What If… Raiden Struck First?
Earthrealm would be spared another generation. The thought washed over Liu Kang in a wave of relief. He heard the distorting tear of a portal opening behind him, felt the cool breeze that cut through the dungeon's death musk. He relaxed his stance over the four-armed Shokan,
Goro, and extended his hand.
Chapter One: Shang Tsung's Throne Room
The grand hall was silent when Liu stepped through the portal, and into a grand hall, adorned with tall red pillars and gold ornaments.
Both sides had suffered heavy casualties over the seven day tournament. Twenty fighters had set foot on the island. Half of them were dead. The other half stood in this hall, bloodied, beaten. Alive.
Earthrealm's Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Kung Lao were accompanied by the Thunder God Raiden, who stood closest to the entrance. Standing across the hall were what was left of Outworld's forces: a bald Tarkatan warrior, two female assassins (Liu had taken a liking to the one dressed in blue), a man whose right eye was heavily bandaged, the newly defeated Goro, and Shang Tsung, who was scowling from his throne.
Liu Kang joined his allies. The gravel from Goro's lair, still stuck to the bottom of his shoe, skidded against the sleek marble floor. Liu ignored the sound of gravel underfoot. Johnny Cage did not.
"Hey, Shang, you got somebody to buff that out?" He yelled from across the hall.
Sonya elbowed him, then gave Liu a salute of respect. Liu smiled in return. Kung Lao embraced Liu, then winced in pain from a broken rib. Liu hugged his cousin back.
"You did it," Kung Lao spoke with sad relief.
"We did it, cousin." Liu reassured him.
Liu turned to Raiden, who had not moved from the entrance. He seemed...absent? Shocked, maybe? It was over in an instant. Raiden blinked back into reality, focused on Liu, and smiled proudly.
A golden light flooded the room, cutting the celebration short. The Earthrealm and Outworld kombatants shielded their eyes as the light centered on Liu Kang, like a ray of sunlight. Liu basked in its warmth and felt it heal his injuries. The Elder Gods had spoken. The Mortal Kombat tournament had officially ended, it's new champion crowned.
So, why were they still standing here, on edge? Ready for combat?
In spite of their defeat, Outworld had one last trick up its sleeve: one last fight between Liu Kang and the tournament's host Shang Tsung for control of the island. Raiden had accepted the battle on Liu's behalf, ensuring him that snatching this from Outworld was as pivotal as winning the tournament itself. Liu reluctantly agreed.
The fight seemed to last an eternity. Every second was accentuated with the sounds of a blow connecting, blood spattering across the pristine floor, a cry of pain. Sonya turned away, Johnny Cage could feel her flinch at each brutal impact. Kung Lao stood still as a stone, fists clenched. Even the blue-dressed Outworlder looked away, her similarly-dressed companion consoled her.
Shang Tsung, who watched the tournament from his throne, possessed a clear advantage early on: transforming into every kombatant Liu had-and hadn't-faced. Even rejuvenated, Liu could only land one hit before dodging ten. His best efforts were barely enough for the shapeshifting sorcerer. Different fighting styles, different abilities. Always changing. It was sensory overload.
A fireball sent Liu Kang crashing to the floor at the feet of his friends. He struggled to breathe, a terrible heat blister forming across his stomach.
"And to think Shao Khan believed I needed a replacement," Shang Tsung huffed, wiping invisible dust off the front of his robe. "Stand up, Champion! I will show you no mercy!"
Liu's chest rose and fell sporadically, eyes struggling to focus. He could barely make out Raiden's silhouette over him.
"Forgive me, Liu Kang," Raiden's muffled voice floated over the pain in Liu's head.
His words were confusing to Liu Kang. The roaring boom of thunder that followed, was not. Liu couldn't cover his ears fast enough, closing his eyes amidst the shellshock. It felt like a lifetime passed before his ears stopped ringing.
Liu slowly sat up, and looked through the smoking hole in Shang Tsung's chest. The old man was still on his feet, surprisingly, milky white eyes widened in disbelief. They rolled back in his skull, and his body fell back with a hard thud. The hall grew silent again.
"Holy shit…" Sonya's mutters were cut short by a deep rumbling under her feet.
The rumbling grew louder, deep cracks formed and splintered the marble floor. The kombatants looked around frantically as the throne room crumbled around them.
Raiden gave no pause, casting another lightning bolt at the still-stunned Outworlders. This one connected with the Tarkatan's mouth, shattering his teeth upon bloody impact. The tarkatan's hands went up to his head as if it meant to pull the electricity out, screaming as the flesh around his mouth burned away. A bright flash, along with bits of singed grey matter, bursted from his eyes, ears and mouth with a wet POP!
"Princess Kitana," the green-clad assassin shook her companion frantically.
"The island is an extension of Shang Tsung," Kitana said once she came back to reality. "With him dead, the island will sink." The ground seemed to shake in agreement. "We have to-"
The green assassin pushed her companion backwards. Time seemed to slow as the Thunder God zoomed between them and slammed into Goro. The two crashed through the wall, rubble sealing the massive hole left in their wake.
"We gotta go, girls" the bandaged man shouted to their right. He pulled a gadget from his pocket and tossed it on the ground.
****AT THE SAME TIME****
Lord Raiden finally gave the signal. A tap of his staff against the floor, almost undetectable amongst the brutality. Kung Lao, who had been in deep meditation since the fight started, heard the tap, and sprung into action.
The lightning bolt took less than a second to travel from Raiden's staff through Shang Tsung's chest, and it happened so fast that time seemed to struggle to catch up. Kung Lao wasted no time grabbing Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage by the arms and rushing towards the exit.
"What-What's going on?" Sonya asked, struggling to keep her footing.
"Thunder Buddy's gone postal, that's what's going on." Johnny Cage ran beside her.
"The island is sinking," Kung Lao shouted over the cracking earth. "We have to get to the boat."
"So, what, Raiden's gone crazy?" Sonya dodged a falling column.
"He has a plan." Kung Lao spoke over his shoulder. He believed Lord Raiden. And prayed for Liu Kang.
****IN THE THRONE ROOM****
Four kombatants remained in the collapsing throne room. Liu Kang, now on shaky feet, the man with the bandaged face, and two female assassins. The man and an assassin, the one in blue, stood over the gadget he'd thrown on the floor.
"What do you mean, it's busted?!" the lady in green demanded, using a staff to block falling rubble.
"The tech's new, Lady," the man chirped back, annoyed. "We haven't exactly got the R&D for this in my world."
"Get it working, or we're all dead." The woman in blue pointed a bladed fan at his neck.
"I can do a lot with a knife to my throat, sweetie," he smiled wickedly. "Don't threaten me with a good time."
A deep rumble came from the wall to their right.
"Jade?" The lady in blue called.
"I don't think Goro can hold him forever," a sense of urgency in Jade's normally calm tone.
The wall exploded with a white flash and Goro's bloodied body. He struggled to his feet,
and it was only then that Jade could see his damages. Half of his face had been burned to the bone, and he was missing an arm. But still, he stood, and roared back into the glowing hole.
When Raiden stepped out of the wall, his white robes now dirtied and blood-soaked, there was a look in his eye that Jade had only seen in one other man. And in that moment she knew they were doomed.
Lightning crackled around him, streaks of it coursing off and slicing through the wall around him. One flash shot towards Jade, who narrowly dodged out of the way. His glowing eyes narrowed on Goro. Goro, the prince of a warrior race, lived for this very battle. He beat his chest defiantly. It was all the confirmation Raiden needed.
Nearby Liu Kang, a bolt of lightning sparked off Raiden's still-standing staff and carved through the roof above Goro. The roof gave way, burying the Shokan under a mountain of debris.
Raiden turned his attention to Jade. She took an uncertain step back.
"You are his personal bodyguards," Raiden's voice rumbled intensely. "I will send your heads as a message to Shao Khan."
"Kitana?" Jade pleaded nervously, readied for combat.
Before Jade could get a response, Raiden pointed his finger at her head, and in an instant the world around her gained a green tint. She could feel the electrified air pass where her eye had just been. The sounds of exploding flesh and blood confused her, as she could see her hands in front of her face, a green aura slowly fading into her brown skin. Apparently Raiden could see it too.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Liu Kang's pained scream cut through the loud crumbling and made Jade whip her head around. The bandaged man remained unscathed, aside from the concussive blast that rocked his equilibrium. There was nothing but guts and ash where Kitana had just been. Jade struggled to find air, knees crumpling.
The bandaged man, unbandaged side now red with blood, screamed in disgust and smashed a button on the contraption.
It finally sputtered to life, projecting a portal like the one earlier, into the air above. Jade could see through it and into another throne room, one of cold obsidian and red banners, adorned in skulls. It appeared more inviting than the one she was previously in. She shook her nerves and raced through the portal, tripping over the man who reached back through for the device.
Raiden ignored the falling architecture around him, standing a few feet from the portal. Kitana's remains were splattered against the wall beside him. He stared through it into Jade's eyes for a moment before his eyes focused behind her.
Jade could feel a great force behind her. She didn't have to look to see who it was.A mix of serenity and impending doom washed over her. The sense in her mind, her gut, her soul, told her everything she needed to know. A large hand rested on her shoulder.
She could feel the power in the hand like a hot stone on her shoulder. She could even see the dark green energy that came off like steam, had she dared look. But she knew better than to look.
"Earthrealm knocks at my door," the large man behind her spoke calmly.
"The era of Mortal Kombat is done, Shao Khan." Raiden's eyes flashed with conviction.
"You earn one victory in five centuries and come to gloat?" The Khan asked mockingly. "Don't make me laugh."
"You misunderstand my intentions, Shao Khan." Rocks continued to fall around Raiden, some landing between him and the portal. "There will be no more tournaments."
The bandaged man smashed the device against the hard floor, and the portal shut before them.
Chapter Two: Wu Shi Academy
Liu Kang woke up to the smell of tea. It was faint, fighting against the confusing thoughts and flashes of pain that bombarded his nervous system. He opened his eyes slowly, and sat up to see his bandaged abdomen. Looking around he could see he was in the familiar rooms of the Wu Shi Academy. The tea's smell grew stronger, calling him. He slowly raised himself out of bed and cautiously walked to the door.
It took more strength than usual to push the sliding door, but with great effort, Liu was out of the room and in the gardens of the Academy. Here, among the cherry blossom trees and red painted buildings, he'd trained to become the fighter, no, the man, he was today. The garden was empty, save for four figures. Kung Lao, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, and Lord Raiden who sat in the center with a tea set between them.
Liu set a bare foot onto the ground of the gardens. He could feel a rush of energy surge through his body, breathing became easier as both feet came in contact with the earth.
"Come, Liu Kang, sit," Raiden called from the pavilion.
Liu Kang followed the voice, each step revitalizing him more and more. By the time he reached the four he was walking proudly, feeling as if he could run in spite of the beatdown he'd just received.
"Lord Raiden I-" Liu started.
"Psst." Kung Lao caught Liu's attention. "This is the part where you sit down."
"It's "This is the part where you fall down," but whatever," Johnny mumbled from beside Sonya, who snickered into her cup.
He sat down in an empty seat next to Kung Lao, directly in front of Raiden.
The Thunder God smiled warmly at him and offered a cup. Liu accepted.
"Earthrealm owes you all an unpayable debt-" Raiden began.
"So, that's it," Johnny Cage cut in between slurps of his tea. "We just save the day and drink some Starbucks? I don't even get a medal?"
"It can be arranged if you'd like, Johnny Cage. The tea you drink is from the Jinsei, Earthrealm's lifeforce. Its essence should rapidly accelerate your healing." Raiden said, which seemed to pacify Johnny Cage. "I understand that you all participated in the tournament for different reasons, and even in the eyes of defeat, the eyes of our enemies, the eyes of death, you found the strength to overcome. You saw past yourselves and fought for something greater."
"Lord Raiden," Sonya spoke up. "Permission to ask what was that shit you pulled back there? "
Raiden looked down at his cup. "From the moment we set foot on the island, I've been receiving messages...Visions from my future self. Battles, endless fighting. I've seen every one of your lives end in kombat. Your children, your loved ones, everyone, from every realm. I watched them all die."
The group was silent.
"But Liu Kang won the tournament," Johnny Cage was the first to speak up. "Even soul sucking demons-Man, I know I made that Starbucks joke earlier, but this tea is really good- Soul sucking demons have to follow rules too, right? Once the tournament is over, they pack their shit and go back to Mom and Dad's-."
"Our win in the tournament was guaranteed," Kung Lao interjected.
Johnny Cage froze, and looked from him to Raiden.
"It's true," Raiden admitted, looking into Liu's eyes. "You were always destined to defeat Goro, Liu Kang."
"If that is true, then why would you attack them after the tournament," Sonya asked. "We could have done without the risk of being crushed to death."
"It was not enough to win," Raiden drank from his cup. "Leaving Shang Tsung alive leads to a direct assault on the Wu Shi Academy."
"Wait, what?" Johnny raised his head from his cup and scanned his surroundings."
"You know this for sure, Lord Raiden?" Kung Lao questioned.
"In the future I saw, we were under attack the next night. We are lured into another tournament, more of you die."
"Oh nooo..." Johnny muttered, standing up. "I've been in this movie a hundred times."
"But that's the future...How long have we been here?" Sonya.
"Eight days. And not so much as a squirrel at the front gate," Raiden said with finality.
"So, what, you've been sitting here-mm!- drinking matcha waiting for some uglies to come kill us in our sleep?! You're a God of Signing People Up Against Their Will now too? News Flash, I never signed up to be in your stupid cosmic kumite!"
"This is greater than your feeble mind could imagine and it would be wise to NOT MOCK ME, JOHNNY CAGE! I know what must be done!" Raiden's voice shook the trees, small blossom petals floated to the ground around them. He regained his composure.
"I will not force you to stay and fight. You are welcome to go, all of you."
"Yea, like I needed your permission," he scoffed. "Well, I wish I could say it's been real but...this is probably a dream I'll wake up from once the paramedics pump my stomach.
I'm definitely using this for a movie. And if you sue me, I'll countersue for making me watch people Fucking! Explode! Yea. Two words for you: Buckle Camera. Nobody ever checks the buckle.
Come on, blondie. Let's blow this joint."
"Negative, Cage." She turned to him. "Kano's still out there. I can't lose him now."
For a moment, Johnny Cage looked hurt. "Well if you wanna follow One-Eyed Willie to the end of the world..." He pulled a pair of sunglasses from behind his back and snapped them on his face. "...You be my guest. But me, I'm going back to the real world. Where I don't die!" He set off towards the Academy gates. "And I'm taking this cup."
Raiden turned to the remaining three. "I should have told you," he began. "But, with these visions, I intend to do great things for Earthrealm."
"It's okay, Lord Raiden. I knew you had a plan." Kung Lao bowed in respect. "For Earthrealm." Raiden and Kung Lao bowed to one another. Sonya raised her cup.
"Have you gone mad?" Liu Kang spoke softly. The others turned to him. "To stand here and justify the slaughter of defeated men, you disrespect the principles of this Academy."
"Even if those slaughtered would have returned to slaughter us," Kung Lao cocked an eyebrow. "He saved the Academy."
"There are no innocents in this war, Liu," Sonya was now standing without her crutches which lay at her feet. "They signed up for it just like we did."
"You do not know that!" Liu kicked the tea set over. Its blue liquid soaked into the ground and quickly bloomed radiant white lotuses. Sonya and Kung Lao stepped back and looked at Raiden.
"I have seen your life, Liu. It has not been the path of peace you seek. Had I allowed my visions to pass, you will never walk that path. I have seen you all die, and fall to fates worse than death. I saw Shao Khan conquer us all. The end of all things." Raiden's words were full of sorrow. "I could do nothing to stop him."
"I believe I was sent these visions for a reason. Because we have the chance to stop Shao Khan now." Raiden placed his hand on Liu Kang's shoulder. "If you could see what I've seen you would understand-Do not lose faith in me."
"Can you tell me," Liu spoke with no emotion, watching the lotuses sway at his feet. "All of them deserved to die? None of them were worth saving?"
The wind stilled. The flowers rested against Liu's feet, lighting his skin in a faint glow.
"I can assure you." Raiden spoke with finality. "Do not lose faith in me."
END
Hi guys, it's me, the dude with the shitty Rekorder's Keep story. I'm back with something WAAAAAYYYY better!
So, parallel universe, of course; I want to explore a world where Raiden actively moves on his visions, for better or worse. A lot of the deaths are blamed on Raiden because he doesn't get involved, let's change that and see what comes from it!
Anywho, I wrote this in a day! Proud of myself especially coming out of a bad slump. I'll keep writing and I hope you enjoy!
-Terren
END