Chapter 25/26: Raiden
Raiden looked at what was left of his Chosen Warriors. Sonya Blade, Jackson "Jax" Briggs, Nightwolf, and though not present, Sub-Zero. Liu Kang was killed by the alliance of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. Smoke was kidnapped by Quan Chi and Elder Gods know what happened to him. No one has seen or heard from Kung Lao since the death of Liu Kang. No one wants to guess either. And it wasn't over yet. As far as Raiden was concerned, until Scorpion and Sub-Zero came back telling otherwise, Quan Chi was still alive and not permanently confined to the Netherrealm for the rest of his life. Then there was the other one, Sting.
At that moment, Raiden turned his gaze towards the Homo Sapiens Supernaturalis. They weren't quite as united as Raiden's group. Dysfunctional would be the best term to describe them. Despite this, they suffered the same amount of losses as the Chosen Warriors. Their leader slew Shao Kahn, something Raiden could never do. Their only remaining female is the champion of Mortal Kombat, a feat only the mightiest warriors in the universe can boast.
Raiden compared his Chosen Warriors to the Supernaturals. Sonya and Jax were special agents, and other than their weapons and fighting ability, there was nothing really special about them. Sonya couldn't take hits the way Mickie could. Jax was nowhere near as strong as John. And even less mild-tempered. Nightwolf had a tremendous connection to the spirit world, but he couldn't channel them the way Randy could. Though possessing great control over ice, Sub-Zero didn't possess the power to balance fire and ice in the manner that Matt could. They had rallied Princess Kitana and General Jade to their side as well. Two powerful fighters indeed.
Then there was their leader. As far as magic was concerned, Raiden had an edge over him. They were about the same size, but Mark was stronger than Raiden when Raiden took tangible form. He was handpicked by the Elder Gods to hold the mythical Blades of Destiny, the most powerful weapons in all the realms. Crafted by the Elder Gods themselves, they had magical capabilities that can withstand the nature of any realm. Plus the ability to pierce through any opponent with ease. How such mighty swords got into the hands of an Earthrealmer was beyond Raiden's understanding.
"Look who's back," Mickie said, upon seeing Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Raiden turned to see the two of them. From what he can tell by their facial expressions, this was not a moment a victory for the good guys.
"He got away!" Scorpion exclaimed. He turned towards the nearest pillar and punched a hole through it.
"Too bad Mickie can't fix inanimate objects," John commented, causing Mickie and Randy to chuckle.
"Scorpion, you must calm down," Raiden tried to reason. "This is why I didn't want you to rush in. There needed to be a way to lure him down there."
"We've been gone for hours. Have you figured out a way?" Scorpion asked.
Raiden put his head down. "No, I have not. Forgive me."
Scorpion gave a bow of respect to Sub-Zero and vanished in hellfire. "He is going into business for himself. He is adamant about wanting Quan Chi dead," Sub-Zero stated.
Mark pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "There's nothing we can do about that. What we can do is trap Quan chi in the Netherrealm for Scorpion to finish off."
"How do we do that?" Jax asked.
"That's what Raiden was supposed to figure out," Randy pointed out.
"It's not like any of you have any bright ideas," Sonya shot back.
"And what exactly have you offered other than your big mouth"-Randy looked her over-"and big tits."
Raiden looked at Sonya's face after Randy's last comment. He could tell she was definitely insulted. She pulled her fist and punched Randy square in the jaw. "Maybe that'll teach you to respect a lady."
Randy held his jaw as he glared at Sonya. Cracking his neck to one side, he created fire in his hands. Mark grabbed one of his hands and it vanished. "Mark, what the hell?"
"Boy, now is not the time or place."
"We must focus on the task at hand," Raiden pointed out. "We can't afford to be divided again."
"Again?" Randy expressed with agitation. "I didn't sign up for this. None of us did!"
"The circumstances under which you came are unimportant. Right now-
"Right now, we are no closer to preventing this Armageddon that you constantly speak about. Does anyone even know what that is?"
"The forces of evil have complete control. Their power is so strong that nothing can be done to stop it. Not even interference from the Elder Gods."
Raiden turned to look at everyone in the room. His words seem to be sinking in with the Homo Sapiens Supernaturalis and his own Chosen Warriors. He hoped so. He couldn't do this alone. For the sake of the universe, this couldn't be done alone.
"Can't they interfere now?" Matt asked.
"I have tried many times to contact them. They tell me that nothing can be done because the tournament is over."
"Geez, no wonder people become Atheists. They're no help at all," John commented. Jade hit him the leg with her spear. "Owww! Jade, what was that for?"
"Don't speak such blasphemy of the Elder Gods. They help when it's called for."
"Well Raiden apparently called for it several times. And we still have Quan Chi and Sting around."
"They haven't done serious damage. Yet," Raiden replied.
"So why are worrying now? Can't we wait until something bad actually happens?" Mickie asked.
"We can't just wait for Quan Chi to attack. He has the Amulet of Shinnok in his inventory which makes him immortal. He could go thousands of years without doing anything," Nightwolf answered.
"Well, Kitana and Jade will still be alive," Matt said.
"So will Scorpion and Raiden," Randy added.
"So we should just let the inhabitants of the world thousands of years from now deal with it," John finished.
Raiden shook his head. "It's not that simple. It's very rare for people like you from Earthrealm come along."
"There were 7 of us in a 21 year span. Two of them were born within a month a half of the each other. How rare can we honestly be?" Mark wondered.
"Seven in twenty-one years?" Jax questioned.
"Yes. Five in eighteen if you only count who's here now since Barbie's dead and she was the youngest," Mark clarified. "Either way, if I'm doing my math correctly, that's about once every three years."
"It is too complicated to explain in such a short time frame," Raiden stated.
"Maybe we don't wanna fight anymore," Mickie said speaking up. "Maybe we feel like we've done enough and it's time for you guys to actually contribute something."
"So far, only Kuai Liang has actually done something of merit," John added.
"Maybe this is why Raiden hasn't achieved the status of Elder God yet," Mark commented.
Raiden felt a very rare emotion wash over him. Anger. How dare Mark accuse him of being unworthy of becoming an elder God! He knew he would become an Elder God when he was ready. When the Elder Gods were sure that earth was in safe hands, then he would take a permanent seat in the heavens. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. There was no way incompetence could be a reason. He was the main reason that all these different Earthrealm warriors and supernaturals were brought together. Nevertheless, Raiden couldn't be disrespected by someone who wasn't even a full god. Raiden sent an electric bolt in the direction of Mark. However, Jade blocked it when she spun her spear to split up the bolts.
"Raiden, you don't want to fight me," Mark said through gritted teeth.
"I refuse to be disrespected by you anymore. It is time I show you your place."
"Raiden, you shouldn't be encouraging this," Matt pleaded.
"You want us to end it so badly, so now we're going to," Sonya stated.
"I will not take part in this. I assume you won't either Matt?" Sub-Zero asked. Matt nodded his head in agreement.
"There's no reason for you two to be involved anyway," Randy said. "And trust me, this will be finished."
"Were quaking in our boots," Jax taunted.
Mickie threw the Silver Stallion to the ground. "I don't need this to beat you wimps." Mickie looked up and saw a cloudy sky above her head. "What the-
Mickie was shocked by a lightning bolt before she could finish her statement. She fell to the ground and tried to regain her composure. It was the cue Matt and Sub-Zero needed to exit the palace. Raiden saw Mark whisper something in Jade's ear. In the next instant, Jade and Kitana were also out the palace.
"Try healing your way out of that," Jax taunted. "Good one Nightwolf."
"I was gonna spare you, as a fellow Native American," Mickie said as she stood up on her feet. To the surprise of everyone, she was completely healed, considering the power of the bolt can be matched by Mark or Raiden. "But apparently, you want to get your ass kicked."
"I warn you. Jax, Sonya, and Nightwolf were hand selected by me because they were Earthrealm's greatest warriors."
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when 10,000 bolts are coursing through your body," Mark snapped.
Mark stood across from Raiden. Mickie stood across from Sonya. John stood across from Jax and Randy stood across from Nightwolf. Everyone was in a fighting stance, ready to strike.
"Remember, Raiden, this could have been avoided," Mark reminded.
Raiden didn't reply. Instead he unleashed a lightning sphere from his hands aiming for Mark's heart. Mark lifted an arm up to block it and the sphere dissolved in thin air. He captured the leftover sparks in his palm and lowered his hand down to the level of Mickie's lips. He opened his palm and she blew the sparks towards Raiden and Sonya. Raiden say Nightwolf tackle Randy into the wall. John did the say same thing, but to Jax. Sonya attempted to punch Mickie, but Mickie side stepped and gave Sonya a punch of her own.
And the brawl began. Mark looked at Raiden with a smirk on his face. He motioned for Raiden to throw the first punch and he obliged. Raiden flew into the air with the power of electricity and Mark's back fell against the wall. The groan that escaped his lips showed Raiden that he wasn't as strong as he would seem. Despite being a supernatural, he was still human. Therefore, he was still susceptible to humanly pains. It was obvious that his back was a weak point. Raiden turned Mark over on his stomach and placed his hands flat on the curve of Mark's back. Mark let out a louder groan as electric currents coursed through his body.
Mark turned over enough to kick Raiden in the face, sending him to the ground. Raiden noticed the wobbliness of his movements and knew he had weakened him a great deal. Raiden kicked Mark in his legs as he stood back up on his feet. Instead of being pushed back like he thought, Mark fell to his knees. His back and his legs. Raiden had found his weakness. Raiden went over to Mark, but found his face covered by Mark's huge hand. Being lifted slightly in the air, Raiden shook as electricity went through his body. With ease, Mark threw Raiden's body into the wall.
Raiden teleported in front of Mark and kicked him in the gut. Mark keeled over in pain, but that didn't stop Raiden. He attempted to step on the hands that Mark used to clutch his stomach, but he was caught. Mark grabbed one of his feet and lifted him off the ground, removing Raiden's hat from his head. Mark once again grabbed Raiden's right leg and bent it, a loud groan coming deep within the throat of the Thunder God. At the point where it was bent, Mark created a lightning sphere of his own and, just like he promised, 10,000 volts went through Raiden's body. That was enough to kill a normal man, but Raiden was not a normal man.
Raiden sensed his hesitation to attack again. He knew this man could be downright ruthless when necessary, but he refused to go in for the kill. Maybe he didn't want to fight anymore. Raiden himself could admit he was wrong, letting a pity emotion like envy get the better of his rather logical reasoning. Or maybe he was just waiting for Raiden to stand so he could finish him off.
"We can stop this now. I don't wanna fight you," Mark said, proving what Raiden originally thought right.
Raiden slowly got back to his feet. He stumbled a bit, so Mark went over to his side to help him fully stand, though he himself had trouble maintaining a vertical position. Raiden muttered thanks and found his hat on the floor. He picked it up and put it back on his head. "I accept your request for a truce. But how will we get the others to stop?"