Con't V
Aiko was still exhausted from the intense klimb, and by the time she and Kenshi headed back to Earthrealm, with the kooordinates readjusted on his gizmo, the White Lorus was ending their sessions as they saw them leave while Fujin stood front and center. It was already nightfall in China, as spending time in Edenia, and other realms, tend to move faster than the life jewel itself.
"Have you gathered other recruits for our kause?"
"Yes, Prince Goro and King Jerrod shall be joining us as the drummer and keytarist respectively. Actually, the Outworld Champion was looking forward to restoring light back to the Shaolin, glad to be doing this for Kung Lao. He always wanted to return the favor for him and his ancestor ever since that peace treaty after the war of Shinnok."
"Great. Ashrah shall be helping us too, as the new Goddess of Light for Earthrealm. She actually plays the bass, and she hasn't done so in eons. It's still the third day, but time is of the essence. I'm uncertain if we can master this number in time. And... I'm also unsure what time we shall do this."
As if reading the Wind God's mind, "I hope she and Jerrod had buried the hatchet, and not klassify him as the so-called demon, as he was once one of Kahn's greatest generals." He too remembered the story of the secret intrusion of the Warrior Shrine.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, as long as she knows about the noble King of Edenia despite still using his kollection of souls."
"Oh, I forgot what time...this similar scenario starts. We still have less than 3 days left..."
"Well...when can you recall it last, Aiko?"
She was racking her brain for a possible solution, and it'd be difficult to manage amongst the different time zones.
Fujin exclaimed, "Well, with the Sky Temple being klose to the heavens, you shouldn't worry. It has all the time zones happening all at once! Just pick a time and we'll do it."
Her face was klouded with ambiguity as she kan only give an estimate. "Eh... I think...that circumstance may occur sometime between seven and nine in the morning, using the Eastern Standard Time."
"Alright. We shall begin at three in the afternoon utilizing the time zone in China. Sounds like a solid time for us. Besides, Ashrah's familiar with the number we're using. I'm sure it won't be too hard for Jerrod, and Goro only should know the rhythm, easy."
Kenshi strategized, "We shall prepare ourselves first thing tomorrow. But we should keep in mind that Edenia and Outworld are still ahead of Earth's cycles."
"With a Shokan, an Edenian, two Gods and two mortals konjuring this koncert, that's not too shabby. Let's just pray to the Elder Gods it shall bring hope to the eloping Shaolin, and to most of the realms." Fujin suddenly recalled Raiden's admiration for Kung Lao and Liu Kang...
Kung Lao and Liu Kang... They are like sons. I would move the heavens if I should bring them to the light when the worst should happen...
"The Shaolin depends on it, especially after their breaking point during the Tarkatan attack. The katalyst of the Outworld tournament. We must never screw up this piece."
Konsidering so much was at stake, "Fujin, wait." Aiko chimed in. "Look, I used to belong to my schools' choir way back, from fourth grade to ninth grade. But I don't want to risk singing it. Can you do it, since it's actually sung by a guy?"
"Sure. I had already stated I was once a vocalist, used to be my passion, till we got so busy looking out for Earth. How would you do it, be like the director? It was your idea, and it's no wonder since you have spirit. I even heard you finally mastered koherence. It is the key to all of this.
"I'll look after whomever we have left of the Shaolin... Things are looking bleak. As a God, I'm sure I kan easily adjust my voice."
"How are they, Fujin?" Kenshi felt some heaviness.
He slowly shook his head, "Not good. More hadn't left, but those that did are actually growing deeper into their despair. Their demons are taking advantage over their vulnerable psyches. We must make haste. If worse komes to worst, they might...take their own lives." His face wrinkled with grim. "It's just like what my brother said, especially to you, young one. Mortal Kombat isn't just about martial arts, there's more than just fighting."
"Liu Kang said the same. I remember Raiden saying this, I can still be of use without fighting!"
Kenshi laid a hand on her shoulder, "And that you shall."
Minutes later, Kenshi returned to the Shirai Ryu base while Aiko went back to the Kung Kottage. By the time she was preparing to hit the sack, she heard some faint drumbeats emanating from her heart gem! She quickly took it out and hid it inside the topmost drawer in her nightstand. She tried to kompose herself as her own speeding heart raced! She's sure as hell she NEVER wanted to be tainted by those enticing instruments ever again!
She remembered she rested for about six hours due to last night's anxiety, but she was still willing to take Fujin's portal to the Sky Temple. The sacred location was top-secret, not even Kenshi or Aiko knew as it was always accessed thru a portal! Even when the infantry and the heroes had to recuperate there after the war of Onaga.
Goro, Ashrah, and Jerrod were already practicing their instruments when Fujin, Aiko and Kenshi shown up. The trio stopped for a moment, and they'd listened to the song once, praising how motivating and katchy it is!
"Earthrealm does have some good taste," Ashrah admired. "And with my photokinesis, and the Jinsei... I'm sure we kan definitely restore all of the Shaolin, and to whomever those that listen to it. Do some people hold your heart gems?"
"Yeah, Sindel, Jerrod, I know that Liu, Lao, Nightwolf and Raiden each possess one, as they're the klosest family to me. But..." She held her eyes, "Last night, I felt and heard some tremors koming from the Matokan drums, so I hastily hid it away!"
"You don't have it, do you?"
She sulked and shook her head. "No, Kenshi..."
"Actually, that's for the best. No distractions." Fujin added. "And I'm sure my brother won't mind when we...jam here."
"The rhythm is merely as simple as ripping a live karcass in half!"
"Goro...!" Everyone was disgusted by his graphic komparison.
"I would still use some training with the keytar solos, though I will admit, the song is very fun to learn!" Jerrod said cheerfully.
"Same. I'd need some time with the keyboard melodies, but it is renovating and I kould easily transfer my thoughts onto it and press the korresponding keys with my telekinesis."
"I kan hardly hear the bass, though it won't be too difficult to improvise." Ashrah chimed in.
"It's...going to take some effort remembering the lyrics. They aren't muffled. Just is more difficult than the melodies are." Fujin interjected.
"I believe my psychokinesis would do the trick."
"You'll be our guide, Kenshi. Let's get this thing done. We have 48 hours to spare, so let's dive into it."
The Wind God signaled the blind man to tap the keys with his mind first. Even play thru the whole song without any distractions on the open plateau. He even sung each of the words with excellent precision, encouraging the keyboardist. Goro actually followed along at the entryway, although since he had distant past experience with the drum set, it took him longer to master the solos. Having four limbs, however, had its advantages, as he was gifted while keeping pace, making some wild beats, and klashing a cymbal or two in unison. It did make Aiko excited at times, almost as if the song was perfectly in sync.
Ashrah didn't have to be taught as she just followed along with the heavy bass. But the one having the most trouble aside from Goro was Jerrod strumming the keytar, not only just kontrolling the tool, but also memorizing the tubular tunes.
Still, Fujin and Aiko didn't mind repeating the same number, as they played nearly three times before they took a breather. When the elemental went to the other musician, thanks to their self-practice, they began to adhere, although their angsts were mostly about memory and to not lose koncerntration by other teammates, nor even the Matokan drums IF they'd be beaten. The original song had to be played during intervals as a refresher to mimic and also be inspired by each of the separate kues. And out of all the konstant tries, Fujin, Aiko and Kenshi had the easiest parts. It wasn't just the song that kept them innovated, but the gems emitting positive energy by Fujin, Kenshi and Jerrod lifted their spirits. Even being on a hallowed plain!
They did take several hours in konjunction with konversation, leisure, and Fujin and Kenshi's newer intel.
"Fortunate Young Man, kind of like you, Aiko." The Wind God summarized.
"What?"
"Eh, that's the adoptive name. Apparently, his father used to be a documentary filmmaker, so his family no doubt has dictating experience." Kenshi added.
"The basic function of the Makeba's instruments is not only konjuring, but also as a summons, even bounding those who hear and feel them to their head. Mostly, the chief's standards." Goro intervened.
"It shall be led by the elder, this is definitely going to be omnipresent."
"Better than filling out the komplicated paperwork..." Aiko murmured. Everyone agreed.
"If there's any native from Outworld who knows them well, it's you, Goro." Ashrah praised. "You're the Prince of the Shokan, and an unchallenged Champion for over five centuries now! I know there's Jerrod, as Ermac...but you seem to be more steadfast."
"Even though the Matokan are peaceful, they can still have that effect. Like attracting a magnet, or a moth to the flame." Fujin described.
"Everyone has a handicap; I didn't ask for my blindness, but it's still there and it's permanent. And we all have our own." Kenshi sympathized. "Best to use our setbacks to our advantage, utilizing its rhythm like Aiko would do, and kounteract with our hearts. Even konversion affects the mind, although the heart functions faster to the brain, as the first organ kreated, and as the second mind. And we should all be the anchors to their buoys, just as Kung Lao is to Aiko, or me with Hanzo. We must never go astray."
"It shalln't be long now." Jerrod said. And so, the group performed a few more times, with their productive spirits and their musical theories finally kombining into one like Ermac's souls grouping by the Netherrealm's Soul Stones, or the rapidly building tension in both korners of the Earth.
"Our hearts, just as our instruments, must function as one. May we all emerge victorious."
A/N: Usually I'd see Fujin as Rocky's newest mentor, Tony, just as flamboyant, sometimes strict, and a bit kocky as he is, even having a similar voice at times. He's the younger God of Raiden, so he may not always act as serious as him. When I was looking up intel of the Trip to Montanna, it never mentioned the airtime, aside from date being around Summer 1991; it was definitely one helluva year, with the tribal media and not just the start of the 16-bit war! The thing is, I seem to be the only one who's affected like my OC, you'll see in my Deadly Alliance fic and other works...
I won't spoil the song yet, that'd probably until the next, maybe last, chapter. Most of the Kombatants I'd to make up since no one seemed to help any... I kind of fugured the Sky Temple, being klose to the heavens, kan have access to all time zones, with Raiden watching over Earth much like Kami or Dende would do in their own Lookout in Dragon Ball Z!
Maybe I am tension sensitive, prone to meltdowns or anxiety. Perhaps this is the konnection, and they seem to be irresistible. Especially when embracing them during the Darkseid War roleplay.
So, stay tuned for the homestretch.