Epilogue

Outside Raiden's ethereal Temple, the monks muttered in numerous tongues of the dangers for each of the injured heroes involved in Onaga's war. But more importantly, the fates of their Champions and their best representatives, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. They even remained silent as more Kombatants marched onto the summit via portals, one from the Temple of Elements the other from Outworld; those being Aiko, Li Mei, Sindel, Kitana, Jade, Frost, Smoke, Goro, the Chameleons, Sareena, and the Edenian royal guard. Everyone stood outside the sacred Jinsei fountain, anxious on what would become of their injured komrades. Hanzo and Kenshi made a handshake and manly embrace as they finally reunited from their battle against the Deadly Alliance.

So far, most of the wounded had recovered in a manner of minutes. Thankfully, Sonya, Jax, and Johnny had their bodies and minds lucid, no longer possessing the urge to conquer and seize control for the dreaded Dragon King. Reptile was still immobilized from the extensive damage of the lethal scrimmage, although the troops recuperated quickly as if they only suffered minor damage like a bruise or scrape.

The crowd began to thin out little by little, but several minutes had passed before the Saurian general made some hisses, probably from kontempt. The raptors gladly offered to carry their elitist to a portal in Zaterra where he'd settle in more familiar, instead of holy, territory. As soon as the scaly reptilians left the building, the two brother Gods looked at each other with anxiety; they knew what they had to do...

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, brother. But this hasn't been done in millennia."

Raiden looked down at his fallen Champion, "Hmm... The process won't be easy. This was a voluntary possession, but Liu Kang's body sustained extensive damage by the Deadly Alliance and the Houan ritual. It's likely it is still corrupt by the ancient black arts in which I had possessed to revive him for evil purposes..." He sulked at what his doppelganger had done.

Fujin just laid a firm, assuring hand on his shoulder. "Do not blame yourself on what your corrupt incarnate hast done. We will decimate whatever remains of those savage necromancers. I'm certain Liu Kang and Kung Lao are still pure. It wasn't easy removing those spellbound chains, though," he smirked. Everyone hardly noticed the Houan Chains were gone.

Suddenly, another rip opened outside as the protectors noticed a faded light, "Did I miss it? Did I miss the ritual?"

"Ah, Nightwolf, Ashrah." Raiden was undoubtedly surprised.

"Where's Sub-Zero, and Baraka?"

"He's healing the Tarkatan, Raiden." Ashrah replied. "His Dragon Medallion should be vital in preventing infections and blood loss."

"Let's hope so. But I must have the shaman's assistance for the time being. Thank heavens you're no longer tainted. Well done leading him here, Ashrah."

"How may I help, Raiden?"

"Cleanse Liu Kang's body for any impurities. And escort his soul from Kung Lao. Liu Kang must pass thru spiritual plane and return. May the Elder Gods assist us if there should be a spiritual konflict between his body and soul. You must know, Nightwolf, that this is a very dangerous procedure..."

The Matokan's body ignited as he let out Kiba who made a large, rapid shake as if soaked in torrential rainfall. He then trodden over the two fallen Orientals and let out some whimpers. Nightwolf offered his pet to bring the glowing tomahawk to the spectators outside, to pray for the Shaolins' welfare. He obliged, and Raiden prayed to the higher ups to protect them...

The process began as Nightwolf was in a lotus position, and the Jinsei suddenly churned into a light green, while Fujin watched over the ritual warily as Raiden announced, "Fal-tor-pan...!" The Wind God hit a distant bass gong before his brother laid his fingers onto Lao's forehead, and soon Liu Kang's corpse in the same position. The Temple began to darken, although it wasn't just the interior walls. He slowly closed his eyes as he performed the spiritual transition.

Meanwhile the group of spectators gathered around the small tomahawk Kiba brought; everyone laid a hand on it as they silently prayed for Liu's safe journey and the warriors' sakes. As Raiden's head bowed, flashes of lightning were seen; they startled Aiko a little, although knowing her phobia, Kenshi komforted her. The monks began to chant in their Shaolin mantras for their fellow brothers.

Minutes dragged on as the process did; at times Raiden faced each of the two still victims, guiding and cleansing their spirits, as did Nightwolf and Fujin.

When suddenly, a surge of invisible energy went thru Kung Lao as he made a deep inhale. It was as if a heavy load had been lifted from his body and mind. Raiden sensed the same as he removed his fingers from his forehead.

"Wake up, Kung Lao." A deep tenor rang in his mind... Almost sounding as if belonging to his Shaolin partner.

Aiko's heart gem glowed and warmed her own chest, filling her with relief. "It's Kung Lao...!" The crowd murmured on whether or not his presence was true. They each turned to the Sky Temple and soon emerged the former monk from the shadows. The cardiokinetic was the first to stand and ran to him, murmuring his name! Overjoyed, he couldn't help but grin as his eyes sparkled before he tightly embraced her, resting his head onto her shoulder. "Oh...it's so good to see you...!" He tended her just as she did, "I am myself again..."

Her nose twitched, "Ergh, I don't care how much you sweat or how bad you smell. I'm just so glad you are here...!" He always seemed to have the bad habit on forgetting to apply deodorant after each tumultuous lesson or bout.

He then heard some excited barks coming from a dog, only it turned out to be Kiba who rose on his hind legs and licked his face numerous times. Lao just smiled and giggled all the way, even having his forepaws rest on his shoulders, even his snout. The wolf soon recovered and gazed inside, letting out a few high-pitched moans. Lao soon followed as he gently put him down. "...Liu Kang...!"

The crowd soon klosed in, welcoming him alive and well, even Goro iterating his ancestor and so he had brought hope and peace throughout the realms. He was glad Li Mei was still safe, even from the Sun Do devastation he heard from Fujin on his way out. Everyone was thrilled for Kung Lao's successful recuperation, though Kitana, Aiko and Lao still shown worry for Liu Kang as they gazed into the opaque entrance...

Moments later, Fujin hit the same large gong again and a gathering surrounded the central fountain, hardly letting the normal blue hue strike through.

The sky began to lighten as Sonya kontacted Kuai in Outworld. He was surprised the Special Forces agent was her normal self, as were Jax and Johnny who reunited with him like old schoolmates. She offered to send him a portal home as soon as Baraka snarled that he'd rather rest at his own Tarkatan Kamp than in a stuffy, irritable space filled with bright light and godly air...

Where Lao and Aiko, and soon Kitana, stood, their eyes made out a group of monks walk out, never saying a word, just giving them loose complexions.

Fujin broke thru the shadows next. "Welcome back, Kung Lao."

He bowed, and wore a strike of concern, "Lord Fujin, what of Liu Kang?"

"The dragon amulet's been destroyed, by the deep impacts of Onaga... He...actually wants to thank you, for everything."

"What I've done... It should never have come to pass. Of Liu Kang's death by the Deadly Alliance, and the Dragon's rebirth... I... was irresponsible."

"You are only responsible for his destiny, and yours."

Kung Lao then noticed Raiden and Nightwolf. Aiko and Kitana cried about Liu Kang's fate.

All he did was raise a hand to silence them. "We all had done some irrevocable deeds. To secure all the realms from Onaga's reign of terror. And to preserve the existence of our Chosen One, Liu Kang..." He rose his heavy head which suddenly became light. "And we never would've wanted it any other way. What we had done, echoes for an eternity."

There was a pause, and Raiden turned behind him. Gradually, a male emerged out from the Temple, before they saw an orange glow for the first time in what feels to be infinite! He rose his face as he let out a grin as his palms ignited then dissipated the flames.

Kitana immediately went up and gave her lover a sudden, tight embrace, in which he returned the pressure. The Edenian princess was nearly in tears as she expressed how much she missed him, and how she was certain that he ascended into the afterlife before Onaga made his resurrection. Aiko did the same as Liu's left side broke away, also giving her the same affection. As both women separated and remained at his sides, Kung Lao took off his hat and knelt as he bowed.

"I am forever in your debt, Champion. Whatever happened to surpass Onaga, I am honored for all the sacrifices and triumphs you have made. I felt my nerves blazing like fire and had a rush of air fill my lungs for the first time since my death. I am Liu Kang once more. Protector of Earthrealm, and Champion of Mortal Kombat.

"And I owe the same privilege and name onto you, Kung Lao."

Raiden then faced his distant friends and nodded for them to kome forth! They slowly gathered around and praised of his safe and triumphant return. Even for his and Lao's victory.

With every greeting they made toward their saviors, Liu Kang never broke his handhold with his Shaolin partner. Together, they were now given the highest honor that would even match Raiden and Fujin, even the Elder Gods themselves.

Their unbreakable, honorable bond shall never fade thru the eons...

Raiden spoke aloud to his most prominent disciples, while still being overcrowded by their friends. "You have secured your fates, and may the Elder Gods forever shine down upon you. Well done, Champions of Mortal Kombat, and saviors...to all the realms."

A/N: The Katra Ritual from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock shall play as the similar ritual starts between Liu Kang and Kung Lao. The Time Has Passed from Mortal Kombat: Deception would chime during the emergence, Epilogue, Part 1 from Metroid Fusion plays when the dust settles, and Halycon + On + On by Orbital would resolve everything, just as it did temporarily for the first MK film. Eat your damn heart out, MK 2021!

The epilogue wasn't too hard to write; I wanted to get Return of the Dragon King kompleted as soon as possible to focus on other projects. Sorry if I should leave out any extra details, like those in Konquest Mode, but it had been exhausting both mentally and physically with fatigue and disinterest. I'll try and resolve its konvoluted timeline in my Khronology.

Of course, I want to give quick shoutouts to those who gave me inspiration: MKKrypt, Mortal Kombat Addict, MK Temple with his informative History, 616Entertainment's History of MK Marathon, tabmok99, True Underdawg Gaming, The4thsnake, even the role-players I have such as Kung Jin, Johnny Cage, Sindel_MKD, Jerrod, DEITYOFFIRE, Lord Raiden, even AnonymousAffection who provided with the Deception Konquest walkthrough.

There were many triumphs and sacrifices in this epic, even from what I went thru... Every event led up to a just cause. All leading up to Armageddon and...

The Final Kombat!