Reiko was in trouble.

He didn't know how, but Shao Khan knew.

Reiko had idolised Shao Kahn, ever since he had returned to Outworld. He had originally been a denizen of Outworld, untold thousands of years ago. He had been one of the many that had worshipped Shinnok over the other Elder Gods, as a member of the cult known as the Brotherhood of Shadow. As such, he had immediately joined Shinnok's ranks during his war with his fellow Elder Gods. As a general of Shinnok's army, Reiko had been killed in the war and reborn in the Netherrealm, where Shinnok himself was soon imprisoned. Recognising Reiko's achievements and loyalty, Shinnok had welcomed him back into his ranks and employed him to assist in building a new Brotherhood in the Netherrealm.

His efforts had been appreciated up until Shinnok's release by Quan Chi. Although he and the rest of the Brotherhood had fought valiantly, Reiko had failed to prevent Shinnok's defeat at Liu Kang's hands. Disgraced, he had exiled himself to Outworld, where he had been accosted by a tarkatan raiding party led by Baraka, another of those Outworlders that had served Shinnok during his return. After slaying a number of the nomads, Reiko had eventually been weakened and overpowered by Baraka, who had then brought him before Shao Kahn. The Emperor was already aware of Reiko's existence and his feats, thanks to Tanya returning to his service after her own time serving Shinnok. With an offer to join his forces, the Emperor had won Reiko over quickly.

Of course, Reiko had always been impressed by the tales of Shao Kahn's feats, conquering uncountable realms over the millennia, defeating mighty warriors such as King Jerrod of Edenia and Matriarch Ankha of Zaterra. But being in the Emperor's presence, feeling the intense power of his aura... it was an entirely different experience that had a profound effect on Reiko. He gladly discarded his loyalty to Shinnok, in favour of the Emperor.

He had continued to serve his Emperor faithfully for almost a decade since. His sense of aesthetics had also been reshaped by his encounter with Shao Kahn, adopting a shirtless, armoured style reminiscent of Shao Kahn himself. He knew many others in the Emperor's employ that derived much enjoyment from their derision of his fanaticism, but he didn't much care. The only one whose opinion he cared for was Shao Kahn's and if he indicated no ill will towards Reiko's choice of attire, then that was enough for him.

Even so, Reiko was aware that his fanaticism could be... a tad extreme, at times. Of particular note was his occasional venture into the Kahn's empty throneroom - an act that was expressly forbidden - to sit upon his master's throne and don his iconic helmet. Despite knowing he would face death, Reiko had been too drawn to the fantasy of being the Kahn to worry about self-preservation.

But now, he was being called to meet with the Emperor at a time when no new military actions were being planned. While it was possible that it was a sudden, spur of the moment decision to flex his military's might, Reiko was convinced that Shao Kahn had found out. He considered fleeing, but he knew the Emperor's reach was far too vast for him to escape. It was better to face him now and try to put some spin on the accusation, rather than admitting guilt by fleeing. If he was lucky, he might be shown leniency, just this once. It wasn't particularly likely, but Shang Tsung had been given many chances, despite his many, far more significant failures. But then, he was an invaluable sorcerer, which Reiko was decidedly not.

He entered the throneroom as bidden, approaching the now occupied throne, averting his gaze from the glowering red glare of the Emperor. He took his usual spot before the throne and dropped to one knee with his head lowered. He said nothing, choosing to allow Kahn to speak first to avoid offending him further.

"It must be unusual for you to see my throne occupied for once, Reiko," said the baritone voice of the Kahn.

That sealed it. He did know. And Reiko was going to be put to death. He said nothing, not wanting to risk interrupting Kahn and angering him further.

"Nothing to say in your defence? Well then..." The Emperor stood tall, lifting his mighty warhammer over his shoulder and taking slow, thunderous steps toward his disobedient general. Reiko expected him to stop in front of him and club his head off with a golf swing; a favourite technique of his. Instead, he stepped around him, walking almost a full circuit, before stopping by Reiko's side and slamming the hammer down in front of him, causing the general to jump. "Unless..."

Reiko waited an unbearable length of time for his master to speak again, praying he wasn't simply giving him hope, only to cruelly tear it away; another favourite of his.

"Unless, you might be willing to perform a little task for me."

"Name it!" Reiko exclaimed in panic before his brain had time to process what he was saying.

He could practically hear the Emperor's sinister smirk.


It was an unusual proposal, to be sure. Reiko now found himself sat upon the Emperor's throne once more, but at the latter's request. He bore the helmet and armour of Shao Kahn, as he had always dreamed, but it felt wrong, being here against his will. Apparently, the Emperor had some kind of audience to attend, but had no interest in actually taking part. Instead, he left Reiko as his stand-in and instructed him to do as he thought the Kahn would. Evidently, he assumed Reiko's infatuation with him meant he had paid enough attention to his mannerism and will to be able to fool whoever was coming to see him. He'd likely face death if he failed, so even if he couldn't actually do it, he'd have to find a way.

An oblivious guard informed him of the arrival of the two. "Send them in," he growled in his closest approximation of the Emperor's voice. He waited a moment, steadying his shaking body to maintain the Emperor's near unbreakable confidence. He had just about managed to do so by the time Shang Tsung and Quan Chi entered the throneroom.


He recognised the sensation of death, having already experienced it once before. He found himself in some kind of imperial spire. It was hot and the room was bathed in a familiar orange light. The air was heavy, hazy. He knew immediately where he was, and his heart sank as he heard a voice from behind him.

"Hello again... General Reiko," said the grinning Shinnok.


This one comes from a suggestion a viewer made on one of my videos. It was going to be a Wasted Plotential episode, but I've settled on just using the idea here.