Dark Raiden
The battle against Gill and Urien was great, as was the threat the two possessed. Yet they were not the reason Raiden and Fujin set out in the first place. The balance and well being of the realms were still at stake and they were determined to stop it. But the longer this went on, the higher the stakes became as did the danger it possessed.
Naturally that brought them here, to the lost tomb of the Dragon King. Where his army of deathless warriors awaited his return. Raiden and Fujin knew that he had in fact returned. He may not be seeing his army now, for they knew he had new servants in the form of Necalli who hunted endlessly for kombatants from all over the realms. But here they waited, patiently and silently for their masters call.
Walking deeper into the lost tomb, it felt more like they were walking further into a deep dank cave. They passed by the stone soldiers who stood at attention all around them.
"What a find this is." Fujin declared astonished as he looked around. They had thought the Lost armies of the Dragon King to be just that; lost. Yet here they were now standing among them.
"Yes." Raiden agreed "But we are not the first ones here." he said he saw the remnants of something else ahead of them. Not stone figures that lined the tomb, but remnants of people. Small bundles of clothes laid upon the ground. Both looked at it curiously pausing only for a moment before they walked closer for a better look.
Kneeling down they saw it better now. A red robe adorned with black snakes on the left. On the right were black shoulder straps with sharp spikes. And between them a thick winter coat and hat.
"What could it mean?" Fujin asked puzzled as they looked through the bundles of clothes left behind. Fujin studying the snake designs while Raiden stood above the winter coat.
"I know of this essence." Raiden told "The Deadly Alliance." he grimaced.
"Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, yes." Fujin said realizing it himself "Yet this other one? Who could it be?"
"The other half of another Deadly Alliance." Raiden fumed. "Kolin. At the bidding of her master Gill." he told darkly as both were reminded of the foe they had faced in the desert. But Raiden saw something within the coat as he inspected it. His eyes saw the glint of something gold shine from the pocket of the coat. There also seemed to be something green, peeking out and looking back at him like an eye. "One who was harboring a great power for her own master." Raiden said as he reached inside to take it. Fujin did not notice his movements, since he was focused on the remnants of Shang Tsung in his hand and the name of the man they had fought already.
"I see." Fujin said taking a further look through Shang Tsung's discarded wardrobe, not seeing what Raiden had pulled out from the pocket. If this was all that remained of them, it was clear that whatever happened to them was not good. And given the placement of them, they were standing together against something else. They already knew who that something had to be. "Yet it seems at the end they made an alliance of their own." he commented looking to the placements of the garments alongside each other and not against.
"Out of desperation and necessity." Raiden stated, having reached into the pocket, taking an object in his hand and marveling at it. Fujin looking down did not see Raiden eying the new item in his hand.
"One that did not work in the end." Fujin realized continuing to look down.
"Good Riddance." Raiden suddenly snapped "They deserved their fate." he grumbled, his voice sounding lower and more gravely than usual. It took Fujin off guard. Though he wasn't surprised by it. Whether by their own hand, Shang Tsung's own master or the Dragon King himself, if not one but both Deadly Alliances were defeated it would mean the road would be easier for them. Hopefully.
"Perhaps." Fujin half-heartedly agreed "But if they are gone then what are we to do now?"
"Do what they could not." Raiden answered, the rumbling in his voice continued, sounding like that of a great thunder storm. Fujin recognized the tone now; it was one of growing anger in his brother.
He turned to him now to seeing him standing upright and though he could not see what it was he held something tightly in his right hand.
Fujin eyed him curiously. His tone was the only thing that gave him pause, but not his words. Not yet.
"How then?" Fujin asked "What do you propose?"
Raiden turned to him now. A hard unforgiving glare was in his eyes "The Dragon King will be defeated. But so will the ones who brought this travesty on the realms in the first place." Raiden told "As for the others.." he paused, and Fujin saw that the lightning around his brother had changed as well. It was no longer blue, but was starkly red. Fizzling on and about him, radiating off to give him a more menacing look. "They will pay the price as well." he gritted his teeth.
"Others?" Fujin asked cautiously as he too now got to his feet.
Raiden's face turned into a scowl looking upon his brother, angered that he couldn't grasp what he meant "Yes!" he shouted at him. Fujin shuddered from his exclamation. But Raiden continued angered and not caring for Fujin's newfound fear "These warriors. They go out to pursue their own selfish needs and desires, putting all at risk!" he raged and Fujin became more and more unsettling the longer he went on "They must be punished and meet their end for it!"
"We will put a stop to Bison." Fujin spoke softly trying to reel him back in "No different than The Dragon King." Fujin tried to assure his brother. But his scowl only deepened.
"It will not end there." Raiden warned "It was Shujinko's folly that first brought back the Dragon King. Now that he has returned again. He must suffer the consequences, just as all have!" That shocked Fujin more than anything else thus far.
"But Shujinko is our ally!" he exclaimed his voice rising too high for Raiden's liking "Even now he is out there with Master Bo Rai Cho furthering-"
"Furthering this abomination!" Raiden threw his hands up. His lightning fizzled and cracked all around him, but within his hand Fujin saw the shine of gold. Raiden then brought his hands back down an as he did a shadow seemed to come over him. His cloaks of white and blue darkened all around. Now everything he wore was pitch black. That along with the red cracks of his lighting made him and truly imposing and demonic figure.
"Brother I do not-"
"Do not 'Brother' me." Raiden scolded darkly as he took a step towards Fujin who backed away from him "Did I not tell you that more konflict will only deepen the anomaly? That too much kombat will destroy the barriers between realms forever!?"
Fujin remembered him saying just that at the Sky Temple before they set out on this journey. It was when Fujin asked if they should request help from their allies and Raiden warned him against it. Yet here he was wanting to punish them for doing the exact same thing they were trying to do; stop it.
"You did." Fujin answered him softly hoping to calm him by doing so "But why would-"
"They have put all at risk. Themselves and even the realms. How can I protect them when they work against my will?" Fujin opened his mouth to answer, but Raiden continued on with his threats "It is not just them. These new warriors." he snarled "Travelling through the realms for what? To sell toys?! To master their own forms of kombat?" Laura, Blanka, Zangief and Hakan seemed not have made a great impression on Raiden, yet this was the only time he voiced it. And it didn't lessen the worry when coupled with anything else he had just said.
"We can stop them." Fujin tried to reign his brother in "When we find the Dragon King ourselves."
"And let them run amok in the meanwhile? No, we must deal with them first!"
"Deal with them how?" Fujin dared not ask but felt he had to. Raiden paused as he looked over his brother. But he gave him his answer. And it was just as Fujin feared.
"They must die." Raiden told coldly. A shiver ran up Fujin's back.
"Brother you cannot mean-"
"I do! I must!" he insisted harshly, his voice echoing throughout the hollow lost temple. Even the stone army of the Dragon King seemed to shudder from his voice.
"But brother please-" Fujin pleaded but stopped when he finally saw what was being held in his hand. Standing out from the dark hand that gripped it for it was bright gold. It shined brightly contrasting with his blood red cracks of lighting.
It was Shinnok's Amulet.
Fujin was shocked. He didn't know how Kolin of all people got ahold of it. For it was in the temple that only one had ever gotten into and out of before. But it was in Raiden's hand now and it was only now that Fujin understood what had happened.
"Brother." he began again "You don't know what's come over you." he pleaded "That thing!" he pointed to it "That is the cause of your angry outbursts. It's not our friends and allies you must question the motives of."
"You question me, Fujin?" Raiden asked sharply.
"Only your new outlook. But I know the reason why. Shinnok's Amulet along with the essence of kombat fueling this merging. It has affected you greatly."
"It has only allowed me to see threats more clearly." his deep voice stated darkly as his eyes zeroed in on Fujin.
"But don't you see-"
"And if you are willing to stand against me like all the others, then you too must suffer!" Raiden began lowly before shouting out like a blast of thunder. Before Fujin could convince him otherwise Raiden snapped his arm with the amulet up. The amulet grew brighter in his hand and a blast erupted from the green gem which was mixed with a bolt of red lightning all directed at Fujin.
It hit him dead on and dead center overtaking his body in a shroud of red lightning. He was propelled across the room crashing through several stone statues shattering them, but none stopped him shooting across the room. Only when he crashed into the wall, did he finally stop.
Raiden let out a sigh when he saw Fujin fall to the floor and not get up.
"If I must do it myself," Dark Raiden said as he affixed Shinnok's Amulet to his chest "So be it."
The Wrath of the Thunder God will be something all would feel.
Oni Akuma
Standing atop the Pyramid of Argus, Akuma basked in the fiery reverence of kombat. At the pinnacle of the pyramid, he alone had made it. He had discarded Gen, a weary old man being far beyond his uses and cast him into the death he long sought to fight against. From there Akuma had dueled with fire element Blaze in one of the greatest battles ever waged. And in the aftermath of that battle, he was victorious, but more battles awaited him. He defeated the sons of Argus who dared to challenge him on the very right of his destiny and fate. He battled them, breaking the pre-destined cycle of fate and forged his own in fiery kombat.
Yet he craved more. Kombat still raged all around, the realms still in flux and the desire to fight amongst the greatest of them had not been sedated.
And those series of battles had awakened something inside of Akuma. He had made it here without the aid of the decrepit Gen. He had proved the worth of his fists and the path he walked. His fiery spirit did not fade, but embolden. He did not feel like a starving creature grasping for leftover scraps of a kill. Instead, he felt that he had eaten his fill and wanted more. And more he would have. He would find the warrior who would give him a battle greater than all the others.
Akuma stood over his defeated foes. Of the ones he had stepped on and over to reach this path. Taven, Daegon, and the simmering Blaze were all at his feet. A change then came over Akuma. His body began to darken as his skin changed. A blue aura grew off of him as if he was consumed in that fire itself. His scowl deepened as fangs began to poke out from his mouth. His skin began to darken, taking on a dark blue hue. His hair and beard once a burning fire began to turn blue as well, a hotter form of fire that consumed him completely. The redness once in his hair was transferred to his eyes which now glowed with murderous intent. In one sudden surge he flexed ripping off and tearing through his gi revealing his body, larger and stronger than before. The sandals on his feet were crushed as he grew out of them, just as all others would be. The necklace he wore was snapped off falling to the floor in multiple pieces to join the bodies of the fallen beneath him.
"My murderous intent shall never fade." he declared outright. The beads that once hung around his neck began to shift and roll on the ground. Then in unison they rose up without anyone touching them and began to float around him, like planets surrounding the sun which was centered in the solar system. And he was that sun. A burning fire of kombat. The embodiment of battle.
"I am evil incarnate." he shouted from the pyramid for all to hear, and for all to fear.
Oni Akuma was here. And he alone would find the Greatest Warrior. To prove that he was it.
Fight Your Rival! Yin Yang Island
Oni Akuma found himself on a small pitiful pile of sand, enough to form an island. But it was not enough to contain him. Nothing was.
His demonic eyes glanced around at his surroundings, finding that it was no place for him or anyone who dare call themselves a warrior or demon. It was sunny and peaceful. The ground was pure white sand glistening like the calm waters that surrounded him. Tall winding palm trees offered relaxing comfort in the shade. But Oni Akuma was not impressed by any of this.
"Pitiful." he growled. Then as soon as he aired that grievance, everything changed.
All at once the sky became as black as night. Rain fell from the sky, storms raged all around and the water around the island became turbulent. And more noticeably the winding palm trees began to move all their own. Not because there was a great wind moving them, but because they had come alive and were now no longer trees, but giant snakes writhing up from the ground like worms. They hissed and swayed in the darkness above him. It looked like a nightmare come to life, but now it was pleasing to his eyes.
"Aaahhh." Oni Akuma let out a hissing breath deeper and louder than that of the snakes "This.. this is the place I shall dwell." he growled bearing his fangs. His hair was like a blue fire that illuminated his presence there. He made a movement to go forward, but stopped for right as he did and no sooner had he uttered his last statement had everything changed again.
All at once, in the blink of an eye everything went back to the way it was. Sunny and bright, peaceful and calm, soothing and comforting. And exactly opposite of what just was.
"What is this mockery?" he asked aloud. A crack was heard followed by a zap and he thought the lighting storm had returned. It had, only this time it brought someone with it.
A flash of red lightning was cast before him striking the ground. It did not give Oni Akuma pause, but he waited with bated breath when a figure appeared from it.
As great as he was and just as dark. A wide brim hat was cast downward, before it lifted up to reveal and aged face with blank eyes. Yet those blank eyes starred menacingly at Oni Akuma.
The twos eyes locked, one of the darker god and one of a demon. As they did everything changed again. The sky went dark, the trees turned to snakes and the storm returned as if heralding this new challenger. Then as soon as it appeared it reverted back to its peaceful way. The newcomer scowled at it, and with its reemergence his voice returned.
"This place." Dark Raiden put his arms up as he looked around "Lost between the realms of Outworld and Earthrealm. It is an abomination. A testament to the disaster that has befallen all realms and a reminder of the fate all will share." From behind him a demonic voice called.
"The weak lament. The strongest shall survive it." Oni Akuma stated. Dark Raiden turned his attention back to the only other figure there with him.
"And is that what brought you to this place?" he asked threateningly. Oni Akuma did not respond immediately. The sky went dark again as rain pelted down onto the two of them. Rough waves crashed against the sand and the snakes lashed around above them.
"A place where light and dark clash! Only darkness can overcome it. For that is where the depths of strength truly lie." he paused grumbling "I thought to find the strongest warriors here." But he had not found him yet.
"You find a God." Dark Raiden told piously "And what are you that stands before me?"
"I am above the Gods! Here to grind all others beneath my heel. For I am Oni!"
Dark Raiden's face snarled back at him and it was plain to see as the sunny day came back to them over the island.
"You claim to be above all others, but all I see is a mad demon. I sensed a presence such as you and found you here on this island. Fitting." he said piously looking down at him. "You are just as much an anomaly and monstrosity as this forsaken place!" Dark Raiden proclaimed. "I cannot have such vagrant displays walking through the realms."
"A deity cannot be contained in Mortal Kombat!" Oni Akuma roared "I desire something greater!"
"Is it death you shall receive!" Dark Raiden snapped as he went into his fighting stance "Your life is forfeit." he said taking his fighting stance.
"Take it then!" Oni Akuma dared him "Or else I shall have yours!" he took his own stance opposite him.
Dark Raiden then shot his arm out and a red lightning bolt was released from it. It was clear as day and plain to see. But then as if on it's release the darkness returned and thunder roared from above. The red bolt was brighter now as it's red light was cast outward. But it was even plainer to see amongst the darkness.
Oni Akuma evaded it leaning over as it travelled past him. The red light casting on him as it passed by, meshing with his blue hue. Then he leapt forward with a raging fist heading right for Dark Raiden. His fist collided with the ground cracking it as Raiden teleported out of the way in another flash of red lightning. Oni Akuma reared his head and rose up right as Dark Raiden reappeared beside him with a punch. Oni Akuma brought an arm up to block before pivoting on his feet to face him and to throw his blow at Dark Raiden.
A fist was hurled at him. As it did the sky broke open revealing sunlight again. Dark Raiden evaded the strike and then jumped away as Oni Akuma followed up with another missing him entirely.
Dark Raiden found shelter in the only remaining darkness beneath the shade of a tree, glaring at Oni Akuma from beneath it.
"Coward!" the mad demon roared to him, his voice distorting the peacefulness of the sunny island "Face me!"
"I have nothing to fear from you creature!" Dark Raiden said sounding more like Shao Kahn than ever. It was under the tree that the shine of the amulet could be seen from the shadows.
"That is where you have attained power!" Oni Akuma roared "Weakness. Folly. You could not attain it yourself!"
"It matters not to one who will be dead!" Dark Raiden roared right back. Then he leapt into the air as red lightning overtook his body and flew towards Oni Akuma.
In reply Oni Akuma leapt into the air and planted his feet on the tree behind him. Suddenly the world changed again and the feeling of bare bark on his feet was replaced with slimy scales of a great snake. Then Oni Akuma bounded forward propelling himself off the great snake which was flung back from the force being propelled off of it.
It's head smashed against the ground falling over as Oni Akuma was flung forward through the air and heading right towards Dark Raiden.
In the midst of the darkness, a great light was suddenly shined out as the clash of red lightning and blue fire overtook each other.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Dark Raiden
Shadows covered the island. The imposter Oni Akuma had been dealt with. But something else reared its ugly head now. In the shadows of the island, Dark Raiden could see the shadow of a creature making it's was across the sand to him.
He remained where he was, fixated on what would come before him. The dark shadow moved across the dark part of the island.
Then suddenly light returned to island. The snakes reverted to trees and the coconuts at their feet were no longer skulls. The demonic statue had been replaced in the very same spot by a more benevolent one. Yet the creature before him seemed to be demonic all it's own, like a remnant of what the other half of the world left behind. But that did not deter the already darkened figure of Raiden.
"You!" Dark Raiden snapped "Miserable Creature? Why are you lurking here?"
"Lurking." Necalli replied as his head poked out from his hair though his two glowing eyes could always be seen no matter how bright or dark it was "Stilll ssseeearching. Searching for soullss."
"Souls." Dark Raiden snapped "You dare to return to me? After you have been defeated already?!"
"My huuunngaarrr is unmatched." he began as a grumble but ended in a hiss "My maassteeer has promised me a meaall."
"Your master..." Dark Raiden grilled him. For he knew of who he spoke of. The Dragon King was still out there using him for his purpose. That was the only meaning of Necalli's reappearance. "Shall fall! But his servants shall come first."
"I am a servant. Hisss servant. I serve the Gods." That riled Dark Raiden. Necalli's had made an attempt against him and Fujin already. But he was a different Raiden then. He was less forgiving now and less merciful. Oni Akuma's blasphemy was enough. Now Necalli's declaration of this calamity being brought on by himself was enough.
"You do not serve me." Dark Raiden grilled him.
"I serve.." he gulped "the Dragon King." he said sounding like he was gasping for air and gulping down too much at the same time.
Dark Raiden bristled with rage at that. Red lightning flashed all around him and only grew when he opened his arms.
"And you shall die like him! If you revere him so, then you shall share his fate. His and all others who brought on and welcomed this attack on all the realms." he declared as sparks erupted from his hands and he shot them towards Necalli.
Sub-Boss Necalli Hour of Battle! Oni Akuma
A great battle had been waged in the confines of this small island which changed hands between realms as easily as the two of them exchanged blows. He had battled with a God and yet he felt that his true power remained untouched. His insatiable desire for kombat and power had led him to this, but he was not fulfilled yet. Dark Raiden had taken a shortcut to his power through the amulet. There must be someone out there with true power to match his.
'There has to be one.' Oni Akuma thought as sunlight gave way to darkness and back to sunlight again as he mulled on this 'There is one out there who can match my power. Only one.'
And he would go out and find that one warrior. One who could give him the true battle he craved.
But as he decided that, a new one was heard, appearing behind Oni Akuma and making his way towards him. Though he truly was not new to Akuma. The dragging of a dead body behind him and the stomping of flat heavy feet was heard behind him.
"Is it you?" he asked thinking the dark shadowy warrior he sought had come for him. But only when it was close did he turn to face it. "Come to challenge me? Come to die?" he asked turning to face him.
But the one before him was one he had fought already. One he had fought on his own and alongside Gen. So that meant there was nothing to be gained on his end. Which meant there was only something for Necalli who continued to inch closer and closer to Oni Akuma.
"Following me like a dog for scraps?!" Oni Akuma roared to it. Necalli did not cower at him, but he stopped his advance "Begone mutt! There nothing for you here, but death."
"You are hereee." Necalli said in a ghostly whisper his mouth peeking out from his long hair "Here to nourish meeee."
"I do not waste my time with whelps!" Oni Akuma stomped his foot denting it into the island as sand was kicked up from the shock of the blow.
"Myy god has promised me fooddd." Necalli hacked, almost pleading to him.
"I am the true God!" he shouted down at him "I am power incarnate. I have surpassed all who walk existence." he threw his arms up "And I have surpassed you already."
"Then your souull will be betteerrr for meee." Necalli squealed.
"Better for you to choke on!" Oni Akuma roared and raising a blackened fist he swung it down at Necalli.
Dark Raiden Ending
A cry like a crash of thunder was let out, and a bolt of red lightning was cast out from a hand. When it struck its target he was flung back landing hard on his back. The scattered chess pieces he grasped onto so desperately were discarded from his arms as were his teeth which were as sharp as any sword.
Grumbling on the ground Baraka rolled his head up to see the dark figure sizzling with red above him.
"Thunder God." Baraka groaned weakly through broken teeth "Wh-"
"Do not speak to me, Dog!" Dark Raiden snapped down at him. "Ever you were that to Shao Kahn."
"I-" Baraka gasped and then tried to speak again "serve him no longer. I serve Kitana Kah-AAH!" he was cut off by another bolt of lightning from Raiden that rocked him on the ground. Covered in the red light like it was a tomb for him he writhed in place as Dark Raiden remained above him casting his judgement.
"I said silence, Dog!" he said ending his attack. Baraka squirmed on the ground in the aftermath of that last shock. "You klaim to serve Kitana Kahn now, yet where is she?" Dark Raiden asked and when Baraka dared to answer he zapped him again. As he burned on the ground beneath him Dark Raiden answered himself. "Out there fighting for her own purpose, deepening the rift and divide between realms." The red lightning fizzled out as Baraka lolled about on the ground "And then there is you." Raiden peered down on him "You've served Shao Kahn for too long only to betray him for his daughter."
A hint of a hideous smile came over Baraka's shattered teeth "Reptile said the same." It was the last thing he said before Baraka emerged victorious and took the chess pieces as his victory prize. Ready to return them to his Kahn.
"Another dog." Dark Raiden said judgmentally "Shang Tsung's bodyguard and Shao Kahn's creature. He served his will and you were with him."
"By my own Kahn's directive." Baraka raised his head weakly.
Raiden raised his hand again "Did I not warn you from speaking to me?"
Weakly Baraka complied, but his fighting spirit made him try to get up again. Dark Raiden snapped his arm out zapping him with lightning again. Baraka jolted and writhed in the coffin of lightning around him.
"Regardless of who you served." Dark Raiden said as the lightning died around Baraka and he fell limply from it's shocking embrace. "You will suffer the same fate as them. Shao Kahn, Kitana Kahn, Mileena Khanum, Kotal Kahn." Dark Raiden named all who could be counted as enemies to Earthrealm or acting against them intentionally or not "They will all pay the price." he said as he raised his hand ready to unleash one final bolt of lightning against Baraka who was too weak to even move his mouth to say anything "As will those who serve them and threaten Earthrealm."
Dark Raiden's hand began to glow and he was ready to put this dog down for good. Baraka may not have been able to say anything to Dark Raiden, but someone spoke out for him.
"What is this mess we've found?" an old worn voice asked aloud. Turning upwards Dark Raiden saw two figures emerging along the road. Both of them were old, but only one showed it. For he was small, gangly, flabby and hunched over. One arm seemed poised for a fight while the other held onto a turtle. But at the sight of Raiden the turtle tucked back into his shell.
"Husshh Yamasen." Oro cooed as he patted the top of the shell. As for the other man with him, he had a long white beard, and scars both showing their age but unlike Oro he was tall, muscular and proud. And he cast a glare on Dark Raiden just as judgmental as the one he gave him.
"This cannot be the one our fellow Masters told us of." Gouken spoke disapprovingly as he crossed his arms. Taking his eyes off Baraka, Dark Raiden turned his full attention to these two. "One so wise and benevolent." his tone and glare got darker as he continued to speak. Yet he was in clear opposition to Dark Raiden. "Unbecoming of a protector of Earthrealm."
"Certainly no Sennin." Oro agreed when his attempts to bring Yamasen out of his shell were futile.
Dark Raiden snarled "And who are you to question my methods or cast that judgement upon me? Mere Mortals."
"We are Gouken and Oro." Gouken introduced them.
"And Yamasen!" Oro held his hand up bearing the turtle who still hid in his shell. But this only served to make Dark Raiden angrier.
"This mess you've found." Dark Raiden grumbled Gouken's own words "This mess you've helped make!" he exclaimed "For your actions only cause the imbalance between realms to continue! It is interesting fights you seek." he spitefully pointed to Oro "Disgusting impure motives. And you!" he pointed his hand to Gouken "There is a power you know of too well." he warned "One you have helped unleash on these realms. One I clashed against in the ever changing Yin Yang island."
"Hmm?" Oro perked up and turned to Gouken "Ryu?" he asked.
"No." Gouken answered him keeping his eyes on Raiden. But he replied to him now. "You speak of my brother." Gouken said and Dark Raiden nodded "Indeed, he has fallen farther and deeper into the hole he has made for himself. So much so that he would not call me brother anymore." he paused looking over Dark Raiden who was standing over Baraka. Baraka tried to get up in the lull created by the new arrivals, but was soon shocked back to the ground as Dark Raiden struck him with lightning again without even looking at him, having no time for him now. He cried out on the ground as Gouken and Oro watched on disgusted "But he is not the only one who has given into power."
"You dare compare me to that filth!" Dark Raiden snapped "When your own students suffer such an ailment? The very one you afflicted on them! And who are these other masters you speak of!"
"Our peers and equals." Gouken answered.
"Shujinko and Bo Rai Cho." Oro spoke their names.
A low evil chuckle escaped Dark Raiden "Bo Rai Cho is a drunken fool who slobbers over his bottle like an baby. And Shujinko-" his fists tightened as he fizzled with rage and red lightning "It was his folly who brought on this calamity!"
Staunchly Gouken defended him. "Not. This. Time."
"Your sides have been taken then!" Dark Raiden declared "Against me! And all who wish to protect Earthrealm."
"More than Earthrealm lies in the balance now." Gouken replied calmly.
Dark Raiden seemed like he was ready to take action against the two old masters now. Baraka still lay before him, but another blast of lightning would change that.
"And I shall deal out whatever judgement is necessary." Dark Raiden told "To those realms... and those who stand before me." he said as his right hand began to shine red from the lightning forming around it. Then he raised his arm and was ready to strike at them.
But as he was about to do that, and the two masters readied for another battle another voice called out.
"Stop!" it cried out. The red lightning building in Dark Raiden's hand died out and all of them turned over to see none other than Fujin riding on the wind. He came crashing down to the ground behind him, and standing defiantly against his brother. "Enough of this brother!"
"Hm." Dark Raiden let out " Did I not tell you not to 'Brother' me." he warned as he turned to face him, putting his back to Baraka, Gouken and Oro. The lightning around his body fizzled and cracked more fiercely, like a storm raged all around him.
"And did I not warn you that you are not yourself? Look at what you've done." he threw a hand down to the defenseless Baraka.
"Yes." Gouken replied "Listen to your brother. He knows the truth."
"Be silent!" Dark Raiden snapped at him "Your death will come soon enough. Or perhaps do you see yourself in him?" he suggested, considering he dare compare him to Oni Akuma. He then turned back to his own brother. "And you Fujin! You cry for this monster?" Dark Raiden pressed him pointing to Baraka "Perhaps you are the one who is too far gone?" he accused him.
"No." Fujin refuted "It is you. I have been following your trail ever since you left the Lost Temple without me. I've seen what you've done. All of them- those warriors. Some of them are our friends. And the others! They are jus-"
"A nuisance and a threat!" Raiden fumed "No different than you are now!" he raised his hand to throw a bolt of lightning at Fujin. "The realms hang in the balance, and you would stop me from punishing those who brought it on!"
"Torturing the Tarkatans will not save the realms. You said it yourself! Konflict will only hasten it." From behind Gouken and Oro nodded in agreement.
"And here you are defying me!" Dark Raiden roared.
"If we must fight, let us fight those who are truly responsible."
"And here you all are! Taking arms against me as if I were the one!" Dark Raiden shouted into the sky looking to those all around him "All of you are here conspiring against me!"
It was now Fujin took a look at the two masters for the first time. "I don't know of them. But if they are not our en-"
"I have already made that decision!"
"A decision based upon your poisoned state of mi-" Dark Raiden suddenly unleashed a bolt of lightning that Fujin evaded.
"Enough of this madness!" he roared "If you must die so be it!" Fujin was ready for whatever this dark manifestation of his brother would throw at him. But he also noticed something else. Baraka laying behind Raiden had begun to stir again. His head flopped up and locked eyes with Fujin. And from behind him Gouken and Oro taking their own fighting stance.
"Just like my brother." Gouken stated as he did. Now the four warriors eyes passed to one another. From Fujin to Baraka to Gouken and Oro.
None of them said anything, but all seemed to know what would happen next. Fujin nodded to them, Baraka replied with his own as did Gouken and Oro. All seemed to know what must happen next.
But Dark Raiden was only focused on his brother who he eyed with murderous intent.
Then right at that moment Dark Raiden shot another lightning bolt at Fujin.
"AH!" a war cry war suddenly unleashed behind him. Dark Raiden turned right as Baraka with all the strength he had left in him lunged at him unsheathing his blade and extending it's reach towards him. Dark Raiden had no choice but to move out of the way to evade it as his arm moved so that his lightning missed.
He may have managed to evade Baraka's blades, but only barely. For the new item affixed to him was nicked by the tip of Baraka's blade. The Amulet of Shinnok was struck and was knocked off Raiden's chest.
Flying through the air it was caught by Fujin who then with his free hand shot a burst of wind at Dark Raiden.
Dark Raiden then swiped Baraka's blades away but before he could retaliate Gouken came to block for the weakened Tarkatan chief. Gouken threw a punch at Dark Raiden who was struck by it. He was knocked back only to be caught in Fujin's wind which propelled him past Gouken, Oro and Baraka.
With Raiden out of the way and no more strength in him Baraka fell to the ground, but before he could collapse he was caught by Fujin who lowered him to the ground gently. From above Gouken and Oro stood over them.
"Are you alright?" Fujin asked concerned.
"Did-" Baraka hacked through shattered teeth "it work?"
Fujin saw the amulet clasped in his hands now. As he gazed at it, he heard the sound of another figure emerging across from them. Both looked over to see Dark Raiden rising to his feet.
"We shall see." Gouken warned. Fujin set Baraka back onto the ground and they all took their own stance. Ready to defend themselves to whatever Dark Raiden would do next.
But Fujin saw that when his brother rose, it was not how he was when he had fallen. The figure he had struck was a polar opposite of his brother. Dark, angry, violent, and willing to cast aside all who stood in his way in pursuit of his new deranged goal.
What he saw now, was a someone more reminiscent of the Thunder God he always knew. The only darkness on him now was the shadow cast by his large hat. And the lighting that cracked around his body was the same color as his robes; blue. Still Fujin was apprehensive and remained in his fighting stance as Raiden or what appeared to be him emerged slowly.
"brother.." Raiden stumbled weakly towards him "-is it really you?"
"Yes." Fujin answered "But what are you?"
"Healed now." Raiden answered more affirmatively, but still like he was grasping onto strength he did not have. "Like I've emerged from the Jinsei once more." he said looking down to his chest which was free from the amulet "And I see clearer now." he stated turning his head up to him "For I know what I have done. What has happened to me." he said shamefully.
Cautiously Fujin stood his ground, still anticipating a fight. "And what is that?"
Despite his shame, levity came back to Raiden's voice.
"That I chose wisely when I said I needed only you by my side brother." Raiden smiled, his voice soft and devoid of the roughness it once had "For if you were not here to correct my actions, then that thing would have unleashed another evil onto the realms." he said pointing to the amulet he still held.
The admittance of that and the soft reflection on his face was enough for Fujin to let out a sigh of relief and to drop his hands. Everyone else was relieved by it as well.
"That is a relief." he sighed, though the praise Raiden gave him isn't what he was glad to hear. But it was confirmation that his brother had retuned to his normal self.
"Wish that I could say that is the end of it entirely." Raiden said closing the gap between them "But only that of a dark chapter."
"I understand." Fujin nodded "What do we do next then?"
"Continue where we left off. Before I was cast off the path set out for us." Raiden said bringing an arm up to put it onto Fujin's shoulder "Together."
In reply Fujin raised his arm to take ahold of Raiden's "Together." he reaffirmed. "But what of this?" he asked showing him the amulet.
Raiden studied it closely before casting his gaze away shamefully "You should hold it. You can bear the burden, no different than you did Kronika's crown."
With his faith his Raiden restored, Fujin took him at his word and tucked the amulet away inside his robe so that it would not be seen.
"And what of me?" a rough voice asked beneath them. They both turned to see Baraka limping up to his feet.
"Forgive me." Raiden pleaded as he bowed his head to the Tarkatan "I was not myself."
"Bah!" Baraka hacked "And what's to be done about it now then?" In reply Fujin stepped up.
"We shall continue our travels through the broken realms. Until we can find a way to restore them." he answered. "As for you. You should return to Kitana at once. Whether she's there or not what you have brought here is best kept safe there and out of enemy hands." Fujin said as they looked to the discarded chess pieces littered around the ground with Baraka's teeth.
"The Black Moons are best kept safe in your care Baraka." Raiden agreed.
Baraka grumbled to himself and then went about picking up the chess pieces and his teeth along with them. But he was not the only one there. Turning over the two reunited Gods turned to the two aged masters.
"And thank you for your assistance as well." Raiden said bowing to them "Your actions have helped me to become what I once was."
Respectfully the two did the same.
"This is more in line with how they spoke of you." Oro agreed as his neck creaked back up. As he did Yamasen came back out of his shell poking his head up higher for he was no longer afraid of the dark presence that wasn't there. "Here." he offered him up "Pet him." he said as the two gods starred at the turtle "It's very relaxing."
"Less like my brother by the moment." Gouken commented as he came back up "Makes me wonder if there is hope for him as well."
"There's hope for all I think." Fujin said optimistically.
"Ah, but you have no seen him Fujin." Raiden told him "Yet perhaps you are right again. If I could change then perhaps he can too."
"There is only one way to know for sure." Fujin began.
"Let us komplete what we set out to do." Raiden finished.
"Says you two." Oro said "But we have our own journeys too."
"Our own purpose." Gouken added.
"I wish you good fortune then." Raiden said.
"We all may need it." Gouken agreed. With another bow between them all, the two masters turned their backs to the gods and as suddenly as they came left. They then set out through the broken realms to find strong fighters and Gouken's students. With the other three now gone, only the two gods were left.
With each of their journeys decided each was ready to set out on them. Fujin and Raiden turned back to each other.
"Are you ready?" Fujin asked.
"Let us go." Raiden answered opening his arm to the world they would embark on. The two gods then took to the sky and flew through the air. Continuing on their journey to save all the realms. One that would end when Raiden sacrificed himself to transfer his power to Liu Kang and defeat the threat of the Dragon King restoring all to what it once was.
And Fujin would be left without his brother once more.
Oni Akuma Ending
This was not the place Oni Akuma expected to find the hardened warrior he sought.
His arms remained crossed, a demonic scowl was etched on his face as the balls floated around his form. From a rooftop, he gazed down onto the Exciting Street Scene below as if was a God looking down on mere insects. The people below bustled about the streets, as the elephants adorned in their own colorful and exciting garbs did the same, towering over the people and travelling alongside buses and cars. Each one content to move on with their meager existence despite all that was waged around them. But Oni Akuma towered over them all.
His blood red eyes rolled through the streets to find the warrior who held so much promise. A warrior who shed humanity for strength. A warrior who dared to call himself 'Perfect'. Oni Akuma had to face him. To find out if he was truly all he claimed to be. And it he had the power to match up with the greatest of foes. Himself. He eyes continued to circle the streets and all who were inside it, searching for one individual.
And he found him. But once again, just as he did not expect to find him here, he did not expect to find him in this manner.
Walking the length of the street was a shadow come to life. He stuck out easily as where he walked all the colors, fun and joy of the street seemed to die with him. He was a pitch black figure. Tall, dark and foreboding the wraith moved down the street. All seemed to part for him and dare not impede or get in his way. His stride was short yet strong and there was power in his wide stature. He stood above all others. A hood clouded his face, but beneath it Oni Akuma could see two pure white eyes sitting on his black face looking like two moons on a starless black night.
Opposite the wraith, walking alongside it was a figure that was exactly the same. To match its stride was it's mirror image, differing only by the fact that it was darker than the original; for this figure was the shadow of the other. Serving it's every whim.
This was him. The warrior he sought. The one who could match him in kombat.
But there was something off putting about what Oni Akuma saw now. Something that contrasted with all he had heard of him. It was not the dark figure and it's just as foreboding shadow. Nor was it even the figure that skulked alongside him. A gangly, pale creature with a skeletal face. He moved adjacent to him but along with him at his own pace and purpose, but was still very much with him. His hands were filled with melons from the marketplace. Yet this was not a cause for concern. Instead, that was saved for another. For there was the figure between the two shadows. Not another shadow, but something more of flesh and blood. A woman.
She wore clothes as dark as he was, with black streaks running around her eyes to match her hair, save for the one off set white strand than ran down to cup her face. And on her face was not misery or pain, like that exhumed off of the ones her side, but instead the polar opposite. Contrasting sharply with the wraith what filled her face was joy, wonder, happiness and pure bliss. In each of her hands were the wraith and his shadow. His left hand held tightly in her right, as his shadow was held by her left. Between the two she skipped down the lane as he trudged along, as if against his will, moving with no drive or purpose. It was her that set the pace, and the reason for why his stride was shortened, so that he may keep pace with her. Her head turned around to view all the sights and wonders around them. But her mouth kept moving as if talking aloud for anyone to hear.
"So I thought it was pretty interesting." Sareena finished her story excitedly, ending it by looking up to Noob on her right side. He did not acknowledge what she said but continued to walk alongside her, his head forward but still hand in hand, seemingly brooding on the fact that he was resigned to this. "Don't you think it was pretty interesting?" she asked him getting no answer and then turning over to his shadow who actually turned it's head down to look at her and nodded in reply "I thought it was pretty interesting too!"
It went silent save for the matching steps. Noob was relieved as it seemed Sareena's incessant prattling was finally over. But a mischievous grin from the one who walked with them thought otherwise.
"So what happened next?" Havik asked as he juggled the food he had, having replaced the melons from the market with rocks for his own amusement. And it was for amusement now that he asked that questioned. Now Noob turned his head back to the cleric and he saw Havik's wicked grin. In reply Havik saw Noob's white eyes twitch angrily beneath his hood.
"Well, I'm glad you asked that!" Sareena carried on as if she was never going to stop. Because she hadn't yet. And she wouldn't. "That's interesting too because what happened-"
"Let's talk about something else." Noob abruptly cut her off not looking at her.
"Oh, okay." Sareena relented and taking no offense.
Sareena pushed herself up bringing her legs off the ground as she began to swing her legs freely. Noob and his shadow on each of her sides remained locked in her hands and held her up between them as she swung her legs as if she was sitting on a swing. Everyone of their groups hands were full, as she held onto Noob and Havik juggled the melons.
Sareena then looked around form shop to shop. Coming back down to the ground to walk between them, she got a better look of everything in another sweep before turning back to Noob.
"So what do you want to walk about?" she asked sweetly, now trying to get a peek under his hood which he did not allow.
"Nothing." his hoarse whisper of a voice said as he remained looking ahead.
"So you don't want to talk..." Sareena concluded, and it seemed to Noob he would get what he wanted. Her silence. "So you want to do something instead!" she concluded. But that might as well have been just as bad for Noob. Havik laughed beside them dropping them melons completely. "What do you think there is to do here?" she asked looking around some more as if she hadn't seen it all already.
"Nothing." Noob repeated bluntly. They past a troupe of elephants who seemed to trumpet their arrival as they walked by. Naturally that got Sareena's attention.
"Do you want to go on an elephant ride?" she asked.
"No." Noob shot that down just as quickly.
"Why not?" she asked ducking low and peering over to him, trying to get a look under his hood though it fell to low and she saw none of it.
"I will not have my time wasted." he said grimly. Sareena was about to reply to him. But another terrible voice cried out.
"Then You Shall Face Me!" a thundering voice cried out from above, breaking over them like a crack of thunder. They all stopped short and looked up. Sareena with wide shocked eyes, Havik with mild curiosity and Noob in annoyance as his eyes peered above through his hood.
Atop a roof a horrifying figure looked down on them. Disgust evident in his churned up face and haggard voice. His eyes focused on one thing and one thing alone.
For him, it may have been disheartening to hear a warrior such as this travelled with others. But perhaps it was the last remnants that must be shed; just as Akuma had done with Gen.
He would make sure that happened.
Jumping down from above, he landed down with a powerful crash that broke the ground where he landed. He seemed to bring a storm with him for all seemed to darken by his approach. The excitement of the street turned to anguish as many cowered where they were. And like death itself he brought silence as even the elephants massive as they were stopped making any noise. Kneeling in the crater he made, small glowing balls began to float and encircle him. When he rose up, they rose higher, flitting around him like they were pulled into him by gravity and he did not let go. Everyone on the street cowered and backed away as Oni Akuma revealed himself. But not all fled from him, some were still defiant. And it was those who were not native to this land or realm. His eyes locked onto the three of them instantly. Sareena's worry worsened, as Havik's curiosity grew. Noob did not react at all, but his eyes zeroed in on this new potential foe.
"Is he from the NetherRealm?" Sareena asked holding onto Noob's hands tighter while shifting behind him for protection "Did Quan Chi send him after us?" she fretted.
"No." Noob refuted never looking away from Oni Akuma.
"Hmmm." Havik rubbed his bare chin, gazed at this new fighter and the reaction he caused upon his mere entry "Interesting."
Bringing a leg up Oni Akuma took a step to take him out of the crater, but only ended up cracking the ground he walked on. Emerging from his rocky encirclement, he came to level ground with the three and stood off against them. Dark blue smoke began to rise off his body as if he was burning.
His red eyes instantly rolled over to Noob, where he saw a shroud of black with a set of ghostly eyes beneath looking back at him.
"You.." his demonic voice called "You tread the path. Same as I."
Sareena got on her tippy toes, leaning up to whisper to Noob "Who is he talking to?" He did not answer her, but remained focused on Oni Akuma just as he remained fixated on him. And it was he who he answered.
"Yet we have not crossed paths before." Noob stated.
"For it would have ended in death." Oni Akuma declared. A brief deathly silence followed before one dared to speak back to him.
"For one of us." Noob agreed darkly.
"It would not be Oni!" he declared "For I am a God incarnate. And you!" he pointed to him as his beads rolled around his arm almost as if he still wore them "Are the one I sought. One who has forsaken his humanity to walk the path of the Demon. The only one left who had the strength to stand against me! I have come, only to find you have fallen so low!" To Oni Akuma he may as well have been defeated already.
"I do not fall." Noob refuted "Only rise."
"Yet here you are shackled beneath what you could be, by these others." he waved a dismissive hand to Sareena and Havik. Sareena cowered at the sight of it, but Havik thinking it a wave, politely waved back at him "But you still claim to be the greatest warrior."
"Because I am." Noob declared as boldly as Oni Akuma had before. Noob broke his hand from Sareena's to put himself before her. He was now aligned perfectly with Oni Akuma in the alley way with no one holding him back. "It was you who sought me out." he pointed to him "For it is you who has something to prove to me, yet I have nothing to prove to you." he said spitefully.
"I am the incarnation of evil itself! My power surpasses all!" Oni Akuma roared back "You claim to be what you are! Yet how can you be when I have no equal!"
"Because I am not your equal, I am your better." Noob stated remaining steadfast again him. Behind him Havik and Sareena shuffled to his sides. To their eyes it seemed like two Alpha predators squaring off before a terrible battle.
"You are a nothing but a shadow of what you could be. Give into your power! Rage against the one who cast you down!" Oni Akuma pointed back to Havik and Sareena specifically as the balls encircled around his massive arms "Otherwise, what are you truly?!" Noob was ready to answer Oni Akuma, but someone else did for him. Saying exactly what he would have said and more.
"He is the greatest warrior!" Sareena cheered happily from the sidelines, popping out from behind Noob. For the first time Oni Akuma truly acknowledged her by turning his glance ever so slightly to what was clearly the cheerleader behind the shadow. "He's the Lin Kuei's greatest assassin. He's fought gods, gotten into the temple no one else could, retrieved the Amulet, got out of the temple no one else could get into, got out of the NetherRealm-that's where he met me." she said abruptly before continuing on, only now the trajectory had changed "He gives great back and foot rubs," she counted off a finger on each hand with each one getting more trivial and less impressive as she rambled on. But it only seemed to annoy Noob. And enraged Oni Akuma.
"Enough!" Oni Akuma raged cutting her off "I will not hear from worthless whelps!" he said before turning to Noob "All that and yet you could be more!" he raged after hearing what Sareena had said, speaking of all Noob's accomplishments. That was the warrior he wanted to face. That was the warrior he came all this way for. Not this, whatever stood before him now. "A shadow that can't be contained and won't be tamed! That is the warrior I wish to battle." his rumbling voice began to grow louder like an oncoming earthquake. "If you will not show me your power, then I will rip the life from you! For you are unworthy of it! Coward!" he roared and as he did a surge of power escaped him. Violent torrents of wind rushed across the ground with the purple smoke that rose off his body heading straight towards the three of them.
Noob tensed up, standing his ground as the wind crashed against him. But it was like waves against a rocky shore where Noob weathered it standing his ground. Only his hood shifted from the brunt of it, but he didn't budge an inch. But beside him Sareena and Havik were knocked back by the wind surge he had withstood. Noob remained where he was, never looking away from Oni Akuma or backing down from him, even as Sareena and Havik were blown away behind him.
As Noob stood still along the ground Sareena and Havik were flung back down the street. But while Noob remained in place, his shadow moved beneath him, flowing across the ground like a dark river and following the two flying figures.
Splitting off into two forms Noob's shadow jumped up coming to life, and leaving the ground to reach Sareena and Havik. Jumping higher for she was flung higher, the shadow landed on top of an elephant whose trunk and cloth waved widely from the wind. Shooting off the elephants back the shadow opened its arms catching Sareena where she landed in his arms laying across them. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck to hold herself there letting out a little squeak as she did. Havik meanwhile was tumbling head over heels in the air. The shadow then suddenly appeared to stop him, his back colliding with his front, the shadow closed its arms over Haviks body and clasped his hands catching him.
Both then came back to the ground landing farther down the street. Placing the two of them down, the shadows disappeared to the street to return to their master. Looking down Havik and Sareena's eyes instantly went to Noob who stood off against Oni Akuma. From beneath his hood a dark voice chuckled.
"Is wind all you can do?" Noob asked unimpressed thinking of his confrontation with Fujin. "I have faced your ilk before."
"I am no prisoner to the laws of nature or the universe. I have the greatest power!" he declared putting his fist up and planting his feet, entering his fighting stance as he cracked the ground beneath him.
Despite his boasts. Noob remained unimpressed.
"Prove it. Rambling fool." he said as he prepared himself for the battle to come.
Far behind him Sareena and Havik looked on. Sareena clasping her hands, worry and fear evident in her eyes. But Havik was far less concerned.
"Well," he said casually as he dropped to sit down on the ground next to a large bull "Might as well make ourselves comfortable." he stated as Sareena looked down to him and then to Noob.
He and Oni Akuma were still glaring at each other. Suddenly at the same time both of them bolted forward rocketing off the ground quickly clearing the distance between the two. Oni Akuma roared all the way through. They were on a collision course, ready to clash in the middle of the street. Noob reared back his right arm, as did Oni Akuma. By the time there was nothing between the two of them they swung their fist forward at the others face.
Each stood in the others way and there could only be one victor. The Greatest battle for the greatest warrior was about to begin.