Chapter 16: Success or Failure
In Kronika's Keep, Cetrion is on all fours, gasping for air. She feels very weak from her body reforming after two years of absence. The corrupted Elder God is in her normal form again after being Dark Cetrion. She regains her bearings and tries to stand up, but is having plenty of trouble.
"At ease, Cetrion. You are home. At your mother's keep." Geras tells her. He helps her stand up and her sight clears up and recognizes his voice.
"Geras. Is it really you? I am alive again? How are you here? You were dropped into the Sea of Blood for all eternity." Cetrion said.
"Kronika rescued me and placed my body and half of my soul within the hourglass. Skarlet was given the other half of it and went into hiding. She has restored me after she betrayed the Red Dragon." Geras said.
Cetrion looks around, hoping to see her family reunited once more. But she does not see anyone else other than Geras. "Mother. Where is my mother? I do not see her. I also do not see Shinnok or Alex. Is this not the New Era?"
"It is. But it is not what Kronika imagined. She has been unfortunately destroyed by Liu Kang and Alex Cage. Together, they used the crown to make their own New Era. Shinnok has been erased from existence and so has Kronika. But you live, Cetrion." Geras said.
"But how? Mother transferred my soul and body inside." Cetrion said.
"Yes. But she transferred a quarter of your soul to the crown. It became fortunate for us when Alex knocked the crown off of Kronika during the fight and you were spared from being erased. They are already aware of my return, but they do not know that you have returned." Geras tells her. "When Shang Tsung and Liu Kang fought over the crown, it has broken into pieces. Only your soul has managed to escape before the sorcerer placed his barrier to prevent anymore souls from escaping."
"And what of the allies we have? The revenants must be gone by now. Shao Kahn. The Black Dragon." Cetrion said.
"Yes. But I restored Kano and Shao Kahn's memories alongside Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, and all of those that allied with him in the Old Era and given them more power from the hourglass." Geras said.
"Liu Kang is the new Keeper of Time. He must be killed. If one of us succeeds in killing him or forcing him to submit, that person will become the new Keeper of Time. " Cetrion said in slight anger. Something feels odd about her. There are parts of her feeling that she misses her mother, but she is feeling something else. Something she has not felt before.
"Kronika's subconsciousness has survived. I carry the first half. Only I can speak with her. She instructs me with her visions as I go. However, my abilities with the hourglass are limited." Geras said.
"And the other half?" Cetrion asked.
"It lies within Alex Cage. Husband of Cassie Cage. He has become an honorary member of their family. He must now be aware as it currently stands according to the visions." Geras said.
"Something must be done. Mother and my brother Shinnok must be brought back. I remember now. This is mother's contingency plan in case she were to fail. What can we do now?" Cetrion asked.
"For now, you must regain your strength. It will take three days for you to regain your soul powers up to the level of an Elder God." Geras said.
"I will carry out instructions, Geras. For my mother." Cetrion said with a sad tone and expression on her face.
"I must return to the Netherrealm and follow Kronika's visions." Geras said as he opens a sand portal.
"One more thing, Geras." Cetrion stops him. "I looked into the hourglass. Shang Tsung has allied with the heroes. What do we do with him? Surely, they do not trust him as he is a skilled liar and trickster."
"We do nothing, Cetrion." Geras smirked before heading into the Netherrealm, leaving Cetrion by herself so she can regain her strength. The corrupted Elder God could not help by be bothered by her own feelings. She is still the goddess of virtue and life, and wants to do anything to bring back Kronika. But at the same time, she remembers something Liu Kang said.
In the Netherrealm, Shang Tsung's portal opened. He, Fujin, Nightwolf and Raiden come out of it and land in the outskirts of the castle. While the sorcerer could've snuck into the flesh pits, he knew that many parts of the fortress would be filled with traps. All of which are set to capture Alex. They are also expecting Liu Kang, Kitana and Sindel. They will soon know that Shang Tsung has allied with the heroes. The question remains how long will the alliance last?
"We're outside of the castle. Why are we not inside?" Nightwolf questions the sorcerer.
"If we do that, then it is more than likely that we will be caught instantly by Geras and Shao Kahn. We must use as much stealth as possible. Only I can access the Flesh Pits, but I must remain alive to do so." Shang Tsung claimed.
"You placed an enchantment to prevent anyone such as Quan Chi from destroying or interfering with your experiments." Raiden said.
"Quite. I remember torturing Kotal in Outworld. I immediately realized he broke free after my death." Shang Tsung.
"The two armies are guarding the bone temple. An all out attack will not do any good for us. We must create a distraction to get inside." Fujin said.
"Please. Allow me." Shang Tsung steps forward. He puts his hands together and they glow a fiery orange. He speaks in foreign language and creates an army of flaming cobras. They are twice the size of an average human. They are summoned to the north and south ends of the temple. This gains the attention of the undead and the edenian clones. They gather in lines to confront the enemies. The undead roar as they charge forward to attack them. Many of them have been burned down by the fire cobras, but they too have been destroyed by some of the undead and edenian clones. More come out to distract them, allowing the four an opening as they sneak around and enter in one of the secret entrances.
Once inside, Shang Tsung leads them through the secret passageway to downstairs. There, they see many familiar faces. They see Mileena, Rain, Kollector, Ermac, Reptile. But they do not see Shao Kahn, Quan Chi, or Geras. They came to realize that the place has been reconstructed. There are two different passageways. One of them leads to the flesh pits.
Mileena starts commanding her group and several undead. "We are under attack by unknown sources. Should anyone come closer, show no mercy and kill them. Except for the man Alex Cage. Shao Kahn wants him alive, not a scratch on him." Mileena ordered.
"Why do we need him alive? Surely he would prove to be a great threat to us all, including our mighty Shao Kahn." Rain asked.
"Because, you idiot. He is needed to bring back Kronika. If he dies, so does the subconsciousness of Kronika. Do you not wish to be part of the Next Era? Make your laughable dreams come true?" Mileena mocks him.
"We cannot fail the excellency. Even with this power, we cannot fail him. Geras has warned us not to underestimate the Cages. After all, the daughter defeated Shinnok." Kollector said.
"That is because Shinnok was a fool. He let his own arrogance get the better of him and allowed himself to be defeated by an earthrealmer girl. He was too weak to finish Raiden off himself." Rain said.
While they are arguing with each other, the three heroes and Shang Tsung overhear their conversation. "Their original plan was to have anyone distracted by the undead while they all surround Alex Cage and bring him to Shao Kahn. They are expecting everyone to come with him." Shang Tsung said.
"But we have the element of surprise. They are not expecting just us and you, sorcerer." Raiden corrects him.
"Agreed. We must strike now. We do not get another chance after this." Nightwolf said.
Shang Tsung creates illusions of their enemies as the four start charging in. The illusions of Earthrealms's allies, such as Sonya Blade, Jax and Jacqui, Cassie, Takeda, Kenshi, Kung Jin, Kung Lao and Alex. As backup, more flaming cobras. The illusions all fight the undead to keep them distracted. The four of them start fighting their enemies, allying with Shao Kahn. Raiden and Nightwolf both take on Mileena.
"Awe, Raiden. You surprised me for once. I love surprises." Mileena tells him.
"Your lust for power will not withstand you, Mileena. This is your first time meeting Geras. You should know that Geras brings empty promises just as Kronika has." Raiden said.
"This New Era is not withstanding. Be a couple of good boys and tell us where your friend is." Mileena said.
"Hidden. Far away where you cannot find him. Your spirit is corrupted. To where it will never be cleansed." Nightwolf tells her.
"I will find him myself if I have too, earthrealmer! But you two? You two will die here!" Mileena said, bringing out her sais as she fights them head on.
Mileena fights them head on with her sais. Raiden uses his spear staff and Nightwolf uses his tomahawks. Raiden swings at her, but she ducks, chops his right leg, chops his head and jump kicks his chest. Nightwolf comes in and swings his two weapons, which Mileena is able to block, but she is struck in the head by a drop kick and a swing across the face. Raiden swings his staff at her in the forehead and top of the head and does a kick to the chest and jaw. Raiden then does a palm strike to the face and a drop kick to the left shoulder.
Mileena snarls and dodges swings from Nightwolf and does two backflip kicks to his left shoulder and a kick to the face. She grabs his arm and kicks him in the ribcage, sending him down. Raiden thrusts his spear staff at her three times but misses and Mileena stabs his right arm, kicks him away and Mileena teleports and does two kick to the chest and head and teleports behind the former god and grabs his shoulders and throws him down to the ground. Raiden rolls back up and they exchange clashing weaponry offences and defensively. Mileena disarms Raiden and double back flip kicks him and was about to throw her sais but Nightwolf comes in and does al elbow strike to the back, a punch to her right shoulder and slams a fist down on her head. Mileena turns around and was about to jump and stab him but he steps back and does two punches to the chin and chops her right shoulder, cracking it. Mileena spins in circles in the same spot with her sais, which Nightwolf jumps over. But this was a set up as Mileena kicks him in the air by jaw, teleports and throws Nightwolf downward, chest first.
Raiden comes back in and throws his spear. Mileena barely catches it, but Raiden jumps and kicks her in the right eye, cracking part of her skull and he grabs his weapon and swings at her right ribcage, the right side of her head and does a drop kick to her right shoulder more, causing her to yell in pain. Nightwolf sees this as an opportunity and swings his tomahawk upwards towards her sais and disarms her. He punches her left shoulder and slams one tomahawk down on her left shoulder, cutting it and making it bleed greatly. He punches her forehead and kicks her left ankle, cracking it and allowing Raiden to perform five swings at Mileena's head, knocking her out.
Nightwolf runs over to his old friend to check on him. "Haokah. Are you alright?" He asks, noticing his stab wound.
"I am fine, Nightwolf. I never expect an easy win in kombat. A lesson I taught Liu Kang years ago. Come. We must hurry. It will not be long until Geras returns with Shao Kahn." Raiden reminds him. Nightwolf nods and they run off.
Next, Fujin fights Rain. They seem evenly matched. Rain's arrogance, however, is slowly starting to get the best of him. He has been wanting to prove that he is far superior than an actual god. And that includes Liu Kang and Fujin and other half gods like Alex.
"Your efforts of aiding Shao Kahn and Geras are fruitless. Regardless, you will never achieve your goal under false promises." Fujin said.
"At least I tend to make my life more meaningful. To prove to my father that I am superior towards him and my other two "siblings" that he chose over me." Rain said.
"It is possible that he knows that you are guided by bad winds. Which is what led you to Shao Kahn. It is not too late to turn against him and join us. Edenia is restored." Fujin said.
"Kitana, Jade and Sindel were the ones who betrayed their own kind when they refused to serve Shao Kahn. I stand where I am today because of him." Rain tells the god of wind before they fight.
Fujin chops his throat, kicks his chest and frontflip kicks him on top of the head. Rain stumbles, allowing Fujin to pull him in with the wind and palm strikes him in the face, chest and a punch to the left shoulder and kicks him across the chin, making him stumble more. Rain fires water from his hand. Fujin slashes it away with his sword. Rain charges in and backhands the god of wind in the chest, evaporates into water, appears behind him and punches the back of the head and kicks him in the spine. Rain throws his jamadhar weapon, which Fujin deflects with his sword, but Rain summons another one and they clash weapons. Rain blocks his sword, allowing him to execute kicks to the left knee, stomach and chest and jumps up really high with his water powers while uppercutting Fujin in the jaw. Rain shoots water upwards, hitting the wind god and Rain slides to the other side and roundhouse kicks Fujin to the head. Fujin uses his wind to recover and he was ready. Fujin throws his sword, which Rain ducks, but he was too late to realize the trick. The sword flies back to Fujin, the hilt of his sword hitting Rain in the head along the way. Fujin uses his powers to hit Rain in the back, sending him upwards and forces him back down with another wind strike to the chest. Fujin does a series of four spin kicks to Rain's back while he was in the air and kicks him to the wall, defeating him.
"Do not believe every poisonous word your leader flows to your head, Rain." Fujin said.
Raiden and Nightwolf try to meet up with Shang Tsung and Fujin, but they are stopped by Kollector. "Raiden and Nightwolf. Not who I was expecting, but I'd be more than glad to collect your heads for Shao Kahn."
"I will handle Kollector. You find the others. Do not let yourself get captured." Raiden instructs Nightwolf. Despite feeling reluctant, Nightwolf nods and goes off to find Fujin and Shang Tsung.
"You are a fool to come here, Raiden. You gave up your powers and immortality for your monk friend. That is perhaps your biggest mistake. Not worth losing your life over." Kollector said.
"It was my own decision, Kollector. Liu Kang was always a better successor to me than anyone else. My time as a god was never perfect. I made mistakes, but Shao Kahn has done far worse." Raiden said.
"Except those mistakes never happened anymore. His brilliance will come in our favor." Kollector claimed before they fight.
Kollector throws his flaming chain whip, which Raiden avoids. Raiden does a palm strike to the chest, a kick across the jaw, and a back kick across the face. Raiden stabs the Kollector's right leg, does a punch to the jaw, cracking it, a knee strike to the chest and a straight kick to the forehead. Kollector growls and he teleports and grabs Raiden by four of his six arms and knees him in the lower spine and kicks him back. Kollector throws a flaming chain whip at his waist and traps him and he closes a fist and Raiden's body is partially burnt. Raiden recovers, but is met by a swinging golden mace, partially cracking his right ribcage. Kollector gets out two short swords to try to finish him, but Raiden uses his staff to block the attack and avoids a kick. Raiden pushes back and gives the Kollector two swings to the head plunges the spear in his abdomen, picks him up and throws him down on the ground. Kollector lays there defeated and bleeding.
"Your master is blinded by his own ego and arrogance, Kollector. As are you." Raiden insults him and his master. Kollector for some reason smiles and teleports away. Raiden goes to catch up to the other three. Shang Tsung is going up against Reptile.
"You consort with Earthrealmers now? You think of nobody but yourself. That is why you betrayed Shao Kahn for your own benefit." Reptile claimed before they fight.
Shang Tsung does a punch to the face, an uppercut to the jaw and a down punch to the head and a kick to the chest. He then does a kick to the right shoulder, chest and face, making Reptile stumble backwards. The sorcerer does two elbow strikes across the face, cracking it. Reptile fires acid from his mouth at the old man, but he fires a fire skull in retaliation and they collide and an explosion happens. Once the smoke clears, Reptile is nowhere to be seen. Shang Tsung chuckles, knowing he would do this. Reptile appears behind him to grab him with his long tongue, but Shang Tsung sees this and grabs his tongue, his hand lights up and Reptile screams in pain as his tongue was burnt. Shang Tsung summons a corpse with his pendulum and the corpse explodes on Reptile, sending him flying. The sorcerer grabs his shoulders, absorbs part of his soul and knees him in the chin, nearly breaking his jaw. Reptile lays unconscious.
"Says the coward who overelies on stealth to win and become more predictable." Shang Tsung roasts him. Out of nowhere, Ermac teleports and punches the sorcerer in the face and combos him with a punch to the jaw and kick to the forehead. He lifts Shang Tsung in the air with his own soul abilities and throws him down. The sorcerer is forced to his knees as Ermac grabs his forehead and starts taking the souls he absorbed and punches him in the face, greatly cracking his skull and losing part of his face. He receives a kick to the rib cages, greatly breaking those too. Shang Tsung is bleeding greatly.
"We have been made to help steal souls from anyone, Shang Tsung. And that includes you. We will not hesitate to take yours." Ermac said. Before Ermac could finish him, Nightwolf fires three arrows near his feet.
"You may be of many minds, but you have no spirit. No free will, Only loyalty to Shao Kahn and Geras." Nightwolf said.
"If that is the case, then my destiny is clear." Ermac said before they fight.
Ermac throws two soul balls at the chief, but Nightwolf uses his animal spirit powers to reflect them at Ermac, wounding him. Nightwolf elbows his face, kicks his right leg and shoulder bashes him backwards. Nightwolf sends him in the air with his tomahawks and slams one of them into his right leg, making it bleed and gives Ermac a spin kick to the pelvis area, partially cracking it and sending him backwards. Ermac gets back up and fires soul balls again. Nightwolf once again reflects them, but Ermac teleports and punches and backhands his face, kicks his chest and lifts him in the air and kicks Nightwolf in the gut, backflip kicks him in the spine and throws him down with his soul telepathy. Nightwolf gets back up and was ready. Nightwolf fires three arrows at his left leg, right abdomen and neck. He runs in and slams a tomahawk into his right shoulder, and summons lightning down on the weapon, electrocuting Ermac and sending him sliding down, defeated.
Ermac stands back up weakly and starts to heal. Before he could, he suddenly starts glowing green and his souls are slowly going towards Shang Tsung. He is absorbing Ermac. "Shang Tsung, stop. We can take him prisoner."
"H-he wounded me. If I die, we f-fail. We won't repair the crown and restore Jerrod." Shang Tsung said as he continues absorbing Ermac's souls.
Nightwolf was about to get out more arrows to shoot at the sorcerer, he was stopped by Fujin. "No, Nightwolf. Shang Tsung must live." Fujin corrects him.
Shang Tsung's body begins to heal more rapidly the more souls he took. He manages to fully recover from all of his wounds he sustained as Ermac vanishes. Ermac was dead. "Are you proud of yourself now?" Nightwolf said in an annoyed tone.
"I am perfectly healthy, Nightwolf. That should be your main concern." Shang Tsung said. He snaps his fingers and the clones all disappear. "We do not have too much time."
"Enough arguments. Come. We must head to the flesh pits. They should still be here." Raiden said.
"They are beneath those stairs." Shang Tsung said. They head to where two staircases are. They both should lead to the flesh pits. Something feels odd about them.
"I would suggest we split up. One of these all lead into a trap, set for Alex." Fujin said.
"Indeed. Only one of these though. We do not know where the trap is. For all we know, only one of us would be captured. If all of us stay together and fall for the trap, our mission will fail." Raiden said.
"Precisely what I was thinking. I will go with the sorcerer." Fujin said, with the old man nodding.
"That leaves us, my old friend." Raiden tells Nightwolf.
"Indeed, Haokah." Nightwolf replied. "We should move cautiously. We do not want to trigger the trap. Whatever it is. But we must be quick. Shao Kahn and Geras are expecting our friend to show up."
"That is why we came instead and not Alexander. I know he will not fail us." Raiden said. The four split up. Fujin and Shang Tsung head to the right staircase while Raiden and Nightwolf go the other way down. They both connect to different hallways. Both hallways that are long and both lead to the flesh pits at the end of the hallway. As Raiden and Nightwolf start walking while being careful of any trap that they could run into.
As the two continue walking, they feel and hear a familiar sound. Sand starts flowing around them, making the two go into a stance. Before they could fight however, a sand portal opens beneath Raiden's feet and he falls through. Nightwolf was quick to notice. "Raiden? Raiden!" He called out but it was no use. He was about to run back upstairs to try to find his old friend, but the only way out is blocked by a thick wall made of sand with spikes. More sand traps start appearing and Nightwolf is forced to continue on, jumping, side stepping and ducking every sand spikes, maces, and spears along the way. He has no choice but to catch up to Fujin and Shang Tsung.
Fujin and Shang Tsung reached the flesh pits entrance, but it is guarded by an enchantment. "Clever. Quan Chi apparently knew I'd come back, he placed this spell here to keep anyone out." Shang Tsung said.
"Can you remove it? We do not have time." Fujin said.
"Indeed. However, I fear that this task will not be easy. I need time to remove the enchantment so we can recover the body of Jerrod." Shang Tsung said before he starts to work. As Fujin guards the sorcerer, he sees Nightwolf coming down without Raiden.
"Nightwolf. Where is Raiden?" Fujin asked.
"He got caught in a sand trap by Geras. There is no other way out. Geras blocked off our only exit. It's too dangerous to go back the way we came." Nightwolf regretfully reports.
"We must find him and rescue the body." Fujin said.
"If I can get this open in time, we may have enough time to save Raiden." SHang Tsung said.
As the old man continues to work, Geras appears through a sand portal, wearing his armor minus his mask. He slowly approaches the three. "Fujin. Nightwolf. Shang Tsung. I knew you would come here for Jerrod. Just as Kronika's visions have foreseen." Geras said.
"Geras. It is true that you have returned, courtesy of Skarlet and Sektor." Fujin said, drawing his sword.
"Indeed. I am Kronika's contingency plan in case she were to fall at the hands of Liu Kang and Alex. Soon, I will be her vengeance. You will feel her ultimate wrath." Geras said.
"She tried and failed. Her own arrogance led to her downfall. She underestimates Earthrealm and Outworld united." Fujin said.
"Kronika always makes sure to correct her mistakes. This mistake was letting you and Nightwolf live." Geras said.
"You will not succeed today, Geras." Nightwolf said. He and Fujin fight Geras 2 on 1, while both are protecting Shang Tsung.
Geras summons a sand staff from the ground. Fujin and Nightwolf swing their respective weapons, which Geras is able to block. Geras blocks a sword swing and knees Fujin in the chest, grabs his throat and headbutts him to a wall. Geras grabs Nightwolf's wrist and punches his face and slams him down to the ground. Before he could approach Shang Tsung, Fujin pulls him back towards him with the wind and chops his right rib cage, roundhouse kicks his head, knees his spine and back flip kicks him. Nightwolf swings his tomahawks into Geras' chest, making it bleed a little. Despite this, Geras doesn't seem to be getting any weaker.
He once again grabs Nightwolf's wrists, headbutts him and does a suplex to throw him down. He generates a giant fist from the sands and blocks each of Fujin's sword swings. He creates a sand wall behind the god of wind. Geras punches Fujin in the head, kicks his chest and grabs his throat and throws him into the sand wall. Geras shoulder bashes Fujin through the sand wall, makes him bounce off another and Fujin double kicks him in the back and sends a strong one to the head, cracking the back of the skull a little. Nightwolf gets back up and he shoots three arrows at his arm with the giant fist. He dashes forward and slams a tomahawk in his left shoulder. This injured Geras, but it wasn't enough. Geras kicks him in the stomach, makes him fall through a small sand portal and he gets thrown back up, backhands the chief in the face, sends him to another portal and appears behind him. Geras grabs Nightwolf's shoulders and slams his fist on his head and tosses him aside, defeating him. Fujin uses his wind powers and sends Geras in the air and does four kicks to the chest and his sword spins around Fujin while slashing at the immortal man's chest, three times, causing more injury. Geras recovers and feels himself being pulled into his wind. He sees this and both he and Fujin collide with each other when Geras strikes his face with the giant fist while Fujin kicks his already injured chest. Then Geras traps his feet in the sand and throws him to where Nightwolf is.
"It appears I will succeed after all, Nightwolf. After I dispose of you, I will kill the traitor." Geras said. He recreates his giant fist with spikes and was about to kill Nightwolf and Fujin, until his face is met by a lot of fire. Geras sees that it was Shang Tsung that attacked him. Shang Tsung summons a spell to shoot more fire at him. Geras blocks it with his fist. Geras starts to walks closer to the sorcerer, not feeling anything due to being protected. He backhands the old man to the doors. Before Geras could execute him, his two arms are sliced off by Nightwolf's tomahawks. He then knees his lower spine and throws him to the ground, back first.
"Was that necessary, Nightwolf? He can regenerate and grow stronger after each dismemberment and death." Fujin reminds him.
"It was only to buy us time. We must be rid of him before he recovers." Nightwolf said.
Shang Tsung had an idea and his hands glow into the portal pattern. "Fujin. Summon the wind." He said as he opens a big portal that starts pulling Geras in. Geras attempts to regenerate his arms quickly, but most of him starts being pulled through the portal when Fujin uses the wind to help force Geras through the portal and his arms slowly after. As soon as his limbs go through, the portal closes.
"Where did you send him?" Fujin asked.
"I have sent him to Chaosrealm. Havik will keep him company for a while. It will be less than a while before he escapes." Shang Tsung said. "I have broken the enchantment. We must recover Jerrod's body and escape."
"We mustn't forget about Raiden. He needs our help too. Who knows who could be on the other side waiting for him?" Nightwolf said, worried about his old friend.
"As soon as I can lift the enchantment on Jerrod's stasis chamber, we can place him in a coffin and escape. I will open a portal for Fujin to help Raiden." Shang Tsung said.
"If only if I learned the same technique Liu Kang and Raiden were able to do, I would be helping my brother." Fujin regrets. He missed some lessons when he chose to live among humans, despite Raiden urging him not too.
"Nobody is perfect, Fujin. I may be the fiercest descendant, but not even I am perfect. But I understand how you feel." Nightwolf said.
Near the top of the castle, Raiden falls through the san portal. He quickly recovers and he realizes where he is. He's at the top of the tower. It's also the throne room of Shao Kahn. It's just them and Quan Chi.
"Raiden. Former god of thunder. Predecessor to Liu Kang. Gave up your powers and immortality to him to defeat Kronika. Tell me. Was it worth giving it up to create this New Era?" Shao Kahn gloats.
"Indeed, Shao Kahn. The combined powers of mine and Liu Kang as well as Alexander's were what defeated Kronika." Raiden replied.
"Kronika underestimated your friend. She relied too much of her plan on him. Geras knew you would come in his place with Fujin and Nightwolf. And you're here with my sorcerer. A pity that he chose to save his own life coming to you instead." Shao Kahn said.
"Shang Tsung has always pleaded for mercy. And you? You will not be shown mercy this time." Raiden said, standing ready.
Shao Kahn stands up, and glares at him. Instead of being his usual angry self, he starts laughing evilly at Raiden's words. "After all this time, you continue to entertain me with all of your efforts to slay me. You may have killed me in the Old Era, but I shall not let that happen again. Once you're dead, I will be avenged."
"And yet you complain like an arrogant child refusing to move on with his life." Raiden said.
"Anyone who wrongs me no matter what always regret their choice of doing so. I could've killed you by simply snapping your neck as soon as you came here, but I thought I'd give you a fight to the death." Shao Kahn said.
"If it is a fight you want, Shao Kahn. It will be a fight you cannot afford to lose." Raiden said.
"If you can reach me of course." Shao Kahn said. "Quan Chi. Step forward and kill him."
"It will be my ultimate pleasure, Shao Kahn." Quan Chi said before walking to Raiden. "It was a clever move on your end to make Liu Kang a god. I hope you mentored him well. Shao Kahn and Kronika would love a challenge."
Raiden and Quan Chi fight. Raiden swings his spear staff, which Quan Chi avoids, but gets hit in the eye by the endpoint of it and swings it at his forehead, does a palm strike to the face and a drop kick to the right shoulder. Raiden follows up with the endpoint of the staff slamming into Quan Chi's chin and a kick to the chest. The demon pulls the former god of thunder in with his magic and does a punch to the chin and an uppercut. Quan Chi pulls Raiden in again and does a punch to the head and left shoulder and a kick to the left leg. The warlock then does a palm strike to the face and right rib cage cracking it more, both knees and lifts him upwards and slams Raiden down on the ground. The warlock uses his magic to push Raiden away, makes a small portal behind him and punches Raiden in the back, partially cracking his spine, and forcing Raiden towards him and is met by a strong kick to the face, causing it to crack. Raiden rolls back and becomes ready. Raiden throws his spear, which Quan Chi grabs with his magic and Raiden uses this as an opportunity to double kick his chest and stomach, elbow his right shoulder, cracking it and punches his forehead. Raiden grabs his spear and spins it at his chin three times and trips him with it. Raiden grabs Quan Chi, knees his spine and slams both fists down onto his face, cracking it and knocking him out.
"Do not assume victory before you fight your opponent, Quan Chi." Raiden said to him and turns to Shao Kahn. Something is strange. Shao Kahn is normally annoyed by his subjects getting beaten by his enemies, he smiles at his adversary. Raiden is tired, arm is still wounded from Mileena, some of his bones are cracked or broken. The former thunder god has bruises and some blood on his face and he has a little trouble standing.
"I am impressed, Raiden. Even without your godhood, you still prove to be a match for Quan Chi and Kollector. Even my daughter Mileena. Although despite that and you only beating me because of the Elder Gods and feeling disappointed by that, I've always thought of you as a worthy foe along with Liu Kang, Kitana and Sindel." Shao Kahn said.
"I for one, am never willing to back down from a fight, unless otherwise. I remember hesitating to kill anyone starting out. But now I learned that it is only wise to do so when necessary. A lesson I taught Liu Kang." Raiden said.
"A wise decision, Raiden. He and Cage killed Kronika. You killed me in the Old Era, but I will not let that happen again here. I have every confidence that you will be wiped clean from existence in the Next Era. I'm going to savour this moment greatly." Shao Kahn brings out his wrath hammer and approaches the former thunder god.
"I would not boast of victory prematurely, Shao Kahn." Raiden said.
"Geras once told me you said that to Shinnok. And yet he schemed because he was worthless in battle. Because Cassandra Cage bested him in kombat only proves that truth." Shao Kahn said.
"We shall see if you are more worthy." Raiden said as they fight.
Shao Kahn and Raiden swing their weapons at each other. Shao Kahn was a fast, strong swinger, but Raiden had more speed. Despite being exhausted, he was not one to go down easily. Raiden slams his staff down on his left shoulder and swings at his left rib cage and knees his left shoulder. Shao Kahn back kicks his already wounded arm and gives it another kick and stabs it more with the sharp end of his hammer, causing Raiden more pain. Shao Kahn kicks him away, but Raiden rolls backwards and recovers. Shao Kahn slams his hammer down, but Raiden jumps over him and stabs his right shoulder with the spear and stabs his back. Shao Kahn growls in pain, but he doesn't hurt as much as he did before. The conqueror elbows Raiden in the chest followed by a punch and a dashing shoulder bash to the chest, greatly cracking it. Raiden coughs up some blood. He struggles to stand and he does so. Raiden charges, dodges a huge hammer swing and swings at his knee with the endpoint, and slashes at the right side of his chest, but it doesn't leave much of a wound. He unleashes three kicks, punches his face and swings a huge kick at the back of his head. Shao Kahn snarls at this, but regardless, is arrogant to quit. Shao Kahn slams his hammer down on the ground, stumbling Raiden and swings his hammer at him, but Raiden ducks and swings at the conqueror's face. But he was expecting that. He grabs Raiden's spear, elbows him in the face and he slams the staff onto his sharp helmet, breaking it into two. Shao Kahn slams his hammer down on Raiden's right arm, breaking it completely, grabs his left arm and stomps on his head, greatly cracking his skull, and gives him a big headbutt and severely damaging Raiden's jaw. Raiden is tossed across the room in defeat.
"Now do you think I'm worthy, Raiden?" Shao Kahn mockingly asked. "You were a worthy foe, but then again, you were a fool to give up your power. Now you understand true power. I would have loved to face Liu Kang and Alex Cage. Perhaps they may provide a better challenge."
Raiden is on all fours. He knows that he can't win. There was only one thing he could do. "Th-this is not over, Shao Kahn." Raiden said. He grabs his amulet that he still wore up to this day and he uses his magic, enchanting words.
"Yes. Pray to your Elder Gods, Raiden. They too will be gone once again when the Next Era happens." Shao Kahn said.
"Protect all realms, heroes. No matter the threat." Raiden said. His amulet lights up and after a couple of moments, the amulet disappears out of sight. As soon as that happens, the conqueror grabs him by the neck.
"A pity that this will be the last time we face each other, but it was worth my time. Any final moments, former thunder god?" Shao Kahn asks him, staring into his eyes.
"A-at least I will die… a w-warrior's…. D-death." Raiden tells him as he struggled to breathe, grabbing the mighty conqueror's hand.
Shao Kahn once again smiles, squeezing his throat tighter.
"For once, Raiden. I agree with you." Shao Kahn said before gritting his teeth. He raises his other hand and after a second, he thrusts it through Raiden's chest. Raiden grits his teeth as more blood comes out of his mouth, making its way to Shao Kahn's chest. The mighty conqueror plunges it through his back and pulls back and grabs his heart. He drops it to the ground and steps on it, making blood go everywhere. He sighs in victory. He stares at Raiden's lifeless body before he drops his body out the window and it falls to where many undead look up and see the body.
Down in the flesh pits, Shang Tsung has removed the enchantment protecting the stasis chamber and placed Jerrod's body in the coffin. Before the sorcerer could start, Fujin yells in pain and grabs his head as he falls to a knee. Shang Tsung looks at him out of confusion while Nightwolf runs to him out of concern.
"Fujin! What is wrong, my friend?" Nightwolf asked.
"Raiden. I can't sense him." Fujin claimed. "Sorcerer. Open a portal. I need to help him. Now!"
Shang Tsung realized what was happening and opens a portal to allow the god of wind through. Fujin flies through the portal as fast as he could to help his brother. He's afraid that he won't make it. On the other side of the portal, Fujin uses his wind powers to knock away the undead of finding his brother. He looks to see where he is. But he is too late. There is nothing left but part of his straw hat being destroyed, his robes being shredded, but no body. Fujin runs over and bends to his knees. He realizes too late what this means. His own brother is gone. The god of wind picks up what was left of his hat and closes his eyes. Fujin looks up, glaring at Shao Kahn and Quan Chi with great hatred. The two villains smile in victory that their worst enemy is dead. Fujin, in a rare case, wanted to avenge his brother so bad he just wants to fly up there to kill him. But the portal opens up and he sees Shang Tsung and Nightwolf and they too realize what has happened. Before one could say anything, they hear more undead running towards the three. Fujin gathers what remains and he and the others run through the portal and it closes before one creature could set foot in it. Shao Kahn and Quan Chi both laugh out loud in satisfaction. They feel as if their worst nightmare will no longer haunt them to death.
In Outworld, Liu Kang and Kitana both train with each other. They seem to be very happy with each other. They remember the first time they faced each other in kombat. Kitana was sent to kill Liu Kang on Shang Tsung's orders, but failed. Liu Kang only hoped that they would meet again on more friendly terms. And they have. Thanks to the time-merger and the New Era, they are happy as a couple.
During their training, however. Kitana was about to strike him in the chest, but stops upon seeing Raiden's amulet on his belt. "Is that Raiden's amulet?"
Liu Kang seemed confused for a moment and he sees what she meant. He grabs the amulet and recognizes it. It is the same amulet Raiden checked on whenever it was damaged whenever the future remained unchanged before the time war. "It is. But the question is how did it get here? That should not be possible."
"I can only hope they succeed into rescuing my father. Raiden would know what to do." Kitana said. As she spoke, the portal opens up with Nightwolf first, Shang Tsung carrying the coffin. Kitana is left astounded at the sight of her father, mostly dead and in stasis. Before she could say anything, she sees Fujin walk out of the portal and it closes. No sign of Raiden. "Fujin. What happened? Where is Raiden?"
Fujin remained silent. All he does is stare at the shredded robes and partially destroyed hat. Kitana immediately realizes this and covers her mouth in sadness.
Fire God Liu Kang approaches Fujin, heavily suspicious on what has happened to his former teacher and mentor. "Fujin. What has happened? Where is Raiden? Please. Answer me."
Nightwolf looks down in anger, holding his tomahawk more tightly. Shang Tsung, despite being evil, looks down in silence and honor. Fujin finally looks up at the fire god, reluctant to speak. "Raiden is dead."
Note: One of the saddest chapters I've ever written. I won't lie, I nearly teared up writing this.
I have reasons for my decision to kill off Raiden. He was the original symbol of hope, since he has done many things to save it, including from Shao Kahn, Shinnok and aided against Kronika. He has passed that hope down to everyone, especially Liu Kang, his successor. Raiden knew that even when he was mortal he knew the risks of fighting to save Earthrealm. He knew that it was a matter of time before he dies. It was done to make Liu Kang feel what it's truly like to be the new protector, as he can't always save everyone. They are all the symbol of hope. It is time for Liu Kang to truly step up without a mentor to advice and guide him. Another reason will be explained within the next few chapters. Until next time.