu Kang, Kung Lao and I once fought her in Outworld, while we're saving Jade, in our own era."

Her mind flashed back to 2008, after Kronika's timequake occurred. Skarlet was formidable as she kept using her contaminated blood kinesis. However, Kitana had the upper hand being flimsy and using her fans and basic aerokinesis. Kung Lao and Liu Kang escorted Jade back, albeit soaked since they'd needed to rinse off their Tarkatan disguises in which Skarlet read thru easily, then preventing Kotal on genocide onto them...

"Kitana. Aiko is inside the Jinsei Chamber. I kan't say how long she'll hold out; she...may be on life support."

"Ah-Liu Kang. I know who her saboteur is."

"Yes, it is Skarlet. But she'd kept saying her name was Ruby. I've read her heart."

"Ruby... That name does ring a few bells, from my mortal self, and observing thru the Hourglass from a bygone era... But-how can Skarlet be transported to THIS era from our timeline?"

"It's impossible if she should transfer from another."

"...Unless" Her eyes widened as Kitana's mind reflected herself being in a laboratory filled with hanging korpses and massive glass retainers. A lively, barely naked female body laid on a wooden table. As the Edenian inspected her, she startled her by opening her cinnabar eyes and glared her fangs. "Skarlet might've been made in this era. Shao Kahn kreated her as his daughter, just like Mileena. So, she must've been born within the Flesh Pits. A straggler perhaps, since we never saw her during Armageddon..." A distant male scream interrupted her hypothesis. "She is here, Liu Kang!" She materialized her signature fans and dashed toward the khaos!

She arrived just several feet away, and she witnessed a fallen monk and a young girl barely moving atop a large blood puddle. She went to the weak male first and her amulet illuminated in a cerulean hue which koarsed thru him. She then focused on the wee lass and hesitated. Noticing the komplexion, she muttered, "You'll be alright...Skarlet!" She diced her with a fan, much to the victim's dismay.

"She's just a little girl!"

"No! She is Skarlet! She was the kulprit draining Aiko's essence. I can sense it in her. Go and seek shelter within the Sky Temple."

"So, you challenge me without relent. You are quite the tasteful though foolish one!" She drew out krimson sais dripping with blood.

"You have Aiko's essence. And you've betrayed your realm for serving Shao Kahn instead of defending Hinpar. It is YOU who is the snake!"

"Her sultry sustenance was quite the feast. Just as much as Edenian blood!"

"I may be from Edenia, the realm you helped Kahn usurp! But I am not who you think I am!"

Recollecting her strategy, Kitana became agile, keeping her distance from the vampire's grasp. Her fans did most of the dirty work, slicing Skarlet's vessel, but she also noticed it reassembling itself. She was still persistent, even allowing some of her whirlwinds to knock her off her feet. Skarlet often konjured different weapon structures made entirely of blood such as a pair of sais, a longsword, and occasionally switching for her own blood sports including leaving a trail behind her, balls, and streams. As one made kontact, she declared, "Have fun with hepatitis, Princess!"

She observed her bloodstained garb and face, then she felt herself krumble to her knees as Skarlet began to sap her energy, her hand igniting, and a fever skyrocketed upon an infectious impact. There was even a sharp stab wound penetrating thru the blood mage!

"You dare to assault on my sistersss!?" Mileena hissed before she ripped out her own twin blades.

A streak of dragon's breath incinerated the same fallen female! Baraka snarled and spread out his blades. "Pleased to make your acquaintance again, Skarlet!"

Kitana's pendant dissolved from that blue hue as she rose. She identified the saboteur as Skarlet, based on the era she and Liu were from, and she recalled the young Aiko dealing with Ruby; from a small realm conquered by Kahn.

"I don't recall Kahn making another abomination like me."

"If she truly was Ruby...then she was recycled from the Flesh Pits! Tell us who you are, saboteur!"

"I was born and created from Shao Kahn's seed." Her vessel rose steadily, oozing all the way.

The Titaness' face went placid, "...What?"

Her body was lurched back, onto a granite wall at the Temple's exterior, while also being crushed and encased in a lime field. Ermac, in that same garb, rose an arm, keeping her steady. "We followed the kommotion here, and she is bound with our soulkinesis," his voice eerily echoed with several other muffled tones.

"Father! Kan you take in Aiko's essence?"

"We'll...try." His hand twisted, and Skarlet wailed as he began to hold a neon green orb, enlarging the more he drained her. Kitana took out her own heart gem, held it up and konjured making the gem ignite as it also emptied Skarlet's blood. A few moments later, her vessel remained as an ashen husk.

Kitana gazed onto the energized gem. "I have Aiko's blood kode. Sought out the Flesh Pits." The ruby responded, glowing, and granting the user as it viewed that same horrid hideout she remembered, just before she was kaptured by Kahn awaiting execution...

Mileena stepped toward the empty vessel, barely breathing. She drew her sais and sneered.

"Mileena! Wait!"

She bore her fangs after uncovering her vile. "Sisster! She must be ssslain!"

"Not yet! I've foreseen the Flesh Pits. Skarlet must've kreated multiple specimens. ...She was a huntress...to many innocent Outworlders."

Baraka roared in protest. "She slain our people! No better than the accursed Emperor! She klaimed she was born from his seed! She was born! Not kreated."

"She was a recycled vessel. She was brought under a new identity, after Ruby hast fallen..." Ermac moped. "Forgive me, daughters. I've once served alongside her, and witnessed Kahn's torture, then her disturbing resurrection. She was reborn but also mollified then modified."

"...I see. Then we must destroy the Flesh Pits before any more remnants should resurface." Kitana konfirmed. "Baraka, Mileena, I will use your assistance. Destroy everything that's in it, gather as many as possible to fight in your stead. Father, you may..." She read his grim face. "Father...?"

His voice and komposure changed back to the noble king. "Daughter... Ako's situation is grim. I do not have her soul... She is in limbo, in very grave danger."

The next thing the doomed kardiokinetic knew, hot air kept licking her face, making her stir amongst the heavy, dry air. The first thing she saw while lying on her stomach was the opaque and dim-lit backgrounds as well as orange smoke blowing across the burnt earth. She slowly rose up and sat still for what seemed like minutes until her head and eyes became clearer. As they the dry eyes adjusted, she made out the large cinnabar door that nearly looked like a lit show curtain with a demon's head as the epicenter decor, nearly looking like the former warlord, Shinnok-

Her face fell and her eyes widened, as she realized... "No...! I'm in the Netherrealm...! My soul must've been damned after Ruby drained me..." She went into a fetal position as she was about to break down, dreading she'd spend her eternity there in this accursed, evil realm, kourtesy of Shinnok's taint over her soul, never getting married to Lao... Then, her mind shifted as she heard distant booms emanating from the Temple itself, almost as if they belonged either to the Makeba or Matoka... As she listened more, they seemed to subdue her... Hyperfixated, she followed them.

They had beaten slightly louder at the main chamber where a pair of crimson, spiked thrones stood. A mirrored, and more tribal undead of the kardiokinetic went to whom it seemed to be Liu Kang as a Dark Emperor. She made a kowtow before him, "Chieftain... The Netherrealm must be secured. With your dishonored puppeteer no longer pulling your strings, we shall rule our domain as one... The Dark Lotus will rise."

He cupped her head and caressed, "Yes, Chieftess. Shinnok would no longer kontrol us. We are now the proud rulers of the Netherrealm. But our duties are not for konquest, at least not yet. Until our domain is no longer waning in khaos by this shift in power."

She rose her head, her eyes gleaming in a bright red as she grinned into her demonic lover. "The power is ours... We must start..."

His hands shifted down her body as she reached to her evil equal and immediately went in for a deep kiss and embrace. She went onto her mate's lap, wrapping her legs around him as her innard went in and out welcoming him... He held her klose as she shifted forward and resumed her passion toward her dominator. His own long, hard organ began to move and harden beneath her as he returned his own affection to his unaliving partner...

Till she felt a lurch from the Emperor, as if he was impacted by some thrown object. The Dark Aiko looked sharply behind her, shocked to see herself, but livelier in appearance standing on a distant balcony! "You! My aliving kounterpart!" She stood up from the Dark God's perch and kicked the fallen skull asunder. "Aiko! We are at a moment of peace and tranquility! How can you be attacking us now!? And why are you here?"

Aiko was either too stunned, shy, or intimidated to say anything as she gritted her teeth more. "Having your soul eternally damned in sin, I see!" She followed the altered tenor voice to Kung Lao, who was also warped with tribal, ashen, and menacing aura. He spun his hat with his finger, challenging the fresh, new bait.

Preventing his bloodlust, the Empress leapt up and in between the two. "I shall konvert you to our ranks! Two of the same fallen angel is better than one!" She took out her blood-stained bo staff from her rear scabbard, and her light self did the same. She knew the odds were three against one, but as her hellish double klosed the distance, she immediately sided away! She still kept charging toward her like a raging bull drawn to red, but she actually kept leaping over her damned double and evaded every strike! She never rose a hand excepting for blocking and her doppelganger hesitated at times wondering if it was out of kowardice.

Kung Lao threw in his razor-rimmed hat which missed Aiko by a hair and instead grinded on a rocky slab. He retracted it, missing his target again as if she was expecting it. He then teleported thru the floor and wound up behind her, Aiko expected that maneuver and dodged as she felt his hot breath like a dragon's. With his swift moves, he subdued her and wrapped his arms tightly, holding her taut. The demonic empress held out a large diamond-shaped gem only this was as pure black as three of their souls. It shined as she held it out and walked toward the new victim.

"Enough!" The Dark God declared from below. He leapt onto the upper floor as he lifted himself with his fiery streaks like rocket exhaust. He kasually walked up to her, knelt next to her full of nervousness, and simply kuffed her chin. "My beloved Aiko. At last, we meet. As the new Emperor I shall welcome you to the Netherrealm with open arms. We will take good kare of you yet." She was actually numb, not knowing how to feel, either scared out of her wits or kind of aroused. "I shall konvert you, so you'd become one of us. And married to Kung Lao."

She only let out a weak squeak, "N-no...! I... need to be wed to the living Kung Lao."

Her twisted twin rose a hand, "...I object." Liu and Lao looked at their mistress as if she grew two heads like a hydra. "No... She kannot be one of us. You already have me, don't you? She kan just be a burden, to us. She may have the taint from Shinnok, but she doesn't belong here... It would be better if there was one of me..." She went up to her hubby, "Look... you wanted to find me in my dystopian future, you finally did and konverted me as soon as you became korrupt."

"Then why would you attack me, young one?" Dark Emperor Liu Kang almost sneered.

She shut her eyes, "Because...that was only a strike of revenge. From when you destroyed all of Earthrealm and me so long ago." The lighter self finally found her kourage. "I... never wanted to fight you. You wanted to find and konvert me, didn't you? And you already have me. ...Besides... all of you... You are us. Ourselves manifested in darkness. What...would she do?" She pointed to her dark half.

Awed by her words, Kung Lao lowered his hands and let her stand.

"Besides..." she struggled to her feet. "I too hate the Elder Gods; you and Shinnok were right; they are petty watchers over lower lifeforms, and not once did I make an offer to them...! Kronika manipulated them too, and Shinnok moved onto the Purgatory by his sister, Cetrion, after Armageddon... And Raiden and your mortal self merged...sacrificed his life with Blaze..." She moped recalling the tragic incident.

The undead trio was actually taken aback by her valiant story. Liu and Lao stood up. "Your virtue has been proven. Such shines a good deed in a weary world. The mediator is proven innocent. Justice and retribution are trifling things. Your vessel is dying, but your soul shall remain elsewhere. You brought validation to us once I've konverted you. If I would've wedded Kitana, perhaps she'd do the same and bring forth peace to us all. I have no desire to klaim your soul; go forth."

She saw him do something she'd never expected; he held out an open palm, lecturing for a peaceful truce. With a thin grin, Aiko slowly held out a hand and shook his, with Liu making a strong grip.

As if she exited a dream, she hardly noticed her hazy transition and exit from the underworld...

A/N: The idea on having Ako go into a coma and then drifting to the Netherrealm as well as dealing with her old nemeses was inspiration from Rocket's POV in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. This was actually what helped me begin this story anyway; after all, Rocket is my favorite Guardian. Of course, the peace talk was also inspired by Kung Lao's ending from MK GOLD; one of the best ever next to Raiden, Fujin and Cyrax! Until Spoony Boony ruined it... And by not fighting was a lil tidbit of both Pikachu not battling his clone in Mewtwo Strikes Back, as well as Cecil dealing with his doppelganger in Final Fantasy IV!

There was also a kallback to Defenders of the Realm on the second-to-last episode, Abandoned, which if you've seen my personal countdown, I've always abhorred that because of Ruby's betrayal as well as tension with Jax. I don't blame Sonya for being anxious, and Nightwolf was the sleek tech genius monitoring him. Aside from Jade and Sindel, she became treacherous, as did Tanya later on, and took it as face value as ambiguous as they were; I wasn't too good on the games due to the relentless AI anyway... I was glad I finally made use of the Flesh Pits, where Kahn and Shang make their own twisted experiments, including Skarlet, Mileena and Meat; it's undoubtedly one of the kreepiest locales in history! Even with the fatal Dead Pool beneath, even when it was refurbished as Shang's Lab where he developed the so-called cure of Tarkat... I ALWAYS wanted it to be obliterated rather than forbidden as klaimed by Kitana in MK11!

There was a reference on Aiko's heart meld, in which she'd done once shown in my first book in the series, Shaolin Monks Part II, in which Lao became kurious on exploring her dystopian future, with Nightwolf warning of the konsequences and inspired by the Vulcan mind meld. It's also likely that Aiko did the same thing with other mutuals such as Liu, Raiden, Nightwolf, Fujin, Sindel, etc. Thus, them holding and using her heart gems too.

It was such a damned relief to get that mega chapter outta the way, over and done with! I hope Aiko's next stop won't be such a hassle; hopefully, it'd give me a lil leeway for my Lunar Levels too, I got a lot on my plate...

Con't VII

Ermac was still holding Skarlet against the Temple wall with his soulkinesis demanding her to surrender Aiko's lifeforce, in which the blood mage refused. She then drew out a dagger and threw it toward her assailant in which he blocked with his right arm and bounced off of, as if he was reading her soul and expecting the assault. Ermac threatened to assassinate her if she'd deny the poor cardiokinetic's blood kode. Mileena bore her Tarkatan fangs while Baraka drew out his armblades ready to slice her until there's nothing left.

Then the observers witnessed the killer gushing out a thick stream of blood drooping down and forging on the paved stones below. The mass rose as an unidentified entity and as soon as it developed bright eyes, it was on the run leaving no prints behind!

"She's fleeing! Baraka, Mileena, after her!" Kitana urged while her father kept a grip as tight as an anaconda's.

They gave chase, but for a brief distance before they were stunned by another massive gush! "I bet she kould give hepatitis!" Baraka muttered.

The trio witnessed the blood mass conjure even a wormhole of the same substance! Mileena performed a lethal aerial kick, but it was as if she slipped on fresh ice as the impact and her legs gave way! She snarled, straining her blurry vision in which she managed to see an opaque sky and a compound of sorts before the aperture closed.

Baraka and Kitana ran up to her. "She got away. My presumption is she has returned to Outworlld," her sane sister stated.

"That accurssed place looked...familiar..."

"It can't be the..." the Tarkatan stopped midsentence.

"Wait. I think I can trace her. If she still has Aiko's essence..." Kitana took out the heart gem which its light was dim summoning an observation; however, she was able to make out an opaque sky, as well as a wooden floor, and massive glass tubes... Before the vision faded after a few moments. "Agh-I think I know where she is! Just as I suspected! She and Aiko are at the Flesh Pits! Father, hold Skarlet's body at bay! Aiko's in trouble..."

Recalling spying on Ruby as well as the salvage mission, Nightwolf built a fire near the Jinsei Chamber; the observers noticed the lime-green glow just a few feet away from the Jinsei. "I've been trying to locate the whereabouts of Aiko's soul. But I cannot trace her anywhere in Earthrealm. It somehow remains out of reach, as if she's in another spiritual plain. I... may need to concentrate and try harder."

"Do whatever you can," Sindel said, who seemed to be the most composed of the group. She noticed her heart gem brighten, then listened in for a few moments as if listening to a phone call. "I've just received a message from my daughter; Kitana is on the hunt for Skarlet with Baraka and Mileena. Jerrod was encasing her, yet somehow, she split and escaped his grasp. And she seems to be heading to Outworld!" Her voice rose in alarm.

"Ermac may retrieve Aiko's soul, if not perhaps Liu Kang if she's in another realm, but it'd all be for naught without her blood kode; she'd be like a vegetable..." Fujin moped in dread.

Meanwhile at the Yin Yang Isle, Lord Liu Kang wore Kronika's Krown, glowing green energy from many benevolent souls, while he swayed his arms konjuring a vision thru the almighty Hourglass. His eyes sizzled as he swayed, until a foggy, grey image emerged within the epicenter, as if it was deprived of light and life. A large mountain with multiple-layered paths encircled the landform, hardly making out the inhabitants treading within them like bipedal ants. "That's Mount Purgatory. Aiko must have her soul purged here, the second plain of existence between life and death." His watchful eyes scanned the eerie landscape for Aiko's spiritual body, which he found at the summit! "Hmm... Normally sinners won't be at the top of the peak unless they're ready to be purified-" He bit his tongue as he saw a taller, opaque figure approach the unconscious comrade. "That's...Shinnok!

"Caro! Take charge here! I must save her before he'd steal her soul!"

"Hurry, Lord Liu Kang!"

He dissipated in embers after he approached the Hourglass' eye.

Meanwhile, Sindel passed the news to Edenia as Asgaarth and Jade became anxious of the delay on Lao and Ako's wedding, as well as Skarlet's invasion; they actually offered to help after they received word of Aiko's gravely condition and Skarlett being loose in Earthrealm then Outworld. "I still kan't believe Liu and Kitana are the only ones who know about the new threat since they're obviously from a different era. They and you, Kung Lao, were disguised as Tarkatans to save Jade from her, and Kitana finished her seamlessly before my fine daughter even had the Tarkatans and Shokan team up against Shao Kahn. ...Still, the name Kotal is new to me... I know only Kitana shall be successful." Her eyes then widened with an epiphany, "Unless..."

With Aiko's sustained though still lifeforce, Sindel konjured her heart gem a vague desert, then she saw two Shokan, a male and female' one of them was known as the grand champion. As if receiving a message, his own heart gem lit up and then he saw Sindel.

"My Queen! A pleasure to talk with you again." Goro replied gruffly as always. Sheeva shared the same appreciation.

The monarch praised the same, though her expression remained serious. She summarized Aiko's sudden ailment and why her wedding screeched to a halt. Goro for once shown concern and for the first time, worry. "Skarlet. She sounds roughly familiar. One of Shao Kahn's kjreations, I presume." Sindel explained she was remade from Ruuby's destroyed vessel in which Goro had no knowledge of. Regardless, she decided to let the Shokan in Australia know, as Skarlet seemed to be one of Outworld's stragglers never incinerated by Blaze nor involved in Armageddon... She then recapped how she was created... Ad after several stretched minutes, Goro let Sheeva know of the new free-roaming intruder!

As Kung Lao was watching over Aiko, more of the Shaolin near the Temple rushed in and offered their heart gems, as did everyone to sustain her life since the Jinsei won't be enough. Goro soon barged in, perhaps sudden assistance by Ermac, and immediately offered to fight off Ako's killer, He recalled the peace treaty in Kuatan and realized Aiko is still Kung Lao's love...like Jen was to the Great Kung Lao whom he regretfully decimated... To redeem himself, he offered to destroy Skarlet and knew how to do it!

She actually wound up in Purgatory, pinpointed exactly where Liu saw her, although she remained unconscious; her vessel floating aloft within the same green shade symbolizing a soul, but within a whirlwind centered in a small cauldron of sorts.

"Ahh... Finally, my prize hast come. The rare specimen, Aiko. The gifted cardiokinetic in which I'd created her dark heart and influenced hers and Kung Lao's. She shall be mine yet." He reached in and brushed his tender fingers onto her face, soft though cold and ashen, as if depriving of life... "I shall always appreciate you, Skarlet." He then sneered and raised both hands which they'd glowed palms first in that same color, as if he just caught his own prey.

"Seize. Before you choose war, from a god."

He spotted a cinnabar glow at the left side of his face. A fiery portal appeared and Lord Liu Kang walked out before the aperture closed. He never flinched, just greeted him casually, "Liu Kang. I thought you were obliterated after Blaze's annihilation."

"A lie. I have survived from another era. My era."

Shinnok snickered, "Your era. You're only just a mere god, paper champion. Nothing more than a tool to serve good or evil, a cog in reality's machine. You're no different than your undead self."

"I now make that machine, Shinnok. I had already defeated your sister, Cetrion, and your mother, Kronika."

His mind flashed back to the aftermath of Aiko's dystopian future, in 2008 when Cetrion was overmatched, then the titaness absorbed her soul. And momentarily, he was transported to the prehistoric era as Liu weakened her, then used his highest tepidity to churn her and her Krown to crystal, and shattering her vessel and soul.

"Time and reality itself are in my hands, and she is not a specimen; everyone is responsible for their own destiny, and she forged hers once she made peace with my Revenant counterpart."

"She still has that taint. Her soul belongs to me. You may have cheated death, but Aiko cannot! I am still the Elder God of DEATH!"

Kitana, Mileena and Baraka arrived at the deserted building that was opaque, inactive, but also looked like a deathly laboratory; there were columns of massive glass tubes still intact, but there were heavy cobwebs as well as hanging chained carcasses from the ceiling. The stench of rotting flesh as well as faint odors of a chemical compound hit their nostrils. "No doubt about it... This is indeed the Flesh Pits," the former princess observed.

"I knew thiss place sseemed familiar," her twisted sis chimed.

"Doesn't look all that different." Baraka added. "All of Shang's and Kahn's vile kreations were made here, excepting you. It's possible there kould be more Tarkatan mutations. And this must be the Dead Pool below!"

The trio found a dark hole going thru the floor, where there'd surely be a thin, camouflaged staircase or absent of one if the soul keepers shall dip their failed experiments or execute their prisoners in acid. The Pool itself was subtle though, no bubbling, sizzling nor gurgles like how a stomach should also digest itself.

Baraka growled, "Hrrgh! Shall we detonate this accursed Netherrealm hole!?"

"Perhaps not, Tarkatan!"

The trio witnessed an ambush as the assailant leaped down from a high perch. She swiftly shot out a few sais at them, in which Baraka and Kitana immediately took the front! "Welcome to my own lair! I kannot wait to make mincemeat out of all of you like I did with Aiko; she would surely join these rigid specimens here."

Mileena burst thru, "Return my ssisster-in-law'sss blood kode!" She snarled then rushed toward the blood ninja.

"Mileena, stop!" Kitana countered, but of course there was no hesitation/ Mileena stabbed Skarlet in the chest, and there were a few thick streaks from multiple strikes. They've fallen but also reformed themselves as if they were mutations. One of them was a distinctive red-orange humanoid as if it was made from fleshy meat. Skarlet charged to Kitana, while Mileena had her hands full with the triple-jointed mutant. Including decapitating his own head in which he used as a rolling rock or drawing out a pair of cleavers from his side pockets. She endured blow after blow, kontrary to his head, until she bounced it back. Then the bio experiment kountered with a lethal slide as if he slithered on blood, disabling her legs!

Baraka leapt and stabbed him in the back; however, like Skarlet, he regenerated and closed his wounds quickly! In a flash of bright red light, Meat disappeared then reappeared behind Baraka and countered with his brute strength. After a few clenching blows, Mileena found an opening and performed an aerial slash across his face, which as if his eye was dangling by a bloody thread. He simply retracted it and became more flexible bashing thru his opponents both sides.

Even Kitana wasn't getting far, as each dicing of her fans left Skarlet bleeding but soon rejuvenating herself. It was as if the three were at a standoff.

Then, heavy debris fell from the ceiling, as if a ballistic missile took a nosedive upon impact! A massive, muscular body with four protruding arms stretched out before he challenged the foreboding mutant! Everyone was startled Goro shown up, yet still the Tarkatan kouple held back. He hammered his four muscular arms onto Meat, even snapping off his limbs! Dazed, Meat was completely immobilized and then krumbled. "Baraka! Incinerate him!"

He obliged and unleashed his draco-like fury along with the Outworld prince and cindered the scrappy in a matter of seconds! Only the torched blood puddles remained, not a single spec of skin, which they knew what the duo meant... The same liquid simply trekked back to the user, Skarlet. With the renewed energy, she was slightly more alert and flimsier! Kitana witnessed the regeneration, yet she hesitated, then avoided each of Skarlet's charges. Goro scrambled in and even tore off limbs more mercilessly than dealing with Meat, which she reaccumulated including her blood after bleeding again.

Meanwhile atop Mt. Purgatory...

Liu knew Shinnok was sizing him up, just as he did before at his Fire Well and during Armageddon. He klosed in with a Bicycle Kick in which Shinnok blocked but was stunned on impact. He then used his staff as a shield, although Liu's moves left decent marks. Their projectiles bounced each other off, until he surprised him with not just lightning, but paused an onslaught before he made his; almost as if Shinnok was blinded by either impossible speed or reading his every move! Liu performed an aerial tackle and shocked the umbrakinetic! Battered, Shinnok staggered rising up.

"Make no mistake, Shinnok; you have fallen like your family. The apple never falls from the tree. I could erase you from existence like I've done your own mother, enslaving me and my komrades, destroying Aiko's future! But I've reversed our fates. With this." He drew out the Krown and laid it on his head, making his eyes sizzle in a bright blue hue. "I am one step further up on the Pantheon than an Elder God. I am a Titan! Caro, now!"

Having enough. the unstoppable Outworld Champion crushed Skarlet with all his bulk snapping her bones, her skin dangling, then let out his dragon breath once more incinerating her vessel to red velvet ashes. A red portal appeared and engulfed the fatally wounded vessel with her secretions.

The quartet muttered all at once. "Skarlet got away again!" Baraka snarled with a wide agape maw.

"Calm yourselves! I only transported Skarlet's remains into the Void." A male voice in what seemed to be almost digitalized boomed from Kitana's amulet.

She identified it immediately, "Caro! Why did you do it? People just may survive in the Void."

"Temporarily, Kitana. Lord Liu Kang gave me the signal from Purgatory."

"What!? In Purgatory!?" Everyone was stunned.

"Then...I must retrieve her soul. Shinnok will claim it."

Shinnok was on shaky legs as he saw a cerulean light in his peripheral vision as well as a sudden heavy, cooling breeze. Liu was just fixated over him, which was just enough of a distraction for Kitana to whirlwind Aiko's soul away. The fallen, flawed Elder God witnessed just that!

He let out some profanities, which was ample time for Liu to casually skedaddle in numerous embers.

What seemed like endless night, Liu's pyrokinesis was enough to keep alit. Seeing the weak though vicious Skarlet hunched over, he simply wound up and released both cerulean and orange streaks of energy, forcing the blood mage back a few feet. Upon impact and inspection, she noticed her vessel becoming lighter, and her limbs began to dissolve in grains of golden sand. "No more timelines and victims will be lost by your insatiable lust and hunger, Ruby." He rose an arm and simply vacuumed her essence churning into a red velvet. Apparently, he used his pyro-chronokinesis in which Skarlet can NEVER regenerate! Just as he did to finish off Titan Shang Tsung! Or what he did to many of his victims such as Art Lean and the nameless tiger monk.

The volley went straight into his Krown which ignited in lime briefly. "Alright, Kitana. It's now up to you. Aiko's final destiny...is in her hands."

A/N: I really wanted to give Goro a chance to shine in this crisis, just as he did against Onaga with the other realms' Champions; after all, he did mention the Great Kung Lao, how he sincerely regretted killing him for Shang and Shao beginning his 9-tournament winning streak, and wanted to redeem himself for the current Kung Lao. I know it sounded too easy erasing Skarlet's essence thru time in the Void, but at least there won't be another reoccurrence needing another Blaze eradicating escapees since death is hardly existent, y'know... After all, I always went with the adage that there ARE fates worse than death by Dark Raiden, and it IS to have your body and soul be erased from history! So beat that, retarded developers! How I wish they and the shilss'd meet the same fate...

I've also been agonizing over the pacing of this fic; the previous wedding fic I've done for F-Zero, To Be Married and Loved, consisted of 10 chapters, so I hope maybe it can just be enough to cover another 10. Besides, my other fics in THIS series has covered about 13-14 chapters with decent pacing, instead of dragging on for an eternity for about 70+. And my largest amount alone was 26 with Sleepy Hollow's Missing Episodes. Along with the Lunar Levels list still in development... Always stuck with amotivation and between a rock and a hard place... I really wanted to wing this just to make more progress.

Two scrappies have been eliminated, Skarlet and Meat; I figured it was a konvenient way, like Noob dividing souls. Never liked the 2, they were a waste of flesh and blood, especially Ruby and Drahmin's pre-evolved form. So, good riddance. Aiko now has her final destiny koming up.

Con't VIII

Aiko gradually woke up with a few moans. The first thing she felt was a cool wind that crossed her face greeting her, then thru her blurry vision, she noticed she was on a smooth, though opaque terrain and rocky peaks in the perimeter. There was a massive orange illumination as if it looked like a sun rising amongst an immense starry sky, hardly seeing a white mound with dust rings to her left as if it belonged to a galaxy, and even a gigantic, shiny Hourglass smack dab in the epicenter. After her eyes cleared, she slowly stood up wondering where she was...

"Aiko..."

As if carried by the crisp air, she heard a soft female voice, then saw a hazy silhouette who eventually turned out to be...

"...Kitana?" She became awed.

Outside the Temple of Light, Ermac was still holding the vessel in his limelight, then his captor abruptly fell down, at least in large chunks! What he did not expect was that his captive churned ashen, collapsed, and dissipated into a dust cloud. Despite the mask, he did show ease, although his expression became stern once he felt a sharp chest pang and noticed the heart gem becoming dark and brittle to the point on breaking apart, small piece by piece. He immediately teleported in the same limelight to the Jinsei Chamber where Fujin denounced Aiko's condition was critical and warned her vitals are fading again! Every observer was desperate, leaning forward, offering her more energy from their own decimating gems konsuming their own lifeforce, even Kenshi, Goro, Jerrod, Sindel, Ka, Kung Lao, Nightwolf, Ashrah, and several monks still present!

"Where...where are we?"

"We are at Heaven, but how you perceive it. You'd already drifted to the Netherrealm and Purgatory; Liu Kang saved your soul from Shinnok and brought you here. For your final destiny. We're at the Chaotian Era, where time ends and begins again."

"We are...in space? But I can still breathe."

"Indeed. There are still light gravity and an atmosphere here. But Liu Kang and I... we began our new journey here. I've joined him after I saw the exalted one met me soon after I became Kahn of Outworld."

Her peripheral vision picked up holographic images of sorts playing next to them, as Kitana touched and caressed Liu's hand. It wrapped around hers. "Are you ready."

"Yes. But no matter how we sculpt the sands, we cannot plan for every possibility. Mortals will make their own choices; new evils will arise."

Liu shifted his body facing her and held her with both warm hands. "Each realm must choose their own destiny. Whatever those choices... we will face them together."

Kitana faced him, with assured, loving eyes, finally reunited with her beloved, preparing to architect history as one...

That display tugged Aiko's heartstrings. Her eyes began to water, and she covered her face with a hand, attempting to hide her emotional expression. But failed as Kitana still noticed her sniffles. There were some whimpers later and her voice became coarse. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...!"

Kitana touched her raw face tenderly, "Aiko..."

Her hand lowered, Kitana brushed some tear tracks away. "I've let you down...! Raiden got you killed...! There was nothing I can do as I was just a kid..." She sobbed.

Kitana reassured, "It wasn't for nothing. It was the motive to decimate Kronika because of her deception, allowing her son, Shinnok and his right-hand, Quan Chi, to reign on Earth. With Edenia in shambles and Outworld in disarray... Liu learnt from his Revenant self, thru Raiden's merger, thus bringing you to the past and starting anew indirectly." Each one of us is responsible for our own destiny." She embraced her. "Your story is yours all along, and it's yet to be finished. This, here, is your last destiny."

Aiko buried her face into Kitana, near her amulet. Kitana continued to caress her back.

"If it weren't for those bad experiences, then we wouldn't have better outcomes, learning from history, thus never being repeated. You are going to achieve your destiny, and through those experiences, everyone lived for the better. Including..." The titaness broke away and faced beside the gigantic sunrise. "Them..."

Aiko sniffed again and followed her gaze. Thru the comforting aura, Liu, Fujin, Raiden, the Great Kung Lao, Jen Reyland and several animals including a few dogs, ferrets, and even a few capybaras were in one group... She could've sworn two of the Gods were waving to her. She greeted them back, even with a kurtsy, before facing Kitana again. "Can I come...?"

"Yes...!" She replied with a gentile smile, belonging to a reassuring, trusting angel, welcoming Ako to their kind at long last.

Aiko made out another sniff, as if stopping tears and running mucus instantly; with her comforted, she let out a thin grin and glazing eyes.

The heart gems were losing their crimson centers quickly, as if batteries had just run out of energy, or in this case drained completely, while at the same time, they were about to crack just like Jerrod's! Everyone became desperate, muttering concern, worry, fear, with their komrade losing the battle. An indication Aiko's existence is-

"NOOO!" Kung Lao staggered and snatched his own diminishing gem and immediately had his own heart conjure and empower her! His face became very tense, his eyes squinting and nearly shut, grinding his teeth with each despairing snarl! He even pumped his hands and gem onto her as if he was giving CPR! Everyone soon noticed he was getting rid of his own vitality to save hers!

Aiko took a few steps toward the angelic cluster, until she felt something. A small obscurity in front of her heart which as she looked down, she was abruptly halted by Kitana's backhand. "But not yet. You still need to live on your destiny."

The cardiokinetic's voice became rampant again. "I'm chosen for what!? We were born for nothing! Treated like experiments to be damned and passing away!" Recalling her deathly experiences being tainted by Shinnok, meeting the Revenants... Was she truly going to be one of them after all...? Her dystopian future koming full circle.

Kitana laid a soft hand on a tight, raised shoulder, "There are guides who assist them; it's whether or not to use their hearts to determine who they are, who they would be, CHANGE their fate. Just as your heart was strong enough to support Liu and me when you were so young and made it happen and thrive now. And made others thrive like Jax's, Johnny's, Kung Lao's... You and Kung Lao's destinies will revolve full circle; something his ancestor cannot. All because they learnt thru the worst to have the positive outcomes. Like a long, powerful storm, and to see the sun again.

"You were always the heart of the team, even despite your defective mind, the heart was empowered overriding it and simultaneously changing the hearts of others." Kitana left a soft peck on Aiko's neck and embraced her again, laying her hand on her heart.

Aiko was just too stunned to say or do anything. So much so that only Kitana witness her flash away! Now feeling just empty space, she whispered, "Make us live long and prosper, and so will you, our chosen."

Back at the Flesh Pits, everything was scattered and broken, even any furniture, lab equipment, debris from the glass tubes, and the ghastly bodies were sliced down from their chains in which they'd been dangling and rotting from for eternity. The growling Tarkatens softened as they were leaving the accursed research facility, with Mileena and Baraka taking the rear. The Dead Pool was also ransacked by the Tarkatan horde, then bubbled like a devastating hot spring, no care of any overflow.

With the last one out, Baraka turned and faced the dying domain. "Experiment this." He took a deep inhale before unleashing a volatile volley of his new fiery breath incinerating the innards, the exterior, and everything in between! He skedaddled knowing it'd erupt into a brutal inferno despite being a contained blaze! The horde simply just stood back and watch the demon overlords' pride and joy crumble into cinders that not even the Netherrealm would reform. Even Mileena sighed with relief, as shown in her composure, despite her face being covered by her vial.

Aiko's spirit sharply descended and entered her broken body, causing her to take a sharp jerk and inhale upon impact as if she woke up from a tidal wave nightmare! Fujin monitored her heart gems beginning to ignite! "She's coming back! Stronger than ever!"

Overexerted, Lao slowly rose despite the lightheadedness and aching chest. "Unh-am I... successful?"

Aiko stirred, her breathing and heart rate starting to labor normally! Her surrounding friends too took exasperations of relief, some more cathartic than others. But Lao embraced her chest tightly with some warm tears. "Don't ever leave me again..."She couldn't help but grin and caress the back of his neck, then kiss his forehead.

Ashrah stated with bliss for once "Aiko. We love you very much, and we're happy you're alive."

In the distant Yin Yang Isle, both Caro and even the capybara herd had witnessed what just transpired via the Hourglass' eye, especially when the herd began to leave happy songs. "By the Gods, she made it."

Despite all the admirations, Ako still felt achy throughout her body; she wondered if it's either from Lao's desperation and deep affection, or her body needed to be on an extensive recovery. She dreaded the wedding'd be postponed from the Valentine's Day date... She was also curious on how long remained unconscious, in which Fujin replied about 12 hours. Lao let herself up in a sitting position, yet still he never wanted to let her go. "Ergh, I appreciate it, but... where's some food when you need it...?"

The Wind God was the first to look up and noticed a cinnabar, warming light, who turned out to be Lord Liu Kang!

He smiled as he walked thru the ecstatic bunch. "Welcome back, Aiko."

She smiled and dove into his muscular chest, "Liu Kang...!"

After he sat down beside her, he explained everything about Aiko's spiritual journey that can be quite similar to Dante's Inferno. Kenshi couldn't wait to share it to Hanzo, with Takeda still stationed in Japan.

"Um...Liu... Kung Lao and I have been thinking...um... If we were to be wed and if we should pass on, with one spirit awaiting the other...can we...still be in the afterlife, but actually join the Pantheon?" Everyone, but her soulmate was astonished of the offer.

He nodded, "Yes, our chosen. You have proven worthy and virtuous once you've made peace with our Revenant counterparts; they are currently, officially residing in the underworld now. If you and Kung Lao's will remain unchanged, I will see to it that I shall exalt you both in your next life,"

She was ecstatic, "Oh! Lao too?"

"Lao too,"

The timekeeper accepted and stated the Great Kung Lao decided to rest with Jen after Shang's torment for 500 years. Their destinies are about to make a revolution. He declared they'd both be the new Gods of Earthrealm, as replacements in the broken Pantheon! And Aiko's journey and her virtues were proven to do so and once they are married, she and Lao's taints were forevermore removed!

A/N: Ngl, this and the Netherrealm scenarios were loosely inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as well as Dante's Inferno which I've highlighted in one of my earlier epics for Sleepy Hollow, named the Missing Episodes of that, my own version of Season 5.

I also couldn't resist continuing the story shortly after; in time before I'd go back to work and hopefully ease my progress with my Lunar Levels. I always feel I've a lot on my plate here... Hopefully I shall do the upcoming wedding and/or the epilogue shortly if life doesn't get too hectic like it always has been since this fic started.

Finale

Back at the Kung Kottage, Kiba was just following the other pets, Little Guy and Jehn, around, even playing with them at times while munching on his Frosty Paws snack in an interval. Twelve hours have passed, and fortunately, he wasn't alone pet sitting. Eventually, Nightwolf came in as Ling unlocked the front door; he escorted both her and Jin from the Wu Shi Academy since Aiko's sudden ailment by Skarlet, as they were still awaiting Kung Lao to be taken to the Temple of Light via black sedans. They'd witnessed the spouse-to-be rush there, followed by the shaman and he didn't want Ling and Jin to worry nor be involved for fear avoidance. The Kottage itself remained the same, and the trio noticed the white rabbit became a little nicer to the wolf.

Meanwhile, within the Jinsei Chamber and surrounded by her heart gems still, Aiko was feeling heart palpitations along with heartburn due to acid in her throat, and she immediately drank a small portion of the Jinsei. Fujin hadn't seen her and even Lao this bad of shape since Liu decimated Shinnok back in 1994. She and Kung Lao were sharing some food together, mostly some planned appetizers konsisting of scallops, shrimp, eel, sushi, lobster and crab, for their wedding including fried seafood shish kebabs and sour rice. Surprisingly, only the monks, Fujin, and Ashrah stayed, while everyone else was mentally healing and making preps for the late wedding; it seemed it was going to be February 15th instead... As fate was against them... Fujin assured at least it's after Valentine's Day making it easier to remember and work with notwithstanding Aiko's mom's birthday, Lao's birthday followed by the romantic holiday itself. Aiko wondered how Ling and Jin are doing in which Lao assured they should be back at the Kottage with Nightwolf. Aiko was still unsure what's next after their marriage.

Fujin stated, "If Sonya is available, she can help change your documents, even Aiko's name and your marital status; I'd recommend keeping the papers with your maiden name too, Aiko, for reference."

But until then...there's only one more mission!

February 15, 1999, 8:00 pm, Chinese Standard Time

The wedding might have been depleted of some appetizers, but everything else ran just as they should. Nightwolf enhanced some surveillance and kept a heart gem on hand in case of another conflict. The crowds were gathering with several more invitees than usual, including distant allies from the Special Forces, Outworld including Goro, Edenia, and the Yin Yang island, each with a heart gem for that same motive, even those awaiting and preparing Lao at the Academy. While Aiko was again being dressed by Sindel. China was bustling with positive energy underneath the clear indigo sky encasing opaque grey, pink clouds. As if the Shaolin Temple was a beacon amongst the massive caves.

Within the main chamber, Cantonese brides donned on a highly embroidered red silk dress, which consisted of a petticoat, adorned with the images of a dragon and a phoenix, as well as a long skirt.

In addition, the groom, wearing a dark crimson tux, was expected to give a pair of matching dragon and phoenix bracelets made of gold to the bride, to be worn during the wedding festivities. The dragon and phoenix motif symbolized a blissful union, as described by the Chinese phrase translated to a union of the dragon and phoenix. Which was fortunate since Lao's zodiac sign was the dragon anyway.

Aiko's hair had the same pink cotton thread. She wore a red skirt symbolizing happiness, and when the invitees arrived, Kai carried her to a sedan again.

The gigantic gong was hit several times, announcing all invitees to attend, and the union was about to start as soon as the future couple approached. The Shaolin escorted Lao then Aiko to the Temple of Light, past the rows of seats, with their best men and women seating in the front while other attendees sat in the rear. Each couple sat together side by side.

Liu and Kitana with Nightwolf, Jin and Ling sat at the upmost front seats. The rear had Sindel and Jerrod, Sonya with Johnny, Jax with Vera, Kaui with Frost and Smoke, Kenshi with Takeda, Mileena and Baraka, Taven and Jade, Goro and Sheeva, with the singles such as Kai, Ashrah, Liu's grandfather, Dr. Esuna Kavita, and Li Mei at the very ends. As well as some guardsman located at the outer perimeter before the large archway such as the Chameleons and Asgaarth. Caro was also at the same locale due to his immense size yet was still elongating his neck overlooking the ceremony. Heck, there were even a few uninvited guests who shown up at the last minute such as Bo' Rai Cho and even the free-roaming scout, Frederick San!

The red carpet decorated the epicenter of the passage, even up the steps, to where Fujin addressed the ceremony.

As promised, the Wind God became the minister at the main hall in front of the Temple:

"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here tonight to witness Kung Lao and Aiko Krackle in their holy matrimony. To have and to hold, through better or worse, through sickness and in health, and through rich or poor.

"We have joined here today to share an important moment. Through their time together, they have seen their love and understanding of each other grow and blossom and now they have decided to live out the rest of their lives as one.

"If anyone were to speak why they should never be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

There was a pause, and it remained silent. No objections were made, nor any hands were raised amongst the crowd. Fujin then resumed:

"And now, they shall read from their wedding vows." There were two folded sheets of rice paper, and Lao took his on the center pedestal, which was co-written by his best man, Liu Kang.

The descendant then cleared his throat and looked at Aiko in her eyes.

"I, Kung Lao II, take you, Aiko Krackle; my kindred friend, my guiding light, my devoted love and life partner from this day forward. In the presence of our family and friends, I shall give you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner thru the good times and the bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise I shall always love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals and desires, to honor and to respect you dearly, to laugh with you and to cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Lao stated to Aiko it was always a great honor to love, cherish, protect and to grow old together, even if one should pass on. He too vows to stay by her side and reunite in the afterlife to join the Pantheon but also carry on his ancestor and Jen's legacy; to break the 500-year curse since they hadn't succeeded, unlike them. They promised to surpass them in eternal bliss aside from skill. And hopefully set a positive example to Chinese and Americans alike.

The cardiokinetic took the right folded sheet of paper from the pedestal and faced the new chosen one as she said her vows co-written by the maid of honor, Kitana. She smiled, trying to hold back her tears of happiness. She read her vows in a tight throat which later lessened:

"I, Aiko Krackle, take you, Kung Lao, as my strong life partner and my one and only true love. With all my heart and soul, in which I had offered to you, I will treasure our bond and love you each day more so than with any other man. I shall be your guide both living and dead, as Raiden and the Great Kung Lao are to you. You had changed my perception on love as well as on the Chinese forever, and for that, I shall trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, and to hold you dearly through good times and bad, regardless of what our past and future may hold. I give you my hand, my heart, my soul and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."

Aiko gave her his hand in marriage; all she offers is her heart and soul which she pledged to him for time immemorial. She wanted to remain by his side, even if one of them should pass. And until they both do, together, they shall reunite with their friends at the Pantheon and become eternal defenders of Earthrealm.

After the vows, they paid respect to Fire God Liu Kang, Fujin, and to their ancestors including the Great Kung Lao as well as Aiko's European and Matokan heritage, to their elders, and finally to each other.

Fujin asked each the bride and groom they wish to be wed, to be their lawful wedded husband and wife, in which they said yes, or rather in Mandarin, wǒ zuò.

"The rings please."

With that cue, there were several long chirps as a grown animal with brown fur waddled up to the altar; Aiko at first suspected it may be the son of the man and maid of honor, Cheung Kang, but instead, there was a surprise visitor! An adult capybara emerged from the left underside, and Aiko knew it was Kikyo with her affectionate cries and dark brown fur! Two royal blue palettes were hung from her neck, and the couple each took the rings, then Kikyo returned to Liutana's perches. With this ring as a token of love and affection, they've each wed as they repeated their mentor.

By the power vested in Fujin from the Gods and the Shaolin, he pronounced them man and wife, and he gave the permission to kiss the bride!

The pair then looked deeply into their eyes. After a pregnant pause, they slowly leaned in, closed their eyes, and kissed passionately. Everyone was ecstatic as they applauded for the completion of their union as Kung Lao and Kung Aiko!

One by one, everybody was escorted to the Wu Shi Academy for the reception. The bride and groom exited first, escorted by Fujin via the usual wind portal, while the others followed; Caro, though, transported himself there to prevent congestion.

The lion dance was performed in the background by the Shaolin's' wives and daughters, those who were talented, to bring blessings and good luck to the newlyweds and their families. It symbolized bravery, wisdom, and prosperity, and was often accompanied by live drumming and percussion instruments, with the instruments provided not just by the monks, but a few from the Matoka, courtesy of Nightwolf as the wife's best man! It was also believed to drive away evil spirits and bring happiness to the couple. Eventually, by the time the ritual was complete, the music shifted to a more contemporary setting; the newlyweds even noticed a lot of their signature songs were being played, even several of the themes chosen for their peers!

The banquet consisted of five to ten courses, with ingredients such as shark fin, abalone, lobster, squab, sea cucumber, swift nests and fish roe in soup or as decoration on top of a dish to symbolize fertility. The rest of them included the aforementioned roasted pig symbolizing heading to fortune as well as purity and virginity. There was also a course of seaweed, jellyfish and bean curd. And finally, the course with the shark fin soup with crabmeat and the Eight Treasures Soup, which consisted of red mung beans, black rice, glutenous rice, peanuts, dried lily slices, dried or fresh Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and Chinese pearl barley.

Each of the attendees ate, and were also grouped together by mostly one couple, with several suiting large groups such as the Shaolin; the ringbearer, Kikyo, had to leave before the banquet as capybaras in general were introverted and couldn't endure large crowds. Caro didn't mind the average-sized entrees, as they were just enough in frequency to satisfy his appetite. Soon came the cake-cutting ceremony for dessert which had chocolate with encased nuts and berries!

There were numerous conversations overlapping the Academy, but one that stood out was when Johnny came to the Kung newlyweds and offered if their story shall be included as the epilogue of the Great Kung Lao's odyssey; they've accepted, but they weren't sure who'd play their roles, and they weren't interested in working with Hollywood and contracts stealing their souls. Cage then thought for a moment before coming to the decision on making a sort of ending crawl similar to the biopics. They shall allow the Great Kung Lao's and Jen's destinies come full circle.

By 9pm, Chinese Standard Time, Lord Liu Kang went to the epicenter of their White Lotus base and declared it's now time for Kung Lao and Kung Aiko to grab their belongings and then they're off to a week-long honeymoon within the Edenian Palace! The crowds cheered, wishing them a safe journey and to have fun at Edenia! The couple's stomachs were full, yet they remained cheerful as they'd headed out of the Academy where a cerulean whirlwind-shaped rift awaited them, with Kitana standing beside it! At the same time, series of cherry blossom rose petals as well as pieces of olive branches were tossed to them, with the latter requested by Frederick! Everyone involved knew for a fact that the Kung wedding was a phenomenal success without any intrusions.

And everyone, including their family and friends, all know in their hearts that Raiden, the Great Kung Lao and Jen Reyland shall be proud.

Sindel, Kitana, Jade, Asgaarth and Jerrod pre-arranged the royal blue chamber that was occupied by the princess during her youth as the main quarters for the newlywed Kungs! After they had a restful night, they'd done a variety of activities:

They'd often frequent the majestic inside pool, intermixed with a few capybara herds welcoming them! They would often discuss with the sovereignty during meals on their blossoming relationship, even during the dire times here including the Onaga War, Shinnok's invasion, even past history of the Great Kung Lao! Jade and Jerrod were the main guides throughout the tour of the prestigious grounds, including the main throne room, and many places they hadn't been to before such as the water meadows where the Bird-Men, capybara herds, and wildlife live. Even Taven visited and offered to give the couple a tour of his own domain restructured from its ruins and met Orin for the first time! Even encountering the rubble that stood at the southern crater from the former Pyramid of Argus, where they mourned over Raiden and mortal Liu Kang's grave sacrifices.

There was one time in which Aiko succumbed to that time of the month, and Jade immediately suggested for her to use tampons; Aiko was nervous on using them on account on hearing about Toxic Shock Syndrome and they'd to be changed within every few hours. But the Edenian warrioress kept persuading her, much to her annoyance. Kung Aiko was unsure on mating with Lao, as she'd be too infertile and that her birth was a near-death-experience for her and her mom suffering from complications, thus her early entrance into the realms... Still, they got intimate, even brought over the tribal drum they've used before. They simply went everywhere excepting the fourth base.

For the final activity on their last night within the ethereal realm, most members of the royal guard including Li Mei escorted the Kung couple to their prized vessel, the Netherwing! The airship that was modeled after Shang's Nethership, inspired by the fallen Dragonfly, and was flown to the crater during the Battle of Armageddon. It flew over many of Edenia's beautiful fields and mountains.

All too soon, the honeymoon was over. Both Kung Lao and Kung Aiko gathered their belongings, even some Edenian food and souvenirs. There were also still some of the foods from the reception awaiting them.

Their everlasting bond never wavered nor faded. The Shaolin's best artisans crafted the statues stationed beside the Great Kung Lao and was completed during their last day in Edenia; just like their unbreakable relationship, as the Chinese Romeo and American Juliet, they'd succeeded and exceeded Lao's ancestor. They always wished someday soon, Americans and the Chinese would have more peaceful terms. For not only did they live a longer, more prosperous life than Kung and Jen, they were indeed chosen as members of the Pantheon in their next life, where they've taken residence within their mobile turf, a large, layered pink cloud mass soaring thru the heavens, in realm to realm excepting the underworld. Little by little, their family gathered there including their close rodents, and sometimes Nightwolf. Although they never bore a child of their own, Jin became a promising warrior and archer in his own right, even as gay, and he was also adopted by the couple when he reached 18, and both Kai and Nightwolf became his best mentors.

Lao and Aiko's relationship flourished thru the eons. Their souls, as well as their history, have been forever secure, with no worries of the revenants nor a dystopian future, nor Shinnok claiming their souls, nor being separated upon death, as it was also simultaneous, and natural.

The Kung legacy shall live on forever, just like them...

A/N: Just a big-lipped alligator moment here; if I've any more ideas, the Kungs will still live. I still might do a few side stories at times, in conjunction with my countdowns and occasionally on Caro's Baby Journal. I really want to make this as the second series finale, if any. Like Star Trek with The Undiscovered Country then Nemesis with Picard as lousy the latter is. And there was a slight reference in the previous chapter to First Contact as Worf destroyed the Borg's dish as part of an interplanetary beacon designed to summon other Borg in the 21st century; luckily it never activated as Worf decimated it declaring, "Assimilate this." This could also be a middle finger to the accursed lab Shang used to make a suppression of the Tarkat disease, a retarded ripoff of COVID, in MK 2023. The Flesh Pits, Dead Pool and lab shouldn't be forbidden, they must BE ERADICATED!

The concept of them joining the Pantheon was out of curiosity, as I'd made concept art, almost like a magical girl, of Aiko soaring around and having a pink cloud fortress similar to Superman's Fortress of Solitude; adding Jehn and Little Guy was a nice touch. And I love pink clouds so much.

All this time, ever since I've started my Khronology series back in March 2022, after my komeback with Shaolin Monks, I always respected Kung Lao, and goddamn! He deserves to be in the series itself, and now he, along with my beloved OC, had finished their story. There was another wedding fic, for F-Zero named To Be Married and Loved, in which another disrespected character, Rick Wheeler/Ryu Suzaku II, was married to another OC of mine, Tinsel Steelus, becoming Tinsel Steelus Wheeler.

The truth is, not only do I want to give closure to the Kungs and make time for my Lunar Levels, but I also needed to relieve my angsts since one of the content creators I hate, Crazy Clement/Clementj64, has been married to Caro back in December. They shall be damned, as he can be a liar, manipulator, and a possible nympho-egomaniac psycho! Much as like Scourge and Fiona! Not just MK9 and the vid summarizing Raiden as the villain irritating me so goddamn much! May I wish the worst for them!

It wasn't easy exploring these new Cantonese traditions, unlike the Japanese ones in the other fic. And not even Rick and Tinsel bore a child neither, based on my own birth deficiencies. Also, since I was exhausted upon making the last chapter, it was a relief I eliminated Ruby/Skarlet the way I did, as I NEVER want to have a repeat of Armageddon and a reincarnation of Blaze. All good things must come to an end after all... To be concluded, not cancelled. And I'm so glad I've given some closure here, which is the most important thing to me in all media.

If I may continue the series, there shall be more side stories in conjunction with baby Caro's journal. Until then, this shall function as the final main installment in my Khronology. The Kung family and its history shall always carry on as a positive niche in MK's history. Jin, along with Cheung, shall be the next in line and journey to all the kombats to come. The Kung legacy shall always be honored and will never die, no matter what...