"I have looked evil in the eye, my friend. I am afraid to say it does not blink."
― Adrian Cole, Not Your Average Monster: A Bestiary of Horrors


A week had passed since Shinnok's defeat.

The second Netherrealm invasion, coupled with Kotal Kahn's attack, shook the Earthrealm warriors. Luckily, it hadn't lasted long and recovery efforts were started the day after.

Raiden, drained from his injuries and cleansing of the Jinsei, was encouraged to rest while Fujin led the mortals in his place. Fujin felt guilty for not being able to assist in the second war and was worried for his brother's health, so he refused to hear protests. Fujin promised to keep him up to date on the goings-on until he could directly participate. He decided to visit today with Sonya Blade and Kuai Liang accompanying him.

There wasn't a rush. They wanted to give Raiden as much privacy as possible while he recuperated. They desired a respite themselves, so they took the longer way by ascending the stairs leading to the Sky Temple, sharing pleasant conversation on the way.

Fujin always enjoyed spending time with mortals despite Raiden's reservations since the war with Shao Kahn. This recent role reversal allowed him to be more active in their lives. He hoped to make this a more permanent arrangement in the near future, for both his and Raiden's sakes.

There hadn't been word from Outworld or Netherrealm. Kotal Kahn was embarrassed by his recent losses and betrayals, as well as distracted by Rain and Tanya, who were still active with the Edenian Resistance, although the Tarkatans disappeared after Mileena's death. The clone's execution hadn't ended the civil war. No one was interested in helping Outworld after the emperor's rash behavior. The revenants did not seem interested in continuing their fallen masters' work, at least for now. Liu Kang and Kitana wasted no time in taking over as the new rulers, establishing order with their comrades as their generals. Despite Quan Chi's death having seemingly made it impossible for them to be restored, there was hope that one day they could at the very least become allies in the future.

The Shirai Ryu were on thin ice since Hanzo Hasashi killed Quan Chi, triggering Shinnok's freedom and hardening their chances of saving the revenants. The only ones willing to show them civility were Takeda, Kenshi, and Kuai Liang. Hanzo accepted the consequences of his actions, promising to do whatever was asked of him sans hesitation. Raiden requested that his clan guard the Sky Temple. The others accepted it; that way Hanzo could not start conflict or cause issues. Then there was the fact that Shinnok was being kept in the Sky Temple, restrained by magical divine chains created by the Elder Gods themselves, until a new permanent solution was created. Imprisoning him in his amulet again was too risky, nor could they trap him back in Netherrealm lest the revenants and/or oni and demons decide to aid their fallen master. Killing him was impossible, at least there was no way that anyone knew of. Raiden said he would use his recuperation time to try to form a plan.

"We are almost there," Fujin said over his shoulder to Sonya and Kuai Liang. They nodded in acknowledgment before resuming their conversation.

"How are things with Frost?" Sonya asked, walking with her hands clasped behind her back."You haven't mentioned her in awhile. Is she getting better?"

Kuai Liang sighed."In some ways. She has become friendly with some of the younger recruits, but has trouble with the senior members and those closer to her age."

"Sounds like she enjoys taking the kids under her wing."

"Yes. Leadership has always been in her interest. That, and power. She may lead them astray, even if her intentions are good."

Sonya glanced at the sky before looking back to Kuai Liang."I don't mean to stick my nose into your business, but if you want her to have more experience with her peers and seniors, she's welcome to work a bit with the Special Forces, give her more experience of the outside world. Sareena's a part-timer for both Special Forces and the Lin Kuei, so she'll have a familiar face close by so she won't feel alone."

Kuai Liang hummed thoughtfully."That...is not a terrible idea. I will discuss it with her. Thank you for the suggestion."

"No problem."

"However, I have one concern regarding your suggestion. Frost has expressed interest in the Cyber Initiative, and Sareena mentioned to me that Special Forces has plans..." He trailed off while raising an eyebrow.

Sonya let out a sigh."I was waiting for the right time to tell you, but I'm not surprised Sareena wanted you to know sooner."

Kuai Liang narrowed his eyes. His voice was icy."You are working on a project: Triborg. It contains the abilties of Sektor, Cyrax, Smoke...and myself."

"It's still in its early stages, we don't intend to activate it anytime soon-"

"You know my feelings on the Cyber Initiative," Kuai Liang said sharply, causing Fujin to flinch.

Sonya gave a roll of her eyes and adopted a blunt tone."I also know you have a phobia of technology."

Kuai Liang sputtered, a mixture of irate and flustered."That is not-"

"Sareena learned how to use our devices in two days, then she spent two weeks trying to teach you, and you spent the first week being talked into learning by her like a stubborn toddler with his vegetables."

Fujin had to suppress a snort as Kuai Liang sputtered more.

After a moment, the Grandmaster paused and muttered,"You are over-reliant on technology."

Sonya's blunt tone did not falter."War is evolving nowadays, both in Earthrealm and the realms that threaten us. We have to use whatever is at our disposal. Jax would be armless if not for technology, for example. Frankly, I'd rather have technology be under our strict, safe control than risk someone not qualified try to handle it and screw it up in the worst way possible."

Kuai Liang hummed again in genuine thoughtfulness, then exhaled deeply."I still do not approve, but I trust you."

Sonya nodded."That's all I ask."

They reached the top of the staircase. The Shirai Ryu were stationed all around the temple. All of them bowed or inclined their heads upon seeing the visitors. Hanzo, positioned at the main entrance, made his way toward them, wearing a guilty expression that his allies had grown accustomed seeing by now. Sonya crossed her arms and gave Hanzo a curt nod whilst Fujin and Kuai Liang exchanged bows with him.

"How's Raiden been doing?" Sonya asked brusquely. Out of everyone, she was the most angry at Hanzo. She hadn't yelled, cursed, or threatened; she simply decided he wasn't worth the effort, that he wouldn't listen and would do something just as bad if not worse in the future regardless of what she did to him. Her trust for him was shattered, and although she wasn't alone in that opinion, her coldness was particularly notable.

Hanzo bowed his head."He has been improving. He can walk and speak without issue. His powers are almost at their full strength. He thinks he can restart his duties soon."

That wasn't surprising. A god could recover faster than a mortal. Still, Raiden had a habit of rushing back to work, which his friends wouldn't tolerate.

"Glad to hear it," she said."He should rest for at least another week, though."

"Agreed," Kuai Liang said without hesitation.

Fujin folded his arms in front of his chest."You have my permission to bind him or render him unconscious if necessary," he said, half-jokingly.

Hanzo gave a very strained smile."He was hoping General Blade and Kuai Liang would visit as well."

That wasn't surprising either. The general and the Lin Kuei Grandmaster worked as closely with the Thunder God as his brother did.

Hanzo pointed at the entrance."He is meditating at the moment. I'm sure your presence will gladden him. I must remain outside on guard duty with my men."

The trio headed inside. Kuai Liang glanced at Hanzo, who gave him another strained smile. The former spectre had been overwhelmed by guilt these last several days, but Kuai Liang couldn't shake the feeling that something else was bothering him. Perhaps he could ask later or mention it to the Takahashi's. His main focus was currently on Raiden.

As if reading the cryomancer's mind, Fujin remarked,"Hanzo seems troubled."

"He'll go back to being his usual self soon enough," Sonya said matter-of-factly. She ignored the glance Kuai Liang shot her.

Fujin shared Sonya's anger at Hanzo. He may not have known all the revenants, but no one deserved to suffer that fate. It was not fair that three of them were miraculously freed while the rest were left to rot, in no small part thanks to one of those lucky three considering his own pain to be more important than other people and refusing to wait even a moment to exact his vengeance.

Hanzo was not the sole person who'd suffered. Sindel, Kitana, Nightwolf, Kabal, Stryker, Smoke/Enenra, Liu Kang, Kung Lao...every single one of them had been turned into weapons to destroy the realm they'd been willing to die to protect. Meanwhile, Hanzo had chosen to commit these crimes of his own free will. Manipulation or not, the influence Quan Chi had on the spectre was nothing like the revenants. Hanzo had never been a puppet, he was a volunteer, and even after being freed he was an unwitting servant of Netherrealm.

Shaking his head, Fujin decided to save these thoughts for later.

It was quiet and empty, as Raiden preferred during his meditation. They didn't call out to him, since they knew where he would be and that he'd sense their presence once they entered his room.

"Do we have a new plan for Shinnok?" Sonya asked, biting her lip.

"Or his amulet, for that matter?" Kuai Liang added, glancing around the hallway.

They'd been so focused on recovering from the recent battles that the topic rarely came up. Or they deliberately avoided it.

Fujin stiffened."I plan to ask Raiden if he's had any luck creating a solution. Afterwards, I will visit the Elder Gods to consult with them. Hopefully, we will succeed."

Sonya and Kuai Liang exchanged a nervous glance before nodding at Fujin.

The only sound within the temple was their footfalls. The silence was uncomfortable, but until they found Raiden, they decided it was the better option.

However, the more they walked, the more uneasy they felt. Not just mentally, but physically as well. Perhaps the stress and tiredness of everything that recently occurred was getting to them, yet none of them could shake the feeling that something else was wrong.

Fujin put a hand to his forehead to ward off a headache. Sonya touched her gut as a knot twisted inside. Kuai Liang's eyes began to hurt but his brain urged him to continue glancing about the halls. They were small discomforts, not quite enough to dismiss nor take too seriously. None of them noticed the others' discomfort. Fujin shook his head; Sonya straightened her posture; Kuai Liang fixed his gaze forward. They walked a little faster.

"Raiden?" they called as they neared their destination. Although they wanted to wait until they had actually arrived at his room, the urge to call out was stronger. Silence was the only response. Even in the deepest state of meditation and in his tired condition, Raiden would have responded. Was he unwell? Had he left the temple without informing the Shirai Ryu? Did he go to visit the Elder Gods with the imprisoned Shinnok to suggest what to do to the fallen deity?

Fujin furrowed his brows."Brother?" he called. Again, silence. Sighing, he shook his head. Leave it to Raiden to neglect his own health and give his allies the same headaches he complained that they caused him with their own reckless behavior.

Fujin's companions shared the Wind God's thoughts.

"Stubborn workaholic," Sonya muttered. Kuai Liang raised an eyebrow at her, and she snorted."Believe me, I'm well aware of how rich that is coming from me of all people."

Kuai Liang gave a snort of his own."I suppose I am no better in that regard."

Fujin made a mental note to lecture Hanzo for not keeping a closer eye on the pig-headed Thunder God once he was finished lecturing his fellow deity.

"Raiden," Fujin repeated."Brother, if you are here, we must speak to you immediately!"

They walked twice as fast as before. The feeling of unease was still there, and they still hadn't told one another of each of their discomforts, but now they believed there was an explanation.

Finally, they arrived at the room where Raiden was supposed to be. Fujin knocked on the door, only to be greeted by silence. He called to Raiden, again receiving no response. He glanced over his shoulder to see Sonya rolling her eyes and Kuai Liang was exhaling deeply. Fujin pushed the door open and marched inside, crossing his arms with a displeased expression as he looked around the room.

"Well then, we should see the Elder Gods-" Fujin cut himself off, his displeased expression becoming one of confusion and concern when his headache returned with a pounding vengeance. He vigorously massaged his temples, hearing groans come from the other two.

Sonya was slightly bent over and clutching her stomach whilst Kuai Liang rubbed his eyes. They paused in their groaning to make contact, at last realizing that the physical and mental issues were affecting all of them. Fujin opened his mouth to pose a question, closing it when a frowning Sonya pointed at something behind him. Kuai Liang rubbed one eye and squinted his second eye to see what Sonya was pointing at. Then their eyes widened and they exchanged a glance before gesturing for Fujin to turn around, which he did. He stepped back, turning pale at the sight.

Dark red blood, in puddles of various sizes, stained the floor.

"Raiden?!" Fujin yelled, the worst case scenarios filling his mind. Was Raiden injured? Had Shinnok managed to escape and attack him? No, if that were the case then the Shirai Ryu would not be here. But something had happened. It must have been recent, but the blood stains were partially dry.

Fujin staggered, holding his head in his hands as he yelled his brother's name yet again. His head felt like it was about to explode. He fell to his knees, gasping in between every pound in his skull.

"Hanzo!" Kuai Liang shouted, one arm over his eyes as the stinging worsened and another on the wall to keep himself from tripping."Come here at once! Something has happened to Raiden!" He groaned as he carefully lowered himself into sitting position, feeling as if he might go blind.

Sonya leaned against the wall and slid down it until she was sitting beside Kuai Liang on the floor. Her stomach felt like someone had slammed their fists into it a hundred times, and she feared that she might start retching at any moment.

Sonya sucked in breaths through gritted teeth as she tried to activate her wrist comm, mumbling in angered perplexity when there was no signal. Kuai Liang forced his eyes to stay open as he reached for his communicator attached to his belt, receiving the same problem as Sonya.

Then, abrupt thoughts urged them to move forward. For reasons they couldn't explain, they dragged themselves further into the room and soon they saw the source of the blood stains.

Shinnok's headless body, laying on the floor with his arms still chained to pillars. The body was covered in burns and bruises. The smell of blood and ash assaulted their nostrils, causing them to cough and worsening their pains.

Sonya would have fallen face-first if not for her quick reflexes allowing her to slam her arm onto the floor. Kuai Liang did the same, fighting the urge to shut his eyes. Fujin was gaping and shaking.

"You said," Sonya wheezed in between pained, shaky gasps."That...Elder Gods...couldn't be killed." She lowered her head onto her arm, struggling not to curl into herself.

Fujin shook his head, ignoring his agonizing headache."They can't..." His voice was a raspy whisper.

"B-But his..head..." She slowly lifted her head, turning pale and shaking her own head as she met Fujin's gaze."Fuck," she muttered, touching her throat as bile threatened to rise and come out.

It all became clear to them at once. Hanzo's behavior, Shinnok's injuries, Raiden's silence...

They needed to leave now.

Fujin lifted his arm to teleport and at that very second, an unbearable agony struck him and he screamed. Sonya and Kuai Liang cried out as they too were attacked. The force of the attack knocked them right into Shinnok's body and into the pillars holding his chains. As they struggled to recover, Shirai Ryu warriors rushed into the room with their weapons drawn, all of them, especially Hanzo, looking more tense and contrite than ever.

Hanzo was shaking his head."I am sorry," he murmured."I am so sorry..."

There was a chuckle, followed by footsteps as their attacker entered the room and approached them. In one hand he held the object he'd just used to attack them.

Raiden, with a serene smile on his face, was holding Shinnok's amulet. After looking at them for a few seconds, he frowned and spoke softly."I too am very sorry that I have to do this. But you three would be the first to notice my change, and the first to oppose me."

He approached them with slow steps; were it not for the wall behind them, they would have tried to back away. He knelt in front of them whilst attaching the amulet to his chest-plate. He reached out to touch Fujin's head and turned to Sonya and Kuai Liang with a sad visage."I cannot let you leave, at least not for awhile."

Adrenaline struck all three of them at that moment. Fujin sent a burst of wind to knock Raiden into the wall, Kuai Liang shot an ice blast at Hanzo, and Sonya whipped out her gun to shoot at several Shirai Ryu warriors. Fujin lifted his arm to teleport a second time, but Raiden had swifty recovered and shot them with the amulet again, knocking them into one another and against the wall as they screamed louder than the first time he'd blasted them.

They had no idea how long the attack lasted, but the agony felt like an eternity. At last Raiden relented, leaving them whimpering and panting and trembling on the ground.

Raiden approached them again, his face blank as he reattached the amulet to his chest-plate and stood over them. He cocked his head and that serene smile returned. Then he slowly lifted his arms and lightning burst from his palms, electrocuting them without mercy. He continued to smile serenely during his attack, and Hanzo averted his eyes.

Eventually, when he saw their bodies start to excruciatingly relax, Raiden stopped. He crouched by them, watching as they painfully drifted into unconsciousness.

The last thing they heard before passing out was Raiden's sickly sweet whisper:

"Do not worry. I shall take good care of you three..."


Author's Note: Hello, everybody. Sorry for the wait. I'm not in the mood to leave a long author's note right now, so I'll just get some things out of the way to quell some people's worries:

This story will NOT feature the retcons for Erron Black, Skarlet, Kabal, and Sindel. Erron Black is not a random texan mercenary and is still a long-lived Earthrealm mercenary granted slow aging by Shang Tsung, Skarlet is not a street orphan Shao Kahn taught blood magic and is still a construct of blood formed in the Flesh Pits, Kabal is not the guillible moron from MK11 story mode and is still a NYPD officer with a dark past as a former Black Dragon, and Sindel is not evil and is still the same tragic and loving and strong character we have all known and loved for so many years.

Feel free to message if you have any other questions or just want to talk about MK.

Oh, and screw 2020.

Please remember to review, leave constructive criticism, but no flames!