"There are fates worse than death."

This was the warning that Raiden, the protector of Earthrealm, had given to his former comrades, Liu Kang and Kitana, following the defeat of the former Elder God, Shinnok. It was an adage the two already saw truth in, due to their own deaths and corruption.

Corruption.

It was not something unique to the former Champion of Mortal Kombat and princess of the stolen realm of Edenia. Many of their allies had suffered similar fates at the hands of vile forces, following their untimely ends defending Earthrealm from Shao Kahn.

Kung Lao.

Jade.

Smoke.

Nightwolf.

Stryker

Kabal.

Sindel.

All once heroes, condemned to a horrible fate of serving evil. Their masters had been slain, leaving them with only their own warped minds to guide them. They were trapped in the Netherrealm, still corrupted, their minds still clouded. After 25 years stuck in this waking hell of an unlife, they were still there.

It was an outrage. It drove the corruption. Their anger, their malice, their lust for vengeance, loss of self, self-loathing…..

All, to them at least, because of Raiden.

Raiden, who had sought to prevent a future in which all existence would end in an event known as Armageddon. To many, including Raiden himself, the possibility had come to mind that this future was a falsehood. A fabrication. For what purpose? Who can say. Perhaps to wipe the slate clean without having to truly resolve what was there before. Merely ending the prior reality out of some cold indifference to the lives that inhabited it.

In the end, the purpose didn't matter. The results were the same. Disaster. Death. Chaos.

Chaos…..

Perhaps that had been driving factor behind it all. One would have to ask Chaos's cleric to be certain. But he was long dead… right?

Perhaps it all remained to be seen. Perhaps the future cannot truly be foretold, or seen through visions.

The future was not set in stone.

Even with the visions gone, the future was what lingered in Raiden's mind. The future of Earthrealm, and his unending duty to protect it.

But things had changed.

Following Shinnok's defeat, Raiden was no longer himself... Corruption had taken hold of him, much like his former allies. He now sought to protect Earthrealm in a far more aggressive manner than he had before. He would impose order.

Order….

Chaos's opposite, how fitting it be brought into the conflict. And with it, order's guardsmen.

Raiden had ventured to a realm known as Seido. The Realm of Order. Logical allies for one such as he. He had requested an audience with the leader of the Orderrealm's military and law enforcement force, Hotaru.

The two armored protectors now sat face to face, discussing the fate of the realms themselves.

"Seido has long considered extending the stability of order to other realms." Hotaru admitted. "But matters such as Darrius's resistance and our unending conflict with Chaosrealm have put a hold on those plans." Hotaru spoke, clearly and to the point.

"I understand, Hotaru." Raiden acknowledged. "But I am telling you that chaos has reigned in the realms for far too long."

"That much is true, but you have never asked for our help." Hotaru pointed out. "You have always relied on your Earthrealm warriors in the past, or your fellow god Fujin."

"They have become… unreliable." Raiden explained. "They seek Earthrealm's defense, but are unwilling to do what must be done to accomplish it. It is because of those like Sonya Blade, who fear the prospect of war, that Kotal Kahn still sits on the throne of Outworld in spite of his transgressions; and why the Red and Black Dragon clans still roam free in Earthrealm, despite the imprisonment of Kano, and the deaths of the Red Dragon's top commanding officers: Hsu Hao and Mavado."

Raiden sneered as he recalled more recent events, small bolts of red lightning crackling around his clenched fist, which lay idle on the table separating the two.

"Even now, my allies abandon me." He continued. "The White Lotus have turned their back on me, branded me an enemy of peace!" His anger seemed to be growing. "And Sub-Zero has taken his Lin Kuei into hiding, left his temple abandoned. All that remained was a note saying that his clan would never succumb to tyranny…. tyranny, as if I were not the protector of Earthrealm, but a petty despot like Shao Kahn!"

Raiden slammed his fist on the table, his rage now quite clear.

Hotaru was, much as he would never admit it, intimidated by this. As such, he tried to continue the discussion without further inciting Raiden's anger.

"I have encountered such an Earthrealmer before," Hotaru recalled. "He was much like these warriors you describe. Heart in the right place, but unable or unwilling to accept what is truly necessary to preserve Order."

"You speak of Shujinko," Raiden surmised. "He is one of my allies."

"Good, I always respected that one," Hotaru said fondly.

"The realm he and I protect is, however, the least of our problems." Raiden continued. "Or to be more accurate… it is the target of our problems."

"Outworld and the Netherrealm." Hotaru assumed.

Raiden nodded.

"Outworld has long been a chaotic place, ever since it's true ruler was removed and replaced by that barbarian Shao Kahn." Hotaru said disdainfully. "And the Netherrealm… I do not think the graces of Order could ever reach that hellish place."

"I believe it is possible, without Shinnok to preside over it." Raiden countered.

"Yes, it's current rulers… were they not former allies of yours?" Hotaru asked.

"More than allies." Raiden said solemnly. "My friends. I failed them."

"I see…" Hotaru said. "I have failed a friend once as well. His name was Dairou. He was a good man, but I fear he has fallen too far down the path of Chaos."

"Perhaps his path could be corrected." Raiden suggested. "His talents would certainly be of use."

"Raiden…..what are you planning?" Hotaru asked.

"Exactly what I told you." Raiden said, indignant at having to repeat himself. "To bring order to all the realms, so that no grave crisis may ever occur again."

"Would the Elder Gods not view it as infringing on a realm's sovereignty?" Hotaru asked, concerned about inciting divine wrath even greater than that which Raiden was capable of.

"They had little complaint when Shao Kahn invaded Earthrealm without prior victory in Mortal Kombat." Raiden recollected. "I doubt they will interfere now."

Hotaru nodded. "It will not be easy."

"Doing what must be done never is." Raiden argued. "Do I have the Seidan Guard's aid in this matter or not, Hotaru?"

Hotaru stood up. "Indeed, Lord Raiden. It is clear to me now that order must prevail, no matter the cost."

Raiden stood as well. "So we are in agreement?" His red eyes were locked with Hotaru's purely white ones.

"We are." Hotaru confirmed, holding out his hand.

The two locked arms, and the pact was made.

"Together, we will seek retribution for those slain because order's firm hand was not there to hold them." Hotaru said.

"Yes, retribution." Raiden agreed. "A requiem, for lost souls."