Chapter 2: Ascending

The Heavens

Raiden watched the astral projection with a reserved horror.

"Onaga's crusade to merge the realms has become especially destructive. Too many innocent lives had been erased because of his ambitions." Raiden thought aloud.

"Which is precisely why you are here young one. "

Raiden jumped at the sudden voice.

"Lord Argus...my apologies I was engrossed in the unfortunate events. Forgive my distraction."

The form that Raiden saw Argus in was a blue astral projection, much like the one used to show him the destruction of Gongi. The projection had glowing white eyes and appeared to sport wild hair and a beard. Argus appeared before Raiden and placed his ethereal hand on Raiden's shoulder.

"There was no transgression, Raiden. Your empathy and compassion was precisely why we chose you to ascend."

Raiden had been going through the possibilities of what this "ascension" could entail ever since he was visited by Argus in Earthrealm days ago.

"Thank you, Lord Argus. It is a great honor to be a chosen champion of the Elder Gods."

"The honor is ours. Come. Now that we've shown you the situation it's time to introduce you to the others" said Argus as he began to walk to the large door of the chamber.

"There are others?" Raiden asked surprised. Argus only looked back at him and simply smiled. His form dissipated, leaving Raiden in the large chamber alone.

The large door in front of him opened seemingly of its own fruition and revealed a blinding white light. Raiden shielded his eyes from the light and as the intensity dissipated Raiden saw what he assumed was his intended destination. The chamber he currently occupied was connected to a narrow walkway that led to a circular platform. The platform also has several other walkways connected to it and all of them stretched forward from similar doorways to the one that Raiden was currently in. Raiden observed his surroundings in awe as he followed the Argus projection toward the platform.

This place...it's like I've entered another world. This room, if it can be called that, seemingly never ends.

"Where are we my lord?"

Argus had, again, startled Raiden by appearing in his astral form next to him.

"It is a pocket dimension forged by myself and my fellow Elder Gods for the purpose of meeting together without the worry of intervention from...ambitious mortals. You are among a select group of that has, and will ever, have the honor to be here."

"The privilege is not lost on me, my lord," Raiden said, showing his gratitude.

"Good." said Argus as he began to move forward.

Argus led Raiden across the walkway toward the large platform. It was made of stone, Raiden could see as he got closer to it; as if a large boulder was carved from a mountain. This dimension that he was in...it was as if he was actually nowhere. There was no concrete location, no structures or skies, just endless space. As he looked down and saw that the platform bore the symbol of the elder gods; a fierce dragon enclosed in a circle. Argus, once again, disappeared disappeared but reappeared as a large torso behind Raiden, as did the other Gods and their champions.

Raiden looked around and saw whom he assumed were the "others". They all stood in circle surrounding the Elder God's seals. To Raiden's right he saw whom he assumed was a man. He looked like a normal man save for his face; it seemed to be decaying. Raiden shook off the surprise and looked to his left where he saw another male; this one with long white hair similar to his own but his worn in a high ponytail. He also wore from the neck down striking dark green armor with two flags towering over him on each shoulder. His attire made him look very insect like.

Raiden looked directly in front of him and saw yet another male, but unlike the others this one actually seemed to notice him. A large brutish man with piercing orange eyes; inhuman eyes, with horns seeming protruding from his brow to the back of his head. It seemed he was staring at him this entire time. He saw Raiden looking back and it seemed he had no intention of breaking eyesight as he wore an amused smirk as he continued to stare.

From what realm does he hail? Netherrealm. Is he an Oni?

Raiden's thoughts were interrupted by the commanding collective voice of the Gods. They said in unison:

"You are all here because you are among the most courageous, skilled, honorable, powerful and just of your realms. It is because of this that we chose you to be the spiritual representatives of your realms"

Raiden was surprised; he did not think himself any of those things. He looked around and saw similar expressions of shock. The winged vampress woman looked as if the honor was too much for her to bear as she began to shed joyful tears. There was also whom he assumed was a Zaterran woman (Raiden honestly had trouble differentiating the genders of their people) give a pleased smile. He also saw some who were unimpressed, such as the one to his left whom looked, not like being ascended into godhood was a privilege that almost no one in his room would ever be awarded, but rather as if this was an honor due to him since birth. In short: he didn't look to be Raiden's kind of person. He also looked to the brute to his front, who still looked Raiden right in the eyes as opposed to reacting to the announcement.

"You will be our chosen champions. The guardians of your realms. You will be extensions of our will in the name of maintaining eternal balance throughout the realms. Congratulations."

All of a sudden bright light erupted from under every single one of the chosen, engulfing them. Raiden saw nothing but white; he believed that he was dead. But no...he was very much alive. More than alive...he was empowered.

Raiden looked around to his fellow guardians and saw them apparently feeling the same surge of power. He looked down at his hands and hands and they were absolutely pulsating with electricity. He commanded the lightning to do what he wished with the simplest of hand movements. He balled them into fists and the lightning became more intense and with relaxed hands the lightning also relaxed; only small sparks danced across his finger tips.

I've never had this much this much control over it before. It's as if it has become apart of my being. I feel….amazing! Invincible even!

"Now, you are all officially guardians. We trust you will follow through on your protective responsibilities. You will now be returned to your realms."

With another flash the guardians were transported out of the plane of the Elder Gods and back to their respective worlds. All except two.

"I...am still here," Raiden said in confusion. He looked around for the nth time and saw that indeed the other guardians had been discharged but he remained in the same spot...he and the oni that stood across from him, and just like before the being continued to stare him down. It seemed that he was not even affected by the surge of Godly power granted to him. For the first time Raiden began to get irritated by this….person.

"Step forward." boomed the collective voice of the Elder Gods. Raiden and the creature did as they were commanded until they finally met in the middle of the large platform. They were face-to-face, or rather face-to-chest. This was the first time Raiden noticed his size. Raiden was no small being himself as he stood at 7" tall so to mortals (as Raiden supposed he should now refer to them as) he was already a giant. But this creature was gargantuan; he had to be at the very least 9". He towered over Raiden and looked down on him with those same piercing orange eyes, that same arrogant smirk.

"There is a reason that you both remain while the others were sent back to their respective realms. We have a special mission that, through very careful consideration, we have decided that you two are the most qualified to carry out. Raiden of Earthrealm. Shao Kahn of Outworld. You will be working to thwart the plans of the Dragon King; Onaga."

Raiden and Shao Kahn never broke eye contact.

Two chapters down umm...some undetermined amount left to go. I'm honestly not super proud of this chapter. I feel it may be boring to some people since I was honestly kind of bored writing it but regardless I also felt it was necessary to include. I wanted to do a whole chapter before this one about Raiden and Shao Kahn's individual back-stories but I honestly felt like simply revealing little pieces throughout the story would be a better choice. Like Raiden's line about the lightning. Small things like that. Anyways I hope I can pick up the pace again with the next chapter. Let me know what you guys think. I didn't get any reviews for the first chapter so do me a favor and drop one for this one if you can. If you're enjoying this I' really like feedback on how to make it better.