Disclaimer: I do NOT own Mortal Kombat or anything related to it.
"Blood is thicker than water, but family isn't just about blood. Family is about faith, and loyalty, and who you love. If you don't have those things, I don't care what the blood says. You're not family."
— Seanan McGuire (Midnight Blue-Light Special (InCryptid, #2))
Chapter 35:Liu Kang
He was supposed to protect Earthrealm, not threaten it.
That was his duty as champion, yet he had failed miserably. Liu Kang stood on the balcony, knuckles turning white due to how tightly he was gripping the banister. He took deep breaths, relishing the air in his lungs that he had taken for granted in the past, but now practically worshipped. The fresh morning air flew gently against his face, soothing his nerves for but a moment before the tension returned and he found himself struggling to process...well, everything.
Raiden, whom Liu Kang once respected and trusted more than anyone else, whom he followed blindly during the tournament, whom he regarded as the father he'd never had, who had caused the deaths of his best friend and love interest, who had killed him in an accident, was now a monster like Liu Kang himself had been while he was a revenant. He'd decapitated Shinnok, invaded Outworld, kidnapped and tortured Cassandra Cage, nearly destroyed the Lin Kuei, and screamed for the two monks he claimed were like sons to him to shut up and mercilessly electrocuted them when they berated him at the Sky Temple.
The memory of being electrocuted by the Thunder God was something the former champion would never forget. If the brainwashed Quan Chi hadn't intervened at the Sky Temple, neither he nor Kung Lao would not be alive right now, though Liu Kang supposed it was Jade who deserved most if not all of the credit for saving his and the others' lives. To say it was a shock to see the green-clad Edenian again after so many years of assuming her to be gone forever would be understating it. He remembered how she saved Sonya Blade, Kira, Cassandra Cage, and the unfamiliar boy accompanying them, how she slammed a fiery fist into the ground, how the flames consumed himself and his fellow revenants before a bright light blinded him and he lost consciousness.
Liu Kang's gaze was glued to the ground below. The guilt and memories overwhelmed him to the point that he could not breathe properly and his clothes were soaked with sweat. Why did Jade have to save him? He did not deserve to be saved after the things he'd done. How many innocents had he murdered in cold blood as a revenant? Why should he live again whilst his victims did not?
The sound of someone sighing reminded him he was not alone. Kitana was leaning against him with her head resting on his shoulder and her hand grasping his own while Kung Lao stood on his other side, also gazing at the ground below with a frown. Liu Kang did not fail to notice the bandage wrapped around his friend's wrist, but chose not to bring it up. Smoke, Nightwolf, Stryker, and Kabal were standing behind him, their heads bowed and arms crossed. Kabal seemed to be clutching something in his hand, though Liu Kang could not see what it was. Sindel sat on the floor in the doorway, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them. She rocked herself back and forth, tears rolling down her face. Kitana had tried to comfort her mother, but Sindel simply backed away and shook her head, too ashamed to look at her daughter and other victims.
For half an hour, the seven of them had stood together in silence, no one knowing what to say or if anything should be said at all. What was there to say? Words were not needed in the Netherrealm. Silence was golden as some would say. But in this case, with them no longer being revenants, perhaps words were needed. They could not sit here in silence forever, not when there was an insane deity that needed to be dealt with. It came as a relief, therefore, when Nightwolf, having been the one who heaved the sigh that snapped Liu Kang out of his thoughts, broke the seemingly endless silence.
"We cannot waste all of eternity brooding." The shaman stated."We must prepare for the tournament and coming war.
Liu Kang nodded."He is correct. As Kung Lao and I told Kotal Kahn and Bo' Rai Cho, even if we are able to win the tournament, Raiden will not give up his goal to merge the realms. He will kill anyone who stands in his way."
Nightwolf frowned and lowered his eyes."After I escorted Sareena back to Earthrealm, Fujin asked me about my duty. I could not find an answer to his question. Now that I am no longer a revenant, I realize that my duty is the same as it has always been: to protect Earthrealm."
"And as Champion of Mortal Kombat, I share the sentiment." Liu Kang said. He despised himself for allowing Quan Chi to mock his skills and was determined not to let anyone do so ever again.
Kung Lao placed a hand on his shoulder."As do I." His smile was genuine and voice hopeful.
Stryker and Kabal exchanged a glance before the former spoke."We're still cops as far as I'm concerned and saving the world is our job too."
Kabal nodded in agreement."Wouldn't be the first time we all risked our lives to stop a psychopath like him and marched to our deaths." He said dryly.
Smoke chortled."For as long as I can remember, others have tried to control me, but now I finally feel as if I am the one in control of my life. I died to save Earthrealm once. I will not hesitate to do so a second time. There are fates worse than death."
Kitana spoke up."Shao Kahn filled my head with lies for 10,000 years and for all that I despise Raiden, I am grateful to him for helping me discover the truth. I will no longer be a pawn. Quan Chi and Shao Kahn hold no influence over me any longer. I am a princess, and I will go down fighting if I must to save this realm from suffering the same fate as Edenia."
Sindel smiled and wiped her eyes."You remind me of myself. I could not bear the thought of Earthrealm being conquered and its people enslaved or forced to become fugitives like my own." She laughed humorlessly."Ironic that I ended up posing a threat to Earthrealm myself."
"Mother." Kitana shook her head as she approached the former queen and knelt in front of her."No one blames you for our fates. We forgave you long ago."
"The only person you must seek forgiveness from is yourself, Sindel." Nightwolf stated."Quan Chi, Shao Kahn, and Raiden are to blame for our plight, not you."
"Please, mother." Kitana whispered, offering Sindel a hand. Sindel stared at Kitana for a moment before placing her hand in her daughter's and allowing herself to be pulled into standing position.
"So where do we start?" Kabal asked.
"The new kombatants, perhaps?" Kung Lao suggested."Master Bo' Rai Cho's training will greatly benefit them, but they also require training from actual participants of the tournament."
"Ermac and Reptile have some experience." Nightwolf said."Cassandra Cage, Jacqueline Briggs, and Takahashi Takeda's parents all participated in the tournament and personally assisted in training them. Scorpion himself taught Takeda most of what he knows about fighting."
"Cassandra Cage will not be doing anything, let alone fighting, for awhile." Kitana said with a sigh."A shame. She is quite skilled and clever. Not the equal of her parents, but a deadly kombatant nonetheless. Johnny Cage cannot participate either seeing as he is also still in recovery from his own wounds at Shinnok and D'Vorah's hands."
"Kung Jin asked me to train him." Kung Lao said."He will need more than just my mentorship, however." He turned to Liu Kang."The champion of Mortal Kombat should take over the new kombatants' training."
"I believe Liu Kang, Kitana, and Kung Lao should take over as their teachers." Sindel stated."Out of all of us, you are the strongest and most qualified to teach them."
Nightwolf nodded in agreement."And while we are no longer revenants, Liu Kang and Kitana are still our leaders."
The former emperor and empress of the Netherrealm exchanged a glance, touched by their comrades' respect for them before nodding in unison.
"Erron Black seems to be flourishing with Li Mei as his sparring partner." Liu Kang said."I would not be surprised if Master Bo' Rai Cho named her as his permanent teacher."
"Reptile must learn to control his anger." Kitana frowned."Perhaps you can assist him in that regard, Nightwolf." The shaman nodded in acceptance of her suggestion.
"Ermac was able to fight both Li Mei and Bo' Rai Cho to a tie." Liu Kang rubbed his chin thoughtfully."Have you or your mother spoken with him since-"
"No." Mother and daughter said in unison.
"You can't avoid him forever, you know." Stryker pointed out.
"We know." They sighed simultaneously.
"Ermac isn't the only person you can't avoid forever, princess." Everyone immediately knew who Kabal was talking about.
Liu Kang stifled a groan as the name of certain purple-clad demigod came to mind. If Rain's treacherous history was not bad enough, his obvious affections for Kitana made the monk hate him even more. It had taken all of his patience not to snap Rain's neck since he first laid eyes on him.
Kitana crossed her arms."I am well aware of Rain's feelings for me."
"Then maybe you should do something about it." The masked man rolled his eyes at her irritated expression."Oh come, Kitana. We all saw him staring at you in the Netherrealm and when we showed up to help the Edenian Resistence. He's got it bad for you. Frankly, I'm surprised lover boy here," He pointed at Liu Kang,", didn't throw a fireball at him at first sight."
Although he refused to admit it, Liu Kang was also surprised he hadn't killed or attacked Rain as soon as they made eye contact for the first time. In spite of his dislike for the demigod, however, he trusted Kitana and knew she would never betray him to anyone, let alone a traitor like Rain. Still, he could not help but feel a little bit of jealously...
"Kitana." He took her hand in his."I trust you to handle the situation with Rain how you see fit."
Kung Lao snickered into his hand."Why then do I have a strange feeling that you will attempt to kill him regardless of what Kitana says or does?"
Liu Kang made no attempt to prevent the smallest of smiles from crossing his lips."Kill him? No. Frighten him? Perhaps."
"I will speak with Rain." Kitana squeezed his hand and turned to Sindel."We will contact him and arrange a meeting. Jade/Delia and Taven will come with us. I doubt Taven and Rain will have a pleasant first meeting, but these are difficult times and they will have to put aside any difference they may have upon meeting in order to defeat Daegon. We must also speak with Kotal Kahn about...political matters."
"Yes." Sindel seemed to understand the deeper meaning behind her daughter's words if her nod of the head was any indication."Ermac will be there as well."
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Liu Kang sighed as he went to answer it, hoping it was Jade/Delia instead of Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, or Jax. His eyes widened in shock when he opened the door and made eye contact with someone he thought he'd never see again.
"Hello, Liu Kang. It's been awhile."
"Kai?"
I'm well aware of the fact that this update came quicker than I said it would but so far, my schedule hain't been too busy so updates haven't changed much but I'll be sure to let you guys know if anything changes. In the meantime, please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!
Next up: Chapter 36:Rain II