Disclaimer: Mortal Kombat doesn't belong to me. I'm sure all MK fans out there are supremely relieved by that.

LiuSubzeroSonyaJaxNightwolfStrykerKitana
Raiden

"Raiden? Raiden? Are you well?"

Coming out of his reverie, Raiden smiled up at Kitana. "Sorry about that. Must've dozed off." He looked around, noticing the abandoned kitchen. "Where'd the others go?"

"The others wanted to watch a movie," Kitana grinned. "We decided the kitchen was not the place to watch a movie, not just because of the lack of equipment, but because it has the potential to escalate rather violently, especially if we do agree to watch Moulin Rouge."

Oh. Oops. Probably should have paid a little more attention. "Well, shall we go and play chaperons to the unruly children?" Raiden suggested with a smirk, rising and stretching.

"Yes," Kitana nodded, leaving the kitchen. Raiden made to follow the Princess, still slightly caught in the past, when an object distracted him.

A package sat on Liu's chair, simple in its brown wrapping but slightly marred with black marks and an overabundance of tape. A card sat on top, simple with a cover that read, "To a Special Someone" in slanting, red cursive.

Curious, Raiden picked up the card and read,

To Raiden,

Apologies about the corniness of the card; Jax and Stryker were all for getting a Father's Day card because they thought it would be hilarious, but we decided on something more neutral.

We (meaning Sub-Zero, Kitana, Nightwolf, Jax and myself) also apologize for the present's wrapping; we were all busy with helping Nightwolf organize the infirmary, so we left the job to Sonya and Stryker, thinking they'd be united under the common goal of giving you a gift. They wound up in an argument over who got to wrap and who was in charge of the tape—don't ask, even we're not too sure how job delegation was important enough to warrant a physical fight—(Raiden took a look at the present, which indeed had a few dented corners and the black marks were now more visible as scorch marks)—but as far as we know the present wasn't harmed.

You may be wondering where the present is coming from. Well, we happened to compare notes one day and noticed a very similar occurrence that happened on this day twenty-five years ago. Even Kitana mentioned receiving a mysterious gift two years previously. Being the grown adults that we are, we came to a conclusion and decided you deserved something, too.

We're honored that you chose us to be your Chosen Ones and Defenders. We'll do our best not to disappoint you, and hope that you aren't too disappointed in u— Here there was a wild jerk in the pen, a blotted watermark, and the card picked up on the opposing side of the card. Sorry about that, two people who shall remain nameless got into a fight over a water bottle; honestly, it's kind of like having Johnny back, except with less pleas for us to star in his movies.

As I'm sure you were more interested in the card than the present, you should open that now. We hope you're happy with the gift, and in us.

From Your Defenders

P.S.—Nightwolf says you owe him a very lengthy explanation about his bow; he's been waiting twenty-five years and feels it's quite overdue.

Raiden read over the card twice more, smiling contentedly. He had the sneaking suspicion Sonya and Stryker were the "two people who shall remain nameless;" the two had gotten in an argument a week ago over a water bottle, and wouldn't let the subject go until Sub-Zero threatened to freeze every droplet in their bodies if they didn't shut up. Everyone knew the ninja would never make good on his threat, but it had been effective in stopping the fight.

Turning his attention now to the package, Raiden held the package close to his ear and shook it, like a child near the holiday season. Curious, Raiden ripped off the wrapping and opened the box.

A gold conical hat, much like the one atop his head, gleamed in the box. Raiden lifted and examined the hat, touched. Flipping it over, he saw the Mortal Kombat dragon inked onto the bottom, drawn to perfection. Wondering where they could have gone to get such craftsmanship, Raiden flicked a finger; lightning spouted and the hat on his head vanished. In the light of the bolt something flashed in the box. Curious as to what else they could have gotten him, Raiden dug through the box. His hand stilled as he stared.

A picture frame rested in the box, but the frame wasn't what drew his attention. Seven pictures, obviously cropped and put together courtesy of technology, of children and two adults were arrayed, smiling up at him.

Little Liu in black and white, but still somehow delivering his cynicism. Sub-Zero the adult, but Raiden could easily bring to mind the child trying to bring honor to his clan. Curious Nightwolf with a tiny Kiva on top of his head, laughing merrily. Noble Stryker, face covered in dirt but the happiness shining out from under the dirt mask. Proud Sonya, dressed in her father's Army uniform that was several sizes too large for her. Surreptitious Jax, holding Where The Wild Things Are that he was undoubtedly reading to a very young audience. An adult Kitana, one whom Raiden had never personally met as a child but could think back to the days five hundred years ago, when Kitana and Kung Lao had met.

Loud accusations and cursing rose from somewhere in the base, followed by mirthful laughing. Shaking his head, Raiden placed his new hat on his head and left the kitchen, tucking the picture in the crook of his elbow. Sure, if they hadn't figured his identity out for themselves, he would have never told them about meeting them (Raiden stubbornly refused to admit he had been afraid of their reactions; it was not godlike to be afraid of mortals). But he was glad they had.

He couldn't enact his vengeance for their immaturity if they hadn't, after all.