A/N: This and the next three chapters will give a glimpse into the past during the Tudor era that explain the timeline and how either characters got to where they were.

"The past is already written. The ink is already dry." - There Eyed Raven, Game of Thrones

1558

Japan

There are times I feel like crying, like transporting myself to that world I wish to be a part of but I know I can't because it's not real. Undoubtedly these letters will be found by you. Daughter, wherever life takes you, just remember, he good and stay true to who you are. Defend what you hold dear. Above all, you must be dignified and hopeful ... Don't be cynical... Anne worry not for my soul. Be of good cheer for one day we will all meet in heaven. Your loving father, Thomas More

Anthony Roper sighed. What am I doing here? He didn't belong in Japan but that was what the Order wanted of him. He joined the new religious order of the Jesuits after he had been kicked out of the previous one he joined. Well, technically he was the one who engineered his exit - claiming it wasn't his calling after all.

But here he was again, thinking he could live a life of contemplation and religious devotion - like his grandfather had planned (before he too decided to quit and lead a more comfortable secular life).

Few people in his family cared about Sir Thomas More. The last person who showed she gave a damn was his mother, the recipient of this letter. It was unfortunate she never got to see this letter.

Tony knew it would have given her comfort in her last moments.

Shaking these painful thoughts away - he was after all here on a mission, not to ruminate about the past - he joined his 'brothers' who had reached the Hasashi compound.

Today's walk to the new church being built near the shrine in the village the miles from the Hasashi compound did little to give him peace of mind. Do you even want to be a priest? He thought to himself.

He didn't have an answer. He didn't need one. His subconscious already knew what was in his heart. He walked slowly today. The last thing he needed was the grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu clan questioning him.

But whether he arrived sooner or later, he would do that either way.

And just as Tony predicted, he had another wave of criticism. Harumi, his wife, told Hanzo to go easy on him. Hanzo said he would if his brothers did as well.

Tony wanted to leave already and join his brothers in the village but they knew that was impossible. The Society of Jesus was strict with their rules. Its members and acolytes had to adhere to them or else they'd be reprimanded without haste. Grandmaster Hasashi had personally written to their prefect in the region to appoint him as his son's tutor. He offered a handsome donation to the church which led to his current predicament.

When the sun began to set, his brothers said their farewells and reminded him to write to the perfect about his daily routine. Tony promised he would. Though there were some things he kept secret.

As the last of them left, Harumi Hasashi called him to come back inside.

She was a gentle woman with a simple view of the world. Humble and demure. A rare jewel in this world. Hanzo was a lucky man.

"Here, Hanzo and Jubei went yesterday to the market. My son will be delighted when you tell him you liked them."

It was a bowl containing dates and sliced apples. His favorite fruits.

"I cut them myself. Do not ask me how I knew how, it's too complicated an answer for men to understand. Women simply know these things."

" Your son and you have been very thoughtful. Thank you. " Tony said.

"Don't mind Hanzo. He is testing you. Being a member of the Order, any order, isn't an easy thing. You must put up with all kinds of abuse. Before marrying Hanzo, I read many books about your native land and the other Christian kingdoms. Most religious orders have become lazy in their rules. The Society of Jesus and other Reformed movements want to change that through their example. I have heard from your brothers how they were hard on you back home. You almost quit didn't you?"

He almost did but kept on going.

"What made you stay?"

"Honestly, I do not know. I always dreamed of being like my grandfather. He is a constant shadow. Everyone in my family either ignores, pretends he doesn't exist or condemns his sacrifice."

" And you? What camp do you fall into? "

"None. I am a hopeless stray. I am here to obey and serve and then hopefully, be a priest to guide lost souls to god."

"How can you be a priest if you can't accept guidance from your teachers?" At this, Tony raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"My husband has read your grandfather's works. I introduced him to them. His old duties took him to many places where he met a lot of interesting people. He knows how to spot talent and dedication. You have both and wants to help you. He has had many trainees who have been lost like you. Some stayed while others did not. Hanzo wants to help you honor your grandfather's legacy by helping you find your own path."

Tony doubted that was true but he was too grateful with her to contradict her.

That night, he found Hanzo outside. Tony couldn't sleep. More dreams about his grandfather horde of unresolved conflicts involving his mother. His mind was playing tricks on him. That or he was really being visited by his grandfather's ghost in his dreams.

Either way, he was a lost cause. Hanzo noticed him and told him to sit next to him.

"Beautiful night, is it not?"

" Yes, it is my lord. "

"You don't have to call me that. No one has called me that since my father passed away. I left all titles when I retired and married Harumi."

"Do you ever -" he began slowly but Hanzo interrupted him.

"No. I wouldn't change this peace and quiet for all the goods in the world." Hanzo said.

"But if you had something important to do to restore your family name, would you?"

Hanzo smiled, knowing where the young man was coming from. "Your grandfather was a great man. But great men are how we view them. Some consider him a martyr, others no better than an Inquisitor. At the end of the day though, he's a man who died with dignity and didn't flinch as he stared death straight in the eye. You want to live a life of religious devotion and to service others. That is noble but are you doing it because it's what you truly want or because you want to imitate Thomas More? "

Tony thought long and hard. He answered with the same "I don't know" and lost expression he gave his wife, expecting a mocking sermon from Hanzo Hasashi but he got none.

Instead, Hanzo patted him on his back and told him to follow him. They went to a water well. "This is where Harumi read to me your grandfather's works and other works by other Christian philosophers. They all had different ideas but all echoed the same notion that is the foundation of your faith: choose. You were born into a legacy that has been tainted by blood and division. If you want to honor Thomas More, choose your destiny, live well and be the man you should be. There will only be one Sir Thomas More. "

England

Anne Boleyn raised her daughter from her slumber. They were on the edge of victory. "We are this close to dethrone the Greys. That sniveling coward Dudley isn't going to get out of this one."

"Leave Dudley last." Elizabeth said.

"You are still enamored with that boy. He's already promised to another." Anne pointed out.

"So? You were promised to James Butler and you still went out of your way to bed Henry Percy and then father."

"This is not the time for petty insults. Until you have that crown on your pretty head, I am still your mother. I will not let everything be thrown out the window so my daughter plays strumpet! " Anne calmed herself down. "You're mad, I get it. But Dudley was never going to let you marry his son unless you let his son rule for you. Give it time and you'll see this for what it is: a fancy."

It wasn't but Elizabeth was too tired to

"Yes, mother. So what is our next step?"

Anne smiled, her smile being that of the car which just ate the mouse. "I am glad you asked. My former chaplain, Matthew Parker had rallied the people to you. Give years and Jane Grey still isn't pregnant. There are rumors she could be barren. She is so skin and bones. I remembered how much they fed her and she'd throw up her food and a temper tantrum for trying to fatten her up."

Anne's laughter annoyed everyone; it wasn't a healthy laugh. But their servants knew better than to show their true feelings while Elizabeth was free to roll her eyes.

"It is either that or as the songs go in the countryside, she was given a bad stallion."

"I hardly think either of them are the problem. They're still young. Given some time, they can have children. "

"Let's hope not. Cecil is most displeased with the Queen's father in law. First he tries to sell England to France, now he is planning an alliance with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. Is there nothing that two face wretch won't do? "

"An alliance with two powerful Catholic kingdoms is strategy." Elizabeth commented, leaving unsaid the most obvious part: it kept England safe from invasion and - if that threat arose - a good excuse to plunder their ships via the use of pirates and other unofficial agents of the crown which would also excuse England from any involvement. Should they however continue to threaten England, England would play the victim and form alliances with its deadliest enemies to strike back.

This was however too much for her mother to fathom so Elizabeth kept these possible strategies.

Her mother thought she could control everything and everyone but so far, the only thing they had achieved was this house arrest and secret coded that they were lucky was not discovered by her lover's father and Jane Grey's other minions.

She still couldn't believe her cousin could go this far to cleanse the country. Keeping things in order was one thing but this? This was lunacy!

Elizabeth vowed that if she ever got to wear St. Edward's crown, she would not be known for her sharp tongue outside of the court. People will look at her and see something other than a Queen: a goddess.

Elizabeth's wish became true. Upon Jane Grey's unexpected death, the daughter of the woman whose union was dissolve by their first head of the church, became Queen of England.

The twenty five year old didn't know it yet but she was making history. Her coronation was attended by her mother, younger sister and other guests of honor. They were all either expecting her to succeed or to fail.

Elizabeth smiled down at her sister. Should anything happen to her, she'd be the new Queen. God willing she reigned long so her sister wouldn't have to bear this burden.

~ o~

Outside, where the people cheered their new monarch, was Raiden. The thunder god and protector of Earthrealm saw promise in the young woman. The same could not be said for her younger sister. He sighed. This world, despite all its horrors, was a charming one. He didn't want to see it ravaged by the forces of Outworld. The prophecy was by no means a guarantee. Shao Kahn no longer cared about the rules and the Netherrealm was placing its bets on the Spanish Princess reckoning.

Raiden shuddered as he remembered her death and the death of her daughter. If her soul hadn't been rid of her desire for vengeance in this lifetime then there was no guarantee for what the future held.

"Long may she reign!" Cried the people. Raiden echoed them in silence, adding a prayer of his own that so did her sister and her descendants as well as the descendants of the men who had participated in Queen Catherine and Princess Mary's deaths. The circle of violence had to stop.