AN: Story's Shadow and I are back with another excellent chapter of War Of The Realms. I would also like to give a special shoutout to Story's Shadow's YouTube Channel: "Lost in the Story with Jeremy Mize" on YouTube, Please give him your support.

-Triskelion-

Director Fury had dealt with all kinds of people: bureaucrats, terrorists, despots (of all kinds, shapes, and forms). And when it came to gods, he still found himself in his rigid and serious form. This Raiden was a thunder god, like Thor, but with a completely different personality. He was stoic and quiet, but when he spoke everyone listened.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. can help protect your realm, Raiden. I know you're a god, but even you can't be everywhere at once. With our resources and allies, we have a shot at defending our realms and taking down this Shao Kahn," Fury offered.

"I appreciate the offer. But like I told the...Avengers...I don't know how that would go with the Elder Gods," Raiden replied.

"When it comes to people's safety, are you really gonna stand by if you lose this...tournament? Look, I get it. I've had to listen to my superiors before...and I still have to deal with people who think they're in charge...but I know sometimes you've gotta do what you gotta do," Fury argued.

Raiden sighed. He more than understood the man's point. He'd been desperately trying to for the past centuries to mold and guide champions to protect Earthrealm, as much as he could. He was bound by the rules of the Elder Gods...but he still felt he could've...should've done more with each tournament up until this point.

Raiden shifted his head to the side.

"You have a guest," Raiden said.

Fury looked around. After a moment, purple mist manifested and out walked Doctor Strange.

"Doctor," Fury acknowledged, nodding.

"Director Fury," Doctor Strange said, nodding back.

His gaze shifted to Raiden.

"Lord Raiden," the sorcerer added.

"Doctor," Raiden replied, bowing his head.

"What is it, Doctor?" Fury asked.

"I can feel otherworldly magic slowly seeping into our world. It's of the hellish variety," Doctor Strange answered.

"Netherrealm...Quan Chi is no doubt spreading its reach...only a few could sense this," Raiden replied.

"Your dimension...universe...reality...damn, this 'other world' stuff has always given me a headache...it's really spreading its influence when and where it can," Fury grumbled.

"From where I'm from, the enemies of Earthrealm always try to lay claim to what they seek," Raiden stated.

"Also, Director, you said you found out more about that group that young man I met belonged to?" Doctor Strange said.

"Pardon?" Raiden said.

"Before you arrived, I meditated on the magic connected our realities. As I did, a young man in modernized knight armor found me. I thought I was totally alone there. So I asked Director Fury to discover his order's whereabouts as I continued my meditation and study of the magic," the sorcerer explained.

"I have found a few locations. It seems this order has more than a few bases and discovering this wasn't easy. Even you wouldn't imagine the cryptic information my agents had to go through," Director Fury replied.

"Thank you," Doctor Strange replied.

Fury nodded.

"Other than discovering your place of solitude, was else makes you wonder about them?" Raiden asked.

"They're very specialized. They have equipment utilized to battle the forces of hell...and from I sensed coming from his aura...he's met a very dangerous demon...so this group may be of help," Doctor Strange said.

"Agreed," Raiden replied.

The god started to walk off.

"Where are you going?" Fury asked.

"I have...business to deal with in my reality...with the Elder Gods...and a certain sorcerer who doesn't care for his home realm. Once that is done, I shall return," Raiden said.

Then he disappeared in a flash of light as lightning struck him somehow. And once the light faded, he was gone.

-Shang Tsung's Island-

"Again you honor me with your presence, Lord Raiden." Shang Tsung said in a semi serious, semi mocking tone.

For Tsung had no sooner arrived back on his island from meeting his emperor, only to discover Raiden waiting for him in front of his throne.

"Save your jests sorcerer," Raiden warned his long time enemy, "I am here to discuss what we both encountered."

"I have no doubt you have already informed your master about what lies behind the pathway. But I will not let Shao Kahn invade this foreign realm, yet alone merge it with Outworld," Raiden informed his enemy.

Much to Raiden's surprise, Tsung began to chuckle.

"That realm is not under your protection... yet alone the Elder Gods." Tsung said in a 'matter of fact' tone.

Raiden's eyes narrowed.

"Why would you throw away your life for those whom you only shared one battle with? You do not know that realm, yet alone the people in it, so why fight against the will of the emperor?" Tsung continued to mock in his insulting tone.

"What you say has... some truth..." Raiden admitted after a few moments of silent contemplation, "But the Elder Gods will surely–"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but until today we had no knowledge this realm even existed. So it's possible even the Elder Gods had no knowledge of this realm, Raiden. So I can safely say without a shadow of a doubt, that this realm is not protected by the rules of Mortal Kombat, or the Elder Gods," Tsung concluded.

"Once I have informed them, they will surely protect it," Raiden proclaimed.

"Take some comfort Raiden... your Earthrealm will soon be joined into the empire of Outworld with this new Earthrealm," Tsung boasted in a victorious tone.

Raiden was silent for a few seconds as he formulated his answer.

"Again you speak some truth, as rare as it may be," Raiden insulted his enemy before continuing, "But lets say the Elder Gods discover that you invaded a realm without their knowledge, you would surely fall under their wrath."

Raiden paused for a second to gauge the sorcerers reaction before continuing.

"This realm is much more different than mine. As you as well saw, there are very powerful beings there, and they surely would not take kindly to in invasion and attempted merger," Raiden concluded.

Shang Tsung smiled at this, to which Raiden managed to hide his shock.

"That's why...how do the people say it now?...Ah yes: For old time's sake, the emperor is giving this new Earthrealm a chance at freedom...along with your Earthrealm," the sorcerer replied.

"What chance?" Raiden asked, suspicious.

"A final tournament, to determine this new Earthrealm's fate...and the only chance for Earthrealm to, however unlikely to win, and not have to face a merging with Outworld," Shang Tsung answered.

Raiden's eyes narrowed, even more suspicious. But he held his chin with one hand, contemplating.

"What shall it be...Lord Raiden?" Shang Tsung chuckled.

Raiden glared back at him, uncertain...but already knowing his answer.

To Be Continued...