Hello reader! Thanks for checking this fanfic out. This is going to be one big exposition dump to give people an idea of what this version of the timeline is like. I will be combining several elements and events from Mortal Kombat media (video games, movies, etc.). This should also give an idea as to what my future MK stories will be like. I hope you enjoy a peek into my MK timeline.
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Induction
The thunder god Raiden, protector of Earthrealm, has ascended to the Heavens after his service in defeating major threats to the realms. He awakes where the Elder Gods reside, and the destination for the souls of those who have died as morally righteous beings. He stands alone on a platform, one where the Elder Gods would usually surround with their thrones. The thrones were only vacated for a moment until the spiritual manifestations of the Elder Gods occupied them. Raiden was familiar with them. Cetrion, Argus, Geras, Abacus, Zaggot and the others are beings that he has contacted occasionally for both consul and in regards to the Mortal Kombat tournaments. The Elder Gods spoke to Raiden in unison.
"Raiden… for many ages you have protected Earthrealm from the forces of evil. You have earned your place among us. With your ascension to the pantheon of Elder Gods, you must choose your successor as the new protector of Earthrealm."
"I am grateful," Raiden answered humbly while bowing. "I select my brother Fujin to be the new protector of Earthrealm."
"So shall it be," the Elder Gods declared. Raiden hung his head, bothered. "Speak your mind Raiden" requested the Elder Gods.
"With my ascension, this will mean that I will no longer be able to aid Earthrealm or its champions. When they have need of me, I will not be able to answer…"
"You will be able to offer consul but not interfere in their affairs. By becoming one of us, you bear our great responsibility: to monitor the realms for danger and maintain balance. Our direct interference will stir the sleep of the One Being and once it awakens, reality will be no more. Mortals may curse us, but our duty is vital to them."
"I understand," Raiden replied. "If we monitor the realms, then may I see what has happened after my death? To better understand the current state of the realms I was involved in?" Raiden requested.
"We will show you that and much more. Observe."
The Elder Gods then projected images to Raiden, showing him some of the events of this timeline.
"Ever since you aided in imprisoning Shinnok, we knew you had the potential to become something greater. Your choice in warriors for the Mortal Kombat tournaments was further evidence. The great Kung Lao exceeded your expectations, winning Earthrealm's first Mortal Kombat tournament."
"Although he lost to prince Goro of the Shokan in the following tournament," Raiden solemnly recalled.
"That may be, but you were steadfast in your faith that Earthrealm would win another tournament. That faith was rewarded with Lui Kang's victory in not only his first tournament but the subsequent one held in Outworld."
"Yes, he even defeated Shao Kahn when he invaded Earthrealm and Shinnok when he invaded the restored Edenia. The Deadly Alliance proved no match for his and Kung Lao's might," Raiden recalled. The Elder Gods continued the tale.
"Quan Chi and Shang Tsung would have killed Lui Kang had it not been for Kung Lao's interference. They would then retreat and seemingly kill Shao Kahn. They enacted a plot to resurrect the Dragon King's mummified army and use it to conquer the realms. They did not realize that they were aiding the revived Dragon King, Onaga. You and your allies fought the Deadly Alliance and their minions and defeated them but at the cost of many lives. Yours included."
Raiden looked down for a few seconds knowing that the Elder Gods were about to go more in depth about this particular moment.
"You had decided to confront the Deadly Alliance alone after witnessing several of your allies die."
"Kitana, Jade, Sub-Zero, Smoke, Jackson Briggs, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade… I could not stand to watch any more of them die," Raiden stated.
"The Deadly Alliance would have killed you had Lui Kang and Kung Lao not arrived in time. They defeated the two sorcerers and victory seem assured. Until Onaga had arrived to reclaim his army and impose his dominance. Taking advantage of your weariness, he defeated the three of you and moved in to finish Lui Kang and Kung Lao but you managed to teleport them to safety with the last of your strength. Suddenly, Quan Chi and Shang Tsung had recovered and fought Onaga alongside you. After it proved to be a futile effort, you gave your life in an attempt to destroy Onaga with a blast of immense power. It only succeeded in destroying the two sorcerers and slightly weakening Onaga."
"I see…," Raiden sighed disappointedly. "What has happened since my death?"
"Lui Kang and Kung Lao sought to avenge your death by defeating the Dragon King. They received help from unlikely allies. Shujinko, an old warrior who was manipulated by Onaga his entire life and sought to amend his mistakes. Ermac, a collective of souls housed in a single body who was once a servant of Shao Kahn but now follow their own path. Even Havik, a cleric of chaos who aided the heroes in discovering Onaga's whereabouts and plans if only to cause as much chaos as possible and undermine Onaga's order."
"And my remaining allies? Did they aid Lui Kang and Kung Lao?" Raiden questioned.
"Yes. Fujin helped gather them together and with their combined might, they defeated the Dragon King. Onaga had recruited allies from various realms and even resurrected your previously slain allies as revenants to aid his cause."
"That cannot be!" Raiden could not imagine his allies serving a great evil.
"Worry not Raiden. Ermac along with Liu Kang and Sindel were able to help restore their souls and bodies and they turned against Onaga. Though, they do live with the memory of enforcing the Dragon King's will."
"Then they are safe now…" Raiden replied relieved. "How are Lui Kang and Kung Lao currently?". The Elder Gods were quiet for moment before they answered.
"They fought bravely. Till the very end. Their sacrifice gave Shujinko all he needed to defeat the Dragon King and save the realms. They were mourned by many and were buried with all the honors of Shaolin custom."
Raiden did not say anything. He hung his head. His greatest champions had followed in his stead. But then he lifted his head and realized he was in the Heavens.
"Are they here, in the Heavens?" Raiden asked with anticipation.
"They are and you may see them again if you wish." Raiden was relieved once again. After collecting his thoughts, he spoke to the Elder Gods again.
"I wished to know more about my other allies as well as my enemies. Can you show me what has happened to them?"
The Elder Gods complied and showed him current events as well as how they came to be.
"After Shinnok's defeat, Kitana had taken the throne of Outworld and became its Kahnum. This displeased her mother Sindel but Kitana convinced her that this was the best course of action to prevent a war in Outworld. Sindel understood and parted with her daughter amicably, promising her a place in Edenia should she return. Kitana's reign may have been short-lived but she did manage to broker a truce between the Shokan and Centaurs, gave the Lin Kuei a powerful ally in Skarlet, and aided the Edenians of Outworld in returning to their true homes. Not all were pleased with her rule. She tried to rule Outworld through the standards of Edenia but that clashed with Outworld's cultures. Many followed her begrudgingly, looking for an opportunity to usurp her. That opportunity arose when Mileena, long thought to be dead, had returned allied with Onaga. She slew Kitana and took her identity while Onaga resurrected her as his servant. Mileena, under the guise of Kitana, gathered some of Outworld's forces to oppose Onaga, purposely getting many of them killed and defaming Kitana's reputation. Only a select few like Reiko and Onaga knew of Mileena's deception. When Onaga was defeated, Shao Kahn had returned to fill the void in Outworld. He faked his death at the hands of the Deadly Alliance and plotted his rise to power. Mileena reunited with her "father" and reported to him. It was revealed that Shao Kahn had been conspiring with Mileena along with Reiko, feigning their allegiance with Onaga while serving Shao Kahn. After Kitana was restored, she returned to Outworld only to see that Shao Kahn had taken over the realm. Shao Kahn had broken the leftover forces of Onaga so the people of Outworld saw him as a hero, one that had saved them from the menace of Onaga. Kitana was exiled to Edenia and afterwards, Shao Kahn took actions to convince the people of Outworld to fall under his rule. He united the vestiges of Reptile's and Nitara's respective races, offered the Osh-Tekk a place at his table along with the Shokan and Centaurs and gave the Tarkatans prominence, among other actions. Outworld now served Shao Kahn willingly and his interest in Edenia had returned. It was his greatest Deception."
Raiden processed this information, surprised that his ancient enemy had retuned more powerful than ever.
"And what of Kitana? Does she now rule beside Sindel? Has Shao Kahn attacked Edenia?" Raiden asked.
"Kitana has returned to her home as a princess and rules alongside her mother. Even other Edenians are starting to doubt her. She has much to prove to her people despite being vouched for by her mother. Lui Kang's death weighs heavy for her but she has support from those closest to her. Shao Kahn is still bound by the rules of Mortal Kombat and cannot conquer a realm without winning 10 consecutive tournaments. Whether he has shown interest in conquering Edenia again is yet to be seen."
Raiden understood and changed the subject to another ancient enemy: Shinnok.
"Does Shinnok still live? He was presumed to be killed in the Netherrealm."
"Shinnok lives and commands most of the Netherrealm. He was aided by the Brotherhood of Shadow, Quan Chi's former clan which has a new master; Noob Saibot, formerly known as Bi-Han."
"The Sub-Zero that fought in the last Earthrealm tournament and was killed by Scorpion. He lives again?"
"Yes, but he was changed by Quan Chi's sorcery. He is a dark reflection of his former self who awoke in the Netherrealm after his connection with Quan Chi was severed. Shinnok roamed the wastes of the Netherrealm powerless after his defeat. He was aided by Bi-Han who did not know who Shinnok was but the fallen Elder God remembered Bi-Han and took advantage. Traveling to Shinnok's Spire, they encountered Quan Chi's former lieutenants Kia, Jataaka and Sareena. Together, they aided Shinnok to his spire where he slowly regained his powers. As a reward, Shinnok restored Bi-Han's memories as well as the human appearances of those who aided him. Shinnok offered Quan Chi's fortress, clan and resources in exchange for the eternal service of his new clan. Bi-Han agreed and became the grandmaster of the Brotherhood of Shadow with Kia, Jataaka and Sareena as his lieutenants; they served Bi-Han out of respect, preferring him over Quan Chi. Since Shinnok's Amulet was not found in Onaga's possession after his defeat, it is assumed that the Brotherhood of Shadow have retrieved it for Shinnok. With the growing numbers of the Brotherhood and the increase of Shinnok's strength, that possibility becomes more likely."
"Is there anyone monitoring the status of the Brotherhood and Shinnok?" Raiden asked.
"The White Lotus Society, Special Forces, Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu are wary of threats from the Netherrealm. Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi of the Shirai Ryu has the advantage in that he now has a new lair in the Netherrealm along with some of his former resurrected Shirai Ryu guarding it, a gift from us for his aid in defeating Onaga. We have also restored his humanity and he has made new allies in the Netherrealm; Ashrah, a demoness in possession of the Datusha, a sword that "purifies" its wielder as well as Kharon, ferryman of the dead. Hanzo Hasashi has also rebuilt his clan in Earthrealm and has a portal to the Netherrealm for his convenience."
Raiden was surprised to hear that Scorpion, a former enemy, now aids the protection of Earthrealm. His thoughts moved to the White Lotus Society.
"Finally, I ask of the White Lotus Society. I assume my brother is aiding them."
"Fujin watches over the White Lotus Society as they train a new generation of warriors. The same can be said of various factions in Earthrealm. Now that you have selected him as the new protector of Earthrealm, his responsibilities will increase."
"I am confident that Fujin will succeed. I would like to inform him of this, if I may," Raiden requested.
"Your request is granted. Liu Kang and Kung Lao will also be waiting for you. We are grateful for your service."
"I too am grateful," Raiden replied as he bowed. With that, he was teleported away. He has much to discuss with his former friends.
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Thank you for reading. I plan to write more MK stories for this timeline and they will have much more mature content. I hope you enjoyed.