Author's Note
To help you get a better visual image of the characters in The Mortal Kombat Chronicles:
Ashlynn: Laura Prepon (Donna from That 70's Show)
Amilee: Christina Milian
Sarah: Stacy Dash
Cherin: Cue Shepherd
Maria: Salma Hayek
Jay Yung: Nicholas Gonzalez
Shang Tsung: Carry Tagawa
Quan Chi: Adoni Maropis
Raiden: Christopher Lambert
Delphine: Jamie Pressley
Sonya: Bridgette Wilson Sampras
Jax: Lynn "Red" Williams
Scorpion: Chris Casamassa
Sub-Zero: Keith Cook
Havik: Stuart Townsend
Stryker: Keanu Reeves
Ashra: Angelina Jolie
Liu Kang: Robin Shou
Kitana: Talisa Soto
Raiden, the Great God of Thunder, Protector of the Realm of Earth, had completely lost his normally calm demeanor. He paced back and forth, his booted feet clattering loudly over the smooth stone pathway. He looked up. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting an orangish pink glow of the Temple of the Order of Light. Overall, things were calm, at least for the time being.
"Raiden," he turned toward the sound of the voice. Striding toward him from the right was the woman he had watched grow from an innocent child into a formidable fighter, the woman who was as close to him as a daughter. Princess Kitana, heir to the throne of the Edenian Realm. Her normally stoic face was contorted in ugly, tear streaked lines, and her chestnut hair had been left loose to fall over her shoulders. Raiden approached her, pulling the princess into a comforting hug. With the death of Liu Kang, Champion of Mortal Kombat and also Kitana's former lover, she had completely lost her composure.
"I'm sorry Kitana," Raiden said, pulling back from the hug, "If only I would have known, if only..."
Kitana cut him short, "No, this is not your fault." She sniffled, wiping her red eyes with the sleeve of her gown.
Raiden was persistent to take the blame for Liu's death, "But if I could've just seen the signs, Liu would still be alive."
Kitana shook her head, "They would have killed him anyway."
Unable to continue, Kitana turned and walked away from him. Raiden's fists clenched at the thought of Liu's murderer, the demon sorcerer Shang Tsung. Long had he wanted to be rid of the Chosen One, and he had finally reached his goal, but not alone. No, he had help, an acquaintance, but who? The Thunder God's musings were interrupted when he felt a small hand resting on his shoulder. He turned to the red headed woman, one of his newest fighters.
"Ashlynn," he tried his best to smile at the young woman. She gestured toward the fountain in the center of the path, where a small group of people had gathered.
"Kitana needs some time to herself, and the others are waiting," she told him, nodding reassuringly.
"I know," Raiden replied. He sighed, and let Ashlynn lead him toward the fountain. Among the fighters were a few familiar faces. Lieutenant Sonya Blade and Major Jackson Briggs, or Jax. There were also a few people he had only known for a short while. Sarah Jackson, leaning casually against the fountain's side. Cherin Russell, arms crossed, staring at him. And Maria Camarena, talking quietly with Sonya. Ashlynn walked past him to stand with the others. Raiden cleared his throat, and began the speech he had planned out.
"Liu's death is very unfortunate and sad for us all," he started, only to be interrupted by Sarah.
"You still haven't told us who's responsible," the small woman said, "Shang Tsung is dead, so who could possibly want to kill him?"
Raiden looked at the ground, "Shang Tsung...is not dead."
There was not a jaw in the group that didn't drop.
"What do you mean he's not dead?" Sonya asked, "We watched Liu kill him!"
The Thunder God placed a hand on his forehead, trying to figure out how to explain the situation.
"I know," he replied, "But somehow he has...has come back to life." He winced at the inadequacy of his own words. Cherin ran a hand over her dark hair, smoothing down the ponytail.
"But how is that possible?" she asked.
"To be truthful," Raiden said, "I have no idea."
Jax, being the smart ass of the group, chimed in.
"So we'll just kill him again."
Raiden laughed, but only out of frustration.
"I wish it were that easy, I really do," he said, "But the thing is, Shang Tsung did not kill Liu by himself. He had help, but I have not been able to figure out who this mystery person could be."
"So how do we find out?" Ashlynn asked, her blue eyes wide.
Raiden shrugged, "I have a feeling we will know soon enough."
"He's trying again, isn't he?" Sonya asked, almost to herself. The whole group looked at the blonde lieutenant, confused.
"Trying what?" Cherin asked. Sonya looked up at her.
"Shang Tsung is trying to invade Earth," she replied.
Raiden nodded in agreement, "Yes, but this time he has help. I will visit with the Elder Gods, maybe they can give me some answers, but I doubt it."
The Elder Gods, watchers of the realms, but they had never really been much help. They preferred not to get involved in the affairs of the realms. Raiden was preparing to transport himself to the Elder God's temple, when the sky began to darken. Thunder rumbled through the air, making Cherin jump. The clouds became a dark red, like blood.
"What the hell?" Jax asked, gazing at the changing sky. Suddenly, an enormous bolt of lighting streaked from the sky, hitting the tallest temple, shattering it in two. Screams could be heard from inside, terrified screams. The group whirled around as a red portal appeared fifty or so feet behind them. Emerging from it was a man in a long leather coat, black hair framing his face, and cruel slanted eyes.
"Shang Tsung," Raiden muttered, glaring at the sorcerer. Behind Tsung however, was a man who was unfamiliar to the fighters. He was much taller than his companion, with a bald head and colorless skin. He smirked, looking the group over. Shang Tsung and his companion stopped only a few feet away.
"Raiden," Tsung said, "I thought I might find you here."
Raiden clenched his fists tighter, "How did you do it Tsung? How did you come back?"
The demon sorcerer only laughed, "That is my secret."
Raiden looked over his shoulder to see Kitana rushing toward the scene.
"What is going on here?" she asked frantically. Raiden couldn't answer, he was staring at the bald man.
"Quan Chi," he said, "I should have known it would be you.
Quan Chi said nothing, his smile broadening.
"We've come to make a deal with you Raiden," Shang Tsung said, moving his eyes from fighter to fighter.
"I will not be pulled into one of your traps," Raiden replied.
"The fate of Earthrealm depends upon it," Tsung told him, "Your life, Thunder God, in exchange for every soul on Earth."
Raiden paused, seemingly thinking. In his current state of frustration, he was not thinking clearly. Ashlynn looked at him, her brows furrowed.
"Raiden please don't tell me you're considering this," she said, "You can't trust him!" Raiden looked at her slowly, sadly.
"But what if he tells the truth? My life in exchange for millions, that is worth it." A glazed look at come into his eyes. Ashlynn shook his shoulder, trying to snap him out of it, but her efforts weren't having any effect.
"All right," Raiden said, looking back at Tsung, "Kill me. But be assured that if you break your promise my fighters will make you pay." he kneeled down, preparing for a blow.
"Raiden no!" Ashlynn was screaming now, being held back by Jax.
Shang Tsung drew out his sword and without hesitation, plunged it into the Thunder God's stomach. Raiden blanched, then fell forward onto the hard ground. Soon a pool of blood had formed around him.
"Fool," Quan Chi snickered. Kitana, who was now shaking, looked at the sorcerers.
"Liars, you will not keep your promise!"
"Yes," Tsung shrugged, "But Raiden was desperate enough to take such a chance."
Both men laughed as a dozen ninja warriors appeared from the air.
"Kill them," Tsung ordered, just before vanishing.
"Can we take em'?" Jax asked to no one in particular.
"I don't think we have a choice," Maria replied. The ninja's ran forward to attack. Jax punched two alternately while Cherin jumped kicked another, snapping his neck. Kitana pulled out her fans and impaled the two nearest her and Ashlynn performed a roundhouse kick and landed on another, breaking his neck with her feet. Only a few remained. Sarah slide kicked one of the black clad men. He fell, landing on his back, giving the Princess a chance to stab him. The one remaining ninja realized he stood no chance. As he ran, Kitana hurled him through the air with her fan lift. He soared into the sky, landing who knows where. Unexpectedly, the Elder God of Water appeared before the group. She appeared as a middle aged woman, with brown hair pulled back into a tight bun.
"It seems as if the task of protecting Earthrealm now belongs completely to you," she said.
Ashlynn gazed at her, transfixed. "How are we supposed to stop them without Raiden?" she asked.
The Elder God smiled sympathetically, "You will do the best you can. That is all anyone can expect. You must first figure out what the sorcerers are planning, and Outworld is the only place to discover that. I will transport you in two groups," she pointed to Sarah, Sonya, Kitana, and Maria.
"You four will travel to Shang Tsung's palace," she said thoughtfully, then pointed at the remaining fighters, Ashlynn, Cherin, and Jax, "Go to Quan Chi's fortress. It is well guarded, but I have faith in you."
She then proceeded to give them directions. She then transported the first group, they vanished in a bright flash. The God of Water looked at the others, her eyes sad.
"Please, be careful," she told them, "Quan Chi is a much more formidable opponent than Shang Tsung. You have never faced anything like him."
"Great," Ashlynn snorted, "I feel better now."
She transported them, leaving her alone.
"Good luck," she said to the wind, "You will need it."