Chapter 10

Another month passed. In this time, Ronin had read through the journal his predecessor had left behind, and even added a few entries of his own. Ronin had found that he was only the third person to hold the office. Upon realizing this, Ronin mused to himself: 'Talk about an exclusive club!'

One day, Ronin was in the dojo meditating when somewhere from the back of his mind, there was a sensation like hunger or a desire for attention that he couldn't place. At first, he ignored it but soon it became too insistent to block out. In confusion, Ronin sought out Spark and said: "Spark, there is a sensation in the back of my mind, almost like a voice or chant and I can't identify it. It's proving to be very difficult to tune out. Do you know what it might be?" Spark considered for a moment when his eyes lit up with comprehension. He said: "I think Lord, that it is a prayer of summoning. The monks of the Order of Light, in China have been known to use it. Sort of a 'direct line' to the head office." I think that someone there is trying to get in touch with you."

Having never been prayed to before, Ronin was understandably confused and said: "I guess I should go answer it. Did my predecessor use any sort of ceremony or protocol for this?" Spark answered: "He did enjoy a little flair for the dramatic from time to time." "I think I'll skip the dramatics and go to the source. Thanks Spark." The two went their separate ways as Ronin went to change clothes. With no other guide, Ronin chose to wear the same style of clothes the day of his meeting with the Elder Gods, off white pants and tunic with a straw hat. From there, he teleported outside and summoning a lightning bolt pole, Ronin slid down it to the Earth Realm to answer a prayer.

As Ronin traveled down the bolt, he saw he was approaching his destination and changed course slightly so as not to land directly on the person praying. As Ronin materialized, he found himself near the entrance to an outdoor shrine and saw a young man in his mid to late twenties kneeling at an altar covered in candles and burning incense sticks. The young man was wearing a pair of shoes that ended just above the ankles, wearing tan colored pants that were a little baggy around the thigh and a shirt with a lace-up top. On his back, was a large hat with what looked like a blade around the brim. The man was so deep in his prayer, he didn't hear Ronin arrive. Not wishing to disturb the man, Ronin waited until there was a break in the prayer chant and just as the prayer was about to repeat, Ronin cleared his throat and said: "You called for me?" Ronin was startled by the sound of his own voice as that it came out in an overly loud kind of echo tone. He didn't know at the time that in the mortal plane, that was his natural voice.

The chant stopped as the young man stood and turned to him. As the man started to speak, his face changed from one of happiness to anger as he shouted: "What manner ofdemon are you that you would dare answer a prayer to the Thunder God Raiden!" Ronin opened his mouth to answer when the young man suddenly leapt forward into a spin kick through the air that caught Ronin unawares. The kick connected three times and sent Ronin to the ground. As he did a backwards somersault to get back to his feet, he saw the man reach for his hat and throw it at him. Not wanting to be hit with the wicked sharp looking weapon, Ronin teleported behind the man and hit him with an electric blast that sent the man to the ground writhing as the current ran its course.

Ronin said: "If you will give me a moment to speak I will answer you!"

The man got slowly to his feet as he bowed and said: "Forgive me please. You really are Raiden." As he spoke, he bowed to Ronin, who returned the bow and said: "Yes I am. Impressive kick you hit me with. Bo Rai Cho must have taught it to you." The young man looked up in shock and said: "How could you tell?" Ronin smiled and said: "He has agreed to be my teacher as well after first running me through a meat grinder of an evaluation." The man smiled: "Master Bo Rai Cho definitely has a way about him. My name is Kung Lao. I defeated the demon sorceror Shang Tsung and freed my spirit brother's soul from his grasp." Ronin remembered all the previous Raiden had told him about Liu Kang and this one, Kung Lao.

Ronin said: "Yes, my predecessor told me about you and Liu Kang." Confusion ran across Kung Lao's features as he said: "Predecessor?" Ronin said: "It's a long story, and I'll tell you sometime after I've known you long enough for you not to attack first and ask questions later when I appear." Kung Lao bowed and apologized again as Ronin asked: "How can I help you Kung Lao?" Kung Lao looked embarrassed a moment and then reached into his tunic as he handed Ronin an expensive looking card. Kung Lao said: "Forgive me for using the summon prayer Lord Raiden, I was unaware of your apparent change when that came by way of express messenger."

Ronin looked the card over before opening it and reading aloud: "You and as many guests as you wish to accompany you are cordially invited to the wedding of John Carlton and Sonya Blade on the 12th of June of this year."

Ronin didn't know the name Sonya Blade but recognized the name of John Carlton as the real name of Johnny Cage, one of his favorite movie actors. He said: "Obviously this was meant for you and my predecessor, but I guess I could show up and introduce myself, never crashed a wedding before. I hope they don't mind. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Will you be able to attend?Threemonths can go by before you know it."

Kung Lao seemed saddened a moment and said: "I'm afraid not. While the Order of Light is politically neutral, the Chinese government is communist and requires more kinds of documents to travel than I have the time or money to get so I must decline." Ronin considered for a moment then said: "I can take you. It won't be a problem at all." Kung Lao bowed and said: "Thank you Lord Raiden. I would be honored to travel with you." Ronin returned the bow and said: "I'm happy I can help. Maybe you would be willing to introduce me to them. I always wanted to meet Johnny Cage anyway so this works out really well. Do you know of any other allies that might not be able to be informed in time for the wedding?"

Kung Lao cupped his chin with one hand in thought before answering: "I'm sure that Sub Zero and Frost already know. Since Sub-Zero is the Grand Master of the Lin Kuei, heprobably has shadows looking after Sonya and Johnny anyway. Jax is Sonya's partner after all so I know he'll be there. Cyrax might as will Kenshi as that they are both freelance agents for the Otherworld Investigative Service which Sonya is in command of. The only person I'm not sure of is Princess Kitana. She is the ruler of Edenia and has many things on her mind, I'm sure. But I think she would like to be there."

Ronin considered for a moment and said: "Would you like to go with me to this Edenia? I of course have never been there and would need a guide and an introduction so that I don't end up having to hit her too. I don't want to create an inter-dimensional war by hitting their ruler now would I?" Kung Lao smiled at the joke and said: "I too have never been to Edenia but I would be happy to serve as your pass into the ruling court."

Ronin snapped his fingers to summon his staff with and placing it to the ground he said: We can go right now unless you have something else that needs to be done first." Kung Lao shook his head in negation as Ronin focused for a moment and tried to open a portal. Nothing happened. Ronin tried again when Kung Lao said sheepishly: "I'm sorry Lord Raiden. I forgot to mention that there is an anti-portal ward over the temple and its grounds now. Your predecessor asked the Elder Gods for this favor after Liu Kang's death."

Ronin shook his head in understanding as he said: "Take a hold of my staff and we'll go back to my palace. I should be able to open the portal to Edenia from there. Why could I travel into these grounds before but can't make a portal out?" Kung Lao said: "I think it might have to do with the fact that you are the patron god of the Order of Light and you were coming from your realm to here, not trying to open a portal to another realm entirely." Again, Ronin nodded in understanding.

Kung Lao took a hold of the staff as Ronin summoned the lightning bolt again and took them both to his palace. Upon landing in front of it, Ronin focused his intent as some ball lightning appeared in his hand. The ball started out the size of a softball. As Ronin cast it away, the ball expanded until a portal door was formed, then the mortal and the god walked through.