So... I decided to branch these one-shots from my largest story: For Us. Not all my OCs are present here. I honestly forgot the order of Itoatiateotl's children, but here are the main characters and main supporting characters:

Mortal Kombat Gods

Raiden (aka Tlalok/Awewentzin) - God of Thunder

Fujin (aka Ajakatl/Ajakawewentzin) - God of Wind, Itotiateotl's mate

Kojin (aka Tlilwewentzin) - God of Fire

Sarutahiko (aka Tlalwewentzin) - God of Earth

OCs

Itotiateotl (EE-toh-tee-ah-teh-oh-tl) - "Dancing Spirit", main character, Fujin's mate

Ajakaoselotl (AH-ha-kah-oh-seh-loh-tl) - "Wind Jaguar", firstborn of Itotiateotl and Fujin

Pixkoyotl (PEE-sh-koh-yoh-tl) - "Guardian Coyote", secondborn of Itotiateotl and Fujin

Nenemikwaktli (Neh-neh-mee-kwah-k-tl-ee) - "Walking Eagle", thirdborn of Itotiateotl and Fujin

Tlachikoatl (Tl-ah-chee-koh-ah-tl) - "Observant Serpent", youngest of Itotiateotl and Fujin

Tlaloselotl (Tl-ah-l-oh-seh-loh-tl) - "Earth Jaguar", only child of Ajakaoselotl, grandchild of Iteotiateotl and Fujin

Please note that the Nahuatl names are different than before; I have been learning the modern spelling and grammar of my ancestral tongue. Once again, I do not own the Mortal Kombat (anyone excited about the mobile game coming out this year?) franchise in any way.

Itotiateotl's POV

After our four children and grandchild protected Tliltetepetl (my first home) over the course of a few centuries, Fujin and I decided to move to the Sky Temple. It was time for the people to move on beyond me. I was there for my children and grandchild for their whole lives. If it wasn't for Fujin and I's bond, I would have died a while ago. To keep the cycle going, I needed to leave. I have done my duty in raising and guiding my children and grandchild through their time as rulers. I am free of that obligation. My three youngest had no children, so they were free as well. They decided to go back and forth between the Sky Temple and Tliltetepetl. My oldest stayed in Tliltetepetl to guide Tlaloselotl, his son, and his grandchild. Then he decided to move on like I did. Eventually, Tlaloselotl did, too. Tlaloselotl's daughter was guiding her own grandchild back in Tliltetepetl.

But my line cannot rule forever. I want that sense of duty we are given upon birth to end. Perhaps the people will rule themselves in a government like Tlaxcala had (NOTE: they were comprised of four city-states that each had their own ruler and representatives who made decisions both for their city-states and Tlaxcala). Eventually the time will come when the government must change. For now, we can (somewhat) relax. Fujin was able to focus on his duty as one of Earthrealm's protectors, but he still set aside time to see our descendants.

Currently, I was standing in a field far from the Sky Temple. It was beautiful. It was a large field with many hills and mountains around. It reminded me of home (well, the mountains did). I looked up at the cloud-heavy sky. Just cloud after cloud. Some look like creatures both of the world and in my imagination. This is...quite boring. Retirement is- not exciting. I feel sad because nothing is happening. Nothing that captures my attention. I find it impossible for Fujin to not have noticed. Maybe he was giving me some space. The wind blew southeast, blowing my hair in my face. I made a face of annoyance.

"Notlasotsin (My love)."

"Notlasojtsin."

He laid down next to me. "I am concerned. Your mood is unbalanced."

"I have no active purpose, Fujin. My concern for raising the next two generations after me is done. I have...fulfilled my purpose." My lips pouted to the side. "I should have died by now. I should have been with my ancestors, learning from them and protecting my people according to how they see fit. When we first mated, I was thrilled to be tied to you for as long as the bond allows us to." I turned to look at him. "I'm still happy with you. Please don't assume anything bad. The thought of living way past two centuries just never fully hit me until now." I felt anxious. Have I offended him?

He turned his head to look back at me with a smile. "My love, you have a classic case of 'immortality.'" He chuckled. I used my forehead to bump his arm. "In all seriousness, you know why you are struggling to adjust now. You must find your own purpose now. Let me tell you of my time; While humans were still evolving, we were active in Earthrealm's protection. There were a lot of people actively after it. Once modern humans evolved, we were making sure they, and some certain people who proved themselves, went in the right direction. We dealt with more problems- we followed our duties. Then you came along." I turned my head to see him smiling at me. He lifted his hand to place it on my cheek. "Well, you know the rest from there. I took pleasure in the arts and understanding humans. As you know, I even lived among them." He removed his hand and moved back to lay down. "I would actually consider myself lucky. Kojin and Sarutahiko were the ones stuck in the Temple. I wonder how they stayed... You know what? Nevermind about that."

I propped myself up on my elbow and raised an eyebrow at him. He looked at me and chuckled. "You that I'll be wondering what you meant."

"I like a good time, but I don't need to be entertained. I would be able to take Kojin or Sarutahiko's place. Even if I was put in a box, I would always be looking and feeling around me to understand the current state of the universe." He sat up like he realized something and looked back at me. "Which is what your people have learned to do."

I grinned. "We're more similar than you thought."

He came back down. "Huh."

I looked back up and thought. What is my purpose now? I will still protect the realm, Fujin knows that. Is there anything I want to do? I have learned a lot so far and can did many things I initially wanted to do. Am I missing anything? But once I reach that, what will I do after? I can always learn. There are many things I do not know in this world. I can seek knowledge. What about when I know everything in this world? But this world will always change. People change. I can use my skills to try to heal illnesses people struggle with, or try to deal with the symptoms if the illness is incurable. Maybe I could take interest in Fujin's 'shows' and 'films'? Fujin took the time to learn everything there was to know about my people (past and present). I should learn about his world now. Even though these goals can be easily reachable, it gives me a purpose now. I can figure what comes next after and do that as long as I am here. Wait, I can have my ancestors teach me still, even if I am not with them. I can find a way. Perhaps I will take back the voices of my ancestors from my descendants. I realized that I was smiling and turned my head to my mate.

He was smiling. "So, what comes first?"

I growled and shifted into a jaguar to pretend to want to bite him. Still smiling, he tried to keep me back. Giving up, I shifted back, sitting down. "This world, realm, universe offers so much to learn. I remember that you went to see something with your brother two days ago. What kinds of things do you see in that...TV?"

He sat up. "Well, we watched a movie. Do you want to see it?"

I looked up. "Fujin, you know so much. Show me your world." I looked down. "Forgive me for not showing interest sooner."

He smiled softly at me. "Do not feel guilt. Your people came first. We start a new chapter today." He grabbed my hands, so I looked up at him. "Let's learn together. There are even things I do now know of. Let's explore this universe." There's a spark of interest-something I haven't felt in so long. "Itotiateotl, will you accompany me in a journey to seek knowledge of this universe?"

I stared into his eyes. "I do."

He smiled. "Come." He began to stand, and I stood up with him. "Let me show you TV first. It's very accessible, and I'm sure it'll give Kojin and Sarutahiko a chance to hear a unique perspective beyond ours." He held my hand as we walked back. "There's this popular method of making drawings seem like they're moving. It's called 'animation.' There was a huge peak in interest by people all over the world many centuries ago. The most popular kind came out of Japan, and it's called 'anime.' There is a lot of content you can go through. I don't even know where to start, but we can go to the classics. There are several. I can list a few; Berserk, Dragon Ball, Cowboy Bebop, Sailor Moon, Inuyasha... Because they're from Japan, there is a bit of cultural context you should know about." I laughed. He stopped talking. "What?"

Smiling so hard it made my face hurt, I said, "You are so eager. It makes me happy."

He smiled shyly. "It's one of the only things that has kept us entertained for centuries."

I shook my head. "Raiden was so mean to keep you locked up."

He lifted a hand to shake a finger side-to-side. "If you think I suffered, you should see Kojin and Sarutahiko."

Hope you enjoyed (the content and my return [jk])! I am willing to take suggestions!