Travel between realms had never been an exact science. To be more accurate, it wasn't science at all. But rather, inter-realm travel was most often something achieved through sorcery.
Still, that didn't mean science couldn't pull it off provided enough time and effort.
And that was exactly what the Special Forces had succeeded in doing. The second technologically created inter-realm portal, located at the center of a refugee camp for the denizens of an Outworld city called Sun Do, who had sought to flee the ongoing civil war.
The first successful technology-based inter-realm portal had been destroyed years ago due to the sabotage of the Red Dragon infiltrator Hsu Hao, although fortunately schematics had been recovered which allowed for the creation of this new device. Just in time too, as an Outworlder named Li Mei reached out to them to seek sanctuary for her village's people, as Shinnok's amulet had just become a variable in the Outworld civil war and it seemed collateral damage was on the rise.
Alas, the war was still not over and the people still reluctant to return to their home, although some had made the journey between realms periodically, including Li Mei herself. The portal had other uses outside of the refugee camp however, serving as the direct line of travel between Earthrealm and other realms.
It was in such a capacity that the Shaolin master Shujinko intended to utilize the portal, so that he may at long last complete the quest that had lasted near the entirety of his life. Stressing the importance of his mission while also maintaining an air of secrecy around it, Raiden had procured for Shujinko free use of the Special Forces' portal device so that he might achieve his quest.
Thus, Shujinko approached the portal. The guards were still confused as to why this "simple old man" was being allowed free access to interrealm travel, but they knew their orders and allowed him through all the same. The portal activated, and within seconds of stepping through, Shujinko found himself in Outworld. He quickly began taking note of his surroundings, knowing full well the potential dangers of the realm.
Rather suddenly, a glowing sphere of energy appeared next to Shujinko. Most would be alarmed by such a sight, but Shujinko was quite familiar with the entity before him.
"Ah, Damashi," Shujinko said fondly. "I have excellent news. My journey seems to be coming to an end at long last."
"Very good, Shujinko," Damashi complimented. "The Elder Gods will be pleased when you have collected the last Kamidogu."
"I would certainly hope so," Shujinko replied. "Still, I fear the journey will not be easy."
"Fear not, Shujinko," Damashi assured. "You may find new allies in Outworld yet."
"I would certainly hope so, Damashi," said Shujinko. "I could use the aid."
"Now, make your way to the remains of Edenia so that you may claim the last Kamidogu," Damashi instructed. "Then, you shall finally be able to live in peace."
"It has certainly been a long time, old friend," Shujinko said fondly. "It will be nice to be able to finally put this quest behind me."
"Good luck, Shujinko." was the last thing Damashi said before disappearing.
From his prior venture to Outworld, Shujinko had already successfully determined the location of the part of the realm that was once Edenia. He had heard stories of the realm, and its immense beauty. He lamented the fact that it and so many other realms had fallen to Shao Kahn in the past, but pressed on nonetheless.
The journey was a bit of a long one, partially due to Shujinko's need to ensure that he did not draw attention to himself from either of the vying powers in Outworld.
Unbeknownst to Shujinko, he was not the only party aware of and actively seeking the power of the Kamidogu.
It was for such a reason that Shang Tsung, alongside Chameleon and Reptile, stepped foot into a dark room within their secretive base of operations.
Suddenly, the room exploded into an orange light, obscuring the appearance of their enigmatic master but carrying his powerful and booming voice all the same.
"I have a mission of importance for you," the being explained. I require you to retrieve an item of interest to me."
"But of course, Master," Shang Tsung said with a humility he didn't truly possess. "What would you have us do?"
"There is an Earthrealmer that I fear will jeopardize my plans," the entity elaborated. "He has been useful thus far, but is growing too close to discovering my ambitions. He must be eliminated before he can complete his 'quest'."
"Who might this Earthrealmer be?" asked Chameleon.
"His name is Shujinko," the being revealed. "He may appear frail, but he is not to be underestimated."
"You mentioned an object, master." Reptile pointed out.
"Yes, Edenia's Kamidogu," the being recalled. "The last of them that I need."
"What use do we have for those infernal daggers?" Reptile questioned.
Shang Tsung let out a sinister chuckle.
"What is so amusing, sorcerer?" Reptile asked annoyedly.
"The Blood Code Daggers are not the true Kamidogu," the entity corrected. "That was a deception fabricated by Raiden to aid Shujinko in collecting the true Kamidogu. He has already obtained the Kamidogu of Earthrealm, Outworld, Orderrealm, Chaosrealm, and the Netherrealm. When I am at last restored to my full power, I shall claim the five Kamidogu from Raiden. However, the sixth is to be ours beforehand. Raiden can not be allowed even the possibility of unlocking their true power, or worse, sending them to the Elder Gods as Shujinko intends to do. In that event, they would be lost forever."
"The oh-so noble Raiden, a deceiver," Reptile hissed. "How ironic."
"I had heard legends of the true Kamidogu," Shang Tsung recalled. "Tools of the Elder Gods themselves, yes?"
"Tools that will be mine to wield," the being assured. "And will ensure my ascension, and all of you with me."
"Your generosity knows no bounds, master." Chameleon said humbly.
Reptile on the other hand seemed to have his doubts.
"Now go, my servants," the being instructed. "Commence my will."
"As you command, Master." said Shang Tsung, bowing before exiting. Chameleon and Reptile did the same, before leaving as well.
The three walked back into the room containing the others.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Shang Tsung announced. "Our master has instructed us with a new task. To eliminate the Shaolin monk Shujinko and lay claim to an item of great importance."
"This One will gladly help you, Shang Tsung," D'Vorah said with uncharacteristic humility. "To prove This One's loyalty."
"Yes, that is definitely something you will need to do." Reptile snidely agreed.
D'Vorah sneered at Reptile, but did not deny that he had a point. She was acutely aware of the reputation she had made for herself, and it wasn't exactly positive. She had betrayed Shao Kahn's heir Mileena, seemingly to serve her usurper Kotal Kahn, only to eventually double-cross him as well. It had seemed that her loyalties lied with the Brotherhood of Shadow, but although D'Vorah had aided in Quan Chi's plans, she had seized the opportunity to slink away while Shinnok battled Cassie Cage, preserving herself rather than aiding her master.
These new masters of hers… well in truth, they to were a form of self-preservation to the Kyttin. With both sides of the Outworld civil war wanting her head on a spear, she needed some way to ensure not only her survival, but that both Kotal Kahn's regime and the rebellion would come to an end. This new power in Outworld promised to do both. But before that could happen, D'Vorah was to do as instructed. She could not allow her position to be jeopardized by suspicions against her.
Thankfully, it seemed she would receive her opportunity.
"But of course, D'Vorah," said Shang Tsung, before turning his attention to the Saurians. "Would any of the rest of you like to join us?"
The two females, named Kiri and Ankha, looked at one another.
"Who are we killing again?" Kiri asked.
"Some Earthrealmer." Ankha replied.
"That could be fun I guess," Kiri decided, before looking at Shang Tsung. "Sure, we're in."
"I suppose it would serve as an excuse to get out of this direlect temple," said the rather tall male, Tiamat. "Besides, it has been long since my claws have tasted combat."
"I can stay behind to protect the master," offered the pale Saurian, Komodai. "We cannot leave this place undefended."
"Agreed," added Chameleon. "I shall remain as well."
"If that is your wish," said Shang Tsung. "As for the rest of you, we must depart with haste."
"Where exactly are we going?" asked Tiamat.
"Is it far?" asked Kiri in a whining tone.
"I'll carry you if it is." offered Ankha.
"We will be travelling to the portion of Outworld that contains the remains of Edenia," Shang Tsung explained. "There, we will find our target… and our prize."
Ooh, there's a prize!" Kiri said with a certain childlike excitement.
"What is it, tell us! Tell us!" Ankha added with the same energy.
Tiamat growled in frustration but did not say anything.
"An item of incredible power," Shang Tsung elaborated. "A weapon of the Elder Gods themselves. And soon… it will be ours."
"If this item is of such value, we should depart with haste." posited D'Vorah.
"An excellent point," acknowledged Shang Tsung. "Let's go."
Shujinko was now about halfway to where Damashi had said the Edenian Kamidogu was located. He was currently walking through a small village populated by the denizens of the conquered realm. He had heard the tales of the Edenians. From Raiden, from Fujin, from Damashi. They had been a noble people, inhabiting a beautiful realm. Alas, all of that had been stolen from them by the vile despot Shao Kahn. For centuries, they had lived first under the iron fist of the tyrant emperor, and now under the looser but still potentially dangerous grip of Kotal Kahn. Shujinko was aware that Edenians made up prominent members of the rebellion against the current emperor's rule. As he looked around, and observed these people going about their day-to-day lives, he hoped the actions of a few would not bring Kotal Kahn's rage down upon them.
Alas, he had a duty to complete, and could not allow his thoughts to wander to such things. He hoped that once the Kamidogu were back in the hands of the Elder Gods, that they might reverse such terrible acts of evil.
Shujinko made his way past the small Edenian village and into the more vacant areas of the former realm. Once shining spires now desecrated and broken, green pastures now barren and desertlike.
And then finally, he reached it…
The remains of Edenia's capital city, where he had been told the last Kamidogu would be found.
The state of the place. Probably the part of Edenia that had been hit the hardest by Shao Kahn's invasion. It made sense in a way, this was where Edenia's rulers had lived after all. Still…. The sheer carnage, the death, the desolation…
It was horrid.
Although, some did not share that opinion…
"Lovely view, isn't it?"
Shujinko turned around immediately. He recognized the man before him instantly.
"Shang Tsung," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I should have known that a snake like you would find a way to cheat death."
"And I knew a fool like you would still be chasing the same prize after so long," Shang Tsung responded. "Unfortunately, you cannot be allowed to claim Edenia's Kamidogu."
"How… How do you know of the Kamidogu?" Shujinko asked.
"I'm afraid you won't live long enough to find that out," Shang Tsung answered sinisterly. "Boys and girls, have some fun."
On cue, the Saurians revealed themselves, having been cloaked and invisible the entire time. Reptile slashed at Shujinko's back quickly, while Kiri and Ankha wrapped their extendable tongues around his arms.
Tiamat began walking towards him, slowly.
"And here I thought this might actually be a fight." he said disappointedly, raising a rather serrated sword to end Shujinko there and then.
"Then I'll try not to disappoint you." Shujinko shot back, before using cryomancy abilities he had gained the ability to mimic during his brief time with the Lin Kuei to start freezing the tongues of his captors, which caused them to retract their prehensile "fifth limbs" almost immediately.
He then turned to face Reptile, and flipped into the air in order to kick him, knocking Reptile back. However, he was caught unawares when Tiamat slammed him with his large tail.
"The old thing is surprisingly agile," Tiamat observed. "This might not be a waste of time after all."
Shujinko didn't respond, instead using some shockwave-like power to propel himself like a torpedo, ramming into Tiamat and knocking him down.
Kiri and Ankha pulled out daggers, but Shujinko quickly lit his fists aflame and prepared to combat them.
"Are you sure that is a wise decision?" he asked the two.
"Uhh….." they both uttered in unison.
"Cowards." Reptile said disdainfully.
Shujinko, Kiri, and Ankha all looked around only for Reptile to be nowhere to be found.
Reptile suddenly became visible just behind Shujinko and bit into his shoulder. He grit his teeth as the pain hit him, struggling against his grasp.
Shujinko's eyes began to glow a bright blue hue, and he began to telekinetically spread Reptile's jaws. Once that was dealt with, Shujinko moved Reptile away from him slowly at first, psychically throwing him back soon after.
Tiamat rushed in soon after, Shujinko dodging his slashes and jumping over his large tail. However, he was disoriented by a stray punch from the large Saurian.
Seizing their opportunity, Kiri and Ankha crafted spheres of acidic slime and fired them at the Shaolin.
Shujinko fired freezing blasts at the acid balls, stopping them mid-transit and causing them to crash to the ground and shatter.
Tiamat seized upon Shujinko's momentary distraction by grabbing him by the throat with his tail and slamming him into the ground.
With Shujinko seemingly down, the four Saurians began closing in, as Shang Tsung approached behind them, slow-clapping so as to mock their foe.
"The great Shaolin master, Shujinko," Shang Tsung said sarcastically. "Trained by Bo' Rai Cho himself, produced some of the Shaolin's best, and 'Champion of the Elder Gods' sent to find the Kamidogu. And now...this."
Shang Tsung held out his left hand, and a flaming skull appeared from it.
"You know, it's almost a shame you'll never get to know what they're really for." Shang Tsung commented.
"Tools of great power… used by an even greater evil…." Shujinko said weakly.
"You flatter me." Shang Tsung responded.
"N-Not you…" Shujinko clarified, finding the strength to rise to his feet. "Tell me sorcerer, did 'Damashi' send you? Or…. should I call him by his true name?"
"H-How…. How could you possibly…" Shang Tsung stammered, genuinely shocked.
"Raiden foresaw it in his visions," Shujinko explained. "That is why I have allowed him to safeguard the Kamidogu I have collected thus far. All the while, I pretended to still play the game my 'noble guide' Damashi had started all those years ago, when in reality, I was delivering the Kamidogu into hands that would keep them safe from your master."
"Very clever," Shang Tsung complimented half-mockingly. "Really, full marks. However, if you know whom we serve, then you must have realized that he would have plans of his own."
"He knew that I would become wise to his schemes sooner or later," Shujinko concluded. "And sent you to kill me."
"That about covers it," Shang Tsung admitted. He then contemplated for a moment, before dissipating his skull-fireball. "No, I don't think I'll kill you that way. It would be far more enjoyable to take your soul. I need more anyway. I've been practically starved since I finished this new body. I'll make sure that whoever drained my personal reservoir suffers a particularly painful death. But for you? The end is now."
"Yes, please get on with it." Tiamat urged.
"Seriously, like shut up!" Kiri agreed.
"You can't say that! He's our boss!" Ankha pointed out, causing Kiri to cover her mouth with her hands.
Shang Tsung decided to ignore them, pinching the bridge of his nose to try and relieve the stress their antics caused him, but before he could absorb Shujinko's soul as he desired, he was kicked from behind and sent stumbling forward. Shujinko took the opportunity to punch him in the face.
All eyes fell on Shang Tsung's assailant. A woman in pinkish-purple garb with prominent flower patterning and white trim, in addition to a bandana wrapped around her head, the ends moving about in the wind.
The unsung hero of Outworld, protecting the lives of innocents from those who would prey on them or whose battles would get them caught in the crossfire.
Li Mei.
"You've taken enough souls," Li Mei announced. "No more innocent lives will be lost to satiate your madness!"
"Little girl, far more skilled, experienced, and powerful than you have tried to stop me," Shang Tsung responded, summoning a skull fireball. "You are just another fool who will die far too easil-" as he tried to launch the projectile, Shujinko tackled him, throwing the skull-fireball off course and causing it to collide with the ground.
The Saurians went in to intervene, Kiri and Ankha engaging Li Mei hand to hand while Reptile and Tiamat pulled Shujinko off of Shang Tsung and tossed him, sending the Shaolin flying and crashing to the ground.
Li Mei was a decently skilled fighter in her own right, but soon began to be overwhelmed dealing with two opponents, and ones who had clearly had plenty of practice before.
In the corner of her eye she noticed Shujinko starting to get up. He looked injured. She couldn't bring herself to let him fight on in such condition. Managing to get some well-placed hits on both Kiri and Ankha, Li Mei was able to run over to Shujinko.
"Don't worry," she assured. "You're going to get out of here."
"What makes you think you stand even the slightest semblance of a chance" asked Shang Tsung as his minions closed in.
"My 'chances' don't matter," Li Mei argued. "It's about keeping other people alive, no matter what I have to do."
"Then perhaps we have one thing in common, eh… What was your name again?" Shang Tsung asked.
"Li Mei, of the village Sun Do," she introduced herself "Just one of many where its people have been murdered in order to keep your black heart still beating. And I am nothing like you."
"On the contrary, Li Mei," Shang Tsung countered. "We're both willing to do whatever it takes. Just.. to different ends. Mine, immortality. Yours… some ridiculous sense of nobility, I suppose."
"It would only seem 'ridiculous' a monster like you who doesn't value the lives of others." retorted Li Mei.
"Fine, let's say you want to keep the people of Outworld safe," Shang Tsung said, clearly unable to understand her altruism. "Why help this Earthrealmer?"
"I for one am greatly thankful for it." Shujinko chimed in, still battered from the battle but offering Li Mei a weak smile, which she returned.
"And since you asked, sorcerer," Li Mei started once she redirected her attention back to Shang Tsung. "This is man is worth my protection because he is a life, and I don't know what hellhole you crawled out of, but I for one was taught that each and every life had value. That's why I spare innocents from the civil war that has consumed Outworld and keep fighting for the lives you've taken. And I'll never stop fighting, until no one has to be afraid of people like you or things like that amulet ever again!"
Shang Tsung chuckled.
"Such heroic nonsense never fails to bring a smile to my face," he gestured to the Saurians. "Kill them. And make it painful."
The Saurians closed in, but before they could do any harm…
Khameleon suddenly rendered herself visible. Where Reptile had seen her in human guise before, she was now in her true form. Partially-translucent skin like her brother, with a teal outfit that was far more muted than his neon light show, as well as the same glowing eyes and white hair from before.
"Stop!" she announced, putting up one hand, the other on the handle of her falchion sword, which she kept sheathed and strapped to her waist.
She looked back at Li Mei and Shujinko. "Go. Now."
Li Mei helped Shujinko to stand, and then held him up as they began fleeing the area.
"So is this what you've been doing, Syzoth?" Khameleon asked, locking eyes with her lover immediately. "This is your grand restoration of our people? This is what you said you were doing all for me?"
"Khameleon, I can expla-"
She didn't let him finish. "Do you know what I think it is? I think it's you doing exactly what you've always done, what I've tried so hard to make you realize you don't have to do. Syzoth, there is so much more to you than being a servant to a master. Please, don't be a tool of evil anymore. Certainly don't be a tool for him."
She pointed at Shang Tsung instantly.
"Should we do something?" asked Kiri.
"Nah I think they're having some kinda lover's quarrel," answered Anka. "We should let it play out."
"Khameleon, I will restore our race," Reptile assured, ignoring his two airheaded allies. "Shang Tsung is but a part of it. He is not the master I spoke of, I told you before."
"Any being deceitful enough to ceorce Shang Tsung into doing its bidding is something as dangerous as Shao Kahn," Khameleon pointed out. "And something I don't want you around. I'm serious, you're worrying me Syzoth. Turn back before it's too late."
"I… I'm sorry Khameleon, I can't do that," Reptile replied, sounding defeated. "Seeing Zaterra reborn means too much to me."
"More than me?" she asked.
"Khameleon, please…" Reptile pleaded.
"If this is what you feel you need to do, I understand," Khameleon said with a sigh. "I won't try to stop you Syzoth, and I love you. But for now… this is goodbye."
She looked down, eyes closed, a clear feeling of defeat as she gradually faded into invisibility.
Reptile just stood still for a moment. Completely motionless.
"Dammmn, that sucks!" Kiri exclaimed in a tone far too casual to follow up what had just happened.
"Right? I mean I've seen some bad breakups, but ouch." Ankha added, equally oblivious.
"So Reptile, you free now?" Kiri asked.
"Are you gonna leave me for him?!" Ankha asked angrily.
"No!" Kiri quickly responded. "I was thinking we could figure out some kind of arrangement, like maybe-"
"QUIET!" shouted Reptile, letting out his rage over both what had just happened and the two's seemingly-incessant babbling at once in what amounted to a roar.
"I know you are dealing with some troubling personal matters right now," acknowledged Shang Tsung. "But I'm afraid we still have a Kamidogu to collect."
"You are certain it is required for our master to regain full strength so he can restore the Zaterran people?" Reptile asked.
"Of course," Shang Tsung assured. "Your peoples' restoration will be the least he can do as thanks for your dutiful service."
Reptile began heading to the artifact's location. "First time having someone grovel at me instead of the other way around." he commented to Shang Tsung as he passed him. Tiamat, Kiri, and Ankha quickly followed.
Once the Saurians were out of earshot, Shang Tsung waited for the buzzing. Quickly it came, and he looked above him to see D'Vorah, who quickly landed next to him.
"This One did not much enjoy being held in reserve." she commented.
"Oh no, I have a much grander task for you, my dear," Shang Tsung assured. "Loose ends will need to be tied up. Shujinko and Li Mei cannot be allowed to live… nor I'm afraid, can Khameleon. She knows far too much of our plans. It may jeopardize our secrecy. I can't get any of the others to do this. The Zaterrans have something which you and I lack: loyalty. People like you and me D'Vorah, we don't care how many people we have to kill to achieve our ends, or who they are."
"No, This One considers such things quite irrelevant," D'Vorah agreed. "But would her death not enrage Reptile?"
"Not if it cannot be traced back to me." Shang Tsung answered.
"This One's kills leave behind a very specific residue," D'Vorah explained. "It is how Kotal Kahn was able to learn of my treachery of his ranks so quickly."
"Then you disappear, I make up some story about how you betrayed our cause and killed Khameleon to send some kind of message to us," Shang Tsung posited as a solution. "And then in secret, you can serve as my personal assassin."
"This One would find that arrangement suitable," D'Vorah decided. "Very well, they will be dead as soon as This One gets their hands on them."
D'Vorah spread her insectoid wings once again and took flight.
"And do be careful D'Vorah!" Shang Tsung warned.
"You've made just so many enemies."
The trek from the Edenian ruins to Sun Do had taken many twists, turns, and carriage rides, all of which Li Mei paid for in full despite Shujinko's objections. From there, Li Mei helped Shujinko to her house and laid him in a vacant bed, where she got to work bandaging his injuries and then allowed him to recover. Eventually, he fell asleep.
About an hour later, he awoke, just as Li Mei had reentered the room to check on him.
"Shang Tsung and those Zaterrans...they threaten to unleash a force of evil the likes of which the realms have not seen since before the reign of Shao Kahn," Shujinko rambled frantically. "I must-"
His sentence was then cut off by bursts of pain from his still-healing injuries
Li Mei quickly ran over and tried to lay him back down.
"I…. have to… stop…." he started to say weakly.
"Not yet you don't," Li Mei insisted. "You were hurt pretty badly in that fight, you'll need some time to rest."
"Rest?" Shujinko asked. "I cannot rest at a time like this, the realms themselves are in dange-" he groaned as the pain hit again, finally allowing himself to be laid back down.
"You're a stubborn old man, you know that?" scolded Li Mei.
Shujinko's lip curled into a smile. "I prefer to think of myself as persistent."
Li Mei couldn't help but get a small laugh out of that, as she went to the other side of the room and poured both of them glasses of water. She then went back over to the bed to offer Shujinko his.
"You remind me of my father. "Li Mei admitted.
"Was he 'persistent' as well?" Shujinko asked.
"Very." Li Mei answered.
"I see much of that same spirit in you." Shujinko commented.
"So I've been told," Li Mei replied. "I must admit, it was brave of you to fight Shang Tsung and those Zaterrans by yourself. Pretty impressive that you were able to hold your own as well."
"I would have fared better were I not caught off guard," Shujinko lamented. "Still, perhaps even all the skills I have learned in many long years can be refined."
"I wouldn't know," Li Mei said frankly. "I'm no warrior myself."
"No?" Shujinko questioned. "You certainly seemed like one to me. Your spirit, your valor, your unwillingness to concede, even against unlikely odds."
"That's just who I am, I suppose," Li Mei surmised. "But you. You're the real fighter. Speaking of which once you're feeling better, do you think you could…. Teach me?"
"My combat techniques?" Shujinko asked for clarity.
Li Mei nodded.
"I would be happy to," Shujinko said warmly. "Any opportunity to bring a new warrior of justice to the realms."
"I suppose it's settled then," Li Mei decided. "Once you're in better condition, we'll begin."
She turned around to leave him more time to rest, when in the blink of an eye, Khameleon appeared in the doorway.
"You're the one who helped us get awa-"
"We need to talk." Khameleon cut Li Mei off.
"And why might that be?" Li Mei asked, placing a hand on her side, already a bit suspicious of the woman who seemingly had the ability to vanish and appear out of thin air.
"I can tell you that," Shujinko piped up. "May I ask you something Li Mei?"
"Yes, what is it?" Li Mei responded.
"Have you heard that…" Shujinko's sentence was interrupted with a strong cough. Steadying himself for the long tale he had to tell.
"It is said there is only one true ruler of Outworld."