So this took a fair bit to get done with. Working and job hunting have been a stressful time and I've been overwhelmed quite often lately. So to all that have been waiting, whoever you guys are, thank you for being patient with me and I promise I'll be getting back on track.

Chapter 4

It took several centuries to return the realms back to their proper order. Returning the kamidogu to their rightful places would restore life and order (or in the case of the Chaosrealm, lack of order) to their realms, but the damage that Shinnok and his forces caused was enough to leave the societies and cultures of each realm in shambles. The gods offered all the help they could, but it would take centuries for the realms to return to their previous states. With that done, the mortals in them were able to properly live their lives and evolve their cultures at their own pace.

While the mortals were focusing on returning to their day to day lives, the gods were making preparations and safety precautions in case Shinnok or someone else put the realms in peril again. The temple Raiden had set up to guard Shinnok's amulet was constantly renovated by Raiden and the Earth god, Claydus. New traps like crushing ceilings and shifting mazes were added and the layout of the building would change yearly. The one factor that remained unchanged was the chamber of the amulet. Not only was the amulet's pedestal only accessible by crossing a precariously narrow walkway, but the door to access the chamber required four keys. These keys were in the possession of the four elemental gods guarding the temple, and naturally, they wouldn't just be handing them over.

The Nexus proved to be useful to the gods for traveling between realms, but Shinnok proved how easy the realm's existence could become a threat if a sinister individual were to gain access to it. That is why the elder gods assigned Monster to guard the Nexus along with any other mission they would entrust him with. Monster accepted the responsibility and due to his teleportation powers, he would have no worry of returning to the Nexus while away on other missions. While Monster wasn't guarding the Nexus, his missions usually involved assassinating sorcerers too powerful for their own good or fools that had strayed too close to the kamidogu. Monster's wrath was quick and efficient. Monster had no time to be cocky when he had to carry out the elder gods' will.

As for Shinnok, he was kept hidden away unable to make any kind of insurrection. Lucifer had already taken the fallen elder god to the Netherrealm, but his peers suggested to make Shinnok to suffer torment worse than any other damned soul has faced in the hellish realm. Shinnok was cast down into the deepest pit imaginable, a place that even the most knowledgeable of Netherrealm necromancers and oni could find it. The only one that truly knew where it was or was able to traverse to it was Lucifer himself. This pit was Shinnok's personal prison. His arms and legs were impaled with hooks, keeping him from moving at all. But this would be far from the only pain he would feel. While each damned soul in the Netherrealm would have an oni tormentor to torture them, Lucifer appointed himself as Shinnok's tormentor. Being an elder god meant that Shinnok couldn't be killed, but that only made Lucifer more excited. He had no need to worry about the "overdoing it" when torturing Shinnok. He could flay off his skin, he could boil him in the hottest Netherrealm lava, he could carve him open and let his intestines fall out to the pitch-black gravel. No matter how many times Shinnok would be healed or endured the pain, it would still be as agonizing as the first time he experienced it. Begging would do no good. Not that Shinnok's pride would allow him to, but begging would be the only option he'd have left.

While Lucifer would still rule the Netherrealm with the same level of ruthless authority he's always had, his need to guard and punish Shinnok meant that some of the more unsavory prisoners of the realm were able to form a rebellion. Shinnok's attack on the elder gods and freeing demons from the Netherrealm was revered with praise. To the demons, wraiths, and vile sorcerers of the realm, Shinnok was the one true god to worship. To them, Shinnok would finally create a reality where darkness could rule over the light, that the beings hiding in the shadows could be free. Under the leadership of a mysterious sorcerer named Quan Chi, they banded together to form the Brotherhood of Shadows. The Brotherhood of Shadows recruited the cruelest of demons and assassins to revolt against their tormentors. Lucifer was caught off guard when many of his most devout followers abandoned him to join the Brotherhood, which left him and his few remaining followers struggling to maintain control.

The Netherrealm wouldn't be the only realm struck with conflict. Outworld would face conflicts that would change the course of all the realms forever. Onaga changed after his battle with Shinnok, mentally and physically. Physically, the blast from Shinnok's amulet and Cetrion's healing had an odd effect on his heart. Somehow, it imbued the Dragon King's heart with a magic that could raise the dead. The power proved to be quite useful for the Dragon King. While his army was already a force to be reckoned with, the power to raise the dead at a seemingly endless rate made them undefeatable. However, mentally Onaga had become worse for wear. His loss against Shinnok had driven him mad. When once he was a powerful yet just ruler of Outworld, his rule turned to tyranny as he expanded him empire all across the realm, crushing any other village or kingdom that stood in his path for the next several thousand years. As he tore through the realm, Onaga grew desperate. To him, he deserved Shinnok's amulet whether he failed to stop him or not. He was angered when the elder gods refused to give it to him, but he knew it would be foolish to attempt to fight them for it. Even when his hunger for power grew, he used his intelligence to concoct a scheme. He gathered his realm's most powerful and knowledgeable mages and sorcerers to recruit them as his holy men. They would act out on his will, either creating shrines to him across the realm or attempt to create an amulet for their king.

While Onaga was more focused on acquiring an amulet that could match Shinnok's, his holy men made more progress on their other projects. His holy men built temples in his honor and spoke of his many mighty feats. Most importantly though, they came to a realization that while Onaga's heart can heal his army indefinitely, if Onaga were to parish his heart would not be able to resurrect himself. The holy men searched Outworld and even took voyages to Zaterra to some sort of magical artifact or hidden tome that could present a way to help them. It wasn't until they dug deep into the core of Zaterra where they discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization. A civilization of dragons where they learned the truth about dragons like Onaga. Dragons are actually symbiotes in Zaterra. Dragons may come from eggs like the rest of the races in the realm, however the eggs only contain the soul of a dragon. Dragon souls need proper hosts to imbed themselves in to complete their birth. The most often targets for this would be saurian due their biology being quite flexible in adapting to different environments. They presented this information to Onaga and he was pleased. He may not have been able to create a powerful amulet in this life cycle, but he found a way where he could in the next.

Onaga ordered his holy men to set chambers in the depths of Outworld to prepare with eggs he had laid. Those outside of his holy men and generals in his army had no knowledge as to what their king was doing. Shao Kahn had already made his distaste of serving Onaga known, but he became furious as Onaga refused to explain his plans to him. Being Onaga's advisor was the only feeling of power he had left and to be denied information enraged him. While Onaga was away enacting his plans, Shao Kahn would sneak out and call upon his own set of loyal sorcerers, the shadow priests. With the shadow priests' help, Shao Kahn was able to communicate with members of the Brotherhood of Shadows. Shao Kahn hired the services of one of their more skilled members, Reiko, to act as a spy on his behalf. Reiko would follow Onaga and his holy men in the shadows and report any unusual activities back to Shao Kahn. While Onaga was cautious, neither he nor his holy men could notice Reiko, he was far too stealthy for them to catch sight of. Upon returning to Shao Kahn, Reiko reported everything. Shao Kahn learned of Onaga's plan to become immortal. Shao Kahn became enraged. If Onaga were to succeed, it would rob Shao Kahn of the chance to rule Outworld after Onaga died. Shao Kahn wanted nothing more than to kill the Dragon King, but he knew he stood no chance in a straight confrontation.

Shao Kahn hired Reiko once again with a new mission; to find a poison that is potent enough to kill a dragon. Reiko understood a dragon wouldn't be affected by any regular poison. Even poison infused with magic would have difficulty harming a dragon. If a poison is to work on a dragon it would need to be infused with other worldly magic. Reiko returned to the Netherream to seek out the powerful necromancer in charge of the Brotherhood. The necromancer knew Onaga would become a threat if he succeeded in making himself "immortal" and creating an amulet of his own. The necromancer agreed to make the poison on the condition Shao Kahn would never attack or even set foot in the Netherrealm. As much as it pained him to let a realm stay out of his grasp, Shao Kahn agreed. Reiko returned to Shao Kahn with the poison which he hid until Onaga's return.

When Onaga did return he demanded a banquet be held in the dining halls as celebration for a successful conquest over a kingdom in the far edges of Onaga's territory. Shao Kahn obliged to Onaga's command with the plan to poison his king's food, but he had to be particular about where and when he could slip the poison in. If Shao Kahn were to simply poison food and hand it to Onaga, he would be suspected immediately. So instead, Shao Kahn had to slip the poison into a servant's platter. Then Shao Kahn sat by Onaga's side and waited. The servant brought the meal to Onaga as the dragon king raised his chalice.

"Let it be known," Onaga proclaimed in his usual mighty roar, "all of Outworld belongs only to me!"

"To the Mighty Dragon King!" Onaga's dining soldiers cheered as they raised their own cups.

"Long live the Dragon King!" Onaga's holy men said in unison, as if they were praying in a chapel rather than at a feast.

Onaga cheered with all of his followers as Shao Kahn clapped weakly. The dinner proceeded as usual which frustrated Kahn. Onaga had been too busy boasting of his conquests and drinking liquor instead of eating the poisoned food.

"Your majesty," Kahn forced himself to utter out such disgusting words from his mouth, "I must say it's unwise to waste your drinks before eating your meal. Your throat would be dry by the end of the night."

Onaga laughed. "Once again, the reams have aligned in place for you to finally give me more advice, Shao Kahn."

Kahn did his best not to grind his teeth together. Much to his own disgust, he threw up a smile and bowed to his king. "I only wish for you to enjoy your meal, master."

"Very well," Onaga cheered as he began to eat.

Shao Kahn would remain annoyed for the next several hours. Onaga's dragon physiology meant that the poison would take some time before affecting him. Onaga and his army continued to celebrate from the night into the early dawn. Shao Kahn kept a close eye on Onaga, but the Dragon King simply seemed drunk for most of the party. However, Shao Kahn perked up when he heard Onaga cough.

"My king," Onaga's general approached his king, "are you alright?"

"Of course I am!" Onaga shouted before coughing again. "I simply need another drink."

One of Onaga's holy men approached with a cup of water, which Onaga snatched away and chugged it down. Still, the Dragon King coughed. The cough became more continuous and violent. Onaga rose up from his seat and attempted to leave the room, but he fell to his knees as he gripped tightly onto his chest. His general and holy men rushed to his side as the Dragon King coughed up blood.

"My lord!" one of the holy men shrieked out in horror.

"You fools!" Shao Kahn shouted. "Help your king!"

` Shao Kahn rose from his seat and approached the crowd. More shrieking commenced when Onaga fell onto his back. Shao Kahn shoved through the crowd and looked down at Onaga. Blood poured out of every orifice on the dragon's face, even from his eyes. Onaga couldn't even gasp for air as he was forced to gargle through the blood. His bloodshot eyes shifted over to Shao Kahn and could only stare up in horror as he saw Kahn smirking down at him. With one final cough, Onaga spat up a fountain of blood and stopped breathing.

Shao Kahn couldn't celebrate yet. He dropped his smirk and shouted for the soldiers to secure the fort to investigate. Shao Kahn quickly pointed out the servant that had delivered the meal to Onaga. The army and holy men were enraged. No matter how much the poor servant claimed his innocence, it wasn't enough to sway their suspicions. They battered him to a bloody pulp. They did not kill him as they planned to publicly execute him for his supposed crime. That was when Shao Kahn took action. He offered to act as the judge and executioner for the man's execution the following day which Onaga's followers gladly accepted. All gathered at Onaga's palace grounds on the fateful day, even Onaga's enemies to see who had slain the dragon that ruled so greatly.

"Please, I would never poison anyone!" the servant pleaded as he struggled in his chains. "I'd especially never poison my king!"

"There will be no more lies from you!" Shao Kahn spat at the prisoner. "You were spotted handing the poisoned food to Onaga last night!"

"I prepared and offered him the food, but I swear I never poisoned it!" the prisoner actively wept on his knees.

Shao Kahn turned to the crowd and shouted, "Can any of you possibly believe this weak fool?!"

The crowd hurled boos and obscenities at the prisoner. His fate had been sealed. He hung his head down as he continued to cry. To play up to the crowd, Shao Kahn summoned in might war hammer with his magic. They cheered as he lifted up into the air with one hand before using both to slam the hammer down onto the prisoner's head. Blood and chunks of brain splattered across the execution stand before spewing out into the crowd. The crowd didn't care, in fact they were ecstatic as one group in the crowd fought over one of the prisoner's eyes.

Shao Kahn held his hands up in the air. "Now that the perpetrator has been delt with, we can finally allow our Dragon King to rest in peace! However, with his passing Outworld is left without a leader. I agree with many of our king's holy men that no being would be capable of filling Onaga's role as king. However, I can assure you all that a leader will still be present. I, Shao Kahn, will rule Outworld not as your king, but as your Kahn and emperor!"

Thousands cheered at Shao Kahn's announcement, happy to hear they wouldn't be without a leader. However, there were silent doubters in the crowd. Most of them were Onaga's enemies and Onaga's holy men. They thought back on the whole ordeal. Shao Kahn had everything to gain from Onaga's death and announcing himself as emperor seemed to confirm their suspicions. Even with their doubts, they would have no idea what Shao Kahn's rise to power would mean to Outworld and every other realm in existence.

As for what this chapter is about, it's more of transition chapter. We got the fall of Shinnok last time and this chapter has the death of Onaga. Onaga's fall was weird for me to write since trying to figure out the actual timeline of events of the MK universe is a mess, so I had to throw in a "thousands of years" line. The vagueness of the timeline also made it hard to reasonably set up all of Onaga's Deception resurrection stuff. The dragon egg thing was hard to figure out and I had to come up with that whole symbiote thing. To be honest, I'm still not sure how to feel about it so let me know how you feel about it. It does give dragons a bit of specialty above the rest of them.

Also, set up for the Brotherhood of Shadows and Shao Kahn's rise. I actually like the idea of Kahn being a title in thee NRS games, but Shao Kahn just seems like a full name. Just Shao is dumb. So, Shao Kahn came up with the title because he's an arrogant asshole. Also, set up with Reiko working with Kahn. 3 and 4 kinda set up the idea that Shinnok had some forces work with Shao Kahn over the years. I like to imagine Shao Kahn merging the realms for his rule would actually help Shinnok somehow, so I'll play with that a bit.

Anyways, if you have any questions or critiques let me know down below.

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