Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II

Con't I - An Unexpected Curse

A/N: Welcome to my first-ever Mortal Kombat fanfiction! I've had some several random ideas run thru my head in intervals, ever since I saw the finale of Warlock Waluigi's LP of Shaolin Monks; I became a huge fan of Kung Lao, and I was disappointed on what Nether Realm Studios had done with X, 11 and Battle of the Realms, especially when they were highlighted by 616Entertainment and mostly The4thSnake.

Now I know that Midway was planning to do a sequel, but it suffered thru bankruptcy, thus Fire and Ice never came to be; I always wanted Sub-Zero and Scorpion to be a subplot for Liu Kang and Kung Lao. For...this one reason never mentioned. I'll let the story do all the talking.

A trio of male martial artists were standing at the epicenter of an outside arena. The floor was decorative, though it was hard to tell with all the splatters of blood. The Thunder God, Raiden, was with his two promising disciples from China representing the Order of Light, the two Shaolin Monks, Liu Kang and Kung Lao.

The monk with a red bandanna, a bare chest,, red, torn trousers and a pair of black shoes queried, "So what now, Master Raiden?"

The immortal laid a hand on his shoulder soaked with sweat as he smiled, saying proudly, "Shao Khan has been destroyed." He then turned to the power duo. "You have brought life and prosperity. Not only for Earth, but for this realm as well, my fine warriors." He walked a few inches away as he declared, "And you have freed the spirits of your ancestors of their inability to lay their lives down for each other and work together."

They never minded, but the massive audience cheered. They also didn't notice a shaded twentysomething named Johnny Cage picked open the locks that were irritating Sonya's outstretched arms; the headstrong general of the Special Forces was captured by the emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn, awaiting her as a sacrifice if Earthrealm should fall.

Another woman who was Edenia's princess walked up to one of the champions. "You fought bravely, Liu Kang."

"Thank you, Kitana. So what happens now?"

"I will try and rebuild this realm by my true father's wishes."

"I meant between us."

She replied with a snicker. "Whoever said there would ever be an us."

Johnny and Sonya met up with the group, and Kung Lao asked his mentor if whether or not his destiny had been fulfilled after five excruciatingly long centuries.

"Did I really free my ancestors?"

"This was the plan of the Elder Gods, Kung Lao. This was the reason why you were allowed to follow the enemy's plots. What the enemy means for evil, a greater force will always turn for good. You have freed the past and future. Well done, Champion of Mortal Kombat." The two men bowed low to each other, while the so-called cowboy bowed lower as immense honor.

"Now come, it is time for us to return home!"

As the Thunder God was escorting the Earthrealm warriors out of Shao Kahn's arena, Kitana gave Liu Kang a temporary gaze, wondering what the future would hold if there should ever be another tournament, and if Edenia shall be under harsh rule once more. As she noticed the nameless spectators gather and roar behind them, she saw a break through the rear; her eyes began to spot a bald and very pale figure covered in red warpaint! He was raising an amulet of sorts in faded crimson, as if blood was encrusted on it. As soon as her peripheral vision made her eyes look toward the sinister figure, he dissipated with a low laugh.

She could've sworn she saw Quan Chi, the Nether Realm sorcerer, and her throat closed up when she theorized if he'd resurrect his so-called father whom she saw was destroyed by the heroic Shaolin Monks just a few moments ago!

Several minutes had passed as Raiden led his warriors: Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Kung Lao, Jax Briggs, and Johnny Cage back to the Wushi Academy. Due to his limited powers in Outworld, he was only capable of defending his fellow heroes from any random threat or if there was an environmental hazard along the way; luckily, it wasn't quite as tumultuous as he figured.

Eventually, the sextet stepped into more peaceful territory. The weather was calm, the temp was balmy, though some of the trees had fallen and burnt debris laid in some distant spots next to the esteemed establishment. While there were a few patches of scorched stone, the Academy still stood with pride and strength. Numerous monks greeted and congratulated their champions as they knew that Earthrealm had been saved while Outworld lost their 9-tournament streak! Raiden did make a different portal for Sonya, Jax and Johnny to go to their corresponding homelands, but the Monks stayed with the bustling crowds.

Kung Lao, however, wasn't quite into the feast and festivities, as he was more of an introvert unlike his close partner, whom while they aren't related, they feel as close as brothers. Liu Kang wasn't ashamed on stating to the enemy claiming he was the descendant of the Great Kung Lao, as it was a form of intimidation since he had the skills, talent, and endurance to even surpass the legendary warrior. The psuedo cowboy decided to stop by and pay a visit to someone he held dear.

The six-year old boy, Kung Jin, was being tucked in by his long lost uncle after they caught up on his lost time; since it was difficult to measure traveling from realm to realm, Raiden came to the conclusion the heroes were gone for a few weeks since the Tarkan invasion. Jin had always admired him for his adventures, valiance and prowess! He wished he'd carry on Lao's legacy just as he did for his direct ancestor.

"I knew you would come back. It felt so long, but I always knew you'd make it."

"Thanks, Jin." He grinned to his only kin. "You're the only reason why I should return here, even knowing that peace and prosperity won't be long. Aside from Liu Kang, you always motivated me to protect China, and all of Earthrealm."

Jin smiled and his eyes lit up. "Just like our ancestor, I know you are more like him." Lao just grinned, and walked out of his room. "Hey, uncle?" He turned. "Glad you're home."

For once, Jin even saw his lost relative smile from ear to ear. It filled his heart with warmth and comfort, before Lao closed the door as Jin began to drift off to sleep.

As Kung Lao headed to the ground floor, he noticed it wasn't as quiet nor peaceful. He descended the wooden staircase. He heard another monk shouting out profanities in which only the Chinese understood! At first, he thought the random monk was drunk from the celebration of Earthrealm's victory; however, he wasn't slurring, and he was very cohesive.

Lao understood as he kept on ranting of an eternal curse. As he tried to reason with the distraught warrior, he stated that Lao and Liu had been hexed! "Haven't you heard what you've done!? On what happened to the Great Kung Lao? He was eternally damned after he became champion of Mortal Kombat! He became ageless and he can never die! He even outlived his own family and friends and watched them slowly wither and perish one at a time! He became so frail and lost the will to fight as he was defeated by Prince Goro, only to have his soul imprisoned by Shang Tsung!"

Kung Lao has heard stories of his ancestor, but never like this! He not once heard that the victorious protector of his or her realm would have his nor her soul tainted by the Elder Gods! As he absorbed the monk's discouraging dialogue, he became more despondent. "What..?"

The monk laid his calloused hands firmly on his shoulders, staring into Lao's glazy eyes. "Don't you see! Both of you may have saved Earthrealm and fulfilled the Great Kung Lao's destiny, but...all of these victories gave both of you a terrible fate! Both of you will suffer being ageless while at the same time lose the people you protect!"

Lao's eyes widened as he backed away. "No..! I don't believe it. The Great Kung Lao would never accept that lowly state."

"That's not entirely up to you, Kung Lao! The Elder Gods had sealt your fates, right after they created the very first tournament. How do you think Goro and the rest of our enemies lived so damned long!?"

His throat tightened, as his fellow brothers and Kung Jin re-entered his mind. "Well-is there a method to break this curse..?"

With a steely stare, he answered, "The effects are irreversible."

Lao hardly had anything else to say, "But we just won! Raiden never told us this was going to happen! Why didn't he tell us about this? What about Jin, our friends, and the Lotus Society?"

He just sulked and slowly shook his head. "I...I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry, Lao."

Silence and a dark cloud descended onto the land. Not even the Temple of Light gave him any assurance in Kung Lao's heart while he sat and sulked on one of the balconies. He can endure many blows done by the endless grunts throughout the Living Forest onward, or the Shadow Priests' lightning, or Reptile and his vicious snake, or some of Kintaro's muscular arms, but hardly Shao Kahn's deadly mallet. But this...he wasn't sure if he can endure this deep pang that was greatly dwindling his broken spirit.

He was almost startled as he felt a weighted hand rest on his right shoulder. Kung Lao looked up, and he saw someone loom over him.

"Huh-? Lord Raiden."

"This is surely unlike you, Kung Lao. Your partner, Liu Kang, has stayed up longer than usual, yet he has mingled with his fellow monks. But you, you are just with your own lonesome." He knew Lao would rather be solitary and surrounded by tranquility, unlike his more ardent comrade. But Lao wouldn't miss out on a joyous occasion, albeit observe it from a distance. Now, it was in complete opaqueness.

Lao just sulked more, never wanting to look at the mentor whom he felt had betrayed him. "Lord Raiden? Is the Mortal Kombat Champion bound to an everlasting curse?"

For once, the god was stunned. "Who told you this?"

Never looking up, Lao stated, "One of the monks told me. The Champion's reward isn't just to preserve Earthrealm for another generation, but he becomes immortal, and outlives his own loved ones. He said my ancestor suffered thru the same fate." He heavily turned his head, "Is this true?"

Raiden sobered, "...It's true. For all Champions of Mortal Kombat."

"So too is Liu Kang... And even those champions before us." He hardly heard Raiden confirming this.

"Do you wish to discuss this?"

Lao's body felt like an anvil. "No. I'm alright. I understand, like ancestor to descendant Even...Goro? Shang Tsung? Shao Kahn?" He faced his mentor who had a blank expression.

"Yes, warrior."

He suddenly fell into a steep depression. All he did was take a deep sigh as he dragged his feet and descended to the training grounds, then left the Academy behind. All Raiden did was just watch his disciple leave.

Kung Lao's mind was always elsewhere as he wandered aimlessly away from the compound, not even bothering to look at his home for a brief moment. He would never say a word to Liu Kang, and he may find the answer tomorrow once the celebration subsides and it's just another typical, same old day of rigorous training. He never cared of the bright pink, fluorescent lights greeting him, coming from a nearby bar. For once, he wound up at the city outskirts of not just the Academy, but the Temple as well; he hardly steps out of his comfort zone. He just needed to be away from familiar territory and try to relieve his heavy, clouded mind, that's just as bad as those drunkards in the distance.

He continued to wander in the cold, hard concrete and his ears perked up. He had this kind of sensation before, and his heart raced. According to his instincts, it's usually danger.

He followed the chill down his spine and made a quick walk toward another desolate corner. He heard a screech belonging to a shrill female voice and realized she was under stress. At first he thought it was Sonya, but her voice was too high, probably younger.

He hugged beside the corner as he observed a vague woman in her late twenties being yanked and taken down by a bulky man towering over her! He watched her thrash the sick man's arms away as he was attempting to advance on her. As she resisted, he knocked her to the stone ledge! Lao gasped as he continued to watch the disarray. Then, while the infatuated male pinned her, his arm was caught in a sling. Only...it was someone's strong, though flimsy, hand!

"Let her go, pig!" The combatant managed to twist his arm backward, nearly cracking it and having the man squeal! With his free hand, Lao knocked the brute away, and raised his razor-rimmed hat. He stuck it near his neck as a warning, with the tiny blades searing his throat. He swore under his breath to never lay a hand on the damsel again. Lao was so close, he could've sworn the abuser was feeling his heat and hatred! With a sharp heel turn, Lao stormed aside and took the helpless girl by the hand. He then told her to hold on to him seconds before he teleported a few feet away.

He released the young denizen, who looked the same age as him, but very frantic and was wearing casual clothing as well as a tomboyish hairdo. "It's ok, you're safe now," he assured in a harsh whisper.

The man was only a foot taller compared to her. And wearing a top hat like a cowboy's, she figured he is as such, though he never spoke with a Western accent. Through her vacant vision, she managed to make out his features. He looked to be Asian, contrary to her own facade. She tried to calm her breathing now she's in assuring arms. "Thank you."

He simply just tipped his hat to her and gave a slight bow. As he did, his features became more noticeable in the dim, tall light, even making his hat sparkle by the metallic rims.

Her mind began to register. "You. You're Kung Lao."

"Indeed," he responded in a coy manner.

"I've heard and seen a lot of things about you." Suddenly his charm seemed to rub off on her.

He nodded, "Much obliged. I am one of the prestigious Shaolin Monks, as a representation of the Order of Light." He stopped for a moment. "And you?"

She introduced herself as Aiko Krackle and she was new to the streets. She knew the Shaolin were from China which was unfamiliar territory to her. He began to notice...he wasn't in China, but rather somewhere in the States, particularly in New Jersey, she said. How did he wind up at a different side of the world so suddenly!?

Could it be Raiden? he thought.

A/N: Back to the Roots from the Rocky V OST shall play as Kung Lao receives word of his unfortunate fate. Rocky & Son would play as Kung Lao reunites with Jin. The usual Fatality theme would chime as Kung Lao comes to Aiko's rescue. And if this fanfic should be made into a series, the MK remix by the Utah Saints should play before the story starts. The usual themes would play from Shaolin Monks, before they return to Earthrealm.

Also, this story is loosely based on Shaolin Monks, after the second MK tournament, though not one piece of media had said about the catch on being Champion! I was deeply appalled by that, and the modern MK titles! And I recently encountered a fanfic titled The Mortal Kombat Tournament, a retelling of the original fight with Kung Lao chosen as the protector and losing willingly to Goro with Earthrealm defenseless and losing to Outworld's 10th victory.

Those accursed things, as well as the finale of the aforementioned LP, and the History of Mortal Kombat marathon with 4thSnake's vids gave me the push I needed.

At first I was going to name my OC as Krackle a long time ago, but it won't be such a good name. So, who is this woman Kung Lao saved, and how and why did he abruptly wind up in a distant region from his home? Find out soon.

Con't II - Enter Aiko

A/N: I hope the first continuity was satisfying and entertaining enough; seriously, exploring the MK lore is a challenge and it's like playing with fire here. Anyway, enter my OC, Aiko, originally named as Krackle when I was a kid. Although...the concept of her may be tricky, but even though it's set in the classic timeline, there'll be some elements from the alt timeline even though I hate it so much. So, here goes!

Kung Lao couldn't believe he was suddenly transported to a distant region so fast, let alone so subtly! He would've noticed himself going thru a portal, as it felt like the body was having contact with electricity while the radical energy made hairs on his neck stand up. Then, he would be tossed off his feet as the vortex lifted him like a tornado! Nearly like how enemies or opponents would make contact with his own Whirlwind Kick!

He must've been in such a stupor he never noticed.

How did Raiden send me here...? Let alone at a region far from the Wushi Academy...

Aiko noticed his blank stare, "Um, Kung Lao?"

He turned to her, and somehow, his mind felt a tug of sorts, like a rod suddenly catching a fish. "Aiko... Something feels so, familiar."

She lowered her eyes. Whatever it is, her predicament won't be so easy to explain. "Kung Lao... I remembered you several years ago. You...look so much different than you used to. Like how I saw you for the first time. Then, I hardly saw you and your comrades again."

"I don't understand. You've known me from several years ago?"

"Yeah..." Aiko was trying to reorganize her thoughts to make her statement clearer. "I'm...not from around here. I...felt like I traveled back thru time, the streets and these places weren't the same. You see, I was at first being hunted down by hordes of revenants, who looked like the Kombatants I knew from long ago, only...they were undead. Including you!"

Lao was at a loss for words. He pointed to himself in disbelief, "Me? What are you talking about? I must've died and got reanimated somewhat."

"I was on the run a lot, moving from place to place. I was with a group of disabled refugees who also lost loved ones from the endless invasions. It was very scary." A chill ran down her spine, making her shiver. She eventually recovered. "I...woke up one night, and I somehow wound up here. I remembered you and your comrades even before you were all zombified."

Lao thought she was making a little bit of sense, though he'd never imagine him and his friends decayed and always having a lust for killing. "You said you knew us. From the two tournaments?"

"Yeah..." Again, Aiko was trying to recollect her thoughts; she always hated when her brain processed things slowly. "I once helped you guys out, as Shao Kahn was damaging the Earth's dimensional fabric. I'd only seen you before that time."

"Shao Kahn!? Liu Kang and I decimated him in Outworld! You're not making sense."

"He was defeated, but somehow he was revived, as was Shang Tsung." Visions of dealing with the elemental orb from the sorcerer flashed thru her mind. "And the last time I saw you guys was when you recruited some bird named Asgard, and the Shokan was at war with the Centaurs when Kahn retreated, though Kitana's plan fell apart on taking the throne. I hadn't seen you all after that."

This was incredibly suspicious. The Shokan? The Centaurs? At least she knew the princess of Edenia. "Kitana? You knew her?"

"Indeed. She was with Liu Kang, Sonya, Jax, Stryker, Raiden, Nightwolf, and Sub-Zero. If I'm correct, then I believe the war is still going on."

Lao was starting to be slightly intrigued. "Aiko, where are they? If you went back in time, maybe we can still find them?"

She hesitated, trying to recollect how she wound up with them; she remembered being taken in as several cybernetic warriors attacked, then they were hiding in a secret alcove. Lao noticed her struggling. She began to moan in irritation as she squeezed her eyes shut, as if she was trying to voluntarily make memories appear in her brain. "Aiko?"

Her hands dropped from her head. "I...I can't explain. It's been too long."

"How long has it been?"

"Eh...about 16 years."

Needless to say, this shocked him. "Aiko..!"

"I-I need to find someplace safe. This place is dangerous." She never wanted to be mangled by a random sexual predator again.

Kung Lao looked around frantically for some kind of shelter. Then, his eyes came across a bright light. He realized it was one of those shrines he saw a few weeks earlier throughout the Wushi Academy, Shang Tsung's Island, even Outworld! He then turned to his new ally, "I think I know somewhere we can go. Come." He brushed a hand and she followed.

About a yard away, the light shrine was in clear sight within a small alcove a few feet above the streets! Lao signaled Aiko to hold onto his shoulders again, then he theorized he can make it up there before he teleported in blue dust. Fortunately, it was just enough distance! Using his hat, he made a few sparks off the rock statue, which made a small flame to the small, abandoned group of dried-up twigs below. He figured they'd be safe for the moment, at least until the next day. It may seem like malarkey, but Kung Lao was starting to believe what Aiko was saying. Still, he couldn't understand how nor why he wound up in Jersey, a land far away from his home.

Yet...somehow she may be the key to finding his comrades again, and maybe tell them about his and Liu's curse. As they settled down, Lao learned that Aiko knew him and the others since she was six years old, though she wasn't involved with them till a few months later. She even called Kung Lao a cowboy based on the way he looked... He became pretty bashful at the thought, figuring it was his hat that made her interpret this...awkward classification.

Fatigued, he decided the both of them should get some shut-eye, and maybe this way, Aiko would be more focused and logical of what's going on. It was the facts that Shao Kahn still lives, and his friends were involved again that compelled him to keep going.

After several hours, the sun peaked from the clouds, making its light wake up the duo. Luckily, as he prepared to leave the Academy, he packed up a few sundries. Case in point, Lao had a kettle of fresh green tea. Aiko was fascinated by the exotic taste, and he figured they needed the caffeine kick. He knew that while they needed it to increase their energy, they didn't need a lot of the fattening sugar. Aiko was impressed as how prestigious the Shaolin Monks were. Lao said, "Us Shaolin Monks must be in the topmost condition. We are the bringers of enlightenment, and it is vital we shall protect Earthrealm from evil forces, both foreign and domestic. I am, in fact, the descendant of the Great Kung Lao, the very first Champion of Mortal Kombat."

"Sounds like they are like the Chinese equivalent to the US military. Always going thru tumultuous and rigorous training. always needing to be the best warriors to protect your land."

"Yes. That is our primary function." Aiko couldn't imagine always being in such harsh conditions, like going thru boot camp and such. And the pressures upholding law and order as well as his promising legacy.

"Man...it must've been hard to uphold these duties. Being the Chinese's best, and the world's strongest, it's almost like a mix between training for the Olympics and becoming a high-ranking soldier of sorts."

"At least we don't tend to be as headstrong as Sonya Blade is." That name tugged memories in Aiko's mind. "At least we are a peace-loving kind, we don't always tend to jump to violence, unless it is absolutely necessary."

She took a deep sigh. "That's a relief. At least you aren't like those other guys. Those outside the Academy, you guys seem to be a diamond in the rough."

"That's...a nice basic way of summarizing us." Lao then questioned her what she meant on being different.

"Because you aren't like the other Chinese. They are...how should I say this...um...militaristic, warmongering, aggressive."

Kung Lao was surprised, "Where'd you here that?"

"I've...heard so much about your own kind. They're Communists, and very close allies to Russia. They seem contrary to you guys, no offense. Always working them to the bone, seemingly violent, cold and bitter. Like war machines."

Lao sobered. "I see. I guess us monks are more benevolent compared to the outside world. As a sort of beacon. They seem to be totalitarian at times, but in all fairness, we have worse, like Russia and especially North Korea." He paused for a bit waiting for Aiko to process the intel, "But yes, us monks unfortunately seem to be more pacific than they are. You got me there. That is why we must always be on our guard."

Somehow, Aiko felt more comfortable around him. At least he understood how his people tend to operate contrary to tyrants or belligerent individuals.

"And...what of their...y'know, urges?"

Remembering their age of consent, he wasn't taken aback by this, especially since 98% of the monks were male. "No. No matter how tense the moment is, we never surrender to our biological urges. Us Shaolin Monks must stand for a life of celibacy. Fornication is forbidden, as it is against the Order of Light. We must stay purehearted and refrain from our sudden setbacks. In less we were to be wed, of course."

That really calmed Aiko's nerves; Kung Lao definitely knew how to set someone at ease. Then, he had an epiphany. "Come with me!"

"What?"

"To the Wushi Academy. I'll introduce you to the Shaolin, and teach you our ways of life."

"Kung Lao...I don't know..."

He took a backpedal. Having someone from another time, let alone being in unfamiliar territory may just be too much for her, let alone cause so much anxiety. "My pardons. I shouldn't have made the offer. I-have my own inner demons to fight. I should never have involved you."

Aiko said nothing, and they both sulked.

"Still overwhelmed, Kung Lao?"

He heard a familiar voice from behind, yet as he turned, he saw his sensei before him. He was surprised he hadn't appeared with the usual crash of thunder nor flash of lightning. He immediately stood up and faced him. "Master Raiden." he bowed to his mentor. "I'm...not sure of anything anymore. I'm still preoccupied of this eternal curse, but..." he then looked at Aiko. "She says she knows you, me, our friends. She thinks she can help find them."

"Aiko!" He turned and saw her. "I hardly recognized you. You'd grown so much!"

"You both know each other?"

"Indeed. She was basically the heart of our team, while we were hiding from Outworld's evil forces. As well as the invasion from other realms since the world's dimensional fabric became more fragile."

"Yes, Aiko was saying about something like this. And Shao Kahn..! How did he survive, after Liu Kang and I destroyed him?"

"The Emperor has been revived somehow. I doubt this was the Elder Gods' doing. Perhaps someone from the Nether Realm was at foot, or maybe he'd escaped from that damned territory."

"I noticed that Scorpion was revived there, and I realized this after I fought him. " He flashed back to the brutal battle with the vengeful ninja turned wraith! He nearly died there doing so!

"If that's the case, then Kahn is more reckless than ever before, and I believe he has been regaining his lost strength from the last time you fought him. This must be why he was ruining Earthrealm and still is as we speak."

"How long has this been happening?"

"For about three months now. I...actually put you in a comatose state."

Kung Lao just became dumbfounded, even Aiko. Raiden assured he was suffering from survivor's guilt, and he wasn't ready to face the challenges ahead. No wonder the monk didn't notice anything changing and waking up in a foreign place. The cat really did get his tongue.

"I was surprised once I saw Aiko again after her younger self left us for good. And the reason being was she's too young and inexperienced. It was only right to send her away permanently and return to her home once Outworld became under an intense civil war between the Shokan and the Centaurs.

"The Shokan race are Goro and Kintaro's kind, although the Draconian prince is in constant conflict with the latter's breed being Tigerian. The Centaurs hate both factions as well. They are not peaceful tribes."

"I see." Lao couldn't help but feel sorry for them in a way, even though he faced off with two wrecking machines before. "And what about her?"

Raiden stepped close to Aiko and knelt matching her height. She felt a bit intimidated by the ferocity of Raiden, but he laid an assuring hand on her. "She used to be someone very special, and very rare in her abilities. Aiko, do you remember assisting us?"

"...Yes, sir. I do. I was like the heart of the team, as you said, the pacifier. Aside from Nightwolf anyway. I...used to make peace with you guys, trying to resolve as much stress and internal conflicts as possible. But...I cannot fight," she faced Lao with the last remark.

"How can she be of use to us if she can't fight?"

"Skills in kombat isn't the only way to win victories. Us Shaolin Monks are often required to be a part of the White Lotus Society, to be the topmost defenders of Earth. However, there are those who can't fend for themselves, but rather have excellent skills in managing conflicts WITHOUT raising a hand. And that power comes from deep within the heart and mind."

"You mean, like scholars."

Raiden affirmed this. He then faced his young warrioress again, "Aiko. Allow me to awaken your dormant strength. You would be of use to us, more than ever."

Raiden laid a hand on her forehead, and she felt numb as she closed her eyes. Moments later, her life flashed before her eyes! All those moments that happened in her own time and rewinding to when she was six, assisting the warriors, mostly at the hidden base! Her eyes were rapidly moving faster than a hummingbird's wings as she felt buzzes in her head, going down to her toes! She abruptly opened her eyes, as if her body took a jolt after a nightmare. Though, it wasn't fright, but shock and awe.

Her mind continued to buzz and fuzz as she touched her forehead, her scalp dry. "Do you remember us now, Aiko?" Raiden asked.

"Agh..! Yes, yes I do."

Kung Lao walked to her, "Are you ok..?" As he touched her though, the contact made his palm take a shock. He shook his hand to rid the sudden sensation.

"Her powers still need to be unlocked and used in the most proper manner. Her abilities had laid dormant as she grew older, maybe then she can still utilize them."

"My powers?"

"Do you feel any different?"

Aside from the rumbling beneath her feet, she noticed her heart beginning to warm. "I think so. What do you mean by my powers, Raiden?"

"That time will come, soon enough." He stood and turned to his promising disciple. "As for you, Kung Lao, you must protect her. You realized why I brought you here."

"You found her, didn't you? I thought there was something familiar once I looked closely. She said she met me before the first two tournaments, and my comrades as well."

"Even I recognized her. Her younger self is still at home, so there's no chance on seeing her. But now she is older, she shall become one of us when the time is right."

Kung Lao punched his other hand. "I must head back to where my friends were! She said they were hiding in some kind of cave."

Raiden sighed. "This location was supposed to be desolate for us. No one was supposed to know of its whereabouts. Since Shao Kahn is still creating indirect conflicts onto Earth, I will take you to them. Come. It is time now." He hesitated for a moment after he told them to hold on. "Aiko, I remembered you are an astraphobic. Do not be alarmed on what I'm about to do."

She gulped and sighed as she reluctantly held onto Kung Lao for extra comfort. Soon enough, with a crack of thunder, the trio disappeared within a flash of light!

They came to a rocky terrain complete with the tall, sharp precipices and a portal at the rear of the large battleground. Through the clearing, he saw a group of cybernetic and Saurian fighters. He followed the clatter of metal, which was making deafening clangs, even those that seemed to irritate Aiko's ears, as he noticed her hands covering them. He saw the commotion and...to his surprise...

He found him! "Liu Kang!" None of the heroes looked up as they were almost being outnumbered.

He ordered Aiko to stay put with Raiden while he spotted several distant ledges protruding from the cliff walls. With careful precision, as well as using his Teleport a few times, he was able to gain his footing. In a way, it almost reminded the monk of The Pit in Outworld where he first met up with Reptile... Despite the deja vu, he ended up a few feet away from the Saurian army.

He had an uncanny idea as he tossed his razor-brimmed hat at a jagged rock wall. The large stones took a moment to collapse, but once they did, it caused another group of rocks to tumble and descend onto the unfortunate group below!

"There's no way their lethal acid can penetrate through that!" Lao gloated to his damaging display as he was readjusting his hat which came back to him like a boomerang.

The other surviving Saurians looked upon the sudden avalanche, and for once, they were shaking in their boots!

Lao then spotted a lone Saurian without a mask, as he saw his forked, poisonous tongue dripping with acid and actually laying over and intimidating an ally he once knew.

"Jax!"

He saw him get spat on by the ninja's corrosive acid, eating away his bionic arms. He was stunned by the attack!

"He's not gonna make it!"

Lao immediately jumped into the fray as he teleported downward to the open field. He then tossed his hat again only this time, it got the Saurian's attention when the brim knocked him from behind!

He hissed and spotted the mysterious mortal a few feet away! He then turned to his attention, while Sonya ran to treat Jax's wounds and dwindle the poison with leftover water from her cannister.

Much to his dismay, Kung Lao's mind flashed back to the acidic lair and the deadly warrior deep within the Living Forest! "Reptile! I thought I killed you back in the Living Forest and stole your thunder by attaining your setae!"

"Sssso, you're the one who murdered my general! I'm Komodai, and you shall DIE inssonlently for that!"

Thankfully, there wasn't a slippery pool of minor acid slowly eating away his boots, but Kung Lao was ready to throw some punches. He utilized some of the same strategies he had with the deadly olive-green adversary, keeping his distance and dodging his forked tongue fresh with poison, like combatting a lethal fre-de-lance. He did take a few blows at times, even once when he made contact with the acid, stunning him for another attack! Luckily, he was able to minimize the lethal sting as he tumbled when his face made contact with the dirt.

They were both swift fighters, each one exchanging blows, even from Komodai's slide, his energy projectiles and even sometimes grabbing Kung Lao by the neck with his retractable tongue. Luckily, Lao pulled off some tricks as well. He managed to toss Komodai over his shoulder once he got close enough to his body as he was being pulled, another time he was barely able to reach for his hat to slice it but was unsuccessful. He mostly relied on his wits, his hat, and even his Tornado Kick and teleport kicks to cover more ground.

At times, like Reptile, Komodai was able to vanish with a poof, confusing the warrior; unfortunately, his footsteps were minimized and hardly heard compared to the toxic pool. Kung Lao failed at a few attempts; however, his crackerjack thinking led him to using his Tornado to attack on all sides, even deflecting Komodai's acid!

Eventually, Kung Lao's determination and resilience gave him the upper hand! Komodai was just as slick on his feet, but he didn't have as much stamina nor strategy as him! Eventually, he got all tired out, but Lao hammered him down to the hard, cruel terrain! He then threw his hat sideways, and it stayed put while it vertically spun so rapidly! Kung Lao grabbed and dragged the fatigued Komodai towards it, and Aiko immediately startled and turned away! Raiden came to her side as he had the nerve to witness Lao's signature Razor Edge! With the groin first, Komodai had officially died as his body split in two! Blood spewed all over the place, and by the time he was satisfied over the corpse, Lao retrieved his hat and shook any stray drips from its brim! He then made a fighting pose over his kill!

The other Saurians watched the fatality and dastardly ran to the portal yonder!

Raiden shouted from the stone ledge to hurry and stop the fleeing soldiers! Kung Lao immediately went on the prowl, utilizing as many of his teleportation abilities trying to keep up! As he gained a few feet, he stopped and propelled on the ground horizontally! His body kept on swirling, creating a large and vicious daredevil! The faster and stronger he rotated, the more destructive the tornado became, trapping the remaining Saurians just a few feet away from their retreat! Lao eventually dug his boots into the dirt, and spread his arms out, tossing the helpless ninjas onto whatever protruding edge pierced thru their bodies, while others dropped dead!

The display was impressive to the other spectators, even Aiko and Raiden, whom the latter teleported her descent. The ferocity was too much for Kung Lao however as he suffered from the vertigo. A fellow monk ran to his side and laid a thermal hand on him to help calm the disorientation. His vision blurred, then he squeezed his eyes shut till he felt his head was clear enough. From the blur, he saw a sight for sore eyes, or at least that was how he felt.

"Unh-Liu Kang!"

He nodded in affirmation and they both bowed low to each other, before they were reunited in their strong arms. They even patted each other on their backs a few times, despite them being sleek from sweat. They parted and Liu was the most cohesive, "It's been too long, old friend."

All Lao did was nod, then the other warriors gathered around them. He recognized almost everyone, even Kitana and Sub-Zero! "Long time no see," she remarked.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance again, Shaolin." The cryomancer bowed, remembering his assistance back in the Outworld Wastelands.

Liu Kang pulled him up slowly, and Lao was mingled with the fighters he hadn't seen in so long! He was even introduced to Kurtis Stryker, who was still on duty as a Riot Control Officer in New York, before he was summoned by Raiden. He broke through the crowd, with Aiko by his side.

"Come. We have much to discuss," he said to the lone warrior.

He then led them to the unique trio of Dragon Jets, large crimson aircraft shaped like serpentines that were designed by Nightwolf as transportation to traverse through portals and protect the pilot and passengers from their radical energy. It was stated they can sometimes hold two people while occasionally shift to a three-seater. Liu Kang and Kitana took one with Kung Lao at the rear. Sonya and Jax took another with the latter riding it on account on his damaged metallic arms, and Stryker and Sub-Zero took the third, while Raiden teleported Aiko to the hidden lair as the Jets submerged.

A/N: Dark Ice Mines, the Great Deku Tree, and Dark Ice Mines Night shall be the first pieces of music to play as Kung Lao gets introduced to Aiko. Ability Gained shall chime as Aiko reawakened her memories and dormant abilities. Dark Ice Mines Day will resume as Lao settled with Aiko, before Raiden broke the news. Shang Tsung's Island Battle will play as Lao faces off with the Saurians. Vs. Reptile will play when Kung Lao faces off with Komodai, the usual fatality theme shall play from Shaolin Monks. While the rest would be those from the underrated animated klassic, Defenders of the Realm, as well as MK: Conquest, such as Kung Lao and Jin, and one of those calmer reunion themes.

I think I did a decent job with Lao's major fight with Komodai; at first, I got him confused since he looked so much like Reptile, even without the mask. If you guys remember the cartoon, you'd know who he is. As well as the Dragon Jets and the heroes' hidden base. I know, I know, the Jets were just ploys to sell toys, but I thought it was unique, as portals weren't the only way on travelling from place to place, so I figured they'd be useful to protect them from their radical energy, like sapping vitality from the Devil's Road in FFIV. But damn, I wish the same ploy woulda been used for F-Zero GP Legend!

The battle itself was inspired by the boss fight in Shaolin Monks as Lao faces off with Reptile in his lair. Komodai deserved to go since he remained MIA for so damned long!

Also, I can kinda see Kung Lao as resilient as Liu Kang, while also being cooler and more collected compared to Kang's ardency. And even utilizing some strategy while I see Liu going headfirst into battle. Lao does have more variety and seems to be more versatile with his unique abilities. And yes, I'd classified Kung Lao as like a shallow cowboy, as I wasn't interested in him until Shaolin Monks. And it was very difficult including the OC I made a long time ago; she was 9 like me when DotR took place, but instead of a few years, I decreased the time to a few months. Also, Kronika might've transported Aiko back since she did the same driving the warriors forward in time as a one-way trip.

So Kung Lao has FINALLY reunited with his fellow warriors, and has once been added to the DoTR roster with Aiko; I bet he was cut out due to his graphic moves, much like Mileena and her gruesome Tarkata fangs and lethal skills.

So, stay tuned for Part 3!

Con't III - Calm before the Storm

The Defenders of Earthrealm prepared for the final battle with Shao Kahn's forces on the anniversary of the unfortunate death of Jerrod, the benevolent king of Edenia and Kitana's father. They anxiously awaited the confrontation, but Liu Kang showed more apprehension because a victory would mean that Kitana would have to leave the team to rule Edenia. Aiko was just as uneasy as he was, always wanting to have someone else rule the throne in Kitana's stead, like Asgard, Jerrod's most skilled knight, and to her better qualified; she always wanted Liu and Kitana together since she meant so much to him.

Kitana was still able to strike an agreement with Sheeva and her Shokan warriors, but...Aiko was disappointed that Nightwolf, her idol at the time, had to stay at base with Raiden as the Thunder God couldn't risk everyone being trapped in enemy territory should the insurrection fail. He has no power in that forsaken terrain after all.

With Shao Kahn still in his weakened state after his death then resurrection, Kitana and the rebellion forces broke into his castle and demanded that he'd hand over his rule to the princess at long last. As a brutal iron fist as he was, he outright refused to surrender! Suddenly Shang Tsung appeared with the warriors of the real Sheeva as he was functioning as the mole disguising himself as the leader of the Shokan while also breaking the news to their worst enemy. The sorcerer was also after the throne of Outworld, and the Shokan took his side since Kahn always insulted them. But Tsung has forgotten one thing; Sheeva and the Shokan also have enemies in Outworld. Raiden found out, however, of Shang Tsung's plan and disrupted the fight. He brought with him the worst enemy of Sheeva; Motaro, and the whole Centaur and Tarkan army. As Shao Kahn gave them the slip with a pair of Shadow Priests, the defenders escaped through a portal as the Shokan and Centaurs did a slaughterous battle. Raiden was wary they'd be mincemeat once the dust should settle. The insurrection may have failed, but the realm of Earth has not fallen yet, and Mortal Kombat continued to rage on, so it seemed...

With the war raging, it was time for the young Aiko to finally leave the team and return home permanently, much to her dismay...

For the past trimester, Liu Kang reunited with Sonya, Jax, Kitana, and even Sub-Zero, though his name was Kuai Liang as he was the younger brother of the fallen cryomancer, Bi-Han! Raiden had also assisted a technical expert/shaman named Nightwolf who built the desolate cave while installing a massive computer system to track portals! Even having his own pet wolf Kiba. While also recruiting Kurtis Stryker as well! Heck, the magnificent Makota even designed three Dragon Jets as quick, and often safer, transport thru portals as the rips in realms tend to make the Kombatants sap their energy without protection.

"And that was the last time I ever saw them..!"

The current Aiko was sitting in an opaque room within the shared base. A lone candle was lit as she recalled the last several moments with the defenders, before her younger self left. Both of her idols, Kung Lao and Nightwolf, along with his pet wolf, Kiba, stayed by her side as her mind recollected her lost memories. She was lucky she hadn't remembered the incidences before she went back thru time within the devastated realm inhabited by revenants, the corrupt, mirrored versions of the heroes.

Recently, her mind had been sporadically wandering elsewhere as it was recollecting her memories from sixteen years ago. Those random scenes replaying in her head terrified her and interfered her cohesiveness. They also caused her some minor migraines as well as racing heartbeats in the physical level. She began to wail, suffering from sensory overload! As if her mind was swelling and almost ready to burst from the constant stress!

As a shaman, Grey Cloud, aka Nightwolf, was willing to help her almost immediately to soothe her mental anguishes! Especially since he almost instantly recognized her; Aiko was indeed his biggest admirer, even when he stood up against Quan Chi and the warmongering gem of Tetsurri.

He offered her to drink his special herbal tea, to help her mind be rehydrated, while also help her refocus her thoughts. With some time and support, she was able to calm herself. The Matoka offered to stay with her along with KIba and Kung Lao. The latter offered her to try and meditate once she was sedated enough.

"Meditation...? I'm pretty skeptical about this..."

"Why is that?" Lao queried.

"Isn't it sort of like sleeping while sitting down?"

He was a little flabbergasted. "Uh-yes, something like that. But it does so much more. It focuses your heart and mind, and reduces chronic problems like stress, heart disease, and depression. The Shaolin Monks use it as a common practice to help us focus and improve our wellbeing."

"So do us Matoka." Nightwolf added. "It can also help you on a spiritual level as well, and makes you more intuitive, even when discovering your inner self. Almost like being in a dream state."

Aiko was kind of intrigued. Even when both men walked her through the process, and how vital it was, especially when making it as a routine. Kiba just sat beside them as their own watchdog, and Nightwolf offered to lead the ceremony, with possible effects of sedation, while Kung Lao was the more sober spectator, encouraging Aiko on keeping track of her feelings, visions, etc.

At times her mind zoned out as she was feeling the subduing effects, while her mind began to calm. Nightwolf was sort of like the witch doctor with the green fumes as well as helping her get into a trance with his exotic drums; he once stated because of how sensitive Aiko was, she was enthralled by Nightwolf's customs, including how the vibrations and rhythmic sounds tend to daze her. Entranced, and a bit incoherent, she still stated on what was going on, what she was hearing, remembering, seeing, and feeling.

Through that process, she was able to recall vivid details on her last moments with the defenders, before Kung Lao came into the mix. It was apparently new to him too.

By the time Aiko came to, saying it was that last time, she realized Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn were still alive, much to Lao's dismay.

"How can they still be alive? We killed them at the tournament!" He then remembered Raiden's warning of them being possibly resurrected or escaping from the Nether Realm. Just as how Komodai and the Saurian army became stragglers from Outworld.

"Is that what Raiden told you?"

"Yes, it was. He warned us that Kahn'd been regaining his lost strength. I guess that's why he didn't make any direct assaults onto you, up till the insurrection." He faced Aiko again as he laid a hand on her. "Aiko, you said he escaped?"

"Indeed. He disappeared with two Shadow Priests, but I was still at base with Nightwolf and Kiba at the time."

"Your mind's eye must've saw things differently, another perception." Nightwolf stated.

"How're you feeling now?" asked Kung Lao.

"Ergh," Aiko held her head which felt very tight. "Felt like I slept for hours... Or maybe sobering up after a drink."

"Heh, I know the feeling." For once he smirked.

She took a deep sigh, then she faced him for confirmation, "How long was I out of it?"

"About 40 minutes, counting all the time it took you to go under."

"Geez..."

Outside the dark chamber, within the main deck, Raiden was discussing with his fellow warriors on how and why he had brought Aiko along since she had something none of his warriors had. In other words, the power of heart, which it does distinguish her as sort of a weak, though skilled addition to the defenders of Earthrealm.

"What? How can the older Aiko, or even the younger version, be of use to us if she can't fight?" Stryker, always the bitter one, queried.

Raiden questioned, "Well, haven't you forgotten on what she was capable of? Only Nightwolf was aware of her prowess. Her heart powers may be inferior compared to our capabilities, but it can be quite powerful if used in the right conditions."

"She used to be a sort of peacemaker to us." Kitana recalled. "She always wanted what was best for us. She did want Liu Kang and I to stay together."

"Yeah, I remembered her assuring me I should use my...unfortunate childhood experience as a motivation on being a powerhouse to the team." Jax added. "As being the most strongest person she's ever met," he smiled at her words after the group was infected by the Tetsurri gem.

"I remembered Jax saying he used to be overweight and there were people who'd bully him, but she said she'd seen much worse." Sonya intervened.

"Somehow, she has this ability to set our minds at ease. Like as a way to melt the ice." Sub-Zero, aka Kuai Liang mentioned.

"Yeah, definitely as a way to melt your ice." Liu Kang spatted, in which Aiko stated he and the cryomancer were the odd couple since they'd opposing elemental abilities. "She functioned as the mouthpiece for us, much like Nightwolf."

Kitana was beginning to think something thru. "Hmm, she does seem to offer her assistance in times of need. She always hates disarray and tension. She has the tendency to be level-headed, positive, and does her best to give us a reassuring hand. She also looks up to me as a sort of motherly figure."

"No different than with Master Raiden." Liu Kang added.

Footsteps were heard from behind, and Kung Lao, Nightwolf, Kiba, and Aiko emerged.

"How're you feeling, are you alright?" Kitana asked the young mentor.

"She seems a little dazed, but intact." Nightwolf stated.

"So, what now?" Kung Lao asked their fearless leader.

Stryker looked over the schematics upon Nightwolf's techy equipment, and there was little to no activity in Outworld, let alone in Shao Kahn's Tower. "Take a look over here. Quiet as a mouse. Been like that all week. There is nothing happening." He always was the tactician, though his police jargon made it complicated for the team to understand at times. "Maybe they'd already discarded all of the 4-arms and half horsies to the Wastelands."

"On that note, there's hardly been any rip activity, aside from that recent Saurian escapade." The Makota added.

A deep, sudden sigh escaped. Everyone noticed it was Stryker. "Why're you so pent up?" Sonya snarked.

"I'm just not used to this uncomfortable silence. For the past trimester, we were always on the hunt for portals, or just simply looking for trouble. There's been a whole lot of nothing since the Reptile invasion. I think we've won and had already seen what the big bad's gonna do."

"But Aiko said he and Shang Tsung had been resurrected. We cannot wait!" Kung Lao grew anxious, he wouldn't want to let the evil build.

"Kung Lao's right. This may just be too easy." Liu Kang, for once, agreed with his Shaolin rival.

There were some murmurs heard throughout the team, echoing off the spacious walls. This started to irritate Aiko.

The Thunder God hesitated and broke the anxiety. "I think we should just...sit this out."

"What?" Everyone chorused.

"You actually want us to leave this dull hellhole?" Stryker became skeptical. As if their mentor was doing the unthinkable. After a brief hesitation he requested for his warriors to have a little R&R, and invade Outworld when the time is right.

"Someone should hold the fort, though, if things should go awry within any of the seven realms."

"Seven?" Aiko was surprised.

Sonya just realized that Johnny Cage hadn't shown up all this time... Jax wondered if she had a relationship with him. "What!? No! It's just... It just doesn't feel the same without him. I don't know if he's been in Hollywood or what... I mean if Kung Lao and Aiko are here, wouldn't Raiden summon Johnny here too? Or Kabal..?" The mysterious, handicapped warrior entered her mind briefly.

"Yeah, right. Well, maybe he was just too busy, Sonya. He's an actor, a world-renowned, though cocky celebrity. Or, maybe his ego would be a hinderance to the team."

"Hm...maybe. But, I just can't help but wonder."

"Then, it's settled. We should all use a little breather, just to rest up temporarily. And maybe catch up on lost time." Kung Lao could've sworn Raiden mentioned the last statement to him. "I should cover base and let all of you kiddos take a brief respite. There's still no telling on what Shao Kahn can do."

Mentioning the Emperor's name made some of the mortals quiver. "I'll check in Outworld and spot anything suspicious." Kitana said.

"And...what about-"

"If you wish to go with me, Liu Kang, you're more than welcome to." This put the monk at ease. For once, the princess had enough confidence in him as the chosen one, aside from Lao.

"Going with your girlfriend I see." Lao remarked.

"We...actually begun to accept one another, Kung Lao." She then looked at him with an irritable stare as she was still uncomfortable he was the one who killed off her best friend.

"Then it's settled. It'll be at least a week's respite. And then we shall rendezvous back here." Stryker stated.

The pseudo cowboy actually reoffered Aiko to visit the Academy grounds, since she virtually had no other place to go to anyway.

"Eh, you really think so? Well..ok."

Somewhere in the deserts of Earthrealm...

Inside the Great Pyramid of Egypt, Shao Kahn perched upon its ancient throne. The pair of Shadow Priests stood at each side in the shady chamber, despite it being filled with cobwebs and surrounded by various jewels. He needed a new place to set up shop after his Fortress was invaded by the defenders of Earth, the treacherous princess Kitana, and the wrathful Shokan raging against the Centaurs and Tarkans. A small vile of blood rested on one of the stone arm rests he crafted for his temporary hideout.

One of his men shoved the wounded sorcerer, Shang Tsung, in to meet up with the weakened Emperor. Ironically, he appeared more out of shape than his tyrannical master. He was chained for the sudden schemes working with Sheeva, trying to use the Outworld throne against him. Kahn stood up from his perch, giving a hard haze onto the shapeshifter.

"Shang Tsung, traitor to Outworld and to my own regime! Your attempts to conquer the throne has been thwarted from the aftermath of your foolish attempts to usurp Outworld and the Shokan. You're good-for-nothing without your precious army to defend you!"

He spat out blood. "Spare me your threats, Great Emperor! You would've slaughtered me when the situation called for it!"

"Even better, I would've banned you to the Cobalt Mines again where you will suffer for eternity in a more PERMANENT matter! Your insolence has sorely driven my patience!" He roared. Then he stuck up a finger. "However, I'd literally had an abrupt change of heart, in order to attain total control over both Outworld and the Earthrealm.

"I was resurrected by the Nether Realm demon sorcerer, Quan Chi, who has more prominent and evil skills in necromancy and power! You shall ally with him as I'd assigned both of you to reanimate the corpse of Queen Sindel!"

"Kitana's dead mother? How can SHE possibly help us on our conquest!? She drove herself to suicide upon the usurpation of Outworld after you assassinated the late King Jerrod and forced her to marry you to secure your rule!"

"Indeed. But that all matters not! She shall claim the throne at my side once again. You and Quan Chi must reanimate her decayed vessel and warp her to work for the black arts. We shall TRIUMPH over BOTH of those putrid realms!" He rose a fist in declaration. "Go now, Shang Tsung! And do not fail me again!"

Moments later, he and Quan Chi operated the malicious plan as they buried a skeleton filled with maggots and decayed relics. With their skills in resurrection, both evil magic users conjured to bring life and restructure the ugly vessel. Moments later, skin began to form as well as fresh, bloody nerves. Hair began to grow rapidly like a sapling and thickened into eerie white and black locks. And soon her eyebrows began to thicken. Suddenly, the wicked myriad rose from the thick, scorching sand and took her first breath of life!

Before she faced her two makers, Quan Chi laid a purple, thin robe over her weak vessel; he knew that her strength would return in time as he did the same with Kahn's fragile vessel. He held up the blood-crusted amulet which brightened in his palm. Her vacant eyes flashed with that same shade! After a few moments, she began to show a wide grin of her clean white and sharp fangs thru her curling, black lips!

Meanwhile, sensing the great surge of power coursing thru him, Kahn raised his arms and let out a malicious laugh! Following the commotion, in came Kahn's esteemed warriors, Mileena and Baraka.

"Emperor, what newssss?" Mileena hissed. "Have I finally gotten my chanccce on slaughtering my sssissster?"

"Indeed, you have, my fine daughter! You and Baraka shall prepare your loyal Tarkan warriors. Rally up your men. We are finally prepared to begin our foolproof conquest! The Elder Gods will never suspect us! And you shall meet your true mother soon, my precious child."

Both monstrosities bowed down, with Mileena doing a low curtsy.

"At long last, the balls had been set in our court. Earthrealm and Outworld will BOTH be at my ironclad grasp!"

Back at the Wushi Academy...

Raiden assembled a portal for all of his Kombatants to return to their corresponding homelands, even offering Aiko to traverse with Kung Lao back to the Academy grounds. He was, however, a bit disappointed that Liu Kang would dare to step into enemy territory with Kitana instead of returning to his proper place in Earthrealm, but he eventually let up if they should be his scouts.

The monk escorted the clueless warrioress thru the thick, opaque woods, and amongst the clearing was his valued turf! Aiko was astonished of the Oriental environment, despite the fallen debris and patches of burnt stone. With wide, wandering eyes, she looked around and also absorbed the refreshing, crisp air! "So...this is the esteemed Wushi Academy..!"

He nodded, "Yes, indeed. This is also the heart and the nerve center to the Order of Light as well as the White Lotus Society. The diamond of the rough, as you would say."

Her eyes couldn't stop scanning the fascinating place. Kung Lao reached to her, offering her to follow.

She continued to do so, sticking with the prestigious hero as much as possible, since chances were good that she and her mind would wander aimlessly; he was like an anchor to her buoy, no doubt. And the peaceful climate was completely contrary to all the devastated and infested buildings she kept running away from.

A lone monk was squeegeeing one of the balconies soaked with water left from the Tarkan invasion, and he just peeked over to see one of the promising monks return, with a woman by his side. He declared in Chinese to the other wandering monks, "It's Kung Lao, he's back! Kung Lao has returned! Everyone, Kung Lao is here!"

At a distance, the monk's glee can be heard. The other monks picked up on it, and they were just as glad. Kung Lao translated the call to Aiko.

"What're they saying?"

"They're just glad to see me home."

A random monk ran up to the duo. "Kung Lao! You're alive and well. Welcome home!"

"Thank you, I appreciate the welcome," he replied with a bow.

"And who is your companion?" He stated as he watched her try and do an awkward curtsy.

"This is Aiko." Lao greeted. "She's a good friend of mine, and she happens to be new to our humble customs." She went close to Lao's side, trying to hide her bashfulness. "She just shy, she's not used to us just yet."

"We're all thrilled to have you here, Kung Lao. Where is Liu Kang?"

The thought of mentioning his "girlfriend" was on the tip of Lao's tongue, but he backtracked a little. "Uh...he can't make it back just yet. He's in Outworld scouting with Princess Kitana. There seems to be some suspicious activity."

He was trying to read his coyness. "Lao...and what of Shao Kahn? The conqueror?"

"We're not certain. We thought he's been destroyed since our victory in the previous tournament, but Raiden thinks he's been resurrected. And Aiko believes the konflict isn't over."

"Be that as it may, we must be on our guard."

"Of course." Lao nodded in affirmation.

The monk faced her. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Aiko. We don't get many foreigners around these parts."

"Uh, yeah. I see."

Lao offered her to embrace more of his culture, and the monk passed the word on his return.

She questioned, "How...did they become so fluent in English?"

"Well," Lao replied with a smirk, "Did you know that Great Britain owns Hong Kong?"

Her jaw dropped so wide, that he assumed it can descend to the floor! She was completely speechless! She couldn't BELIEVE that a Chinese territory belonged to the United Kingdom! This was an incredible shocker to her that Lao had to snap her out of her stupor.

At least the massive koi pond filled with exotic fish got their attention, even a few frogs hopping onto lily pads, and tadpoles mingling as they swam in the freshwater.

"Life is finally returning, at last."

From the shadows above, he noticed some colorful flags were being hung to cover the damaged walls and shown that the Academy still stood with pride and strength like it should. Lao couldn't believe how quickly it has recovered, then again...he was gone, and comatose, for a whole trimester. He greeted each passing monk who're happy to see him, aside from still carrying the heavy burdens of his destiny and curse. By the time he reached and shown Aiko the sacred armory, something tugged his mind. He almost forgot about his cheerful nephew.

"Uncle!!"

Lao heard a shriek belonging to a little boy; sure enough, it was Jin running to his idol! Lao immediately squatted and embraced him tightly. The kid was wearing a bright green gi with a matching headband. And Lao's smile broke as his kin kept crying how much he missed him. The sudden affection was contagious that it even made Aiko light up, even let out a slight giggle.

She then knelt beside the guys as they broke away. "Aiko, meet my own nephew, Kung Jin." Lao greeted.

"Nice to meet you," the youngster made a little bow.

"...Hi. The pleasure's all mine," she replied.

His uncle sobered. "Jin, it would be nice to show Aiko around. I have some business I need to attend to with the other monks."

"Ok, sure, uncle." He immediately tugged one of Aiko's hands, "Come and see!"

"I'll meet up with you two shortly!" He called, before the pair disappeared with Jin pulling the way.

I must head to the Temple of Light. We have important matters to settle. With a renewed resolve, he headed to the sacred, holy grounds.

He then met up with the elder monks, including Liu Kang's frail grandfather, who welcomed Kung Lao with a loose hug. He went straight to the chase. "Are you still concerned of the eternal curse, Kung Lao?"

"Yes, I am. But Liu Kang isn't with me, at the moment."

Over three months passed since the incident involving the dreadful truth, thus losing Lao from the parameters. Liu Kang had eventually returned to the Wushi Academy after the celebration, which he noticed the usual monks with Kung Lao absent. He became aware of the Champion's curse, but he wasn't alarmed as much as his rival. He had checked the training grounds and the perimeter, even as far as the Temple of Light, and the graveyard where he paid a brief respect to his kid brother, still no sign. His frail grandfather was relieved to see him, though he hadn't seen Lao in so long.

"And who was that girl with you?"

"You mean, Aiko." Lao explained how he found her on the streets, in the USA of all places! As well as Raiden's discovery and her hidden potential.

"Kung Lao, if Raiden's correct about her, then she must be looked after. If Shao Kahn really is still alive, she will need our support, more than ever. Her talents can be of some value to us. The power from the heart is a rare ability indeed. The Thunder God was definitely serious on protecting her. But she needs some time to train. She can be one of our promising scholars."

This actually intrigued Lao. "She said she knew us when she was only six years old, but...her younger self left us, yet somehow her older self went back in time." This still perplexed him, and the wise monk.

"Regardless on where, or when, she came from, she must be kept safe. I'm depending on you if she should leave the Academy grounds." This formed a knot in his throat; having to defend all of Earth, his nephew, Aiko, his allies, and dealing with the eternal curse... As if he read his mind, "Do not fret, Lao. I am certain Master Raiden shall solve this damnation once Shao Kahn is ridden for good. You must have faith, especially in him."

His mind seemed very conflicted; he was starting to lose it, let alone his faith in him... Now he understood how Aiko was feeling before.

Raiden was lucky he sent Liu and Kitana to Outworld, let alone near Shao Kahn's Keep. They trekked to the throne room, where it was vacant and littered with numerous corpses of Shokan, Centaur, and Tarkan. "What a way to go..." he sulked.

"Shao Kahn will pay dearly for all those who'd suffered under his rule, even those who're working for him." No matter what side, Kitana always felt saddened by their sacrifices. This isn't something that Jerrod would want, nothing by ruthless bloodshed and sporadic chaos, suffering and death...

She also wished Jade was around... That struck a cord in the monk, how he and Kung Lao misunderstood she was serving the Konquerer, while she and Mileena unleashed hell as the princess was caught in a holding spell.

"Kitana, I will put an end to Khan's destruction for good. I swear it."

"I know you will, Liu."

"Kung Lao has won the last tournament. Maybe again, this'll be my turn."

"I've an empty feeling we might not win this time. Killing Kahn won't bring the deceased back."

He was beginning to accept the same since his brother couldn't be returned either.

"Asgaarth is gone too..! I hope he would find some fortitude. He still decided to stay in Outworld while the rest of us escaped. If only..." Liu had almost forgotten about the late Jerrod's most high-ranked knight, and rebel to the Kahn Empire.

"Don't worry, he's an Edenian. You survived. I know he'd find a way to do the same..." Despite his optimism, he hardly had anything to say, even he was starting to have his doubts.

A/N: The usual music from DotR would play during the so-called last showdown, and Spore Spawn and Swampy Miridia from Super Metroid would play as Aiko meditated for the first time. Shang Tsung's theme from the DotR OST would play, though a bit slower, as Kahn executes his conquest and Sindel's resurrection. Kadic 1 from Code Lyoko will play as Kung Lao finally shows Aiko the academy grounds. As would the Wushi Academy theme when Lao meets up with Liu's grandfather. The Wastelands shall play when Liu Kang and Kitana scout in Outworld. And the depressing theme from DotR will chime at the end.

If you remember, the gem of Tetsurri was introduced in DotR as a plot point as well as Quan Chi's debut in the episode, The Secret of Quan Chi. Only this time, he has a more significant role, as he was the culprit who resurrected both Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung after their fall by the monks; I assumed his talisman was the method on how he'd bring back the Outworld Emperor, as Shaolin Monks cut away afterwards and didn't include the elements in MK3. And it was said that Kahn was wearing the amulet first, before his apparent death. So, I thought it would shed some light on the matter.

Also...just as a couple side notes, I'm NOT taking any notes nor inspiration from MK9! The reboot was just trash, as was the alt timeline, and since Nether Realm made all this after Midway bit the dust, it just wasn't worth it since it was the catalyst of those lousy games!

Second of all, I don't believe that always having fast-paced action isn't the way to attract your audience! Pokeprof in Critiquing Minds said it best in his review of the 90s TMNT movie; that it's important to not always go so fast and intense with the constant noise and movement, otherwise it gets boring after awhile. We need the slow and soft times too as a breather and process on what happens to the characters and the story.

Needless to say, this multiple-parter prologue does follow up to MK3, the final installment of the klassic trilogy!

Con't IV: Invasion of Earthrealm

Inside a room filled with Chinese decor, Kung Jin and Aiko were at a light green table, munching on some white rice in a small, teal bowl, with Oriental vegetables on a plate the same color, even in conjunction with a few different kinds of sushi. Jin invited her to the Academy's kitchen after he shown her everything it had to offer. Excepting for one more chamber, which was said to be the most sacred of all...

Aiko was amazed by that semi-tour. "Thanks so much for the food, Kung Jin, and for showing me around," she said as she was wiping herself with a soft napkin that seemed to be made of magenta silk.

Jin's dexterity was very skilled on using his pair of thin chopsticks, while Aiko was just using some wooden-carved eating ware.

"We've some of the best agriculturists and food handlers here," Jin spoke with high esteem. "We aren't just dedicated to fighting, y'know."

"Yeah, I see." Aiko looked around, admiring the foreign symbols, wallpaper, and the numerous pots which she thought they consisted of ashes of the monks' ancestors and deceased loved ones. She even saw crafted animals representing each year of the Zodiac.

"We have some of the best craftsman, artisans, warriors, students, and teachers here! Everyone comes here and joins the White Lotus Society, that's where my uncle goes to!"

Aiko queried who they were, and Jin explained with enthusiasm it was a secret society originally established by Raiden. Ever since his ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, passed away by the sixteen hands of the warmongering Prince Goro, the sacred club was created, hiring the best warriors in all of Earthrealm. Only they can learn about the other realms and understand the ways on defending them, though they must originally be from Earth. They can learn a variety of techniques, and commitment to the club wasn't always for life, meaning they can leave at any time and their numbers were rumored to be minute. They don't always have to be monks either, and every member must be identified with a white headband branded with a Buddhist symbol of an eight-pedaled lotus.

"They're lives are secret, and members go thru some very hard training." He wished he can follow his uncle and join it himself when he grew older. This sort of intimidated Aiko; she never thought she could attain membership to such a strict and secretive cult. She sulked a little, thinking that her doubts on being equivalent to the US military had been justified. A few moments later, they finished their scrumptious lunch, then Jin escorted her to the outer borders.

"C'mon, I have to show you this!" Kung Jin was pulling Aiko by the hand as he led her to a subterranean staircase leading to a cavern thru a sliding stone slab. Ripples were seen upon the opaque stone walls. He led her in a slow trot, knowing they still had food that weren't fully digested yet, and they headed down to the Wu Shi Academy's most sacred place, the Dragon Grotto. A cool, constant breeze greeted the duo, mostly Aiko as it hit her bare arms; she almost instantly wrapped them around herself to keep warm as best she could.

Jin raised an arm and begged her to come further. Soon enough, they beheld an astonishing sight! There was a lake bubbling and sparkling in its own alcove, but it was far away. Some guardrails greeted the duo, but Jin's body was blocking the open space as he held tightly onto the sides. He warned the hidden passage was guarded by a dungeon filled with traps just outside the entrance,

"The Dragon Grotto's a cave where the Jinsel comes from."

"The Jinsei? What's that? Why is this place so important?"

"We must protect the breakable heart of Earth. It's used to give the world life and those that enter it. Raiden rests here after every fight, as does some of our warriors saving our world." He said the monks of the White Lotus Society built an effigy of many dragons around the spring, some carved from limestone while others were carved from gold; they also had the springs pouring from their mouths to honor the Elder Gods. Many students and residents of the Academy above ground were the only ones that had permission, while they would regularly bring offerings of gold, food, and other items to the spring in reverence of both Earthrealm and the Elder Gods. The White Lotus Society must protect the spring as one of their most well-guarded secrets, so that no one of evil intent may harness the power of the Jinsei springs.

"My uncle and the Lotus Society must protect these beautiful springs. Otherwise, the bad guys from those other realms will take the healing water and destroy the world. This is the only way how our world gives life, as the water flows thru it like pumping blood thru a heart."

Aiko was intrigued of this awe-inspiring cove, even the fact that Raiden visits there, and that the gifted monks must rotate to guard the Jinsei. She was also fascinated it was used as their own natural and rapidly-healing spot, contrary to those slow, expensive, and often ineffective and so-called advanced treatments. After gazing around this amazing area, she'd much rather spend her time healing here, rather than in a noisy, uncomfortable hospital.

Interrupting Aiko's reverie, she noticed the sunlight behind them darken rapidly. "Something's going on up there...!"

Sonya and Jax both arrived at the Special Forces base and realized their CO rejected them. Not because they were always away protecting Earthrealm, as they were their best agents, but...because they were skeptics in magic users and other realms. They tried to convince their commanding officers they exist, and Earth was in constant peril, but they often said they've better things to do involving any drug or arm dealers, and sometimes warring with the ruthless citizens of Somalia. Feel they'd been honorably discharged, they set out to seek for Johnny Cage.

Jax remembered interrogating him, after the Forces spotted a distress signal. Turned out Sonya was escaping Shang Tsung's Island after it began to self-destruct when Liu Kang knocked out the demon sorcerer, without many souls in him, in the first tournament. The demon was revived after Liu forced him into the circular pit; however, his revival cost him his age. The agent also remembered seeing Kung Lao in Outworld before he and Liu faced off the youthful Shang, Kintaro, and Khan. He was relieved all three fighters had been spared.

Cage was at an outdoor sound station, shooting a commercial of sorts, and he looked up and noticed the two agents. He sighed irritably as he saw Jax, worrying there'd be another interrogation, but Sonya intervened and assured him he's on his side and they'd been relieved of duty since their CEOs never believed in inner dimensional conflicts. They too were in waist deep on stopping the War in Somalia while also finding stragglers of the Black Dragon upon Kano's absence, believing to be dead.

After Sonya was brutally incapacitated by a Tarkan, while she received a testimonial from Raiden after the first tournament, she and Kano were abducted and taken to Shao Kahn's arena in Outworld, forced to witness the three gruesome battles between the big bads and the Shaolin Monks. She was incredibly in shock, so much so numbing her physical wounds, though Kano refused to explain how he was able to survive after their brutal fight, when Sonya twisted Kano's neck by her legs! With them emerging victorious, Sonya and Jax hesitated to bring Kano to justice, but they decided to leave him for dead. They figured handing in their bounty wasn't satisfying enough and would only cause flareups amongst the gangsters; instead, they agreed they'd just leave him in another dangerous realm, as a result their CEOs got into a scuffle with them.

Cage explained he started a new gig, though he wasn't labeled as a fake anymore; he also wondered of Master Boyd's fate, as if he was murdered like Art Lean.

Turned out Johnny was relieved too, after his former manager let out a tirade. while he insulted the "fake" actors, where he himself was labeled as such. He recently found a different gig, with a more tolerable director, and he seemed less egotistical. Jax apologized for the former interrogation, as he was deeply concerned of Sonya's whereabouts.

"So, uh-does that mean you two would start dating?" Johnny queried.

All the couple did was give each some skeptical looks, nothing but deer in headlights. Jax had been a comfort companion to the edgy lieutenant, even thawing her icy heart. She still wondered why Raiden never summoned Cage, whether or not he was busy being a celebrity. She wondered if opening up to Cage was just a fluke. The actor's face began to squint, expecting an answer, mostly forcing Sonya to blurt out one.

Suddenly-the sky turned opaque, as it became bright red like fresh blood! The trio then witnessed a horrific sight, as debris was being tossed by large beasts with elongated rat tails, Capricorn shaped horns, and looked to be half man, half ungulate! People were screaming and ran for their lives attempting to find cover! But most of the unfortunate bystanders were trapped and thrown asunder by those mighty beasts! One of the dastardly men, who Johnny assumed was his new director, was thrown against a couple camera stands!

"HEY! What the fuck are you doing causing all this carnage?" Johnny shouted over the chaos!

The centaur snorted as he stomped one of his front hooves and faced his challenger. "The great emperor, Shao Khan, shall finally make his place in Earthrealm! You better run, puny mortal!" he bellowed.

"THE Shao Khan!?" Sonya gasped.

"Why now...?" Jax was just as flabbergasted since Khan finally made his move after the failed insurrection.

"As we speak, your world is powerless as it shall merge with ours! Grovel before me or meet your bloody death the way this poor fool did!" The Centaur pointed out the mangled body amongst the metal.

"You think we shall bow down to murdering monstrosities like you? I DON'T THINK SO!" This fueled Johnny with so much rage that he immediately stormed to the towering atrocity! Sonya implored to stop him, but Jax held her back!

He started with a Shadow Kick, one of his usual moves. There was just no way this time he'd be able to punch that Centaur in the groin, unlike Goro, since he literally had the bottom torso of a horse! He only had to rely on his strong kicks, at least high enough to reach the upper body. Each one did a bit of injury, but...

The muscular horror grabbed and rose the hapless Johnny with ease and threw him asunder just a few yards away! The impact from the cold, hard, ashen floor stunned him, and he wasn't ready for a powerful lunge after the beast leaped forward! He knocked Johnny down seamlessly, and all Sonya and Jax did was embrace the terror!

The bionic man had enough and stormed into the fray, "Jax!"

Unfortunately, the enemy used Johnny as a meat shield, forcing Jax to back away!

"...Go!" the actor pleaded, as the Centaur was holding him by the back of his dark teal shirt! "Head to the Wu Shi Academy. ...I'm sorry, Sonya." He looked at her with droopy eyes, making the officer clam up.

The demon simply snickered and switched hands. With his right hand, he managed to do the unthinkable! Ripping Johnny's head off! There wasn't a single scream as he got decapitated!

It wasn't long before the compound was ransacked by Khan's extermination squads, as the massive, bloody red and spiraling portal materialized in the sky, covering the peaceful, balmy skies almost instantly! Kung Jin and Aiko beheld the horrifying nightmare! She figured it was a tornado, but there was no wind to compensate it!

Though the ground began to tremble, and hooves were pounding the pavement. Large centaurs invaded the place, knocking over numerous stone slabs, and slaughtering the monks. Before they were able to make a move from their stunned stupor, Raiden emerged in a flash of light.

"You two must stay within the Jinsei caverns! It's too dangerous for you to fight them! I must help evacuate the other monks!"

"...But Raiden-!"

"What about my uncle?"

"Kung Lao's on his way, though he must escort our people to safety!"

Just then, Raiden began to weaken and collapsed to his knees. He then managed to teleport to the Temple of Light and forced the elder monks to evacuate to the underground Jinsei entrance. It was just enough time for the hapless monks to escape invasion, while Lao and Raiden fought off some of the extermination squads.

Lao was wary of the Centaurs' lunges, thus keeping his distance and always evading their charges; no different than trying to subdue a horse, he said.

Raiden intervened at times, but the Thunder God can only do so much electrocuting the beasts, mostly in their weaker upper bodies. Whenever he used his electricity, his strength began to waver.

"Lord Raiden...!" Kung Lao looked with disbelief.

He had no choice but to use his rod as a melee weapon, unfortunately this left him vulnerable to their close kombat. Fortunately, it left them a minor electrocution when it made contact.

Lao was more nimbler as he countered and moved before each swipe. Realizing the fleshy upper body was weaker, he took advantage with his diving kick! He was also able to pull off multiple airborne kicks, up to seven, before they prepared for another charge. His best maneuver was teleporting behind their backs and perform an air dive onto them! At times, they'd fire a laser from their tails, which hit the two warriors a few times, though only Raiden can deflect them with his rod.

Soon enough, Raiden and Kung Lao were able to hold their own, even though the monk was doing most of the dirty work.

The weakened god fell to one knee. "Raiden!" Lao was alarmed of all his angsts. He tried to help him up as he grabbed a hand. All Raiden did was slope. "Raiden, what's happening?"

"My powers...! They're becoming weaker. Earthrealm is in grave danger, it's being merged with Outworld." He barely pointed into the air, and following his finger, Lao spotted the swirling portal in the sky!

"This CAN'T be happening!"

"It is, Kung Lao. Shao Kahn has regained his lost strength. If the merger's complete...I would..."

"No! I won't let that happen! I defeated Kahn before, I can do so again!"

"He's stronger now, and his extermination squads had already ruined Earth's own defenses."

"Wouldn't the Elder Gods stop him?"

"They can't. Kahn's power'll be absolute. The time is now, before the merger is done. Mortal Kombat kontinues again."

"What must we do?"

"I will try and teleport you and Aiko to Nightwolf's sacred land. I'd already escorted a few fighters there, but my strength can't hold out for long."

After a tearful reunion by Kung Jin, Lao took Aiko by the hand and the trio vanished as they held onto him.

Somewhere, in a distant wood from the Wu Shi Academy, Kuai Liang was still on the hunt for Smoke, though he noticed the deadly cybernetics, Sektor and Cyrax in the distance plotting something for their Grandmaster Oniro! By the time the merger started, and the assassins looked up and noticed the intruder, the three had been separated instantly!

Kitana and Liu Kang were treading away from Khan's Keep awaiting transport from Raiden, but they tried and failed contacting him, or anyone, from their wrist communicators Nightwolf programmed. Nothing but radio silence. The princess raised an arm and immediately halted the monk as she first noticed a battered kombatant she recognized staggering.

"Kano!"

"I thought he was dead. How could he have escaped from Shao Kahn's arena?"

Before he started to lunge at him, all three fighters were paralyzed. As if they were being numb and grounded by intense gravity.

At an Eastern coastal area, Raiden alerted Nightwolf and Kiba, then assisted on evacuating the Mokata. The shaman noticed his computer system detected there was a massive swirl filled with red and black spirals, before it automatically was shot on his wristband.

As some realms were restricted, or rather sealed off, Raiden noticed his powers and strength were being sapped. Though they still needed to await the arrival of Liu Kang, Kitana, Sub-Zero, Sonya, Jax, Johnny and Stryker.

Meanwhile, unlike the Special Forces, he wasn't relieved from duty, resumed his position as a Riot Control Officer in New York; he was the closest to behold the emergence of a sinister castle! A massive fortress risen from a distant street and beneath the gigantic, swirling portal! It had a pair of horns protruding from the upper corners, and was very well-lit, with spikes on top and a few windows creating an allusion of a face.

It was official. This was indeed Mortal Kombat!

A/N: I forgot to mention that I kinda made up Kung Jin's design based on similar attire of Little Samson, the main fighter in the rare Taito NES game of the same name. In addition, his voice'd be like Dominic while he was still a kid during Kindergarten Cop.

Also...I wonder if the Jinsei was inspired by FFVII, based on the Lifestream and its corruption in... The Planet. Like how the Shinra abuses its lifeforce, there's the Core and the holy lands, and how the Sephiroth clones keep on corroding it, even in Advent Children.

Monsoon Jungle from Wario Land 4 will play back at the Wu Shi Academy. Dark Ice Mines Waterfall shall play as Jin shows Aiko the sacred Jinsei. Metamorphosis from FFVI shall play during the full-on invasion of Earthrealm and merger. I'd also use Kung Lao's theme by...Mortal Kombat, fan channel from YouTube, as an added bonus. Same with Come Join us by Corey Lee, as a sort of recruitment song for the defenders of Earth; fun fact, my sis used to listen to a lot of Alternative, and I fell into that song instantly when I was younger!

And just a future reference, I highly recommend checking out a video known as The Aesthetics of MK3; it really set the tone of the klassic game, even more than 616Entertainment's retrospective. And boy was it a goddamn doozy coming up with each scenario for the kombatants! And we finally get to see the sacred Jinsel, which would be of greater significance later on!

So, no more delays! We're at the events of MK3! :D

A/N: Every battle should have their own separate chapter, like a mission per chapter in most games. And NO, I'm not taking any inspiration from MK9! IT SUCKS! I grew up with the klassic trilogy, and MK3, DotR, the first movie, and especially some battle songs I'll use are some of the highlights of 95 and 96!

Side note, I'd much rather have the Kungs as uncle and nephew rather than cousins, as there's a huge age gap, Lao'd be around his 20s when MKII came out, and Jin'd be the same age in his debut in MKX. For once, Nether Realm did a GOOD retcon, as cousins'd be too awkward for this sort of thing.

Anyway, I'm so excited to finally get started on one of my favorite MK installments since early childhood! ;)

Con't V - Mortal Kombat Kontinues...Again!

Raiden, Kung Lao, and Aiko arrived at the East Coast. The ocean was unusually calm compared to the sinister sky above. The latter two looked around the barren beach and the monk grew skeptical.

"This is supposed to be Nightwolf's sacred land? There's hardly anything here."

Waiting for a response, Kung Lao looked over and saw Raiden who was out of it for a moment. He then held his head.

"Ergh, this is indeed the shaman's natural camp. I hadn't seen him occupy this place in over three months. I was once concerned if he has forgotten his Matokan ways as he grew too dependent on technology."

Somehow, that statement tugged another memory in Aiko. "Where is he?"

The thunder god pointed toward rows of wild beach grass. "His reservation shall be amongst these grass stalks. This place was used as a burial ground. If I'm correct, Nightwolf must've protected it by utilizing his powerful energies from the invasion. This was the resting place for many of his tribe's ancestors, and I believe their essence can be of great use to us."

"I hope this would be enough to restore you temporarily," Kung Lao said, worrying of his mentor's welfare.

He nodded. "Straight ahead shall be your destination."

Before Kung Lao headed beside Aiko, Raiden stuck out an arm to halt him. "What is it?"

"Aiko is sensitive to Native American customs. She once grew up and succumbed to their ways, as if it was a self-trance. Much as her first meditation session." The guardian of Earthrealm faced his partner. "Kung Lao, you must be the anchor to her buoy and guard her heart and mind. She happens to be handicapped and fragile."

The monk was surprised. "She's handicapped!? How can she fight or be of use to us?"

"Only her heart shall remain useful in our endeavors. She always trusted Nightwolf most fondly while she was very young. His ways can be vital to our victory against Shao Kahn. Go now, hurry! Time is of the essence."

Lao headed straight to the tall weeds following Aiko.

He led thru the thick brush, even using his razor-rimmed hat at times to cut and remove some annoying stalks. Amongst the opaque woods, they noticed a village consisting of several teepees, even a small bonfire; the flames made a dazzling display amongst the creepy, shadowy atmosphere. They figured there'd be an ambush made by Tarkans or Kahn's generals, but everything seemed too quiet.

"Kung Lao. Aiko." The tenor greeted the duo with his pet wolf by his side.

"Nightwolf! Kiba!" She was thrilled to see them again, even alive and well. The reservation itself remained undisturbed.

He grabbed her hand. "We don't have much time. Raiden and I were waiting for the other warriors to show up, but we can't stall any longer. Come." He led the duo thru some irritated and curious stares amongst the tribe. From their eyes locking onto the white visitors, Aiko grew worried.

"Don't worry, they won't harm us."

"Eh, I hope not..! I mean, out of all the things we'd done..." she could hardly finish her sentence. Her mind was full with regret, having the Natives suffering from famine, illness and annihilation from foreigners by usurping their lands. "I just wish there was a way to make amends."

"You can pay us back later, Aiko. But we must keep our heads on and save Earthrealm. I know how you must be feeling."

Lao just sighed, "...I know how she feels as well."

"She constantly had these insecurities, Kung Lao. She always worries for nothing. Your kind's cool." He finally escorted the duo to his former quarters. "There it is. Ah...this teepee probably hasn't been used in so long." He sulked a little. "...I figured that if I became a historian and evolved like you guys, I'd be a more promising Matoka. Needless to say, they weren't so thrilled. I even went to higher learning and became some sort of computer scientist. No one thought I'd be qualified. I just aced thru everything!" he spoke proudly.

"So, even you'd been an outcast."

From the interior and exterior, it looked like any other tent, excepting there was a portable generator located in a back corner, along with several small gizmos. As they smelt the incents, he explained he just used his unique skills to protect his land from utter destruction, similar to a sort of forcefield, despite having numerous animals scampering away. He had the weary trio settled and Kiba just treaded to a comfy cushion and laid into it.

"Why did Raiden want us here, Nightwolf?" Kung Lao queried.

He turned serious. "I had visions of Earth's demise. As well as the thunder god losing his powers. I was expecting the rest of us to arrive, but there's no time."

"For what?"

He hesitated. "You must awaken each of your inner, animalistic spirits."

The monk grew skeptical. "Our what!?"

"You mean...we get to transform into a certain animal? How?" Aiko added.

"I call it Animality!" The Matokan spoke with a grin.

They exchanged quizzical looks.

He then gathered more incents and added some to the flames. "Each of you will have your Animality awakened. However, the process can be rather difficult. Like going through a dream state and battling your demons..."

"So...this is like a Fatality or a Brutality utilizing a spirit of an animal..?"

"Precisely."

"I hope I get to be either a fox or an Ankylosaurus!" Aiko stated with excitement.

"Well, we'll just see. I remember it was your favorite dinosaur. I was able to turn into a wolf, while I saw Raiden churn into an electric eel no problem."

"Or maybe you might turn into a rabbit, since you were born in the year of one," Lao stated. This caught the newbie off guard!

Aiko's face wrinkled. "Wait a minute?" She put her hands on her hips. "How did you know I was born in the year of the rabbit!?"

"Well, you were around six years old during the second tournament, right?"

"Yeah...?"

"Do the math." Nightwolf added.

She soon connected the dots, and she was dumbfounded Kung Lao was able to figure out a personal detail.

After awhile there was some silence, aside from the crackling of the fresh logs, but these burning chemicals were making Kung Lao and Aiko feel lightheaded, and sleepy...

Somehow, the shaman wasn't affected by it; perhaps he was more resistant to the embers than the other two. Not even Kiba noticed, excepting when he let out a big yawn.

They just became frozen, and all they did was fix their eyes on the lulling flames. They soon felt a little nauseated, and their bodies were becoming heavy, just barely keeping their eyes open. Eventually, Aiko was the first to lay her head down, especially considering she was the most susceptible. Soon enough, Kung Lao succumbed to the intense incents, and he dropped his hat before he collapsed. Their bodies became numb and immobilized as sleep finally swept over them...

Amongst the darkness, visions flashed before his eyes! They were blurry at first, but Kung Lao managed to see himself remaining young, while he watched each of his friends grow old, wither, and be vulnerable to some violent shades! While they continued their slaughter, Raiden was hapless, that even his electrokinesis was feeble. He tried using his hat, but it only went thru them as if they were nothing but air! It was just enough to make a distraction as they gained onto the single monk. He wished Liu Kang was involved in this scrimmage. He fought them off, but each one of his attacks had little to no impact; he was able to land a hit, but nothing fazed them! Each one attempted to flee, but Lao kept on them like a predator never wanting to lose sight of its victims. With every swipe, he grew more ravenous, desiring to tear them to thin smoke slivers! By the time they each glided away from him, Lao gave chase thru the Chinese forest! One time, he threw his hat, only going thru them, and by the time it retracted, it caused him to stumble. He still went on the prowl, and while the shades gained speed, so did he! He continued to gain up as did the shadows, then his body began to hunch over, as if he was running on all fours! He still kept at them and by the time he was at the same velocity, he leapt!

Suddenly, his head hit the ground floor! The impact and jolt caused Kung Lao to stir. Slowly, he pressed himself up by his weak, sweaty palms and noticed Nightwolf who turned from looking over the flames.

"Kung Lao! You've done it!"

His head swam. "Unh, did what? Catch up with those murdering shadows?"

"What are you talking about? I saw you churn into a wild, spotted cat! Like a cheetah! You were thrashing your arms, and softly roaring as if you were onto some fresh meat."

Kiba let out a low growl.

"Heh, Kiba hates cats. He was just about to latch onto you."

Lao shook away the daze. "A cheetah..? That must be my Animality. What about Aiko?"

The shaman pointed to the comatose woman who was groaning in her sleep...

She abruptly woke up at a dystopian world. The sky was barren and colorless, and the surrounding buildings were destroyed. Her eyes then wandered onto a horde of undead looming towards her. Aiko began to recognize them as her former friends Kung Lao, Nightwolf, Liu Kang, Stryker and Kitana! At first, she became frozen with fear. But realizing she had no choice, her blood began to warm as they drew closer. By the time they were a foot away, she started to swipe a blunt object! She kept using that wide weapon, hoping to clip their lifeless vessels! Only...she began to notice she wasn't holding that brown club! It was attached to her and she didn't stop! Regardless whether or not they were her zombified acquaintances, she only wanted to keep herself alive and never live in fear! Like she did all before she was suddenly sent back in time when everything was repaired and livid! As she continued to swing her club, she even charged in headfirst! Even pounding them with all her bodyweight!

Kung Lao and Nightwolf watched Aiko pound the ground hard as she moaned under her breath! The former wanted to stop her, but the latter needed to hold him back till the episode was over. Eventually, she came to, and noticed her body was just hard-pressed into the ground floor. She did have a bit of a headache to compensate.

Aiko was startled when Kung Lao offered her to sit up, thinking he was still in his ashen, mindless state. Her heartbeat dropped when she realized he was still his normal self with his vibrant, intact clothing, the same with Nightwolf's.

"Ergh, what happened?"

"It seemed you achieved your Animality as well, Aiko."

"Eh, what..? You mean I-"

"I should just call you Aiko the Ankylosaur. Ha ha ha." the Native American mocked.

Her eyes became glazed. "I-turned into my favorite dinosaur! Whoo-hoo!" She stuck up her fists in triumph, even made some stims as she shook her hands. Kiba came over and gave her a few licks. "I can finally turn into an Ankylosaur whenever I want to!"

Nightwolf raised a hand, "Hey, whoa! You can't just turn into an animal, willingly. You need to be in a certain state of mind to do it."

"Eh heh, what do you mean..?"

"Your body and mind need to be in sync, hyper focused in order to attain this ability. Mostly, it happens spontaneously, or just occurs when the time is right. You'll find out when eventually."

"So, basically you won't turn into your spirit animal, unless you have the proper mindset." Kung Lao summarized. Aiko was still confused. And he mentioned he churned into a cheetah temporarily. Aiko was surprised as she never thought those magnificent cats'd be resided in Chinese borders.

They rose from their lotus positions, but the shaman hesitated as he looked over the Shaolin Monk. "You...might need to change your attire to something more...flimsy." He and Lao made a change of attire at a distant corner away from the lit flames, hardly being seen.

She was surprised Lao had a cheetah of all things as she doubted they were Chinese natives, and was glad Nightwolf had a wolf which was the only Animality that made sense, though he figured merging with Kiba would be safer for him.

Kung Lao's jaw just dropped! "Wait! You can actually summon your wolf and merge with him?"

"Don't ask!" Aiko added.

"It's...a little hard to explain. I guess Kiba's spiritual bond with mine is nearly the same. So...that works. Besides, I can't perform my Animality without him. Oh-I forgot to mention...!"

Nightwolf stated that Aiko gave him and Raiden permission on going inside her soul and reading her during each meditation session. And since the electric god mentioned Kung Lao being the anchor, she eventually trusted him too. "Remember, the only thing that can make those sessions work is to have trust, it's a very powerful asset."

From the last meditation session, Nightwolf noticed Aiko growing bitter as she grew older, her younger self was more flamboyant and carefree, resilient. With her heart open, she'd be vulnerable, she feared. He assumed there was a web of factors on causing her to be closed-minded. As she can't pinpoint exactly what one cause was aside from her dystopian future, thus her spontaneity. He warned if it should open like a dam, she'd receive bitter memories, thus there must be someone stronger than her and a trustworthy, reliable bond to help endure them. Kung Lao suddenly recalled Raiden's point of advice.

On the subject, Nightwolf volunteered to aid the duo on defeating Shao Kahn, as Raiden had his limits once the merger began. "He kind of had the worst..."

As they walked out, Nightwolf shouted, "Now Kiba!" which made the wolf leap into his body while he glowed with a bright green aura. It caused the shaman to illuminate the same shade, and his outlook changed to a more regal style complete with red war paint covering his eyes, various tribal tattoos, and even his arsenal started to flash with that same limelight.

Kung Lao emerged from his teepee after the clatter, wearing a completely different wardrobe with only red straps attached to his faded yellow trousers made by thick deerskin. There was no shirt beneath the crimson strands, but the rest of his attire remained the same, including his hat. Only slight difference was a red and white feather as an emblem from Gray Cloud to honor both of their ancestor's factions.

"Let's go. I can sense immense, evil energy coming from the north. We must proceed to it."

"Couldn't we just take the Dragon Jets?" Aiko asked.

Nightwolf shook his head, "That would be unwise. Kahn may be suspecting them. He'll most likely shoot them out of the sky! I mean, if our Air Force would get involved, it'll be hell to pay."

"Hm, good point." Lao affirmed. "It's best to infiltrate the enemy undetected."

"We'll just have to go on foot, at the moment."

Meanwhile, in a distant New York street, numerous cars had been decimated and abandoned. Some were even unlucky to have gory denizens behind.

The Riot Officer, Stryker, wandered the sudden, lifeless outlets. Each display almost saddened the hero. It was as if they occurred all around him by those ginormous horse-like beings causing massive terror! "Oh no..! Not again. That's the fiftieth casualty found here!" He then tried his communicator to report the damage, but there was no signal nor response from any of his superiors. It was as if the gizmo went dead! Just like all those innocent civilians he saw!

"Damn. I can't get a signal out here. Looks like I'm on my own, as fate would have it..!"

He then heard some scuffling in the distance, and he followed it to the abandoned staircase leading into the subway tunnels. To him, they looked eerily familiar, excepting with the overhead lights flickering. He saw nothing, and he thought it was just an illusion, much like that one time he was exhaustingly chasing after portals around the world, and that wild goose chase was led by-

"Heh heh heh. So, we meet again, mate."

Stryker recognized that Australian accent from anywhere. "Kano! I shoulda known I'd find some vile like you!"

"You accursed vermin left me in Outworld, and I lost my main base o' operations thanks to that masked traitor, Kabal! I figur'd what better place to wreak havoc than those abandoned subway tunnels since Shao Kahn is running business here. It'll be an excellent way to repay him in exchange for my soul."

"Without your associates, you're helpless, especially without that lethal ninja assassin of yours."

"No matter! I'll finish with you!"

Stryker did an ok job on dealing with Kano's onslaughts, thanks to his protective gear; however, he figured using his projectile weapons like his explosives and shotgun were dangerous due to the possibilities of ricocheting or making the tunnels collapse. He had no choice but to rely on his wits and agility, but by the time they made it onto the tracks, Kano managed to make his lethal cannonball moves, which made some critical injury to the cowboy cop! Even his thrown knives. He managed to make several irritating abrasions all over, leaving the officer vulnerable.

As the head of the Black Dragons was about to make Stryker pass thru a meat grinder, he was suddenly taken for a spin! Literally! His body spun at a critical velocity and left him dazed. By the time he was able to regain his footing, he noticed it was none other than that mole from his own squadron! "Kabal!"

Even Stryker was just as flabbergasted! "Ah-! You."

Without saying a word, the masked man went straight into battle! His swift kicks and extreme speed were just enough to make the former karate fighter dazed and confused, almost as if he was fighting two opponents. Kabal was also able to evade Kano's knife throws with minimal effort, though he had to be wary with his cannon ball maneuvers. By the time the respirating man kicked Kano in the chest, which wasn't fully healed, it put him in a disadvantage! Kabal then made an uppercut, sending him upward thru the street! Kabal leapt after him when he crashed thru the debris, though Stryker headed up the distant stairwell.

The empty street was an ideal place for a battlefield, as there were hardly any obstacles obstructing the warring trio. At times Stryker decided to lend a hand, especially when Kano ripped off his left eye patch, revealing a glowing crimson orb at the epicenter surrounded by a metal plate! With that, his single eye gleamed, and a volley of red laser shot out! Kabal and Stryker dove away from the lethal trail! As they remembered it could be powerful enough to eat thru their skin like acid!

Being there was more room to roam, and since everything was demolished anyway, the pair teamed up! Stryker was the first to provide some decoys utilizing his projectile weapons, while Kano kept countering with his eye. As the opponent was open after a while, leaving the two men exhausted on playing a lethal game of cat and mouse, Kabal whizzed into the fray with his outrageous speed, outmaneuvering Kano's enhanced vision! Aiming for his chest and face, the assassin kept at it till Kano was near death!

"Finish him!" Stryker cried.

Kabal took off his respirator mask as he held up Kano by the neck! Stryker quickly shielded his eyes, knowing what was gonna happen! All the deformed soul did was give out a banshee screech in Kano's face! The decibel was so damned loud that it even made the Black Dragon's skeleton run out of his body before it tripped and shattered onto the pavement! The bones just withered as Kano's green soul evaporated! Kabal simply just discarded the enemy's worthless corpse as if it were just a costume!

"That'll certainly take care of him, and hopefully the Black Dragons as well."

"Thanks, Kabal. I owe you one." The mysterious fighter put on his respirator mask. "Especially since the people will be safer without him. But not as long as Shao Khan's in the picture." Stryker pointed to the tower.

They abruptly heard a booming voice in the air, which they assumed was emanating from the tower! "You weak, pathetic fools! I challenge you all to my own Mortal Kombat! Good luck on reaching me while your world suffers in its endless demise! I dare you, feebles! Come to where I am! Come! And show me your will!

"You will never win!"

"Let's go. Khan is expecting us."

"Not quite yet. We'll never stand a chance with just the two of us. We must find our allies first."

"Kabal. You're actually gonna come along? Thought you never wanted to emerge onto the surface cause of...y'know."

"The Black Dragons work for Khan. for extra profits in blood money. Besides, there's not very many bystanders around anyway to see my true face. And we would do Sonya a favor."

Stryker snickered, "If they even try, they'll just have their insides torn out and running!" He laid a hand on his shoulder. "Let's move."

In the distance, Kabal heard some ruffles and a couple figures started to emerge from the smoke.

A/N: Originally, I was going to use the semi-interesting concepts of the Ninjetti from the Power Rangers Movie, inspiration by the Nostalgia Critic, but it turned out to be bland; Mortal Kombat never shown how each Kombatant was able to attain their own Animalities. There was Annihilation, but I wished Nightwolf wasn't so much of a dick on teaching it to Liu Kang. Besides, he said there were three tests, but the last one was never explained... Lame!

I just made some random ideas to tie two and two together, but I'm not sure how the other distant fighters should attain theirs. I was also surprised Kung Lao had an unusual pick since cheetahs aren't really from China, but I guess it symbolizes his agility and flexibility.

As a kid, I always fantasized on having my own Animality, specifically of my favorite dinosaur, the Ankylosaurus; either that or a fox, but it didn't have a lot of potential unless it'd be Tails.

Speaking of things that inspired me when I was young, one of my elementary school bands once did a number called Anasazi. This can be fitting for the lectures with the main trio. The Volcanic Force Point Temple theme from Starfox Adventures ain't too shabby either! And of course, there'd be the Animality theme, and the Danger theme from Adventures too. And what better way to start the first major battle of Stryker and Kabal vs. Kano than the techno classic, Get Ready to Bounce by Brooklyn Bounce! How appropriate!

Believe it or not, I managed to find an...unofficial OST for DotR where I found the Vs. Reptile and Resurrection themes, and they even had Kabal's as well! I was so disappointed it was near the abrupt end of the series, and Kabal was never seen again, along with Kano. So, what better conclusion than that battle! Ok, I may have had a little inspiration from the remake, but they never used Kabal's klassic scary face Fatality!

Also, whenever a new ally should join the cause, I always thought of the theme from FFIV.

So, with another scrappy eliminated, I'll see you next chapter!

Con't VI - Revenge of the Lin Kuei

Somewhere in an opaque, steep canyon consisting of a cliff breaching nearly 300 ft, accompanied by a rushing waterfall and a rocky terrain, Sub-Zero's eyes opened. Recently he was blinded by a sudden flash of light as he was heading toward the Lin Kuei Ninja Headquarters. One minute, he was searching for his long, lost former friend, Smoke, who was converted into a Cyber assassin as part of their automated program. The next he saw and decided to hunt down the pair of Cybers, one red and the other yellow known as Sektor and Cyrax respectively. Then, out of nowhere, there was a large clap of thunder and he noticed he teleported from the thick Chinese woods to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains!

The crisp pine air greeted his face as he unshielded his eyes. "Where am I..? This-this isn't China at all..!" He looked around, and noticed he was atop of a massive mountain chain, above the steep slopes leading to the plains, the tall evergreens, and just below the massive, crimson portal swirling in the black sky! This startled the cryomancer. "A portal!? Could this be leading to Outworld? This must be Shao Kahn's doing!" His fists clenched as pale and as large as golf ball-sized hail!

"I've warned you earlier it was suicide to venture to the Lin Kuei base." A vehement tone interrupted Kuai's curiousity. He then saw his mentor march up with no problem on slipping from erosion or steep slopes.

"Raiden. I was looking for Smoke. I feared the Cybers might have-"

"He is fine, Sub-Zero. I have teleported the both of you away from that accursed place of torture, although it did cost some of my own vitality."

"What? Your powers. They seemed ok here on Earth... Unless!" They both gazed at the monstrous opening once more.

"Yes. It leads to Outworld. It and Earthrealm are merging into one as we speak."

The ninja just received air as frigid as himself. "What..? But how?"

"I don't have time to explain, but the both of you must head to the Emperor's Fortress! The world, and the protection of all realms, depend on it. And you must protect Smoke, as he is one of the Chosen warriors. Besides, having a Cyber joining our ranks can turn the war into our favor."

His apprentice made a slight bow. "Of course I will. I'll defend my friend with all my life. I swear on it."

"Go quickly. He should be over a peak or two. If I'm correct, Oniro may be on his six."

"Oniro..!" Just hearing the name of the corrupt Grandmaster made his cold blood boil. "I shall be on my way. Hold on, Smoke!" Utilizing his cryokinesis making ice slates, he slid before the Thunder God vanished.

Meanwhile...

Kung Lao, Aiko, and Nightwolf abruptly looked up within their own small camp. They were just about to train her heart powers more, but the young Kombatant was just as spooked.

"What was that..? There-there's not gonna be a thunderstorm is there?"

The shaman shook his head. "No. If it was, there would've been some moisture, in conjunction with dry air combining with the ions. I hadn't felt my skin tingle yet."

"If it's not an impending storm, then...it must be Raiden." Kung Lao concluded.

"If so, he's in desperate need, and perhaps found another ally. Relax time is over. We should start moving. The immense darkness shouldn't be too far now." The group sat up, then the flames died out. "Whoo... Did you feel something?"

The same sudden frigid air hit both Nightwolf and Aiko. She wrapped her arms around herself. "Yeah. I guess the merger is causing some unpredictable weather." That triggered a memory in which Shang Tsung conjured an elemental orb manipulating all forms of nature and draining Raiden's powers in the process.

The Matokan rose a hand, "No, it's not that. I see something in the distance. About fifty kilometers away, something pale blue in those woods down there."

Their eyes tried to adjust thru the darkness and saw a streak of what seemed to be like ice. "Sub-Zero!" Lao and Aiko chorused, but Nightwolf then warned they must tread carefully, as they're now on rough and dangerous mountainous terrain. They followed the trail toward those thin and bright slivers of ice.

Sub-Zero continued to shred thru annoying pine needles and thorn bushes. His ninjitsu trained his endurance well, and the stubborn, sharp material barely made a prick, then a volley of black feathers interfered his vision. He heard a familiar low screech emitting from that same predatory bird blending in with the sky. Only some of its white plating were shown amongst the bleakness. "Oniro..!"

Without hesitation, the Lin Kuei fugitive was on hot pursuit!

He soon came across a thick trail of smoke, and he knew precisely whom it belonged to! His old friend was about to meet his first and untimely death!

It wasn't quite out of hatred and vengeance, but rather determination and a feeling he never thought he'd feel, till now...fear. His mind reflected on Kitana's warning that self-doubt can be just as deadly as any external enemy. He even managed to hear the overlord's voice cutting through the air like a dagger as he peeked over some rocks and a flat plain below. "Smoke, you vile traitor! You blatantly disobeyed me and the Lin Kuei by saving another double-crosser, and all you did was turn tail and run instead of reporting to base and completing your mission! Now, your tail shall permanently be between your legs! I will force you into resubmission and make you work as our own Cyber once again!"

"He will never join you!" Sub-Zero blasted a blizzard toward his archnemesis; next to Scorpion, he was his upmost adversary.

Following the bone-chilling air, the trio wound up near some sharp mountain sides. They heard the clatter of punches, kicks, and rustles of dirt with the occasional grunt. From a distinctive voice, Nightwolf and Aiko recognized it was their icy ally fighting at the summit. By the time they reached a sharp peak overlooking the same flat area, Oniro seemed to have the upper hand, even shifting between different forms!

Smoke just stood there passively, as if he was frozen in ice, but rather having a freeze instead of a flight nor fight mechanism! He nearly wished he'd be his human self instead of dreading on returning to the Lin Kuei and assimilated against his will, or worse lose Sub-Zero forever at his mercy!

Kung Lao was desperate to get involved, as he felt he owed him one since the ninja, while looking for his lost elder brother, helped Lao thru the Wastelands, such as reconstructing a wrecked boat, making a wall of frozen blood, and fending off the Tarakatans before the heroic Shaolin faced Goro.

Aiko halted him, "No, wait! I got an idea!"

While Sub-Zero was fighting a losing battle against Oniro, even resisting his ice beams, having blinding evasion, and animalistic skills from his raven, panther and draconian forms, Kung Lao tackled him as the latter with his cheetah Animality! He seemed to have matched Oniro's speed and agility, however, his fire breath, swift claws and sharp tail provided him quite a challenge. They were equally fit in using their powerful, swift claws, till Lao leapt around Oniro conjuring a spinning vortex! The velocity was enough to hold him back, until the warrior charged thru it tossing Oniro back and hitting the vortex, making him fall. Due to him being new to the ritual, Lao's Animality didn't last for long...

The Shaolin's senses sharpened as his eyes cleared, as if he woke up from a dream. Kung Lao looked at himself and saw he changed back, complete with flesh and his weak, organic attire, though he still put up a fight, even with his razor-rimmed hat...in which Oniro caught with sharp precision, and threw with ease! Lao leapt and stopped it within its recoil. He was still dazed as Oniro knocked him a few feet toward the edge of the precipice. Lao was still stunned, and the Grandmaster just had enough strength to kick him off!

From the distance, Aiko's voice just broke thru the thick air like a blade. "KUNG LAO!"

There was nothing but silence, excepting the Grandmaster's snicker in triumph...

Unfortunately, his victory was short-lived as he had the wind knocked out of him, by a sudden kick at the back of his neck! The cunning monk just teleported to the top of the cliff!

Oniro backed away, hunched over in deep pangs of pain! Moments later, he morphed into a raven which its flight pattern was slightly...awkward due to its injuries.

Seeing the sight of the cowardly fowl, Lao growled thru his clenched teeth, "You're not getting away!" He spun so blindingly fast, that he created a vortex!

The predator screeched as it was being pulled by Lao's Tornado! He flapped his wings faster and harder dastardly attempting to escape the violent singularity! But Aiko saw the display too. Remembering her past experience on haplessly watching the fray between the warring Lin Kuei, four against one, her eyes fixated onto him! Reminiscing on his hawk transformation and surviving by fleeing, never seeing him for another day, she raised her right hand and clenched it with all her strength, as if she was squeezing a tomato! In fact...

The internal organ was being constricted! Slowing down Oniro's flight path and descending slightly. He felt as if the oxygen was being drained out of him! His once keen vision became dimmer, and it was just enough for the storm to catch up! The poor bastard was caught as if he was in a deadly net, but he wasn't tossed around haphazardly. Instead...the bird let out one last screech before the upper portion of his chest exploded in a red burst! Both Aiko and Kung Lao watched the poor creature drop its lifeless carcass to only the Elder Gods knew where... Even Sub-Zero and Smoke!

Looking up at the indigo, cloudy sky, the monk thought aloud, "That wasn't me..!" He suddenly remembered an old acquaintance who needed the help. "Sub-Zero!" He headed to the thick line of smoke.

"Aiko." Nightwolf came to her side, she became out of breath as if she just went thru a tumultuous workout. Her face looked flushed and her heart raced. "Was that you who killed that hawk?" He was actually dumbfounded at the display, as if it was a training subject.

"That was not just an ordinary bird..." she responded in between gasps. "That was Oniro."

The shaman was astounded, "Oniro..? You mean the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei?"

She nodded, "Indeed... I just had this desire to kill him, and I was so blinded by this...hatred. A lot of thoughts came back to me all at once, and I remembered Oniro fleeing after the lethal scrimmage with Sub-Zero and Smoke..! I saw the tornado, must've been from Kung Lao, and I just couldn't let him get away again..." Her monologue drained some of her strength.

"Sub-Zero!" They heard a voice and followed it.

The tenor interrupted him and Smoke reuniting with a tight handshake. For once, the ice cold ninja grinned at his lost brother. "Kung Lao! I owe you one!"

He tipped his hat slightly. "No, now we're even. I should've given you the honor since you've escorted me thru the Wastelands of Outworld till Liu Kang and I were able to face Goro."

"Hard to believe he had been resurrected before then..." He then faced the grey Cyber and laid out a hand. "Smoke, may I introduce you to the Shaolin Monk, Kung Lao." He bowed. "Kung Lao, meet my comrade, Smoke. He was as close as being my brother, much like you and Liu Kang, before we'd been separated by the corrupt Lin Kuei." His voice softened and dropped his head. "The lot of us had been automated into Cyber assassins, and I escaped with my life; however, Smoke wasn't so lucky. But now, with him free from their accursed shackles, he shall be an ally to us."

Smoke said nothing. Though Kung Lao remembered Raiden's words at the Wu Shi Academy, after the team succeeded in defeating Shang during the first tournament, twice. "No one is a Champion alone. If one of us is in chains, none of us are free. If even one succeeds, then victory is ours."

"Kung Lao!" Aiko cried his name and she and Nightwolf ran up to him and the two Lin Kuei fugitives.

"Glad you still remained in one piece," the Matokan and the so-called cowboy made a fist bump. "Even Smoke," he stated pointing toward him.

"It's great to see you again, Nightwolf," he bowed. "Without his ingenuity, I never would've been my whole self again, and forever enslaved in this shell."

"Smoke, you still decided to wear all that machinery before I found you? Had you not decided to rid of it?"

Aiko intervened, "I...think it might be best for him to wear it still. It seems more endurable, and...I think his cyber skills can be of good use." She could've sworn she saw glares from her comrades. "Or...whatever he thinks..."

Smoke looked at himself and remembered the beginning of the invasion and how the Lin Kuei were always loyal to the domineering Outworld emperor. "Actually, the young one has a point. If I remain in flesh much like all of you, I'll be more susceptible to enemy assaults. However, if I remain as a Cyber, it can be just as well."

"Smoke, Raiden said he separated us while I was lurking in the Ninja compound. I assume you were there, and if so...where are Cyrax and Sektor?"

He hesitated, then spoke in earnest. "We have not much time, mi pøítel. Last time I saw them, they were heading to the metropolis, just about 337 miles east."

"That's New York City. I believe that's where the immense darkness, Shao Kahn's Fortress, is!" Nightwolf added, always good when it came to geology.

"Then that's where we must be. The three of you should hold on to me. I shall take you all there in a manner of minutes." He urged the quartet to lean in a hand onto his cold, colorless body, and the group was almost instantly covered in thick smoke before their very eyes...

Back in the abandoned subway tunnels...

Stryker and Kabal were still following the deserted subway system. The former Black Dragon fugitive suggested the hotheaded cop to stay low, as Kahn's extermination squads would appear from out in the open, rather than use closed locations for an ambush. And with Kano out of the picture, the journey seemed to give Kabal comfort.

"How would we know where our friends are, metal face?" Stryker queried sarcastically.

He simply responded coyly, "I mostly notice an enemy, or just anyone, by the sounds their feet make, whether it'd be a ruffle or a step, or accompanied by a grunt. Often times, I can distinct them by scent; the respirator mask can perform wonders."

"We may even be lucky if they should leave their calling card behind." Stryker added. He silently wished he'd have his communicator activated, if only the Kombatants Kave hadn't been submerged during the merger. He tried once to contact his friends, but it gave out no signal.

Suddenly, they heard strong clomps coming from a distance, almost like elephant hooves. The clanking was almost enough to irritate their ears. Accompanied by grinding noises as if their limbs moved.

"Ergh, please don't tell me it's some of your Black Dragon friends."

"No. They never sound like this." He paused and listened some more. "They seem metallic, unnatural. ...As if belonging to robots."

Stryker almost instantly thought he was referring to the endless hordes of nameless, colorless cybernetics that always ambushed the gang after emerging from a rip.

"We should go after them, I'll take the forefront!" the arrogant officer led the charge, though he was unable to obey Kabal's orders to halt and tread slowly. The duo emerged onto the barren streets again, and witnessed the cyber in yellow head in an opposing direction than the red one. "Cyrax and Sektor. I know these deadly killing machines from anywhere!" He could never forget all those countless encounters he and his allies had, let alone Sub-Zero whom lost to them before Stryker cut his strains from the neon green net. "They're those merciless bastards that work for the Lin Kuei! And one's heading for the Bank!"

For once, Kabal let Stryker take the lead, and he hollered for Cyrax to skid dead in his tracks! Instead of surrendering to the Riot Officer's threats, he simply faced the duo and dropped a few steel balls from his central chute. "Kabal head's up!"

As the officer ducked for cover, the stranger just stood there as the bombs exploded, unscathed and unfazed! As the smoke cleared, Stryker took out his gun and fired toward Cyrax's chest, with the bullets bouncing off, never leaving any dents!

Stryker closed in for the kill! Unfortunately, he became bound by the same olive net! His body tripped and fell, trapped and at the cyborg's mercy. He struggled, but the binds never broke, until he was suddenly freed before a sudden woosh covered him! It was none other than Kabal, and he braced himself with his pair of long hook swords!

Kabal crossed them as he challenged, "Prepare to meet your maker, cyborg!"

As the deadly assassin unloaded more bombs, Kabal seamlessly activated and unrolled a rotating ground blade which was able to counter the explosives and slice Cyrax's feet, making him leak a little oil. Kabal fired a few projectiles of his own, unleashing some bright pink plasma energy balls hitting the Lin Kuei killer. Kabal began to close the distance, though he could've sworn Cyrax would've opened and released his energy web. Thanks to his swords, Kabal broke free, though he took some blows from his spot-on kicks and punches, even trips with precise coordination. Kabal figured his best chance was to lead Cyrax onto the roof!

As if reading his inputs, Cyrax unleashed another green web, and sent his opponent flying thru the stone wall with a single powerful uppercut! Kabal used his hands and launched himself onto his feet, ready for the killer robot! With his swiftness and keen thinking, he avoided Cyrax's advancing punch from above after disappearing within a puff of smoke.

Kabal blocked a few more, and his energy blasts brought Cyrax back. The machine released his net though it was no match for Kabal's swords. He dashed passed the assassin with minimal effort, and he was dazed from the rapid spin! Kabal landed a few blows, though Cyrax leaped with precision. He even bounced off the gargoyle statue though Kabal was quicker, tossing him aside.

Each Kombatant received blow after blow. Until Cyrax's body began to emit thin smoke and short-circuit! Jets of oil was flowing out of him, along with some sparks as he was flashing blue! Kabal simply wound up and launched Cyrax off the roof with an uppercut! With Stryker on patrol, his pistol drawn, he hardly noticed the mechanical roar as Cyrax fell to the unforgiving concrete below just inches from the central window overlooking Kahn's Fortress! The thud startled the cop for once.

Kabal landed on his feet several inches away, though there was still one other robot they needed to shut down!

Sektor met up with the unfortunate humans, and he won them over! With a few lethal swipes, it was enough to stun Stryker, even with his bullet proof vest underneath. Kabal took over, though he immediately stopped as the blood-red assassin uncovered a central socket. He knew exactly what it was about to do! He grabbed Stryker and whizzed aside, before Sektor unleashed a tiny honing missile aimed towards them!

The destruction was fatal, and it was just enough noise irritating the distant group. Especially Aiko who held her ears! Smoke stepped closer and used his infrared X-Ray vision and zoomed in. He made out two humans, but he instantly knew the assailant! "It's Sektor!"

"Sektor!" Sub-Zero was enraged, never wanting to see the vile Lin Kuei cybernetics in a heavy populated area! "I should've known it would be him! Sektor was born, and enhanced, as a cold-hearted assassin! He was the first just before Cyrax to be automated, without any relent!"

"He never even questioned the conversion process. He functions as a deadly weapon of destruction! I must face him!"

The cryomancer let out a hand. "No! Sektor fights without any honor. He won't hesitate to take you down!"

"As long as the Lin Kuei are out and if the cyborgs are separated, there's a chance. Forgive me, mi pøítel." He then leapt away and hopped to every rooftop like a tree frog, ignoring the ninja's dismay.

"I must go after him. He needs my help or he'll perish!"

"Go!" Kung Lao ordered. "We'll be right behind you." He watched his ally slide with one single ice trail leading to the fray. The impacts left by Sektor were too much for Aiko and her sensitive ears! She even whimpered, unable to withstand the excruciating blasts! Even worse was that it repeated double-time as Smoke countered Sektor's warheads with his own. The fray clashed even in close combat as each Cyber was able to dive into the pavement and rise with an incredible uppercut with blinding speed! While LK-9T9 was considered to be the Lin Kuei's best, he was shocked to see LK-7T2 was just as superior! This time it shifted to who was the better cyborg!

Smoke was hunched over and the trio watched from a distance. Nightwolf then turned to Aiko. "Aiko. Can you use your cardiokinesis to weaken the cyborg?"

"I-I'll...try." The chaos was almost still too much to bare. She stuck out a shaky right hand, trying to keep a close eye on Sektor as possible. Like a persistent, slippery fish, she kept mishandling the target. Her hold just kept on missing. "I...I don't think I can do it..! I keep slipping and can't keep a firm grip. The-the attacks are too much..!" Her face flushed and her eyes squeezed shut to hold back perhaps a tear or two. Memories of her dystopian future rushed back to her, as powerless as she was before...

She then felt a firm hand on her shoulder, it was Kung Lao. "Maybe your strength alone isn't enough. But, with the strength from your friends..." He then remembered Raiden stating that Aiko relied on Kung Lao and Nightwolf as anchors to her buoy, and her upmost trustworthy comrades.

The shaman followed Kung Lao's lead. He then made a slight grin. "Focus, Aiko. Let your heart guide you. You can do it." With the two guys giving her comfort and support, she retried as she gazed upon the two robots. Her right hand stuck out again and this time she felt a strong pull.

"Test your might." Lao coaxed.

She then followed Sektor's moves, never losing sight nor contact. Her arm began to warm as blood began to rush to her palm, then it almost felt like a magnet as the field attached onto the deadly robot. "I got him."

"Good. Now focus your energy and usurp the cyber terrorist's chest plate." Nightwolf motivated.

Her hand curled and formed a slight fist. By the time she felt his energy go thru her fingers like a breeze, she immediately clenched. She grabbed as much strength as she could muster, eventually beads of sweat formed on her head. The process seemed to work as they saw Sektor falter, giving Smoke an opening!

Kung Lao noticed Aiko losing her grip as the heroic robot rushed in and landed rapid punches. "Hold it, Aiko!" He reached in and touched her tense fist, giving it a firm press. The touch of his hand seemed soothing for her.

Suddenly the killer machine began to electrify in blue volts! Her hand immediately backed away, as if she made contact with the voltage crawling up her right arm! Lao was there to tender it, as was Nightwolf.

An icy chill filled the air, and sure enough it was only Sub-Zero. He landed after he managed to freeze Sektor! "Smoke! Finish him before he self-destructs!"

He grabbed onto the frozen stature and were engulfed in a thick layer of smoke! In his mind, the cryomancer was counting down, until...

An abrupt flash and enormous quake shook the city, even from where Stryker and Kabal were as they emerged from beside the Bank.

"Smoke!"

Silence covered over the streets, the warriors not saying a word. Till Smoke poofed in the air and landed with ease. "His processing wasn't as quick as mine," he assured.

Sub-Zero grinned, and they both clutched hands. "Well done, my Brother."

"Toasty!" A brief falsetto voice cheered faraway.

"What the-who said that?" Aiko retorted, frantically looking around. Her eyes fixed onto a young male with short brown hair, a purple t and jeans.

"Crispy! 3D!" He disappeared behind a building just as fast as he peeked out.

"What the hell was that about?" All Nightwolf did was shrug at Aiko's words of disbelief.

"Hey, what about us!?" Stryker replied with a high wave. He and Kabal ran to the two warriors. Kung Lao, Aiko, and Nightwolf caught up as well.

"Stryker, Kabal."

"We took care of that yellow bucket of bolts, Cyrax, but Sektor was too much for Mr. Respirator here."

The ninja saw the cop clutch his stomach as he spoke and he laid a hand onto it, using his ice abilities to numb the pain. "That should hold you."

"Thanks."

"There it is, lady and gentlemen. The source of the immense darkness, Shao Kahn's Fortress." Nightwolf announced as he was the first to face the terrifying stronghold. Everyone was all too familiar with the Konquerer, always being the narcissistic, nihilistic Emperor, even constructing a stronghold as himself.

"Let's go. I'm definitely weary on waiting to finish that malicious monster for good." Kung Lao growled. Sub-Zero was about to follow his lead when-

"Wait. What about Liu Kang and Kitana, Sonya and Jax?" Aiko queried.

"Last report Sonya and Jax were at the West Coast," Nightwolf summarized. "They were unable to save Johnny Cage from Kahn's extermination squads."

"Let's hope they'll still be willing to fight, this isn't the time for mourning." Kabal stated, remembering how the cold agent warmed up to him. Especially involving his severe handicaps.

"Yeah, especially with so many civilians on the line. We must go now." Stryker didn't hesitate, always being for the lawful good and one of the first witnesses upon the merger.

The group had a surprise attack from above! A huge lightning bolt struck the team! Everyone looked up and noticed several Shadow Priests! "Stay sharp! This indeed is Kahn territory!" Stryker forewarned.

A few heroes struck aloft and caused the ghouls to disperse. But they weren't alone considering they heard familiar roars. "Tarkatans!" Kung Lao shouted, and he went straight for them! "I got the forces below!"

Nightwolf stayed by Aiko and encouraged her, "Aiko! Drain the enemies' lives if you can!" She nodded and stuck out her right hand. She had little to no problem considering they were attacking in groups! The shaman dove as each adversary attempted to breach them. The Tarkatans' strength wavered as their strength entered thru her. As each of the heroes became low on stamina, she performed healing duties giving them energy. However, her cardiokinesis went thru the Shadows, as if they were nothing but air! "I'm unable to absorb the Shadows!"

They were more tumultuous to wipe out, but they weren't as reckless as their ground forces. Instead, they kept their distance, even vanishing. Suddenly, Kung Lao wailed! He got hit by their bolts aiming for the metallic rim on his hat, scorching his scalp! Kabal was just as vulnerable once they struck his steel armor! Even thru Stryker's vest! Undoubtedly, the Shadow Priests seemed more strategic than many times before.

Several teammates went down, and there was one other metallic ally out in the open! "Smoke!" The perfect conduit was struck directly, and Sub-Zero wasn't able to warn him in time! "SMOKE!" He ran into the fray as the bot fried on contact! He collapsed in a heap, as if he did an automatic shutdown! The Priests covered over him, before they vanished emitting black mist!

"NOO!"

"Ergh, aggh!" Some of the warriors were still stunned from the burns. And noticed the Shadow Priests were no more, as well as missing a member. They eventually regrouped, even the horrified Aiko.

"Smoke is gone! He's been taken straight to Shao Kahn's lair! I have to save him!" Needless to say, the cryomancer was desperate to save his close friend whom he lost, twice! Only this time, his death can be imminent at the cruel hands of the Emperor; as everyone knew he hardly took prisoners. Aside from Sonya and Kano used as sacrifices and witnesses to the previous battle, he'd assassinate anyone who'd dare to oppose him.

"Sub-Zero. We'll save him, we cannot wait for the quartet, we need to press on." Stryker added.

With a hand pile, Aiko was able to restore the team's vitality. There was no turning back from here on out.

With no orders to follow, and with his grandmaster gone, Cyrax felt lost and confused. Like a ronin without his leader, he just wandered aimlessly...until he wound up stuck in the sand within a distant, foreign and desolate desert.

A/N: Next to The Secret of Quan Chi, I found Oniro and the episode of Old Friends Never Die to be the most impactful event in Defenders of the Realm. According to the Mortal Kombat wiki, many fans considered it to be the best in the short-lived series! And I very much agree with that! Especially when Sub-Zero was fighting a losing battle against the Lin Kuei. I have to say this was definitely one of Luke Perry's finest moments! I hated how the enemy got away, since the devs obviously went with the lousy Never Say Die rule! Threshold can get away with so much more if only they used the Gory Discretion Shot! I should thank the guy who wrote the awesome 3-parter fanfic, The Ghost in the Machine, providing excellent closure for Smoke.

Also, the cyborgs were one of my favorite highlights in MK3! From using a cheat code to unlock and play as Smoke, to just messing around with Mustard and Ketchup! Too bad Oniro was never made as an official character though. I thought it was an effective strategy to quote the Offspring involving the cyborgs, "You gotta keep 'em separated." Sorry, as cool as Triborg is, it won't exist in the story since it was only present in the current timeline. :(

Whenever I should listen to The Bomb by the Bucketheads, it always reminded me of the cyborgs; possibly from its unique, metallic style, I guess...? Always fantasized them fighting at the bank too, and The Bomb shall play there. The Twilight Zone's background music, at least the Instrumental version by 2 Unlimited, seems to be just as catchy as the tunes in DotR, and I noticed Conquest kinda had the same thing... Actually, the usual battle themes shall play in every fight, even Smoke's downfall when he got captured by Kahn's forces. Maybe Scatman shall chime in as Smoke faces Sektor. And maybe the Escape theme from SSBM if there should be a chapter recap.

So Aiko's powers were finally put into fruition, as ways on giving and taking heart energy as well as making her own Fatality stunning the threat to making their hearts explode! Nice way to get rid of another Scrappy! I don't think there was a fighter capable of cardiokinesis. Although I did make a heart demon once for my own version of Season 5, Sleepy Hollow, the Missing Episodes.

There was a brief stunt based on Annihilation, when Sub-Zero froze Smoke and urged Liu Kang to finish him; too bad the camera direction was pisspoor. Also, no media of Mortal Kombat would NEVER be complete without mentioning Mr. Toasty, right!? :D

Nice, funny, little Easter Egg, and I threw in a few others just for lulz. I never knew about Dan Forden and his hilarious cameos till I watched the History of Mortal Kombat by 616Entertainment; can't recommend it enuf!

So, Shao Kahn's fight is coming to a head, but what about the remaining allies who'd been diversed? Well, find out later.

Con't VII - Fire vs, Water

Liu Kang wound up inside the abandoned Bell Tower. The moonlight became more prominent as a cloud cleared over it, making him come to, and he slowly surveyed his foreign surroundings. The wooden decor and framework made him realize he wasn't near the burnt remains in Outworld. And the sky looked different as the large full moon shone thru a clear night sky of indigo. He noticed he was back in Earthrealm and Kitana was nowhere to be found, neither was Kano. He recalled when the two realms started to merge, both Kombatants had been paralyzed before they blackened out. He wandered the barren place and noticed most of the wood had been warped and damp as he held on for his groggy self.

"This Bell Tower has seen better days." Even the distant, large main bell was unable to make a sound, its gears rustic. His hands were chapped, and he continued on his search.

Every floor remained empty, no traces of life, until he heard some distant operational machinery, the cogs and gears grinding against each other. He followed the irritating noise, and a large wheel was gradually dropping a strong rope. His eyes made out the chute descending into a shiny bed of sharp points coming from the basement floor! The end was dropping-

"Kitana!"

She remained still, never slithering at the sound of Liu Kang's angst. He hurriedly stepped toward the active contraption, till a floorboard from an upper layer collapsed and a forceful jet of water soaked him. He shook it off and conjured some of his pyrokinesis to raise his body temperature and dry himself. He looked up and saw the large hole dripping like a leaking faucet. But he was unprepared of the sudden impact from behind! He slowly got back on his feet and identified the assailant.

"Remember me, feeble Earthling?"

"Rain!"

He simply sneered. He stated he was about to offer her as a sacrifice to Kahn, whom he'd eventually be his successor as prince of Outworld, showing no nostalgia of his former homeland, Edenia; he didn't mind having Mileena at his stead, even though she'd mostly stick with Baraka.

Liu Kang's mind then flashed back on his treachery nearly three months ago.

He split with the rest of the defenders as they trekked thru the New Guinea jungles attempting to find the source of the strange readings emitting there. The Shaolin Monk was the first to encounter an unmasked ninja wearing purple attire similar to Sub-Zero's. He'd made an airborne assault and he was known as the exiled prince of Edenia, Rain. They were at odds during battle, until Kitana broke them off. She stated they were engaged at one point, eons before she met the Champion. The monk tried to convince Kitana he can't be trusted since he'd be an outlander working for the enemy, but she wouldn't turn her back on her former friend, and simply mistook it as jealousy.

The hydrokinetic's mission was to take a powerful artifact at a distant temple before Kahn does, and they were separated while the Lin Kuei cyborgs attacked. Liu and Stryker noticed one of the princess' dropped fans, pointing toward the ruins that were guarded by Kahn's Centaur warriors. They were able to outmaneuver them, and Liu found Kitana with her arms chained! He managed to save her after battling a multi-headed mutant, though he was intervened by Rain. Kitana demanded to know, but never risking being killed by the extermination squads he conspired with the Emperor. Unfortunately, the temple collapsed and he leapt into a small pool nearby which seemed to be a watery portal...

Liu fought him off, but it was a tough, one-sided battle considering his hydrokinesis canceled his pyrokinesis directly! They were at a standoff even when it came down to quickness and strength. At a swift kick to the chest, Rain backed off, but smiled. "Not bad, paper champion!" Implying he would've taken Liu's title if he was involved in the previous tournaments. He then raised his hands and made a stray bolt from the leaky roof stun the monk! Everywhere he went, Rain summoned lightning thru the ruined roof to stun Liu on contact! And his bare chest made it even more unbearable, with no armor to protect himself.

Vulnerable to the streaks of lightning, the warped wood, and Rain's advances, they were nearly too much for the hero! And with each second passing, Kitana was still inert dropping lower to the pit of spikes. Liu was still injured from the constant arrays of electricity, but as his foggy gaze laid on the contraption, his mind hatched a plan...

At every drier landing, which was soon warped by Rain's elemental prowess, Liu kept hopping away to the nearest cog. The Shaolin leapt out just in time after Rain conjured several streaks of bolts, short-circuiting the machinery! With every puddle he left, the sparks licked toward Rain, and he was shocked! Since the monk was able to dry himself from within, the sparks only caught on with Rain's own water vapor!

He then destroyed the contraption, stopping it in time! However, Kitana's body was still suspended over the floor of protruding, 6-ft spikes! One false move, can leave her dead instantly! He hustled to the basement and the rows of spikes nearly covered the entire floor!

"I sure hope this works..." Uncertain of himself, Liu backed up toward the rear wall, he revved himself up, ran a few inches, and thrusted his feet up and forward! His Flying Kick was just enough distance to carry himself and Kitana over the wide bed!

There was a sudden, violent shake and Rain fell down several stories to spikes, making his blood spew in all directions! The impact in conjunction with the weakened, soaked wood made the Tower's foundation collapse! They ran around the spikes, and Liu had to urge a despondent princess after she beheld Rain's slaughtered corpse!

The building continued to fall like a Jenga tower, and in one of the balconies, the heroes were stunned on how high they were from the ground. "We gotta jump!" Liu Kang held Kitana and stood on the handle before they made the leap of faith!

They dropped a few feet down, before they'd been swooshed away by some unknown force.

Liu was stunned, but his mind surfaced and he noticed he was sitting on a blunt surface, though still moving, as if on a Magic Carpet. His eyes scanned and noticed he was on the maroon surface of a Dragon Jet! Piloting the ship were, "Jax! Sonya!"

"Hey, big guy! Thought you could use a lift!"

"See, I told you it pays to be part of the Special Forces!"

Liu stuck up a thumb with a smile. "Thanks, guys! I owe you one! Uh-where's Kitana?"

Jax simply pointed to a dark figure soaring ahead of the Jet. It almost looked to be like a shape of a hawk but gliders instead of wings. He nearly made out the silhouette as it flew across the moon. "Is that...Asgaarth..?" He saw the humanoid eagle glide down, and Jax soon followed. "Hang on, Liu Kang, we gotta regroup."

The monk held firmly onto the fuselage as the Jet descended, as did the mysterious Edenian beside it with Kitana touching ground first.

"Thanks, Asgaarth."

"Of course, Princess Kitana." He responded with a bow. "It is my honor and duty to protect you, and offer you guidance as I did with the late benevolent king."

"You'll always have my upmost gratitude."

The trio leapt off the aircraft and met up with the Edenian duo. "Kitana, you're alright."

"Yeah, thanks to that giant bird here." Jax added.

"Come. We've much business to discuss." Asgaarth said facing his esteemed ruler.

"Yes, we do."

A small bonfire ignited thanks to Liu's elemental skills as well as finding some deadwood. The group settled and Asgaarth stated that he followed the Dragon Jet to the abandoned Bell Tower seeing the two warriors jump off! He managed to catch Kitana while Liu Kang landed on the battleship's fuselage. Actually, he found a powerless Thunder God slumping after he wandered while teleporting each Kombatant. He came to his aid, in hopes in finding Kitana since he sensed the darkness seeping into Earthrealm. He knew this was Kahn's desperate attempt to gain absolute power and conquer over another realm like he did with his former, peaceful home. He implored the knight to transport his sanctuary.

"The Sky Temple! And the Jinsei is there!" Liu Kang chimed in.

"You know that place?" Jax asked.

"What the hell is the..Jinsay?" Sonya mispronounced.

"Us Shaolin Monks protect a small portion of it beneath the Academy. The Jinsei is the lifeforce in all of Earthrealm. Raiden occasionally visits there to recuperate while we tend our wounds at the subterrane chamber. He, however, resides at one of the tallest mountains; it's a very sacred, protective settlement. At the heart of the temple lies the Jinsei itself. No one mortal or foreign is permitted there."

"The Thunder God escorted me to that with his consent, and I assisted him on leading to it. I'd been assigned as its other guardian, but he offered me to find you first. Let's hope Kahn wouldn't attain Earth's life, otherwise he may be invincible." Asgaarth added.

"Where's Johnny Cage? Were you able to find him?"

The agents sulked. "He didn't make it..." Jax broke the news. "Sonya and I found him in Los Angeles, but his outdoor set was ransacked by Centaurs, one of them was more powerful and larger than the others, and Johnny pleaded us to escape with our lives."

"He...went by the name of Motaro." Sonya added with a tight throat.

"Ah-Motaro!" Kitana couldn't bear to say his name. "He's the elitist of the Centaur clan. And one of Kahn's most prominent generals, if not the most deadliest. It is said that Kahn anointed the Centaurs since they're more superior to the Shokan, their opposing race."

"You mean Goro and Kintaro."

"Precisely, Liu. You remember, they've led Kahn's forces during the rebellion against Sheeva and her army. Rumor has it she may be working for Kahn despite the Centaur breaking ranks, as a sort of peace offer to spare her kind. But...being how they lost the previous tournaments..."

"He must've been desperate. Losing the two tournaments by me and Kung Lao." He sighed, "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"But what I don't understand is, how would he still be able to invade Earth since the Elder Gods stated he was supposed to be banned by his numerous losses? There must be a loophole to this. But what..?" This seemed to puzzle all the heroes.

"I'm certain Raiden has the answers. The Elder Gods must never allow this calamity, that is unless Kahn completes his merger." Asgaarth pondered.

"I'd stopped Kahn before, and I can do so again..!"

"You are Earthrealm's undefeated Champion, as is Kung Lao. But this isn't the same. Kahn can be more powerful than we realize. Our only hope is seeking assistance from as many surviving warriors as possible. Millions of lives had already fallen by his invading generals. But Raiden, as minute as his powers are, had spared a handful of them."

Sonya wished it would've been Johnny's. Jax assured her they'll find a way to resurrect him, or at least reunite his body and soul. But she must stay focused on the task at hand.

"There is a band of warriors bounding together, but it's straight across the defective Bridge heading east. It does exceed for about a hundred miles, but it should lead you to straight to Shao Kahn's emerged Fortress."

"Thanks, Asgaarth. It must be Kung Lao and our other comrades." Kitana presumed.

"Let us hope we all succeed. I suggest you all to take a good night's rest before you shall proceed. Raiden and I will watch over you. May victory be ours."

Soon enough, he wandered off before he glided into the night air.

A/N: Aside from the cartoon itself, I find Asgaarth to be one of the most underrated characters in it, even in MK in general. Actually, I kept on mispronouncing it as Asgard, the heavenly realm housing brave warriors and Vikings in Norse mythology. And to make matters worse, he was only introduced in its LAST EPISODE! WTF!

Also, I'm soo glad I got rid of another Scrappy, Rain. I know that he was made as a prank by Ed Boon in UMK3's attract mode, for the sake of adding more color-coded ninjas, and as a shoutout to one of his favorite musicians since his name is Rain , is a Purple ninja, and the so-called Prince of Edenia; I thought the rematch with Liu Kang at the Bell Tower was very fitting. Nice little shoutout to one of my all-time favorite villains, Motaro, too! God I can't wait to write him in battle! :D

Due to writer's block, I kept the impending Bridge scene out; hopefully I'll be able to do it in the near future. Sorry if this chapter's short. Just wanna get it out of the way so hopefully my stubborn mind would fill in the gaps.

Con't VIII - Last Respite

The quartet head across the Bridge. Dawn began to show its goldenrod sky while the sun rose and shed its light on the abandoned buildings. They were war-torn, some of the windows were shattered, but from a distance it looked as if the city was waking up, albeit for another day of mayhem with the merger.

Jax then broke the silence, aside from the sounds of footsteps brushing the gravel. With no distant city noises like honking or passing cars. "I can give nine lives for this salvage mission, and it STILL won't be enough."

"Just be grateful we're still alive, Jax." Liu Kang replied. Unlike before, he decided to gear up as he wore a red and black armored vest to protect his chest, as well as the pair of sacred gauntlets which were said to be passed down by the Great Kung Lao, much like his sweatband. He dearly needed all the enhancements from those unfortunate, shocking experiences after he fought off Rain.

"Yeah, yeah...!" Jax rose his arms and responded sarcastically. Just the thought of living thru death irritated Sonya, as she wished she wouldn't have lost Johnny at the brutal hands of-

The team abruptly stopped while Kitana pointed up to the massive swirling portal in the sky. From a great distance, there were some black, sinister clouds above a large lit fortress with the tip looking like Kahn's crown. "That must be the new dark fortress. Kahn is just ahead," her face turned stern as her hand clenched into a fist as tight as an octopus' grip. "I swear it, I'll put an end to the evil Konquerer's reign..!" Liu went to her side and laid an assuring hand on her taut shoulder.

"I don't know why we can't use the Dragon Jet," Sonya said. "That bird said it's around 100 miles away."

"There's the possibility we'd get shot down, Sonya." Kitana replied. "Kahn may be megalomaniacal, but not stupid."

"Eh, I don't think even our own army nor our air force would handle it." Jax added.

"We can't count on that, nor risk on creating any more casualties. Let's get going." Liu urged.

As the group trekked on, they'd heard a sudden, though subtle hissing noise. They knew it didn't belong to any kind of snake nor reptile, at least not from Earth. Their guards skyrocketed and a few could've sworn their hairs stood up from their necks. A bald mutant snarled as he used his retractable arm blades to climb up the old granite and leap on top of the Bridge! They instantly knew it was the resurrected Baraka!

"Four against one!? Bring it on!" the brash Special Forces agent put up his dukes.

Then, they were abruptly hit from above, almost having the same force as an airborne kick with the power of a squall. By the time they all came to, Kitana was outraged! "It's my clone, Mileena!" She warned the Agents, though Liu knew her all too well... He was surprised they hadn't encountered her during the previous trimester, even though she escaped while Jade was slewed on top of the Tower.

"Dear ssisster..! Remember me?" she sneered, with her ravenous fangs barely showing thru her magenta vial.

"How can I possibly forget an abomination like you! Created by the demon sorcerer from the despicable Flesh Pits!"

"You pathetic fleshlingsss never had enough ssskill to ssslay me like you all did with Jade. You shall be joining her quite shortly..! My father and mother would be pleasssed."

That put the Edenian into shock. "What..? My mother..? She's alive?"

"Depends on what you mean by alive. She can be just as much as a mutated corpse like Mileena is!" her partner declared.

"Hey! Lay off Kitana! You're no different!" The monk countered. "We'll see to it that Kahn is destroyed!"

Baraka advanced with his fatal blades crossed, spatting out. "This is the Konquerer's highway! I am making a final warning for you to make way!"

"Even if you won't ssurvive here, I'm cccertain you'll sssee our proud parentsss again!"

"Liu, Kitana! Watch your six!" Sonya warned. The Agents witnessed some more Tarkatans march up the rear. While they got their hands full, Kitana took on Mileena while Liu faced Baraka.

It was a 2-on-2 battle and Baraka remembered the monk; along with Kung Lao, they were the ones responsible for killing him and destroying the Soul Tombs. Liu retorted he and his clan were the culprits on slaughtering many innocent monks, even using them as fiery weapons or when they invaded the Wu Shu Academy soon after the victory in Shang Tsung's Island.

With the gauntlets and armor in his possession, Liu became more resistant with Baraka's deadly blades, even when he was rapidly attempting to slice him into ribbons, or as appendages while kicking. Because of Baraka's bloodthirst and deadly advances, the monk tried to keep his distance, even though the Bridge didn't provide a lot of width. His own pyrokinesis was barely a standoff as the Tarkatan general blocked, if not repelled, some of them. Hell, Baraka even resisted his Flying Kick with his crossed swords and left the monk defenseless after the recoil.

With those flaws, Liu decided to up the ante by increasing his body temperature, making his pyrokinesis more powerful. This...seemed to have worked as he watched oil dripping, which it turned out to be Baraka's arm blades melting! With no defense, Baraka became more aggressive offensively! They both kept lunging at each other, though Liu Kang's armor nearly cushioned every blow. Despite having the twin blades dwindling, he still used them, trying to cut his enemy down to size, even pinning him to the pavement hoping his fangs shall tear his opponent! But, Liu's legs were long and flexible enough to kick him off!

Thankfully, the Tarkan had no armor, so there was little endurance on his vulnerable chest. Liu made the legendary Bicycle Kick which forced Baraka back onto a metallic guardrail. With an empowered Flying Kick, the monk sent his assailant over, and Baraka screeched as he plummeted to the murky water fifty feet below!

Meanwhile, Kitana had her fans full with her menacing doppelganger. Each Edenian were at legs' length, literally, as both women leapt in great heights while also making long kicks. Even when the half-Tarakatan made her signature move as she suddenly descended thru the pavement and caught Kitana unawares from above! Her fans either deflected or resisted her short, though essentially sharp, twin Sais. Alas, the fans weren't resistant as Mileena curled her body rapidly and hurled those deathly rolls forward, similar to a certain cartoonish hedgehog. The move tripped her, though Kitana was still swift. Upon the daze, she was unable to make out Sonya calling her-

"Kitana, aim for her l-!"

Her voice became muffled as she, Jax and Liu were bombarded by menacing Tarakatans, keeping them at bay in the left end of the Bridge.

She then had an epiphany after several blows. If that monstrosity is truly my double...

The princess managed to send sonic waves from her rapidly-spinning fans, causing Mileena to falter for a few moments. Kitana advanced and began to tear her long, bare legs! Recognizing her tactful ways of fighting, she recalled it was similar to hers, albeit without Tarakatan reflexes. And it was the same genes that made her oh so raw, malicious, and having an insatiable appetite for blood, meat and destruction! Kitana almost wished that if Mileena was truly her sister, she'd have a benevolent soul like hers and her deceased parents. Sindel momentarily entered her mind, putting the heir out in the open!

Mileena resumed her slow torture, Sonya noticed the commotion behind her, and as soon as there was an opening, she fired toward the corrosive clone with her pink energy waves, which actually reduced her disgusting corpse into a crumbling pile of ashes!

Kitana reached and grabbed the blonde's hand. "Thanks, Sonya. Honor should not always be owed, but I feel a shall give you back my upmost gratitude."

"No need, Kitana. We're both on the same team here."

"Agh! That should hold them!" Jax rose from a dead Tarakatan and winced as his tiresome arms were getting strained by the constant ambush.

They saw an extermination squad of even MORE power hungry Tarkans and Centaurs heading straight across. Jax declared there were too many enemies advancing, so he ordered his comrades to go to the other side of the Bridge. He then used his brute strength from his cybernetic strength enhancers. After raising them and conjuring as much might as he could possibly muster, he did just that and made the so-called durable foundation collapse and kill off the advancing army as they all were buried in an avalanche to the river! They then saw, and felt, lightning rip across the sky where the red and black clouds hung over.

"That's definitely Shao Kahn's lair! Let's move!" Kitana led the charge.

Sub-Zero became more desperate on rescuing Smoke as he was pacing around while the allies were stationed smack dab in the subway tunnels, "I cannot lose him a third time! Never again! Shao Kahn takes no prisoners! He's out there, and I need to go find him!"

"Sub-Zero." Stryker laid a strong grip on his shoulder. "We'll find him. Shao Kahn has taken prisoners before, with Sonya and Kano during the second tournament, so I've heard," he assured.

The secondary squad decided to hide beneath the desolate streets. Kabal suggested to get some R&R within the abandoned tunnels, the same cover he and Stryker used.

As the team settled, with a hideout under Kabal's discretion, some of the members became restless, while others were fatigued enough to get some shut-eye instantly. A few of the Kombatants wide awake happened to be Kung Lao, Aiko and Nightwolf, whom the latter was lighting a dried-up oil drum. Thru the darkness as the orange glow illuminated her face, Kung Lao then saw her, sulking, hardly saying a word. He walked up to her, hesitated, and sat down beside her. He noticed she looked vacant, distant.

"Aiko? Are you alright?"

She just let out a weak sigh. "No, Kung Lao... I'm still..."

"Thinking of the future?" She only nodded, without facing her best friend. "Yours?"

"My past hadn't changed at all during the Earthrealm invasion, almost as if it was just a temporary, gruesome storm. I know we can win this, but...

"Kung Lao... You and many others... I'd lost so much since I was too young to try anything. I was only a kid, and there was nothing I could've done. My dormant powers haven't been awakened. And you and the majority of us had transformed into mindless revenants. Only Raiden, your nephew, Sonya, Johnny, and I survived the ordeal. Sub-Zero's role was reversed with Smoke's as he remained human... The rest...didn't make it."

The monk's eyes widened in disbelief. "Just the five of us survived..? That's all?" She was too depressed to say anything. But Lao pressed on. "Aiko. You must tell me. What has happened to us..? How did we all turn ourselves into the undead, serving evil..? This-this is insane..!" He was starting to doubt Aiko's past involving her own dystopian future. He then queried how it all started, why and how so many warriors had fallen and became nothing but undead slaves.

Aiko then figured she'd need to perform a ritual of sorts to make Lao see everything that transpired; she'd a feeling it wasn't entirely Kahn's doing.

Nightwolf intervened, "Aiko, it can be done, thanks to your cardiokinesis, and others can see what you saw, using your heart as a sort of conduit. But...you're playing a very dangerous game. What you'd been thru was indeed traumatic." He remembered Raiden saying he and Lao were her only anchors, both acting as guards for her fragile mind and heart working in sync. Aiko then retorted, blaming Raiden for everything, though Lao doubted it; he may had made some questionable mistakes during the second tournament and the journey thru Outworld. To be fair he was only disguised as Shang Tsung underneath the monks' noses, though the pacifist could never turn his back on his life-long mentor. "He has been...almost like a father to us Shaolin Monks, even creating the White Lotus Society, and even to my lost ancestor too." That didn't assure Aiko in the slightest as she hung her head, feeling as low as a snake's belly.

He then offered to see her mind, on what she saw and felt. Nightwolf had seen some unfortunate shamans go thru that same dreadful process; he warned this could be a one-way trip, as if his partner'd experience the same apocalypse, he won't be the same.

"Do you have courage enough to endure this task?" Nightwolf queried. "You wish to proceed?"

Kung Lao looked at Aiko again, then he nodded. And the shaman instructed her on using her cardiokinesis onto him while still holding onto thoughts from her bleak future. With a shaky hand as weak as gripping a fish, she reached and touched Lao's warm heart, and he did the same to hers in an earnest clutch, causing a jolt of energy run up their arms. Both participants began to slowly close their eyes as they gazed at each other, then slumped as they drifted sixteen years later...

Visions of the downfall for many Kombatants flashed thru their minds! Lao saw himself with Liu Kang as they traversed thru Outworld, with the latter wearing his body armor and gauntlets passed down by his ancestor. By the time they finally reached Kahn's Arena, things were different. He then had fragments on fighting Shang Tsung, Kintaro, and some pale and bald sorcerer, winning over three evildoers on his own! Liu Kang was able to save Kitana from the Emperor's imprisonment, however...

"You hear that, Raiden? Earthrealm is fr-!"

That was when the nightmares began!

He and Aiko saw Lao's younger self have his neck twisted from behind by Shao Kahn!

"Kung Lao!"

"No!"

Raiden was unable to stop Liu Kang as the monk advanced toward the Emperor at a darker, higher place, having the God's lightning scorch thru his soul as he was building up his pyrokinesis! After he collapsed in a destroyed heap, he weakly muttered that Raiden had killed them all, and the sober observers witnessed Sindel screech and stun nearly all the heroes! Nightwolf literally exploded while he caught the corrupt queen, after all the warriors but Raiden, Johnny and Sonya were assassinated almost seamlessly!

They then saw the same creepy, blanch conjurer again leading an army of mindless, rotted thugs consisting of the doomed warriors including Kitana, Liu Kang, Nightwolf, Stryker, Kabal, Kung Lao and several others as they destroyed the world with an ultra-powerful Elder God in bright robes. While Kuai Liang was at the Cybers' mercy as Smoke, still remaining as human, escaped!

Then, Lao had horrific visions of himself dying in various horrifying ways! Whether it'd be the Konquerer throwing his own hat to his chest causing it to bleed profusely at his Arena, tossing him and his hat off a boat and letting him drown in a sea of blood, or having his soul abruptly stolen while being strangled by Shang Tsung!

As Raiden scorched the fallen soldiers, Lao then heard an intimidating voice in which he assumed it belonged to Kahn who survived all this time! "You. Will..! FAIL!"

Kung Lao and Aiko both startled and immediately broke off their hold. Both heroes were exasperated, and she barely had enough emotional stamina to apologize. All the pseudo-cowboy did was just watch her getting more distraught. She gradually broke into tears, saying she couldn't go thru with Kahn's invasion. She even stated that it wouldn't make a single iota of a difference if they would... That it won't guarantee a single victory as Earthrealm will still be in peril no matter who it was or how many times they'd save it.

Lao was beginning to feel the same angsts as her, as if his own anxieties weren't bad enough on enduring the ageless curse in which he was never informed of, and having the burdens on carrying his ancestor's legacy and being overmatched. After seeing some powerful sorcerers he'd never encountered before, he seemed dumbfounded, such as the mysterious pale and bald monster, or the tall, intimidating wizard with blanch blue skin and long colorful robes as they each entered his mind...

"Aiko. You must focus on what is happening, here and now. Don't let your destroyed time cloud you and Kung Lao's judgement. Not yet." The Matokan urged.

"I can't, Nightwolf...I just can't." This made her shed a few tears. She really wanted to go with Kung Lao and become a member of the White Lotus Society, and rebuild a brighter future once they should win over the invasion. But...all she saw and felt was everlasting darkness and destruction...

Lao continued to watch her, then he just slowly held her. "Aiko..." he whispered into her ear, and somehow...it gave her some comfort, both his voice and touch. She hadn't been held by someone in eons, even during the end of the 90s once she lost her mom by a brutal thief! Their hearts began to beat as one...

Slowly, with their hearts mingling, Aiko and Kung Lao moved in unison, whether it'd be caressing, holding each other, or even giving each other a warm kiss and embrace. As they touched, their hearts melted; they figured they were beginning to meld. It was almost like they entered a sort of hypnosis, like they would during meditation. Or maybe as if they just became intimate, in a spiritual sense. They each felt as if a great weight has been evaporated off their shoulders. For once, they began to feel what it was like to be loved and morally supported by someone... As they felt their strength leaving their vessels, they eventually slept in each other's arms.

Hours later, the Kombatants arose one by one. And Aiko and Kung Lao were the last to awaken; Nightwolf even made a comment that after their hearts melded, they slept like the dead.

"Hold up! We got company, 10:00!" Stryker immediately took out his baton, facing the scuffling of feet. Everyone was alarmed they were found by one of Kahn's extermination squads, whether it'd be their hearts pounding or a breath caught in his or her own throat. Each hero became battle-ready, while Aiko just stood behind the protective monk. Their eyes adjusted amongst the dark corner, seeing a small ball of flame.

"No need to be on high alert." Liu Kang said and blew out the ember as soon as he breached into the light. "It's just us."

Everyone was glad to see Liu Kang, Kitana, Sonya and Jax arrive. Especially Kung Lao who smiled warmly and bowed low to his Shaolin partner.

For once the strict officer grinned, "Well, looks like we're finally getting our team back together!"

The defenders of Earth were finally complete, excepting Cage's untimely absence. Most of the warriors sobered, as the Special Forces agents summarized the Los Angeles assault. The quartet quickly recapped everything up to the fights with Rain, Baraka and Mileena. Kitana mentioned Asgaarth was with them, though he decided to part ways and assist Raiden on guarding over the Sky Temple.

"Wait-THE Sky Temple?" Kung Lao was astonished. "The highest peak housing Earthrealm's Jinsei?"

"The same." Liu Kang affirmed. "There's not much life left. The merger with Outworld is literally sucking away the planet's vitality." He smacked a fist into his other hand. "I can't imagine what'll be of Raiden and Earthrealm once it's been completed."

"Shao Kahn's power would be infinite!" The princess stated.

"Time is not on our side here." Nightwolf shook his head and shared with the monks' angsts. "And Raiden..."

"There's so little left..." Sonya sighed.

"Whatever time we have now, we must use well." Kabal said.

Jax sighed in irritation, "Are we really ready to die, here?"

Sub-Zero faced the team, "If we DO perish...we would certainly die in battle. In unison." His voice was usually apathetic, but everyone felt his cold message, even when shivers went down their spines. They'd must embrace the horror as one, even Aiko who was the most emotionally sensitive.

Within a few moments to gather themselves and conjure their inner strength, each of the Kombatants led by Liu Kang and Kung Lao marched out of hiding and into uncertain death...

A/N: The way I see it is that when Aiko should use her heart meld, it'll be similar to the Vulcan mind meld; having a similar process like intimacy, transfer emotions and thoughts as well as the recipient being affected by them, and just seeing and feeling the transferer. There'd be some questionable aftereffects too, the same way other recipients had endured. Almost like how Tidus and Yuna began to have their own love scene.

It was tough making the Tarkatan battles; had bits and pieces of ideas like fighting on the Bridge, knocking Baraka off, and have Mileena fight her purer half, but I didn't want to kill off the true Tarkatan! He has received a lot of abuse and deaths from the snobby, neglectful and greedy creators already! Seriously, dying after winning all the way, and/or perishing constantly? I feel sorry for who's dubbed as the Biggest Loser in MK History as said by UnderdawgGaming! Baraka was awesome since his debut after all!

I HATE ALL THE DEATHS THE CORRUPT NETHER REALM DEVS FORCED ONTO KUNG LAO! All they see him is some miserable, goddamn punching bag, and NEVER the iconic, inspiring, benevolent Shaolin Monk! Ever since Midway bit the dust and the asinine alternate timeline existed; I always saw him get fucking merked! It's as if Ed Boon and his golden team have 0 respect for their characters! God, I wish John Tobias was involved in MK again before he left in 1999! And I despise the pisspoor development team as well as that fucked up alternate reality! I swear I felt like Marty McFly travelling to the alt 1985 ruled by Biff with an iron fist!

In case you don't know, please pay heed to the vid by UnderDawg Gaming, The Greatest Downfall in MK History! I hate Nether Realm and their revamped timeline, as Kronika as bad as Solaris, which was one of the pushes on making this fic, and why I find the klassic timeline to be more superior and nostalgic!

Finally! Aiko and Kung Lao had their chance to shine with their love and understanding, while exploring his own Downfall, also pointed out by Underdawg as well as The4thSnake in Kung Lao's Wasted Plotential!

Silence and atmosphere sometimes work hand in hand, even in a devastated place, like Hyrule after the seven-year slumber, or in this case with the Bridge. Then, The Bridge/Balcony from the SNES/Arcade version'd play during the battle with Baraka; at least it's not as cheaply handled like in Annihilation and Shaolin Monks! The X-Squad from Annihilation would soon follow, as Jax would make his move. And Magic Carpet Ride (Club Mix) by Mighty Dub Katz would be the battle theme against the two warring Edenian sisters. The Megaframe theme, the depressing theme in ReBoot, shall chime in as Aiko mopes and ponders over her dystopian future. I... guess the first part of the Final Battle shall loom over as the Kombatants witness Kahn's Fortress. As for the heart meld...I guess Kitana's Abduction from Annihilation, as well as Conga Fury when the process starts.

And just a quick note, I wasn't a fan of Xenogears; I always hated Albedo, thus the random idea for the intro in one of my Sleepy Hollow oneshots, Dreamscape, and... I didn't know it existed till I saw the collab over a decade ago by Alex and Josh on their saddest video game moments. Not too crazy with those 2 hotheads, but I found the emotional theme, Jr. #2, to be fitting for Aiko and Kung Lao's angsts before the defenders of Earth meet the Konquerer again.

The final stretch would soon commence! Stay tuned!

Con't IX - Infiltration of Shao Kahn's Fortress

A mysterious woman with long blanch and grey hair was overlooking the cityscape from the Balcony of Kahn's Fortress. She wore heavy, opaque makeup, as if they were worn by a Goth, complete with thick eyelashes, fuchsia eyeliner and shadow, rosy lip shade and plenty of base but with very little blush. She broke out a large grin which made her sinister eyes narrow, and her perfect teeth shine when she spotted some fresh meat as the group of heroes arrived.

"Queen Sindel!" The Emperor's vehement voice roared behind her. She turned to him without a flinch. "Summon the bulk of our extermination squads. Raiden and his feeble mortals shall be near our base for our conquest of Earthrealm. Have them destroy the lot of them, and to take no prisoners."

"As you wish, Great Emperor," she responded, never wavering her sinister expression; in fact, she was beginning to get enthralled with the upcoming assault. As if on cue, the remaining Tarkatans, Shadow Priests and several Centaurs ran amok when she directed them with just a point, as if they read the signal telepathically.

The large army trekked their way toward the opaque, desolate alleys though the heroes didn't leave a trace. It made the enemies' advances drag to a slow crawl, watching and waiting for any sign of movement.

A curious wildcat witnessed them drawing nearer, till one Shadow Priest was close enough. The feline licked its lips and snarled before it devoured and clawed its prey within seconds, dragging its unfortunate carcass into the shadows!

The Tarkatans drew out their blades and bore their teeth as they went on high alert. A few carnivores marched up, hoping to spot their assailant. However, a roar was heard aloft before its massive jaw clamored onto them and shook their bloody bodies till they remained inanimate.

More Tarkans approached the fray only to have themselves decapitated by a bipedal serpentine creature which its jade skin nearly blended in with the shadows! While a ravenous red wolf ran up and mauled one other unfortunate Tarakan!

A few more bloodthirsty mutants along with another Priest stormed in, only to have their bodies knocked back and clobber each other like bowling pins! Turned out to be a clubbed tail belonging to a brown Ankylosaur! One of the mutants stood up with his arm blades and attempted to slice its tough hide! The dinosaur felt some abrasions, then swiped the enemy to the pavement. More drew forward, only to be suddenly mangled by the same cheetah as before, ripping their corpses to spewing blood sprinklers. While a massive polar bear crushed an unsuspecting Centaur!

Kahn noticed the commotion from that same perch as Sindel. "Imbeciles!" He slammed his taut fists onto the limestone! "Exterminate those animals! Those beasts shouldn't be this tactful..!" He rubbed his chin, "Unless, they are our prey, those meddling mortals! Crush their souls in a dispersed fashion! They must not enter my lair and thwart my plans! GO!"

More enemies led the charge, as did the humongous dragon and cheetah running in! Some were quicker than others, as the most bulky Animalities were slower, while the tinier ones remained in the rear since they wouldn't be trampled! Each of Kahn's men and Raiden's followers took a chunk out of each other during the fierce melee! The free-for-all was so chaotic that it was difficult to tell which side was falling! Though it seemed the Animalities had the upper hand in the cluster of bloodshed, even the Shadow Priests were foolish enough to have their lightning stun their militia before being severely mangled!

Not everyone was so fortunate; a few vulnerable Animalities such as the small, mauling white rabbit, or the skeletal rhinoceros weren't too much of a match, just a nuisance. The weaker creatures eventually churned into their bipedal human counterparts one by one. Yet the stronger Kombatants still kept at it! The Hawk herself was one of the most constant in battle, but she was little match as the Priests shocked her from in the air, striking the predatory bird down and forcing her to change back after a few hurtful rolls. Her lion partner's hide was thick enough to cushion some of the shocks as he charged in, pounced and ripped the Priests' robe into thin rags. At one moment, the Dragon picked up the white rabbit before he flung it to an open enemy ripping apart its face directly!

As time passed, some of the enemies were strategic enough to gang up on one fighter, causing him to lose his Animality form and revert to his human vessel. They sustained their injuries once they did, including bouts of deep flesh wounds, aching muscles, and loss of energy amongst other symptoms. The more resistant and massive Animalities were durable enough, even the Dragon and T-Rex.

As the Ankylosaur became vulnerable, she reverted into Aiko once more, and her cheetah partner saw the struggle. He subconsciously urged himself to change back which worked and came to her aid! Aiko was still too exhausted to utilize her cardiokinesis and so Kung Lao took on the few stragglers. He helped her up before Aiko screeched his name! A lone Centaur approached the hapless duo, till he was halted by a neon green tomahawk! Nightwolf reverted back from his canine form and he and Lao urged Aiko to lend their hearts to her and restore their stamina. While each Kombatant churned back, they still persisted thru the defense lines.

When Kitana broke free and saw an opening, her gaze was set upon the shady succubus. Her breath was caught in her throat as she recognized her. "M-Mother..?"

All she did was disappear within the Balcony and the Edenian gave chase. Liu Kang soon witnessed her hurry. "Kitana!" She was unable to hear his cry, though, but the desperate monk ran after her.

"Liu Kang!" Kung Lao witnessed the breakaway.

"I can't see Kitana!" Aiko screeched over the brawl.

"He's chasing after her! Let's move before the brutal mutants gather again!" Nightwolf urged.

The trio advanced, but they were unable to catch up to the desperate duo several feet away.

Queen Sindel rushed to her prisoner, the weary traitor, Shang Tsung, enwrapped in chains and shackles. She absorbed the majority of his green energy, filling her up. "Filthy traitor. Thank you for resurrecting me." She hit him with one of her sharp stilettoes before she walked back to her perch. The evil Edenian looked down and saw her prey, then took a deep inhale. She let out with a shriek so damned loud that as soon as the sonic waves reached the advancing heroes, they were immediately stunned as they shielded their ears in agonizing pain!

Kung Lao nearly covered over Aiko. With his secure body over her, she gradually fixed onto Sindel and struggled to summon her powers without using her hands. Through her quaking body, it worked only slightly while the evil queen's chest began to expand and falter her ruckus! Her breath became short, stopping the lethal soundwaves. Their ears were still ringing, but Kitana and Liu Kang pushed into the bowels of Kahn's Fortress.

The trio recovered, thanks to Aiko's assimilated energy, but their earlobes remained achy. Kung Lao noticed his comrades had disappeared into the limestone castle towering nearly 100 feet to the swirling portal! Nightwolf ordered to teleport Aiko back into the fray where the dark alleyways were, providing her some leverage from the advancing Kombatants as meat shields with the shadows obscuring the enemies' sight. He did just that and assured she'll be safe if she should tread slowly with her kinesis at the ready.

He then warped away, back to the Matokan's side and ran into the enemy stronghold. Aiko was reluctant as she was nervous she'd be ambushed on all sides; however she wasn't anticipating to be grabbed and lifted aloft by a massive cloaked figure. She struggled to break free but the hold was strong.

"Calm yourself, Aiko!" he responded in a gruff voice making her stop. He assured he's on her side and the princess was in peril. He hoped for the Champion to assist her. Aiko's eyes moved up and she hardly saw a white pointed face belonging to an eagle of sorts.

"You look familiar..!"

He greeted himself as Asgaarth, the esteemed knight of the late King Jerrod and Kitana's advisor. His regality tagged her memory from her first meditation session, during the failed insurrection of Outworld. He said he shall take her straight to the summit of Raiden's Sky Temple, as she was too weak and fragile to endure the massive raging army.

"Raiden...how is he?"

"Not too good. His vitals are fading and the Jinsei can do so much."

To her, she thought the sacred defender of Earthrealm has been put on life support, and couldn't leave the chamber with the world in such a weakened state.

"If the realms should merge..." He hesitated for a moment, Aiko sulked, though she shut her eyes before she would look down. "I only hope we're not too late..!"

Eventually, they arrived at the summit, and Aiko was enthralled with the massive temple already glowing from the inside. Asgaarth led her in to the Jinsei Chamber and they beheld the Thunder God, curling over the heart of the fountain.

"Raiden..." She offered to give him her strength, but he weakly stated it'd do no good, neither would Earth's lifeforce as it was growing dim just like the Chamber itself; what was once an ethereal place of white soft light has been reduced to a dark grey hue. He prayed that their faith is in the Champion's hands...

Back in Kahn's Fortress, Liu Kang and Kitana emerged up a staircase leading to a sacred and brightly lit Temple, complete with rows of ignited crimson candles and the distant, massive insignia of the Mortal Kombat tournament. "Kahn has definitely perverted this place...!" Liu growled under his breath.

Kitana's eyes were wandering the room over. "Where's my Mother..?"

Liu Kang kept following her gaze, expecting an ambush. Though he had a gut feeling she can be somewhere either above or below the unholy arena somewhere... His keen sight scanned the place and then suddenly felt a chill go thru him, making him gaze onto the ceiling. "Kitana, head's up!"

They sprawled out of the way just milliseconds before Sindel dropped! He helped the princess up as she was stunned to witness her mom in whole flesh! "Mother-!" She turned to her shocked complexion, "You're alive!"

She pointed straight toward her. "Too bad you...will die!"

"This can't be..! Mileena said you would be resurrected, waiting for me."

"Indeed. My true daughter has foreseen your fate."

True daughter... Those words struck a cord in her heart. "Mother... This cannot be you. Shao Kahn has corrupted you-"

"Shao Kahn has resurrected me. You have betrayed him."

"...Remember Edenia, Mother. Remember your role before Kahn's invasion. He drove you to kill yourself as you refused to marry him! He forced you to be his wife so he can control both realms!" The loophole was certainly Sindel; she couldn't believe it..!

"Why, foolish child..? Kahn has established a greater, stronger rule than that pathetic King Jerrod! Once we take over Earth, his reign will be supreme! You should join us too, daughter, like a happy family..!" she reached to caress her cheek, but Kitana swiped it away!

"Never! I won't share his rule of darkness! And neither should you..!"

"Then, you will perish! We would be pleased getting rid of a treacherous pest like you!"

"Kitana! Don't let your mother gaslight you! Words won't help bring her back, you must fight her! Remember when you were put under a holding spell?" Liu Kang's mind flashed back to the lethal two-on-three fight as he and Kung Lao battled the warring women consisting of Kitana, Mileena and Jade atop the Outworld Tower, then giving her a hand as she recollected her normal self.

Kitana recalled the same incident, even though her best friend was slewed. "Yes, I remember, Liu Kang." This ignited her determination. "I will not let my family nor our home be in vain again!" She put up her fans and the fight was on!

Sindel elongated her hair and used it as a whip! She stunned Kitana when it whacked her across the face while a few strands entered her eyes. The evil queen then shrieked and disabled some of Kitana's hearing, weakening the target further. But her benevolent daughter didn't falter. Liu Kang just speculated the crucial battle while Sindel floated and Kitana leapt and kicked, trying to take her down! Sindel was still able to resist her charges and struck back with a few blows, even trying to stab her with her spear! Kitana put up her fans and withstood the charge, even dicing against it. Sindel screamed while she was close, putting her target out in the open, and struck her down. She unleashed her banshee screams covering a longer range, and Liu Kang cried over the excruciating noise, "Kitana! Use your fans to deflect it!"

Kitana struggled while holding her sore ears, close to bleeding, as if her drums were about to crack open! Her legs were free though and her feet turned one of her metallic fans to face the strong sonic waves! With the reflective, clear surface, the field bounced back to the user! The magnitude forced Sindel back a few inches, and Kitana stood up. But she was caught by Sindel's hair enwrapping her neck, suffocating her victim as she pulled the locks taut!

Liu Kang wound up and conjured his pyrokinesis, though Sindel felt the heat and screamed in his face! He was stunned, but he had to save Kitana before she should die under the wicked queen's stranglehold! As he laid there, his vision blurred and caught the bright glimpses of the candles! He rose a hand and they suddenly began to flicker! The rows of candles didn't distract Sindel at all, not even when Liu Kang felt their flames. They started to grow, though Sindel was still caught up in the death of her throwaway daughter...

Suddenly, her hair combusted! She shrieked in agony as her scalp soon caught fire as well! It was just enough to burn off the other deadly half of Sindel's hair, but it still advanced inward! All she did was wail and hold her head, and she noticed Liu at the last second before she received a boot to her face. She was out cold as her body hit the granite, and he immediately patted out the spreading flames thanks to his resistant gauntlets! He slowly stood up, remorseful. "Forgive me, Sindel..." he whispered.

He soon faced the lifeless Edenian at the other side and rushed to her. He tried calling her name after he incinerated the thick locks of hair blocking her airways, but she never budged...

His throat became tight as his heart raced. He laid her down and checked her vitals. Her pulse was very weak as he felt it thru his fingers touching her neck, and there was no breathing! Liu immediately took off her vial and started to exhale as he pried her mouth open. He rose and waited for ten seconds, before he dove in and repeated the resuscitation. He looked behind, but fortunately Sindel remained still. Then he tried again. He implored Kitana to wake up and he tried again just a few more times!

Just as he was about to lose hope...

He saw Kitana's mouth move as she heaved! Liu immediately grabbed her nose as she began to cough and sputter! Her throat felt as if smoke was coming out of her windpipe. She coughed harder as she gasped for air, until she felt she received enough oxygen. Liu released her nose and laid her down before she was able to open her eyes. All he did was caress her cheek, and his heart was about to burst when she weakly said his name...

He raised her head up before he wrapped his warm arms around her, albeit trembling. "Always had to look out for you..! You had me very worried..." He barely spoke as he choked up.

"This is the first time you ever held me." Kitana said, enthralled, especially while being comforted in his tight and soothing embrace. Somehow...she couldn't help but feel a small grin tug up. Before she saw her mom sprawled out. "Ah-Mother..!"

They broke apart. "It's-it's ok. She's just unconscious." She noticed the burnt locks, he had to do it to save her.

All they could do was just sit in silence at the darkened church watching over her and for anything if Kahn should invade.

In a dark chamber, Kung Lao and Nightwolf rushed inside. Thru the immense heat, they knew they were within the bowels of Kahn's lair. To the monk, it was more like the underbelly of Hell; it reminded him on being in the Netherrealm fighting Scorpion, even the bright red lava pits as they illuminated below a back wall.

"This place is nearly as hot as the Netherrealm..!" he said under his breath.

"The Netherrealm...you've been there?" Nightwolf was astonished.

He nodded. "I faced Scorpion there. Liu Kang and I were in this fiery battle! Before he was taken under the magma by his undead legions."

"Scorpion escaped once. Liu Kang and Sub-Zero fought him off, though the former was the victor; the cryomancer didn't fight with honor and was blinded by hate, so he lost. We were able to prevent his endless armies rising from other realms, and Raiden sealed him away."

"I wouldn't be surprised he's still there waiting for us...!" Images were still fresh in his memory. Then, his wandering eyes spotted a lone platform peeking out of the lava like a staple! Some robot was attached to the wall with its arms spread out!

"Nightwolf!"

The shaman looked up and followed Lao's gaze to the inert Smoke! "He must be held captive as a trophy."

"I have to rescue him! Sub-Zero depends on it!" Lao ran toward the display.

Nightwolf hesitated, as if he felt something was amiss. "Kung Lao! Wait!"

The monk still ran to the slippery edge of the floor and tossed his razor-rimmed hat onto the chains! Nothing happened as they repelled it back! Lao tried again, but the same thing transpired as his hat was deflected to his head. He then turned it and decided to teleport onto the distant pillar. Next, he used his Fists of Ruin a few times, but to no avail. He sliced one of the chains with his hat, which made a sharp electric current go thru his arm and shock him on contact! He hunched over, exasperated.

His partner ran to the same stand as he was. "Kung Lao! Are you alright!?"

He panted, "So close... I'm not able to cut thru!"

"Kahn must've protected this spot with some defense mechanism. As long as Kahn lives, I'm afraid we cannot save Smoke. His magic is just too lethal!"

Lao huffed a little more, "We can't just leave him..!"

All the Indian did was shrug. "I'm afraid we don't have a choice. He has been expecting us. Defeating him in kombat, it's the least we can do."

The Shaolin regained his composure, taking in the wise man's words. He turned to Smoke again with a somber expression, before he hung his head in defeat and teleported back. He went to Nightwolf's side, and he seemed dazed. "What is it?"

"The darkness...it's-there!" Nigtwolf pointed to an opening with a stone staircase leading up.

The fighters ascended to the dark Temple and saw Kitana and Liu Kang watching over Sindel. They were relieved the pairing made it, but the shaman became uneasy as he sensed the corrupt soul within the queen. Kung Lao offered to finish her.

"No!" Liu Kang made him stop in his tracks. "You need to spare her."

"What..?"

"She may be Kahn's queen, but-we have to keep her alive. I should know. I lost my younger brother which drove me into the first tournament."

"I was chosen too. But I refused to go, till Raiden gave me the task to disable traps!" His fists clenched since he never had the chance to set things right. "She is Kahn's slave! She must be slewed; Aiko said she was the one who killed the lot of us, and we were then turned into Revenants!"

Everyone was disheartened at the thought. Nightwolf just sulked. "Liu Kang is right." Kung Lao was about to object. "I know your mind is thinking she's one of Kahn's servants, and I do sense darkness in her. But..." He looked at Kitana for a moment. "You must also listen to what your heart tells you. Aiko certainly did." Lao looked at Nightwolf, then to Sindel. "How would Kitana feel... If she were to lose her mother again..?"

Lao just sighed. "...Alright. I will spare her at the moment. But don't let your guard down."

Liu and Kitana were relieved at their partner's change of reasoning.

"The immense power is just ahead."

"I'll stay with Kitana for awhile, Nightwolf." Liu Kang offered.

"I'll go with him," Lao offered.

"Besides, these two got some catching up to do." Nightwolf faced the two women before he gazed ahead. "Let's go."

"I'll be waiting," the peaceful monk stated.

The two left the pairing behind, and for once, Kung Lao wasn't even fazed about Liu's attachment to Kitana anymore...

A/N: Unlike Armageddon, the underbelly of Kahn's Lair was unable to access the Netherrealm unless if Outworld and Earthrealm should complete its merger...

Megalomaniac, at least the abridged version in MK: Annihilation, would play when the Animalities ambush the extermination squads; at least the annoying synths'd be cut, while the buildup remains. I guess the Ulti Edit version of Magic Carpet Ride from Mad Dub Katz can play afterwards for all the stragglers. Farewell, from the epic MK film, may be played when Aiko meets Asgaarth. It Has Begun, also from the MK 95 score, may sound as Lao and Nightwolf approach Kahn's Fortress. As would the first part of The Garden when Lao found Smoke. Ganon's Castle (Underground) shall play when Kung Lao and Nightwolf enter the bowels of Kahn's Fortress. I guess...Lose a Life from Starfox Adventures would sound when Lao fails to rescue Smoke. Stairway would play when Liu and Kitana enter the Temple. Of course, the Temple theme will commence as Kitana fights off Sindel, while the Finish Him/Her theme there'd play afterwards when Liu Kang intervenes. Kidnapped will chime in when Lao makes the crucial decision to spare Sindel.

When I was young, I always fantasized the Temple to be associated with either Liu Kang or Sheeva. I don't know why, but maybe it's the environment and all the regal red located throughout that sort of reminded me of them... It's quite surprising that Kahn has an area of worship dedicated to him, as well as having it perverted into evil within his Fortress! Besides, the SNES version, the one I grew up with hits hard! So much so that I used it as an epic intro to my Halloween Top 10 I made last year!

At least there was one thing Annihilation did right, to have Kitana and Sindel reunited after the last battle; it seemed better that way, especially since I know on losing a mom personally... Case in point...mine, at age 12. Besides, counting the epic movie, Liu Kang lost his brother and his fellow family too, even stating that to Jax in Defenders of the Realm.

It was also nice to see all the Animalities at once clashing against the extermination squads; told ya in previous episodes Nightwolf had a plan on using them!

At this rate, I think I've about 3 more episodes to go! So, stay tuned for them.

Con't X - Sacrifice

Kung Lao and Nightwolf progressed further u Shao Kahn's Tower. While the Makota was just as sensitive of the immense dark energy surrounding the place, as Aiko's own triggers involving her fragile heart and mind, he was just as resistant. It was like a magnetic attraction onto the Indian, and he led his partner to a distant opaque chamber. It turned out to be the heart of the tower; the colossal, terrifying beastly mouth with its epicenter of neon green and unfortunate souls swirling inside! It's sneering eyes illuminated the same eerie shade. Actually, to Nightwolf, it looked more like a menacing tree, as other shorter and more twisted ones surrounded the horrifying display! They almost looked to be more like those scary Treants and Mammons.

"There it is! The imprisonment of all those innocent souls Kahn has taken," Nightwolf stated.

"I bet that's where Johnny Cage and the spirit of our ancestors lie." Kung Lao theorized.

"If we can just destroy this atrocity, then the world's souls will be freed. But it won't be easy, I wouldn't get so cocky," the shaman faced his partner at the last statement.

"So, how should we do it..?" Lao was just as dumfounded as Nightwolf was. They couldn't imagine who's souls were trapped inside that tree, nor what it could do... The former figured the Chamber can be just as tumultous as the Living Forest he and Liu encountered in Outworld, let alone the Soul Tombs.

Suddenly, the center of the opaque and high ceiling collapsed near the heroes!! Large debris and dust rained down! By the time the clouds cleared, and the Kombatants' eyes were swiped clean, they beheld the sight of an 8-foot tall female Shokan with a black, sleek ponytail and long, crimson panties and vest! The shockwave nearly knocked the heroes off their feet!

It was none other than Sindel's loyal bodyguard!! She hissed and flexed her arms at the intruders!

"That's Sheeva!" Nightwolf warned. "She's the mistress of the Shokan clan who was loyal to the Konqerer! Why would she be working for him again...?" He recognized her when each of his friends fought her and her kind off numerous times while he watched from base, even during the insurrection.

"I've dealt with her vile kind before, twice!" Kung Lao added twisting his hat, remembering fighting off Goro at the Wastelands and both monks dealing with Kintaro in Kahn's arena!

"You won't be so lucky this time, mortals. I am far more nimbler than those weak, slimy vermin, and more deadlier than the pathetic Tigerian!" she spat out.

The heroes put their dukes up.

"Now, who would be daring enough to defeat me!"

"Go! You advance further up the tower. I'll deal with Sheeva and destroy the Soul Chamber."

Kung Lao was reluctant. "You could use some help."

"I'll be fine, I'm very much like a soul manipulator, I know how they work, trust me."

Lao bowed as a salute and he ran off. "Good luck, Nightwolf."

"You would just be another fresh, new addition to this fine collection of souls, and imprisoned eternally to the Soul Chamber!" she declared.

"I won't be so sure about that!!" Nightwolf took out his battle axe glowing as bright and green as the piercing eyes at the top of the beastly tomb and was ready to do battle!

The shaman knew he must keep his distance, otherwise he'd be mincemeat once he got too close to Sheeva's deadly and devastating four arms! If he knew the Shokan, it'd be their only offense. But he kind of underestimated her. Sheeva had some sneaky tricks up her four sleeves as she fired some energy projectiles from each of her palms! But her most fatal onslaught was when she leapt through the darkened air and landed onto her unsuspecting victim below with blinding distance and velocity! The Shokan Jump also left an impact so great, that they immobolized the shaman just long enough to leave him vulnerable to another attack!

Nightwolf kept on closing in for the kill, as he countered and moved with his melee attacks consisting some punches, kicks, and his soul-empowered tools!

At times, he was unfortunate enough to be caught in her arms, punched multiple times with her forearms while the other two were holding the hapless victim, until she discarded him like a toy! But the resilient shaman didn't give up, not even when the Shokan leaps were utilized multiple times crunching his body. All they did was knock the wind out of him, and Kung Lao peeked over, thinking he could use some assistance. He hesitated, uncertain on his next move.

While trying to keep his distance, Sheeva unleashed a few more powerful projectiles, though Nightwolf was prepared deflecting one off his chest!! Even his spiritual bow and arrow proved to leave a...slight mark on the Shokan. Though her punches were still as potent, even her lunges.

Remembering Kung Lao's strategy, he put his distant abilities to good use, though Sheeva was just as reckless closing the gap! But as long as he used the souls' energies, his weapons eventually gave him the full advantage, even revitalizing himself! It wasn't long till Nightwolf's battle turned in his favor! Hell, Lao could've sworn Cage's soul was in him as he utilized his shadow kick similar to his!

Aiming for her bare chest and crippling her legs, Nightwolf won over the fallen Shokan! The shaman then conjured lightinng inside his axe, similar to Raiden's and it ignited as bright as the sun. He aimed for Sheeva, closing in for the kill! "This is the end for you, Sheeva!"

"Nightwolf! Wait!"

Sindel leapt into the fray, inches away from her bodyguard!

"I'm warning you, Sindel! I will electrocute you both!!" he roared.

"Nightwolf, stop!" Liu Kang and Kitana also jumped into the arena from the distant shadows. They demanded him for a parley. "Sheeva is Sindel's own bodyguard. She can actually help us," he reasoned.

"Sheeva. You served my mother and protected her with utmost loyalty for many years, before she decided to take her own life. She'll still need you now more than ever as the upcoming queen, restoring her place in Edenia." Kitana stated.

"I must guard over Outworld's queen, under the condition of the Emperor preserving my race. I was reluctant as he employed the accursed Motaro to join his ranks and when he became his more prominent general. I despised him when he did so, but it was only to spare my own clan."

"Shao Kahn doesn't care about you or your clan!" Liu Kang shouted. "He's just using them to fulfill his own dirty work! He has no respect, and he cares nothing for you!"

"Sheeva! You must remember when you served my fallen father! You faced off with the Centaurs and Tarkans during the insurrection, on the 500th anniversary of my father's death." This saddened both Kitana and Sindel a little. "You declared resistance over Shao Kahn and was willing for me to take the throne, even though the rotten snake, Shang Tsung, joined." That irritated Liu Kang a little.

"My daughter is right. I was blinded from the truth after Kahn killed my benevolent husband, Jerrod, who'll always be the true ruler of Edenia." Sindel intervened. "We can still overthrow the dark emperor, who forced me to marry and work with him! I wouldn't stand by him any longer, and I want you to serve at my side again."

"It's for your own good. Especially since Kahn anointed Motaro and the Centaurs to work over you. Since...the Shokan seemed inferior to him." Reminiscing Kahn's hatred for the Shokan, and rather preffered the Centaurs more, Liu Kang spoke. He, Kitana, and Asgaarth were the leaders of the rebellion and the Shokan blatantly refused to serve Kahn since he considered them insolent.

Outnumbered and wounded, she actually backed down. Sheeva sighed, "Very well. I'll serve by your side once more, Queen Sindel." She made a little curtsy.

"I'll anoint you as my promising protector, Sheeva." Sindel added, accepting the peace offer. "Together, with the Champion's help, we will rule over Edenia again."

"Alright, let's destroy that accursed Soul Chamber." Kitana declared.

"Yeah." Nightwolf and Liu Kang agreed and got straight to work!

Watching the resolved quarrel, Kung Lao nodded with a thumb up. "Good going. Now's my chance." He turned and ran towards the opaque hallway, while Liu Kang burnt the surrounding trees, along with Kitana's fans obliterating them. Nightwolf, Sindel and Sheeva commenced on draining the souls by the shaman's magic and clobbering the massive collector!

At the top of the darkened stairwell, with little to no torchlight, Kung Lao made his way up Shao Kahn's Tower to the next level, The Balcony. It was a large, opaque hallway with candles burning in the distant stone walls. The ceiling sort of sagged a little, making the room seem a bit claustrophobic, and the large monstrous statues located at each end made it even more unsettling. There was a distant lobby filled with green lighting emitting below by the dimming Soul Chamber's limelight.

Following the roars, Kung Lao hesitated as he tried to focus on something. He hardly heard the footsteps creeping in on him. But his peripheral vision was just enough to prepare him for the threat behind him! He leapt out just in time of its lethal punch downward and beheld one of the humongous Centaurs!

"Impressive, feeble mortal!" he bellowed.

"Hold on..! You're one of Shao Kahn's generals, leading his extermination squads."

"Indeed, foolish boy. I'm Motaro! The domineering head of the Centaurs and the promising elitist of the Emperor's armies!"

That struck a cord in him! "Motaro... Ah--you're the one who killed Johnny Cage!" He immediately switched fists! "Sonya and Jax saw you murder him!"

The monster made a belly laugh. "And you shall meet the same unfortunate fate as that incompetent, flawed human! I'll prevent you from meeting Shao Kahn and meddle with his plans on merging Outworld! You don't have much time left! Our victory is absolute!"

"Johnny...I will avenge you!"

Kung Lao lunged in, and his body was nearly as tall as Motaro's lower stomach. Like Nightwolf, he kept his distance, knowing it'd be too risky to close in on the massive Centuar, who happened to be broader and slightly taller than his bretheren.

Actually, his strength was way more powerful than his kind! Maybe three times as deadly!

He was unfortunate enough to be at the mercy of the demon's strength on account how narrow the Balcony was, as if the lobby at the rear had more room. Lao was nearly immobolized after receiving a grab from one of Motaro's muscular arms, while punching him across the arena with the other! Needless to say, the floor itself was just as painful!

Suddenly, Motaro teleported behind and just barely made his mark! Kung Lao was quick enough to avoid the attack and challenged through gasps, "You're not the only one who's capable on teleporting, Motaro..!"

He had even footing with his Teleport Kick and remembered his past strategy. Each airborne Kick landed on Motaro's spine! But the beast was just as swift, as the blow didn't stun him for long! His hind legs and appendage tail reacted, even catching the monk off guard as he fired stunning lasers from the tip! Lao was able to defract it using his Spin Kick, though Motaro's close range combined with the small arena was nearly too much! As if his horse-like body took up a third of it!!

He literally had no room for error! Lao had to make every mark count without missing nor leaving himself vulnerable! Desperate, the Shaolin used his hat trying to keep as much distance as humanly possible!

However...as soon as Motaro saw it coming, the razor-rimmed hat made contact with his lower torso with little to no injury! A pulse from it actually deflected the deadly projectile, leaving a fatal, deep flesh wound gushing in Lao's chest!!

The mortal just dropped his jaw as his hat descended; he was just too injured to even scream and move!! He simply hunched over nearly touching the cold stone floor, while Motaro marched up to him, grabbed, and discarded him to one of the statues impaling his back!!

Lao was too weak and paralyzed, leaving himself for the last deadly blow!

But, Motaro was halted by a shockwave by an earthquake, which also made the upper quarters of the statues collapse! Motaro was stunned for a short while and was hit by a swift kick directly to his neck!!

In came Jax!!

Lao's stomach continued to bleed a puddle as Jax reassured Raiden'll take him to the Jinsei, praying he won't be too late. As if on cue, the doomed hero's battered body disappeared within a flash of lightning! The Special Forces agent hoped he wouldn't persh like his comrade, Cage, did.

With Jax's quickness, in conjunction with his bionic strength-enhancing implants, as well as making shockwaves to stun the enemy, he proved to be quite a formiddable opponent! He didn't have much of an issue as Lao did, aside from the Balcony being cluttered by the statues and Motaro's monstrous body! With no projectiles, Jax was at a clear advantage, though he still got caught by Motaro at times, but he endured the impacts! Motaro got strategic on leaping over and across Jax's quakes, yet he was able to counter with his charges utilizing his horns! In fact, at one ram, Jax conjured his strength and directly hit Motaro's head, stunning him!! With a few more blows, the Special Forces agent bested him!!

Motaro slumped, with his four legs giving away!

Meanwhile, inside a majestic palace with a dim light surounding the fountain, Raiden teleported Lao to the ethereal Jinsei Chamber within the sacred Sky Temple by his remaining strength. He was able to carry the former Champion's weak vessel to the epicenter after descending a few steps. He laid down the fatally wounded monk and attempted to revive him. Asgaarth came to the duo and Lao pleaded them to let him die, though the Thunder God urged he shouldn't talk.

"Ergh...thinking I could best him..! He killed Johnny..!"

"Yes, I know. I can sense the Soul Chamber being demolished, his soul should rest, at least until Kahn has fallen."

"Unh. As...would mine... At least my curse'll be reversed. I may as well be reunited with my ancestors."

"No! Don't say that! Earthrealm, and Liu Kang... We all need you. As does Aiko." Raiden sulked. "But...there's not much time. My powers and the Jinsei can do so much with Earthrealm in peril, with the merger nearly complete."

"I desperately hope our hero isn't too late to conquer the darkness." Asgaarth prayed.

Back at the Soul Chamber, the quintet felt some enormous, violent quakes from above that made some of the foundation collapse! "It's Jax!" Nightwolf concluded.

"Is Kung Lao up there?"

The shaman suddenly sensed a drop in vitality, that it made him somber.

"What is it, Nightwolf?" Kitana queried.

"Don't move! Kung Lao's vitality is fading..! Fast!"

"Ah--! Kung Lao! No!!" Almost as soon as the monk advanced, the monstrous chamber began to crumble. Soon, huge pieces of debris broke off, and the display just collapsed in a massive heap, while the green souls swirled and rose aloft!

The team escaped from the destruction, but the stairway was blocked by the rubble! However, a massive hole in the ceiling at the epicenter formed! The guys ran to it!

"C'mon! We don't have much time!" Nightwolf urged.

"Allow me!" Sheeva was able to use her powerful Shokan Jump emerging onto the sharp, jagged pile and escorted each fighter up to the Balcony! One by one by her strong four arms, they were assisted by her and immediately ran to Jax!

"Jax!" Liu Kang hurriedly ran to him! "Jax! Where is he? Where's Kung Lao!?"

The agent was speechless. All that remained was the puddle of blood next to the right deformed statue. He sulked as he looked toward it. "Kung Lao...he's been taken to Raiden's Sky Temple, tending his wounds."

Nightwolf just fixated to the air. "He...he doesn't have much time left."

Liu Kang can barely say a word. "Kung Lao... NO!"

All the monk did was beg Raiden to keep his soul from being imprisoned in the chamber by Kahn, but the Thunder God assured it has been destroyed, possibly freeing the Great Kung Lao...

That gave Lao some comfort, thinking he may be waiting.

The silence was interrupted by Aiko who ran in and sat by Kung Lao's side! She whimpered his name, reached in and touched his cheek which felt clammy. She implored him not to go, and for once, she confessed she loved him and wouldn't bare to lose another like she did with her mom, even though she hadn't died just yet and it'd take another several years...

As tears fell, she tried conjuring her energy and made a conduit of her heart seeping into him. But it was all for naught as his wounds were too great.

"Then...at least...I wouldn't be eternally damned... Raiden, keep my soul. If Liu Kang should save Earthrealm, he might... It's up to the Champion now." His strength was starting to ooze out of him as he slowly closed his eyes.

His face then drooped, and Aiko buried herself into him, while Raiden and Asgaarth looked on.

Nightwolf lowered his head as he shut his eyes. He told everyone the sad news that Kung Lao's essence is gone.

His only living brother bit the dust, Liu Kang sunk. Kitana was right beside him. And all Nightwolf did was see him weep while the Makotan took out his little tomahawk.

Just then, footsteps were heard. It was only the remaining Kombatants rushing in, rather than loose stragglers of Kahn's terroristic armies. They noticed the bloody mess, and the shaman informed it was the fallen Shaolin Monk. Sonya whispered she was sorry. On top of that, the Thunder God's powers ran out. Their only hope to save Earth was to destroy Shao Kahn, just as the Champions did several months ago...

Nightwolf then ordered his allies to gather round and touch his axe, which took a quarter of their strength, even from the cyborg, Smoke. He figured with all the souls within the empowered hammer, it'd be enough strength for the Champion to equal the Emperor's. At least that's what he hoped; the dark ki was just astronomical and too immeasurable to be certain.

All he did was hand over the lightened axe. "Liu Kang..! You're our only hope. You're the undefeated Champion in Mortal Kombat representing Earth. Only you can defeat Shao Kahn. If all fails, we will be lost, much like your fallen brothers..."

All he did was sulk.

"Liu. You must believe in yourself..." Kitana said. "We all do. Only the essence of a Champion can finish the corrupt Emperor, and the destruction of both realms. We each gave a portion of our souls onto this axe, to you."

"You must do this. For Earthrealm, for Edenia. For the Shaolin." Raiden's voice suddenly echoed in the thick air.

With encouragement from his friends, Liu finally reached in and took the glowing tomahawk Nightwolf held. And with it, he suddenly got a jolt of adrenaline. Swirls of green energy was absorbed into his body! Filling him with strength of many warriors! It was as if a breeze hit him, and then calmed as he made contact. He was surprised how much energy he received! He then withdrew the axe.

All he did was look at his comrades. Then, he sighed and declared. "I will defeat Shao Kahn. Earthrealm, Outworld, and Kung Lao depends on it!"

A/N: March from Dissidia Final Fantasy will sound as the heroes encounter Sheeva. Soul Chamber from the arcade version of MK3 shall play as Nightwolf deals with her! Of course, the song sharing the Bridge theme would play in the Balcony, in Jax's battle, since I grew up with the SNES version; besides, I find the Pit theme on using it BEFORE the actual Pit was a bit anticlimactic and takes away the horrific swag! Instead, I may keep in bits and pieces on the Final Battle in Annihilation, exclusively for Lao's fight with Motaro, and the reinforcement from Jax. Silver Savior would play when Lao loses his life and Nightwolf offers the soul-empowered tomahawk to Liu Kang, up to 1:25 just to cut out the Silver Surfer theme, reminds me of Sue dying, y'know. I s'pose it'll end with the repeated track, Kitana's Abduction, before Liu Kang should take the final fight with the Emperor.

Bonus points to those who actually know who the Treants and Mammons are! No cheating!

This was undoubtedly one of the most dreadful and hardest chapters I'd ever written..! Losing Kung Lao was something I thought I'd never do! Let alone have him assassinated by the same murderer that lopped off Johnny! I actually skipped ahead one day and can't resist writing this! Just to get it off my chest, and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Besides, Motaro is terrifying, and he grew on me as a favorite villain! I kinda figured it'd be a great deja vu on having Jax fight off the Centaur like in a certain guilty pleasure of mine... At least I take Lao's death seriously, and made it impactful in which I feel Nether Realm Studios fails to do! I hate how they did it in the reboot and moving forward!! Damn you, pricks, always having fun killing him off on countless occassions!!

Should be a one and done thing, and at least the heroes have their share of great tragedy!

The finale and epilogue shall soon be underway, that is if life doesn't interfere too much...

Con't XI - Finale!

After Liu Kang absorbed the souls from Nightwolf's greenlit tomahawk, the Kombatants heard a low, monstrous growl. Jax could've sworn it belonged to a lion, but it only turned out to be his latest prey, greatly wounded. Sheeva just shoved some of the heroes aside as she stepped in and actually offered Nightwolf to use his magic to...reduce Motaro into a simpleton, she said. Both warriors just conjured as much energy as they could before they simultaneously unleashed them onto the horse-like body! By the time the blinding light cleared, the mighty general wasn't obliterated, but rather...

As if his vessel shrunk in length! Instead of having a quadrupedal body, his four legs were reduced by half! Even his vessel and his tail shrinking them to nearly the same size as the Shokan!

"Who's the inferior species NOW, Motaro!?" Sheeva hissed in disgust.

Remembering the lethal fight with Kahn back in Outworld, Liu Kang chose to stick with the thick red and black vest, the same one he wore during some of his strenuous training exercises; as well as his durable gauntlets that were rumored to be keepsakes from the Great Kung Lao.

The Kombatants watched Liu Kang ascend the last stairwell to the topmost floor of Kahn's Fortress under a ginormous archway. There, he beheld the terrifying display of a very familiar arena! Liu Kang noticed he arrived at the Pit; however, it was a lot more spacious than the previous two he encountered. The mass of the chamber filled him with tension as he stood on a narrow bridge, only three feet wide, and several feet in length, with short spikes protruding from the sides. Like the gargoyle statues in the corners, along with Kahn's small throne just ahead, they lit up in an eerie and placid lime-green, as if not all the doomed souls had left the castle. Two other monstrous sculptures were carved in the far wall, each lighting up in spots while the souls illuminated like tiny torches. The scale of Kahn's last stand was so astronomical that it almost made Liu's stomach lurch; he couldn't bear to look below the fatal arena he was about to meet his possible demise in!

His eyes gazed around the hellish place! Reassured that his close friend, Kung Lao, didn't have to die here nor endure this nightmare!

It was unusually warm, compared to the other Pits as this one wasn't outside in the fresh air...

"YAGH!"

A wide, metallic hammer slammed onto the bridge, and Liu leapt just milliseconds before it made contact! With a backflip, the Champion merely escaped from Shao Kahn's wrath!

"You have come, Champion! You must be eager to end your own life! In this fine chamber by my design!" The Konquerer stated in a gruff.

"You've ended the lives of so many innocents, in Earthrealm and Outworld! You even killed Kung Lao!"

"On the contrary, feeble Mortal! It was my elite general, Motaro, who has slaughtered both the former Champion and that sleazy celebrity!

"No matter with those fleas!" He replied with a swap of his hand. "Earthrealm and Outworld has already been rendered dead and powerless like your precious Thunder God! Once I'm finished with you, the two realms will be conquered like the weak kingdom, Edenia! All realms shall bow down to me!"

"We'll NEVER bow down to you, you bastard!" Liu Kang then powered up his pyrokinesis, and simultaneously, so did the souls within him! His body had some green and orange outlining thanks to the souls inside Nightwolf's tomahawk. These had empowered the monk with more strength!

"You've gained more power, I see. More than when we have met!" Kahn was somehow enthralled facing a formidable opponent. "It will be honorable to eliminate such a promising foe. Show me what you can do, Champion!" He beckoned him to come over, but all Liu did was greet the Konqurer with a powerful kick or two.

Kahn fired a green orb from one of the souls he absorbed, it hit Liu Kang dead center. He fired again but the hero was prepared as he took a running start and leapt over it! Thanks to the momentum he just gained, Liu outmaneuvered Kahn by jumping over him and hit him in the helmet. This only backed him a few feet away, then the overlord lunged at him with an Upward Shadow Charge, but Liu Kang avoided it as he ducked! He then performed an uppercut which sent Kahn back onto the Bridge. His temper was getting the best of him as he let out another green fireball, then a Shadow Charge in which Liu blocked! It caused minimal damage, but he wasn't stunned. The armor he wore may have cushioned the blow. Again, Liu aimed for his head as he leapt over the green Fireball, and his momentum went faster! He jumped over Kahn, even missing his Upward Charge! Liu ducked from another green sphere and evaded another Air Charge with ease. Once more, Kahn was outmaneuvered before Liu was able to perform rapid punches and kicks then an uppercut! The Emperor wasn't done yet, and he was about to send his opponent flying, however, he was too quick when he ducked, and sent him striking to the Bridge again! Kahn was a little dazed both from the impact and his opponent confusing him, and Liu closed the distance with a Flying Kick straight toward his bare chest!

For a few moments, Kahn was injured and held it. But his overzealousness began to consume him! He would never want to lose his life nor his never-ending conquest to that low-class monkey from the primitive Earthrealm!

After an intimidating roar, Kahn closed in with a charge, but Liu was expecting it and performed a direct uppercut to his chin! He finally went all full assault, and his Hammer weakened the monk, but he was just too flexible, avoiding another green Fireball! Kahn lunged his hammer, but the monk blocked it; thanks to the ancient, durable gauntlets, it left minimal impact on his hands. As if it was nothing, Liu Kang leapt over his charge and closed in with some rapid punches and kicks! Kahn copied his strategy by blocking his advances, then unleashed his Hammer during a Bicycle Kick! Thanks to the excessive energy from Nightwolf's souls, they still gave Liu some energy and resilience despite the ongoing pain in his legs. The Champion was still slowly rising after a barrage of Kahn's muscular charges.

For once, Liu's energy was beginning to dissipate. All he could do was keep aiming for Kahn's head, as with each fighter, they'd become dizzy and disoriented, open for an attack. He kept on this strategy as he leapt over his green Fireballs, over his head and made a few blows that were blocked. Kahn countered with another charge, then Liu recovered and repeated the process, jumping over Kahn's energy sphere and on top of the crown with the agility of a frog! Kahn let out his Sledgehammer, which made Liu back away, but he just ran up and over! He made a few blows, then Kahn countered again with a charge and an airborne kick to which Liu ducked and made an uppercut counter!

However, Kahn was still on the Bridge! If he could just knock him off...

Both warriors felt their endurance fading, but Liu's determination never faltered! The Shaolin leapt over his Fireballs and directly in front, blinding the opponent, so he wasn't prepared for Liu's rapid blows! One of the Emperor's charges made a mark, but Liu was still resilient and nimble; apparently, agility was all it took to dominate over Kahn's brute strength!

His hammer just wasn't enough to back off the fiery monk! He continued to hop over Kahn's sphere, duck from his air charge as Liu unleashed a streak of his Low Dragon Fire, avoided a punch, another charge, and countered another by his High Dragon Fire directly into Kahn's midsection! They were dead center at the Pit Bridge, but Liu conjured all his might, including the excessive energy from the empowering souls. Just then, flashbacks entered his mind of Kung Lao, his brother Chan slewed by Shang Tsung, the victories over the Outworld trio, and the destruction of the two doomed realms! Before he made a very remarkable uppercut sending Kahn flying off!

The heavy gravity engulfed the hapless Emperor just several feet down! His roars were heard as he sharply descended into the abyss where series of gigantic, rapidly-spinning spikes greeted him! His armored body was not enough to protect him from the sheer Brutality as both his body and soul were instantaneously shredded by them! Liu could've sworn he heard the spikes slice up the Konquerer like cattle with the ear-shrieking blades! Almost as gruesome like Kung Lao's hat slewing his prey!

Liu just stood there, stunned and still like those endless stone monstrosities. What he didn't see were the blades slowing to a crawl moments after they spliced thru Kahn! As if time was stopping them, before they screeched to a halt...

"Fatality!" Liu Kang declared, hardly creeped out by the devastating, bloody sight leagues below his perch.

His victory was also seen from the Sky Temple, as Raiden and Asgaarth watched the Earth revive itself from all of Kahn's corruption and massive destruction by his extermination squads. Both Earthrealm and Outworld started to repair themselves! The stormy clouds let up, the skies were clearing, the million streaks of green souls were flying around returning to the empty vessels, which resulted Lao being revived and no longer cursed! The trio suddenly noticed him taking in a few breaths. Aiko couldn't help but gasp as she watched him regain life, and after a few inhales, she couldn't help but caress his cheek with a giddy smile. She then kissed him on the forehead, and Raiden knew from that moment on, their love finally became official.

The skies began to brighten all over the world, aside from the clear night sky overlooking the city that never slept...at least not sleeping very easily from all the devastating shit New York endured, let alone all of Earthrealm. The surviving heroes were astonished on how quickly everything became peaceful. Moments later, the Thunder God noticed his sacred Temple also lighting up! The Jinsei has been restored as it brightened to its normal pale blue hue! The sun even broke thru the dark overcast shining on and into the ethereal place!

The resulting illumination made Kung Lao's eyes flutter. He turned his head and saw Aiko's opaque face laying over his blurry vision... By the time it cleared, he couldn't help but smile up at her...

She just sighed, "Hi, Kung Lao..!"

He couldn't help but repeat her words and expression. His grin suddenly faded as he recollected his thoughts. "Did he do it...? Did...Liu Kang finally annihilated Shao Kahn?"

Raiden nodded, "Yes. He decimated the evil Emperor, at last. And this time, it is for good since he was revived once by a cursed amulet. However, there was no saving him this time. The deadly fans at the bowels of the hellish Pit chamber obliterated his body and soul instantaneously."

Lao exhaled in relief, "Thank the Elder Gods... Did I...reverse my curse..?"

"Indeed, you have. Your curse was broken by your temporary death. You shall be free from the shackles of immortality."

Aiko and the monk broke with a grin. Then hers had fallen, "But-what about Liu Kang? He won, and so...he still has to endure that curse." This was a rough revelation for his best friend, sharing the Great Kung Lao's fate as Champion, only Liu won thrice..!

"He is still mortal." Raiden clarified.

All they did was sulk...

Back inside the scaling Pit, Liu was still stunned over his victory and Kahn's malicious death. He just couldn't believe he was Champion for three times in a row, let alone saving the two cursed realms... He silently could've sworn the backwall began to shift, wondering if the abrupt intimidating statues had moved somewhat. He almost lost his balance when the narrow bridge jiggled beneath his feet. That was when he knew the Castle will fall in a manner of seconds! He immediately turned tail and ran thru the enormous arch to the lower floors!

Every section where was once a green soul sparking churned to a corrosive black-green! But the abrupt corrodes didn't faze the escaping monk as he stormed down the first stairwell before the left gargoyle caved in like a weak paper cup. He headed straight to the Balcony and his comrades just began to leave! They only wished Kung Lao, or at least Raiden, was with them so they'd be teleported out within a moment's notice! He spotted the massive hole from earlier and dropped straight atop of the spiked rubble from the demolished Soul Chamber! He nearly lost his balance, let alone worried on having his boots be protruded by the leftover spikes! He was able to regain his footing and took a leap of faith off the dangerous pile! The landing was nearly too much for the monk, but he still pushed himself forward despite the excessive perspiration and rapid heartbeats! He headed right and wound up at the unholy Temple! He barely avoided the debris and shielded his face from the shattered glass of the many tinted windows, and the sudden combustions from the toppled rows of candles; the flames were hardly an issue since he was born conjuring them himself.

He wasn't out of the doomed foundation while he saw most of it crumble ahead of him! He went back a few inches and performed his rapid Bicycle Kick which barely had enough distance as he clutched to a loose edge of granite. He regained his footing and the same piece started to break away! He nearly had enough time pushing himself up and leaping from the falling ledge onto more sturdier ground! His own nimble and blinding maneuvers can rival that of any monk or any Earthling!

He was nearly home free, but his adrenaline was failing him from the previous lethal battle! He finally wound up at the lava pits and hesitated. His keen sight scanned for Smoke's imprisonment, but the chains were gone! Reassured, he pressed on out to the dark golden clearing-

But Liu, as well as the escaped heroes, saw a massive wall of debris immediately trap the Champion! As if Kahn planned it to happen at that moment! Switching Smoke to the Shokan's shoulders, Jax and Sub-Zero came to the tough pile, but no matter how hard they tried, the wall never budged! They even scattered as they noticed a whoosh of air from above, when a large piece of the Tower descended! They grew hopeless, as did Liu Kang! He tried with all his might punching, kicking and pulling the debris away, but to no avail...

Exasperated, Liu couldn't help but gaze into the air... Was this the demise of Earthrealm's chosen..? Is this was Kahn plotted all along..?

He moped as he shut his eyes, praying for a miracle, until some neon red light shone thru his eyelids. Following the glow, a rip suddenly appeared! Never minding where it'd lead, he took it! He just tripped before cool air hit him, and noticed he was on more intact concrete! His friends came and greeted him, everyone was free! They huddled around him, even Jax who ecstatically slapped him on his irritated shoulder, "How many lives you got, man?"

Everyone gazed onto the monstrous Fortress finally collapsing into oblivion from crown to base! They were all so glad that both Kahn and his stronghold were no more..! Unbelievably, so were Sindel and Sheeva. Liu wondered where Smoke was, though Sub-Zero shown him hung over his back. Nightwolf hoped he'd restart his electrocuted circuits, especially without his hidden cavern base to compensate...

Kitana then broke the silence, "It's over. It's finally over. Jerrod and the countless victims can rest in peace now..." The Shokan nor the former queen weren't fazed by his demise at all.

Back inside the Jinsei chamber...

Raiden, Asgaarth, Aiko and Kung Lao were just as stunned as the other warriors. The couple looked as if they were staring into space, wondering what transpired, before they turned and grinned at each other. Their faces were the best sights they'd seen since before the invasion started. They leaned in until they heard steps on some puddles. With his muscles still stiff, Lao abruptly rose, seeing his best friend standing before him.

The monks reunited with smiles and a tight manly embrace, even smacking their backs. They didn't mind their soaked bodies, with the former from the Jinsei and the latter by his tumultuous escape. They were just glad to see each other, as if it felt like days!

"Well done, Champion." Raiden walked to the brotherly pair. "Earthrealm and Outworld have been spared once more. Thanks to you overthrowing Shao Kahn, you have freed them both after living in terror for many eons. Thus, peace shall reign supreme for a time."

"Liu Kang, you're still cursed. You've won three tournaments now." Kung Lao added.

To his surprise, the warrior wasn't disappointed; if anything, he just felt more optimistic. "Me...? I can deal with this."

"What?" He was flabbergasted Liu Kang didn't mind enduring the curse as Champion.

"I think you're taking this...too well." Aiko added rubbing the back of her neck, sharing Lao's uneasiness.

"I can endure this. I still got another fifty years or so left in me, right? I'm still mortal."

The two grew puzzled, worried as if Liu lost his mind. Perhaps he suffered too many blows to the head by Kahn's last battle.

"I will work things out with the Elder Gods. Since Earthrealm has been proven time and again that it is a strong and refined world as of now, they shall be able to negotiate easier."

"...Maybe he should go thru the same deathly occurrence as Lao had." Aiko suggested.

"No..!" The monks responded in unison.

"The Elder Gods had set the rules for the tournaments," Asgaarth stated. "I am certain there shall be a better way to resolve the eternal and ageless curse. Since Earthrealm has been growing in strength and thriving, it has made an alliance with other realms. Edenia shall be in peace..."

"Aren't you going to join us, Kung Lao?"

"Ah...maybe later. I feel I still need to rest here a little longer."

"I'll stay with him...if you don't mind." Aiko offered. He just nodded his ascent.

Liu Kang left wishing he'd eventually change his mind. But Lao still felt unsure, as did the cardiokinetic.

"You look nervous."

"Oh, Raiden... I just...feel this isn't quite the end. We may have won over Shao Kahn, just as before, but...we wouldn't have peace for long. Kahn had been revived after we destroyed him, and...I could've sworn I noticed Shang Tsung earlier. If he's been sent to the Netherrealm, and if we see the two other monsters Aiko and I saw..."

The God laid a hand on his shoulder. "Not now, Kung Lao. You should take in your victories while they last, instead of constantly living with dread. It would only invite further angsts. After all, your nephew still needs you.

"For now, you may rest here. Just do not let your anxieties overwhelm you."

Lao nodded, nearly forgetting about Kung Jin, then Raiden watched over Earthrealm once more while Asgaarth finally returned to the ruins of Edenia without fear nor bewilderment.

The weight left the monk fatigued. Aiko watched him sit as he rubbed his aching back; she was certainly glad her loved one hadn't succumbed to the Revenant curse as of yet, nor passed away for good and was given a second chance curse-free. They finally had an opportunity to do the unthinkable as they finally kissed each other passionately, before the both of them slumbered.

A/N: I just can't kill off Motaro! Yeah, he deserved it for assassinating Johnny and killing off my main, Kung Lao, but still, he's one of my favorite villains, as well as one of the creepiest Kombatants ever konceived! As scary as he is, that's what made him so fascinating. However, I was disappointed Motaro was cursed by the Shokan in Armageddon, thus his current fate as vengeance for the Shokan and how Shao Kahn always favors the Centaurs over them. After all, as the corrupt Raiden once said, "There are fates worse than death." Just as what happened to Bane losing his gains in Batman & Robin!

Mega Attack may be played if Liu Kang should fight Shao Kahn, followed by the iconic arcade version of The Pit III; as stated I don't like the fact it was played in The Balcony BEFORE the actual Pit! That's complete malarkey and takes away some of the intimidating mood! Besides, it'd be more anticlimactic this way.

Run, Rambi, Run'd play when the Fortress collapses; I figured it'd be more intense if that should happen in a MK game, just after the defeat of Shao Kahn; maybe it should have a few small groups of baddies for a little extra leverage on regaining health as Liu escapes. Kind of like the climaxes in Ocarina of Time or Super Metroid. I figured having the Stronghold Showdown theme from DKC2 would be a satisfying end to the dreaded Emperor and his lair. The subtle parts of Silver Savior would chime in as Lao reunites with Aiko and Liu Kang before the chapter ends.

In The4thSnake's episode depicting Kung Lao in Wasted Plotential, he stated that Liu Kang attained both his headband and gauntlets that were passed down from his so-called distant cousin's ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, as keepsakes. And he practically wore them during the events of the reboot, even though he wore the headband in many games. I thought it was a great idea highlighted here!

And finally Lao's relationship has been sealed in stone with Aiko! I can't help it, much like Rick Wheeler, he meant so much to me ever since the LP that helped me drive this story thru amongst other things, especially when Kung Lao was the main focus! In a way...sometimes I wish that Warlock Waluigi and I'd connect personally and perhaps mutually, if only we aren't in different states. At least, much like the F-Zero hero, it'd show them to have a more tender side, and I feel terrible that Lao remained single throughout the series, as well as being distant from Kung Jin. With that heart meld, it's about time they finally connected!

Soon would be the epilogue, something that Defenders of the Realm and Shaolin Monks truly deserves...

Epilogue

After a sufficient rest that seemed to stretch for several hours, Kung Lao and Aiko finally rose and walked out of the Sky Temple following the glorious sunset. It was so astonishing that they hardly noticed each other beginning to hold hands... Before they knew it, their mentor Raiden offered to transport them back home at the Wu Shi Academy.

It was actually silent. Hardly any bustling activity, until they saw some Shaolin Monks rise up from the opened hatch that led to the Dragon Grotto. Amongst the gathering crowd was the tyke, Kung Jin, who called and ran up to his uncle ecstatic to see him, and Aiko, safe and sound! Lao knelt and tightly embraced his nephew, saying he was so glad to see him! Jin was glad to see Aiko too, and the monks were willing to have the cardiokinetic be trained and to join their ranks!

They weren't expecting a certain outsider visit the Shaolin grounds...

Nightwolf volunteered to stay at the Academy as well, functioning as the Monks' technical assistant and advancing the compound itself! Since his kind wasn't thrilled on his high levels of intellect, as they feared he has evolved and become more like the snobby foreigners, Aiko made the offer for him to stay. Nightwolf was grateful that the Order of Light supported practices for the Great Spirit, who obviously turned out to be Raiden, aside from worshipping the Elder Gods.

It never would've come at a better time since Smoke was having difficulty functioning with his defective armor. Parts of it had to be surgically removed, and the implants had to be remodeled. It took a few weeks till Smoke was ripe again thanks to the Jinsei in the Grotto. Around 78% of his armor was discarded as defective, however, Nightwolf offered to replace them with newer, and more sophisticated, components. As if Smoke'd be the Iron Man of Mortal Kombat, Aiko exaggerated! Literally since he had the ability on switching his cyborg components while still remaining human... Even possessing newer honing missiles and a rocket pack beneath his feet allowing him to fly!

By the time he was ready to venture with his "mui pøítel," Kuai Liang, to the Lin Kuei Ninja compound, they wished to overthrow and reform the organization upon the demise of Oniro, however...

There was a confession he had to make! He never had the chance to state this to Sub-Zero, but as Smoke was teleporting Sektor into the air before he self-destructed, the grey ninja received some intel by a tiny microchip. However, he was unable to analysis it due to the constant battles of Kahn's extermination squads. Thanks to Nightwolf's ingenuity, Smoke was able to compute that it was Quan Chi that killed Scorpion's family and murdered all members of the Shirai Ryu. Kuai couldn't remember the sorcerer well, on account he was blinded by the gem of Tetsurri several months ago, but his name sounded familiar since his brother, Bi-Han, was involved...

Aiko was determined to join the White Lotus Society and remain by her significant other, Kung Lao. He, Jin, Nightwolf, Liu's grandfather and Raiden were great mentors to her, even while training her cardiokinesis, guiding her through her meditation sessions and her Ankylosaurus Animality. She may not desire to be at the same levels as Lao nor Liu, though she still felt needed adjoining the Order of Light and defending Earthrealm. It was just the perfect place in time for her as she learned more of the monks' culture, and perhaps reconnect moments of her distant past; she never had any means to go back to her dystopian future being decimated by two unknown entities leading a Revenant horde... It was only out of Raiden's control anyway, much to her relief.

Kung Lao didn't mind taking up Liu Kang's slack, as the monk volunteered to assist Kitana, Queen Sindel, and their new cohorts rebuilding their lost kingdom of Edenia. It was actually thru his good deeds and compassion that warmed up Kitana's heart for him, aside on being proven as Earthrealm's Champion. Queen Sindel finally restored her place as the benevolent Queen, but she desired only for her rule to go as far as the boundaries of Edenia since she never wanted to get involved in filthy business with Outworlders. Sheeva was anointed as her personal bodyguard, and since Kahn was out of the picture and Motaro cursed, she had little to no angsts for looking over her Shokan race. Even the esteemed knight, Asgaarth, was anointed as the royal guard for Sindel and Kitana!

Sonya and Jax had their chance to mourn over the demise of Johnny Cage, amongst other warriors. They took a brief respite in the tropical reaches of Los Angeles, in his honor, before they returned to the Special Forces headquarters. In light of the recent invasion, they were reinstated, under the condition there were inclinations of other warring realms outside their own, counting the wrathful Centaurs. The Somalian War was still transpiring, as well as the hunt for the disbanded Black Dragons. And Aiko felt bad on having the pairing leave the team...

Stryker wasn't affected much, resuming his average duties as a Riot Control Officer patrolling the New York streets. He was actually thrilled being on normal grounds again...although a certain someone holding a pair of lethal hook swords had been looking out for him in the dead of night and underneath the suburbs...

Peace was finally returning to Earthrealm and Edenia, although Kung Lao still felt his angsts there was something brewing at the heart of Earth...just underneath the Kombatants' feet...

At the New York streets, construction workers were removing rubble from Kahn's destroyed Fortress. They've yet to notice the infinitesimal red spot in the pavement...

That teeny rip led straight to Hell, where the ominous sorcerers, Quan Chi and Shang Tsung, stood within the fiery pits amongst the endless armies of undead legions, while a tall necromancer with blue skin and rainbow robes rose. The hell spawn roared as they worshipped their fallen monarch...!

A/N: The first part of the epilogue from Final Fantasy IV would play here, as would the Elder Gods from MK4 following it... Maybe Encountering the Ultimate at the end, even though sadly it never mentioned Nightwolf nor Kung Lao. Just to add an extra bonus, I suppose Kung Lao's theme may play in the finale too; he was the star after all...

I want to give special thanks to several people/things that motivated me to write this epic! Including 616Entertainment with the History of Mortal Kombat, The4thSnake with certain episodes of Wasted Plotential, The MK Line through Time, and those for Canon Ball, especially the ones where Kung Lao's the focus. Speaking of which, the single thing that got me inspired was of course Warlock Waluigi's LP of MK Shaolin Monks with Kung Lao as the star!! As well as certain vids highlighted by Underdawg Gaming, with the Greatest Downfall in MK History, as my driving point. I should also give thanks to a guy on Twitter, MKKrypt, to keep me inspired from pics in the classic series. So too with antmane7 on his Aesthetics of MK3 vid, which demonstrated its overlooked/sinister style.

I'd also love to give shoutouts to the first MK film, Annihilation and Defenders of the Realm, with the latter that absolutely needs closure! As stated, this wasn't just the continuation of Shaolin Monks nor retelling of MK3, but also the finality to it and the underappreciated animated series! And the story itself just ended one episode less!!

So... this may be leading to the follow up of MK4, but...I wouldn't count on it, as this was my first fallout with the juggernaut. If there's any plans for it in the future, you'll see it, but it will NOT be an easy task! Especially with work, life, the unknown, and other side projects like countdowns getting in the way...!

If only there should be a sort of fan remake for that, then it might be considered... Until then, this is the Ikran Rider signing off.