A/N: After a stressful hiatus, as well as my mind never shutting up, I'm finally back for another Mortal Kombat epic, based on Deadly Alliance, or as I call it with the working title, Vengeance!
I was so disappointed that there was the Roman numeral V featured in the said title, yet...the original title itself was rejected! It's no question it should be called as such, rather than the demonic duo, from what is about to unfold! Also, this should be the chance to shine for a certain hero that has been left in the shadows and disrespected by the brutal developers for FAR too long! After all, according to Underdawg Gaming, they said this was where his downfall started.
Besides, revenge is served with a silver, cold platter...especially one consisting of razor sharp and fatal edges!
Prologue
Only one year had passed since the Netherrealm War, the same heinous battle led by the fallen Elder God, Shinnok, and his psychotic and demonic associate, Quan Chi. Both the realms of Edenia and Earth enjoyed perpetual peace as the new Champions consisting of the brotherly Gods, Raiden and Fujin, led Liu Kang and his comrades to victory! With the two rightful deities attaining the title, no worries were flared involving Liu's eternal curse.
The Wu Shi Academy stood as proud as ever, but it remained as silent as a gentle breeze. The sun began to rise, and the monks were just coming out to perform their usual daily tasks. Even their most prestigious of them all, the former Champion of Earthrealm, Liu Kang.
He trodden his way to the center ginormous platform, the airy training arena. The lei tai center platform was suspended by five massive statues of great masters that founded the Academy, even before the Great Kung Lao's existence. The center practice area was used to evaluate tests as the teachers watched from the tower. Normally, this would be the place where Liu Kang and his closest Shaolin brother, Kung Lao, would spar together. But today...it was only just the realm-renowned warrior.
Meanwhile, the technical den was just as deathly silent as the Arena. The Matokan shaman, Nightwolf, stretched out his weary muscles over one of the balconies and admiring the sunrise. His loyal pet wolf, Kiba, strolled beside him and let out a yawn while stretching his paws and maw filled with fangs. Kingfishers, magpies and swallows chirped their usual morning songs, putting a smile on the Indian's face, knowing that life has begun to awaken, always the nature lover.
"Good morning, Nightwolf." He and Kiba saw a familiar friend emerge from the shadows in the arched exit. He let out a bow bending near the waist.
"Good morning to you too, Kung Lao," he replied in the same fashion. "Off for training, I see."
He turned his hat by the rim. "Indeed I am. Liu Kang should be out already. I just wanted to say hi before I should go."
The shaman smirked, "Alright, hurry along, then. I'm always so surprised how you two maintain an early routine, with breakfast and all. Looks like us Matokans aren't the only traditional early risers."
"Heh, so I see. I shall best him in battle. One of these days. Can't wait to see him fall over the likes of me."
"Right. Good luck, be careful out there." Nightwolf always liked Lao's witty persona, always willing to make a gist or a snark here and there; seemingly to ease a tense situation.
They bowed to each other again, and for some reason during the short conversation, Kiba began to sniff Lao's boots. He then turned away, leaving Kiba with a sudden low growl.
Nightwolf faced his pet, which he could've sworn his hairs were sticking up a notch. Concerned, he spoke, "Kung Lao...?"
All he did was abruptly stop, before he faced the two with a gleam in his eyes and a wry grin before he Teleported away. After sniffing the crisp air, Kiba let out several wild barks that only the monks from several feet away can hear.
The sky brightened into a robin's egg blue as Lao found his rival do some practice exercises. Some of Liu's katas even looked like he was swimming. Yet still, Lao watched him closely, without showing any smirks nor spatting any challenges. Liu was so deep into his stunts that he didn't mind Lao's presence. Lao figured he ignored him since he knew he'd show up, he didn't even pause nor made a greeting to him. Nevertheless, he just edged closer, slowly toward the occupied monk.
All a sudden his form began to grow in an eerie green light, only to reveal a 7-foot male wearing a dark olive-green shirt with a black leather jacket, with his pants and boots matching it almost as opaque as his soul. His squinting eyes shined as his smile shown some white teeth that could've been sharpened into fangs, and his black crewcut glimmered.
From his peripheral vision, Liu Kang spotted a towering shadow cover him; he was certain the silhouette didn't belong to Kung Lao. To confirm this, he turned, and it was none other than his archnemesis, Shang Tsung!
The heroic warrior let out a sharp, direct kick to the enemy's chest, yet he stood as steadfast as a tree! Liu then countered with several rapid punches, making the sorcerer back away a few inches, before he caught his outstretched leg. Liu's direct punches forced the demon to relieve it, and then he blocked the shapeshifter's advances. Liu kept on grabbing an arm and hit Shang Tsung directly with a swift punch and kick. He thought he'd have the advantage, on his own like in the first tournament...
However, there was another who stepped up to the ring! Quan Chi fired a green energy sphere toward Liu's unsuspecting back! Liu's body just collapsed, and he wasn't even wearing any armor to protect himself! His bare back took the severe blow! With the rear of his body sending excruciating pain, Liu slowly stood up, only to have Shang Tsung put him in a stranglehold!
His two massive and strong arms wrapped around Liu's windpipe and forehead, preventing him from rising any further! He desperately tried to break free from the sorcerer's firm grip, closing in more around his neck! Losing oxygen, his weak hands were unable to remove them! That was until Shang twisted Liu's neck, snapped it to the left, and left his body limp! With that quick blow, Liu just fell to the hard terrain of the Arena...
The Deadly Alliance were successful on eliminating Liu Kang...
As Quan Chi stepped forward to his associate, Shang spoke in an evil, vehement tone, "Your soul...is mine!"
He rose his arms, making Liu's bright emerald soul rise out of his inactive vessel. Shang Tsung was about to steal his soul for himself, just as he did with the Great Kung Lao, Chan Kang, and many other unfortunate victims...
Suddenly, as Liu's essence was about to be held in Shang's evil clutches as his own valuable prize he always wanted...
It almost instantly rocketed skyward! As if it was carried by a sudden updraft!
Quan Chi screamed for the shapeshifter to chase after it thru the heavens as it climbed faster! Needless to say, Shang Tsung was greatly enraged that his partner did absolutely nothing but watch the hunt!
Using his souls in his possession, Shang unleashed them eerie skulls into the air! The streaks of souls were just too slow as they fell leagues behind from Liu's soul, almost as if it was being magnetically pulled upwards! Soon enough, Liu's energy continued to rocket thru the clouds, and the other malicious souls were still on its tail!
A deafening crash of thunder was heard when a volley of lightning shot down into Shang thru his raised arms! The electricity lit up his body like Sirius for a short while, knocking off his feet and leaving him stunned! Quan Chi just stood in alarm!
"You imbecile! Raiden must've found us!"
Some wild barks belonging to a wolf of sorts closed in fast and it tackled Quan Chi to the ground while the carnivore was tearing his limbs and armor! The blanch demon kicked him off, but seconds later he rose and witnessed a shaman chase after his pet!
He snarled in clenched teeth, "Oh shit! Not Nightwolf again...!"
He just stopped short as he gazed upon his old enemies. "Quan Chi! And Shang Tsung too!"
The former struggled to get back on his feet, and there was another bolt striking the duo!
Inside an Oriental kitchen filled with wooden cupboards and a brown ceiling, with a lone bulb shining down and a lampshade, Kung Jin, Kung Lao, Aiko, and Jin's mom were having a hearty breakfast when they were startled by the sudden lightning storm as they beheld it thru an arched window! They noticed the opaque, tan-grey clouds with the strikes zapping the Arena at the heart of the compound! They even made Aiko and the tween Jin cringe.
Kung Lao overslept, which was a habit he thought he'd broken, but always tended to sneak up on him from time to time. He only managed to take some quick bites of his eggs when the storm broke!
"I have never seen the likes of such a storm!" Lao's sister-in-law spoke with a Mandarin accent.
Aiko and Jin remained speechless. Though Lao became suspicious as if those strikes belonged to... "No... it's NOT a cataclysm. Could it be...Master Raiden!?"
The spectators could've sworn their hairs stuck up from the backs of their necks. Lao observed, never flinching from the violent display, the bolts kept on licking around the same vicinity.
"It...it must be him. Something's afoot. I must go out there! Aiko, with me!"
The cardiokinetic screeched, "Are you insane!? I'm not going out in this storm!" Still an astraphobic, Lao noticed.
"Aiko, the lightning is only striking the Wu Shi Arena! It must be Raiden...! We are needed!"
Lao just urged his mate and even grabbed her by the hand as they ran out to the dry air! The claps were irritating their ears at times, yet Lao never hesitated nor covered them! He kept on leading Aiko as they ran several feet following the brewing storm!
The vicious duo was almost immobilized as they were nearly hit by the sudden, enormous flash descend onto them! Only Nightwolf, who commandeered his pet into him, realized it was Raiden, wielding his long staff! He and the shaman wound up with ascended arms then shot some volleys of lightning, Raiden from his rod and Nightwolf from his battle axe! The targets were hit dead center, until they both dematerialized!
"Agh-they got away!" The Indian roared!
"Yes. But it was fortunate they never took-"
"Liu Kang!" The Matokan crouched next to the lifeless monk, never responding as he shook his body and kept yelling for him to awaken. His eyes were still closed and his face pale with the slightly crooked neck...
Nightwolf just sat next to him, shocked to the core, never minding the distant muffled calls from the other monks, not even the shrieks from Lao and Aiko.
Lao's stamina and legs were a hell of a lot stronger than the rookie's. It took her a few more minutes before she reached the Arena. The couple ran to the center of the Tournament symbol as they surveyed the horror.
It was unmistakable...
Liu Kang is dead.
Kung Lao, Aiko and Nightwolf gathered around Liu's empty vessel, mourning for the loss of their good friend. All except the Thunder God who stood idly, until something flashed from within his heavy white, decorative robe. He dug in the right socket and took out a small, golden dragon head. It looked as if it was crafted by the finest Chinese artisan. Its eyes began to lighten in a bright jade before he faced the saddened group, with Aiko breaking into tears.
Lao and Nightwolf were just too upset to tender her cries.
"Aiko. Nightwolf. Kung Lao."
The trio turned to their mentor with blotched faces and red eyes. That didn't faze him.
"Liu Kang...is dead. But only his soul still remains."
"What...?" The cardiokinetic and the shaman were awestruck.
"What are you talking about!?" Lao queried, his body heating up with his pent-up rage.
"Liu Kang's spirit is inside this golden dragon." He laid out a hand holding it, and it glimmered in his palm. "I had created this in case the time would come. As an Elder God, I was able to conjure this dragon head, inspired by Shinnok. His Amulet empowered him, created by the ancient black arts and maintaining his lost strength once he was casted down to the Netherrealm.
"In the heavens, I was unable to watch over Earth, and dreading for Liu Kang's life, I'd made this sacred relic."
Somehow, the former monk wasn't convinced. He shook his head, "No... Liu Kang's spirit has been imprisoned by Shang Tsung...!" His voice was close to cracking.
"Unh, w-what? Where am I? Why am I trapped in here!?"
The three warriors were stupefied as they heard Liu Kang's voice emitting from the golden, spiked head, letting out a rise and fall. The emerald eyes began to flicker like small candles as he spoke.
"It's alright now." Raiden spoke to it. "You are within the dragon amulet I had made, to encase your soul from your nemeses, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi."
"What...? Raiden? Master? Is that you?"
"I am not the sorcerer, Liu Kang. Kung Lao, Aiko and Nightwolf are with us." He turned his palm to face his distraught allies.
"Liu Kang...can you hear us? Can you see us?"
"Y-yes. I can hear and see you, Kung Lao. Aiko and Nightwolf too, even the Wu Shi Arena thru those orb windows."
"Then, it must be the eyes!" She pointed and was surprised that her Shaolin brother wasn't entirely gone.
"Well, at least it's roomy in here." Liu noticed he was inside a darkened chamber with dark golden walls, with the front end shrinking to a narrow crawlspace of some kind, and a dead end behind him.
"Liu Kang, we must focus on the task at hand." His mentor spoke earnestly. "Shang Tsung and Quan Chi are at large. This evil has two faces now. They have escaped from the Netherrealm, and I needed to strip away my powers as an Elder God to intervene with our adversaries. While the Elder Gods themselves would rather stand by and watch the ruination of Earth, and its Champion.
I cannot stand idly by and watch this evil consume this world. We must gather all the able warriors across Earthrealm and Edenia. We must act now, and we must stop this Deadly Alliance...!"
A/N: In the game, specifically in Kung Lao's profile, Deadly Alliance took place a decade after the events of Shinnok's invasion. However...I felt this was too much of a time skip; if anything, I'd rather have it be like lesser than five. I feel it's too much time, especially since not much has changed regarding the lives of the Kombatants. I'm surprised that the Kombat Kids had only been introduced in the NetherRealm Games, and yet, we don't see shit of development in the klassic games, not even SonyaxCage, nor LiuxKitana settling down! I don't wanna do the five-year time skip either, since MK was on hiatus until 2002 from its Dark Age in '97! So... maybe one year...
Also, I heavily concur with what Jax said in Shaolin Monks, that time flows differently in each Realm. And to back it up more, I concur with John Constantine when he said time stops in Hell from Earth, and that two minutes in Hell is a lifetime. So, there you have it!
Aside from the intro of Deadly Alliance, Ademia's Immortal would OF COURSE be the opening credits song of this fic! I didn't know what that song was when I heard the music as 616Entertainment talked of Deadly Alliance. I thought it was Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, even though it only released Hybrid Theory and Reanimation at the time of the game's release; I'm glad the MK Wiki mentioned this lost treasure!
I hope you guys appreciated that plot twist here! Unlike the game, Liu's spirit wasn't stolen by Shang, nor imprisoned in an undead soldier, but rather encased in a dragon amulet and saved by Raiden! I always wanted the Thunder God to be preemptive and compassionate to his compatriots, not be neglectful like he was in the NetherRealm Games! I'm sure as an Elder God, he can have the same abilities as Shinnok, creating his own relic! I got something good planned for Liu in conjunction with Kung Lao! You'll see! For once, he will not be alone avenging his Shaolin brother's death.