Disclaimer: I do NOT own Mortal Kombat or anything related to it.

"Many parents make mistakes with their children, thinking they know what's best for them."
— Paulo Coelho

Chapter 25:Kenshi

"Dad, it's a-"

"Dragon. I know, son." Kenshi's ancestors had informed him of the identity of the creature in front of himself and Takeda. The blind swordsman had encountered many creatures in his travels over the years, but a dragon? No, not until today.

"I've never seen anything like it before." Takeda said then quickly realized his mistake."Oh! Uh, sorry dad."

Kenshi chuckled."Son, if I took offense to every pun, intentional or not, about my lack of sight, I would be a very sad man."

"Good point." His son replied.

"I am Caro." The dragon spoke, voice weak from exhaustion and pain."I have been a slave of Daegon and his Red Dragon Clan for many years."

"You are Daegon's guardian."' Kenshi said, remembering Fujin's explanation."You revived Daegon too soon and caused him to..." He trailed off, torn between pity for the dragon's enslavement and anger for the unintentional part it played in Suchin's murder.

"Takahashi Kenshi and Takahashi Takeda." Caro said."Daegon spoke of you both, particularly of your betrayal, Kenshi. Why have you returned?"

"We are searching for Daegon's brother, Taven." Kenshi replied."Fujin was informed by the Elder Gods that he was here."

"That is incorrect." Caro stated."Taven is not here. Daegon has been looking for him and Blaze for centuries, but has thankfully not found either of them. I know where Taven is, but Daegon is not aware of my knowledge. I had hoped Orin would receive the signal to awaken Taven so that he could come and free me of my imprisonment, so I waited for the time to come."

"We can help you-" Takeda started, only for Caro to interrupt.

"No. You cannot free me without alerting Daegon and his followers to your presence. I now understand why the Elder Gods sent you here: they know that I can send you to Taven so he can complete the quest."

Kenshi shook his head."The quest will be the least of his worries when he awakens, Caro."

"What do you mean?"

"You know Raiden, right?" Takeda asked.

"Of course. He is protector of Earthrealm, and a good friend."

"Yeah well, let's just say he's not the Raiden you knew anymore. We're here because we need Taven's help to stop Raiden from merging Outworld with Earthrealm."

"What? No, that does not make sense! Raiden has always fought against Shao Kahn to prevent the emperor from merging the realms. Why would he wish to merge them?"

"Much has happened over the years." Kenshi answered."While Taven and Daegon slept, Edenia lost ten Mortal Kombat tournaments and was conquered by Shao Kahn. King Jerrod was murdered by Shao Kahn while his wife Queen Sindel and daughter Princess Kitana were taken by the emperor as his own. Queen Sindel later committed suicide in order to prevent Earthrealm from suffering the same fate as Edenia. Centuries later, when Shang Tsung and Goro were defeated by Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat, the sorcerer convinced Shao Kahn to change the rules. A new tournament was formed where if Earthrealm won, Shao Kahn would abandon his claim to it forever. Shao Kahn murdered the descendent and namesake of the Great Kung Lao and was killed by Liu Kang, but Quan Chi restored him to life and convinced him to invade Earthrealm. Shao Kahn's wife, Queen Sindel, was resurrected and brainwashed into killing many of Earthrealm's defenders, including Kitana, who had turned against the emperor after discovering her true heritage. Shao Kahn was destroyed by Raiden and the Elder Gods for trying to merge the realms without victory in Mortal Kombat, but Liu Kang died in an accident at the hands of Raiden. Quan Chi resurrected the fallen warriors as revenants to serve him."

"That does not explain why Raiden seeks to merge the realms."

"Shinnok was freed from his imprisonment and invaded Earthrealm. Twice. He was defeated both times, but before his second defeat, he corrupted the Jinsei and Raiden nearly died purifying it. As a result, the Thunder God was corrupted and has committed several atrocities, including kidnapping and murder. He invaded Outworld and would have merged the realms without hesitation if not for Outworld's current ruler, Kotal Kahn, pleading with the Elder Gods to give his realm a chance to defend themselves."

"This is disturbing new." Caro sighed."Yet I suppose I should not be surprised. Daegon was once an honorable man, yet he fell from grace by murdering his parents and enslaving me. Raiden...it is difficult to picture him doing such horrible things. How far the mighty have fallen. I am partially to blame for Daegon's actions. I will send you to Taven's location so that you may free him and convey to him and Orin my regrets." The dragon opened a portal."Good luck."

"Thank you, Caro." Takeda said."We'll make sure Daegon gets what's coming to him."

Caro chuckled."I do not doubt that for a moment. Now go."

Kenshi and Takeda both nodded in gratitude before jumping into the portal. They both landed with a grunt, hitting the ground like rocks. Takeda gasped."Uh, Dad? I think we found Taven. And another dragon."

"Who are you?" This dragon's voice was different from Caro's and while its counterpart was red, this one was golden.

"Are you Orin?" Kenshi asked, standing up.

"Yes. How do you know my name? How did you find this place and why do you seek Taven? I have not yet received the signal from Blaze to revive him."

"We know." Takeda said."But we need him. Fujin sent us to find him and Caro helped us get here."

"I do not understand." Orin said, confused. Before either Takahashi could respond, a portal opened and a woman stepped out. She was the very picture of beauty with dark skin, long dark hair styled into a braid, and clad in a green dress and similarly colored cloak. Her eyes glowed blue like Kenshi's, though she was not blind.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance." The woman said.

"Delia?" Orin asked."Why do you look so-"

"Different?" She offered."Much has happened, Orin. These two speak the truth, they have come for Taven. The time has come to revive him."

"But what of the signal from Blaze?"

She shook her head."That is no longer important."

"Hold on a sec." Takeda pointed at the woman."You can't be Delia. Daegon killed her years ago. Fujin said so himself."

"What?" Orin gasped."Delia, what is he talking about?"

"It is true, Orin. Argus and I are both dead. As is the owner of this body. Her name is Jade. We have formed an alliance of sorts."

"If I recall correctly," Kenshi said,", Jade was among those who fell in battle during Shao Kahn's invasion. Quan Chi turned her into a revenant but she vanished shortly after Shinnok's first invasion."

"Until now, you mean." Takeda said.

"Quan Chi killed Jade when she became too rebellious." Delia said."I spent a long time in the Netherrealm trying to find a way to restore myself to life after Daegon killed me until I found Jade. I posessed and restored her to life. It was against her will at first, but we soon came to an agreement. We have spent the last twenty years rebuilding our strength and waiting for the right time to return."

"I take it you are aware of what Raiden has become then?"

"Yes, Kenshi, I am well aware of recent events. It is why I am here." She turned to the dragon."Orin, Raiden has gone mad. He is no longer the Raiden we once knew. He seeks to merge the realms and is more feared than Shao Kahn and Shinnok. As for Daegon, Caro revived him too soon. The purpose of the quest I mentioned was to determine Argus's successor as protector of Edenia and to prevent Armageddon. Shinnok told Daegon that Argus and I were secretly aiding Taven and in his rage he murdered us both in cold blood. He also enslaved Caro and formed the Red Dragon Clan to hunt down Taven and Blaze but has fortunately not found success in his search."

"I see." Orin said with a sigh."Very well." He addressed Kenshi."You and your son may awaken Taven."

"You have done well, Orin." Delia said kindly."It is because of you that Taven is safe. And I promise that Caro will be freed from his enslavement. It is not his fault Daegon went mad."

As Takeda moved to free Taven from his incubation, Delia approached Kenshi with her hands clasped behind her back."You have questions, swordsman?"

"If you and Jade have formed an alliance as you say, does that mean you share control of her body?"

"Yes. For the most part, I am the one in control but Jade can request control any time she wishes. It is her body, after all."

"Why would Jade agree to ally with you?"

"She wishes to free the revenants. Before Quan Chi killed her, she promised Kitana that she and the others would be free. We intend to honor that promise. Now onto my question, where are the revenants?"

"They are at the Sky Temple with Fujin and some of our other allies, distracting Raiden while Sonya Blade and Kira rescue his hostage: Cassandra Cage."

"Good. I will need them all together for the spell to work."

A groan followed by the sound of someone falling to the ground caught their attention and ended the conversation. A pale-looking Taven lay on the floor, panting heavily and only half-conscious. Takeda and Kenshi quickly moved to help him up, supporting his weight between them.

"Do not worry, Taven." Orin said."Your strength will return eventually."

"Orin?" Taven asked weakly."What...where...who..."

"You were encased in stone and are in Earthrealm." Orin explained."It was necessary for your protection."

Delia approached the trio and laid a hand on her son's shoulder."All will be explained soon enough, my son."

"Mother?" Taven's eyes widened."Why...you aren't..."

"It is a long story." She said."I promise you will understand what is happening after I take care of some things." She then addressed Kenshi and Takeda."Come. We have much work to do."

Delia opened a portal and gave Orin a final nod of farewell before leaving with the Takahashi duo and demigod following closely behind.

As much as I adore Kenshi, it's very difficult to write from his point of view (key word view) because well, he's blind! I tried to make it seem natural like all my other character POVs while keeping his blindness in mind and trying my best to paint a visual picture for the readers. Please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!

kingofswing - Erron will get in on the action soon enough. Don't you worry.

BrutusSilentium - I always worry that my fights aren't good and yeah they are a little cluster f but I'm relieved to see you think they're good.

madmaxHojo36 - Yes I did use her Mk9 ending as a matter of a fact and yeah it's no shock that Hotaru would ally with Raiden but I'll go more in depth with D'Vorah, Tanya, and Nitara later. As for Kotal Kahn and Takeda, they'll get their chapters in a little while I promise. Just be patient with me. I also hope I did your favorite character justice.

Next up: Chapter 26:Kevin II