A/N: Just another MK story with some more random ideas. I want to give my OC, Aiko, some personal training while also kombatting her inner turmoil.
Coherence is basically the heart and mind working as one, without letting thoughts nor emotions override one another. This was slightly inspired by the Trip to Montanna miniseries, which was about a weeklong, back in 1991, when I was first fascinated with tribal kustoms. And since Aiko and I have that same entrancement, I figured it'd be the opportunity to dive in more to her introversion.
Koherence
Con't I
This takes place after Liu Kang's and Kung Lao's victory over Onaga and before Armageddon. On the spring of March 1996, when Jin still goes to school.
Aiko kept fidgeting inside the wider bedchamber he shared with Kung Lao. Her heart began to race, her blood turned cold, and her body trembled periodically. She had been anxious, uneasy over something... Over the talk she had last night with Nightwolf...
"Are you sure about this!? This is your tribe-your FORMER tribe. The same Matokans that rejected you since you went to college."
Inside the technical den, he rose an assuring hand, "I know, I know. My people discarded me after I left their land and pursued higher learning. But it looked to be the same as before since it was protected from Shao Kahn's invasions; they actually appreciate me now."
"Yeah...but, how did you know all this...? How did you know they need you?"
"My last born is about to get her Matokan name. Raiden was actually curious, since he dropped out from being an Elder God and reinstated as protector, so he just stopped by and alerted me. It's been a long time since I became immersed with my people's customs, so too the Thunder God."
The kardiokinetic sighed and sulked, "...If only I never had that...weakness. I wish I was immune like you two... So, it's just you and Raiden then."
"Actually... Kung Lao and Liu Kang also liked to go along."
Her mouth and eyes widened, "WHAT? They're going too!?"
Because of their unstaunched kuriosity she became a nervous wreck; nothing would ever be the same without the main quartet! And Nightwolf informed it'd take about five days for the personal endeavor, as the last born still needed some time to rehearse her tribal dance. For the Elder Gods' sakes, the heroic monks helped defeat Onaga not so long ago...
Still, she tightly klutched her rocking legs, sometimes even causing friction, until she heard a door open. "Aiko...?"
It was Kung Lao! He peeked then walked in seeing his girl in distress and so tense. "Oh, hey, Kung Lao..."
"What's wrong...?" He was in deep koncern as he sat beside her.
"I just...didn't realize that you, Liu Kang and Raiden were leaving with Nightwolf so soon. It's...going to be hell for you guys to pack. And it's not going to be the same..."
"Yes, I know I wish it wasn't so sudden neither. But...it can be rather fascinating; on seeing an actual Indian ground. It'd be more exhilarating than just being with Nightwolf. Us Shaolin usually travel light anyway, you know that." He smirked.
"Yeah..." She almost forgot how they handled their various expeditions. "Yeah, but about five days...! I never thought it'll take THIS long before! And... I wonder how the drums would affect you guys. Why am I the only one affected!?"
Lao put a hand on her shoulder, "Relax, Aiko. We'll be fine. Oh, I almost forgot!" He took out a picture framed as he blew dust away. He shown himself, younger and a fresher face, smiling warmly as if it was glowing by the daylight ambience. Maybe it was.
Aiko kouldn't help but smile back at it, "Ah-is this you?"
"Yes. I was younger when this was taken, before I became anxious over following my ancestor's footsteps. Still want to live a peaceful life, like now..." She still looked down into the bright, lively face of her lover; she never seen him this jovial in so long... Until she felt a sudden kiss on her forehead.
She just perspired, "I'll miss you, Kung Lao..."
"It'll be over before you know it," he assured. "It's getting late, we should get some needed rest. Raiden said he'll take us there via portal tomorrow morning." After another smooth embrace, he blew out the light and they hit the sack.
Even after a hearty breakfast, she was still antsy over their personal adventure. She even overheard Kung Lao promising he'd be back soon as he always has to his excited wished him luck.
Raiden was just awaiting Lao as soon as he was ready. She followed the tall, distinguishable silhouette to the open front door. "You have nothing to fear, Aiko. Besides, it's been ages since Nightwolf and I had witnessed a Matokan ceremony. Don't be alarmed, it won't take too long." He laid a firm hand on her right shoulder with his usual grin with his eyes sizzling with bolts. "My brother, Fujin, shall watch over the Shaolin in mine, Kung Lao's and Liu Kang's stead. Kai can still follow his lead."
"Raiden...why...am I the only one who's been...infatuated with these kustoms? There must be a konnection somehow."
"The answers will kome, in due time." He then noticed Kung Lao approach. "Are we ready?"
"Yes, Master Raiden." He replied with a slight bow. Liu Kang and Nightwolf weren't too far behind.
"I'm surprised you and Liu Kang decided to go along."
"It is most intriguing to embrace Nightwolf's Matokan side," the former Champion spoke,
"Who knows, maybe you can learn one thing or two from us," the shaman boasted. Kiba barked next to him adding to his remark. Aiko murmured she'll miss him too, and the wolf gave her some licks before they parted. Raiden assured everyone she has her heart gem in case something should go awry, whether restoring someone or kommunicating. Aiko and Jin's mom watched as the four trodden to the portal and vanished amongst the rising sun.
As she tried to process everything, she sat down with her over a couple cups of warm green tea, and the nurturer affirmed the former monk said he was interested in Nightwolf's odyssey, ever since they dealt with the Makeba as she heard that the female fighter was entranced by them. She lamented she still wasn't sure how and why she'd be the only one mesmerized by them, and Raiden never gave her an answer... Seeing the two small stairwells, she eventually went back up to Jin's bedroom as soon as she was done.
Aiko noticed the preteen sitting on his bed He welcomed her in, and she sat beside him.
"You miss Kung Lao already, do you...?" All he did was nod with a glum expression. "I know... I miss him too. It's just like when I told you, about separation anxiety?" Jin muttered, yea, wearing the same depression.
"Why did you decide to stay...?"
Aiko perked up, "It's like, um... You know that everyone has a weakness, right, that every one of us is different? That no one is invincible, even if someone is Champion of Mortal Kombat, like Liu Kang or Lao. Mortal or not... Well, mine is actually...the tribal drums..." She paused for a beat before she kontinued, "I'm sure your uncle, and perhaps your mom, told you of our misadventures thru Outworld, and that I was suddenly drawn in by the Makeba. The thing was...
"Ever since I was little, I believe it was back in 1991, when we were 4 before I went thru time, I first encountered them. On some Sesame Street episodes of all things, most notably...the Montanna miniseries, and that African Dance in the Park klip."
"Yeah...! These few things reminded me of Nightwolf. And... you told me about those Indians in Peter Pan, that when I was younger, I wanted to be like them, and you told me...it was tempting."
"Exactly... I never wanted you to lose your identity, nor your destiny following your uncle, to be a hero amongst the Shaolin. That each of us must set our own goals firmly. Only Nightwolf understood of my triggers, even Raiden...
"...I've been starting to feel pangs of anxiety once I realized they were leaving last night. Separation anxiety, even if it's only five days; the same that Ernie went thru when Bert was away, or if Kung Lao was involved in kombat..." Aiko lost her train of thought.
Jin's mom was heard as she spoke loudly in Mandarin that Jin must get ready for middle school. A few minutes later, he was underway.
"I still can't understand this...I'm probably just...tenson sensitive. Or maybe that's how my brain is wired... I'm sensitive to many things! Touch, light, sound, I can't dig spicy foods."
"Just be grateful you have your anchors, Aiko. My brother, Nightwolf, Liu Kang, Raiden and Fujin. We're all here for you."
"What can I do without them...? There has to be a konnection somehow... There needs to be a defense mechanism of sorts."
"Which is why you DO need an anchor, more than anything!"
A distinctive male tone made the kardiokinetic's own heart speed up, almost leap to her throat. She immediately stood upright. A tall, slender man walked in from the open front door, shielding the sun. "Kenshi!"
"Right. I knew you would be heading to the Wu Shi Academy for training. But we thought otherwise; it wasn't just because I picked up tension, via your heart gem. It was because Raiden passed on the news you would all be heading to the sacred ground in America's East Coast."
"Yea...exactly. I thought you would stay with Ta-key-da."
Kenshi let out an irritated sigh, "Ta-KAY-da! Yet you still pronounce his name wrong."
"I thought he'd still be staying with Hanzo and the Shirai Ryu."
"It couldn't have been a better time. Fujin shall announce to all the Shaolin since I had been planning to train you myself."
"Train me...? For what...?"
"To enhance your heart."
A/N: I'm not sure about a soundtrack, so I won't get into that, unless if it's a separate entry. Anyway, I had a few random ideas developing like always, nothing MK1 related, and ever since I started the awesome undead roleplay with Unaliving Liu Kang, I began to embrace Aiko's weakness; it turned out that all this started back in '91, when the Trip to Montanna miniseries aired, as did the African klip Aiko mentioned to Jin. The Indians of Neverland was a sort of turn-on too, as was a few other tribal klips, even the African and Jamaican one. And of course, there was Nightwolf.
And I also had some random figments of Aiko mentioning to Jin about separation anxiety from the aforementioned source, even though he'd mostly be at school when Lao's away. That photo he found was a recent idea from his charming smile in MK1, during the sneak peek of his chapter being the first! And with the instantaneous portal, it'd take the Kombatants a tad less than the series itself, but I'm not certain how many chapters it'd be...
Life has been quite stressful, so I'm not certain when the next chapter/idea would be... At least Kenshi has made a sudden appearance. And Coherence technically means the heart and mind working as one which is for what's ahead.