Yakushima, Japan
A troop of macaques foraged on the ground, picking off insects and fallen seeds from the ground; some climbed up the trees and fed on the fruit hanging from the branches while others didn't eat and were grooming one another. One of the Shang Tsung's fiery portals suddenly appeared, it partially levitated and didn't scorch the ground but it's sudden appearance and radiant heat frightened the monkeys and they retreated into the undergrowth. Shang Tsung emerged from the portal as it closed behind and he surveyed the woodlands. Though his loyalties were to Outworld, he always appreciated the beauty of Earthrealm's many ecosystems and its inhabitants.
Shang Tsung had studied on Earth's gods, mapping out the many locations where he could find them. He had his eyes set on Raiden and his efforts have been in vain. The Temple of Elements was difficult to traverse, and the Sky Temple could not be seen by outsiders. Shang Tsung's best bet was to travel to the Japanese mountain tops and call out for the god to reveal himself.
As Shang Tsung finished observing the terrain, he could feel an electric touch on his beard, and he couldn't help but smirk over such a sensation. At that point he realized that he was being watched, he didn't doubt for a second that one of the monkeys was another magical being in disguise. The primates have dispersed and were far from the sorcerer, hiding amongst the thick foliage. Looking over to one of the trees, he noticed a small critter. A slender form with a long tail, short legs, an orange coat, and a dark brown muzzle with a white ring around its black nose. One of the island's weasels, just staring at Shang Tsung intensely; the sorcerer maintained his amused grin and exchanged glares with the animal until it scurried away from the tree. With the weasel now gone, Shang Tsung decided to further focus on his objective. He wandered deeper into the wilderness, traveling to the mountains.
During his journey, he traveled across various hot springs, to the Ooko falls and when he was at the top of Senpiru falls, he stopped in his tracks. After that encounter with the weasel, he had suspected that someone was following him.
He slightly turned his head back, seeing a large figure partially covered by the green foliage. Stepping out of cover, the figure revealed itself to be a full-grown leopard; it slowly creeped up towards him, angrily growling and not once breaking its eye contact with him. Shang Tsung wasn't intimidated but rather amused.
"I know it's you Raiju." Shang Tsung nonchalantly stated. The leopard froze in its tracks and looked at him, puzzled.
"Do not take me for a fool. You think I don't know about Earthrealm's history?" He asked.
"I know leopards died off in this region. Prior to Earth's first tournament." Sparks of lightning flew out of the animal's spotted coat, causing its flesh to burn away. All that stood in front of the sorcerer was a sentient form composed entirely out of lightning, maintaining the overall physique of a leopard.
"Why are you here, sorcerer?" Raiju growled.
"I wish to speak with your master." Shang Tsung responded.
"Lord Raiden wants nothing to do with the likes of you." Raiju said. "Leave at once!" He snarled.
"On the contrary, my primitive friend." Shang Tsung said, "Raiden will surely be intrigued by what I have to say." Raiju continued to growl at the sorcerer, maintaining a constant gaze. He emitted a booming roar as sparks flew out of his ethereal form; his shape shifting from a leopard into a wolf, his roar changing into a howl. Not once did Raiju break eye contact with Shang Tsung during his transformation; he bared his teeth at the sorcerer, barking and snarling at him.
"A storm is approaching this land." Raiju said. "With each lightning strike, my claws will cut down the trees and scorch the ground, and when the last strike hits the very peak of the mountains…..I will reduce your decrepit being to dust." As per usual, Shang Tsung did not respond back but merely smirked at Raiju's threat. Having seen many warriors in his time, not even the threats of a god-like being would easily intimidate him.
"Leave! Return to the hell from whence you came!" Raiju cried out. In one bright flash of light, Raiju disappeared from Shang Tsung's sight. His howl echoed for a few brief moments.
"What an amusing beast." Shang Tsung said to himself. Free of all distractions and confident over the safety of his journey, Shang Tsung continued with traveling to the mountains. Making his way to Mount Kurio, heavy rain began to pour down and a strong gust of wind began to blow at Shang Tsung. As irritating as it was, Shang Tsung powered through and made his way to the top.
"Raiden!" Shang Tsung cried out.
"Raiden! God of Thunder, hear these words!" He continued yelling out towards the sky.
"I have searched far and wide to give you this invitation! Fight in— "Shang Tsung was caught off by a sudden lightning strike in the forest. Multiple trees came down instantly, and several more rapid lightning strikes appeared shortly afterwards, scorching the grass, leaving burnt impressions of claw marks on the soil. A final lightning strike hit the top of the mountain close to where Shang Tsung stood and up in the sky, Raiju appeared in the form of a large dragon wrapping itself in a circular shape, mimicking the symbol of the Mortal Kombat tournament. Raiju stretched himself out, revealing his serpent-like body and quickly descended towards the sorcerer. Colliding with the giant boulders and losing his form for a moment, Raiju rose himself up again, still maintaining his dragon form and staring down at Shang Tsung.
"I warned you sorcerer! Now you shall pay with your life!" Skeletal wings conjured out of Raiju's back and he lunged himself at Shang Tsung. In an instant, Shang Tsung conjured up a large flaming cobra that lunged itself and bit down on Raiju's neck. The two creatures coiled around themselves and began to bite and claw at one another; breathing fire and bolts of lightning at one another.
"Enough!" A booming voice cried out as a sudden bolt of lightning hit the snake, smothering the fire that composes its being and destroying its body. Raiju ended his attacks and swiftly shifted into a wolf form, gazing into the sky with Shang Tsung. Levitating mid-air with thunderous pulses striking the ground at each second. Raiden slowly moved himself closer to Shang Tsung, his feet not once touching the ground and his head was lowered, his eyes covered by his conical straw hat. Apart from the hat, Raiden wore far more simpler clothing than usual. His robes were pure white, he wore a black belt around his waist and a black hood that barely covered his long white hair. Raiden slowly raised his head up, the two powerful beings stared into Raiden's pure blue eyes; the prideful god gave the sorcerer a hateful glare though much like with Raiju's attempts at intimidation, Shang Tsung still wasn't fazed.
"My lord." Raiju calmly said, stretching out one of his front legs and bowing down before his master. Rising himself up, he walked over closer to the thunder god.
"Lord Raiden-" Shang Tsung calmly spoke. Raiju was quick to react, turning around and shifting his form once more into the shape of a tiger. He let out a hateful roar and was ready to pounce once more. "Stand down, Raiju!" Raiden cried out, Raiju silenced himself and took a step back out of respect towards Raiden.
"Speak your mind, sorcerer." Raiden said.
"Lord Raiden. I ask of you once more." Shang Tsung raised his fist up high, "Accept my invitation and compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament on Earthrealm's behest. Unless of course, you fear the threat of powerful mortals." Shang Tsung grinned, noticing how Raiden's ego slowly began to show, Raiju stood close by and like before continued to stare him down and growl simultaneously.
"I fear no mortal!" Raiden exclaimed. "I know of your history in the tournament, Shang Tsung! You were one of the tournament's greatest fighters and even then, I was never impressed. No mortal can rival a god. I accept the invitation, if only to see if these chosen warriors can present me with a challenge!" Shang Tsung folded his hands and bowed to Raiden.
"Your acceptance is welcomed, Lord Raiden." Shang Tsung says, turning around to conjure up another fiery portal.
"Oh-" Shang Tsung turned his head back to face Raiden and Raiju. "Please remember that the tournament takes place in my domain... under my own rules." Shang Tsung exchanged another sinister smile at the two deities before going through the portal and vanishing from the island. Raiden and Raiju stood for a second, pondering the events that had unfolded.
"Lord Raiden. I never question your judgement but...I must ask." Raiju turned his head to face Raiden.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? The Elemental Gods are still recovering from the temple raid two years ago. Earthrealm needs a protector now more than ever." Raiden continued to gaze into Yakushima's woodlands from the mountain top, he began to think about his decision and took Raiju's concerns into consideration.
"The Shaolin had continued to fail to save Earthrealm. Perhaps it is time for a god to compete in the tournament and help make a difference. Besides...I know someone who can help us be rid of Shang Tsung. For good!"