Time went by as Raiden meditated. He was not aware of how much time had transpired around him, but the quick knocks on his door brought him back. Once he opened the door, he found himself face to face with the same woman as before; but instead of asking how his diner was or even offering a smile, she quickly entered the room and ran towards the cart. She then looked at Raiden directly in the eyes and quickly raised the tablecloth to take out a black sphere. "Touch it! Now!" she ordered him. Raiden then turned to look at one of the cameras, but the woman continued. "It's fine, they are watching a looped recording, but if we don't hurry up the guards will find us!".
Raiden was sure that the Seidan Guard and Orderrealm's officials were not his allies right now, but he also knew of only one group of people who would go so far as to undermine the Guard's plans. He also recognized that orb, it was a magical prison artifact, almost like Shinnok's amulet. Needless to say, Raiden was not on board with the woman's plan. "And who are you? Are you with the Resistance?" he asked while crossing his arms showing no willingness to cooperate.
The woman's face of panic then quickly morphed into one of anger. "Do not insult me, thunder god. The truth will come, but right now we are running out of time so touch it!" she insisted.
Unsure of what to do, Raiden then heard steps from afar getting closer. The woman then faced him again but changed her approach. "We know about Remnant and the rifts. We can take you to one!". Raiden was still not sure if he were about to do the right thing, but when she said that he knew this would be the only way to get to what was happening in Orderrealm. He then touched the orb and was immediately sucked in.
The woman then hid the sphere in her robe before grabbing the cart, closing the door, and then leaving. She walked down the hall as she would normally until she met with the guards as they were turning around the corner. She managed to get a few feet away from them, but her luck ran out. "You there! Hotel assistant!" one of them called out to her.
'Oh no, they found out!' she thought to herself.
"Where did you come from?" the other guard asked.
"I… the golden room, officers!" she answered. The woman knew her voice was not confident now, and the guards seemed to have noticed.
"That looks like the food cart that was sent to Lord Raiden's room".
"Well… they are all standard models!" she answered defensively. She might not have been able to see their eyes, but she was sure they were looking at every little detail on her and the object in question.
One guard then pressed something on his helmet before speaking again to someone, not present. "Satu to Dua. Can you check the Security Suite? … no movement? … understood, over". Both guards then turned to face the woman to bow. "Apologies for bothering you".
"We also apologize for any inconveniences; but direct orders from the Office of the Executive Chief, the Commander of the Seidan Guard, and the Protector Goddess force us to implement these security protocols".
"Have a pleasant evening" the other one said.
The woman let out a sigh of relief and continued her way.
"Halt!" one of the guards then yelled. She immediately stopped and froze in place as she then heard the heavy steps from one of the guards until he stood next to her. "I'm sorry, but it is the protocol," he said before extending his open hand. "Curfew exemption pass, please?".
She was sweating at that moment but nonetheless followed the instruction. Once the guard seemed satisfied, he returned the pass and allowed her to leave this time.
Raiden awaited inside the eternal emptiness that was the orb. It goes without saying that he began to regret his choice a few seconds after getting in. He was now powerless to stop the woman and her allies; what if she was a collaborator of Grava and he just rendered himself useless? What if it was worse? She could be working for either of the rulers of Outworld and now both Edenia and Earthrealm were left unprotected, no gods or champions!
His thoughts kept him considering bad outcomes until he felt an air current pushing him towards a spot of light and soon after he was out of the orb's confinement. His surroundings, however, were all but a good omen. He was now in a dark room filled with columns upon columns of filing cabinets. Raiden then turned around and expected to find the woman from the hotel, but what he saw was a Seidan Guard in full armor.
At first, Raiden thought that it might have been the woman under the armor; but that changed when the person in front of him spoke. "Fear not, thunder god. You are among allies" it said with a clear deep manly voice. When he was done talking, more Seidan Guards in full armor emerged from the dark; five in total.
Raiden then wasted no time making electric pulses surround him. "I will be the one to judge that, stranger. Identify yourselves!".
"Please understand that we can't do that or else our identities will be compromised," the man said but Raiden showed no intention of backing down. "But we know what is it that you seek," he said, and that made Raiden lower his arms. "Orderrealm has been corrupted and the results of that could mean a danger to not just Earthrealm, but to all realms".
"And who would be the source of said corruption?" Raiden asked. None of the people present moved at all or said anything, but Raiden seemed to have understood. "Chief Executive Damashi?".
"If that is how you want to call him," an older voice from behind Raiden said.
"So, you stand against the government of Seido. Are you members of the Resistance?". As soon as Raiden asked that, he saw how all members present tensed, balled their fists, and even cursed at him in a whispering voice.
The older man then stepped forward and signaling his allies to calm down. "Make no mistake Raiden! Our loyalty is to the Guard and the realm; Commander Hotaru will always be a hero for what he has done, but we will never accept an outworlder as our ruler!".
"So, you are all just a group of fanatics that want to depose the Chief Executive merely because of his place of origin?" Raiden asked with a hint of indignation.
"Do not pretend to be purer of thought than us, thunder god. You know as well as we do that you would never allow Earth to be governed by a Kahn of Outworld; not even a member of the Edenian royal family would receive your approval". Raden's anger grew by the moment and he was ready to leave until the man stopped to breathe and then continue his explanation. "But as much as we dislike the idea of Orderrealm being governed by someone of another realm, that is not the reason why we called for your assistance. The one you know as 'Damashi', there is more to him than you know".
Raiden then calmed as well, interested in what these people were saying. "Elaborate, if you please".
"What do you know of The Day of New Order?" a third guard asked.
Knowing that his answer would most likely be a lie, Raiden still answered. "From what little I know; I am to assume it is the day Damashi was appointed Prime Minister and his series of assaults on the Resistance began".
None of the Seidan Guard moved or said anything. The older guard then stepped forward and pointed towards something in the dark which two others ran towards. "You know nothing but scarce details of that day then. Indeed, the Day of New Order was the day the being you know as 'Damashi' took over; but it was not the day that began our final battles with the Resistance. It was the day the war ended.
That took Raiden completely by surprise. "Ended? How? They remained hidden from the public eye, why would they then expose themselves to be found?".
"Then you do not know of the Peace Deal that our 'dearest' former Prime Minister made with the Resistance?". Raiden went silent, but his confused face spoke for him. "Good, but I won't have to tell you about it". The man then looked at the shadows and Raiden followed. It was then that he saw the other guards pushing a cart carrying the decapitated head of a man.
"Should I ask why you keep a disembodied head, officer?" Raiden then asked.
The man in turn chuckled before standing next to the head and picking it up. The man then showed Raiden the neck and the thunder god was able to see something wrong with that man. A collection of exposed wires and circuits were visible and a cord connecting the spine to a generator was noticeable as well. "Raiden, meet former senator Ban Ki-Ru. He used to be one of the final senators elected with support from the Resistance and financed by Kotal Kahn's Outworld to surrender Lei Chen to his rule. After the Day of New Order, it was reported he retired; in reality, he was merely disposed of".
Knowing now there was a bigger conspiracy than at first thought, Raiden became more cooperative with the members of this group. "What really happened that day?".
The officer then passed on the head to another member who then went on to connect the head to some devices with some other of the guards that were present. "This story goes before that fateful date. The day came where the Resistance gained almost half of the Senate; they then agreed with 'moderates' to elect senator Fubai as Prime Minister with the condition that peace negotiations were established. Within a week, the process started, and hopes were high; but when details about the final deal arrived, everyone saw with horror that the Resistance had finally won". The guard then walked away from Raiden with his head hanging low. "They would get money from the government, a quarter of the Senate would be given to them to place whomever they wanted, their troops would be released and pardoned while the Seidan Guard and their political rivals would be sent to trial by a 'special commission' of the Senate".
"Which was elected and integrated by senators from the Resistance," Raiden said completing the man's sentence.
He, in turn, nodded before continuing. "It was only a matter of time before we realized that once they had all of the heads of the Seidan Guard gone and our troops weakened, they would then replace them with their own loyal troops".
"Effectively taking control of the government and army" concluded Raiden.
"They proudly announced that Commander Hotaru would be first on their list. Many were willing to overthrow the Senate then and there, but the Commander had a plan that would take care of the Resistance and not compromise the stability of the realm; like many, we expected him to take over, but had we known the actual result of that day, we would have done things differently".
"I must ask for your forgiveness, but I still fail to see how the person behind the identity of Damashi could be so bad for you to orchestrate this insurrection".
"Sir! Everything is set!" said one of the guards working on the head of Ban Ki-Ru.
When the man was done talking, the older guard and Raiden looked at each other again. "What you are about to see thunder god, has not even been seen by most of the people of this realm. Begin!".
With that final instruction, the eyes on the head began to shine white and a video began to play on a white wall.
'You are accused of abuse of power, invasion, and annexation of another realm without the required victories in Mortal Kombat, and neglection to protect a prisoner of war. How do you plea?'.
A bearded man on a podium asked whom Raiden identified as Hotaru.
'Not Guilty'.
Answered in turn the Commander of the Seidan Guard.
"So be it!" Ran-Yo, the older of the three senators and 'judges' in front of Hotaru exclaimed. "We shall begin your questioning. Senator Konton, you have the floor" Ran-Yo said. While Hotaru and his three judges were sitting on pillars that emerged from the ground, 3 hemicycles of desks and chairs stood on the upper floors above where the trial was taking place. On them, almost all senators were present and watching the trial more for entertainment than anything else. There was also a special balcony from which Grava and the other elemental gods were also watching too, as Ran-Yo had previously stated, make sure that this was a 'fair trial'.
Konton then took out a folder and opened it. After some time, he finally began his interrogation. "Well over twenty-five years ago the Seidan Guard, under your direct command, took over and annexed part of the realm of Outworld without the required ten consecutive victories in Mortal Kombat commander. Since then, you violently murdered their leader and have been ruling as a despot. How could you excuse such behavior?".
Hotaru was more than able to hear the gossip and whispers from the politicians behind him; nonetheless, he answered. "As I am sure everyone knows, Mortal Kombat may only be called upon whenever a Realm wishes not only to conquer but also merge itself with another. As you can all appreciate as well is that Lei Chen still exists within the realm of Outworld and not Seido, and as stated by the verbal agreement of cooperation with former Overlord Zeffeero, they wanted autonomy from the rule of Shao Kahn; and in exchange for our assistance, they were willing to accept the rule of Orderrealm".
"Were they, officer?" Konton asked with a hint of indignation. "It was revealed to us that he had no recollection of said deal happening".
"Yes, I am aware of that; just as I have evidence from witnesses in Lei Chan who can confirm Zeffeero wanted independence only to keep the riches from the city to himself".
"So, you are justifying your invasion into Outworld?".
"I am justifying following the terms of an agreement".
"An agreement which ended with the enslavement of Lei Chen, officer!" Konton yelled while slamming his fist on the desk.
"I object to that statement!" Hotaru answered with a raised tone but still calm.
"Call of order!" Ran-Yo yelled to Hotaru. "Senator, you may explain".
"After you took over, it is known you were against citizens of Orderrealm moving into Lei Chen. How could you justify denying that right to the citizens of our realm?".
"First of all, there is no such 'right', every citizen who wishes to move must do so with previous authorization from the corresponding governments; and second, governors have enforced similar rules before by decree, and even though I had the same authority to do so, the proposal was voted in favor by the citizens of Lei Chen which, if I recall, was ordered by your group in the Senate".
"People who we know you keep enslaved to satisfy your political ends".
"People who understand that their city would be filled not with people who wanted to make a new and clean life there, but puppets of the Resistance from Outworld and Chaosrealm to fulfill their agenda!".
Ran-Yo then slammed a decorated stone cube against his desk three times before speaking again. "Officer, this space is not for you to attack citizens and their struggle against oppressors! Senator Konton, please continue".
"Furthermore, do you think it is fair that Lei Chen gets a seat in the Senate?" Konton then asked.
"Sir, what you just asked makes no sense, according to-".
"What I asked, officer, is if you think that it is fair that all twenty cities in the Mountain district Po Kong, which constitutes around a hundred thousand citizens, one of our smallest constituencies, get a senator while your city, which hardly reaches the twenty thousand inhabitants, gets that man over there!" Konton said as he pointed towards Damashi.
"As I was saying, the constituency borders are established considering population and land distributions; hence why the floating island of Bagua, with only fifty thousand citizens, gets a senator different from that of their closest neighbors. Furthermore, I can think of five hundred senators that have a smaller mandate than senator Damashi; I can even name three of them right now".
Hotaru's answer managed to cause a commotion among the audience behind him. After a moment, Ran-Yo smashed his gavel once again. "Officer, you will only be reminded once that threatening the validity of the peace accord is a violation against it and the new law!". Ran-Yo then looked at Hotaru and the other looked back, both men enraged with one another.
"Understood… sir…" Hotaru answered gritting his teeth.
"You say senator Damashi has a mandate; but is it a legitimate mandate?" Konton asked.
"Yes, as proven by the many re-call elections that have been held by request of your group".
"But in every one of those it has been discovered that people have been prevented from casting their votes, how would you explain that?".
"Orderrealm and even Lei Chen's law prevent immediate new arrivals to vote, the citizens of Lei Chen are the ones who wanted those rules implemented in the first place, I only followed them".
"Really? Then how do explain the findings of the Minshu Institute that grade Lei Chen as 'Not Free'?".
"That word has no meaning according to the Declaration of Order; the elections just need to be fair. Furthermore, the Institute is not a real investigative organism; it's just a pocket organization created to incarcerate political enemies. It is composed of former demagogues from a 'certain group' and not actual researchers".
"The Institute and its reports are valid. Their inclusion in the Peace Accord is enough proof of it and if your only explanation as to why Lei Chen is perceived like that is to attack the Institute with baseless accusations, then it should be clear that the people of Lei Chen do not live freely. I hereby find you guilty!".
That made the senators in the background talking among themselves again until Ran-Yo slammed his gavel again. "Very well. Up next, Senator Uso, you now have the floor!".
The woman then stood up. "Thank you, senator. Officer, under your command the Yingzi massacre took place, is that correct?".
"If you are referring to the failed prison escape of Yingzi, then yes".
"Officer, what happened that night was a horrible event where soldiers, under your command, murdered a political prisoner deprived of his rights".
"What happened was that Darrius, a convicted criminal, was caught creating a riot as a diversion for him to escape while the prison's security was occupied dealing with said riot!" Hotaru responded trying to hold back his anger.
Uso was not affected in the least by his outburst, though, and kept justifying her statement. "Your crime scene investigation unit might have said that officer; but an independent investigative group has revealed a different, and more complete report as to the events of that night where your prisoner, Darrius, was trying to get away from the spontaneous riot only to be shot down by one of the guards despite him pleading no intentions of causing harm".
"A study financed by the Minshu Institute and made by a team with no experience whatsoever and that was founded within days of the event. As the law 'experts' you assure Orderrealm you are, you should be able to see the clear pattern of coincidences".
"What we saw, officer, was a clear violation of all of Darrius' rights as a citizen and prisoner of war. You pretended to send him to a prison away from any sort of civilization!".
"As ordered by a judge who was then assassinated by the Resistance only for the case to be reopened by a known felon who is a close friend of the Prime Minister! A person who then sent him to another less secure prison!".
"You then pretended to have him isolated from any sort of contact with other prisoners in said prison!".
"A jail where well over two-thirds of the inmates were arrested troops of the Resistance, leaving a commander and leader that close to them would have resulted in the insurrection which, indeed, happened!".
"What happened was that you tortured and played with the life of a powerless man as retribution for the result of your parent's deaths due to their constant assaults on innocent sympathizers of the Seidan Resistance, officer!" Uso said.
Gasps were heard among the spectators, but Hotaru, against all expectations, remained still and just took long breaths to calm himself.
"It is known, officer, that you joined the Seidan Guard to, and I quote 'Make those who killed my parents pay for what they did'. It is obvious to me and this court then that you tortured and then executed Darrius to try and calm your child-like behavior towards events of the past and to pretend to show yourself as a danger to all who opposed you! I find you guilty!".
After more rounds of whispering, Ran-Yo slammed his gavel once again. "Which brings us to your final criminal charge: Abuse of power while serving as commander of the Seidan Guard! I will now take the floor!". Ran-Yo then stood up; he did not take out any folders or documents, only looking down at Hotaru with his hands behind his back. "As stated by senator Uso, your motivations to join the guard were nothing more than the irrational impulses of a boy who can't understand the casualties of war and who has not grown out of that phase. As a result, you then wanted to release all your pent-up anger and violence towards those who stood against tyranny and even the same people who you swore to protect!".
"None of what you just said is remotely true… senator!" Hotaru answered back.
"Are you denying the many arrests of high-ranking political figures who took away power from the Seidan Guard, and by extension, you only to ensure their freedom?".
"They were removed because of corruption, going against the realm's constitutional powers given to them and using government property for the Resistance to use on their operations!".
"Officer, there is no evidence of such events happening!".
"Because you burned it all!".
Ran-Yo then slammed his gavel immediately after Hotaru was done talking. "Call of order! You have lost your right to rebut! Unless asked to, you are not to speak again! What we are all able to see, is that the innocent voices of those who only seek a peaceful way to protect the freedom of our citizens will always be silenced by the likes of you!".
"HA!" Hotaru yelled, surprising all, even his judges. "Freedom!? What has 'Freedom' done for other realms!? Outworlders live to kill each other thanks to their 'freedom', Earthrealmers live no longer than a couple of decades before dying of their poor life choices, Edenia is a realm of liars or idealistic fools unable to do anything but be conquered because of their 'freedom' to do nothing. And what about Chaosrealm or the Netherrealm!? You want freedom!? Look no further than those wastelands! Devoid of life and filled with nothing but murder and disease, that is what freedom leads to, chaos! Our realm was not founded on something as dangerous as 'Freedom'; law and order are what has made our realm safe, what has made us live long without the use of magic, what has made more citizens from other realms leave to seek refuge among us!". As he stopped, the silence took over the entire room. No one even dared speak for a long time until Hotaru continued. "I have done nothing outside of what I was told to do! If people have died is because they broke basic laws which we all must follow to preserve our society! I have only stood up to you!" he said while pointing at the three people in front of him. "Who gave you the power to decide what people should do with their land or money!? You want to talk about abuse of power!? Then how about the farmers you have killed to take their land!? How about the businessmen you capture to take away their money!? How about the lives you take because people disagree with you!?".
Three more slams were heard and Ran-Yo's face showed nothing but pure rage towards Hotaru. "I think we have heard enough. You were warned to not speak unless asked to, but this has been more than enlightening to all. Commander Hotaru of the Seidan Guard, I hereby find you guilty! You are to be stripped of your title and position immediately!" he said loudly as he raised his gavel one final time; but before it came down, a loud BANG was heard and Ran-Yo dropped the gavel as pain took over his hand and blood fell over both of his allies. "AAAGH!" he yelled as he then held his hand close to his chest and noticed some of his fingers were now missing.
Meanwhile, all senators present began to take cover and headed towards the emergency exits; but to their surprise, the guards blocked the doors and even threatened all who got too close to them.
As expected, the senators began to complain but were immediately silenced when Hotaru spoke again. "Enough!" he said as his voice echoed through the room.
The silence was then broken when the doors swung open and more guards carrying shields began to clear the way and formed a clear path; a moment later, more guards arrived, but these were pushing the senators who were missing. 'Unhand me, you mindless brutes! Do you know who I am!?', 'I didn't do anything! You just can't prove it!', 'You better have a good excuse for taking me away from my business!' were some of the things all present were able to hear.
Ran-Yo watched in horror at what was happening. "Hotaru, explain yourself!" he yelled. Hotaru then turned around and looked at him with an unamused expression.
"Commander to you, sir; and for the record, I am done pretending you are somehow above my authority," he said calmly but loud enough.
Before Ran-Yo or any of the other two could demand more answers, they were all able to see a strange metal man appearing on a torch on a column that was turned off. Gasps of panic were heard, but Hotaru spoke to everyone once again. "But… you are right, I guess I should explain what is happening. I am enacting article 161 of the Declaration of Order!" he proclaimed to all present.
There were surprised gasps from most present; Ran-Yo and Uso did not know what Hotaru was talking about, but when they saw the panic in Konton's face, they were not expecting good news.
"Article 161 is an emergency measure. Should the Commander of the Seidan Guard determine the government of Seido is undermining the safety of the realm-".
"He will replace the existing head of government with someone who he deems capable. I am surprised one of you actually read the declaration, gentlemen" Hotaru told them from his platform.
Konton, however, seemed to have gained some confidence by standing up and talking back to Hotaru. "You ignore the fact that the Commander of the Seidan Guard can't nominate himself; and if you resign to your post, the declaration of the article becomes void!".
"I am aware sir; had I done that; my own men would be forced to commit hara-kiri due to insubordination. That is why I never intended to nominate myself!". As he said that, it was the guardsmen who were now surprised. To be honest, all guards present were willing to support Hotaru's ascension to power. "Which is why I give my confidence to Senator Damashi of Lei Chen!".
All other people present then looked at Damashi who was still sitting calmly on his desk, not worried at all by what was happening around him. He then stood up slowly while Uso looked with hate at Hotaru. "Your puppet!" she said with hate.
"On the contrary, my dear; my Lord". He said with a mocking grin. As Hotaru was done with his sentence, Damashi then ran towards the ledge of the balcony and jumped into nothing. All who could saw as the man began to quickly fall; but before he crashed into the ground, he disappeared in a flash of light.
Questions upon questions were asked at that moment by everyone until Hotaru spoke once again. "Although, I should address him by his real name!". before more questions could be asked, the light coming from the hole on the roof was blocked before a giant figure entered through it and began to flap its wings to remain in the air once it reached Hotaru and the three judges. "Onaga! The Dragon King from Outworld!" Hotaru proclaimed as the monster humanoid landed on the same platform he was standing on.
While both senators and guardsmen were shocked by what Hotaru had just said, it was Konton's laugh that took them out of it. "You… are you serious!? That is your appointment, an outworlder!?".
"How does that help us?" Uso asked her partner.
"For the replacement to become the head of government-".
"He or she must receive the approval of the protector goddess of the realm!" Grava said as everyone now saw her floating next to the judges.
"And knowing Grava, she will never allow this to happen!" Konton said with relief; but when all three of the judges turned to see her rejecting Hotaru and the reptilian monster, their hopes turned into ever-growing panic as Grava said nothing and just looked at them with contempt. But it wasn't until she began to float towards Hotaru and Onaga that they lost all hope.
"You… you approve of this?" Ran-Yo asked with disbelief.
"He may be from Outworld, but he has proven genuine respect and care for this realm in more ways than all of you in your entire miserable existences combined!". Grava then turned around to face the other senators. "I, Grava, protector goddess of Orderrealm, approve of the commander's appointee! Onaga is the new Prime Minister of the Realm of Order!" she proudly proclaimed.
Immediately, two guards then reached to the now-former Prime Minister Fubai and removed his official sapphire seal before throwing it towards Grava and the others. She used her powers on the object to attract it to her hand, and when she placed it on him, Onaga spoke to the surprise of all present who thought he was just a mindless beast. "I would like to rejoice in my newfound power, but time is of the essence right now; so, I ask for the Senate to give a simple vote confidence for the next twenty minutes. As a member of the Senate myself under the alias of 'Damashi', I shall open the vote!" Onaga proclaimed as he extended his hand a green spark appeared.
Ran-Yo and the others looked with utter disbelief at what was happening. "Are you all insane!? Why would we-?". He tried to ask for their thought process, but stopped once he saw an immense number of green lights coming from the hemicycle.
"What? But… but how!?" asked Uso in fear and disbelief.
"Maybe I can explain" Hotaru answered with a grin on his face as he snapped his fingers. Shortly after, the robot from before jumped and landed on the edge of the hemicycle. When he turned to face the senators, he then activated a hologram, and the image of a pale man with black hair in a ponytail with longs sideburns and a goatee appeared in front of all. "I am sure you all remember good Doctor Oniro and the free medical treatment he did on most of you throughout the last months. What you never saw, was the contract in which you agreed to have pieces of your nervous system replaced with remote control technology".
"You… you turned them into mindless drones!?" Konton asked in a panicked voice.
"That is the beauty of it all. They are actually fully aware of what they are doing; they cannot just do anything about it. Meaning they are fully conscious of the decisions they are voting for and thus fulfilling the requirements for a quorum. And if I am not mistaken, well over the required three-quarters of votes for the emergency measure have been cast". Indeed, the hemicycle was now glowing with a massive number of green lights.
"Excellent!" Onaga said with an evil grin. "My first proposal is for technology developed in Earthrealm by the Tekunin clan of assassins to be implemented and used immediately by the Seidan Guard!". Sure enough, Onaga raised his hand for the green light to emerge as the other senators were struggling to keep their hands down or at least vote no. "Make sure there are more negative votes this time, Oniro; we don't want to be too repetitive". Indeed, the number of red lights doubled, but they were still inferior to the number of green ones. "the motion passes then!" Onaga said jokingly.
"Weapons?" asked Ran-Yo.
"From Earthrealm?" continued Konton.
Hotaru and Grava chuckled at their ignorance. Oniro then removed the hologram from his arm to press some options on a digital panel on his arm and made several different screens appear out of nowhere. Accusations of witchcraft were thrown by some guards and senators alike, but everyone then saw the screen showing a giant portal open above the Palace of the Senate and a massive floating metal ship coming out of it; sure enough, they all saw as the light was temporarily blocked and the sound of the ship's engines managed to shake the building for a short moment.
"Up next, I propose that our newly acquired military equipment be moved to the frontier of every capital in the realm". The order and number of lights changed, but the majority remained.
Before any of the three judges could question the reason behind that move, Hotaru spoke to them. "I was aware of what you would do next. After sentencing me, 'spontaneous' protest would emerge all throughout the realm demanding for officials, guardsmen, businessmen, or any kind of people who ever stood against you to be sent to trial. I also knew about your squad of messengers who were to send the good news to your headquarters on every capital" Hotaru told them as a screen showing the captured messengers arrived next to him. "They will be getting a message; just not the one you wanted," he said with a sinister smile.
"My final proposal before my permit is over; I ask for the Peace Accord to be terminated!" Onaga told the senators.
"But… with the accord terminated…" Uso began to think of the ramifications.
"You will all lose your title as senators, your parliamentary immunity, and will be wanted criminals which we can arrest… or fight in battle!" Hotaru explained.
"You can't! There is no evidence against us!" Ran-Yo said trying to sound victorious, but fear was more than obvious in his voice.
Hotaru then stretched his hand towards Grava who then gave him a small plastic object in the form of a cartoony shirtless brown-haired man with a big head using shades. "I believe Earthrealmers call this a 'flash drive'" he said while removing the big head and showing all a metal square under it. "And in here, you can find copies and pictures of all the evidence you burnt. The folders with all of the evidence against you occupied well over three filing cabinets, but that is not even half of the space available here".
All three former rebels looked at Hotaru in shock with mouths hanging open; Konton and Uso were even tearing up. "Then as of this moment, the Peace Accord is officially over!" they heard Onaga say and saw the sea of green lights in front of them. The giant monster then turned around to face Hotaru. "Begin operation Endgame, Commander!" he told the other man.
"As you wish, my Lord" Hotaru then said while bowing. All panels then showed his face and Oniro gave him a thumbs up. "Attention all Seidan Assault Units; Operation Endgame has been initiated!".
While Ran-Yo, Konton, and Uso were not able to see what was happening, they were more than capable of picture it in their minds. Seidan Guards busting through doors leading to rooms filled with former Resistance members soon to be killed. Some of the screens then showed images of the citadels as the ships moved towards buildings that housed members of the Resistance before opening fire and demolishing them. For years they had considered buying weapons from Earthrealm, but their pride prevented them from doing so; now, they knew not even those would be able to fight against those metal monsters.
"It is done," Hotaru said after a long time breaking the silence. "If there are any survivors, they will surrender not wanting to fight against one of those again. Any member who is arrested will be turned to serve the realm in a process even more painful than what we did to the senator. The war is finally over; you lost" he said with pure hatred towards them.
All three survivors then looked with fear at Hotaru. "What are you going to do to us?" Konton asked.
"At first I thought about having you become mindless servants for a very long time," Hotaru said nonchalantly. "But I am done seeing your faces and listening to your annoying voices; so why don't we have a trial?" he then said mockingly. "Dr. Oniro!" he then said as the robot teleported to the lower level and then made the platforms come down.
Once everything was set, the elemental gods descended as well. Ran-Yo looked at them with hate and managed to ask, "How could you let this happen!?".
"Oh, they were reluctant at first, I can assure you," Grava told him. "But a few sessions with Dr. Oniro made them see the right path".
Fear came over the former rebels once again. "You… you… you turned them into…" Konton tried to ask, but the mere idea was inconceivable for him.
"Earthrealm science is most interesting. But enough about that, I believe there is a trial to be had".
The next couple of minutes revolved around nothing more than Hotaru listing the collective crimes committed by all three members of the resistance with images and testimonies being shown on the many screens, but truth be told, they had already lost any trace of hope this day.
"Given the incredible amount of evidence, I hereby find the defendants guilty of all charges" Hotaru proclaimed victoriously.
Ran-Yo and Uso, while defeated, still held to some degree of pride. Konton just dropped on his knees with his forehead on the ground and arms extended. "Please, please, please forgive me!" he then said in tears.
Hotaru just ignored the pathetic display and continued. "I sentence you to death, effective immediately! Lady Grava, would you do the honors?".
"Gladly" she answered with a mixture of pleasure and maliciousness.
Knowing she would not be walking out of that building alive, Uso then took out a knife from a hidden pocket on her robe and charged towards Hotaru while he was facing her backward. Her blow however was blocked by Grava who drew a straight sword with lotus designs on the pommel and the guard. Grava's blow made Uso drop the knife and she then used her power to make Uso crash against many walls and pillars before bringing her now dizzy body back to the platform. Still defiant, however, Uso got back on her feet.
"Finish her!" Onaga instructed.
Before Uso could do anything else, Grava then pointed at her. "On the ground!" she said and Uso suddenly stopped, her face now showing panic as her body began to feel unbearably heavy. In a matter of seconds, Uso's Tibias broke and she was now laying on her back without the ever-growing feeling of pressure on her showing signs of slowing down. Her face was now turning red and the cracking of her ribs and skull was horrendously loud. It was at that moment she finally released a scream of pure pain and blood began to come out of her ears. A short moment later, her eyes turned red and then popped out of her skull while her fingertips exploded due to the blood pressure. Seconds later, her body seemed to have exploded, but all her organs, bones, and skin were now like stickers on the ground.
Grava then looked at the other two men remaining. Konton decided to take a different approach and ran away as fast as he could. Grava did not follow, however, and just released metal shards from her sleeve to the floor before pointing at Konton with her sword. The weapon then seemed to be pulling Grava towards the man, and as it began to shake, the goddess released the sword which flew at high speed towards Konton and successfully went through the man's chest. Horrified, Konton looked back as the metal shards flew towards him; some went right through him while others got stuck on parts of his body making him scream in agony. Once they stopped flying, everyone saw the horrible display of torn flesh and exposed muscle that remained; but then Konton's screams of pain began again as he felt how the shards began to dig into his body and heading towards the sword. After a short moment of constant screaming, Konton finally died and the swords seemed to be the only thing keeping him standing. Grava then called for it to return, and when it went out, the shards began to cascade from the hole left by the sword.
All eyes were now on Ran-Yo who stood still not knowing what to do. Once Grava retrieved her sword, however, she just sheathed it again before walking towards him at a slow pace. When she arrived, Grava threw a small device which adhered itself to the man's robes. While confused about it, Grava then used her powers on him. He did not know what she had just done, but he remained completely still as her face was just inches away from his.
"You might be wondering 'what did she do to me?'. Well, I just turned you into one of the lightest objects in Orderrealm. Right now, you should weigh less than the one-hundred-thousand part of a feather or maybe even less. A small wind current should be enough to carry you to the next city; so, imagine what would happen with a flick of a finger" she told him with a malevolent voice. "Here are more things we have learned from Earthrealm: Beyond the sky, is nothing. No air, no sound, just you surrounded by nothing. And that nothing is going to pull you apart as you suffocate to death!". Ran-Yo just looked at her with nothing but fear before she continued. "And with this final act, the Resistance is dead!". Grava flicked her finger on his chin and Ran-Yo was thrown to the air at an incredibly high speed. The screens then showed the screaming Ran-Yo whose flesh began to burn due to the air friction until everything seemed to turn dark and the sound went off; but just as Grava described, everyone saw as he seemed to be running out of air before his chest exploded.
"We don't have to worry about him making a mess. If his remains somehow are pulled back, they will burn at the atmosphere" she said jokingly.
Once everything was done, Hotaru then looked up at his troops. "We are done here. Take all senators to the workshop!". The guards did as they were told and began to move all politicians present. Hotaru then looked at Onaga again before bowing. "We must make 'Damashi' address the people of Orderrealm; a speech has already been prepared" he explained.
"Other than that, we must also call for new elections, especially since the accord has been eliminated. Among other things, we need to assign your new cabinet and Grandmaster Sektor; we must also establish the new prohibition laws against any further rebellion. As for the kamidogu-" Grava tried to explain but was cut off by Onaga's hand.
"The kamidogu are not important!" he told his two associates. They looked confused, convinced they would be the key to any future plans, but then the Dragon King continued. "During my death, my consciousness heard messages and saw images about a great reality collision, it took me ages to understand them, but now I can tell that the event grows closer. The death and return of Shao, the fall and imprisonment of an Elder God, the return of a dead realm with its cursed queen. All events I saw one way or another, and when it happens, I will be ready to claim all of reality!".
'Very well, Lord Onaga. What should we do now'.
They heard the voice of Hotaru say before the recording stopped completely and only static was left.
The guards present had seen the footage many times and they were expecting Raiden to show shock after watching the video; they were not expecting, however, the pure terror in his face. "By the Elder Gods… how could he be back…?" he asked himself.
"You know of him?" one of the younger guardsmen asked confused.
"Onaga. Former emperor of Outworld; the Dragon King. Also referred to as the grand unifier in the past".
All guardsmen then glanced at each other. "You are wrong, thunder god. There is no mention of 'Onaga' or a 'Dragon King' in Outworld literature".
"In a realm once ruled by Shao Kahn, does that surprise you?" Raiden asked condescendingly. "Eons ago, the realm's original races were at constant war. The humanoid tribes that were led by the ancient Kahns, the Centaurs, the Shokan, the Symbiotic nomads, among others. It was the mysterious Dragon King who showed up out of nowhere and united all races into one kingdom; until Shao Kahn betrayed and killed him for the right to rule Outworld, that is".
"Why would that madman do that?" asked another of the guards.
"I have never needed any other explanation other than his unquenchable thirst for power".
"If all that you say is true, then why eliminate him from history?" then asked the oldest guard.
"Legends say that Onaga was not defeated in a fair fight; that he was poisoned and weakened. Shao Kahn then needed to eliminate any kind of future supporters of Onaga to ensure his reign. Never thought his prophecy would come true".
"Prophecy?".
"Onaga died before proper soul magik was developed. Rumors had it that his soul was trapped within a dragon to await when a proper dragon descendant arrived to hold his power and allow him to return and reclaim his once loyal and undefeatable army the realm that was stolen from him according to the last of the Dragon King's acolytes. In fear, Shao Kahn ordered for the former capital of Sarna to be abandoned and lost on the sands of the Golden Desert while every dragon was to be executed". As Raiden pondered upon his new discovery, one other question came to mind. "Onaga speaks of an event approaching; was he referring to the tears?".
"He was" answered the old guard. "As soon as the first wave of quakes was done, he ordered for the tear to be found. After finding one, he wasted no time discovering how to turn them into stable portals and beginning the invasion of 'Remnant'".
"Do you know what he wants in that universe?".
The guard did not answer that question, it was another who did so. "Only higher ranks know for sure. The location of the first tear is also classified".
"Then what am I to do!? Even if I had that information, I am still bounded by Grava and the rules of your realm not knowing where the tear is".
The guardsmen went silent once again as they looked at each other. A young one then spoke again shortly after. "We said we didn't know where the first one was; we never said anything about the other". That made Raiden looked at the man with both surprise and hope. "Not only that, but a portal created by the tears is not held by the normal laws of the realm. There is a way for you to leave, thunder god".