Mortal Kombat: The Return of the Dragon King

A/N: Welcome to my fourth Mortal Kombat epic! Just like the last one I did for Deadly Alliance, Mortal Kombat: Vengeance, Deception is kompletely new to me... Especially as far as Konquest goes; perhaps it'll take another 4 months like the last one.

As usual, it shall start with the brief prologue, with just a lil recap from the kliffhanger of the last epic...

Prologue

At the Palace ruins erected by the enslaved villagers of Sun Do, atop of an Outworld plateau, Fujin and Raiden were standing idly; it was such a brutal, tumultuous fight against the evil duo known as the Deadly Alliance, consisting of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. According to the Godly brothers, it had been 500 years since they'd formed the Unholy Alliance, which was the same type of threat in the Great Kung Lao's time... Thankfully, his promising descendant and Nightwolf were successful thwarting them on their mission to enslave Liu Kang's soul while resurrect the Dragon King and his undead army.

The Champions and their comrades were just escorted as they returned to Earthrealm, some to Edenia, via Nethership that they powered up. The pair took in a peaceful respite.

...Until they heard a weak chuckle.

Following the deep bass voice in the opaque chamber, they soon noticed it belonged to the pale roaming sorcerer, Quan Chi, still alive and barely hanging by a thread with his broken, bleeding neck. They went over him wearing irritated looks. "I thought we slain him!" Fujin denounced.

"Not quite, blunder Gods..."

The Wind God was about to smite him, until Raiden held him back. "What is it that you know of Onaga, Quan ChI?" he responded in earnest.

The blanch Oni made a wry grin. "You're too late, lowly Gods...! Onaga will soon be reborn. We have offered many souls to the Dragon King and his loyal army. Now his rebirth is nearly komplete. It is only a matter of time...!"

The brothers gazed onto the inactive mummified remains. Fujin objected until Raiden forced him to observe their eyes glowing in an eerie green hue! The sight startled Raiden, but Fujin was more boastful, "We can smite them easily!"

Quan chortled again, "You have no power here...! The undead slaves of Onaga are unbeatable! And with the souls locked in each of the many sarcophaguses, they can easily overwhelm you as they shall await their master's second awakening...! It won't be a cakewalk once the Dragon King has risen All realms show bow down to Onaga's insatiable might!" The evildoer let out some chest laughs!

Irritated, Fujin declared, "Shut UP!" He unleashed a sphere of aero energy onto the dying foe! Yet, Raiden was still fixated onto the army's abrupt stir...

Through flashes of intense, radical lightning, both Raiden and Fujin were drawn away from Quan Chi's lifeless vessel as they beheld a horned king which seemed to be nine feet tall! They were able to make out his piercing orange eyes glaring down onto them, and the shiny spikes protruding from his three-foot wingspan as he slowly walked from some other chamber! He then let out a roar which would belong to the Devil Himself as he elongated his arms and rose his head!

Their nightmare has kome into fruition!

The second koming of the Dragon King, Onaga, the mighty, omnipotent ruler of Outworld exceeding Shao Kahn, has been resurrected...

Raiden just stood in shock, as if from his own electricity, with his mouth agape. "...It kan't be...!"

The reanimated followers rose from their bows and kowtows, fixating onto the intruders. Fujin noticed their foreign incantation, perhaps worshipping their master being reborn, and he conjured up a F3 funnel! Disgusted by the deathly legion, he swept them up seamlessly as they were being tossed in the volatility then aimed toward their own lord! The impacts irritated the intimidating serpent, who unleashed his fiery fury onto the brother Gods who dodged his stream of methane and other lethal chemicals that'd belong to a flaming cocktail!

Raiden and Fujin fired up and released their lethal volleys of lightning and wind, in which it only held the invincible Dragon King back! He continued his march as if it was nothing, before the Gods tried again, more furious this time.

What they didn't notice were several of their disciples running towards them and beholding the horrifying display of the mountainous Dragon! Upon his right shoulder, it received a chip from a sharp, shiny edge of a tossed hat! The streams of elements halted as they faced the new assailant as did Onaga, who received the same hat as it returned like a boomerang!

"Kung Lao!" Raiden hollered in disbelief and terror; he never expected to see his warriors amongst this peril!

Nevertheless, the courageous Oriental was ready for battle as he Teleported kloser to the beast!

The other Kombatants within the group konsisting of Sonya, Jax, Johnny, Kitana, and Nightwolf were observing the battle. They seem very anxious on assisting their hapless mentors. Especially knowing the fact they seemed powerless in Outworld! "Master Raiden! We took the rip back to Outworld from my portal device!" The general shouted over the khaos!

Raiden and Fujin were flabbergasted they were willing to risk their lives in an effort which seemed futile! "Stay back, Sonya!" The thunder God implored.

"No!" Lao took the offensive as he dashed toward him with his hat drawn! He charged and sliced Onaga's abdomen, then performed his lethal Whirlwind Kick, before he was caught in his crushing grip that kan rival an anaconda's! He picked up the former monk as if he was nothing but a doll, before he used his right claw to pry apart a leg! Lao was heard grimacing, and a fiery serpent made of orange flames burst out of its retainer! The dragon took the form of the towering Animality as it lunched on the other dragon's head! However...Onaga remained kompletely unfazed as it tossed Lao away and attempted to crush the S-shaped essence! It reared back and breathed fire onto his face, but it was just a sheer blinding display when Onaga klutched its head sideways!

Lao slowly stood up despite his excruciating legs as he raised an arm to summon the pyromaniac back into the golden dragon head! The last thing he wanted was to let his Shaolin brother's soul be decimated then thralled by the Dragon King. Each Kombatant then dove in and used their own formidable prowess, much to Raiden's astonishment.

Everyone was like annoying fleas as Onaga seamlessly mopped the floor with them! Lao, Raiden and Fujin watched in terror as their friends fell! "Liu Kang! Get inside me...!" he ordered despite the lethal pain koursing thru him.

Raiden wouldn't allow it as he made an aerial dive into Onaga's gut, before raising a hand as sparks flew! "Stand down, Kung Lao!"

The electrocution worsened the former monk. He used a hand to make him rise, but only partially as his head swam! He hardly saw his mentor hold back the abominable reptile and he kould hardly make out Fujin begging him to stop! "Ergh...Raiden...!" He barely had the strength to cry for him.

Raiden still refused to surrender or run! Then, his still crippled body crouched as he growled in a foreign language! Recognizing the spell, the nimbler Fujin knew he was performing the unthinkable!

His eyes widened, almost churning as placid as them, then froze as he embraced the horror! Raiden's own body was lighting up like a dazzling sky during a firework finale as bolts of lightning went into him! The Wind God knew what he had to do... His scream for his dear brother was hardly audible before a ginormous white explosion decimated the interior of the Palace! The outer structure kollapsed upon the impact, burying everyone and everything caught in the blast!

Moments later...the smoke still remained, and despite the rubble enveloping the floor, Onaga rose up with barely a scratch! The unchallenged abomination made his body snap, as intact as ever! He shook off the soot as if it was just a mere firecracker that harmed him! He was the only living specimen left as the newer supreme ruler of the accursed realm...

As soon as he picked up a shiny, golden amulet with the jade epicenter, Onaga let out an ear-piercing roar, declaring his reign would soon kommence!

A/N: Well, since there were no music listings for the intro cinematic, I'd have to improvise... Figures. The Evil King Bowser from Super Smash Bros Ultimate by the channel, Music I Want in Super Smash Bros Ultimate shall play when Onaga emerges, and the Gods fail to stop him. Fatality from Shaolin Monks soon follows. Then as Raiden sacrifices himself, Trinity Dream from Matrix Reloaded shall sound. Character Select from MK Deception shall play in the opening kredits for the epic, with Second Coming by Toonami after that; btw, this is the first time I used an actual Toonami song, like ever!

The working title was named Trojan Dragon, based on Onaga's inception; however, it was frowned upon by voters on the Twitter poll I made... Instead of having a subjective title that'll change its name depending on the language, i.e., France using Mystification since Deception means Disappointment, I decided to keep the title as basic as possible, so Return of the Dragon King sufficed...

So, the prologue's nice and short like it should be. But the question remains, who survived and who hasn't within Raiden's intense blast?

A/N: Before I start, this story's pretty much going to be in 2 separate parts; almost every chapter will have an A and B plot, with Konquest being the most obvous, while at the same time there'd be the main plot involving Onaga. Konquest and Shujinko....may pretty much be set in the backseat; not a huge fan of neither, though it was still interesting, especially with 616's LP. So, let's get this started.

Con't I - In the Beginning...

Beneath a clear indigo sky, the dragon emblem of the Mortal Kombat tournament stood proudly as it overlooked a small, desolate village. A towering, white fountain was smack dab in the center of a mahogany tile floor, where several kids were having what seemed to be like recess as nearly everyone roleplayed and charade their favorite fighters near the park.

One of them smirked with his arms tightly on his hips at another kid wearing a blue garb compared to his red one, "Shang Tsung, I will win the Mortal Kombat tournament, and free Earthrealm from your tyranny!"

"Is that so!" The challenger retorted. "Then it seems I will need a stronger opponent to defeat the great Kung Lao." He motioned two kids that were stacked atop each other who marched up to the superfan. "Goro...FIGHT!"

The red oni named Shujinko put his dukes up and was prepared for any one of the four-armed assailant's onslaughts. All the other students just cheered and watched in awe at the intimidating sight. Their limbs continued to wave, and they were about to sock the star pupil one!

"We're late!"

Suddenly, the bell rang, signaling all the kids to return to the numerous siheyuas and hutons throughout the ancient community. They scattered all over, that their scampering feet didn't even make the nearby unconscious man stir. He was sprawled out, belly down, next to the woods. Kung Lao's eyes began to flutter as he groaned under his breath. His right hand was trembling before he used it as support to help him sit up. He waited for his vision to clear and for his strength to return. And as he gazed upon his surroundings, he realized he wasn't necessarily dead, as he'd be where only the Elder Gods knew instead of in Earthrealm...

When he finally no longer felt fatigued, Lao stood and readjusted his hat. "I need to head back to the Wu Shi Academy..." he thought aloud.

At the corner of his peripheral vision and keen hearing, he noticed two kids, with one of the boys being a sort of guide to another. "Hi! You must be Shujinko, the one Master Bo' Rai Cho mentioned." He nodded. "I've seen you around before. You and your friends are always pretending to be famous warriors in that park over there. My name is Apep. Master Bo' Rai Cho asked me to show you the other schools where he teaches martial arts. Follow me!"

Lao's jaw dropped and his eyes widened as he gasped, "Master Bo' Rai Cho? He's here!?" He was flabbergasted how he must've survived after that ordeal when the former monk and Fujin dissipated the Soulnado moments before the former defeated the Deadly Alliance. He wasn't too struck about the drunkard's sacrifice, though Lao was certainly intrigued. He decided to tag along with the two tweenagers as they ran to a larger shoji.

As he did, there were a few other tardy stragglers who almost bumped into him. Lao was stunned; however, it wasn't until a peasant walked thru him! Lao noticed his body literally ripple as the peddler pretended he wasn't there! He immediately startled as he inspected his translucent self, with only his arms and feet making kontact! A cry was caught in his throat, "It can't be...!"

He dreaded he had passed, and his spirit never crossed over to another realm as he recollected the explosion back in Outworld... Not even Apep's words hardly got him out of his funk.

"Here it is! This is another of Master Bo' Rai Cho's classrooms. I think he's starting another lesson right now. You should go inside. I will wait for you out here," he said as he stood idly beside the wooden stairway. Shujinko slowly treaded up as he followed the sharp grunts emanating from inside. Lao did the same as he was desperate to get some answers, even if they were from his mentor that often has one too many...

As soon as he reached the handle for the sliding door, his hand just instantly vanished around it, much to his terror. He tried again, but it transpired with the same effect. "I... truly am an apparition. Maybe I have died in that blast after all...!" His sight spotted Shujinko receiving a lecture in Mandarin before he practiced some fencing. Lao wondered if his clear essence would go straight thru the entrance! To his surprise, there was no obstruction, almost as if walking thru air. Nevertheless, he watched the sensei's class for several minutes which were just basic kombat skills. He knew better not to bother the big oaf; however, he was also certain he might not notice him...

The boys cheered with their arms raised saluting their teacher, "Ok kids, get your stuff!" he articulated in Lao's native language. All he did was follow this Shujinko boy around. He walked out and met up with his pal.

"Good, you are finished. Come on! Let's go to class!" He spoke enthusiastically.

Again, the promising disciple followed to another shoji to the northeast, just across a perfect crimson bridge over a thin stream.

"Here it is! Master Bo' Rai Cho says you are interested in becoming a real warrior. If you're going to be the best, you will have to train hard. It is not easy, but it is worth it. Go inside to watch the next lesson."

Out of disinterest, Lao just stood outside, and he never minded the chilly breeze nor the drizzle at all; he could only feel the slight wind coming off the rivers, but it never fazed him. After he tried to process what the Elder Gods was going on, the klass had already been kompleted.

Shujinko arrived beside Apep again, "The next class is beyond this bridge. We need to pay the toll to get across, but I've no money. We must find some other means to pay the toll. I hear the toll man really loves ham, maybe that can help."

Over the southern red bridge, Shujinko dashed over to the deserted storefront. Before he and Lao knew it, the sky was getting darker. The kid then found another who was a tad older than him. He taught him how to meditate in a lotus position. Lao took a loud sigh, but much to his surprise, it was as if the clouds dashed by before the sun rose. He was never sure how nor why the weather and time of day transitioned so fast...!

Out of his curiousity, he walked thru one of the little huts, and on the wooden table was a pile of opened, disheveled newspapers. In Chinese, Lao scanned the page, and upon his spotty sight from his lingering daze, he saw something was off! At the top right header on one of the pages, the date read January 2...1964! Lao backed away a few feet, never worrying on bumping into any furniture. "So... I hadn't died after all. I... actually went thru time...! How is this possible!?"

His wavering mind nearly lost sight of Shujinko, but it wasn't long before he spotted Shujinko telling the butcher of the problem he had with the toll guard.

"You are right. The guard at the bridge must be hungry. Please take this ham to him." He immediately went to the guard across another blood red bridge beneath a roof.

"Ham...! I love ham! Thank you very much!"

He scuffed the rare remains down within a matter of seconds before he licked his fingers. Shujinko signaled Apep to run across before the guardsman returned to his perch.

"I do not know what you've said to the guard, but it worked! Let's go to the next lesson."

Shujinko chased after his guide once more, and Lao with nothing else to do decided to tread behind them to an even larger shoji.

"Here we are. As usual, I promised I will wait outside. I've already learned those lessons anyway."

Lao just sat on the dirt road, "Raiden... If only you were here." Before the possibilities of his death entered his mind, there was more chitchat.

"You're halfway done. Just one more training room before the main school. The bridge is clear now, follow me."

It seemed that Shujinko was gaining in speed and stamina after every session, unlike Apep who was found panting.

"Whew, I'm getting tired. Go on inside, I'll be waiting for you."

It seemed to be the same old routine; Lao grew irritated, wondering if it'd be nothing more than deja vu chasing after Shujinko into class after class.

"You're back, now let's try some more advanced maneuvers."

They ran beneath a wide, elaborate, green tilted roof before they encountered a series of windows engraved in a walled building which seemed to stretch around a formal courtyard consisting of a cascading fountain and a granite floor. Lao knew for certain this was where he and Liu Kang were taught when they were the same age as the numerous children here.

"Last stop, the Earthrealm Academy of Martial Arts! Most of us call it 'Fight School.' This is where students learn the most advanced techniques. Some of the best warriors of Earthrealm has studied here. I am training in Tai Chi these days, but I hope I will learn more fighting styles. Someday, I want to be the greatest warrior in Earthrealm. I will show the real Shang Tsung who is the best and kick him back all the way to Outworld! Anyway, I have to go to class now, I hope you decide to learn at our school. Bye!"

With a sprint as fast as a deer's, Apep was off, leaving a determined Shujinko behind. When Lao materialized at the other side of the thin paper door, he couldn't help but mimic Bo's techniques with pride... Deja vu and nostalgia were beginning to hit him like a hurricane gust!

All too soon it was over, though Lao remarked he mastered those so-called elitist fighting styles with ease! By the time he gathered his bearings, he noticed everyone had vanished! It was almost a minute before he spotted Bo' patrolling the square, blocking his most prominent follower.

"I'm sorry, Shujinko. But I cannot let you pass these gates."

"Why not?" He responded in a coy manner.

"The walls of this town are here for a reason; to protect the citizens from foreign dangers." He rose a hand motioning to the ten-foot-tall monoliths. "You're too young and inexperienced to venture outside. Return to me when you can prove yourself that you've learned enough, and I may let you pass..."

The poor boy just sulked, "Yes, Master Bo' Rai Cho... I will continue my training..." He sighed sadly as he walked away.

"That won't necessarily stop a spirit coming thru!" Lao stated with a kata.

He was just about to ram right thru the obese Oriental till a bright orange hue flashed beside him. His hearing perked up this otherworldly voice, and a sphere of light startled the prodigal son.

"Greetings, Shujinko!"

"What...? Who are you!?" He responded nearly taken off his feet.

"Do not be afraid. I am Damashi. I am an emissary of the Elder Gods."

"The Elder Gods...?"

"Indeed. They had the power to make this realm possible, as well as many others. I have come to you on their behalf because they need your help."

Little did they knew they had a Peeping Tom with a razor-rimmed hat eavesdrop on the konversation.

"What kind of help to the gods need?" Shujinko said, dumbfounded.

"The Elder Gods" Damashi reiterated with emphasis, "are in need of a champion. One who could complete a quest to save the realms. Shujinko, will you accept this quest to save all that exists? You will be a true hero."

All he did was nod affirmatively with a wide smile as he pointed to himself. "I will be your Champion! What must I do?"

"You must traverse the realms in search of items of great importance."

His face fell, "But...Master Bo' Rai Cho won't let me outside the walls of the town."

"Not to worry, Shujinko. I will bestow upon you a great power, the ability to absorb the fighting skills from any fighter you encounter. This will give you the edge you need on your quest." Just a large poof of smoke surrounded the teen along with small dazzling stars, but somehow, he felt more invigorated. "Go now, return to Bo' Rai Cho, and show him you are an experienced fighter."

Shujinko cheered, "I will, Damashi! Thank you. I will not let the Elder Gods down!"

With new strength, the novice marched up to his steadfast teacher, who seemed rather intrigued. "Back so soon? I thought you had returned to the school."

Shujinko shouted as he pointed to himself, "I am ready to prove that my kombat skills are good enough!"

Bo' just let out some belly chuckles raising his neck back, "Ohh ho ho! Very well, Shujinko. Show me."

They each made a fighting stance as they both bowed to each other and shoved a leg back. Bo' just snickered as he shook his head in disbelief, although Shujinko kame at him with swift blows utilizing his Shaolin Fists and Mantis maneuvers, both in which Lao had mastered well. Though the Outworlder's lard body was an easy target, his dominant strength was just as prominent. Lunge after lunge, he could've sworn he'd dislocate or even snap any of the kid's limbs as if it were twigs, or a thick faggot. Shujinko still stood firm, especially when he was gripping the sturdy handle of a Dan Tien Dao.

Each swipe by his Chinese blade, or his quick charges kombined with his agility nearly made the mountain of muscle fall off his feet! The ungulate became more aggressive, never wanting this tyro to best him; however, his mind shifted gears rapidly as he observed Bo's brutal sacks and used them to his sore arms and chubby chest! With a wound uppercut of his sword, he impacted Bo's chin, sending him a few feet before krashing to the dirt road in a thud.

He eventually rose as he only got the wind knocked out of him and his expression was almost as placid as the monoliths.

"Oh! I am most impressed, Shujinko!" He performed a bow. "I'd no idea you possessed such an aptitude for martial arts. I had no doubt that you will be able to handle yourself in the outside world."

"Thank you, Master Bo' Rai Cho," he responded with a bow, though it wasn't the use with his hands,

"You show great potential. I.. I would very much like to train you myself. Perhaps I can mold you into the next great defender of Earthrealm."

"Train me personally!? I would be honored!" The kid grinned from ear to ear, almost made a leap in joy.

"I train all my advanced students at my home down the road. Meet me there and we will resume training." He motioned to the wide pair of maroon doors with the circular handles.

"I will see you there! Goodbye, Master Bo' Rai Cho!" The tween made another bow before leaving for a quick meditation at the nearby courtyard.

From within the canopy, Kung Lao observed from a thick branch. He just giggled, "Hmph, I can be just as dangerous and nimble with my hat alone! Shujinko would have nothing on me, even if he should mirror my abilities."

The prodigy soon came at a crossroads, but before he succumbed to his indecision, Damashi appeared before his very eyes.

"Shujinko! I see you have passed your test."

"Yes, Damashi. The power you gave me to mimic other warriors worked well. I really felt as if I can fight like Master Bo' Rai Cho!" He made a kombat pose to demonstrate with excitement. "He was so impressed that he offered to train me personally!"

"Excellent! There is much you can learn from him. But first, you must begin your quest. You must find six items of great importance, the Kamidogu. Think of them as tools of the gods. There is an impending doom that threatens the survival of all the realms. With these tools, the Elder Gods will vanquish this menace."

"Where do I find these...Kamidogu?" He spread out his arms, kompletely lost.

"They've been scattered throughout reality. Each one lies hidden in a different realm. The Elder Gods are unable to retrieve these items themselves, and therefore must elect a Champion born from within the realms to collect them. They've constructed portals and the Nexus to aid their Champion in his quest."

"Where is this Nexus? Where do I find it?" He held his chin in deep thought.

"Once you've found the first Kamidogu, I'll show you what to do. Until then, good luck on your search."

"Thank you, Damashi."

He came across a sign konsisting of two arrows, one of each in an opposing way. He read the top post. "Hmm... Master Bo' Rai Cho's home lies in the northeast. I feel I shouldn't go in that direction yet."

Later on, in the beach outskirts, he found a lost golden Medallion shining beneath some loose sand on the shallows. It was inscribed that it belonged to the Outworld instructor himself. Then, Damashi appeared before him again, and he instructed to not return it to him, "I see, that is quite an impressive artifact. I suggest you keep it for yourself. Do not return it to Master Bo' Rai Cho. Such an item can give you credibility amongst the master warriors."

"I'll do what you ask," the messenger responded with a low bow and an earnest tone.

The sphere was impressed on his unwavering loyalty. "Good...very good. I must leave you now, but you will see me again. Good luck on your journey. But I bring you a warning... and advice."

"A warning?"

"It seems that you have entered Lin Kuei territory. You must be wary. The Lin Kuei are dangerous and are not to be taken lightly. They are exceptional warriors and do not welcome outsiders."

"Should I leave this province?"

"No. I feel that the Lin Kuei may play a significant role in helping you acquire the Earthrealm Kamidogu. You must join them."

"Join the Lin Kuei? But they are-"

"They are a brutal clan of ninjas, but they are also a means to accomplishing your quest. You must discover a way to earn their respect and infiltrate their ranks. The Elder Gods are counting on you."

The kid attained a map of the hidden temple within a distant mountain range, though it was literally a hop, skip, and a jump away for Kung Lao's astral form. By the time it began to snow, they knew they arrived at their destination. Two large doors greeted them, as did a warrior patrolling them, looking sinister with those long black and dark red robes.

"Stop, infidel! Only great warriors are allowed to enter the Lin Kuei Temple!" He rose a hand with an authorative and intimidating tone.

Shujinko just responded fondly, "I am a great warrior. I have been personally trained by Master Bo' Rai Cho and have been awarded the Warrior's Medallion to prove it!" He took it out of his side pocket, and the coin just gleamed beneath the full moon which reflected from the snowy corners.

The watchful eye was astonished, "Warrior's Medallion? You are truly worthy of the Lin Kuei. We could use a warrior with your ability. Step inside and you will be trained to fight as a Lin Kuei. Your teacher will be none other than Sub-Zero himself."

Even Lao was fascinated. "Sub-Zero...? This...this cannot be either Kuai Liang or Bi-Han. I doubt they'd been born yet... It must be one of their distant brethren."

Although the Shotokan techniques were foreign kompared to Lao's knowledge, Shujinko was able to master them rather quickly. Lao should know better than to underestimate Damashi's gift, rather than konsidering it as just a fluke. After a few moments, which seemed like seconds to him, the teenager bested his opponent!

"You have finished your training! You are now a Lin Kuei warrior! For your first assignment, the grand master has commanded that you join our forces to the west. They have reported finding an unknown artifact that may greatly benefit our clan. We must secure it before our rivals do. Your password is 'ice dragon.' Go now. Do not return until you have succeeded in securing the artifact."

"As you command."

With the spanking new garb of icy blue and black, the young Shujinko dashed away in search of the mysterious relic. Neither man was fazed by the frigid klimate; not even Kung Lao's astral form. What seemed like weeks only felt like minutes to him as he drifted behind, until one of the veterans stopped him in his tracks. He was blocking an entrance to one of the snake caves.

"Halt! What is the password?"

"Ice dragon!" The teen responded with no hesitation.

"Excellent. You must be the courier we had sent for. And a new recruit if I am not mistaken. You are just in time. There are Red Dragon not far from here and they know we have this item. Take it to the Lin Kuei Temple. We will distract the Red Dragon to aid your departure."

"I will leave at once."

The guard dashed away as fast as blown snow while Shujinko reached the rear of the ridged terrain. There lied the sacred relic illuminating the back wall; it had an opal attached to a larger jade. And Shujinko and Lao's eyes were fixated. "Could this be...? It's so stunning..."

"Shujinko!" An uncanny voice greeted his messenger from behind.

"Damashi. I have joined the Lin Kuei! I have learned Sub-Zero's-"

"That object you carry... Yes... It is as I suspected. Through the ignorance of the Lin Kuei, you have acquired the Earthrealm Kamidogu!"

"I have?"

"You must find the portal to the Nexus. When it opens, walk through to continue your quest."

"But the Lin Kuei..."

"Must I remind you that your loyalties are to the Elder Gods... not to the Lin Kuei. Continue with your appointed quest."

"Yes, Damashi. I understand," he affirmed reluctantly.

After several days of wandering, Shujinko finally reached a gigantic gateway. A petite stairway led to the thin perch where the ancient entrance stood; Kung Lao never saw anything like it, let alone for portals...

"Shujinko! Raise high the Kamidogu!" Damashi ordered. His pawn did just that, and the relic was merely the size of his own body, yet it seemed as light as a feather to him. "Enter the portal!"

Just then a field of emerald energy shone within the framework of the gateway. Shujinko edged his way thru it; fortunately, it didn't klose as soon as he stepped foot into unknown territory. Kung Lao glided after him, and the portal energy seemed normal to him, not as radical as those in Outworld.

"Kung Lao."

He quickly turned to the voice that boomed behind him, and to his astonishment, he noticed, "Lord Raiden! ...You-you can see me!"

"Indeed, I can." The second Champion bowed low to him.

"You...you're still alive."

"Yes, but only partially."

"What is happening? Why have we been sent back in time...?"

"This must be a temporal flux. We were brought back to the year 1964, although you and Liu Kang had not existed yet."

"Is this...all a dream?"

"Not likely. I doubt it is so. This reality appears too surreal to be klassified as such. This alternate plane, for only our subconscious, must hold some mystical meaning."

"Raiden, who is Shujinko? Why must we follow him?"

"I believe he has something to do with Onaga's second koming. He must be destined to lead on this quest. I have met him once, and I was intrigued on his mimicking kapabilities. Surely, he would have the klues needed on stopping the Dragon King."

"That's why we are in an astral form..."

"Precisely. Go inside the portal, Kung Lao. Watch for any indications in putting an end to our greatest adversary."

"Of course." Lao bowed low and slowly before he stepped thru the emerald portal.

"Kung Lao..! Wake up, Kung Lao, the chosen one."

Fresh, crisp air brushed against his face while his weary eyes cleared amongst the white light. Through his grogginess and anesthetics, Lao kould've sworn the low tenor, Oriental accent belonged to his ancestor.

Fujin, looking down at his disciple, just shook his head and affirmed it was only him. Lao's head grew heavy again while his mind slowly registered Raiden's sacrifice and remembered seeing an opaque, large bipedal dragon of mamba green before he blackened out... He saw the incident flash before his eyes while the Palace was being destroyed! "Ah-Master!" he yelped as if he woke up distressed from a night terror.

The Wind God muttered as he laid firm hands on his shoulders, "Calm yourself, Kung Lao..!" He encouraged him to take in deep breaths. "Our limited powers in Outworld kan only suffice so much... I had managed to teleport as many Kombatants as I possibly kould straight to the Sky Temple. Until I had awakened you...

"Only nine are all that's left of the survivors. The rest...didn't make it."

"What..? Nine, that's all?" The descendant was despaired by the news.

The elemental nodded, "Those being you and me, Nightwolf, Liu Kang, Aiko, Jade, Kuai, Frost, and Kenshi. Sonya, Jax, Kitana, and Johnny, however, were not so lucky..."

"Kitana... No!" Liu's voice emanated from the dragon medallion. "We must save her!"

The cardiokinetic's name struck a nerve, "Aiko! Is she safe?" Lao cried. The Wind God assured she's still at the Academy with Jin. The former sighed with relief.

"I've been defeated..."

There was a muffled tenor in the distance of the Jinsei Chamber. Lao kould've sworn it belonged to Raiden, but he wasn't certain. So lifeless, weak, and perhaps...

"I kould not...protect the realms."

He then summarized he and Raiden had gone back in time and met a destined child named Shujinko. "Your brother, he said he had met this mimic in the past. He believes he has something to do with stopping Onaga."

"We still have time. We need to warn warriors from other realms. He may be invincible, but I saw him take the fake amulet. It's assuring he doesn't know where the real one is...yet." He paused for a moment. "Kung Lao, Liu Kang. I estimate you might find some inclinations within Edenia."

"Of course! Queen Sindel mentioned Onaga before we set out for the Deadly Alliance."

"Good call, Liu Kang."

"Fujin, the name, Damashi. What does it mean?" Lao queried.

"...Damashi. Why does that name sound familiar..?"

"You know this, brother?"

"I...kannot recall exactly where I heard that name... Perhaps...my memory has been swiped as me in my spirit."

Fujin ordered, "Either way, you must both venture to Edenia. And enlist information from Queen Sindel and her royal guard. They must stay on high alert. Only she may assist you on this ancient, wretched demon..!" He clenched a fist mentioning him.

By the time the Shaolin brothers were healthily prepared, he conjured up a funnel which made a rip! "Good luck to both of you. All the realms depend on it!" Lao nodded in earnest before he ran thru.

As soon as the portal klosed, Fujin looked upon the distant, vacant chamber. "It is done. They are now underway, brother."

A/N: I doubt there's been a novelization of MK Deception's Konquest Mode, and I kan't believe I managed to komplete this chapter within one day! And about Lao and Raiden having their subconscious going thru time, I'm sure there's another force at work, even saving them from imminent death. I always felt that MKX was a lousy rehash of both MK4/GOLD and Deception, as Onaga was the first to use necromancy upon his pawns before Shinnok and Quan Chi did! Even though I'd prefer the Revenants over zombies since they seem to retain their memories, don't have decaying flesh, aren't slow nor have an insatiable hunger! They may be an older cliche, but they're more superior than their undead counterparts!

The mysterious voice that Kung Lao heard..? He thought it was his ancestor, even though Fujin affirmed it was only him. However...a special person who was played by Matthew Yang King was heard instead!

Also, this fic shall be divided into 2 plots, the subplot being Shujinko's journey, contrary to the game, with Plot A being business dealing with Onaga.

I wish The Beginning didn't have the sound effects added in... Perhaps The Future from Back to the Future Part II shall play once Kung Lao wakes up in the past; starting at 3:50 to avoid the hackney parts. Of course, there'd be the Earthrealm Village theme. The Test of Observation from Starfox Adventures shall play during Shujinko's classes with Bo' Rai Cho. Under the Influence might sound as Shujinko finally gets into his real fight against the drunkard. In the Presence of a Krazoa Spirit might sound once Lao reunites with Raiden. The Chamber of Sages would sound as Lao wakes up in the Jinsei. No Dream, No Hope from FFX would play when Lao and Liu enter Outworld en route to Edenia. Join the Party from FFIV, just like in Shinnok's Uprising, would chime when Lao recruits a new ally. And Got a Krazoa Spirit plays when a chapter has been kompleted. No offense when I say that Deception is one of the weakest OSTs in the series next to the NRS games!

So, what answers would Lao find in Edenia? And what of Raiden's fate? Find out later.

Con't II - Onaga's Plot

Kung Lao walked thru the gusty, neon blue portal. He actually stepped into the midst of the Outworld frontier, just a few miles away from the royal establishment with some portions of the exterior gleaming like beacons amongst the fuchsia macabre. The sudden air felt as if it went thru the former monk's body, as transparent as Liu's spirit. He even could've seen some very light frost littering the terrain, with tiny flakes falling and glistening while being tossed by the frigid wind.

All a sudden, Kung Lao felt a warming sensation from within himself; his dark clothing absorbing and containing it... He looked at himself of the comforting ardency. As if reading his mind like Kenshi, the Champion's spirit was able to keep him kozy amongst the bitter kold of an early winter.

The Oriental warrior thanked him even though he was a tad envious wishing he'd do the same if he would possess Liu's abilities... Before he ridiculed Liu's suggestion on possessing his body once more, Lao spotted some Onis in his peripheral vision klosing fast! His kicks, punches, and hat tosses were precise and swift, but each lunge seemed to leave a residue of thin smoke! Aspired by this, Kung Lao utilized his signature tornado kicks which burnt a nearby enemy caught in its wake! Vulnerable, the White Lotus veteran sliced thru them like thin paper, finishing the small horde and spewing their scorching guts!

"These must be stragglers loyal to Onaga...! I must be on my guard."

Still, Liu's fiery essence remained constant inside him as he hurriedly continued his trek. Anxious, he figured his best chance was to reach the safe haven before the ominous Onaga should find him as one of his unattainable preys. Speaking of Shinnok, he found himself in another wave. This time he was ready as he made more quicker maneuvers, including his hat tosses, using his tornado skills to incinerate, and teleporting to some unsuspecting Onis. Even decapitating them with a direct throw and rebounds!

After wandering a few feet in disquietude, he eventually made out a wandering shadowy figure; his eyes kouldn't make out the roamer as to whether or not he was another messenger to his greatest adversary...

He then made a sharp fighting stance. "Wait, he's not after you." Liu reasoned. Lao hesitated as he made out the likely specter some more, surprising the humble monk since he would usually pounce on him without relent...

Breaking the mounting tension, Lao stepped forward and declared with a spat, "Hey you! Follower of Onaga, face me in kombat!"

The silhouette stopped and turned, following the familiar, sharp tone. "...Kung Lao." It was now distinguishably noticeable by the sight of his face and opaque wasp-colored garb.

"...Hanzo!" He trodden towards him, worried he could just be his usual wraith self.

The rover raised a hand, "Fear not. I haven't been konsumed by my demonic self. At least not yet."

"That can't be... How is it you're still alive?" A flash of that incident when he lost to his wraith self before storming and losing to Quan Chi, then being tossed and torn asunder by the Soulnado entered his agog mind.

"After I lost my sanity by seeing my nemesis, then perishing, the Elder Gods blessed me as their Champion. I rested within the heavens. Alas, I never saw my family there. Though they granted me on a task to stop a man named Shujinko."

"Shujinko..?" Lao never heard of this name before, other than his spiritual odyssey, not even the other monks had that name.

"Yes, I first met him in the Netherrealm, and trained him to learn my skills as a wraith. Before I took my vengeance in the first tournament. I wound up in the Nexus, where all the Kamidogu were laid upon the altar, and I was tasked to kill the same frail man I met all those years ago." He sulked his head in defeat, "Unfortunately, he bested me in battle, and I was unable to prevent him on awakening the Dragon King." His body tensed. "I shall make that fake Champion pay for his life!"

Before his body should ignite while succumbing to his cursed self, Kung Lao warned that Onaga is roaming freely in Outworld, and he must warn the Edenians of the oncoming threat.

"Onaga is in Outworld? Well, in any kase, it would seem I have a debt to repay... What of the Deadly Alliance?"

"They've been defeated, Hanzo. Nightwolf and I finished them, but..."

"And of Liu Kang's spirit?"

"I'm still here." His voice boomed from the dragon head Lao took out.

"Onaga is at large... We must watch out, Kung Lao. His corruptive influence infects the dead, bringing them to life as heralds in his konquest. We must be wary of any hostiles. There should be more than those petty Onis. I will accompany you. We shall prepare Edenia and all realms for the worst. You and Liu Kang are still the kurrent Champions of Earthrealm. We need to gather recruits from the other five realms. Onaga and Shujinko must be stopped at all kosts! All existence depends on it!"

Lao and Hanzo bowed to each other honorably before they resumed their journey to Edenia...

Several minutes later, the proud Palace stood over the steep, basaltic hills! And Hanzo's aid was very helpful when klobbering the Onis and other Outworld kreatures.

They finally kame across the armored guards who're on high alert, krossing their hook swords in front of them, and denying them access. "Halt! Who goes there!?"

"I-We are from Earthrealm. We wish no harm onto you. Hanzo and I had not been tainted."

"Is that so. We in the royal guard must remain vigilant. We'd been hearing rumors of the Dragon King's second koming, and he and his followers'd be marching onto our peaceful territory as we speak. Sindel has been in konstant worry for her daughter."

"How kan we be certain you two aren't any of Onaga's many vile followers!?" one of the guardsmen demanded.

Kung Lao and Hanzo's tongues had been tied. "...Because they are Champions of the realms!" A gruffy voice answered, before the bystanders heard foot stomps of what a megaton beast could've been. The two knights faced their oncoming greeter, who stuck out four hands clutching the door sides before emerging. "Kung Lao!"

Just by hearing the name of his common ancestor in admiration, Lao looked aloft as stupefied as ever. "G-Goro..?"

"Relax, minions. He's on our side. As noble as ever much like your great predecessor."

Lao took off his hat as he bowed slowly and low to the Shokan prince, bestowing him with deep respect...

"Then they shall pass." The two guardsmen yielded as they struck their swords aside, allowing Goro to escort Lao and Hanzo inside.

Goro addressed the rumors were true after all koncerning Onaga when he heard the news from the weary travelers, and Sheeva, his lover, greeted them. The Shokan monarch urged them to meet up with Queen Sindel. Both of the four-armed beasties led them to the indigo throne room. Jade and Asgaarth stood beside her.

The Champion made a kneel addressing the majesty of Edenia. "Kung Lao. We welcome your presence, and Hanzo's as well."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Lao rose up after a nod while Hanzo bowed.

"We had noticed you're two of the survivors from that incident in Outworld. What of my daughter?" Sindel's voice rang with slight anxiety. Fujin's words entered his mind only nine Kombatants survived the ordeal, while others weren't so lucky...

Sindel gasped, "So... The gossip has rung true, after all. Onaga's reign has begun once more. And I fear Kitana may not be her normal self...!"

"Indeed. Onaga has a tendency to reanimate dead followers." Hanzo reiterated. "I should know, as I was reborn once as a vengeful wraith myself..."

"So, you have, Hanzo. ...I acknowledge this, since Shao Kahn was Onaga's most trusted and powerful advisor. Before he reigned in Outworld and konquered Edenia, he once served under him."

"Shao Kahn... He performed duties for Onaga...?" Lao was flabbergasted, as was Liu.

"Yes. Onaga promoted him as his most prominent servant." Goro added. "It was said that he and Kahn both share such astonishing feats. Both in immense strength and the talents to wield soul magic; however, their armies were different. The Dragon King konjures his own under his thrall, corrupting their bodies and souls. While Shao Kahn relies more on lively soldiers, teaching them his ways of the black arts."

"Shang Tsung!" Liu Kang remarked his old nemesis. "So, both konquerers have their unique ways on ruling Outworld."

"Yes, but since their methods of reigning terror has not been absolute, there was a quarrel between them. Their methods of power klashed with one another. The Konquerer's standards never met Onaga's terms, and Kahn was quickly growing weary, to the point on dominating the land for himself. Their armies were at a standoff, he knew there'd be a draw if he were to challenge Onaga in kombat, until the wry Emperor poisoned the Dragon King.

"Without their ruler, the feeble undead army perished within minutes of Kahn's bloodthirsty rule and establishing his own title."

Kung Lao listened attentively as he sat on the circular floor. He was still astonished how Sindel and Goro knew so much just by being under Kahn's unstoppable tyranny for several thousand years, which can rival any mortal on Earth... After he processed the intel, he spoke, "What is it that Onaga desires? To reign supreme in Outworld?"

"Yes, and in the other realms, if he does find ancient relics known as the Kamidogu."

His eyes widened, "The Kamidogu... I saw, Raiden and I, that Shujinko obtained the Eartthrealm piece."

"Shujinko... I hadn't seen him since before Kahn's invasion."

"You know of him, Queen Sindel?"

"Indeed."

"If I'm korrect, Onaga must've possessed all but one of the Kamidogu, our flight means nothing if we remain alone." Hanzo explained. "...I believe I know where the final piece is. And we need to kreate a distraction to prevent Onaga and his undead followers on reaching it."

"We must join forces with the Champions from the other realms. I will attend your cause as a former warrior of Outworld." Goro added.

Sheeva laid a slim hand on him, "I appreciate the offer, but...I'm afraid that you need to hold the fort. Lao has Scorpion to accompany him. Until all the Champions from other realms had been found."

"Hanzo, please." He korrected.

"...Wait."

Kung Lao took out the golden dragon amulet, Liu's voice kracked with upset. "What is it?"

"I... I need to stay with the Edenians. It's Kitana. I feel something is wrong. If you are visiting other realms, I need to stay here. Onaga must have perverted her, and I must save her!"

"I understand your desperation." Jade sympathized. "I too will look for answers to save my good friend. I'm certain Sindel's anxious as well. We may need to start looking at the Lost Tomb. We have kleaned out the place, but the large sarcophagus still remains. I believe it is Onaga's!"

"Brother... I must stay with them. Please."

He hesitated for a brief moment, then he sighed deeply. "...Alright. You kan go on without me. I understand your anxiety over Kitana's wellbeing."

He kould've sworn he saw him smile. "Thank you, brother. I knew you'd be konsiderate. Fend yourself well, and you kan wait for my return." He handed over the amulet to Jade.

Sindel declared they'll leave Edenia en route to Outworld in daybreak with several esteemed knights in tow, while Asgaarth, Goro and Sheeva stayed on guard. "One other thing. It's most likely...my daughter may be under Onaga's thrall. And if we should encounter any of them..."

"I'll protect you, Sindel, and try and release her from his spell. Kung Lao and I had done this before. You can count on it."

Moments after a quick respite, Kung Lao and Hanzo resumed their search for other Champions willing enough to fight off the Dragon King. However...

As soon as the couple warriors were about to exit the Palace walls, the former monk kollapsed and reduced to unconsciousness, unable to retrieve the bystanders' kalls.

Within Liu Kang's new tomb, Aiko grew irritated, pacing around as she wondered of Lao's fate in Outworld. She felt something was amiss, like a random, unfortunate incident which involved her mutual other in that dangerous frontier!

All a sudden, her eyes squinted, and her head ached as an abrupt neon light granted her, which soon turned out to be a portal as her vision made it out. A figure walked thru wearing a ribbon of sorts as streams were seen hanging from behind the head of the shadowy figure. She soon registered it was the blind telekinetic!

"Ahh-Kenshi!"

He still worn that dissonate look despite the blinding light of the rip. "Aiko, something has happened in Outworld. I can feel anxiety, and I'm sure it is emanating from there."

"Outworld...? Is it Onaga?"

"I'm not sure. But my instincts drove me out of the Shirai Ryu headquarters. I sense something doesn't feel right as my mind lost focus while mourning for Hanzo."

Aiko paused for a moment, "...Kung Lao. I can feel something awful has happened to him. But...I'm sure he's still alive." She took out her crimson gem, and stated this was the same one she gifted to the Shaolin before his fateful fight against the Deadly Alliance.

Kenshi grew intrigued by the sight of it! "This must be a jewel forged by your concentrated energy. You're not only just a rare specimen that can manipulate the heart, but also forge jewels with those same abilities. You truly are a special case indeed." He kommented. That made her blush a little in admiration.

She looked at her precious gem, still shining with her stored vitality. "I don't think Kung Lao has perished. I would've felt something, like chest pain, or the gem might grow dark... I've...still yet to kome to terms with this, and my powers."

"Indeed. However, there's been an incident in Outworld. Good thing I'm capable of developing portals, as I am a member of the Outer World Investigation Agency." He then offered a hand. "Kome, we must hurry."

Aiko nodded, as if she was feeling OCD pangs from the both of them, and it was certainly better than being under tension and wired feelings while being cooped up at the Academy. They entered the portal, and to her surprise, wound up at Kenshi's altered coordinates at the shambles of Shang Tsung's former Palace...

The young warrioress was paralyzed as if by Raiden's shocks. "Oh no! The Palace has been destroyed, it's in shambles!" She began to tremble, thinking that-

Kenshi stuck out an arm, "Wait. ...It sure is quiet. I sense no loss of life here. My mind...it's scanning that no one seems to be buried within the rubble, nor any bodies being incinerated...! There's no odor of ash nor brimstone. However...I kan pick up a disturbing presence. Onaga." A vision of the ominous dragon entered Kenshi's mind, as did Aiko's.

"No..."

"Foul work for certain...! My kolleagues should be out here, as'd be Kung Lao. They must be out and about. I kan still feel a faint trace of their-"

"LOOK OUT!" Aiko screamed as soon as her heart raced. Her body lurched as she was lifted by a neon green light surrounding it!

Kenshi picked up the energy surge and shot out a psychic blast, raising a hand to the blending intruder. Aiko dropped to the ground landing on her bruised arse. Then they beheld a garbed ninja wearing a dark blood red outfit, konsisting of a black mask matching his long, bandaged arms, hood and footwear.

To the cardiokinetic's surprise, he was none other than, "...Ermac!?"

Her mind drifted to the conversations she heard from Kung Lao as he cleaned out the Warrior Shrine when something was off with the statues... A monk warned there was something peculiar, and when he spotted the lone ninja posing to the very left of the other structures, Lao examined it, wondering if it was a phony. By the time he eased his hand just inches away, it was snatched by that live imposter!

Lao kicked him off before his arm was twisted, and the soul manipulator shattered his disguise! At first, he kept lifting him up with his soul energy, even possessing it to draw kloser for another sack! But Lao learned quickly as he kommandeered his hat to slice thru Ermac from a distance, even rotating rapidly around his body to prevent anymore internal suffering. Ermac then leapt to his perch and rose a few huge chunks of rock floating across the arena!

Kung Lao still charged in. But it wasn't long before Ermac possessed the Johnny Cage structure! Liu Kang distracted it long enough, never backing down since he knew fairly well it was an illusion. Yet still, Lao took on the main enemy, while doing some fancy footwork avoiding his spheres and fields. However, his Psychic Slam was quite the burden, as were his Teleports outmaneuvering the former monk's; Liu had to take over at times as soon as the faker was out of the picture. Although they needed to finish off the intruder quickly before he'd reanimate all the statues, including the dreaded Goro.

With crackerjack thinking, the brotherly Champions noticed Ermac weakened. However, they still noticed the chunks of limestone hovering in that same eerie field. Lao and Liu both kicked one enormous piece toward the assassin, making him dazed. But...it wasn't long before the remaining chunk landed atop him, crushing the lifeless vessel and making his kollection of souls scatter in the wind...

From the post on a high edge, Ermac leapt onto the shambled site, facing the duo! After the sudden impact, being she's a glass cannon, Aiko tapped on her Dragon icon twice, turning her crimson armor into a lime green. She believed with that shade, she thought she'd be immune to Ermac's own soulkinesis. Nightwolf, both the expert in shamanistic and technological skills, had built the said armor in order for Aiko to enhance her kombat prowess; each set of armor had its own unique properties depending on the shade. Whereas crimson was for her cardiokinesis, turquoise was for Cobalt armor, though the lime hue was still experimental...

With her konfidence restored and her new set of armor, she dashed into the fray with her Bo staff drawn. Kenshi managed to stun him inside his telekinetic field, before Aiko gave him a series of swift whacks. She jumped and twirled performing another strike, with Ermac's manipulation having no effect on her immune body! Nightwolf was indeed a genius testing out the armor's resistance with his own empowered weapons!

Although his soul blast did send Aiko and Kenshi back a few feet. The blind swoardsman unleashed his telekinesis as Ermac attempted to drive it back with his, causing a sort of psychokinetic tug-of-war. Aiko stuck out a hand, utilizing her own kinesis stopping the assailant's heart, but he knew better using his free hand, forcing her back once more. She hardly absorbed his energy, and it seemed almost infinite...

Suddenly, Ermac was encased in a green energy field before he went thru the ground, then thru it emerging behind Aiko! Kenshi didn't have much time to react before she was punched directly! Aiko screeched before she was forced away and Ermac refocused on the swordsman.

The legion of raging souls knocked her out, and as her head began to swam...somehow she found herself in Jin's house as she observed the kid playing a frustrating 8-bit game; realizing the endless looping buzzing tune and the funky-looking trees, she knew it was named The Legend of Kage! She recalled it was one of the obscure gems her mind forgot so many years ago... Just the music and trees in the background brought her lost memory back to the forefront; however, since there were no continues, and being the difficulty involved instantaneous death and random, konfusing enemy fire, the little tyke let out a scream of annoyance nearly slamming the kontroller!

The perception became fuzzy again, almost like it was fading, still stuck on the F key...

The droning music triggered a strange, lulling tune in her mind, a familiar one. A few notes repeated before kontinuing and she found herself whistling those same keys. She even followed the entire piece and they got Ermac's attention despite her being out of it!

The assaulter faced her almost immediately with a heel-turn, until Kenshi hesitated before unleashing another psycho blast. Instead, something pricked both their minds, and the swordsman began to delve deeper into the wrathing spirits within Ermac. The series of spirits seemed unhinged, swirling in mysterious fighter, wanting to break free as if they'd been imprisoned. Then a malicious image developed, the face of a large pointed crown belonging to the former Emperor, Shao Kahn! Kenshi raised his hand higher and curled as if he was clutching something.

Somehow, this silenced the souls a tad as Ermac listened on Aiko's whistles. As if both things were...kalming the she got deeper into the song, her whistles became audible, easing the enemy more, even while Kenshi was speaking into him to ease his souls. Suddenly figments of a mother with long strands of white hair was caressing a baby girl of short, black hair in her arms, humming that same melody! Kenshi rose his longsword igniting in a pink hue before it made a downward thrust in thin air! In his mind, he sliced thru some ominous chains.

Ermac hunched over, heaving and holding his head, and his eyes broke thru the green gleams, revealing amber irises. Kenshi rose a hand to repair any internal damage within Aiko's brain, he should've known she had a konkussion. This quieted her whistling while the dilirium faded, and he immediately tended her when Ermac faced the duo, no longer having a desire to attack.

"Kenshi." His voice also changed, sounding serene and like a grown man's instead of being digitally altered.

"Ermac." He hesitated as he read his mind more, almost as if he had a different identification...

"Ernac..? I am no longer. I'm...starting to regain myself again. As the doomed ruler of Edenia, I am King Jerrod." He kontinued to look at himself.

Aiko and Kenshi were flabbergasted, even bringing her out of her daze. "King Jerrod..! Sindel's husband, Kitana's father? Shao Kahn...I heard he..."

Kenshi quieted her, encouraging her to save her strength.

"I...I've become an abomination! Through his fusion of many dead denizens, the treacherous Emperor shall not be forgiven! What better pawn kould Kahn have chosen than this..."

Kenshi hesitated before he walked over to the lost individual. He explained their predicament regarding the rebirth of the Dragon King, as well as the independence of Edenia. Jerrod explained Kenshi broke his thrall; he remembered he was kontrolled by Shao Kahn, and he recognized the tune Aiko was whistling from her dilirium. Kenshi and Ermac healed her with their kombined telepathy, and the latter noticed it was a song he and Sindel hummed for Kitana as a lullaby, while Aiko konfirmed it was only the Song of Healing.

"And...what of Onaga?"

"We don't know yet. But we believe he kan be klose to the kingdom."

Jerrod offered Kenshi and Aiko to hold onto him as he shall Teleport toward the Palace within the same lime field used for his soul kinesis.

A/N: It was so damn tough koming up with ideas for the kombat scene between Ermac and Kenshi! It seemed essential to the plot of Deception, as it finally symbolized the soul shifter's freedom from Kahn's hold, and assisted against Onaga and his followers. I don't want to spoil too much yet. Also, the song that Aiko reffered too? I had this idea for awhile! Ever since I kept seeing AVGN's review of The Legend of Kage, one of the obscure games that my mind forgot; aside from the vague trees and the droning noise when the ninjas fall. And Taito is certainly the czar of obscurity!

Had this random idea with Jin playing and struggling with it from that too, even when Aiko's mind was in a void recalling that said song which'd be significant later. From the fans' preferences, it was indeed a nice choice having Will Yun Lee as Kung Lao! Very promising!

The fight with Ermac was a tough one to find in Shaolin Monks; first, one of the monks must head to a secret location, which I kould only recall jumping high to a precipice west from large elaborate doors in the Wu Shi Academy, then use the wall swing ability till you hit a switch which unlocks the Warriors Shrine. At a ninja at the far left stands Ermac, and I looked up the battle. I bet you need to be in a high level before kombatting him!

I figured having the Champions of each realm defeating Onaga was a better choice; more of a hopeless situation into a fighting chance! Yeah...one Kombatant KAN defeat him, even if it's not Shujinko, but again I'm not a fan of him. And I think they'd have a better konnection with the Kamidogu as well.

No Hope, No Dreams from Final Fantasy X shall play once Kung Lao steps into the frigid Outworld frontier. Join the Party from FFIV - SNES would chime as Hanzo joins Lao. While I usually think MKX's OST is immemorable, as I was looking up gameplay for Lao's lethal kombos, they seemed to take place in Outworld, and Outworld Marketplace Round 1 seemed interesting; it shall play when Lao and Liu face off the Onis before reaching Edenia. Valleys and Rivers from Strider (Genesis) plays as Lao reunites with the Shokan, Goro and Sheeva. Evening Bells from MK 95 plays when Lao and Hanzo address to Sindel. Longneck's Story from Land Before Time 4 will play as Goro highlights Onaga and Kahn's reign, perhaps loop twice before the ending notes. Middle Boss Battle from Majora's Mask will play once Ermac's encountered, Stage Theme - NES version from The Legend of Kage would follow suit as Aiko recollects Kung Jin playing the game along with Life Lost, followed by Clock Tower in Majora's Mask, and the Song of Healing.

Had some other ideas too, but I needed to kut the chapter short. So, see you soon.

Con't III - Servitude

Kenshi, Aiko and Ermac arrived within the Palace Gates. The indigo sky barely had a sliver of a light pink, indicating it was finally the break of dawn. The cardiokinetic especially was ecstatic visiting the majestic Palace again after several days; just like the Temple of Light was in China, it stood out as a beacon of peace and hope amongst the vast, hellish landscape of Outworld.

However, the two guardsmen blocked the entryway.

"Oh great! The Queen and half of our troops hath departed from our quarters in search of the Dragon King, and now dealing with more intruders...!"

Ermac then stepped up and attempted to assure them, he's on their side. Recognizing Shao Kahn's former assailant and troop of his extermination squads, they demanded him to step away as they drew and pointed their blades. Unconvinced, Kenshi raised a hand and enveloped Jerrod's head, using his psychokinesis by reading the soul keeper's mind and projecting his thoughts onto the guards, while Aiko zoned out and whistled to that song she heard earlier.

Eventually, both factors made the patrolmen ease up and change their outlooks as it was forever since the last time they met the long-lost King! By the time they gathered their bearings, they explained Sindel, Jade and half the royal guard left to Onaga's resting place where his remains were kept, Aiko realized it'd be the Lost Tomb; before she met Kenshi, she and her friends cleaned it out by wrecking the sarcophaguses, excepting for one... The guards then gave Jerrod a foreign, bronze symbol in a black exterior. They stated it was a yaz symbol as a patching to represent he's a "free man."

Kenshi assisted with the attachment as he used his telekinetic abilities pinning the symbol onto Ermac's back! Aiko couldn't have been more impressed!

As soon as the process was finished, the guards gave the Edenian declaration,

"Edenia is an idyllic paradise, where we are free from tyranny."

Ermac, with his soul kinesis, then teleported him, Kenshi, and Aiko toward the lone pyramid.

The trio arrived near the pyramid, relieved for once there were no menacing cyclones nearby, unlike the Kombatants' journey searching for the Deadly Alliance... Aiko's mind then drifted to that time period, when Nightwolf sensed their distant, omnipotent auras, and how they needed to travel discreetly in order to take them by surprise, contrary to using the Dragon Jets. Much as their quest trekking to Kahn's Fortress. That was until the crisp air snapped her out of her reverie.

"It should be dawn at the moment. We need to chance some sleep." Jerrod suggested.

"It was daytime in Earthrealm, in China; I'm not fatigued yet." Kenshi added.

"Me neither." Aiko stated. "I'm good."

The king nodded, "Alright then, let's go."

The blind swordsman stuck out an arm after the trio took a few steps forward. He paused everyone for a brief moment. Then he faced the cardiokinetic, "Aiko, do you sense something intensive?"

She tried to focus, but... "I... I feel nothing, Kenshi. Why, what's going on." She never even felt her heart racing, but her partner still felt uneasy.

"...Something's wrong. Emanating from that pyramid." He drew out his -, the tip pointing towards it.

Sindel and Jade led the Edenian royal guard into the mausoleum. Thru the dim light of the lit torches, they barely saw the thick layers of dust litter the plane before they made eye contact with the ginormous display. Some of the men were coughing as their noses wiggled and their eyes teared from the leftover debris, and some were disgusted as they stepped into a squishy patch which turned out to be fly guts!

"Ergh, I should've known the remains of Drahmin's infested insects would be here...!" Jade said in disgust.

"Drahmin? The Oni?" Sindel queried.

"Ick!" She brushed them off the undersides of her stilettos. "Indeed. He and Moloch, when we were finding the Deadly Alliance, we wrecked each one of the mummified stones, except for-That!" As soon as her eyes beheld the larger crimson casket, the emerald hue shined onto it. "And that happened to be Shinnok's Amulet."

"Everyone, be on your guard. Keep a keen eye out for traps, or Onaga and his followers."

"Yes, My Queen!" The knights saluted in unison.

They proceeded to the upper stone-tiled platform and were astonished on what they saw. The large sarcophagus happened to have its lid open just by a mere sliver as rotting odor was escaping from it. It didn't take the royal guard off their feet.

Their brute strength and armor, including their gauntlets, allowed the lid to be taken off completely without much effort. Eventually, with some grunts, it was taken off and plopped with a thud and a cloud of smoke which nearly made the gang sneeze. By the time their itchy eyes kleared, their jaws dropped of the skeletal remains of Onaga himself... Even komplete with its batlike, thin wings.

"Yep, this is indeed the motherload," one of the guardsmen exclaimed.

"Destroy it. We cannot let the accursed Dragon King claim his carcass." The elegant Edenian paused, thinking whose body did it cunningly possess; she then remembered Hanzo's take he had the tendency to resurrect his victims into his own thralls...

"What the hell-Queen, look behind you!"

The knight hollered before he was stabbed directly into the chest by a Tonfa blade! The Edenians were startled, even when their knights ran to the invisible fray... Only to be lifted and soon tossed like rag dolls from sudden violet sonic waves! Hearing the screams and collisions of the soldiers' bodies, Sindel and Jade took action! They witnessed two thin figures emerge from the shadows, one goldenrod and the other a very opaque indigo along with a pair of sneering yellow and orange eyes! As they marched forward, the two women recognized their assailants.

"Tanya...!" Jade drew out her lethal staff, though it wasn't long before she and Sindel were brought aback.

The royal gasped, "...Kitana...!"

"No!" Liu Kang's spirit yelped from the amulet the ninja was holding.

"Kitana! What're you-" Her best friend couldn't believe what's transpiring. "It's Onaga, isn't it...?"

"Hello, Jade!" She snickered, almost sounding like her tongue's been dripping with venom from a carnivorous snake! "So glad I came to Onaga's resting place for those ancient incantations! To fuse all the realms and the Kamidogu into one, and to attain absolute power! Even after if the mighty Dragon Lord should die before turning into the One Being...!"

"You're insane!" She spat back. "You can't find any spells to fuse all of existence! Onaga can never be more powerful than the Elder Gods!"

"Oh yes he can. Until then, perhaps we shall build our own new and improved unstoppable army of his great worshippers! Starting with the loyal Kitana here..."

Her eyes gleamed at the greeting as she drew out her fans.

"Daughter! What're you doing...?" Sindel was just too stupefied for words. While Jade put up her signature weapon and klashed with the rebel's fury, Kitana made a flurry of blows onto her own mom! She was able to handle herself with her elongated white locks as well as basic maneuvers. But...she utterly refused to fight with all her strength. She wouldn't tell her infected kin that Nightwolf performed an exorcist to remove the banshee, thus disabling her flight and sonokinesis. She'd no choice but to mostly block with her Kwan Do staff! But it didn't take long before she was injured.

Just like their last encounter, Jade seemed to mop the floor with Tanya and her usual treachery. Her staff had better reach, she was resilient, and knew what to expect from her bitter rival that framed her several times in the distant past. She didn't even hesitate to stab her staff straight thru Tanya's heart as dark as pure evil. However...she froze once Kitana klosed in on her, even struggling just as much as Sindel!

Not taking any more punishable observation, Liu's spirit sprang out of the dragon amulet and implored, "Kitana, stop! Onaga must be possessing your soul! I don't want us to end up like we did in the dystopian future!"

But the corrupt Kombatant just simply busted thru him like wind and resumed her wrath! She even gave her former friend several hits as severe as Sindel's, having her neon eyes look down on them all the while!

That was until she was abruptly lifted by an eerie shade that can match Jade's wardrobe! Her body became stiff as it ascended her effortlessly as she was being paralyzed in the sketchy energy field! Kitana grew irritated as she struggled to break free, but to no avail. Then, the forcefield dissipated as she was forced back a few feet before her body dragged on the limestone and her head hit Onaga's dead tomb!

Her head swam as she barely heard Kenshi's and Liu's voices, with the latter encouraging her to wake up, as he was commandeering Aiko to make some weak whistles. Her body was still immobilized as the Chinese swordsman held her down in his turquoise hue, while also magnifying the warrioress' tune. Ermac marched toward the wounded women, then raised an arm. The pair felt a numbing sensation before they were able to stand again.

It wasn't long before Kenshi signaled Aiko to halt. As if reading his mind, he seized when Ermac caressed Kitana. He shown his amber eyes and lowered his mask, revealing his truer komposure. He just whispered in her ear, "My daughter, the precious princess of Edenia..."

Her vision began to clear as she gazed up at this...illusion? She kouldn't believe whom she was seeing who spoke to her. That voice, that face...! She couldn't help her body beginning to tremble, her eyes watering... Before she kaved in and kollapsed as she wrapped her arms tightly around the proud father she hadn't met in over 5,000 years! She even cried in Edenian her father, even though it was barely audible...

Aiko was barely able to hold her own, though Kenshi was there beside her, tending to her. Liu was just all smiles. After what seemed like several minutes, Jerrod broke away and gazed onto the two women. They barely heard Kenshi order Aiko to revive the knights utilizing her pulsating heart gem. Sindel was just flabbergasted, never saying a word, just barely moving her mouth to form them...

"Hello, my love," Jerrod just stood like a firm tree, kontrary to Sindel's quivering legs.

She kan hardly believing what she saw in front of her, thinking it'd just be from the many blows... Still, she was struck and attempted to speak with a shrill voice, "Jerrod...?" Her blurs made her not see him nod in affirmation, and yet... She kan't hold back... "Jerrod! Oh, Jerrod!" She ran straight for her sovereign's husband's loving arms... Sobbing hard as her eyes were cascading like the ancient water gardens. Her arms aching with strain as she held her long-lost lover, refusing to let him go... Every one of the Edenian soldiers, including Jade and Liu, bowed down while Jerrod's family reunited.

*ahem!*

It was Kenshi, trying to get their attention as they became enamored with affection to their ruler. His blade pointed toward the open coffin. Their eyes followed and the warrior requested Liu Kang to incinerate the exoskeleton. "Liu Kang... The Champion of Earthrealm..?" Jerrod was almost at a loss as he recalled the lethal scrimmage against him and Kung Lao.

Nevertheless, his aerosol was still effective as he konjured his pyrokinesis as tepid as a volcano's! He released the enormous fireball, and it ignited the rubble with a burst! Everyone watched the blaze as if it was a large bonfire.

"Crispy!" Both Kenshi and Aiko followed the high-pitched falsetto; while the cardiokinetic kannot see, Kenshi traced his brainwaves. He raised an arm, but the guy scampered away into the shadows yonder as swift as a ferret! The slick swordsman couldn't help but snicker.

"So, what's our next move, Your Majesty?" Liu asked formally.

"Aye." He faced Kitana, who was still buzzed by her encounter with Onaga. "Now, the rest is up to her."

She held her slow heart. "Up to me...?"

He nodded. Kenshi walked up, as if reading the regal's mind. "Yes. We must know of Onaga's endeavors. Becoming like the One Being. We need you to tell us anything, everything you kan remember."

Kitana pondered the dragon's purpose was to unify all the realms and their Kamidogu, the sacred relics created by the Elder Gods. Six had been reunited, excepting for one...

Aiko was dumbfounded, "Raiden said there's six realms total. How can there be seven relics?"

"What else do you think it is? It's the most powerful artifact in all the universe!" Jade blurted out.

Everyone looked toward the elaborate display in the back wall, "Shinnok's Amulet..." Liu Kang whispered in awe.

"Exactly."

Kenshi silenced everyone, "If any of you know where it is, I will transfer that kind of information; you never know where there can be a spy."

"Good kall, Sir Kenshi." Sindel remarked.

"Johnny Cage, Sonya and Jax must still be with him," the princess explained. "That explosion in the Palace... Once he knew he was holding the fake amulet, he must be building another army as we speak. He must not know the whereabouts of the last Kamidogu."

"And...what of Kung Lao, and Nightwolf?" Aiko chimed in.

"Kung Lao's searching for the Champions of each realm. Goro was held back in Edenia, until we can gather all the recruits. I'm not sure about Nightwolf just yet, but Lord Fujin took them away in time," the Earthrealm hero spoke. "And he's with Hanzo too."

Kenshi's face lit up, "Hanzo!? He's still alive?"

"For now, yes." Sindel said. "We need to buy Lao, Hanzo and the others time. We can't let the last piece fall into the Dragon's hands. But...fighting him directly would be the death of us all."

Everyone muttered under the breaths, "My love is right..." Jerrod stated in dread. "Onaga has all but one of the Kamidogu; his strength is beyond that of mortals."

"Well, the least we can do is station ourselves and protect the last location." Kenshi suggested. "Does anyone know where it is?"

Liu raised a hand, "I...remembered dealing with Shinnok in the Netherrealm, Master Raiden and Fujin were helping me. His amulet ran out while the other was being sealed away..." He bit his tongue. "Can you make a portal to Earthrealm?"

He nodded, "Of course, but it can only bring us to the last coordinate, at your new Temple."

"Even better! By the way, do you know of the name Damashi?"

Everyone shook their heads, although Kenshi was deep in thought, but unable to identify its origin. Liu wondered if his grandfather should know...

"Tanya stated to me there were incantations involving Onaga. His followers crafted this place, inscribing some spells that're devoted to him..." She, Jade and Sindel looked over at the rear wall. "It's...in Edenian!"

"No wonder Tanya wanted to take you to it; you two would decipher these horrific rituals. This states to return Onaga into his original body, thus the remains here." Jade added.

Liu Kang sighed, "Good thing I was able to destroy it. Let's go to Earthrealm!"

Upon his signal, the blind man activated the gizmo kreating a rip to Earth and the group stepped thru it.

Little did the Kombatants knew, there was a hooded male wearing shiny shades deflecting the limelight, just rising from the underneath the stairwell before Onaga's burial...

A/N: I decided to divide this long post into 2 halves; I noticed it was almost 7k words if I should include Kung Lao's perspective. So, this shall only be the 1st half, and this was a great part to write resolving all the problems the Edenians had involving Onaga and brainwashing Kitana! I figured her reuniting with Jerrod was the best way to go since, unlike Sindel's ending, Onaga wasn't present. There were also a few ideas from the MK RP I was once involved in, such as having Nightwolf exorcise Sindel from the banshee, thus losing her flight and sonokinesis. Even the way Jerrod addressed to her.

And I found the koncept of Ermac being a free man was astonishing! Some dedicated fan pointed out the symbol on his back, in Deception, is known as the "Free Man" symbol. It has the Tifinagh letter "yaz." And it symbolizes the "free man", such as how Ermac had been freed. His design also seems to be inspired by dessert origins, like the Berber people who use this.

And...since the outcome of Shinnok's Uprising differentiated from MK4/GOLD, the amulet wasn't retrieved by Onaga and hidden away. Not gonna spoil it here! I was also happy to rid of the scrappy, Tanya, again! I was also frustrated to have Kitana as one of Onaga's mindless followers, a kommon kliche that was later exploited!

Romance in the Dark from Black Knight OST shall play as Ermac addresses to the Edenian knights, Winning the Crowd from the same og score would follow on Kenshi, Aiko, and Ermac's objective, Staff Upgrade from Starfox Adventures would chime as they konfirm it. And Into Battle from the ReBoot soundtrack chimes when Jade and Sindel fails to fight off Kitana.

So, Part 1 was easy, but Part 2 was just sheer, utter Hell, both literally and metaphorically...

Con't IV: Traversing thru the Abyss

Meanwhile, Kung Lao came to as cool air blew against his face. With a few quiet grunts, his eyes cleared, and he noticed his body was nearly paralyzed. Slowly, he began moving each of his limbs then sat up. He beheld the ethereal sight as this mysterious plane was being surrounded by tall candles, the sky was a mixture of salmon, amethyst and tangerine clouds, and a skinny platform laid next to him. He examined the table making out seven innards, each with elaborate markings. Then, in the far back, he saw several gateways, believing they belonged to each of the realms including his own...

His head was as foggy as his sight, but he wondered if he was just at the center of Heaven...

Just then, a blue portal opened within one of the arches and he spotted Damashi and Shujinko. Not wanting to be seen, Lao ducked behind the epicenter.

"Wh... what is this place?" The teen muttered as he looked at his surroundings quickly.

"This is the Nexus. Constructed by the Elder Gods to aid their champion on his quest to save the realms." The orange energy sphere answered.

"To aid me?" He was lost in thought, pointing to himself.

"These portals lead to each of the realms that conceals a Kamidogu. Each time you recover one, you must return it to the Nexus and place it on that altar." Shujinko fixed his eyes onto that thin piece of wood. "Doing so will unlock the portal to the next realm for you to search."

"Which portal will open first?"

"Place the Earthrealm Kamidogu on the altar and you will know."

Peeking from the side, Lao witnessed the insignia of the blue and green orbs shine and hover over the hole to the right of all the other empty engravings. A few moments later, a red portal began to form adjacent to the blue one.

The otherworldly voice spoke again, "It would seem that the Elder Gods wish for their champion to search the Netherrealm next. I must warn you; it is a dark and evil place."

"I will be on my guard." Shujinko smiled and nodded.

Knowing there were six other slots missing, Lao still followed the wanderer thru a red portal which took them straight into the Netherrealm! The former monk was surprised they didn't wind up at the same place where he fought Scorpion, nor near the Fire Well. The sky was a bright pink-peach, and the numerous huts konsisted sharp horns on their roofs contrasted with the black burnt ground. Oddly enough, Lao wasn't fazed by its usual humid and tepid environment; he seemed grateful he was only in his astral form, yet still he could wander within the dreaded, and sometimes tempting, realm...

"Is this not what you expected? Damashi brought Lao out of his reverie.

"This place... It feels... dark." Shujinko observed.

"As dark as every heart that inhabits it. Normally your presence here would not be possible. Only evil resides in the Netherrealm."

"So how is it that I am here!?" The teen grew a bit agitated since he was now a part of Hell somewhat.

"Perhaps your time with the Lin Kuei has left a small stain of corruption on your soul."

"Corruption?!" He was certainly alarmed over this revelation; he never thought that even though the blue bloods were strict, he never suspected them to be evil.

"But you must not dwell on that. What is important is your quest. Most likely, the Netherrealm Kamidogu will not be found within the walls of this city. You must venture deep into these wretched planes of Hell if you are to recover it."

"This is not going to be pleasant, but I will complete my task."

He found numerous armored demons roaming around the city of Nekros. Each of them he interacted with were speaking a sort of language; Damashi told him they talk backwards so that many people won't listen to their secrets. He helped Shujinko translate their arcane tongues, and he found out the guards must be gathered for an oncoming feast...

It took a while for him to find a resident in elaborate clothing and a pale blue face. To Kung Lao, though, he knew exactly who he was! He just hovered still, frozen as if the horrid realm became frozen like the Treachery ring!

"Greetings, mortal. I am Shinnok. I was unjustly imprisoned in this realm many ages ago. I seek a lost amulet - my means of escape."

Kung Lao was startled, and he reached out a hand to hold back Shujinko as he implored, he was helping a very powerful and evil sorcerer who was banished by Raiden twice! Unfortunately, in his astral form, Lao couldn't intervene... Much to his disappointment, his translucent hand only went straight thru! He moped for a moment, until he noticed he was losing Shujinko in his amazing and tireless sprints; he reluctantly followed him til he found the golden amulet somewhere near the hut dedicated to the Brotherhood of Shadows.

Lao and Shujinko heard murmurs of chanting emanating from that large complex, though they were dumbfounded they never noticed the golden pendant just a few miles away. In the Champion's discouragement, Shujinko handed it over to Shinnok.

"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."

Lao's mind was clouded by dread, though he was slightly reassured by Shinnok's words of the suspicious amulet. He wondered if it he had the fake amulet instead...

Still, he couldn't help his mind screaming that Shujinko was a bad omen, and he was more blindly loyal than Liu Kang! Out of disgust, wondering what other troubles he'd stir, he found him head north an encounter a beautiful woman in white, komplete with a long hat and robes decorated in gold linings matching her stilettos! She was standing in earnest beside an iron gate.

"I am Shujinko. Pardon my intrusion, but you do not look like a demon of the Netherrealm," he addressed.

"I am Ashrah. I was once like the others - before I found the means to purge myself of the evil taint that permeates all who reside here. By slaying demons with an enchanted sword, I will gradually transform into a being whom this realm cannot contain. Eventually I will be free. And how is it you exist in this place? You do not seem to belong here yourself."

"I am from Earthrealm."

She held her chin for a moment, scanning over him. "Hmm, I see. Be warned, Shujinko. The Netherrealm is quite hostile to outsiders. If you are to survive against its denizens, you will need special skills. I offer to train you in the art of kombat that will be most effective here."

"I accept your most gracious offer, Ashrah." He responded with a bow.

"Then let your training begin."

Little by little, in his transformation, Shujinko was able to mimic all of the fallen soul's techniques. Kung Lao was intrigued Ashrah possessed moves that were even similar to his, including Nature's Torpedo which seemed quite similar to Kung Lao's tricky Whirlwind Kick taught by Bo' Rai Cho, and her Spin Cycle which had a striking resemblance to his own Tornado Kick! Even when sending enemies into the air, he noticed! Her greatest attributes were her use of holy light and her curved blade she named Kriss! There was a brief, swift swordfight, though with his rapid mastery, he was able to perform well.

"I have now shown you the techniques for fighting the demons of this place, Shujinko. May this knowledge serve you well." Ashrah stated.

He appreciated her with a bow, "Thank you, Ashrah. I believe I am ready to brave the depths of the Netherrealm."

She touched her chin with an index finger, "Perhaps a test is in order. Meet me at the temple outside of town. I will find you a suitable opponent. We will see if you have indeed learned all I have taught you."

"I look forward to this chance to test myself."

With that, she dissipated in a funnel of white light as the iron gates lifted. The sky churned darker gradually, despite the magma pools remaining bright as ever. Shujinko and Lao now realized they're in the barren, and more volatile, wastelands.

The domain was more territorial and intimidating as the onis became more violent than the passive townsfolk; Lao admired their warnings of the horrid creatures never being allowed in Nekros as he saw them lurk as if they were part of some punk-like street gangs. The narrow paths and land paths were littered with the same spiked horns as he saw atop of the numerous huts, and he felt it took them awhile to find...whatever made Shujinko hesitate as he gazed onto a towering grey stone.

"How odd... I feel a strange sensation the kloser I get to this structure."

Unsure what Shujinko meant, as Lao never felt a thing, he kontinued to track him when he finally spotted kolossal iron wrought bars overhanging from a ginormous arena encasing bright orange markings as the lava, then through another land path till he found Ashrah near one of the many humongous huts komplete with a stone floor, huge torches emitting blue flames, and stone structures with many of those protruding spikes. She was squaring with Baraka! Lao knew for certain this wasn't the more docile, time displaced Tarkatan he encountered recently.

"So, this is the demon known as Ashrah! Your notoriety extends as far as Outworld. Many of Shao Kahn's Netherrealm allies have fallen to your blade. Thus, he has sent an assassin to deal with you."

"Yes, I am aware of the demon known as Ermac. I welcome his arrival. Until then, you will serve as kombat practice."

Needless to say, Shujinko took the front as the Ashrah copy and bested Baraka in kombat; his lethal blades hardly made any effect, not even leeching his lifeforce. In fact, the Kriss duplicate was able to slice and break Baraka's own arm blades, making him vulnerable before he was taken out.

"That Tarkatan was not a pure demon, but a mutated hybrid of demon and mortal races. There was not much to gain from his death. Were I to defeat the powerful demon Ermac, however, I would surely ascend from this place much sooner. If while on your quest you should encounter him, lead him to me. It is here that I am most powerful."

"If I see him, I will do as you ask." Shujinko offered with a bow before he pranced southward and over a thorned bridge and narrow land path. He and Lao eventually saw the distinctive figure, whom Lao recognized as the assailant who once hid in the Warrior Shrine.

"What manner of beast are you?"

"I am no beast. I am Shujinko from Earthrealm and I am in search of a powerful demon. I have an acquaintance who wants to... deal with him."

"As commanded by the Emperor Shao Kahn, We search for a powerful demon as well. But We are bound together by sorcery, and the lower planes of this realm drain magical power. Our bond, Our strength, is fading. We fear that We will not have the strength to destroy Our enemy."

"Why do you say 'we' and 'our'?"

"We... will explain later if you help Us. There is not much time."

"I will most certainly help you. What must I do?"

"Help Us find a Soul Stone... a large red monolith covered with ancient runes. We can replenish the magic power that binds Our souls together and continue Our trek. Do this for Us, and We will reveal to you Our knowledge of kombat as payment."

"I will search for the Soul Stone."

Shujinko must've sharp memorization that could even rival Kung Lao's since he was able to find that same structure in which it gave him that...odd feeling.

"This appears to be the Soul Stone that warrior mentioned. I must inform him of its location."

It wasn't long before he found Ermac again and took him to that beastly landform encasing those shiny orange runes.

"Greetings! I have found the Soul Stone! It is to the east not far from here.

"We must go there immediately. Come, We will reward you once We have regained Our strength. Yes... This is it... a Soul Stone! We can feel Our strength returning!"

"What exactly is a Soul Stone?"

"Many ages ago, the first sorcerers toiled for the Elder Gods, linking the realms with portals. The lower planes of the Netherrealm are quite hazardous to beings of magic."

"In these inhospitable places, they erected Soul Stones, which restored their energies as they worked."

"We Ourselves are comprised of many warrior souls, bound together by sorcery. Eventually We would have become undone had you not shown Us the Soul Stone."

"Why did the sorcerers build the portals for the Elder Gods?"

"They were built as a defense from some unforeseen cataclysm. We do not concern Ourselves with such myths, however."

"Now We will honor Our promise and impart to you Our kombat knowledge. Prepare yourself, as the power of Ermac is revealed."

Those were the same moves taught to Shujinko's duplicate as he learnt and mastered Ermac's moves with ease, including his Teleport, Telekinetic Slam, his Soul Balls, even hovering himself for a short while with Mystical Float. All excepting for the teleported air slash that often took Lao and Liu unawares. But then again...he was still in the past.

Ermac... He is the one Ashrah is looking for. I must lead him to her. Shujinko thought. "Ermac, the demon you seek... Does it have a name?"

"Her name is Ashrah. She has slain many of Shao Kahn's Netherrealm allies - for this, he has commanded Us to destroy her."

"Interesting... She is looking for you as well. She believes you are a demon and will kombat you to purify her soul."

"Her misconceptions are of no importance. You must reveal to Us her location!"

"She is near a temple to the northwest. She is waiting for you."

"Then we must leave at once."

Within seconds, Ermac dissipated himself and Shujinko as he directed him to Ashrah overhead; it was no trouble for Lao to keep up. For once, he was grateful in his astral form.

Aloft the narrow path and horned bridge back to that same temple with the blue torches, Ermac arrived before Ashrah with an aerial blow!

"At last, I will defeat the demon Ermac. Your death will bring me closer to purification and ultimately, my release from this realm."

"We are no demon! Surely you can sense that We are not of your kind."

"Nonetheless, there must be some evil residing within you, or you could not have entered the Netherrealm."

"Enough! You have killed many of Shao Kahn's allies in your quest to purify your soul. You will pay for your insolence!"

To Kung Lao's disgust, Shujinko took on the form of Ermac instead of the benevolent Ashrah! If he would've taken the bait, he'd support the redeeming golden standard! Still, he hardly watched as Shujinko easily took away Ashrah's holy fighting spirit.

The actual Ermac as the bystander simply snickered, "Hmph. Is this the sum of your might, Ashrah? It will take much more to defeat Us!"

"And more you shall receive!" She stood up from her aching, struggling posture. The she charged with all her remaining might. "Aaahhh!"

Ermac, being he'd more strength, just forcibly tossed Ashrah into one of the placid flames with a single psi toss! Her body and spirit incinerated as she made some despicable grunts, and a declaration she'll have her vengeance one day in Hell's native tongue...

Kung Lao was enraged as his fists klenched and quivered, before unleashing his fury onto Shujinko which did nothing... Although, the relic given to him that looked similar to a biohazard symbol, got his peripheral vision.

This must be the Netherrealm Kamidogu. Damashi will be pleased.

With his remaining sanity, he followed Shujinko beneath the iron gates leading to the city of Nekros.

"Damashi! Damashi, where are you?!"

"Who dares summon me to this... Oh... Shujinko! It has been many years since last we met."

"Why have I not seen you in so long a time?"

"I... take precautions to avoid this place. It drains me. If my avatar were to stay here for too long, or descend too far into the lower planes, I could be trapped here forever."

"Your avatar? I do not understand."

"I am without a physical body and am only able to appear to you by extending my spirit into the realms. It is my hope that I will one day return to the physical world. Until then I must guide you as a simple apparition. And how goes your search?"

"I have found the Netherrealm Kamidogu!"

"So, it seems! Well done, Shujinko. Return to the Nexus and place the Kamidogu on the altar."

He did just that, and Lao followed him back to the ancient gateway which immediately sent them to the Nexus. "...It's about time," he sighed.

Lao watched him place it on the altar before a yellow portal opened. Shujinko entered the next realm, the Oriental followed.

"Kung Lao."

He paused and looked behind him. "...Raiden!" He bowed low. "I... never saw you in the Netherealm."

"You know I am powerless there, I've no jurisdiction. That was why I waited for you here. Have you not found any clues involving Onaga?"

Lao sulked and shook his head. "I have not. But what I DO know is, Shujinko is certainly a threat, to all the realms. I saw him aid Shinnok and found his missing amulet!"

Raiden's eyes widened, "Shinnok...? He found his amulet...?"

He could hardly speak, ashamed he failed to stop him.

The Thunder God backpedaled, "We are in the past, Kung Lao. We cannot intervene... However, the world wasn't in peril during 1964. He must've found the fake amulet instead; this must've jumpstarted the following events, when Bi-Han was tasked to find the real one for Quan Chi and when it was taken from the Temple of Elements. Quan Chi retained it till the war in Edenia."

Lao then remembered Shinnok being powerless as Raiden, Fujin and Liu ended it. "Then, Shujinko utterly failed. He's more blindly loyal than Liu Kang, and sided with the enemy, Ermac, against Ashrah! I knew he was up to no good...!" He growled.

Raiden perspired, "...He must be gathering the Kamidogu, to appease the One Being. I am certain you've heard of him."

"...Yes. I heard figments of him in the White Lotus Society."

"What many won't tell you, is the war of the Elder Gods. They were created by him and oppressed him, thus splitting himself kreating the many realms, including Earth. To prevent a repeated travesty, the Elder Gods hid them away, into the far reaches within them.

"They are the puzzle pieces to make another being supreme to the One Being. Unlike Shao Kahn who's merged Edenia and attempted to usurp Earthrealm, if all realms shall kombine into one, that usurper shall bring unfathomable destruction to all of existence..."

As Lao hung his head and shut his eyes in defeat, Raiden assured it's not too late. "Shujinko hasn't obtained all the Kamidogu just yet. Kontinue to follow Shujinko and Damashi on his quest, Kung Lao. And recruit the other Champions to fight in our kause. I strongly believe that troubled teen is konnected to Onaga's upbringing. Do not let his negative actions disturb you."

Lao made a low bow with his hands together, before he rose and marched into the yellow portal.

"I hope it's not too late already...!" Raiden muttered.

Kung Lao came to within a warm bed with a comforter at an opaque room. The sun was shining thru the window at the top wall, despite the red curtains blocking it. His fluttering eyes barely saw the brown wood but also the young woman sitting in front of him. He took in a few deep breaths before he made out the Outworlder with jet black hair pulled back, along with a thin, purple outfit that can even blend in with Outworld's macabre landscape.

She reached for Kung Lao's neck, caressing it. "I am Li Mei..."

Lao felt the soothing touch, even the scent of lavender, and her gentle voice...

"I'd taken you in after you became unconscious, Kung Lao. You have been asleep for the past seven hours."

He still felt too fatigued to speak, though he couldn't believe Hanzo brought him in, with Onaga running amok. He was also intrigued how someone from the wretched world even know who he was... His mind snapped back to reality as she offered a bowl with warm broth.

"A friend clad in yellow and black was seeking asylum and carried you here. He had offered me to help you." She then made Lao sip the lukewarm liquid again. "Thank the Elder Gods it was you. With Onaga reborn, there is still hope. I am not afraid..." She put aside the bowl as she touched his cheek for reassurance.

With this...sensation, Lao murmured, "I will protect you..."

"Then, allow me to lend you my strength," The Shaolin became so entranced by this outlander, he hardly noticed her lean in and kiss him passionately on the forehead. Realizing what was going, he rose his arms quickly as if to shove her away.

"Mmm-no!"

Li Mei sat there, awestruck.

"My heart...belongs to someone I cherish from Earthrealm. Aiko..." His mind was able to register and recollect the hard object as he reached down and inside the blanket. His fingers brushed against it and he rose the crimson gem which took in the golden sun. "I... Forgive me, Li Mei."

"Well, looks like you finally came around." The familiar tenor turned out to be Hanzo who sat in front of him. He was actually grinning for once.

"Agh, Hanzo."

"Are you feeling alright?"

"I think so." He held his weary head. "I went thru time again..."

"You saw Shujinko?"

"Yes, and I saw you as well, as your wraith self. Even Quan Chi, Ashrah, Ermac and Shinnok. I have an intuition that Shujinko may be a bad omen..."

"I remembered training him so he can stand a chance against the aggressive denizens. At the city of Nekros."

"It almost felt...tempting."

"Must be the Brotherhood of Shadow; seems to have this effect, plenty of dopamine." His mind switched gears. "Oh, I was just waiting outside the bedchamber where a young woman tended you. She's Li Mei, one of the Sun Do survivors who escaped from the brutal enslavement of the Deadly Alliance and the violent Soulnado."

She nodded. "She said that...she knows me." Kung Lao reiterated.

"Yes, I was a student of Bo' Rai Cho. He saved me and my people from Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. I've heard great things about you and Liu Kang. And I'd heard you and Hanzo are looking for the realms' Champions?"

"Indeed. It's the only way we can stop Onaga. Have you found any clues?"

Lao sulked and shook his head. "No. Only that Shujinko kannot be trusted. Even Raiden stated to me of the One Being, and Shujinko gathers all the Kamidogu. The Elder Gods hid them to prevent that same kalamity. And... we kannot leave Outworld unless we should find a portal."

"I recommend we should head to the Chaosrealm, and find Havik; he seems to be the best fighter, by default anyway. There's also the Orderrealm, err Seido as they kall it. Although their most skilled warrior is Hotaru; he's...pretty much the equivalent of a Soviet mixed with those asinine Jehovah." Hanzo mentioned.

"I will lead you to the gateway of Outworld. It may be ancient, but I believe it can still be active, even without a Kamidogu." Li Mei added.

"Raiden said only the hearts of Champions can enter the Nexus. Only me and Hanzo."

"Then, we must proceed, before if Onaga and his followers should reach it." Lao hesitated as he gazed into the heart gem once more. Until Li laid a soft hand on his firm shoulder. "We must go," she encouraged.

It took several minutes before the trio prepared themselves for the journey. They prayed to the Elder Gods that things won't take a turn for the worst.

A/N: Whew...this was an excruciatingly LONG chapter to write; thank goodness I decided to cut it from the previous chapter, when the Edenian thrall and reunion took place! The Netherrealm was NOT an easy, simple scenario; so many sidequests to do there during Konquest! It was sheer, utter Hell both metaphorically and literally!

Good thing Kung Lao was in the lead discovering more on Shujinko's quest. And, yeah, he did feel tempted at times due to the sinister and sometimes alluring atmosphere of the Netherrealm, even from the Brotherhood of Shadow, as Lao and Aiko served Shinnok before. Sometimes I too feel the same, sometimes I wonder what'd be like if she truly was a revenant. It seems so enthralling on what kan it be like... Maybe I'll make a non-canon oneshot of that...

Anyway, I didn't like the decisions Shujinko had to make! He chose the wrong sides while aiding Shinnok even though it was a fake amulet, he aided Quan Chi, the Onis, Ermac, taking the form of him fighting off the benevolent Ashrah, and they say he's supposed to be a hero? Yeah right! He never has a conscience, just blind loyalty, even with decisions which seemed to be wrong! No wonder Kung Lao questioned his motives to Raiden!

The scenario, aside from the Edenian reunion, involving Lao and Li Mei was on my mind for a while; reminds me of the tempting scene as Jade did to Liu in Annihilation. A little klue to the so-called Li/Lao fans; he belongs to Aiko here!

So, the Kuatan Palace/Nexus from Mortal Kombat Deception plays as Lao finds the Nexus; Netherrealm - Konquest, Mystical Energies - Ermac's Training, Demon Huntress - Ashrah's Training, and finally Animality from Annihilation shall follow here.

Part 2 of the originally-kombined-chapter is finished! What a huge weight off my shoulders! I hope the Chaosrealm won't be so damned hectic!

A/N: It was stated in a previous chapter that Hanzo remembered encountering Shujinko in the Netherrealm and training him, thus Shujinko taking his form while also taking in his wrath. I guess I forgot to mention it in the last chapter, but...

Kung Lao never saw Shujinko train with Hanzo, nor did he have his revenge on Quan Chi. In Konquest he does, which doesn't make sense since he wasn't supposed to know until the events in MK4 when he idiotically stated he killed his clan in front of him and a stunned Kuai before Scorpion tackled Quan and sent them both to Hell...

I almost forgot about the second time Shujinko went into the Netherrealm to restore his taint, his ability to travel to other realms.

In a way...it could just be a temporal flux, like the Nexus from Star Trek Generations. On one hand it's non-canon, yet I forgot to highlight Scorpion meeting Shujinko, so I guess Lao skipped over that spar, but I won't kount his vengeance; so I think Midway just fucked up here.

Con't V: The Ways of Chaos

Li Mei led Kung Lao and Hanzo thru the Kuatan Jungle, a more desolate route she suggested to get to the ancient portal undetected by Onaga and his undead cronies; as a skilled warrior trained by the late Bo' Rai Cho and native of Outworld, she became quite the navigator in all the wildernesses of uncivilized realm. She summarized to stay on firmer ground and away from the marshes and swamps as they could be infested by various deadly creatures such as the pseudo-alligators and huge kobras lurking about. She even stated this was once a home to a forgotten, extinct species, and civilization had been abandoned by Kahn and his vicious Saurian minions.

Minutes later, Li Mei stopped the explorers as she beheld the circular gateway with the metallic frame; Kung Lao konfirmed it was the same one he saw back in Earthrealm and the Nexus. Amongst the dense overgrowth and foliage, it was nearly blending in with the humid environment.

A nearby bush ruffled and the trio hesitated and braced for the worst, thinking it'd be a wild denizen belonging to the swampy terrain. However...

Luck wasn't on their side as archers emerged from the bog and brushes with their black bows drawn! They surrounded the startled, bewildered group, even as they witnessed a slender male walk up to them! He was covered in thick leaves and vines, obscuring his molded outfit, although his shades were unaffected as he took them off.

"Onaga seemed a lot more klever than you thought!" he growled.

"Johnny...! What're you-!" Lao kould hardly speak. He was stunned as he noticed one of his friends being enthralled by Onaga, even after death!

"My scenic plan worked well," he remarked. "Just the perfect trap I needed to make you three one of us...!" He sneered as if he was a predator that spotted fresh meat, his irises flaming.

"Kung Lao! Johnny only wants to kill us so we can be mindless slaves like him! All wraiths are bound to their up bringer!" Hanzo warned, recapping his experience as one.

"...I don't want to fight you, Johnny."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to fight me neither...!"

Hanzo stated words won't work on Onaga's servant, similar to Quan Chi's; in other words, it must be resolved in kombat! He should know. Even though Lao recalled Hanzo attaining his lost humanity despite the dormant wraith in him. Johnny was indeed desperate on finding the last Kamidogu, as it was konvenient to find Hanzo instead!

He lunged in with a Flashy Kick, but Lao outmaneuvered him with a spin jump which led into a chain of several Shaolin Drops, before Cage avoided his aerial slam. Cage ducked Lao's Hat Throw then the warrior Teleported behind his opponent, making them size each other up before unleashing some exchanging punches and kicks. Cage unleashed his Nut Breaker which stunned Lao for a few seconds but was flexible enough to counter his next strike. He kast out a green orb, before Lao Teleported and attacked Cage from behind with a flurry of punches! Lao became swifter as he gained momentum, even when he threw his hat into Cage's skull before flipping over it while his hat stayed in place, until he Teleported to stab the spinning wheel into his spine!

Cage wasn't down and out yet, as he became more ferocious. Lao avoided his Triple Orb, only to be too close to Cage's counters! He even smacked Lao's head against one of the fractured statues, stunning him. Little did he knew, a heart-shaped glow emanated from Lao's side, recovering his injuries. He was backed toward one of the taller statuettes, till he Teleported on top, hung and swung from a vine! He repeated the same strategy on the other vine and continued to pummel Cage with a few Shaolin Drops before he blocked. He made a Tornado and slam punched him to the ground. Then he Teleported quickly and klosed in for the kill with a Whirlwind Kick in rapid legs while he spun in a vortex!

Lao managed to knock the wind out of Cage's body, which was now immobilized. "You'd best to surrender, if you know what's good for you."

A few darts flew! Kung Lao with his keen senses deflected them with another Tornado! He abruptly stopped as he and his allies were stuck in the center of another violent vortex! One with thicker, more volatile, force tossing all the archers around before scattering and splattering over the jungle floor!

After a minute, the way was clear, and in dropped Fujin from the thick canopies aloft! "Well, this is a nice, shady place!"

"Agh-Lord Fujin!" Lao bowed low in deep respect; he was astonished to see him in the midst of Outworld.

"Can the formalities, Kung Lao," the Wind God held him up with a single digit. "You need to head for that portal."

"Right, let's go." Hanzo said.

"What about Li Mei and... him?" the Oriental motioned to the fallen Johnny.

"I'll take them straight to Earthrealm. I know the Order forbids foreigners, but we have desperate times here. I'm not sure how to deal with a revenant, so he must be kontained. Go, hurry!"

Hanzo and Lao nodded to each other, indicating they were ready, before they ran into the gateway. The portal activated in a violet hue before they dissipated!

Fujin konfirmed aloud that Johnny must've been searching for the last Kamidogu, and Hanzo, Fujin and Lao knew exactly what it was, since it was foreign news to Li Mei. Fujin silenced her, as there may be spies lurking about, just like Johnny, as Sonya and Jax, some Special Forces agents, were still about. Fujin heard a low snarl coming from the reanimated corpse. Cage was about to rip his own head off! Until Fujin nipped him in the bud by giving him an aggressive backhand, making him still again! "Damn you, bastard! He was about to pull off a Hara-Kiri!"

Li looked at him dumbfounded, then rubbed her chin in thought, "I believe it has to do with a-"

"Suicide!"

He then put a steady hand on Li's quivering shoulder and replied with a grin, "Hold on tight!" He swayed his arms until a bright blue rip appeared amongst a gust. He gestured her to head in first and a sudden rumble of thunder followed with radical flashes of red lightning and a few zigzagging bolts. The Wind God hesitated as he looked up, "Brother...?"

He soon shook off the disbelief, despite having his feet buzz.

The distant vegetation was bent as a Tarkatan wearing a spotless white tee bore his fangs...

Lao and Hanzo escaped into the Nexus... Though they needed to regain their footing as they stumbled.

After catching their breath, Hanzo pointed to the goldenrod portal, "That must be the Chaosrealm. I remembered wandering there, in search of one of my fallen comrades. I needed Shujinko's assistance to find his body. It had been decayed, but luckily, he retrieved his intact mask for me as evidence."

Lao's mind seemed to be elsewhere, "I'm surprised Onaga sent a Revenant, Johnny, alone."

For a brief moment, Hanzo's mind flashed back fighting him in the first tournament, then he sighed, "Orders were orders and they are always bound to them. I was only consumed by revenge, but I was always enslaved by Quan Chi. It fed my ardency as I was hunting for the Lin Kuei fugitive, Kuai Liang. We tend to be puppets enamored by our master's words. And if I'm correct...I believe Onaga follows Order as he too oppresses free will; it is certainly anarchy to the erratic Chaosrealmers."

"So... how are they? Do they seem violent? Psychotic?" He pictured them as escaped inmates from the world's worst mental asylum.

"That depends. They are unpredictable. We must always be on our six."

They proceeded to the yellow portal, as Lao remembered in his dream. Although he was tempted to take the Earthrealm Kamidogu, thinking Onaga might use them united as a power source. Hanzo held his hand back, as he hypothesized the dragon may be watching them from afar.

They emerged from another gateway and into a disorienting world... The sky was an eerie mix of a lifeless lime and grey. There were disheveled, tall rows of what appeared to be like barbed wire, while some elaborate structures with diamond-patterned windows stood.

To the former monk, the atmosphere felt like a surrealistic nightmare, out of context, alienlike, and sometimes made his head feel light... He kould've sworn he saw the same sphere of energy in that fuzzy voice speak...

"You must continue your search in this realm...the realm of Chaos."

"Chaos!?" Shujinko appeared alarmed.

Damashi remained unfazed, "The nature of this realm is one of constant turmoil. The beings here have opposed order and structure, Chaos is their religion."

"Kung Lao... Kung Lao."

He heard his name, but it wasn't until Hanzo shook him that got him out of his funk. "Oh, Hanzo..." He held his head as if it was drifting away. "I feel so out of sorts here. This realm is making me feel a bit queasy and out of it. Still...we must find Havik...!"

He trodden behind the Shirai Ryu hitman while he kontinued to hold his head with one hand. He couldn't bear to look at the pale greyish mint, as the sky seemed to irritate his headache more. He could've sworn he saw bolts of energy fizz thru it, or maybe he was just seeing stars as an aftereffect from being hit. He barely noticed the pitch-black tombstones, even those with demon horns, or the koffins that were klosely shaped like rockets. Or the savage denizens running around as if they were scorching or had their heads chopped off!

"I... must be losing my mind...!" It wasn't just his vision that was foggy, nor the distant landscape with the tall, slanted buildings, but as if his brain was blurring and had a lesser grip on reality.

Hanzo had to escort him thru the toxic landscape, and it was quite fortunate only he was immune and as steady as those other leaning Pisa-like structures. While his vision cleared for a short while, Kung Lao was fascinated by the black-yellow designs from the automatic doors to the illuminating steps, to the colossal center pillars holding up the gleaming ceilings of the same texture.

"Hanzo...this...almost looks futuristic."

"Perhaps this realm had been developed more rapidly than Earth or the Netherrealm. It almost feels time is moving faster, as if you can't perceive time here; the people are just as frantic as the flow of nature itself, even many kases of extreme restlessness."

On the subject of sudden and tantivy, Lao hardly noticed Hanzo carrying him over his shoulders as they stepped into the bright, circular platform which warped them off their feet as they beheld themselves on a different landscape from the endless void below!

Still, it didn't take long for the ninja to find a bulky armored man which could've resembled a Crusader in ancient Earthrealm! He found the sinister guard standing before walls of barbed wire holding up vented rooves adjacent to side doors attached to a pair of gigantic orange slabs with ends pointing inwards.

Lao's mind zoned out again...

"You have two choices, stranger." The strong man retorted. "State your intentions or hear the shattering of your spine."

"I wander in search of holy relics, madman. Do not block my path!" Hanzo, or was it Shujinko defied him...

He held his chin. "Ah...a wanderer, eh?" His expressions seem loose and his became flimsy. "I am Havik, a cleric of Chaos! I would never think of confining a spirit such as yours."

"Thank you, Havik. I am Shujinko. I am a newcomer to the realm of Chaos."

"There are many newcomers as of late... Seidan Guardsmen, for instance. They seek to restrict the flow of our water...something we hold sacred. Water was not to be controlled. Its shapeless, fluidic nature is a blessing.

"I make you an offer, Shujinko. Take these four Chaos pendants. Defeat each of the four Seidan invaders and place a pendant around their necks. The pendants will shatter the bondage of Order and reveal to them the perfection of Chaos. Only then they will cease the enslavement of our water. Do this for me, and I will teach you the ways of Chaos as well."

"Who are these 'Seidan Guardsmen'?"

"They are soldiers of an oppressive realm that have come to impose their Order. They seek to control and alter our water supply for their own ends. Their presence here is offensive. Only if it suits you at the time. I will not have it any other way. May Chaos break the rules that bind us, my friend."

Lao kould've sworn his soul was leaving his body, as he not only felt he was having an out-of-body experience, but he kept having visions on Shujinko taking out each of the Seidan Guardsmen which looked very similar to Vikings, standing at the four corners of a newfangled facility with numerous pumps descending deep into the turf as they glowed with neon sky-blue energy! Before his mind receded back to Shujinko with Havik again at that same place.

"You have converted the Seidan Guardsmen into the ways of Chaos. They shut down their facilities and came here for guidance. I proposed to them a mission in their home of Seidan, the realm of Order. They have already embarked on the quest. I thank you for your assistance," he presented with a bow with enclosed hands.

"You said you would show me the ways of Chaos if I can free their minds." Shujinko stated.

The Crusader was disgusted, his voice booming with ridicule, "As if I would honor a deal! You should know better than to bind a man of Chaos to his word. I will free myself of this oppression! Fight!"

Lao's mind was so delirious, he saw double-vision; two Haviks, one in his red garb with the other opposing him in orange yellow. At times, it made out to be Hanzo, though he only registered a sort of mirror match as he copied his disorienting skills! The most astonishing were his Torso Spin in which he rotated the upper part of his body while flailing his arms without the use of his legs; the Cracking Legs Projectile in which he descended into an indistinguishable angle while firing a streak of energy from his hands, without any kare of breaking a limb; his sudden leap like a monkey's; a grab at the enemy's head to be hit by a stomp after turning his leg in 360 degrees; and a Head Snap when he literally broke his neck and back into place which to Hanzo was a way of restoring energy in a bizarre fashion! His fighting pose was awkward, as his legs looked bent like a crab's or spider's, while the upper half moved like a snake charmed by a flute; it seemed like he WAS using his Snake fighting style!

Hanzo took him on with little to no problem, as he was a seasoned resident of the Chaosrealm; no doubt since he was damned, adapted, and bound to the unrelenting Netherrealm. His wrathful counters were just as ruthless of Havik's despite applying to the laws of physics.

Liu Kang's second had some hallucinations of Ermac fending off Havik, even though the former was moving and attacking the same fashion as Hanzo!

The cursed ninja was able to defeat the cleric.

"Well done...!" He kongratulated.

"Well done!?" Shujinko was indeed taken aback by the sudden konflict. "You tried to kill me!"

"Nonsense. How could I teach you the ways of Chaos, if there was an agreement, a structure to the lesson."

The traveler spread his arms. "Ooh... I think I understand. I was learning from the unpredictable nature of experience, not from a structured tutorial. I did not realize you had no intentions on harming me when you attacked, and therefore I learned to adapt to what I perceived to be a real threat."

"You are correct, except...I would have killed you if you had given me the chance. I was quite serious. Because you have survived my assault, however, I give you this key to an ancient labyrinth. May it unleash Chaos upon your journey."

The vision shifted back to Hanzo after Havik handed a small, golden key to Shujinko.

"You fleas have always been this insane. As if treating a fight as a friendly conversation or a turn-on."

"Indeed, we do! It feels like decades since the last time I saw you, Scorpion!"

"Hanzo, please..." he said humbly.

"Fair enough. You still a chained wraith of the Netherrealm!?"

"No. I had already broken my shackles as I restored my humanity, after my bondsman, Quan Chi, was slain by my own hands!"

"Intriguing... You seemed a lot stronger, and livelier than I recognized."

"Kung Lao and I are here to find you. The Dragon King of Outworld, Onaga, has risen once more."

He literally spat to the turf in disgust! "Onaga! The accursed serpent binding his followers into submission, controlling his massive undead legion; no longer having a strong will nor life to break away from his enslavement! The Chaos that would ensue from the resistance would be a blessing to this realm. Onaga must never gain the upper hand in this struggle.

"It will take more menace than just me alone. I suspect Hotaru would be on the denial of freedom, recruiting his revolting henchmen to perform his and Onaga's bidding. If I can just find my komrades, Darrius and Dairou, it would make an easier feat. Never let Hotaru and the Seidan override the ways of Chaos!"

"Of kourse," Hanzo replied with a bow.

Kung Lao was still sitting, hunched over with his hat low enough to kover his eyes.

"Hmm, your Earthrealmer friend here could use some assistance, may I konvert him?"

"-At least escort us to the nearest portal."

"Just head back from whence you kame. I need to gather my men for the upcoming battle! It has been too long I was in an exhilarating war!" He roared as he raised his arms, as if stretching from a well-rested sleep.

Hanzo didn't leave any greeting; instead, he karried Kung Lao back to the portal, although the hat thrower barely had enough endurance to gaze onto the large pool of caramel-colored liquid...

"Shujinko, you have found the Chaos Kamidogu!" Damashi spoke to his messenger who appeared to be more muscular, unlike his linear self. His outfit also expanded in size, even churned from an earthly blue to a goldenrod suitable of the Chaosrealm.

"Yes! I found it in a labyrinth not far from here. But I feel strange. I feel like I have changed."

"Indeed, you have. Many years have passed since you first entered this realm. I suspect the labyrinth you encountered contained some time stirring agent. Time has passed, but you have not perceived it."

"Many years?" He began to glance at himself, "By the Gods... I do feel...older... It must have been that strange liquid I stepped through."

"That is a distinct possibility. It matters not. You should return to the Nexus and place it on the altar. You have done well, Shujinko. The Elder Gods will be pleased."

Lao's hallucination faded once his body slightly lurched while Hanzo carried him up the steep stairwell and back into the Nexus portal.

A/N: I was going to include another scene, but I kinda figured it'd be too long... And too much work!

The Chaosrealm was pretty interesting, even Havik, which is strange becuz while I prefer organization over disarray, I seem to like the kleric better as he's a bizarre, though awesome moveset, is never bound to rules, and appreciates freedom, even though to the Seidan it's anarchy. Strong will doesn't seem to be the Orderrealm's way of life, thus Havik's disgust over Onaga's enslavement. Besides...I know a lot when it comes to having a former guardian, and several others I hate that control, manipulate and begrudge what I like and what I do! As they think it's either too overstimulating or they just want to force me into conformity!

It was tough writing this! I needed to take a breather; 616's playthru was alright, even though AnonymousAffection's walkthrough was more in-depth.

Capture! from Strider, the Genesis, version'd play as Lao faces off Johnny; Hara-Kiri from Deception'd chime when Johnny attempts to kill himself if it weren't for Fujin, Konquest Mode: Chaosrealm would follow when Lao and Hanzo venture into it, Chaos Clergy - Havik's Training would play afterwards when Hanzo/Shujinko spar with Havik, and the Konquest Komplete jingle shall finish it off.

I'm not a fan of MKX, but I figured the Kuatan Jungle was a nice touch for the second revenant fight; interesting environment and interactions too.

I'm trying my damndest to konnect as many elements of my brainstorming as I kan; I don't want to make the story overwhelming for me and those following it. So, more shall be further delved into later.

Con't VI: Darkness Brewing

In Liu's Tomb, Kenshi and his team emerged from the blindman's portal. Unfortunately, neither warrior knew the location of the last relic, the Temple of Elements. Liu suggested to kontact either Kuai or Hanzo since they were the ninjas who sealed Shinnok's Amulet away. Astonished of the former wraith's fate, Kenshi immediately sent a radio signal to whomever would reach it first.

Hanzo carried the unconscious Kung Lao over his back, out from the Nexus, and into the portal leading to Earthrealm; he figured it was the only safe haven he could be in aside from Outworld where Onaga and his legions ran amok, or even the neighboring realm, Edenia. The Netherrealm was obviously out of the picture, as was the Chaosrealm, even the opposing Orderrealm and Hanzo wasn't konfident on recruiting Hotaru who greatly warred against the kleric, Havik.

Aiko received a sensation, as if she felt something, then a pang in her chest with a few palpitations. She then gazed into the heart gem which ignited in brightness and warmth, while Kenshi sensed Hanzo's essence telepathically, startled that he was still alive! The OIA agent punched around his wristband, and it gave a digital sound.

Hanzo received a signal on his wristband, even muffled words from a voice of a familiar ally ringing in his mind... "Agh-Kenshi! Is that you?"

"Hanzo! Heh, you're alive."

"Yeah. The Elder Gods gave me a second chance to fight. But I was unsuccessful. I was stranded in Outworld, until I found Kung Lao. We were tasked in looking for the realms' Champions to stop Onaga; we believe the Kamidogu are his power source when together."

"I see. Aiko sensed something's wrong, how is Lao?"

"He's unconscious."

"What happened? Did Onaga attack?" Liu added.

"Fortunately, no. We went into the Chaosrealm and found Havik; I doubt Hotaru would be of some assistance. We've yet to find the representative of Edenia." His face filled with dread. "However...with Shao Kahn reigning over it... Kenshi! Kenshi, do you read me? Kenshi!"

The humanized soul noticed the radio signal went dead, as did his receiver. "Hanzo! I lost kontact! Hanzo, kan you hear me!?" Kenshi sighed in disdain, "We lost the signal! Damn! The Special Forces! Johnny, Sonya and Jax must've disabled our devices. Unless... Aiko, I'll need your heart gem." She obliged, and the OIA agent spoke to Hanzo via Kung Lao's own jewel as an alternative route!

Following the weak, though distressed voice, Hanzo responded, "I read you."

"Sonya and the others must have cut off our transmission; I doubt my telepathy can carry over to you for long."

"I still don't know who Edenia's Champion should be."

Sindel was muttering amongst Kitana and Jade, who all shared the same uncertainty. Thinking there was no Champion representing Edenia, on account since the realm lost ten victories from Outworld, thus Kahn's konquest for 10,000 years, it wasn't possible... Kitana and Sindel summarized they won't be eligible to use its Kamidogu, especially since it was merged with Outworld for too long a time...

King Jerrod broke the cloud of tension hanging over everyone as he offered for himself to become its Champion! He might still have the former's essence kollected by Shao Kahn!

"Better to bend the rules to save all realms." Hanzo spoke with a relieved grin.

Liu Kang stated. "Those petty Elder Gods never kared when Earthrealm was invaded by Kahn, nor when I died! Nor of Aiko's dystopian future! Master Raiden and Fujin both abandoned their positions, even when Shinnok attacked! And when I lost my life too... I may be Champion, but if I were to override the rules for those I protect, then so be it!"

Before there'd be a quarrel against the higher-ups, Sindel asked her husband to see if Ermac would find the identity of the past Champion of Edenia. The onlookers, even the knights, could've sworn it was as if the kollector's body was receiving mixed signals as it echoed transmissions from the thousands of dormant souls...

About a minute later, his vessel silenced as he opened his eyes, were churned into a brighter dirty gold, even his skin rippled. "I think I found him, my beloved...! With this...I shall reunite with Hanzo and Kung Lao."

Sindel and Kitana grew worried for his safety while they pleaded him to be careful as they embraced him tightly and to never lose him again... Liu was more optimistic that as a kollection of souls thus housing some of the best dead warriors, he'll have the upper hand; many souls were better than one, he said. "After all, I did possess Kung Lao's body against the Deadly Alliance and won!"

With a quick nod, Ermac offered him a fast ride to Kung Lao's and Hanzo's location near the ancient portal which was kloseby. Although...Liu offered to make a quick pitstop first... He pointed toward the domed roof belonging to the Temple of Light.

A bald monk in blood red garb was kneeling and praying within an opaque chamber. The rows of candles began to flicker, as if there was a rush of air. Yet still, he was deep in his mantra with his head bowed.

"Grandfather..."

The whisper of his voice brought him out of his reverie.

"Liu Kang...!"

He rose a hand and assured he wasn't a hallucination, but rather he was real! Despite the stupe, Liu asked who Shujinko and Damashi were. "I must know who they are. Shujinko was just a boy before I was even born. I'm certain you know him."

"Shujinko..? I haven't heard that name in decades."

The frail monk stated he met Shujinko ever since he was a tween, always helping the townsfolk with many odd jobs, and often training himself to be the next Champion. He was always so full of himself, like a local celebrity, even though most people were merely taking advantage of him. Until one fateful day when he suddenly left the village and never returned...

"Grandfather, who is Damashi? Do you...know anyone by that name?"

He hesitated, then sulked. "No, I'm afraid not..." Before Liu had the chance to object, he spoke again, "Damashi...is rather...a Japanese word."

He paused for a moment, "...For what?"

The elder raised his head, "It means...Deception, Liu."

The spirit's eyes grew as wide as the setting sun! "Deception...? As in..." He immediately whizzed over the dumbfounded monk's bald head. He implored where he was heading! "I must meet up with Kung Lao and Hanzo! They need to know the truth!"

Liu Kang hollered for Ermac to take them to the ancient gateway! They left in the speed of light!

"Kuai and I arrived at the Temple of Elements via portal, konjured by Raiden. If I'm korrect, it shall be further north. They say it's hard to find, but it should be massive and elaborate enough to stick out like a sore thumb." Hanzo spoke to Lao's heart gem.

The lime-green field materialized beside Hanzo and Lao, with the latter still unresponsive.

Liu asked what was going on, and Hanzo explained Lao became delusional as they were investigating the Chaosrealm; in which Jerrod remembered venturing in once. The man formerly known as Scorpion also stated it wasn't possible to recruit Hotaru as he may work for Onaga; they kould just be fanatical as the kleric but in the ways of strict order.

"Right... Unless perhaps we can find Shujinko, then maybe there's a chance. But Brother..."

Liu offered his spirit to revive Kung Lao, while also piecing together his mind like a jigsaw puzzle. He reminded Hanzo on merging their minds in some meditation sequences prior to Onaga's resurrection. And so, his spirit faded as he entered into Lao's unconscious vessel.

Momentarily, groans were heard even moaning Liu's name. Hanzo and Jerrod watched over him, even when he came to. The blue sky was a welcoming sight, even when it was nearly obscured by the Shirai Ryu's face. "Looks like you're coming around, welcome back, Kung Lao." He assured the former monk they're back at home, in Earthrealm. Relieved, Lao rose slowly...

Seeing his kompanion's translucent, lime soul, he kouldn't help but give a small smile, "Liu Kang... I heard and followed your voice in the dark. You've led me into the light from that void... Thank you, brother."

"Now's not the time for a reunion. Have you found all the Champions yet?"

"We need the victor from Edenia, but...I cannot tell who it should be since Kahn won over the realm for so damn long."

"We...already found him." Liu's essence pointed back to the distinguishable figure.

Lao was paralyzed with disbelief! "Ermac?" His body was a bit numb, but he managed to grab for his lethal hat!

"Wait! He's King Jerrod of Edenia! He's on our side; Kenshi diced Kahn's thrall over him." The stranger never flinched, just shown the back yaz symbol as proof. "With his legion still intact, he kan help us deal with Onaga, by impersonating Edenia's lost Champion!"

"Yes," Hanzo nodded. "However, we still must find Shujinko."

"Hanzo...he's too frail to fight." Lao added.

The ninja sighed, "Better him than no one..."

"Kan you sense his soul, Your Majesty?" Liu jested.

"I kan try." He focused his energy, detecting the weak spirit of the wanderer. "Indeed, he is in his elderly state." A blurred vision entered his mind as he saw a hunched old man konsisting of white hair and a long, olive robe. He pointed towards the northeast.

"Alright, let's go. Are you strong enough to proceed, Lao?"

"I think I should be ok. Head is klearing, body's steadier." He stood up after Liu's koncerned words.

"Hurry, I feel the septuagenarian's soul fading quickly! There seems to be another, more omnipotent, intermingling with his; Interference, intense ferocity."

"Then we've no time to lose!" Hanzo urged. The team dissipated, just moments before streaks of red lightning licked the sudden darkened sky with a large grey-tan cloud overhead!

On their way trekking to the Temple of Elements, the group was stunned by a whoosh of wind! A funnel appeared before them just a few feet away!

Sindel urged everyone to evacuate, yet Kenshi raised an arm. His sword illuminated in a turquoise hue, and he picked up a male passing thru it!

"It's Fujin!" He declared.

Aiko cheered the elemental's name as her heart raced for hers and Lao's klose mentor! She ran toward the decimating whirlwind.

The Kombatants raced toward the Wind elemental who seemed to have a refugee in tow.

"Fujin! Boy are we glad to see you!" The cardiokinetic chorused.

"Yes, indeed it is a pleasure to meet up with you too, little one."

"Fujin... What of your brother?" Kenshi queried. "I sensed suspicious activity from Outworld, enough to disturb me as I was mourning for Hanzo."

The ancient sulked, "I'm afraid Raiden has taken a turn for the worst. Ever since he sacrificed himself to save the lot of us from Onaga... He's been almost a vegetable in the Jinsei Chamber. I watched over him, until I'd no choice but to abandon my post, to assist Hanzo and Kung Lao, as she was defecting from Outworld." He shown them the stranger. "This is Li Mei. She's a young soul of Sun Do whom I helped to seek asylum."

"That's Johnny!"

Aiko gasped while everyone muttered in disbelief, seeing the fallen undead lying beside the escapees!

"I had never dealt with Revenants before! I believe he's still enslaved by Onaga's corruption indefinitely after Kung Lao stopped him, unless if the Dragon shall be slain. Sonya and Jax are still bound to him too."

The Edenians glanced over at Kitana, who had no answers. "I... I kan't be sure how to restore him."

"I fear the Jinsei would be infected upon Johnny's dark soul, and him being recuperated would resume his blind loyalty. If we'd not find a solution, he may have to be..."

"He should be kontained at least. If he seems too resistant to reason." Kenshi suggested.

"We're on our way to the Temple of Elements. I'm sure we should take him there, for now at least." Sindel lamented; even she was klueless on dealing with another suffering from her resurrection and servitude to a great evil.

"I am certain Onaga shall be hunting for the last relic, at the Temple."

"Yes. However, we aren't certain where it is, ever since Hanzo and Kuai arrived there by portal."

"I will teleport all of you there in a millisecond, Kenshi. This sacred fortress was built by my brother, and I and a few of Earth's Guardians fell to Bi-Han." He was still dumbfounded about that incident being bested by a mere mortal...

"Whew, thank goodness..." Aiko perspired, relieved never to traverse thru a mountain range, nor wandering aimlessly in search of the place.

With a wry smile, Fujin ordered everyone to hold on tight, before he lifted the heroes off their feet!

As time passed, Aiko was discussing her relationship with Kung Lao to Li Mei, who seemed rather intrigued. The Outworlder saw the crimson heart gem in her possession, which was the same one Lao presented her as she was tending him, symbolizing their love. Aiko mentioned it'd be used as a power source and kommunicator, and if enough life energy was emanated, she'd make another individual give her and the recipient strength both physically and mentally. She assured there's still so much to learn of her powers.

"I never encountered Outworlders with that kind of skill. Hmm, I believe the stronger the bond is to the person, the more energy is given." Li Mei stated in wonder. "It seems you have a deep konnection with Kung Lao. I was about to feel the same, until he mentioned his heart belonged to someone else; apparently, it was you.

"Have you known him long?"

"Over a few years now...! He was the one who shown me the Shaolin and assured the Chinese aren't a bunch of war machines, nor labor slaves... And his nephew, Kung Jin, is a joy to be around. ...But...I doubt that the White Lotus would welcome otherworlders..."

"Hm, I see. My village seems to share some kustoms of Earthrealm, even when I trained under Master Bo' Rai Cho; he'd talk about the Champion, their rice wine, and even his disciples, including Lao, a lot."

"That's a relief, if Bo' doesn't become drunk. Unlike when I first met him...!" She became irritable as she recalled meeting the big oaf intoxicated and even harmful to her, all because he failed to save the Sun Do being enslaved by the Deadly Alliance...

"He saved my life, and I was on my way to Edenia when I heard my survivors were evacuating, when Onaga was resurrected... Until I found him and Hanzo." Her mind then shifted. "I heard...Bo' lost his soul as he was helping Kung Lao, and before that, he made peace with the Shokan, even the vicious Goro... And he slaughtered the Deadly Alliance. He truly is a hero of his realm."

Aiko smiled widely as her eyes lit up; it was about time he was able to inspire another realm and increase his self-worth.

"Yes...he certainly is..!" She zoned out for a moment, until she took out her heart gem, which still had its crimson luster. "Liu Kang is also our realm's greatest hero too, even though he's a spirit. I kan see why you love Kung Lao so much...

"No-I mean, I-I'm sorry."

Li Mei just waved the statement away like a fly, "Not at all, dear. You should be happy he has been attracted to you. And that heart jewel is proof."

All a sudden they heard distant roars and grunts emanating from somewhere inside the Temple. The duo of women followed the uneasiness, to a nearby pit which looked to be about twelve feet deep!

An ambush ensued, as the thralled Johnny was resisting the Edenian knights. They carried and tossed him into the ditch below!

"That should hold you!" One of them retorted to the traitor.

The monstrous slab began to descend from above, making the guards panic! Kenshi immediately halted with while encasing it in that turquoise hue.

"It's a relief we got a telekinetic in our ranks!"

"If he should try anything, we should krush his guts and make this his tomb!" Another man barked!

Kenshi began to share the Edenians' disgust, thinking to do the same! "Wait! I shall take this...!" Thru his skills, he was able to detach and lift up Johnny's hi-tech gizmo, even his own wristband. "He'll never kontact his infected associates without these...!"

"How do you know all this?"

"I happen to be a part of the Special Forces, more specifically, the Outworlder Investigation Agency, established by the infested Jax...!" He grunted in disapproval.

Aiko and Li Mei looked into the pit, with the former aggravated seeing one of her allies in a sorry and resentful state! Although Cage was stunned, she won't hesitate to beat whatever's left living in him! Kenshi put a strong hand on her shoulder, snapping her out of her anger. "I know what you're thinking, Aiko. But we must stay alert and patrol the Temple of Elements; it's most likely he passed on the intel to his troops before he was captured-and maybe the Wu Shi Academy too...!

"I kan sense something amiss near Liu Kang's Tomb. I'll konjure a portal there. And..." He looked up. "That heavy thundercloud. It wasn't there before." Aiko nodded, relieved she won't have to deal with that undead and holier-than-thou trigger! Kenshi passed the news to the Edenians, to guard over that "immense darkness" the blindman's been feeling... Much as the unsettling activity in Outworld, or like restless leg syndrome. It certainly was tugging Kenshi's nerves...

Knowing of Aiko's stressors, the Elder Gods knew where Onaga and his numerous followers were, Sindel assured her of her deja vu to her ruined future of enslaved revenants, before she and Kenshi went back to the Academy...

"Aiko? ...Even if you feel the realm would turn against you... Know that I'll always remain by your side. ...Remember that." She responded with a smile.

The cardiokinetic beamed as she nodded, and the duo made it to their destination, but when Aiko and Kenshi reached the tomb walls, they received a distress call from their own kineses...

The Wu Shi Academy was under attack!

Kenshi sensed the immense dark aura emanating from a wrecked temple, believing it only to be debris. However, the opaque smoke clouds distracted them and gave them the answer they needed!

A/N: I know a lot of fans would prefer Kung Lao to hook up with either Jade or Li Mei, it really bothers me since it has NEVER been established in the series, just fan speculation and sometimes lust! It's irritating, especially since Aiko loves him a helluva lot more than those harems! So, I settled the score as she was discussing with Li Mei on her own genuine relationship with him; there won't EVER be a threesome either! And... if anyone should be a replacement for Liu Kang, it should be Kung Lao! He's more deserving than the newbie is!

Also, this was where the neat, exotic song, Kawa no nagare no yoo ni (the instrumental) would play when Li Mei komes to terms with Lao and Aiko; I first discovered that tune from the Seiko clock I have, and I'd grown hooked ever since, as a sort of nod to them, maybe an idea by Li Mei.

Honestly...I was lucky to kome up with the idea on Kitana restoring her memories with Jerrod thus breaking her revenant thrall; not sure how to deal with them, other than beating the shit out of them! Especially if there should be no reversal or they just refuse to see the light again! And I figured Ermac taking the identity of the slain Edenian Champion might be a nice solution as to who'd use the Kamidogu; after all, Ermac always konceals his face and eyes so why not take advantage of it like Shang Tsung, as they kan both kontrol souls given by Kahn.

I was kind of getting tired with Konquest too, so I think the next segments may just be flashbacks or something... Same kase with Deadly Alliance really. The ideas were just dragging on for too long, so I'd to split again.

Aside from Kawa no nagare no yoo ni, Sneaking from Code Lyoko shall play here, along with the instrumental version of that Japanese song by Misora Hibari, followed by the Seiko clock I mentioned, Defenders vs. Cyborgs from Defenders of the Realm - Paul Unfaces, and... sometimes Shaolin Monks reminds me of Super Metroid; the tournament victories unlocking the Foundry's similar to the bosses unlocking Tourian, Norfair seemed similar to the Netherrealm, finding abilities were similar, and just the exploration itself much like out of the arena and cockpit in Starfox Adventures. There was a track picked, Chozo Statue Awakens, as Kenshi and Aiko head toward the source of the omnipresence; rest would kome later.

Hopefully, the next part shall be up soon... See you then.

Con't VII: Corruption

Nightwolf abruptly woke up with heavy breathing and drenched with sweat, his heart racing fast and hard like a tribal drum. He was laying on a cot similar to the infirmary of the mountain base he used to operate in, as if he came to while experiencing another one of his night terrors of Onaga. Kiba was whimpering beside him, as if he felt the same horrifying terrors as he did...

The shaman assumed his pet sensed the evil too, even a dream from Raiden. "I must get that chip ready."

The alarm went off as if an intruder breached the Academy. Nightwolf rushed to the main chamber and punched around his motherboard! The sensors shown him a pile of rubble about eight feet deep, then his eyes narrowed as his face grimaced when he sensed an immense evil from it.

Kenshi and Aiko just took the portal back to Liu's Tomb when the blind swordsman's ears perked up; as if like a dog's, with its keen sense of hearing kourtesy of his blindness and telepathy.

Despite their fears...

"Aiko. Let me use your heart gem. I believe it might magnify my telepathy, like with your song, so I can warn the monks of this electrical, foreboding threat. They must get to safety!"

She did just that as she handed over the crimson jewel. It was encased in a turquoise hue, even the katana, while Kenshi was transmitting the message. However...he nearly dropped it as he received their frantic cries instead!

He immediately gave the jewel back, "Aiko, the monks are frantic! Someone is attacking them!" She hurriedly followed her partner to the location of the disarray, near the Temple of Light!

En route, they met up with Nightwolf, who was klosing fast with Kiba yelping by his side! He and Kenshi kame to the konclusion, aside from Kiba's fur sticking up, that Raiden was still alive... Even in a familiar aura though just as menacing...

Several feet away, Kung Lao, Hanzo and Ermac were chasing after the ominous force as well, when suddenly, Liu's spirit felt as if it was pulled by a tractor beam, as if he'd no kontro!l! With his strong soul kinesis and having many spirits in him, Ermac took possession and dragged him back inside the dragon amulet!

"By the Elder Gods, I am getting so goddamn sick of this!" The fiery monk irritatingly spoke.

"Aiko!" The former monk ran to his uneasy lover, Nightwolf and Kenshi.

At the Jinsei Chamber, Raiden was still hunched over and wailed in anguish! Fujin went over to his side in a concerned matter. "Fujin...! I can sense myself, my own soul, but he is not me at all. He seems more threatening, malicious...! And yet...I can somewhat feel my very own essence."

The Wind God was just as flabbergasted, "That shall explain the red lightning I witnessed in Outworld...!"

Raiden slowly rose his head and he wore a terrifying komposure, "Brother... As a former Elder God, have you not learnt to make a duplicate of yourself?"

"Yes, but-I never used it. It always required so much vitality. Even half your essence."

"He has the majority of my soul. I transferred my energy onto him! As an Elder God I noticed I can make a copy of myself! Much like Shinnok. Before the blast, I knew my time was at hand, and so...I regretfully spent most of my energies onto him as he was being revived in Earthrealm, to save myself from imminent death."

When Fujin teleported Lao and Nightwolf to safety during Raiden's sacrifice on Onaga to be exact! He was dumbfounded as to why he'd do this...

He learnt to create a mirror image of himself, as he believed Shinnok kould do the same. He heard his evil duplicate incanting a haunting spell earlier, to which it kan be used...

At the lost Houan Temple...!

"He's going to attack the Academy, with Liu Kang as his dark avenger! You must stop him!"

Nightwolf, Kenshi, and Aiko picked up intense energy as Kiba growled! The shaman offered the swordsman to use his telepathy and kommunicate with Raiden. Although the attempt was null and void as he heard his distress instead.

"Raiden mentioned I must konjure a rainstorm and make sure my weapon is ready. An EMP needs to be charged; I must summon my ancestors' spirits to power up the weapon and develop that pure rainstorm of natural energy to kounter this evil."

"EMP...! An electromagnetic pulse?" Aiko was astonished by this.

Ermac offered help to expedite the process. Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Aiko headed straight to the Academy while Hanzo volunteered and remained with the duo.

Fujin added he shall kreate a microburst, a violent wind to descend and gather an enormous thundercloud restoring Raiden's strength as much as possible; however, he'd need Nightwolf's help to do so.

Feeling Aiko's astraphobia as she whimpered in fear, Kenshi offered to block her nerve receptors, although he warned it was temporary as further inaccessibility may cause some neurological damage.

Aiko's face brightened a little, "Wow. I never knew you learnt so much during your time in the Special Forces, let alone with your blindness."

"We must hurry! Kung Lao and Liu Kang are closing fast! Do you know any safe havens?"

"...The...Dragon Grotto. That's all I can think of."

Kenshi rose a hand and Aiko's head was engulfed in a blue hue for a few seconds; she kould've sworn she felt suddenly numb, as if being covered by Nayru's Love while feeling nothing emotionally.

"Good. Let's go."

They saw the kalamity as orange, hot flashes licked klose to the panicked monks! They were nearly hit, but as the krowd thinned, their eyes, kounting Kenshi's sixth sense, beheld a horrifying sight! They became awestruck watching Liu Kang in his placid, green body, dragging numerous chains and letting out some incoherent moans! He then roared as he recognized the two intruders!

Aiko gasped, "No...! It can't be you!" She was too stupefied to say any more, but it didn't take too much telepathy to know that the undead slave was just as terrifying as that Revenant from her dystopian future!

Seconds later, red zigzags crashed and descended to the ground, making their feet vibrate, and a more ominous version of the Thunder God they knew greeted them, complete with soul-piercing red eyes, his war-torn robe koated in black! The exact polar opposite of the heavenly being, now presenting himself as if one of the Devil's apprentices!

He rose a hand to stall the undead from advancing, even from bowing to him...

"What-? What are you!?" Kenshi snarled.

"I happen to be resurrected here in Earthrealm. And with a lot more power I might add! So good for you to join us, Aiko and Kenshi. You will be within our ranks shortly, I assure you, with my enforcer, the Champion of Mortal Kombat. You see, I revived him, kourtesy of the sacred dark arts of the lost Houan, a tribe of necromancers, whom I decimated centuries ago."

"You...you work for Onaga then!" Kenshi hypothesized.

"My sacrifice to Onaga has granted us this gift, Kenshi! I shall punish those who pose as a threat to Earthrealm. I will no longer be passive to the warmongering denizens of this world or others. I have my own agenda, though the followers who won't defy me and threaten the earth would be more than welcome to fight for me!"

"So... you're just ruling this realm with an iron fist!"

"All those who shall defy me would meet their demise, just like that foolheartedly, naive Shujinko! I made him pay with his life after he was unknowingly working for a greater evil, despite the falsity believing he was working for a greater good!" His eyes sparked as he tossed the elder's severed head! Filled with a violent lust, the zombified servant was pent up for battle as he ignited and let out another snarl!

"Aiko! Get everyone to safety, I'll handle these two treacherous bastards!" She never had to think twice as she turned tail and ran when Kenshi drew out his blade!

Dark Raiden just simply rose a hand and streaks of red electricity licked Kenshi's trembling body! Even his blade, Sento, acted as a rod! The warrior kollapsed in a heap!

"Finish him!" Raiden growled, allowing his servant to mop the Temple grounds with him!

Liu's possessed body was hit from behind by a flying, spinning saucer! Which happened to be Kung Lao's hat!

As it returned like a boomerang, the owner teleported before the revenant's and even the corrupt God's eyes! Lao was flabbergasted of those abominations!

"Kung Lao!" Dark Raiden greeted him with glee.

Liu's better half wasn't too thrilled, "By the Elder Gods...what have you done...?" He was especially disheartened by the flaming damage his own shade made.

"Nothing I will regret! I'm only loyal to my own kreator!"

"I thought you might say that...!" Lao stated as he adjusted his hat, then made his usual fighting pose. Deja vu struck him as iif he was revisiting that crucial test on battling his own revenant and seeing Aiko's ruined life.

Raiden ordered his puppet to slay Lao, then Liu offered to share his partner's body to which he obliged; it was kourtesy of Ermac holding onto the dragon amulet for him!

With the looming storm, Ermac, via his soul kinesis, lent Kenshi away. Kung Lao simply distracted the monstrous monk!

Lao klosed in with his lethal Whirlwind Kick which seemed to make Liu falter, but not for long. His resilience was incredible, being blindly loyal to his maker! He even used his own chains both as a sword and shield; they seemed to cause some lacerations onto his bitter rival. The living Champion once hesitated as if they can actually kontaminate him and make him as a zombie too, after hearing murmurs in the White Lotus Society, even about the ancient evil known as the Houan, and how Raiden barely killed the occult.

"Those chains must be kontrolling him! If we can just kut them off..." Liu echoed in Lao's mind.

It wasn't the best time to think, as it gave his undead kounterpart a chance to unleash his fury with his fierce Flying and flexible kicks!

The impact sent him tumbling onto his feet and he managed to hold one of the enemy's legs before konjuring a licking flame; luckily, Liu made sure to leave some space to prevent from incinerating Lao's palm! He sent a few tricks of his own before he unleashed some of Lao's moves, including his Tornado Kick engulfed in aerosol! Yet still, the undead fought back with a ferocious Bicycle Kick! However, Liu thought twice as he took a few blows and just Teleported underneath! He performed some of Lao's own Shaolin Slams stunning the foe, even his Shaolin Throw, yet still he gained his footing.

Witnessing impending defeat, Raiden's hand glowed as he took a few steps. Then blinded by a sudden funnel! Even the two warring Orientals paused! Raiden just simply blocked himself before outstretching his arms, breaking the current! Fujin landed on his feet.

"Fujin! You should never be involved in this!"

"I must, disciples!" He just leapt up, coaxing his warped sibling to chase after him while the Shaolin fought below. There were some flashes of white lightning between the tan clouds; it made the warring gods waver for a split second before Raiden resumed!

The aerial kombat was a bit of a standoff, but due to the darkness empowering him, the dark god seemed to have the upper hand, even when he was able to land some shocks onto Fujin, making him vulnerable to more onslaughts. An impact forced Fujin to land, and while the two monks felt the impact, Lao was soon able to best his rival, thanks to Liu's strategies, although...it wasn't enough konfronting the dark God who electrified them! Utilizing the razor-rimmed hat as a metallic rod, they were greatly paralyzed!

A few feet away, Nightwolf was guiding the microburst toward the so-called deserted occult hangout... Then, the monstrous storm cloud sounded and if as it began to burst! With that same deafening krack, the storm down poured in torrents! The enormous mound kontinued to strike within it, and Fujin was beholding his brother glowing in a turquoise hue!

All Nightwolf did was just whisper to the heavens, "Hurry, Raiden...!"

Dark Raiden's hand ignited with a crimson hue, his eyes of the same color and his smile gleaming...! "You two have no choice but to join me in my konquest..!" He pressed his boot hard, krushing the mortal's body!

He was hit nearly off his feet by a sudden shockwave! It made him stamper before he regained his balance, as if it had no effect. He tested his powers again, which seemed minimized. Though he was not fazed. "Is that the best you puny humans kan do!? An electro-magnetic pulse? That pathetic stunt kan only stun me! I kan walk this off in a minute, yet still I've enough strength to perish you and make you as another undead pawn, Kung Lao...! Two of the best monks in my servitude, once again."

"Not yet Raiden!" Nightwolf ran into the fray, but he only tackled the immobilized hero, ordering him to get down and kover his ears!

The terroristic deity just marched up to the duo, till he was held and struck from behind! His body illuminated brighter and brighter like the sacred fountain from the Sky Temple; Nightwolf kept Lao down as they shielded their eyes, encased in a green forcefield! They kould've sworn Liu's doppelganger squealed as he was being nuked by the harsh, white lightning bolts!

Ermac created a neon green wall to keep the frightened escapees at bay from the raging storm, which they heard ear-piercing cracks of thunder!

As if there was an explosion near the Dragon Grotto, the monks startled as they, Kenshi and Aiko heard the lethal thunder wave, which was just enough momentum to quake it!

"I've never heard nor felt the likes of such a kalamity... This kan be no act of nature...!" Kenshi wondered, fully recovered from the sacred springs.

Nightwolf rose, though Lao was incapable. Hanzo rushed to them, as the shaman was greeted by a reassuring hand.

"You know what you must do."

The shaman nodded to the echoing tenor.

All a sudden, a flash of immense light nearly blinded the refugees! The Indian rose a hand, calming them they're still safe...and that Raiden meant no harm to them.

Slowly, the Thunder God konjured the Jinsei encasing Lao's and Fujin's immobilized bodies, before he stood and faced his children after the teleportation beneath the ground. Everyone kouldn't help but gasp and mutter in astonishment before some cheered while others bowed! Raiden kouldn't help but smile, reunited with his devoted followers!

The cardiokinetic could hardly adjust, until a glimmer caught her eye. She slowly stood up, recognizing it was... "Kung Lao! Kung Lao!" She called amongst the loud crowd.

Hearing his name, the Oriental, not housing Liu's spirit, followed her shrieks. "Aiko-? Aiko!"

His eyes scanned for his missing mate, until she charged into him and wrapped him in her tight embrace. Lao returned the pressure as he tended her, while also resting his head on her shoulder, even nuzzling it. They barely heard Liu's irritation on getting his spirit smushed.

Raiden just signaled the monks to silence themselves, "Thank you, brave warriors. For escorting everyone to safety. From now on, you are all in good hands," he addressed to Aiko, Kung Lao, Liu Kang and Kenshi. "However, I mustn't stay here. Earthrealm and all realms are still in peril by Onaga and his followers. I know now where they'd strike, at the Temple of Elements, where the last Kamidogu stands.

"Kung Lao, Liu Kang Jerrod and Hanzo shall head thru the Nexus. Reunite the Champions and thwart off Onaga for good while dividing the Kamidogu amongst all of you. You shall be able to move now." The cowboy lookalike and the ronin nodded. "Nightwolf...I know you must be dreading this moment, but...it must be done once the Dragon is weak enough."

"Yes, the Sin Eater ritual," he acknowledged.

"Prepare yourself, you kan do this." The Matokan headed up and out.

"Kenshi, Aiko, I'll teleport each of you back to the Temple of Elements. You must not let Onaga, and his troops possess Shinnok's Amulet. Sonya, Jax, and the Dragon's army will be marching there. Good luck to both of you. I shall be at the Jinsei with Nightwolf and Fujin." The duo gathered around their mentor. "Stay safe, fellow warriors, and may the Elder Gods protect us all." With a blink of an eye, the trio were off.

The heroes reunited with Hanzo near the Temple of Light, when Raiden addressed some sorrowful news, "My darker self... He already vanquished the false Champion of the Elder Gods, Shujinko." It wasn't too surprising for the mortals, especially since Lao and Liu witnessed his decapitated head!

"I should've known he'd use the Houan's black arts. I destroyed them centuries ago, however, their dark rituals still remained, thus..." He motioned to Liu's corpse.

"I need to incinerate that abomination!" The pure spirit growled in disgust.

"No! There's a better way, Liu Kang. For now, the Dragon King must be destroyed. Johnny, Sonya and Jax are still in his thrall, and if I'm right, their goal would be at the Temple of Elements where the last Kamidogu stands, Shinnok's Amulet."

Everyone nodded, konfirming Liu's and Hanzo's koncerns.

"And Kuai?"

"He has his own inquiries. He shall be safe at the moment. Recruit the remaining Champions and enter the Nexus. We're all kounting on you."

At the Temple of Elements, Kenshi assured to Aiko that Kung Lao shall return to her loving arms soon...

A/N: I guess I'll end it here...! So much work on that chapter, and yet so little done... Ever since I'd been doing my Females list, things'd been hectic. Maybe I'd been losing inspiration on Deception, let alone its droning Konquest; still got a long way, and I think I might start with an optional one for some Kombatants next...

Item Room Ambience from Super Metroid shall chime at the start when Nightwolf awakens, followed by Chozo Statue Awakens, Hostile Incoming, and Space Pirate Statue Chamber; it's quite a good way to build up suspense as the storm brews before Zombie Liu Kang and Dark Raiden shall make their move. Then, Kirk Saves the Day from Star Trek Generations (starting at 1:03) would play while Aiko evacuates the monks and Kenshi fails, next Ocarina of Time Middle Boss Remix'd sound when Kung Lao and Fujin deal with the pair of omnipotence, as the ending would activate the EMP; inspiration from The Matrix Revolutions btw, and I thought it'd be a good way to stun the intimidating wrathful God, if only for a while and buy enough time for the real Raiden's return... Kidfried, starting at 2:17, shall play after Nightwolf intervened against Dark Raiden, even when he gets incinerated by the benevolent God himself!

It was such a relief to be rid of him! Never liked Raiden as his darker, vicious self, posing as a threat to everyone! No mercy shown, no quarter given! Sure, his plot failed twice in the series, but he got a chance in the spotlight here. Nor did I ever liked the fact that Kung Lao and Fujin had to deal with the corruption and Zombie Liu Kang in Deception and Armageddon, only for them to die and never get their sanity, and to be reversed by lousy time travel and have Raiden's benevolent self be insane again! This better NOT happen to the more competent Fire God Liu Kang; at least HE'S NOT A BLUNDER GOD!

I always wanted Raiden to be the caring mentor for the mortals, with a little snark, not some neglectful prick like Warner Bros and Netherrealm made him to be!

So, another chapter's finally done, although the next one shall take a detour, involving certain wanderers in the Netherrealm for a chance to shine.

Con't VIII - Noob Saibot

As Lao was with Hanzo, Liu Kang and Ermac heading straight for the Nexus, he made a solemn promise to reunite with Aiko again despite her anxieties, although his Shaolin brother was more confident that they'll succeed.

Ermac came across that same immense dark aura, he hesitated. The group looked back and the soul kinetic pointed out the pile of steep rubble. "We just passed the Houan Temple that Raiden mentioned."

"Guys, look!" Hanzo pointed out the old man's fried and barely recognizable body, slithered and steaming! With his head missing...

Lao muttered his angst as he shook his head in disbelief, "Shujinko... Raiden DID slay him as his corrupt self...!" He sighed irritatingly, "Goddammit, it's all up to us now!"

Hanzo then coaxed Lao, "Do you remember wanting to take the Earthrealm Kamidogu?" The former monk nodded, "Now's the time to perform that foolish stunt; this may distract and lure the Dragon King onto us. As long as we find Havik."

"I believe the Champion of Outworld is still Goro. Let's do this!" Liu's spirit urged.

He then followed the remainder of the Champions to the Nexus gateway.

Somewhere in Articka, at the new Lin Kuei Temple, one of the ninjas alerted their Grandmaster, Kuai Liang, of a girl seeking asylum.

"Have her enter."

Moments later she had as she was being escorted by a few of the guardsmen. He wasn't sure if she'd actually withstand the below zero air, let alone if it was a human. To his surprise, she wasn't fazed by the uninhabitable, frigid climate at all!

She was a slim woman with half of her head consisting black locks of thick hair, while the other side was white. She even had very thin klothing, almost as if wearing a hot velvet leotard of sorts. Sub-Zero was just as flabbergasted as his own kolleagues, even Smoke and Frost!

Still, she walked straight toward the throne without any distress from the sheer cold, she made a curtsy as she greeted, "Sub-Zero, I presume?"

"Yes? And you?"

"I see you have a different, thinner tone, even a lighter complexion. I recognized you from several years ago."

He was dumbfounded, "May I ask who you are?"

She responded without hesitation, "Certainly. My name is Sareena, I'm defecting from the Netherrealm. I am here to alert you on the predicament of your brother, Bi-Han."

Everyone began to mutter in some strange tongues, Frost and Smoke were silent, while Kuai just muttered, "What...?" He eventually retained his komposure, "What...do you know of my brother, stranger?"

"I found him amongst the Brotherhood of Shadow, as a wraith, encased in komplete darkness. I knew of him several years back, before the first Mortal Kombat tournament. He spared my life and I guided him thru the evil depths until I assisted him on fighting Quan Chi. We bested him in kombat, and I allowed Sub-Zero to escape before I was shot by Shinnok, and banned to the fifth plane for betraying them...

"Then, I recently felt his icy aura, though he never looked, nor acted, like himself.

"I have heard that he went by the name of...Noob Saibot amongst the fanatics." This was nearly too hard for Sareena to say.

After a few minutes being tended by Smoke and Frost, he regained his stamina. "Where...is he?"

"I escaped from the Netherrealm as I observed Quan Chi once he activated a portal to Outworld. I... kept away from that Oni and was retreating from Bi-Han too. I have an ally named Ashrah; alas, she cannot leave the Netherrealm unless she were to slay a demon of immense power and evil. I believe that wraith to be her salvation."

"So... You believe he's still in Hell." Smoke hypothesized.

"Either there or in Outworld, but I'd also heard of a dragon roaming around."

"That must be Onaga! We...lost an associate of ours recently. I bet the beast has been resurrected there; the Deadly Alliance must've been successful after their defeat! I'm surprised I never heard anything from Kenshi or Master Raiden yet." Kuai recapped.

"Then...we must head there at once." Frost suggested eagerly.

"My brother...yes. Sareena, can you remember the portal's location?"

"It was near some sacred runes; they mentioned of the dragon's revival."

"Let's hope we can stay low, avoid Onaga's and his army's watchful eyes." He hesitated for a few moments, then turned to his disciples. "Frost, Smoke. Are you willing to assist me and take that risk?"

Feeling the dread of the Dragon King and the certainties on being ambushed... The two accepted as they nodded.

The Lin Kuei wished the quartet luck before they set foot into enemy territory.

With the help of Sareena, she was able to conjure a portal leading to the location of the last rip.

They emerged at Sareena's discretion as they noticed the exotic markings on the stone walls. "This is the place where I saw Quan Chi escape to and followed him out. I was relieved he didn't notice me. And these symbols here tell of Onaga and his dominance by his zombie army. They required many souls to do this."

Kuai nodded, "Indeed. Kung Lao, Liu Kang and Nightwolf put a stop to them, however, the Soulnado was activated, and we lost Hanzo and the Champion too..."

Frost and Smoke sulked, but he changed the subject. "Mui pøítel, I doubt that Frost and I can handle the tepid environment of the Netherrealm, but...we may be of some assistance to the forces of Edenia."

"Wait, why can't I come along!?" Frost objected Tomas' words.

"I'm sorry, but Smoke is right; you two must stay in Outworld if the worst should happen to me. If you see a threat of either Onaga, his army, or even Bi-Han, don't hesitate to fire.

"As I have the Dragon Medallion, I can withstand the intense heat." He spoke to Smoke, "Besides, I believe my brother might spring a trap on you since the Lin Kuei are technical."

"I had seen ancient machinery there. So, it's likely."

"Smoke is a cyborg, Sareena. The Lin Kuei had the cyber initiative, till Oniro was slain, and the cyber protocols fell out of favor. Now, Smoke can utilize both ways. He can be a vital part to the Edenian resistance."

"You are mortal, so you can't lose your powers. And with that kind of adaptation, you might be stronger than Bi-Han."

"Don't I... have to be tainted to enter the Netherrealm?"

"Yes, but you have a demon. I can help you access it."

"Good, let's go." Kuai pledged as he turned to his komrades. "Stay safe, and may the Elder Gods protect you."

They nodded and the two stepped into the literal depths of Hell after Sareena konjured the portal there.

The pair just stood awestruck but very much alert. Smoke scanned and deciphered the ancient runes konfirming the demon's warnings. "How can we trust her? How do we know she won't be leading Kuai into a trap?"

"I can trust her, Frost; she had helped Bi-Han, which was during his journey to attain Shinnok's Amulet and best the sorcerers. After all, she never shown herself to be a demon-" They heard a shuffle of feet in the distance and Tomas shielded the apprentice as he dove for his nearby switch allowing him to use his cyber armor. Seconds later, they heard the same scuffle and Smoke and Frost braced for the worst when they took aim!

"It's only me! Hold your fire!" A tenor rose. Smoke shown a light onto the intruder.

"...Nightwolf?"

"What's he doing here?" Frost added.

"Ah, I saw a bright gleam from here, thinking it was Onaga or his followers. I was about to prepare myself for the Sin Eater ritual. With the growing army, I should gather enough souls to make me tainted so I can enter the Netherrrealm and bind Onaga once he's weak enough."

"Kuai went to the underworld with Sareena in search of his brother, Bi-Han."

"I shall wish him luck. Onaga and his followers should be here at any minute."

"We should stand by and protect him, Frost." Smoke stated. "If mui pøítel shall make a safe journey back and restore his elder brother..." His anxieties were beginning to cloud his mind with doubt.

The intense heat wasn't a problem for the two, as the Dragon Medallion emitted cool, fresh air around Kuai's body, while Sareena as a demon was more resistant. As he followed her to the area of gears, his mind began to act up, with Kenshi not around, he needed all the help he could get, especially dealing with his corrupt brother whom he presumed would be as wrathful as Scorpion.

They soon came across some screeching, golden, ginormous gears throughout the plane, "This must be the fifth plane of the Netherrealm, where your brother was resurrected. He's an evil incarnate, and while he serves under the sorcerers, he seems to only be full of himself. I sympathize, Kuai Liang, but you must discard your lightheartedness towards him. No honor shall befall from him either."

"So, he wasn't possessed by one of the Elder Gods..." He recalled his pep talk with the Shaolin Monks, Liu Kang and Kung Lao, way back...

"No, it was Quan Chi. Most unclean, so Noob would be just as vicious. I'm afraid there may not be a way to save him, as he's bound here for so long. But if I can find Ashrah-! Look out!" She tackled Kuai down before a large icicle made of sharp ice particles and dark energy struck down and into one of the gears! It dissipated into dust afterwards.

Their eyes beheld a shadowy, masked figure, his bright blue irises piercing almost like Greek fire as he sneered onto his new victims! He leapt from one of the higher landforms and greeted the duo, "Hello, brother!" His voice was slightly altered by the demonic reincarnation, but his tone was still the same as they recognized.

Kuai stood as if frozen by the Dragon Medallion as if losing control over it. "B-brother...!"

"Oh, I see sweet Sareena has returned! Where have you been deserting yourself from our cult!?"

"I've had enough of your twisted occult! Especially with you and Quan Chi! You should perish for your treachery! After all I and Sub-Zero had done for you!"

"What you two had done was meaningless, Sareena! Ever since Scorpion murdered me, I was reborn here, with a higher purpose..."

"The corrupt Lin Kuei and the damnation warped your mind!" Kuai protested.

Continue here

"Once I'm done with you, I'll ascend to Earthrealm and assassinate Scorpion myself, then the Brotherhood of Shadow shall conquer both realms! I hadn't forgotten of Shinnok's imprisonment. Thank you for leaving him vulnerable, Brother!

And you will return to our ranks very soon, my dear."

Kuai gasped, "You were...part of the Brotherhood...?"

"-Quan Chi enslaved me as one of his assassins, if-if it weren't for Ashrah-" She was suddenly caught in a blinding blizzard by Noob and remained stiff in her imprisonment of ice and dark energy!

"Silence you traitor! I will finish you, and if you won't join my side, you'll wind up with the same fate as the Shirai Ryu!"

"Brother... What has become of you!?" Disgusted by Noob's corruption, Kuai let loose his lethal skills utilizing the Medallion; turned out to be something valuable to Noob as a way to increase his prowess. "You have no right!"

It seemed to be a mirror match, although Noob had more strength than his benevolent brother. His ice blasts were oozing just as much of his dark essence as his entire being! Kuai was able to put up a fight, yet he didn't have as much endurance and brute. Instead, he mostly relied on his enhanced cryomancy courtesy of the powerful artifact, despite questioning himself if the effects would last on account of the horrid environment and Noob's necromantic persona.

Alas, Kuai's strength didn't hold up for long as he kept receiving severe blow after blow. It wasn't because he was holding back...

Kuai soon hunched over, a sign of impending defeat while Sareena was haplessly encased in an icy petrification that is still being held strong by the umbrakinesis and the sinister realm!

"I will take your medallion AND your soul! Farewell, dear brother.." He wound up and his palm was surrounded in a bright blue tint. Then his body was engulfed in what looked to be in bright, sunny rays! The golden streaks began to irritate Noob as he wailed and shielded his eyes! He backed away a few feet, and that same beam refracted from one of the distant gears! It followed Noob to stun him again, but it moved and shone thru Kuai and Sareena's tomb! With the gentle aura, it dissolved the omnipotence almost instantly! The warmth also encased Kuai and restored some of his strength, even Sareena's!

"Let him be, Noob Saibot! Kuai, Sareena! Run!"

She leapt down with her Nature's Torpedo, squarely hitting the wraith with her spin and rapidly kicking legs which launched him into the air. She then casted her Heavenly Light which made him descend hard! She fired a Lightning Blast which nearly connected though Noob was nimble but still battered. With her holy might, she was able to resist both Noob's umbra and cryokinesis! She knew it won't be easy to lunge in for her Kriss blade; she knew all too well that the wraith may be wounded, but still dangerous and reckless than ever. She wasn't about to lose her prey this time!

"I have been looking for you for eons, Saibot!"

"So have I..!"

They each fired their own elemental volleys forcing to cancel one out! It was a blinding battle of stamina and will as the neon blue and black streaks clashed against the sun rays! Noob's body jolted forward and into the incinerating energy seeping into his opaque stature! Little did he knew a nearby participant was still strong enough to force him forward and lower his guard.

"What have you DONE?" Noob hollered in agony. "I will always come back to haunt all of you!"

Ashrah threw the heavenly dagger and it impaled into the demon's chest! He wailed like a banshee even as the aura began to seep into his evil soul! Black streaks rose from his paralyzed body before it started to lighten and soon dissipate! The Kriss still remained with its tip in the burnt dirt. Ashrah retrieved it as Kuai and Sareena recovered.

"What did you do...?" The noble cryomancer was taken aback.

A hole made of light just descended and laid over Ashrah, who could've sworn she was taken off her feet. Sure enough she was ascending, even though the sky was hardly noticeable. Seeing this, Kuai and Sareena actually ran and grabbed her by the feet, and they seem to be carried up as well!

Moments later, their eyes cleared from that light show, and it took Kuai a while to notice they were laying in a grassy field in Earthrealm! Even the blue though patchy sky and the cool wind was so welcoming for all of them!

Just as they had time to stretch out their weary muscles, and maybe lay and roll on the fresh grass, even Kuai who honestly missed the feel of nature, a rumble of thunder was heard in the distance. Without seeing a thundercloud, he had a hunch it was...

A crack banged as a lightning bolt touched down. The flash emerged the thunder god himself. "Sub-Zero!"

"Agh-Lord Raiden!" He bowed low to him.

"Arise now. Who is this demon?"

He silenced her. "Her name is Sareena; she was just defecting from the Netherrealm."

"Is that Ashrah who stands before me?"

She was awestruck as she walked to him, then made a curtsy. "Raiden... At last, we meet. My faith has kept me hopeful ascending from the Netherrealm.."

"It's about time. However, I won't welcome a demon."

"Uh-Sareena can help defend Smoke and Frost in Outworld, they await my return," Kuai added.

"Then you two shall help us fight Onaga and his undead and loyal followers. I'd already sent Nightwolf there in preparation of the Sin Eater ritual. I'll still need Ashrah's assistance on vanquishing the evil from Sonya, Jax, and Johnny."

"Those three are contaminated!?"

"By Onaga, yes."

He then remembered the successful endeavor by the Deadly Alliance, when Sareena explained it all...

Ashrah took out and looked down at her sword. "With Kriss I might be able to imbue them. It'll be easier if the ancient cryomancers can pitch in. Yes, I know of your history, Sub-Zero. I certainly don't want you to wind up tainted like your brother."

"Then it's settled. Kuai and Sareena shall rendezvous with Frost and Tomas in Outworld and fend off Onaga and his warriors. Ashrah, before you go, there is still one; revenant. Johnny is imprisoned at the Temple of Elements and would possess the last Kamidogu if he is not stopped. I will lead you there.

"Go now, to Outworld!"

Raiden opened a portal with his bolts of lightning; Kuai then Sareena leapt into the passage to the foreboding frontier. Moments later, the protector of Earth conjured a different rip leading to the Temple at the northern plains. Sensing there was still immense evil, she headed straight to it!

A/N: Just like in my last epic, Mortal Kombat: Vengeance, I did NOT want to go with the lore given about Smoke; that he was left imprisoned in Outworld years after Kahn was exterminated! Then, he was found by Noob Saibot, and being he and the Lin Kuei had impressive technological knowledge, he'd hack and brainwash Smoke like the former Grandmaster did! I'm just so pissed off that nearly every villain had retained their evil ways without any legit reason, same deal with Goro! Much like the Shokan, I didn't make it happen!

Instead, he and Frost shall be involved with Nightwolf in Outworld and prepare for Onaga and his horrid followers, with Kuai and Sareena pitching in. Ashrah and Sareena had their chance to shine, much like Noob, although I wasn't into them much... Not a huge fan of these guys, but good to lend them a free pass.

Songs include Springing the Surfer from Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer as Hanzo and Ermac pointed out the death of Shujinko (sorry, not sorry), Snow Mountain from Donkey Kong Country as Sareena explains to Kuai of Noob Saibot, Staff Cavern from Starfox Adventures as portals are activated, Sareena Battle from Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero plays when she and Kuai enter the Netherrealm, Noob Saibot Theme - Re-recorded from Mortal Kombat: Conquest - Paul Unfaces plays during the faceoff, and Spirit of the Universe from Matrix Revolutions (start at 1:28, end at 2:48) plays when the heroes ascend; too bad I can't find the appearance of Shinryu in Dissidia 012, damn you, Squeenix!

I seem to have killed a few birds with one stone! Whether it'd be about Ashrah ascending after she killed Noob Saibot, Sareena allying with the Lin Kuei and redeeming herself from Quan Chi, and just getting rid of more trouble without harming those such as Kuai, Smoke and Frost! I might..kover the Kriss and its true effects some other time, maybe if I should write Armageddon, but I still have Onaga and his undead and loyal warriors to deal with! See you then.

Con't IX: Declaration!

Back at the Outworld runes, Smoke and Frost were still anxiously waiting for Kuai's and Sareena's return from the Netherrealm while they had a pep talk with Nightwolf. He was empowering his soul weapons as green incest rose from the bonfire while his tools ignited the same shade; Kiba was still inside his malevolent vessel.

Frost grew worried of his welfare, as if losing Kuai wasn't bad enough! "Nightwolf... That Sin Eater ritual, would that actually consume you, or would you be lost spiritually...?"

He wasn't fazed by her worries as he responded with a strong composure, "If Onaga should war against the Champions, and if they shall be successful, he'd be weak enough for me to bind his spirit into the underworld for eternity. Think of it as a sort of Devil's Trap." His mind then wandered to where he had been several hours ago, even before the invasion near the Temple of Light...

He was at his old Matokan burial ground gathering all the sinful tribesmen in order to have that powerful taint to make him access the Netherrealm. Unfortunately, those corrupt spirits weren't enough to bound a super beast as malicious as the ultimate Dragon King, remembering how invincible he was back at Shang's Palace. During his spiritual hunt, he also remembered aiding the adult Shujinko for several years on removing his own tarnished spirit, before the first tournament started and decided to leave his tribe for higher learning, thus being a tech geek and a sort of a pariah.

He was at a little village surrounded by wigwams. A foot away from the settlement, he was inside a wooded area beside a flowing stream when the muscular traveler shown up out of nowhere.

"This is sacred ground, stranger. I am Nightwolf. I must ask you to leave this place before your evil taint defiles the sanctity of these grounds."

"I do not understand." The newbie rose his voice in disbelief. "I am Shujinko. I assure you that I mean no disrespect to your people."

The shaman wasn't convinced, wearing a look of dread, "I sense corruption in your soul, Shujinko... a spiritual contamination that I have never before perceived."

"I feel no touch of evil, but... My travels have taken me to many worlds. Perhaps it is a result of my journeys in the Netherrealm," he spoke more humbly, curious of the Indian's uneasiness.

"It is possible. If you will allow me, I may be able to purge this contagion from your being, although it will take many years to accomplish."

The Champion wasn't expecting his journey to be halted for so long! "Many years? It will delay my quest... but I suppose I should take advantage of your offer."

Nightwolf then challenged Shujinko in physical kombat, just to test the stranger's strength. Ironically, Kiba hadn't been born yet...

"Life is a series of events leading to a conclusion," the Matokan explained as he taught the foreign traveler on how to mimic his Val Tudo, Tae Kwon Do, even wielding a pair of two Tomahawks! And it wasn't long before Nightwolf taught Shujinko to imitate his more powerful techniques on possessing his spiritual weapons, even performing the Rhino Charge, conjuring a bolt of lightning, and deflecting his own tactics. Finally, in that same spacious ranch, he challenged Shujinko to a battle utilizing everything he learnt, and the wanderer defeated him easily!

Shujinko spent many years with Nightwolf, who taught him much about the spirit of the warrior. Through Nightwolf's teachings, Shujinko expanded his consciousness and heightened his awareness.

The skilled martial artist began to wear heavier clothing that seemed to be made with thick hides and fur, along with a tall hood covering the majority of his head and face.

"You have accomplished much since beginning your spiritual cleansing, Shujinko. Though the taint of evil continues its hold on you, my training has given you the ability to control it."

"I am grateful for what you have done for me, Nightwolf."

"I wish you luck on your journeys. You are always welcome in the lands of my forefathers."

"It wasn't long before my people realized I was training for higher education; I was then disgusted after that. Luckily, it was around that time I had Kiba by my side. Wasn't easy to stay away from the dorms, as I only studied in my own camp. Then...I graduated early, top of my class, by the time the first tournament began and Raiden enlisted my help." He sulked, "For several restless moons...I'd been receiving vision after haunting vision of the Dragon King. I figure if I can just absorb souls from Onaga's army..."

"How konvenient!" The trio was startled by a snarling voice, as if speaking thru his elongated fangs. "Onaga's army is gathering as we speak."

"Baraka!" They chorused in surprise. Smoke and Frost went on the defensive.

The Tarkatan just rose a hand, "Fear not, mortals. I do not wish to attack you. I am the time-displaced predator of Outworld; I noticed my past vessel isn't as sanitary as I am." For once he made a jest, but the antsy warriors weren't buying it... "As we speak, my bitter half is rallying up my kind's deadliest warriors to serve Onaga and have him reign supreme. He is unlike Shao Kahn! I should know since I worked for both factions, as Onaga is a ruler of order, and his followers are all so submissive, hardly any objection. As if functioning with only one mind."

"That's the one who helped us against the Deadly Alliance, Tomas." Frost clarified.

"You were willing to turn on your own race? Help me here."

"Well, it's not every day the Lin Kuei are willing to turn against cyber conversion," she rebutted.

"Anarchic fools! They'd rather work for and depend on a power-hungry tyrant and satiate their bloodlust than fend for themselves like those pitiful Saurians! Contrary to those times when we worked for Kahn by invading the city of Lei Chen, soon Edenia, and the Wu Shi Academy to which I regret.

"Tarkatans always have an essential sense of smell. And with that rancid odor, I'd encountered Onaga taking the form of a Saurian. I soon realized it belonged to my komrade, Reptile! When I was time-displaced from Kahn's new reign, I knew my friend would be in trouble; I spotted the shattered egg recently at the Lava Shrine, before I caught up with Kung Lao and that Wind God at the Kuatan Jungle. The possessed human with dark glasses and several decaying archers were brought to my attention."

The trio wondered how Onaga would take someone else's vessel and not his own. Baraka stated his original corpse was destroyed by the Edenians at the Lost Pyramid, though his spirit was reformed and hatched from the egg incubated by his ancient sect. Knowing he was barred by Edenia, Baraka broke his boundaries alerting of the army's advancement thru either Earthrealm or the hapless kingdom first.

"Their battalion consisting of some Shokan, Centaur and Saurian warriors shall strike back! If I'm korrect, Onaga should have a few infested kronies along with the treacherous klan, and supposedly the realm of Order as well."

"We HAVE to get Sub-Zero and Sareena back!" Frost replied with a hint of urgency, never wanting to face the dreaded tyrant and his massive foot soldiers on her own.

At the prison ditch in the elemental temple, Johnny's limp body suddenly shot up and became stiff, as if he just picked up something like a dog with a potent scent... The broken frames of his $500 glasses fell off as his irises gleamed a fiery orange! He snarled as he rose slowly and gazed around his confinement. Grinding his teeth, he backed up to the steep rear wall and ran to the other side.

He then went all erratic as he made a successful attempt climbing out, utilizing the high walls like a predator clawing up! Almost as if his fingertips were gripping the ridges precisely before he leapt out!

The Edenian knights were on high alert as they stormed toward the intruder who miraculously escaped! But due to his quick reflexes and monstrous strength, they were unable to subdue him! One of the wounded elites shouted in Edenian there's an intruder after the final artifact!

In an adjacent chamber, Sindel, Jade and Kitana picked up on the warning. But before the Queen had a chance to alert her non-Edenian kolleagues, the irate revenant was bashing thru the locked, metal door and the krowd! He even tossed Sindel aside like an unwanted toy, even Kitana and Jade were unable to pin him down for long before they were knocked back! Not even Aiko could capture him in which Cage's heart was too venomous for her to stall as it slipped away like a slippery eel!

Some of the Knights kontinued the chase, while others murmured and became komplacent he won't find Shinnok's Amulet in the labyrinth. Kitana paused then spoke a foreign mantra that was hardly audible, which seemed to stun Johnny for a moment! The onlookers noticed him hold his head as he squealed in agony, although he was still ardent while he scampered closer to the abysmal room!

"If he gets to that amulet, Onaga might sense it and transport him to-" There was a loud grunt after Sindel's distress. Cage's body halted then collapsed.

As the onlookers closed in, they noticed he was ambushed by an impatient Ashrah and stabbed him with her thrown Kriss! There wasn't any blood as it intruded a nerve!

The krafty undead scowled, "You'll never stop the almighty will of Onaga!"

Aloft, her holy might was eventually too much for Johnny to resist as he was being sizzled and immobilized! The footmen held him down until he became unconscious. Sindel congratulated and thanked the gowned stranger for her interception.

Kenshi growled, "That bastard must've had a hive mind despite ME compromising his equipment! More of Onaga's followers could be marching toward the temple from Outworld!"

Ashrah volunteered, "I'll round up the settlers who are willing to fight, and perhaps purify the remaining revenants, Sonya and Jax." After receiving quizzical looks, she stated Raiden told her as soon as she broke free from the Netherrealm. She even cussed backwards as she was in remorse for training Shujinko and letting him be stronger than her, as she would've broken free sooner if she'd have the chance to slay Ermac...

At the sound of his name, Jade's memory was tugged having a flashback as did Sindel when the former was defeated by Shujinko surrendering the Outworld Kamidogu, and the latter giving the Edenia treasure to him to keep away from Kahn.

"Hmm, it seems you ladies aren't the only ones who have disdain with him after all." The blind swordsman sympathized.

"Can the pity parties! We got trouble!" One of the knights rushed in and cried.

In the bleak of night, a monstrous dragon flew and breathed wide streaks of fire onto the small village of Sun Do! The remainder of the denizens were caught unawares as the Tarkatans impaled their arm blades into the vulnerable citizens! They hardly noticed a bulky man lift and strangle someone, "Reveal the location of Shinnok's Amulet, or pay with your life!"

He just simply remained silent and shellshocked before the metallic arm threw him down hard! Snarls were heard as were screams, even amongst the crackles of wood! Each one of the trapped civilians met their demise in various ways, as they never spoke the intel Onaga needed for the last piece of his diabolical puzzle. Not even the general shown any relent as she became a brutal bruiser by delivering lethal punches and kicks.

Sonya and Jax led the Tarkatan horde thru the thick outskirts from the shambles of Onaga's rebirth place. The former Special Forces turned out to be the dragon's most lethal enforcers. By the time everyone was finished emptying the deserted settlement, the despotics bowed to the emerging serpent, some even kneeled.

"Those pitiful Sun Donians. They deserve to waste their feeble lives. They could've been spared if they would squawk the location of the final piece to victory!" Jax retorted.

"Kourtesy of our Edenian servants, I've already the incantations needed to unite all the Kamidogu into the ultimate weapon that will konquer the Elder Gods. Just as the One Being failed to occur during genesis. That primitive village wasn't as promising as containing the secrets of the Soulnado. Perhaps the mighty kingdom of Edenia would be most konvenient. With the anarch, Shao Kahn, nonexistent."

The two undead froze after they rose their heads. Intrigued, the ruler of Outworld looked closer on his associates. "We received intel from Johnny, Lord Onaga," Sonya replied in a monotonous, though stern, tone.

"And that is?"

"The Temple of Elements, in northern China. I'll see if I can operate a portal upon its coordinates."

"Please do, sweet pawn...! We still must thrash the resistance of Edenia. They would surely drive us back."

"A fair strategy, Imperialist of Order." A low, though serene tenor, added. A man with white hair tied into a bun, wearing black and gold armor, and having what looked to be a pair of magenta flags stuck out from his back.

"Ah. My long-time associate, Hotaru. My champion from Seido, the heart of the Orderrealm."

He then knelt, "I am humbled of your presence, Lord Onaga. It has been too long of several millennia. For eons, my followers and I had been awaiting your return."

"Much obliged, keeper of powerful harmony. Soon, all of Outworld and the realms shall tremble and bend to our insatiable will. I must first find the answers for the final piece of the Kamidogu, in the jewel of the cosmos, Earthrealm. That elderly fuck, Shujinko, only gathered the majority of those sacred artifacts."

"We will cross the barren plain en route to Edenia, and use force onto the putrid palace, and anyone who'd dare to be a threat." Jax added, "Sonya and I will download the intel when ready."

"Once we have the coordinates of the Temple of Elements, we'll kontact you." Sonya stated.

"Excellent. We will thrive at tomorrow's dawn. The reign of Onaga, will soon begin!"

All his troops roared in triumph as they raised their blades and fists into the brisk, evening air!

Soon enough, it was daybreak, ironically the sun was rising in a coral sky nearly close to bleeding, the Edenian kavalry arose as the numerous watchful eyes pierced thru like beacons within the opaque vegetation. Even those from atop of the 15-story trees looked down warily on the approaching army.

"Those vile intruders are here...!" Baraka snarled in the area of runes; Nightwolf, Frost and Smoke were geared up. Frost whimpered to the Elder Gods for Kuai and Sareena to hurry. To the shaman, it was like deja vu as the forces of Outworld united against Shinnok and Quan Chi just a year ago!

"Still, I must prepare for the Sin Eater ritual. Let these treacherous bastards kome. As well as Sonya and Jax."

"They were our kompatriots that became korrupt by Onaga's infectious influence upon death...!" Baraka became more disgusted of the horned dragon! "I know firsthand. Our reinforcements shall be at the ready. And I wish to cut my double down to size!"

It wasn't long nor easy as the Dragon's militia came across every rigged trap! The Saurians made a preemptive strike as they rained the enemies with acid from thick canopy above or activated lethal limbs and lethal forest needles courtesy of the remaining monstrous trees.

Onaga, Sonya, Jax, and Hotaru often took the frontlines and disabled some of the traps. The group konsisting of the Edenian dwellers, and the raptors' associates, the Chameleons, won't give up without a fight.

The ravenous, wild Tarkatans rushed into the livid terrain, breaking off any strategies or cover from both sides! No one seemed irritated of the arm blade-wielding monstrosities, just eager to vanquish all those who oppose their warlord! Onaga actually faded within the shadows as soon as their weapons klashed!

In the Living Forest or on the arid frontier were both littered with blood and severed bodies!

"My kind aren't so reliable. I always recall them rushing into battle without a proper plan nor contingency; they will be so damn unquenchable and reckless." Baraka highlighted, Nightwolf couldn't agree more, as they never took the proper precautions in the Netherrealm War.

Just then, a rip appeared and to everyone's relief, Kuai and Sareena emerged! They were taken aback when Frost rushed and embraced him! "Thank the Elder Gods you're here...!"

"Well, never mind the love scene, ice princess." Tomas remarked. "Onaga's saints are marching in."

The general's nose twitched, and he gave a deep inhale, summarizing he picked up foul odors which he figured be Onaga's army; he was worried his doppelganger can be among their ranks. He crossed his arm blades, ready to slice some fresh meat, and never wavering on turning against his own klan as what he did against the Deadly Alliance.

"Now all we need are Sonya and Jax." Kuai reiterated.

"I think my partner, Ashrah, can help in that regard." Sareena added.

At the Nexus, Lao, Liu, Hanzo and Ermac ran thru the Earthrealm portal. The realm between realms was as deathly silent as a graveyard. They slowly approached the altar.

The Shirai Ryu warrior perked up and stated to the Champion of Earthrealm, "Kung Lao. Remember that cunning stunt you attempted to make on stealing the Kamidogu?"

The former monk nodded.

Liu Kang's spirit came to the realization, "Ah... Do it!"

Lao was astonished by this, as most of the time his shenanigans would often be rejected or looked down with disdain.

"Yes. This could bring Onaga's attention to us. As long as he has the Kamidogu united, he's merely unstoppable. But divided, he will fall." Ermac took in the hero's words.

He was hesitant, as the large pendant shined when he stretched an arm. Thinking it might shock him, he took the Earthrealm relic quickly with a snatch of one strong hand! To their surprise he wasn't harmed as he looked down at his prize sparkling in both hands, though his mind went blank...

Lao saw the elder Shujinko accomplishing his goal as he laid the Edenia artifact at the second-to-last patch to the left. All six of those arcane relics glowed and sparkled as if his 40-year task was finally accomplished.

"I do not understand! The Kamidogu should be transported to the Elder Gods..." Shujinko was contempt that all the good deeds he'd done was for naught. "Why...why is it not happening...?"

Just then, the floor began to quake as a beast stomped toward the hearth. "Because you have not completed the quest," he had an unearthly voice, almost as if altered and fuzzy just like...

"Who... What are you!?" Shujinko pointed toward the horrid creature.

"Ah, yes... Familiar words. Perhaps this will help you to understand," he opened a palm that seemed to be half a foot in diameter. In it, that same neon orange orb of energy emerged!

"Damashi! What has he done to you? Let him go!" Shujinko cried, his mentor in harm's hands as he implored.

"Shujinko, please! Save me!" Although...his voice seemed as if it belonged to sarcasm. "Old fool!" He cackled in his face!

"Damashi does not exist!" Onaga spoke in his more sinister growl. "The avatar you see before you? Is nothing other than a projection of my own consciousness! I manipulated this astral puppet from beyond the boundaries of death... and in turn, manipulated you." He pointed with his free hand, down at his unsuspecting pawn while he snickered! Shujinko was still speechless, yet he went on! "I deceived into bringing me the means of attaining ultimate mastery over reality."

With those intimidations, Shujinko was as steadfast as ever, "So it seems that I have indeed known you all these years. Then by what name shall I call you now? Tell me who you really are, demon!"

He roared, "I am Onaga! The Dragon King of Outworld, and soon to be ruler of all that exists!" His voice dulled to a growl, "I must thank you for bringing me so much power. The Kamidogu...are mine!" He declared as he made a tight grip.

"You may have them. They do nothing! You have wasted your time. Nothing happened when I placed them on the altar."

"Not all..! If you would have found the last piece, the altar would have transported them to the Elder Gods." He pointed the last, small hole at the very end... "But the last piece is currently in Outworld, in the possession of a necromancer. I wil deal with him later...

"For now, I will take these artifacts you have so dutifully collected for me. I'm afraid they will not make it into the hands of the Elder Gods after all. And so, Shujinko...your quest is done. Prepare for death!"

He then stomped toward the fleeing elder who just dove into the Outworld portal... Before the vision ended.

However, Lao heard one final message...

"The Dragon King now possesses the six has taken the ancient amulet from Quan Chi in Outworld. Although each item is powerful beyond mortal comprehension, individually they contain only a fraction of the power needed to create the realms. To become all-powerful, Onaga must discover a way to fuse them into a single, ultimate Kamidogu!

"I have been a pawn to Onaga's scheme to rule all. If I am to redeem myself, I must continue to learn all that I can, and prepare for the final battle against the Dragon King."

"Of course. Grandfather stated that Damashi isn't a name, but rather a word, Japanese for deception!" Liu's words made everyone flinch!

"I should've known...!" Hanzo growled at his own incompetence. He then had a flashback of losing to the false prophet and regretting on training Shujinko in the Netherrealm to restore his taint to make him travel in all realms, before he lost upon Onaga's emergence.

As if reading their minds like Kenshi, Ermac recalled the Seido guards in Outworld meeting him, then imprisoning him before the soul kollector arrived near Shang's Palace. He also noticed that the generous one was saved by Dairou during a riot he made against the fanatical Orderrealmers!

They all came to the conclusion that Damashi was Shujinko's guide for the fake quest that was orchestrated by using Onaga's consciousness due to his rotted corpse at the Tomb. Everything came to a head, and Ermac sensed thousands of armies konsisting of the Saurians, Shokans, Centaurs, and Edenians teaming up with Sareena, Ashrah, Frost, Smoke, Kuai, and Nightwolf to war against Onaga's followers in a bloody massacre!

"The war... It has begun...!"

Everyone was in deep thought, worrying for the welfare of their kompatriots and their fellow realms. Before Hanzo and Ermac grabbed their korresponding Kamidogu, they all heard a sort of whooshing noise not accompanied by wind... Kung Lao frantically observed his surroundings yet...nothing has changed. And the air remained stagnant.

"Kung Lao! Head's up!"

His eyes gazed aloft for a split second before he leapt and rolled. He even felt the tremor, hitting him squarely in the stomach. He hardly kaught his breath...

"...You."

The beast before him just snarled as his eyes flamed vermillion. "Hand me over the Earthrealm Kamidogu, mortal...!" As if on cue, it began to brighten within a side pocket. "Bring it to me!" He bellowed.

Lao just stood firm, even in one of his Shaolin poses. "Never, Onaga! I am not one of your bound zombie puppets. I will not let you govern all the realms! I refuse to surrender the last of the Kamidogu! In order to get to them, you must go thru me!" He then drew in his feet then spun his hat as he declared, "I am Kung Lao, the descendant of the Great Kung Lao, the defender of Earth, and the Champion of Mortal Kombat."

"Impressive, but it will be astronomical to overthrow me. I am Onaga, the supreme ruler of Outworld and soon all of existence! Hand me over the Kamidogu, and show me the location of the amulet, and all will be spared."

"Run, Kung Lao!" Liu's spirit rang in his ears, before he dodged Onaga's charge!

His mind raced while Lao was severely injured by the Dragon King himself, and how he was immobilized by Raiden before he sacrificed himself, how his komrades fell one by one before he was warped away by Fujin... With all but two of the Kamidogu in Onaga's possession... He had no choice!

Onaga snatched him in his vice grip, nearly krushing his fleshy vessel, before Liu Kang's fiery serpent blinded him! "Brother! Hurry! Warn the other realms of Onaga's presence and keep away the Kamidogu! GO!"

Without relent, Lao relied on his speed as he felt his cattails be licked by thermal energy! And blindly ran to one of the Nexus' outer portals!

A/N: Ok, I just HAD to end the chapter at a cliffhanger here! I tried my best to portray the enemies as best as I could, since there were no portrayals of Sonya and Johnny being Revenants (Jax was meh), and I figured the melee should be saved for the finale, even if Baraka should deal with his present double.

Songs include: Dragon King's Temple: The Dragon Has Left the Building from Mortal Kombat Deception plays when the village of Sun Do has been destroyed by Onaga and his followers, Konquest Mode: Orderrealm'd sound afterwards once Hotaru approaches them, Konquest Mode: Outworld'd chime in with Nightwolf and the gang making preparations, Konquest Mode: Edenia'd play when Nightwolf trained Shujinko and with the sudden assistance of Baraka, Helicopter Freeze from The Day after Tomorrow would play when Johnny begins his escapade, Sweat and Bruises: Sindel's Training would commence when he chases after the last Kamidogu, Konquest: The Betrayal is of course for Onaga's reveal, and Friends from Mortal Kombat 1995 would sound as Lao stands up to him before he runs, along with an excerpt from the Escape from Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat: Conquest.

Like the previous chapter, it certainly was a struggle; aside from dealing with insomnia! I wanted to wing this one, and this may be the last time Konquest would ever be included here. Besides, Shujinko's gone, and the rest of the stuff is either non-canon or just optional and uninteresting... Sorry for the disappointment. I knew I was going to lose interest eventually, and the so-called timeline was sooo konvoluted...

So, another chapter kompleted; see you at the finale!

Con't X: Zenith

In the midst of all the pandemonium, Kung Lao was still frantically running away from the intimidating presence of Onaga closing in on his every step! He always felt the heat and his horrifying aura as he tried to keep away the Earthrealm Kamidogu! But no matter how far away he managed, Onaga kept sensing and thus chasing after it! With the energy and briskness of horsepower in the thousands!

The sinister Dragon King first followed the fleshling into the Outworld rip, just a sheer mile away from the Edenian Resistance and Onaga's army clashing each other at the forests! Despite the flesh and splatters of blood flying, the minions noticed the presence of their overlord, yet they never faltered as they were consumed by their bloodlust for him. Instead, a few nameless kronies noticed the intruder and aimlessly fired at Lao with Onaga on his tail, before the debris was too much as he turned back to the Nexus, while also ducking beneath the savage serpent!

Liu Kang then suggested "Quick, Kung Lao! We should head to the Chaosrealm!" The former monk gave an irritated sigh showing his dismay. "Don't fret, I'm aware of your mind not taking the world's toxic environment, I went inside you. I promise my spirit shall protect you from its intrinsic atmosphere! Now go!" With little time to spare, Lao took his brother's advice. Onaga arrived with the Nexus empty, but as he felt the energy of Earth leaving him, he knew where to go...

With only about a couple minutes of reprieve, Kung Lao took a breather after he almost stumbled upon the black-yellow ramp as he ran out. Soon Onaga emerged after him and sniffed the air for the sweating mortal. He then punched downward thru the ramp and pieces scattered, though no sign of prey. He then flew aloft and took a gamble. He saw Lao running on the slanted rooves, even leaping to their lower portions instead of descending. Even ducking in a ditch as Onaga let loose his flame breath! Lao Teleported to the ground, then behind a heavily barbed fence. He dashed to one of the advanced portals taking him over a few floating isles before Onaga bashed thru the barrier with minimal effort!

At the temple worshipping the God of Chaos, the denizens were in utter shock seeing the beast for themselves, even Havik some feet away near the same red barriers! "By the Tempest! It's Onaga!" He shook a gauntleted fist in disgust, "I shall NEVER let his vile ruin the ways of Chaos! If I find Hotaru, I will ring off his self-righteous neck! Dairou, Darrius, you are the resistance to the ways of Order, Onaga's army shall be vanquished in Outworld! Seize them!"

"Turn back, Kung Lao!" Liu Kang cried. The lethal hat thrower twisted his body as he made a U-turn and headed back, with the horrid beast klose to his heels.

"By the Elder Gods! Kung Lao's being hunted down by Onaga!" Raiden exclaimed!

Fujin monitored the chase soberly in the Jinsei with Ashrah watching the disarray unfold!

"Lord Raiden. May I volunteer to assist the Edenian Resistance?"

The Thunder God refocused, "Please do, Ashrah. Kuai, Frost, and Baraka are in the melee, fighting the dreaded Dragon's army. Nightwolf must have enough tainted souls necessary to enter the Netherealm and still bind his soul."

"Raiden! Nightwolf said he needs more! From the army itself. His people's contamination wasn't strong enough," the Wind God added.

"He shall have his chance, if he were to assist the Lin Kuei warriors, Sareena, and the Tarkatan. Baraka helped us against his own kind. But the shaman would need someone to guide him out of the dark bowels."

"Of course, I'll do it." The demon responded with a curtsy.

"Hurry, now, Ashrah. We may be former Elder Gods, yet our powers can do so much in Outworld. Bring Sonya and Jax back to their senses if you can."

With the Lin Kuei high tech, Tomas was ready as he unleashed his smokescreen spewing at the bloody forest floor, wrapping up the Kombatants' legs. With rockets beneath his feet, a grey cyborg rose and open fired from aloft with a rocket or two shooting from his chest cavity! The explosions stunned soldiers from both formations, though it was enough for Sub-Zero to freeze and shatter the enemies' brittle bones! Frost was more offensive as she impaled and diced in kloser kombat with her icicle daggers, even attacked mono y mono like Sareena did.

They felt a shockwave klosing fast! Frost urged her associates to jump and avoided the aftershock! "That must be Jax...!" Much to Kuai's guess, he saw his former ally thrash thru the Resistance; even the Centaurs were having a field day with him since they recalled his scrimmage with Motaro! Some even stomped back, but Jax never wavered.

Feeling it was dishonorable, he urged, "Frost, Sareena! Seek out Jax and Sonya, and brain them!" The ladies obliged as they charged into the brawl, while Kuai kontinued to kreate ice storms utilizing the Dragon Medallion! At least he had a better chance than against Noob Saibot...

Eventually, Jax's brute strength became too much for the half-horses as well as the Shokan, even being able to break or disable a limb or two as they cracked like twigs, which were hardly audible than their shrieks! He wasn't prepared, however, by the sudden stream stinging his face! By the time he recovered, he was unable to see his assailant. He did feel a swift blow to the back of the head and beheld a Saurian wearing a rainbow garb! He unleashed a spear in which the revenant attempted to rip out of his palm; instead, he was driven klose enough to shoot ice onto his feet!

The slick raptor vanished and was unseen in the khaos as he aimed for Jax's bare ribs! Jax struck thin air, then the resilient reptilian spat out another acid stream onto Jax's arms as he blocked! The bionic strength enhancers were still being eaten away leaving the geomancer vulnerable. He drastically brushed them on the dirt, but it was an easy target as he was caught in the multi-colored monster's green field. He thought he'd have his arms bust out of his body, but he was just tossed into fallen trees!

"Not sso tough with your revenancy, are you?" he taunted as he marched toward the mess. He was then hit from behind by a flexible leg, and he knew from the get-go it was Sonya! Just as ashen and enthralled as her partner...

Thankfully, as if on cue, she was stung by a klose acid stream from a slimmer version of the bulkier brawler, wearing the same rainbow garb, but accompanied with white streaks of hair. Before she wound up for another punch.

She pinned Sonya down, even buried her face until they heard a wail from Jax! A golden dagger withdrew from his back, yet there was no blood, and an angel-like being aimed and did the same thing to Sonya! The female Saurian was alarmed, though Ashrah halted her. "Don't Saurian! They will be taken for recovery." She did just that as she apprehended both Special Forces agents before she conjured a rip and went thru.

She emerged in the Jinsei fountain, "They're now incapacitated, Raiden."

"Good. Now it's up to Nightwolf."

In the middle of the fray, he sliced up numerous foes with his soul-empowered tomahawk, dagger, and struck with his arrows; each soul he managed to draw in as if he was deflecting a projectile. Once several souls dashed into him, he headed straight for the once-sealed rip.

He took a deep sigh, "...It's all or nothing." He took the leap of faith into the humid, lightless realm of endless torment!

Raiden just observed, "Nightwolf just breached the Netherrealm. Go to it, Ashrah. And might I remind you I've no jurisdiction there. Be wary of the endless, sinful hordes."

All she did was snicker, "You don't think I'm used to it by now?"

"Hurry to the portal so you two won't get trapped for an eternity."

Baraka had his hands, and arm blades, full as he hacked off every single sentinel who could detect, including his own kind! Actually, because of that unsuspecting stunt, several of the Tarkatans became vengeful on the genocidal maniac! However, Baraka was just too kunning and kold-hearted as he kept driving them away from the Edenian militia.

Another one of the hellish hybrids rushed in, although he didn't appear as slim, nor his skin was paper thin like the other nameless grunts. Instead, he seemed just as skilled as he kept striking every blow as if playing en garde! Even performing the rapid dices! They broke apart before Baraka beheld his own self!

"You are a traitor to the Tarkatan, fighting your own race!"

"My own race has been corrupted by Outworld overlords! They're wasteful and disgraceful; deplorable working for a dragon who only re-enlists the dead!"

"It is a way to preserve our race without Shao Kahn; he brings order to chaos!"

"I would rather liberate, to form my own allegiance and not waste on ruthless destruction that serves no purpose!"

"Then, perish with your soft-boiled brethren, traitor! You show no honor to the Tarkatan."

"There's no honor in what you do!"

Kick after kick, even both using an impalement accompanied with a headbutt, or even firing their Sais at each other, they were surely, and evenly, at each other's throats. Each mutant bloodied and battered and pushing each other's blades back at each other. Although the present Baraka performed a spin kick knocking his docile double with his blades just inches away from the other's eyes!

"Serve your kin blindly then, turncoat!"

"Ergh..! Serve your Emperor burnt!"

The time warped Tarkatan let loose a fiery breath like a dragon's as his irises blazed the same shade! The enemy backed off, searing in pain! Baraka declared, "There's more to mutants than just fangs and retractable blades; a certain God taught me that!" He dug in his blades and leapt off the ground, then marched toward his doppelganger, "Tarkata demands respect! We are done living in fear!"

Baraka performed a quick, strong swipe at the opponent with his blade and cuts off the present Tarkatan leader's head! He snarled in triumph as he crossed his blades in front of him!

A Lava Burst hit Baraka's side and he laid there immobilized. There was a male which seemed to be made of ethereal energy as he declared, "There's now a new order that will pervade all the realms. Onaga's order!" He performed the Grasshopper maneuver as he rapidly kicked Baraka at his weak side.

"A Tarkatan never begs for mercy...!"

With a three-pronged energy star and a blue projectile, both of the Khaos Krusaders, Dairou and Darrius, brought the zealot to his knees! The bulky bald managed to strike off one of Hotaru's arms with his outrageous strength, while the monk lookalike knocked the opponent down holding his free arm and rested a foot on his spine. From there, Dairou began pulling violently against the limbs and then momentarily released, sending the Hotaru into the ground with such force that his upper body half literally exploded in a bloody mess.

"For all the good I had done, the event that had come to define me was that one moment of Chaos!"

Liu and Lao returned to the Nexus and noticed two more Kamidogu from the Netherrealm and Edenia were gone! In a separate realm, Hanzo warned, "Ermac... With possession of this Kamidogu, I may revert to my wraith self, and lose my sanity and my soul like I have against Quan Chi..."

The soul kinetic encouraged, "We need all the strength we can possibly muster, Hanzo! Once we should face Onaga..."

Out of breath, Kung Lao turned tail to the Orderrealm, a domain he never encountered before. Amongst every one of the massive pyramids, he intersected each one and even knocked some random objects to obscure Onaga's path. As almighty as he was, he still kept at his vicious pursue! Amongst the settlements, the Seido denizens cheered for Onaga and attempted to retaliate and nearly trip their ally's enemy; it wasn't long before he turned back to the portal!

Lao's stamina and adrenaline were beginning to fail him while nearing the gateway, that Onaga was close enough to clip him! Struggling, Lao managed to reach the Nexus once more, before he crumbled and perspired at the altar. Massive layers of sweat covered his powerless body as he struggled to take in the thin air. Nevertheless, Onaga cornered Lao there and knocked him down with a single, monstrous lunge! The former Shaolin was battered, unable to move, let alone breathing/ His vision was too hazy to notice Onaga being plummeted by a four-arm monstrosity with a few jumps atop him! He raised his beastly arms as he roared, then carried Lao up and over his bare, tense back as he stomped to Outworld and snatched its Kamidogu! The opaque realm seemed calm and less disturbed as the Shokan laid the hapless victim down to the cool ground. He took out the circular amulet and both it and the blue-green jewel ignited. He aligned his possession with Lao's in his pocket and all a sudden the violet jewel grew brighter as it conjured energy flowing to the Earthrealm's.

Seconds later, they both darkened, and Lao began to stir from his stupor. His sight cleared very little as he barely made out the massive shadow looming over him... "Uh-unh..! Goro...?"

He just lowered his arms and shook him. "Snap out of it, Kung Lao! The realms need our help!"

His hat drooped a little as he muttered. "What...must I do...?"

"Stop the accursed Dragon King and save the realms. If it's not too late."

Goro could've sworn that he saw Liu's empowered spirit salute, "Count on it, Champion! The others shall await us!"

As soon as the trio returned to the realm between realms, Ermac, Hanzo and their unlikely ally, Havik, met up. Everyone put up their dukes as they prepared for the battle of the realms as soon as Onaga made a forceful landing! The quake nearly knocked the quintet off their feet, yet they stayed firm.

Liu Kang usurped Lao's vessel, although Havik was the first to break thru and attack the beast with his signature Torso Spin, flailing her limbs; he was just as wrathful, despite most of the Kamidogu belonging to each of the warriors excepting Seido's. Despite his uncanny maneuvers, Onaga's bulk and monstrous strength was like Mt. Everest! Each of his counters were lethal, even breaking some of Havik's limbs which he let! A disabled arm or leg he easily reattached and kept on the scrimmage after he performed his recovering Corpse Taunt. The Diving Corpse had little effect, the Crackling Leg Projectile seemed to be even with the beast's immense fireballs, and even snapping Havik's neck after his enemy's aerial throw provided him energy! He thought he was the most resilient Kombatant, thinking on defeating Onaga alone! Although his vanity was a weakness as Onaga became more brutal. His size and tremendous strength mattered!

By the time Havik wavered, Goro charged with his signature Spinning Fists toward the vicious usurper! His own Fireballs clashed with Onaga's, and their ferocity seemed equal. With every tackle, punch or kick, it was as if the Prince mimicked him in terms of movement and impact, even mirroring Goro's maneuver, the Shokan Jump. Although since he was a heavyweight, he was still affected by Onaga's Super Powerbomb as it greatly irritated his body, even when the stream of flame made Goro waver with his bare skin.

When he was weakened, he switched for Hanzo letting loose his rage. He encountered the beast with his usual spear, wrapping and pulling it taut drawing the Dragon nearby. Although the beast's brutalness was nearly enough to tear it out of his palm! He instantly withdrew and countered with his own fiery breath in conjunction to Onaga's! His Fireballs were still forceful on the wraith, even his charges like a massive bull, though he did manage to catch and perform an aerial throw! He managed to make a pyro teleport from beneath, although he was still at Onaga's mercy when he was caught in a seismic throw from the air!

Ermac took over with a Teleport Punch seeing his associate injured. Unlike the other Kombatants, he kept a strategy to attack from a distance; his moves even covered long ranges including his Soul Balls, Hado-Energy, and Telekinetic Slam. Hell, his lunges while being imbued in soul energy made some marks as Onaga was held only for a millisecond by the kollector's fields. While he was the most agile, he was still mangled, even caught in Onaga's flames, making him falter.

Lastly were the Orientals! However, Liu Kang seemed to be the most effective, as his combined strength with Lao's dealt double damage, much to the kleric's jealousy! Mostly from the lethal moves of Bo' Rai Cho konsisting of the Bicycle and the Whirlwind Kicks! Onaga wasn't stupid as he blocked some of the cousins' counters. Even the Powerbomb was little problem as Lao strategized quickly with his Teleport avoiding the unrelenting terrain and performed the Shaolin Drop instead!

Aiko and her kompatriots at the elemental temple were roaring for the best Kombatants, as was Raiden and his spectators in the Jinsei!

But he wasn't thrilled as Onaga wound up and fired toward their Tornado Kick, thinking they'd deflect them... Lao's Hat Throw was even caught in Onaga's palm which threw back the lethal projectile to which Lao squirmed his body down to avoid the same technique Motaro used. Liu lunged with his Flying Kick, but it didn't make the beast back away much. His brutal counteract was more injuring.

Since then, Kombatant took turns against Onaga's ferocity, and he nearly had enough strength to best them all! Even while keeping at a distance as they observed Scorpion the first time out.

Something began to break within each of them. Even inside Kung Lao's inner pocket. Liu Kang summarized in his host, "Everyone!" He simply hijacked Lao's vessel to reach in and punch the Kamidogu in his possession! The artifact shattered into many tiny shards, and the monk noticed the Dragon faltered as well! He unleashed another Flying Kick which seemed to cause more damage!

Using the decoy to their advantage, each Kombatant excepting Havik broke their corresponding pieces! "N-NO! You treacherous fools! These Kamidogu hold the keys against Onaga and support the ways of Chaos!"

"They must each be destroyed, Havik!" Liu Kang summarized. "Shujinko said they mean nothing without the last piece! Now, Champion!"

With pent-up rage, Kung Lao kept on slicing Onaga with his fatal hat as he performed furiously his fatal Razor's Edge! Many lacerations were made as Onaga began to hunch over finally! "Unleash your might like you did with Shang Tsung! Everyone, now!" Liu's voice emanated from Lao's vessel.

His teammates followed his instructions decimating the realms' own pendants and then landed some aggressive blows onto Onaga! Seeing the Orderrealm relic still intact, Lao and Liu powered up before Onaga dove in to snatch it! In his hands was nothing but dust!

Goro just lifted the stupefied dragon with his lower arms as he continually sacked him with his upper arms, before he threw him toward the fiery F4 funnel! Realizing that stunt, Scorpion performed the aerial spin, Ermac encased him in his spiritual field as he ascended the enemy higher, while Havik...just stood and watched with glee!

The Tornado let out an enormous gale and fire as it exploded and dropped Onaga!

All fighters were pooped and Onaga was staggering but strong enough to stand. They wondered there was more they could do, until Onaga became stiff as he was oozing out a thin green essence!

"Now, Nightwolf!" Raiden roared as his grunt echoed from one of his shamanistic tools.

His magic trap activated as the foreign symbols, lines, and the unholy terrain ignited the same soul shade! Momentarily, the interior was covered by a vertical streak of light and soon bound Onaga's spirit inside the energy field! Although the holographic body was his, it sounded like the same tone as Damashi as he screamed obscenities while being weighed by the impure spirits that bound him!

Seeing the kommotion from afar, Ashrah signaled and guided the shaman away as quick as possible despite his own aching body from the numerous dark spirits that were raging inside.

The green ooze subsided, but inside a slimmer body. The possessed vessel turned out to be the deformed Reptile's in his Saurian form komplete with his dagger...!

"Baraka would surely be pleased if we can take him in alive," Jerrod spoke.

Footsteps pattered like raindrops as Lao wobbled as if he were Liu's reanimated corpse, barely holding his stature and keeping his head up. His body collapsed and caught in a lime hue.

As silence fell, Hanzo, reverted back to his lucid self, wondered what that break of glass was; with a raised arm, Ermac came to the conclusion it was the dragon amulet.

Liu stated, "Ergh..! I'm still... in Lao's broken body, but even I'm gravely wounded."

Raiden appeared, startling the group with a flash and clap. He immediately inspected the golden shards and stood upright. "I must take them to the Jinsei at once, even Reptile's lifeless body!"

As if there was a sound, Ermac sensed Havik drawing out a Morning Star declaring in a harsh whisper to the inactive Saurian vessel, "Chaos shall reign forever...!"

"Oh...no you don't!" Ermac encased the ravager in a green energy field, immobilizing Havik as he joggled his limbs.

"Nagh! No! Kan it you-!"

He then gave him a direct kick to his ribs, sending him thru the Chaosrealm portal! The impact made him be thrown back to the city wrecked by Onaga before the rip klosed! He stood up slowly and just let out a cackle in glee on relishing in Onaga's lethal kombat and wished to fight a war as sporadic and deadly as that again!

"Wait! A Saurian kan be vicious upon inspection, but Raiden said we've no choice but to head to the Sky Temple..."

Numerous bodies laid inside the sacred fountain, even the monks stood at attention guarding the place, and they weren't too thrilled of the several visitors. Johnny, Sonya, Jax, Kung Lao, Liu's corpse, and the heroic fighters were in recovery with Raiden and Fujin awaiting their fates.

Word got out to the defenders of the elemental temple the heroes succeeded and the crowd cheered! Aiko came klose to the Royal Family to avoid the kalamity, instantly worried of Kung Lao's welfare, while Li Mei recalled him moments later. Kitana and Sindel reunited with Jerrod in a tight embrace, and the Queen reiterated her daughter's sudden chant to him which may be possible to separate Onaga's spells over the Special Forces. Aiko became desperate of Kung Lao, in which Jerrod assured he's recovering.

There was soon an audience outside Raiden's sacred stronghold...

A/N: Aside from the Escape of Kung Lao from MK: Conquest, the Fight Against Goro from the SNES version of MK1 shall play when Goro assists the former monk, and I wanted to make his sudden appearance a surprise. He Shall Smite the Wicked from Hunchback of Notre Dame shall play during the Edenian Resistance against Onaga's army; ending at 5:38. Sentinels Attack from the Matrix, from 2:45-3:58, shall sound as Kung Lao's being chased by the Dragon King. Benny around the Bend from The Sandlot, from 0:13, shall play when Lao returns to the Nexus and gets mangled. The special bonus battle song, The Roof is on Fire (Club Mix) from Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three would rave during the final battle against Onaga! Followed by Dragon Slayer, The Death of the Dragon King, The End of the Dragon King (why Idk there were 2 titles...), and The End from Deception shall follow afterwards.

This was undoubtedly one of the hardest chapters I'd to write, even finding a fitting title... And it wasn't just that, but every scenario including the melee, in which my other epics tend to have leading up to the climax. I was so damn relieved to have it done though, especially when the anti-hero Baraka got his double taken out; that fire breath just made it the more special as like what Underdawg said, Tarkatans are like the mutants in Mortal Kombat as Baraka's like Wolverine thus should have different abilities. And the "God" he's referred to should be a taste of things to come...

I also got pretty anxious on taking out the new revenants too, even Onaga, as well as Nightwolf's Sin Eater ritual; unlike the game, he wasn't lost, and it sort of reminded me of the Devil's Trap in Supernatural in case you didn't get the memo, another WB property MK should have...

So, I used a Tag Team Battle, the first and only in this fic, unlike the previous book. The thing was I always believed that Chaos in Dissidia Final Fantasy was a rip-off of Onaga from Deception: they have a similar character design, they're like almighty main villains, their attacks can be similar in terms of brute strength and pyrokinesis, aside from the godlike techniques Chaos has as a "god." Then again, Shujinko could've been the rip-off of Wong Leung from The Bouncer, so it may had been done both ways... After all, it was a reminder of the better way fighting Chaos, use 5 heroes in a party battle.

I didn't want to get rid of Havik, his moves and concept was too cool, though I couldn't wait to rid of boring, communistic Hotaru! I wasn't sure what to do with Havik's associative traitors to Order, Dairou and Darrius, so I figured they gained up and brutalized him. I was also worried the realms'd be affected if the Kamidogu should be destroyed; it's a relief it's nothing and they're worthless without Shinnok's Amulet. Btw...in case you guessed the Khameleons finally made themselves useful as spies and passive heroes, you're right; wasn't easy finding roles for them, that's for sure. Thus, leading the Saurians and the Edenian Resistance. As did Smoke as an Iron Man Kombatant.

So, the finale has been konquered, next the Epilogue to tie up loose ends...! And just in time since the Sindel role-player has returned...! :D

Epilogue

Outside Raiden's ethereal Temple, the monks muttered in numerous tongues of the dangers for each of the injured heroes involved in Onaga's war. But more importantly, the fates of their Champions and their best representatives, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. They even remained silent as more Kombatants marched onto the summit via portals, one from the Temple of Elements the other from Outworld; those being Aiko, Li Mei, Sindel, Kitana, Jade, Frost, Smoke, Goro, the Chameleons, Sareena, and the Edenian royal guard. Everyone stood outside the sacred Jinsei fountain, anxious on what would become of their injured komrades. Hanzo and Kenshi made a handshake and manly embrace as they finally reunited from their battle against the Deadly Alliance.

So far, most of the wounded had recovered in a manner of minutes. Thankfully, Sonya, Jax, and Johnny had their bodies and minds lucid, no longer possessing the urge to conquer and seize control for the dreaded Dragon King. Reptile was still immobilized from the extensive damage of the lethal scrimmage, although the troops recuperated quickly as if they only suffered minor damage like a bruise or scrape.

The crowd began to thin out little by little, but several minutes had passed before the Saurian general made some hisses, probably from kontempt. The raptors gladly offered to carry their elitist to a portal in Zaterra where he'd settle in more familiar, instead of holy, territory. As soon as the scaly reptilians left the building, the two brother Gods looked at each other with anxiety; they knew what they had to do...

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, brother. But this hasn't been done in millennia."

Raiden looked down at his fallen Champion, "Hmm... The process won't be easy. This was a voluntary possession, but Liu Kang's body sustained extensive damage by the Deadly Alliance and the Houan ritual. It's likely it is still corrupt by the ancient black arts in which I had possessed to revive him for evil purposes..." He sulked at what his doppelganger had done.

Fujin just laid a firm, assuring hand on his shoulder. "Do not blame yourself on what your corrupt incarnate hast done. We will decimate whatever remains of those savage necromancers. I'm certain Liu Kang and Kung Lao are still pure. It wasn't easy removing those spellbound chains, though," he smirked. Everyone hardly noticed the Houan Chains were gone.

Suddenly, another rip opened outside as the protectors noticed a faded light, "Did I miss it? Did I miss the ritual?"

"Ah, Nightwolf, Ashrah." Raiden was undoubtedly surprised.

"Where's Sub-Zero, and Baraka?"

"He's healing the Tarkatan, Raiden." Ashrah replied. "His Dragon Medallion should be vital in preventing infections and blood loss."

"Let's hope so. But I must have the shaman's assistance for the time being. Thank heavens you're no longer tainted. Well done leading him here, Ashrah."

"How may I help, Raiden?"

"Cleanse Liu Kang's body for any impurities. And escort his soul from Kung Lao. Liu Kang must pass thru spiritual plane and return. May the Elder Gods assist us if there should be a spiritual konflict between his body and soul. You must know, Nightwolf, that this is a very dangerous procedure..."

The Matokan's body ignited as he let out Kiba who made a large, rapid shake as if soaked in torrential rainfall. He then trodden over the two fallen Orientals and let out some whimpers. Nightwolf offered his pet to bring the glowing tomahawk to the spectators outside, to pray for the Shaolins' welfare. He obliged, and Raiden prayed to the higher ups to protect them...

The process began as Nightwolf was in a lotus position, and the Jinsei suddenly churned into a light green, while Fujin watched over the ritual warily as Raiden announced, "Fal-tor-pan...!" The Wind God hit a distant bass gong before his brother laid his fingers onto Lao's forehead, and soon Liu Kang's corpse in the same position. The Temple began to darken, although it wasn't just the interior walls. He slowly closed his eyes as he performed the spiritual transition.

Meanwhile the group of spectators gathered around the small tomahawk Kiba brought; everyone laid a hand on it as they silently prayed for Liu's safe journey and the warriors' sakes. As Raiden's head bowed, flashes of lightning were seen; they startled Aiko a little, although knowing her phobia, Kenshi komforted her. The monks began to chant in their Shaolin mantras for their fellow brothers.

Minutes dragged on as the process did; at times Raiden faced each of the two still victims, guiding and cleansing their spirits, as did Nightwolf and Fujin.

When suddenly, a surge of invisible energy went thru Kung Lao as he made a deep inhale. It was as if a heavy load had been lifted from his body and mind. Raiden sensed the same as he removed his fingers from his forehead.

"Wake up, Kung Lao." A deep tenor rang in his mind... Almost sounding as if belonging to his Shaolin partner.

Aiko's heart gem glowed and warmed her own chest, filling her with relief. "It's Kung Lao...!" The crowd murmured on whether or not his presence was true. They each turned to the Sky Temple and soon emerged the former monk from the shadows. The cardiokinetic was the first to stand and ran to him, murmuring his name! Overjoyed, he couldn't help but grin as his eyes sparkled before he tightly embraced her, resting his head onto her shoulder. "Oh...it's so good to see you...!" He tended her just as she did, "I am myself again..."

Her nose twitched, "Ergh, I don't care how much you sweat or how bad you smell. I'm just so glad you are here...!" He always seemed to have the bad habit on forgetting to apply deodorant after each tumultuous lesson or bout.

He then heard some excited barks coming from a dog, only it turned out to be Kiba who rose on his hind legs and licked his face numerous times. Lao just smiled and giggled all the way, even having his forepaws rest on his shoulders, even his snout. The wolf soon recovered and gazed inside, letting out a few high-pitched moans. Lao soon followed as he gently put him down. "...Liu Kang...!"

The crowd soon klosed in, welcoming him alive and well, even Goro iterating his ancestor and so he had brought hope and peace throughout the realms. He was glad Li Mei was still safe, even from the Sun Do devastation he heard from Fujin on his way out. Everyone was thrilled for Kung Lao's successful recuperation, though Kitana, Aiko and Lao still shown worry for Liu Kang as they gazed into the opaque entrance...

Moments later, Fujin hit the same large gong again and a gathering surrounded the central fountain, hardly letting the normal blue hue strike through.

The sky began to lighten as Sonya kontacted Kuai in Outworld. He was surprised the Special Forces agent was her normal self, as were Jax and Johnny who reunited with him like old schoolmates. She offered to send him a portal home as soon as Baraka snarled that he'd rather rest at his own Tarkatan Kamp than in a stuffy, irritable space filled with bright light and godly air...

Where Lao and Aiko, and soon Kitana, stood, their eyes made out a group of monks walk out, never saying a word, just giving them loose complexions.

Fujin broke thru the shadows next. "Welcome back, Kung Lao."

He bowed, and wore a strike of concern, "Lord Fujin, what of Liu Kang?"

"The dragon amulet's been destroyed, by the deep impacts of Onaga... He...actually wants to thank you, for everything."

"What I've done... It should never have come to pass. Of Liu Kang's death by the Deadly Alliance, and the Dragon's rebirth... I... was irresponsible."

"You are only responsible for his destiny, and yours."

Kung Lao then noticed Raiden and Nightwolf. Aiko and Kitana cried about Liu Kang's fate.

All he did was raise a hand to silence them. "We all had done some irrevocable deeds. To secure all the realms from Onaga's reign of terror. And to preserve the existence of our Chosen One, Liu Kang..." He rose his heavy head which suddenly became light. "And we never would've wanted it any other way. What we had done, echoes for an eternity."

There was a pause, and Raiden turned behind him. Gradually, a male emerged out from the Temple, before they saw an orange glow for the first time in what feels to be infinite! He rose his face as he let out a grin as his palms ignited then dissipated the flames.

Kitana immediately went up and gave her lover a sudden, tight embrace, in which he returned the pressure. The Edenian princess was nearly in tears as she expressed how much she missed him, and how she was certain that he ascended into the afterlife before Onaga made his resurrection. Aiko did the same as Liu's left side broke away, also giving her the same affection. As both women separated and remained at his sides, Kung Lao took off his hat and knelt as he bowed.

"I am forever in your debt, Champion. Whatever happened to surpass Onaga, I am honored for all the sacrifices and triumphs you have made. I felt my nerves blazing like fire and had a rush of air fill my lungs for the first time since my death. I am Liu Kang once more. Protector of Earthrealm, and Champion of Mortal Kombat.

"And I owe the same privilege and name onto you, Kung Lao."

Raiden then faced his distant friends and nodded for them to kome forth! They slowly gathered around and praised of his safe and triumphant return. Even for his and Lao's victory.

With every greeting they made toward their saviors, Liu Kang never broke his handhold with his Shaolin partner. Together, they were now given the highest honor that would even match Raiden and Fujin, even the Elder Gods themselves.

Their unbreakable, honorable bond shall never fade thru the eons...

Raiden spoke aloud to his most prominent disciples, while still being overcrowded by their friends. "You have secured your fates, and may the Elder Gods forever shine down upon you. Well done, Champions of Mortal Kombat, and saviors...to all the realms."

A/N: The Katra Ritual from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock shall play as the similar ritual starts between Liu Kang and Kung Lao. The Time Has Passed from Mortal Kombat: Deception would chime during the emergence, Epilogue, Part 1 from Metroid Fusion plays when the dust settles, and Halycon + On + On by Orbital would resolve everything, just as it did temporarily for the first MK film. Eat your damn heart out, MK 2021!

The epilogue wasn't too hard to write; I wanted to get Return of the Dragon King kompleted as soon as possible to focus on other projects. Sorry if I should leave out any extra details, like those in Konquest Mode, but it had been exhausting both mentally and physically with fatigue and disinterest. I'll try and resolve its konvoluted timeline in my Khronology.

Of course, I want to give quick shoutouts to those who gave me inspiration: MKKrypt, Mortal Kombat Addict, MK Temple with his informative History, 616Entertainment's History of MK Marathon, tabmok99, True Underdawg Gaming, The4thsnake, even the role-players I have such as Kung Jin, Johnny Cage, Sindel_MKD, Jerrod, DEITYOFFIRE, Lord Raiden, even AnonymousAffection who provided with the Deception Konquest walkthrough.

There were many triumphs and sacrifices in this epic, even from what I went thru... Every event led up to a just cause. All leading up to Armageddon and...

The Final Kombat!