Earthrealm- Lin Kuei Temple
As Kuai Liang made his way to the north entrance of the temple, where Fujin was expecting him, he couldn't help but wonder why the god of wind wanted to speak to him about his brother, Bi-Han. His thoughts were interrupted when he spots Frost running up to him. He let's out a loud sigh as she catches up.
"Grandmaster!" She calls out. "Everyone at the temple has been talking, is it true Lord Fujin is here?"
"I thought the members of this clan were warriors," He says. "Not gossipers."
"My apologies," She says, bowing briefly. "But many of us have never seen a god before."
"You aren't missing much," He replies, thinking of all the trouble he's had to deal with ever since his encounters with gods like Fujin, Raiden, and Shinnok. "Fujin wishes to speak to me alone, and I will allow it."
"Of course," She says, bowing once again before taking her leave. Kuai turns the corner to find Fujin standing under the statue where the clan prays. The god of wind spots him and makes his way over.
"Thank you for welcoming me to your home on such short notice, Sub-Zero," The male says.
"It is an honor, Lord Fujin," Kuai says. "You wish to discuss about Bi-Han?"
"I do," Fujin says. "When was the last time you saw your brother."
"He was Noob Saibot," Kuai reveals. "Nightwolf confirmed his death during Shao Kahn's invasion, but then I saw him again. I was a revenant and for a brief flash I saw him with Liu Kang. In a blink of an eye he was gone and Liu Kang's denial made it seem like I was imagining the whole thing, but he looked too real. Too much like Bi-Han."
"I see," Fujin mumbles. "I recently spoke with the Elder Gods. A threat is coming, Sub-Zero, and I believe a part of Bi-Han's past is the key to stopping it."
"His past?" Kuai repeats. "Does this have anything to do with Bi-Han's travels in the Netherrealm?" He knew that his older brother had stopped Quan Chi and Shinnok once before. Fujin raised a brow.
"I wasn't aware your brother made more than one trip to the Netherrealm," He says. "He even went after he stopped Shinnok's rise to power?"
"Yes," Kuai answers. It was one of the only times him and his brother were separated. Unlike himself, Bi-Han's humanity could survive the several trips to the unholy realm. He didn't understand why, though, and Bi-Han never gave him an explanation. Fujin was lost in thought until he finally looked up at Kuai Liang.
"What do you know about the demoness, Sarena?" Fujin asks. Kuai shrugs his shoulders.
"I know my brother freed her from Quan Chi, why?" He asks.
"I believe she is linked to the prophecy as well," He says. "Would you be able to reach her in the Netherrealm?" Ever since having his humanity restored, Kuai Liang never wanted to step foot in the Netherrealm again, too many memories. If there's something going on that can be stopped by the choices Bi-Han made as a human, then he must be the one to get to the bottom of it as his brother.
"I'll go," He says at last.
Kuatan, Shokan Palace
Sheeva stood over her palace's balcony, looking over her kingdom. Behind her was Kotal Khan's most trusted spy, Reptile. It wasn't long ago when the pair worked side by side as part of Shao Kahn's extermination squad, but so much has changed since then. Now, her main goal as queen of the Shokan was to continue to rebuild what was left of her race after the massacre against Kotal Khan and the Black Dragon. They have shown most progress, mostly due to their unwillingness to participate in Outworld's civil war. She looks over the letter in her hand once again before facing Reptile.
"Another tournament," Sheeva says.
"One that shall bring the winner honor and respect from all of Outworld," Reptile adds. "Kotal Khan requests your presence at his palace to discuss the matter further."
"Tell the emperor I will honor him with my attendance," She says. "Although I have not made up my mind on if I shall offer a Shokan champion just yet."
"The emperor will understand," Reptile says. "It would be nice to fight side by side the mighty Shokan once again."
"We do come in handy when you need your life saved," She teases, smiling at her once ally. Reptile walks to her side.
"Any sign of Prince Goro?" He asks. Sheeva frowns.
"No," She says. "But we Shokan do not declare death on our own until a body is found."
"If he is alive," He says. "Then wouldn't the throne be his by birthright?" Sheeva looks away from the ninja to gaze at her kingdom once more.
"That is not the Shokan way," She says, remembering how she won her right as ruler. "If my brother wants to retake the throne, he must prove to be more savage and more brutal than I."
"Of course, Queen Sheeva," Reptile says. "I meant no disrespect." Sheeva's about to respond when she sees a shift of light in the distance. Quickly reacting, Sheeva shoves Reptile out of the way with her two right arms before catching a thrown spear in her left. She tosses it away with a roar.
"Show yourself, assassin!" She demands. A hooded Shokan then appears out of the darkness, an ax in each hand. Reptile lets out a hiss and tries to charge at the assassin, but Sheeva stops him.
"I'll take care of him," She says. "Tell the emperor I look forward to his meeting."
"As you wish," Reptile grunts, turning invisible just as he left the room. The two Shokan left begin circling each other. Her upper hands take out two daggers while her lower left hand takes out a shield.
"I've come to dethrone you!" The male Shokan announces, removing his hood. He's young and clearly of the Draco lineage like herself. She smirks at the assassin.
"Many have tried," Sheeva tells him. "Too bad I didn't spare their lives to warn the next fool." She charges at him, swinging her daggers. He dodges them, his speed very apparent, before trying to hit her with his ax. She blocks his attack with her shield before delivering a punch with her free arm. He stumbles back and growls before chucking another ax at her. She smacks it away but isn't fast enough to stop kick to the chest. He manages to punch her once more before she wacks him with her shield, switching to the offensive as she delivers blow after blow, eventually knocking the male down. Her doors burst open as her guards rush in. Her body relaxes as she puts away her weapons. The male on the ground slams his arms in frustration.
"I was so close!" He shouts.
"Not close enough," She says. "If you cannot assassinate a royal figure by the time their guard arrives, you won't survive." The male bows before her.
"I have failed you, Queen Sheeva," He says. Sheeva walks over to him, helping him rise to his feet.
"On the contrary, Jek'al," She says. "You made wise choice going after Reptile to take of the witness. You're speed and combat skills had improved greatly. Not only have you passed in my eyes, but I believe you are ready for your final challenge."
"What will it be?" He asks.
"One that will bring honor back to our race," She tells him. "One that would make Goro proud to call you his son. As proud as I am to be your aunt." She watches as Jek'al stands tall at the compliment, his height surpassing her despite his young age.
"I will accept this challenge," He says. "And bring honor to the Shokan."
Earthrealm- Shaolin Academy
Glory was supposed to be his. He became Earthrealm's champion by defeating Kintaro and winning the Mortal Kombat tournament, but then everything was ruined. Shao Khan tricked him, killed him, then he is reborn as a revenant slave to Quan Chi and Shinnok. It wasn't long after that Liu Kang and the rest of his comrades joined him. Now he was back in Earthrealm, running from the prison that he once called home. He continued to run through the forest, trying to put as much distance between him and the Shaolin Academy. It was doing something to him, returning memories he did not wish to carry anymore. Suddenly, a barbed whip wraps around his ankle, tripping him to the ground. He gets up just as Takeda Takahashi and his cousin, Kung Jin, arrive.
"Jin, he's too dangerous," Takeda says.
"I'm not giving up on him!" Kung Jin tells him. Kung Lao laughs as he dusts himself off.
"You should listen to your friend, cousin," He tells him. "There's no saving me." Kung Jin frowns as he breaths out through his nose.
"No!" He shouts. "I'm going to save you!" Kung Lao shakes his head. How could he even be related to this man?
"The only thing you're going to do," He says, taking out his hat. "Is die!" He rushes him, but the familiar feeling of Takeda's whip returns to wrap around his arm, tugging him backwards. Kung Lao turns around, cutting the whip with his hat before throwing it at the young Shirai Ryu. An arrow flashes passed and the hat is knocked back to his hand. Takeda tries to grab him, but Kung Lao breaks his grip and delivers a hard kick to the throat.
"Lao, stop this!" Kung Jin yells. Kung Lao smirks as he turns to face his cousin.
"You are a disgrace to the Shaolin," He says. "Your desires taint you." Kung Jin looks as if he has been slapped in the face.
"The Shaolin respect my life and my heart," He tells him. "They honor me as a warrior."
"Probably because they ran out of real ones," He says, leaping into the air. Kung Jin tries to shoot another arrow but Kung Lao smacks his staff away with his hat. Before the other has any chance to react, Kung Lao slams his knee against his head, knocking him to the ground. He catches his hat and brings it's blade to Kung Jin's neck. He's about to deliver the final blow, when a blinding light appears at his profile. He turns towards it as a man approaches him. Kung Lao cannot believe his eyes, he's standing before his ancestor, the Great Kung Lao.
"You have lost your way," His ancestor speaks. "Through my training, I have learned the ways of ancient Edenian ritual, able to restore your humanity."
"I do not wish to have a soul!" He tells the man. He throws his hat at him but it easily deflects it.
"Yes you do," He says. "And so do the other revenants. I only have enough power to restore you, since our connection is stronger, but there is an Edenian out there who knows of the ancient ways. She is to key to save the others." Kung Lao growls at the man and tries to punch him but the other grabs his fist. A burning sensation begins to travel throughout Kung Lao's body, causing him to scream in agony. Everything goes white as he feels himself collapse.
"Kung Lao?!" Kung Jin screams. Kung Lao wakes up in his cousin's arms, still in the forest. He watches as Kung Jin turns to Takeda. "What just happened? One minute he was about to kill me and the next he's glowing like a giant flame!"
"I don't know," Takeda answers. "But I can read him again. Jin, he's human!" Kung Lao can't believe his ears. He's human again. All the suffering he went through under Quan Chi is now over, all thanks to the Great Kung Lao. He looks up at his cousin, remembering his words just moments before.
"Kung Jin, what I said...that wasn't me," He says. "I'm so sorry. You're the prime example of a Shaolin Warrior." Kung Jin smiles as he helps him to his feet.
"I guess that's something that runs in the family."
Earthrealm- The Sky Temple
Storm clouds surrounded the temple as Raiden stood over the jinsei. He was preparing for his invasion of Outworld. Not too far away, Reiko and Skarlet stood guard, watching over him as he meditated. Once he stepped foot in that realm, all would be destroyed and Earthrealm would forever be protected from Outworld. He had to do this, he had to protect Earthrealm from all those who threaten it.
"The portal is ready, Lord Raiden," Reiko announces. Raiden rises to his feet as a portal to Outworld begins to open. This is his moment. A moment that would finally bring peace to Earthrealm once and for all. He tries to step into the portal before a magical barrier prevents him from doing so. Confused, he tries again but is met with the same barrier. Eyes filled with fury, Raiden begins to examine the symbols on the barrier, recognizing them. It was the same barrier the Elder Gods placed on Earthrealm to prevent Shao Kahn from invading unless he won in Mortal Kombat. Furious, he shuts the portal off, his entire invasion useless now,
"What is the meaning of this?" He yells. "Who is responsible?"
"I am," Fujin declares, walking out of the shadows. "You have lost your way, Lord Raiden."
"You did this?" Raiden asks. He was in disbelief. Fujin was his longest friend and ally. There's no way he would betray him like this.
"I hoped it would come down to it," He says. "But after Sareena's warning I spoke with the Elder Gods. Lord Raiden, the jinsei has tainted your soul!"
"The jinsei has empowered me!" Raiden shouts. "It has shown me what I need to do to protect Earthrealm! It is showing me now who is my enemy!"
"Do not do this, Raiden!" Fujin begs.
"You are an enemy to Earthrealm," He says. He watches as Skarlet and Reiko engage the god of wind. He easily blocks their attacks, slamming Skarlet to the ground before delivering a roundhouse kick to Reiko's head. Raiden takes a stance and sends a powerful blast of lightning towards Fujin. It strikes him in the chest and sends him flying across the room. As soon as he makes contact with the wall, the lightning spreads throughout his body, immobilizing him.
"What are you doing?" Fujin demands, as an entire cage of lightning begins to surround him. Raiden steps closer to him.
"I shall convince the Earthrealm warriors to face Outworld in Mortal Kombat," He reveals. "But in order to do so, you must be out of the way."
"No!" Fujin yells. "I can help you, Raiden!" The thunder god ignores him, instead turning to Reiko.
"You shall watch over his prison," He instructs. "Take them to my abandoned temple in Siberia. No one should think to look there."
"Yes, my lord," He says. He walks over to Fujin and teleports away. Raiden begins leaving the chamber, Skarlet behind him.
"Let me enter the tournament, Lord Raiden," She proposes. "I will be victorious in your honor!"
"No," He simply says. "You were constructed in Outworld. A win for you is a win for them. You will do more good refusing your participation, which is why we must make a stop before talking to the Earthrealm warriors."
"Where to, my lord?" She asks.
"To a place that hates Outworld as much as I do," He says.
*AUTHOR'S NOTE*
Hey everyone, firstly I just want to say thank you for all the support in this story I have gotten so far. I really appreciate all the comments and do hope you will continue giving your critique. I know the biggest concern is about me going with Juebi/Kana Hasashi instead of Satoshi/Harumi. It was something that I put a lot of thought in since he does say those names in the game but in the comic and all the other non-canon media his family is called Juebi and Kana. I eventually decided to go with Jubei and Kana simply because those were the names used in the comic and this story is also told through writing. I hope it doesn't bother some of you readers too much, especially since Jubei will be playing a major role in this story. Also, with this current update I went ahead and took the liberty of making Sheeva and Goro siblings. In some media she's referenced as one of his wives, but I think she's way too powerful and independent for that and since their relationship has been confirmed in the new timeline, I wanted to have a bit of fun with it. This story will feature sixty characters, including twelve OCs. I know some of you have been asking about who will be featured and at the top of my head I can confirm Jackson Briggs, Shinnok, Quan Chi, and Daegon will NOT be in this story. If you have any questions about any other characters, or the story for that matter, leave a review and I'll confirm it for you.