AN- Hey everyone, long time no see. Sorry for not writing in a few months, life has been hectic, and I'm a bit of a lazy bastard sometimes. Anyways, this is my first MK fic, and so please excuse any lore mistakes, I will attempt to fix them in future entries. Also, just as a disclaimer, i do not own Mk or anything affiliated with it, and i respect the Elder God Boon! Remember to leave a review, and as always, I hope you enjoy!
Reflections
Heaven, post MK9- Raiden stood in front of the large, ethereal faces Elder Gods, a sour look on his face. It had been many months since Shao Kahn's failed invasion, but resulting deaths of many of Raiden's closest allies still hurt the thunder god. The death's of Kung Lao and Liu Kang stung the worse, due to Raiden feeling he was responsible for both deaths. Now, rumors of the fallen Elder God Shinnok's possible return weighed on his mind, though now that he stood in front of the Elder Gods, he felt something else. A presence, both alien yet...familiar.
"Elder Gods, what is this presence I feel? Certainly you sense it as well." Raiden asked.
"That is why we called you here, Raiden. The essence, the power you feel, is the remnants of Shao Kahn." A female Elder God said, perplexing Raiden.
"As you are protector of Earthrealm, Shao Kahn was meant to protect Outworld. And like you and any other protector of a realm, a physical death will only lead to the reformation of the god's soul. As such, when you destroyed Kahn with our power, you left his soul in pieces, and so now it waits to reform." Another Elder God clarified.
"I see, but that doesn't explain why you called me here." Raiden said. The Elder Gods glanced to each other, before looking to one located to Raiden's right. He nodded, and soon a small basket floated towards the thunder god, who looked upon it with apprehension.
"We have decided to take preemptive measures, so that Kahn's reincarnation does not grow to follow in his 'father's' footsteps." The first Elder God explained. Raiden looked on confused, before peering into the basket. To his surprise, he saw only a tiny, sleeping baby, with a small tuft of silver hair on his hair.
"We sped up the reincarnation process, and made some alterations. Where Shao was the sun, burning hot and attempting to shine over all, this boy is the moon, ever present, but only appearing where and when he is needed." The second Elder God said.
"Also, where normally a God would have reformed as a fully functioning adult, we have decided to instead have this reincarnation reared as a mortal is. He will grow much like and Outworlder does, aging as a human until he reaches his prime, in which he shall remain for the rest of his days." Another Elder God added. Raiden listened as he inspected the baby, surprised that something tantamount to being Shao Kahn's son could be so small and innocent. As he looked over the child, he accidentally woke him up, causing the child to slowly open his eyes, revealing the golden, piercing irises of Shao Kahn. Raiden retracted a bit, but found that the child was grasping his finger. A sense of otherworldly calm washed over the thunder god, as he willing let the baby play with his finger.
"I take it that I was called here so that I may have a part in raising the child." Raiden stated.
"Yes, you shall take him with you back to Earthrealm, where you will train and raise him until he is of suitable age. From there, he will have to decide his own path." The Elder God directly in front of Raiden said. Raiden nodded, and picked up the child, cradling him in his arms.
"It shall be done. Does he have a name yet?" He asked.
"Yes, Mōru-ō Kahn, or Mōru for short." One of the Elder Gods answered.
"A bit of a menacing name for one so small." Raiden replied, as a portal back to his temple opened before him.
"It serves as a reminder and a warning. That child shall grow, into his potential, and if he follows the path of his past life, we will charge you with the task of his destruction." The Elder Gods warned ominously in unison. Raiden nodded, and stepped through the portal, ready to face the long road ahead.
20 years later, Raiden's temple- Raiden sat in his temple, meditating in front of a large statue. He had much on his mind, as he had sent out the revived Scorpion and his student Takeda to locate the Kamidogu that he originally sent Kuai Liang to protect,, strange visions plagued him, though they were not like the one's that his future self had sent. So the thunder god continued his meditation, hoping calm would bring him the wisdom he sought. Suddenly, Raiden tensed, feeling a shift in the wind, and an uncomfortable presence.
"Who's there?" He said, reaching for his staff as he slowly stood up. Raiden then turned towards the massive front doors, which were then slammed open, as a streak of silver-white light darted across the room, putting out candles as it went. The sound the streak gave off could only be likened to that of the whistle of a bomb being dropped. Caught off guard, Raiden barely managed to bring his staff up to defend himself, blocking a strike from some sort of wooden war club. The thunder god pushed his assailant back, and then followed up with a swing at the shadowed silhouette's head. This was intercepted with a kick, which knocked Raiden's staff out of his hand. Earthrealm's protector countered this by grabbing the attacker's weapon arm, and squeezing on a pressure pint in the wrist, causing the club to slip from his grasp. The attacker, shrouded in darkness, kneed Raiden in the chest with considerable force, sending the god back a few feet. Before Raiden could regain his footing, the attacker clapped his hands, reigniting the candles and lighting up the room.
"You haven't lost your touch, old man." The attacker said, as he pulled of his helmet, revealing long silver hair.
"Mōru? Ha! It's good to see you!" Raiden said, his face turning from anger to happiness. Moru nodded and walked over to Raiden, giving him a hug.
"You too Raiden, it's been too long." Mōru said, breaking the embrace.
"How right you are. It's been what, three years?" Raiden replied.
"Three and a half, actually. Either way, it's good to be back."Mōru said. Raiden nodded, and motioned for Mōru to follow.
"You definitely have changed, Moru. I heard rumors of your ventures in Outworld, the people saying that a 'dragon of silver' protects them from bandits who take advantage of the civil war there. I also heard about a demon hunter in the Netherrealm, giving Quan Chi quite a bit of grief." Raiden said. He wasn't wrong, as Mōru had grown over those years, and now was almost as tall and muscled as Shao Kahn had been.
"Yes, since I left I've been to all the realms I could find a way into. I've made sure to collect souvenirs from my travels."Mōru responded, as he gestured to his current garb. It was evident that Mōru had been traveling, since he wasn't exactly "squeaky clean." His pants were dusty, the leg armor on them while being well kept, definitely needed a polish. His upper body was better kept, with the plate of blackened steel he wore over his chest being only mildly scratched. Raiden couldn't help but feel nervous when looking higher though, as the pauldrons and gauntlets he wore were extremely reminiscent of Shao Kahn's. Worse, was the helmet Mōru carried, which was nearly identical to his former life's, only that it also featured a bottom half.
"Interesting, I can imagine you had quite the boon. But I sense you are here for another reason than just a social call." Raiden replied.
"You're right, I've come back because I now know my purpose, my role in the universe." Mōru said.
"Oh, and what exactly is that?" Raiden inquired.
"I will defend Outworld by becoming it's protector, like you are for Earthrealm." Mōru answered, causing Raiden to stop in his tracks.
"Why? Outworld is in constant kombat, it is just the way of their people. It is foolish to think you can change them." Raiden responded incredulously, causing Mōru to scowl.
"I don't mean to change their culture, which by the way I feel I am very fond of, I only mean to protect the people from exterior and interior threats." Mōru replied, a bit angry at his father figure. Raiden thought for a moment, rubbing his chin, before he sighed.
"You have a good heart, though I do not know if the Elder Gods will allow such an appointment." The thunder god answered.
"Let me plead my case then, personally. If they hear my reasoning from my mouth, they will have to at least contemplate the choice." Mōru asked. Raiden thought for a moment, before placing a hand on Mōru's shoulder.
"Come, Mōru. We shall plead your case to the Elder God's, and I'll shall give you my endorsement on the matter." Raiden said. Mōru smiled, as the two walked out of the room, and towards Raiden's portal to the Heavens.
"Good, lure the thunder god in, let him give you a position of power, then use it to destroy him!" A voice in Mōru's head spoke.
"I'm not you, Shao. I care for Outworld, and I will protect it!" Mōru thought in his head, silencing the voice, for now.
AN- Hey everyone, that's a wrap on chapter one. I'm sorry this is a bit short, but I wanted to get this introduction chapter out to see if people like the concept. I promise all other chapters will be 2,000 plus words. Anyways, make sure to leave a review so I can know what y'all think, and as always, I hope you enjoyed!