A/N: This is the first chapter of the story. This takes place during the Mortal Kombat bracket of Mortal Kombat (2011), during the first five chapters. For those who are unlucky to have not played or own the game, this is a somewhat spoiler.
Contains swearing and violence, and sexual references/scenes.
You have been warned.
R&R welcome.
(Raiden's POV)
Liu Kang has joined me in participating in this tournament. As I watch people who approach the tournament grounds, my mind churns and reminds me of several events that will take place in the future.
Shao Kahn beats me into submission and kills me in Armageddon.
Flashback:
"Where are the Elder Gods, Raiden? They masquerade as dragons, but are mere toothless worms," the Emperor says as he approaches me, grabbing me roughly by the shoulders and punching me in the face. My body helplessly jerks with every punch. I cannot do anything to save myself. My powers are compromised in Outworld, as it is a foreign world. Shao Kahn's powers have been increased as a result of the third outcome at the defeat of Blaze at Taven's hands.
Shao Kahn suddenly throws me across the Pyramid, and laughs haughtily. As I land, my amulet cracks into pieces. I am doomed. I have failed Earthrealm, the Elder Gods, my fallen allies, and myself. I silently condemn myself as Shao Kahn approaches.
Grabbing what remains of my amulet, I clench my fist, creating small electrical impulses. "Foolish ages of resistance, Raiden. Soon, all of the realms will be in my control," the Emperor boasts as he eyes me with his evil orange eyes with black cat-like slits.
Muttering a mystical incantation, my eyes begin to glow blue. "Yes Raiden…pray to the worms," Shao Kahn continues to insult me. "He must win…" I say, still holding my crushed amulet.
Suddenly, a series of past events before Armageddon take place. I see myself fighting Taven, the son of the Elder God Argus. Prior to Armageddon, I had made a deal with Shao Kahn; I would prevent Taven from completing his quest, in exchange that Shao Kahn would leave Earthrealm alone. I was foolish to do this, but I was corrupted by Onaga's essence after my rebirth.
I then see Quan Chi, Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, and Onaga discussing something about their alliance. I cannot exactly remember what happened, but I do remember that they ultimately sided with eachother. I then see myself resurrecting Liu Kang, and fighting the Dragon King alongside Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.
Tons of events continue to flash through my mind as if it is a movie, before I find myself at the first Mortal Kombat tournament.
End Of Flashback.
Feeling somewhat nervous about the events of the tournament due to my visions, I quietly grimace and bring my palm to my face. Liu Kang, who is standing next to me, notices and looks at me thoughtfully.
"Lord Raiden, what is wrong?" Liu Kang is a member of the White Lotus society, and was chosen to represent the Shaolin Monk order in this tournament. He is an excellent fighter, being capable of defeating the likes of Shao Kahn and Goro. I do not doubt his abilities, but sometimes, he lets his emotions get in his way.
Not wanting to explain, I push my emotions aside. "It is nothing, Liu Kang. The tournament now begins."
CHAPTER ONE
The tournament had seen lots of events, such as the victory of Johnny Cage against Reptile and Baraka. Because he had refused to kill Baraka, Shang Tsung called off the tournament for the day.
"The tournament will resume at dawn!" The old sorcerer said as he left with a blue-clad woman who was standing next to him.
"What? That's it?" Johnny Cage said dissapointedly.
Sonya Blade had defeated Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kitana, Jade, and Kano in order to rescue Jax, which she was almost successful in doing.
Sonya had managed to free Jax from captivity, but was unsuccessful in leaving the tournament. Their ride home was destroyed by Shang Tsung, the tournament's host.
Scorpion, an undead wraith from the Netherrealm, showed up at the tournament the next day and demanded for the Lin Kuei warrior, Sub-Zero.
"Where is the Lin Kuei Sub-Zero? He killed my family and clan….I will have his head!"
Raiden had discovered that it was Kung Lao, posing as a masked guard. Liu Kang was chosen to represent the Monks. Attempting to redeem himself, Kung Lao snuck into the tournament and posed as a Masked Guard, but was caught by Raiden.
"I know it is you, Kung Lao," Raiden said. "The Shaolin Monks chose Liu Kang to represent the Order in this Tournament."
"I am Liu Kang's equal," Kung Lao shot back while trying to keep a low profile.
"That remains to be seen," came Raiden's rebuttal.
"Watch and see," Kung Lao coldly replied before approaching Scorpion confidently. Quickly undressing from his Guard costume, Kung Lao had the bravest look on his face.
"Nevermind the Lin Kuei, you will face a Shaolin."
"You will regret your impulsiveness," Scorpion retorted before fighting the Monk.
Scorpion had the upper hand, as he had more tricks up his sleeve. He frequently used his teleport punches and hellfire. Scorpion was too fast for Kung Lao, and it was not long before the fight ended.
"You are not yet a warrior," Scorpion said, insulting Kung Lao for his defeat. Neither Liu Kang or Raiden were impressed with Kung Lao's decision. "Listen when your Elders speak. You could not win this fight," Raiden scolded.
Scorpion continued to obliterate his future opponents, such as Nightwolf, Cyrax, Sektor, and Sub-Zero.
The two rivals fought in the Netherrealm, where Scorpion was reborn. Scorpion had defeated Sub-Zero, but did not kill him, as he had made an agreement with Raiden. The Thunder God sensed that if Sub-Zero were to die, a more dangerous threat would emerge. In exchange for sparing the Lin Kuei, Raiden would request the Elder Gods to resurrect the Shirai Ryu.
Scorpion did want to kill Sub-Zero, but he wanted his family and clan back more than anything.
"Scorpion, what are you waiting for?" The familiar voice of Quan Chi was heard through the Netherrealm. Scorpion looked behind him to see the pale sorcerer. "Kill him."
"I will not," Scorpion said. Raiden must have sensed that Quan Chi was trying to persuade Scorpion into having revenge, and did not like this. He quickly teleported to the Netherrealm to do something about it.
"The Lin Kuei are not responsible, Scorpion," Raiden said upon arriving in the Netherrealm. Helping Sub-Zero up, Scorpion looked at Raiden with a confused look on his face.
"Continue," the spectre said. He had never heard this said about the Shirai Ryu murders. Scorpion was well aware that the Lin Kuei were a group of assassins that would stop at nothing to complete their task.
"Quan Chi is the one responsible for your family and clan's murder. He killed the Shirai Ryu in exchange for the Lin Kuei completing their mission, which was to retrieve the Map of Elements from the Shaolin Temple. Though I am responsible for your death, Scorpion, I did not kill your family," Sub-Zero said, supporting Raiden's point.
Quan Chi hung his head in shame. His secret was out of the bag, and he had lost Scorpion's loyalty, as well as one of his most trusted enforcers. The spectre was overcome with anger and sadness to the point that he took off his mask to reveal a flaming skull, and slew his former master, who writhed in pain on the ground.
The spectre unremorsefully looked at his master's dead body. Grabbing Quan Chi by the throat, Scorpion threw him into the lava. He did not care that he had betrayed the Netherrealm. For learning the truth about his family, Scorpion would be forever grateful to Earthrealm.
Bowing to the Thunder God, Scorpion thanked him dearly for the truth. "Thankyou, Lord Raiden. As atonement for the truth, I will side with Earthrealm, now and forever." Turning to face Sub-Zero, Scorpion held out his hand. "I am sorry, Bi-Han, for wanting to pointlessly kill you all this time." The Cryomancer carefully eyed Scorpion's arm before kindly accepting it. "I accept your apology, Scorpion. I hope that we can become friends." Bi-Han smiled warmly at the spectre.
Scorpion nodded in agreement before taking Raiden and Sub-Zero back to Earthrealm. Everybody was surprised to see that the former rivals were in one piece, as Scorpion was previously ranting about having Sub-Zero's head.
Whilst their battle went on, Liu Kang had been victorious over Kitana, Ermac, Goro, and Shang Tsung. Earthrealm had won this time. They would be forever safe against Outworld's grasp.
The butthurt Outworld warriors left Earthrealm in a portal. Kitana fondly glanced at Liu Kang, the Earthrealm Champion. Johnny Cage, the movie star, playfully nudged Liu Kang, and the two men started laughing. Kitana felt obliged to giggle before leaving to Outworld.
"I saw you glancing at Liu Kang before we left, Kitana. Have you got the hots for an Earthrealmer?" Jade was Kitana's bodyguard and childhood friend. She was very close with the Princess of Outworld. Kitana never had a mother; Shao Kahn was her father and only family member, so she counted Jade as a sister, due to their long-lasting friendship.
"No. I would not be allowed to marry him or be in a relationship with him. My father would forbid it. Besides, he is somebody I would only consider as a friend," Kitana bravely replied.
Jade smirked, as she still believed Kitana had a crush on Liu Kang. Before they could continue their conversation, they were called upon by Shao Kahn. The Emperor pointed to Shang Tsung and gave a cut-throat gesture, signalling for Kitana and Jade to hold the sorcerer down and kill him.
Jade held Shang Tsung down as Kitana drew her fans, ready to decapitate the sorcerer.
"500 YEARS I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS! NOW I MUST WAIT 500 MORE," the Emperor roared in fury. Outworld had one the 9 consecutive tournaments, and almost had Earthrealm in their grasp. However, Shang Tsung had been defeated by the Shaolin Monk, Liu Kang, resulting in their failure.
"My Lord, all is not lost!" Shang Tsung desperately pleaded for his life, but Shao Kahn was not as kind as someone like Raiden. "Nevermind. Kitana, kill him." The Emperor's voice was as hard as steel, most likely due to his anger. Jade's grip on Shang Tsung's shoulders tightened as Kitana prepared to end the sorcerer's life.
"What if the rules were changed!" Shang Tsung shouted, still trying to plead for his life. The Emperor looked at the sorcerer with his hard cat-like eyes, and gestured for Kitana to lower her fans. "Continue," the Emperor said. Shang Tsung was beyond happy as his life was going to be spared.
"We change the system to make the odds way heavily on Earthrealm. We change the system to a single one of ten." Shang Tsung started panting heavily as he awaited the Emperor's answer. Surprisingly, the Emperor nodded.
"I will spare your life, Shang Tsung, but you are not free from punishment. Punishment is inevitable when it comes to failing the Emperor. Kitana," The Emperor called for his daughter, who was at his side immediately. Shao Kahn whispered something inaudible to Kitana before she walked away and entered a room which was unknown to some.
The Princess of Outworld returned with a small table and an odd looking device that looked horrific.
She laid the table in front of Shang Tsung and placed the horrific device in front of him. Jade, Kitana, and Skarlet, the Emperor's newest creation, stood by Shang Tsung, who eyed the device curiously.
"What is…this thing?!"
"It's a device for tearing off fingernails," Kitana coldly answered. "In order to redeem yourself, you must tear off three of your fingernails," the Princess continued.
"You…want three of them?!" Shang Tsung sounded like a frightened child as he spoke.
"That is what she just said, you narrowminded fuck!" Skarlet yelled, slapping Shang Tsung in the face. She was probably the most aggressive and brutal assassin of Shao Kahn. Kitana and Jade were kind, but Skarlet never held back. She killed anyone who posed a threat to her or Outworld.
"Shao Kahn only enacts this brutal method of torture when one of his servant fails the gravest of tasks. You were defeated by that Monk, Liu Kang. For that, you must prove yourself to Outworld and tear off thee of your fingernails," Jade continued from Kitana's words.
Skarlet roughly grabbed Shang Tsung's arm and placed his hand in the device. The sorcerer was restrained by Kitana and Jade. The grip of the two women tightened as the sorcerer tried to break free. Skarlet tore of one of Shang Tsung's fingernails with the machine, earning an ear-splitting scream from the sorcerer.
"Silence fool!" Skarlet yelled, and slapped the sorcerer once again. Her glare was as hard as steel, as was her voice. She used the machine to pry off another fingernail. By this point, Shang Tsung was crying. The pain was excruciating. All of this conjured up a massive hatred for Liu Kang in his mind. Losing to Liu Kang had made him end up where he was. But that was indeed the sorcerer's fault. If it wasn't for him, Shang Tsung wouldn't be having his fingernails ripped off and been bitchslapped twice by Skarlet.
Shang Tsung snapped out of his thoughts as Skarlet ripped off another fingernail. He bit back tears and prevented himself from breaking down and crying in front of the Emperor and his Outworld allies.
"That is enough now. Let Shang Tsung go. His punishment has been served," Shao Kahn said, signalling for the girls to let him go. Jade and Kitana released their grip, while Skarlet took the table and fingernail ripper away.
Shang Tsung's hands were dripping blood, which soaked the floor. Skarlet resisted the urge to kill Shang Tsung and bathe in his blood.
Meanwhile, Liu Kang and his Earthrealm allies celebrated their victory over Outworld. The Shaolin Monks presented Liu Kang with a medallion, indicating that he was Earthrealm's champion.
Despite Liu Kang's success, the future remained in peril. Raiden's amulet continued to crack further. However, the Earthrealm warriors were forever grateful that there realm was free from Shao Kahn once again, and that Liu Kang was capable of defeating adversaries such as Shang Tsung.
Raiden was grateful that Scorpion had spared Sub-Zero's life, thanks to the Lin Kuei warrior telling the spectre the truth. The Thunder God decided to uphold his end of the bargain and took Scorpion to Heaven, so that they could beseech the Elder Gods.
"Elder Gods, I beseech you!" Raiden cried out.
"What is it, Raiden? Why is Scorpion with you?" The Elder Gods asked simultaneously. The deities always spoke at the same time, either all of them or just two or three.
"I have held a bargain with Scorpion; in return for him sparing Sub-Zero's life, I would request of you to return the Shirai Ryu to the realm of mortals."
"Consider it done." One of the Elder Gods summoned the entire clan back, before Scorpion and Raiden. It was amazing as to how powerful they were. Raiden then teleported them back to Earthrealm, where Scorpion could reunite with them.
However, this would not be a true family reunion, as Scorpion would soon discover.
-That's the end of the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed.
-As you can see, I have altered Sub-Zero's death. Tundra will not be brought into this story, but Smoke will.
-Scorpion and Sub-Zero will be the main characters of this story; Liu Kang and Kung Lao will instead be minor characters.
-Scorpion's family were tainted with black magic after being killed by Quan Chi, which is why it won't be a true family reunion.
-The Scorpion X Kitana parts will take place during the middle of the story.
Keep reading! I will have more updates coming up soon.