Author's Note: Merry Christmas MK fans! Yes, I'm still here and alive, just cycling through my writing projects (as I'm sure you're familiar with by now) but I wanted to get a little present of sorts out there for my faithful readers across the board.

Hope you all enjoy, and have a very Merry Christmas!


-Chapter 16: Desperate Times-

A new day had come to the Wu Shi Academy and everything seemed business as usual. Raiden, however, stood atop one of the pagoda towers surrounding the academy grounds where he surveyed the width of the buildings and lands with a contemplative look in his eyes. With him were Liu Kang and Kung Lao, the two Shaolin enjoying the hard-earned peace that had come to the academy. "Hard to believe Earthrealm is at peace again. Truly, this is a new era." Liu Kang remarked as he leaned against the walkway's railing.

"Feels weird not having to prepare for a tournament." Kung Lao mused in agreement.

"There may be more imminent conflicts to train for." A dour Raiden said. Hearing him, Liu immediately straightened up.

"What kind of conflicts, Lord Raiden?"

"Earthrealm is may not yet be at peace, Liu Kang."

Kung Lao frowned, attempting to figure out the source of the thunder god's worries. "You are concerned about the others." He theorized.

"No. I understand Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade's reasons for leaving, while I am pleased that Magnus Shadrix and Mileena have chosen to stay." Raiden explained. "My thoughts dwell on Shang Tsung's final threat before he departed."

"Surely that is nothing more than the angry ravings of a loser, Lord Raiden." Kung Lao replied. "Shao Kahn would never do something so brazen as attack Earthrealm without winning Mortal Kombat."

Raiden tilted his head, concealing his eyes behind the brim of his douli hat. "Perhaps, Kung Lao. But I will remain vigilant in case his mad desperation drives him to attempt something foolhardy." He stated at length.

"Surely Shao Kahn understands the punishment for breaking the rules?" Liu Kang pressed. "The Elder Gods would destroy his soul. Deny him an afterlife of any kind. Not even he is so desperate to tempt such a fate."

"It is a possibility that must not be discounted, Liu Kang." Raiden said sombrely. His eyes lifted. His supernatural senses detected something familiar… and evil. It was a chilling darkness that stole the warmth of the morning, permeating the once still air with the distant cry of enslaved souls. Without even looking, Raiden furrowed his brow. "Here to congratulate us on our victory, sorcerer?" He asked aloud.

The two Shaolin with him were startled by his sudden words, seemingly directed at an unseen force. But as Raiden turned to his right, their gaze followed, and their jaws dropped in astonishement. "What-? Shang Tsung?!" Kung Lao gasped.

Sure enough, there stood Shang Tsung, approaching them with hands clasped in front of his red silk robes. His entire form was trimmed with gold, giving him an almost regal appearance. But what was truly startling was his physical appearance. No longer did he appear like an old man. Now Shang Tsung seemed youthful, like fifty years had been taken off his life. His black hair was slicked back and his equally dark goatee had been combed to a sharp point. The sorcerer's eyes remained black demon's eyes, the subtle fire burning behind them speaking of renewed malice thinly-veiled by a diploamt's grace.

"You have been revitalized, I see." Raiden shrewdly observed. "I did not realize your master was in the habit of rewarding failure."

"The emperor has an offer, Raiden. A new tournament." Shang announced.

Raiden scoffed. "I see no reason to participate in any plan of yours."

"The emperor proposes a single tournament, to replace the current system of ten. It will be held in Outworld." Shang continued. "If Earthrealm does not win, Outworld will absorb it. But if Earthrealm wins, Shao Kahn will abandon his claim to it forever." Liu Kang and Kung Lao shared unimpressed, disbelieving looks. The emperor was so desperate to try again he was making the most outlandish of propositions.

But Raiden was the furthest thing from interested. "Give your emperor my regards, sorcerer." He said dismissively, turning his back on Shang Tsung. "You found your way in, you may see yourself out." With his back turned, he missed Shang's smile.

"Yes… I am some what gifted when it comes to portals…" He mused, golden fire blooming within his hands.

Churning his hands in wide circles, the sorcerer called upon ancient magicks to conjure up temporal energies that began to culminate in the academy grounds below. Startled by the sudden shift, Raiden, Liu and Lao dashed to the edge of the railing and watched as a massive portal was formed above the stone courtyard. All of a sudden, dozens of Tarkatan warriors came charging out, roaring and snarling in a bloodthirsty rage. The trio were shocked by the brazen assault. "I warned you that Shao Kahn would send his armies after Earthrealm." Shang Tsung smugly sneered from behind them.

Raiden whirled around, eyes crackling with power as he rushed to engaged the sorcerer in kombat. Liu Kang and Kung Lao quickly vaulted over the railing to attack the Tarkatan hordes and hopefully stem the tide. They moved with no regard for their own safety, singling out opponents as they lept into the fray. Liu struck a Tarkatan in the jaw with a heavy punch, the savage retaliating with a hard cross that crashed into his cheek and a roundhouse kick, spinning the monk sideways. Recovering from the kick, Liu struck back with a double dragon trick, catching his opponent off-guard and launching into a fiery backflip kick that caught him on the jaw and knocked the Tarkatan flat on his back. Another savage launched himself in to take the place of his fallen comrade, sending a pair of spark bundles streaking towards Liu. The monk somersaulted over all of them, landing only a handful of inches away from his foe. The two began to trade blows, two gut punches from Liu striking the Tarkatan that he followed up with a trio of palm strikes that battered his face. Making sure the bone blades did not get anywhere near him, Liu's double kick swiftly clubbed the Tarkatan across the face and knocked him to the ground.

Kung Lao struck his Tarkatan opponent with a hat toss, the sharpened blade cutting through the savage's neck and also the neck of another Tarkatan behind him. Retrieving his hat, Lao teleported by disappearing into the ground. He shot up behind another Tarkatan and used his hat to cut through the savage's back, blood from a fresh red line spilling across the ground as a push kick knocked the Tarkatan flat on his face. Whipping around, Kung Lao summoned his hat, letting it orbit his torso as he advanced on another Tarkatan with a helikick, his bladed hat slicing open the savage's hand, arm and abdomen as an extra layer of offence that killed him where he stood. Another Tarkatan closed the gap to attack, blades at the ready, while the monk kicked his hat and sent the blade tearing through the savage's side. His hat returned to him before Kung Lao found himself attacked from all sides by four Tarkatans. Channeling his arcana with the magical properties of his hat, the Shaolin spun around to summon a whirling vortex that engulfed the four Tarkatans, sending them spinning away through the air.

The commotion had stirred the monks into action, every single battle-ready Shaolin rushing into the courtyard to fend off the Tarkatans. Some carried swords, others nunchucks, some had Bo staffs, others still intended to fight barehanded. Regardless of their strengths or abilities, all who could fight rose to fend off the Tarkatans in a veritable Shaolin army.

And among their ranks was Magnus Shadrix.

Unsheathing his axes, the Yngling channeled his arcana into his weapons as he laid into his newfound foes. Batting bone blades aside, both of his axeheads were soon buried in the skull of a Tarkatan who was then electrocuted to death. Casting the body cast aside, Magnus executed a crescent kick that knocked another Tarkatan to the ground who he then pounced on and hacked into his face with both axes. He could see Liu Kang and Kung Lao fighting near the mouth of the portal and knew he needed to reach them. Another Tarkatan rushed in from the side, spinning around and raking his blades across the Yngling multiple times, sending blood flying from each wound. Despite the pain, Magnus surged ahead and caught the Tarkatan on the chin with a flying knee before dropping an axehead down atop his head, splitting his skull. More Tarkatans came and the Njordborn met them head on, hacking both axes into the nearest Tarkatan before using a bundle of electricity in his right palm to slam into its chest, shocking the savage until Magnus unleashed a backflip kick that snapped the Tarkatan's head backwards. With some distance between them, Magnus shot ahead and plowed into the Tarkatan, tackling him in Glima fashion where he drew his seax knife and buried it between the Tarkatan's eyes.

The double-kick from the Tarkatan was crushingly powerful, bruising Liu Kang as his foe launched into a shredding onslaught with its blades that left him even more sore and in pain as he was knocked to the ground. Liu scrambled to his feet and cloaked his fists in flame, twin punches followed by a back kick and a roundhouse kick sent the Tarkatan spinning and a conjured fireball knocked him back to the Shaolin turned on the next Tarkatan to attack him and landed a crushing one-inch punch that rippled through the savage's ribs, sending him flying backwards.

The serrated rim of Kung Lao's hat cut cleanly through a Tarkatan's arm, severing the limb and depriving him of one of his blades. He continued his charge toward the Tarkatan as his hat came back around a cut through his opposite arm, depriving the Tarkatan of another limb. Kicking that one to the ground, Kung Lao's hat swung around another and hovered in air, the Shaolin kicking the Tarkatan back into it. Crying out as his skin was lacerated by the buzzsaw effect, Lao silenced him as he drilled his face with a flurry of punches before a backflip kick knocked him to the ground. His blood-stained hat returning to him, the Shaolin turned to keep fighting as more Tarkatans charged.

A bone blade pierced through Magnus' innards, the air rushing from his lungs as the Tarkatan head butted him hard. He stumbled back, the Yngling summoning his arcana power and got off a single bolt of lightning that struck the Tarkatan in the chest and knocked him backwards. That bought Magnus enough space to assume a Nan Chuan ready stance as another furious onslaught of Tarkatans rushed him.

They were abruptly stopped, however, when the leading Tarkatan stumbled as a pair of sais plunged through his eyes.

With a shriek, Mileena teleported into the fray, plowing her speared Tarkatan to the ground where she ripped her sais free only to turn and plunge them into the spines of the other two. Holding them at bay, she gave Magnus time to approach and grab the two by the head, channeling electrical energy into their skulls and taking them down. "My thanks!" He called out over the din of kombat.

"Where did these come from?" Mileena demanded.

"I do not know. But Liu Kang and Kung Lao were here before I was," Magnus answered, collecting his axes, "they must know." Mileena turned back to the portal entrance, spying the two monks fighting hard against the incoming hordes. But then… she spotted a more familiar face approaching from the portal, moving slowly and calmly.

"Give them aid. I will help hold them off." She replied, breaking off in a different direction from the Yngling. Mileena made a break for the figure in question, the one emerging from the portal; dressed in armored robes with a massive skull-shaped warbelt and dark war paint across his shoulders and forehead. He was a Tarkatan, but no ordinary Tarkatan.

This was Baraka.

Amber eyes met amber eyes as Mileena paused in front of him, sais at the ready as Baraka snarled upon seeing her. "Traitorous welp!" He growled.

"Go back, Baraka! The Elder Gods would have you killed for breaking the rules of invasion!" Mileena retorted. The Tarkatan war chief loosed a barking laugh.

"Fool! You have grown soft if you think we fear those toothless worms!" He retorted, unsheathing his spiked bone blades. "They will not come to your aid today." They squared off and Baraka made to draw first blood, rushing ahead to attack blades-first. Mileena quickly parried his strike before lashing out with an axe kick that caught him on the skull. She wanted to end this as soon as possible, there were many more foes to deal with today.

Baraka recovered quickly and spun around, his blades passing perilously close to Mileena's ducking face. When he missed, he shot a bundle of sparks from his blade, Mileena bending over backwards to avoid it. Springing to her feet, her sai quickly parried first one slash then another thrust from Baraka, Mileena letting him go on the offensive so he might tire himself out. But Baraka was a powerful Tarkatan and a deadly kombatant, never one to give up easily. Mileena ducked, dodged and blocked sweep after sweep of his deadly blades, Baraka always getting close to her but never actually scoring a hit. Mileena stayed close enough, tempting him to continue his attacks and Baraka did. But for all his efforts he saw no reward.

As his blades became a blur of motion, leaving her with no room to maneuver, Mileena finally went on the offensive.

Teleporting behind him, the Empress launched up and drove a knee into the back of his head, stunning Baraka before he could react. Using her momentum to somersault over him, Mileena then executed a kick flip in which her boot caught him on the jaw, snapping his backwards with a roaring growl of pain. Crouching down, Mileena rolled forward like a ball and took out Baraka at the legs, dropping him flat on his face. Before he could recover, she sprung backwards in a cartwheel and dropped her boots against his head, smashing his face into the ground and knocking him out from the sufficient hits to the head. Quickly composing herself beside him, Mileena watched Baraka not move and decide this contest was over.

Another Tarkatan moved to attack her, Mileena springing up to execute a hook kick that put him on the ground. Lowering her veil as another Tarkatan tried to kick her, she drove her sais into his leg before bending over to bite down and rip out a chunk of flesh, the Tarkatan roaring in pain as he was flung to the ground. Approaching the downed warrior, Mileena gripped her sai tightly and prepared to do him in.

But before she could, her wrist was snared by a long tongue which jerked her back. Mileena lost her balance and fell, looking up and back to find a Saurian approaching her, clad in bone armor with unique teal speckles trailing down the back of his body. Droplets of acid lined his slobbering mouth, Mileena picking herself up as he stalked towards her. "I did not think I would encounter you again, Komodai." The Outworld woman growled with eyes narrowed.

"I always tried to play nice with lovely Mileena. But Shao Kahn commands your death… and as I am his most loyal servant, it will be by my hand." Komodai shot back with a hiss. Brandishing his sharp claws, he lunged without further ceremony. Mileena was quick to leap over him, rolling across the ground and righting herself as Komodai whirled about with a snarl. He quickly spewed a bolt of acid from his mouth, narrowly missing Mileena as toxic residue sizzled dangerously along he back of her glove. Komodai moved like a phantom, darting this way and that with a speed Mileena was no longer used to. His claws raked across her exposed arm, the Outworld woman grunting as she felt warm blood trickle down her arm. Komodai's next attempt was countered as Mileena speared his arm with her sai, opening him up for her to deliver a swift series of punches and backhands that cracked across his muzzle. Pulling her sai free from his arm, Mileena plunged it into his chest before ripping it out with a push kick that knocked Komodai over.

The Saurian was not to be outdone and, as Mileena approached him, he slid forward using a slick line secreted from his feet, knocking her over. Whipping around, a double kick slammed into her back and pitched her forward, Mileena face down as Komodai stood. Conjuring a toxic bubble from his hands, he lobbed it towards Mileena, the Outworld woman rolling aside just in time. Komodai sought to press his advantage and lashed out with his tongue, trying to snare her again. But, at the last second, Mileena drew a sai and pinned his tongue to her ground with it. Komodai let out a choked cry of pain, struggling to retract his tongue as Mileena crawled to her feet. With a scream she pounced on Komodai, teeth digging into his shoulder and sending spurts of green blood spilling out across the stone ground.

Komodai struggled to fight back, his pinned tongue getting in the way. Mileena then jabbed her spiked heel into his side and used to to execute a high kick that snapped the Saurian's head to the side with a CRACK. He fell to his knees, green blood dripping from his side as Mileena drove her boot into his the side of his head and then executed a full front flip heel-kick that cracked against the back of his skull, slamming Komodai into the ground. Only when she summoned her sai back to her did Komodai manage to retract his sore and wounded tongue, rolling to the side just as Mileena pounced on where he'd lain. He picked himself up as Mileena also recovered, quickly using his kamouflage to disappear into the background. Grinding to a sudden halt, Mileena had to stop and take in her surroundings, waiting for Komodai to strike again.

Looking around in circles, Mileena kept a close eye on her surroundings. Waiting for the air to shimmer with movement... but she soon had a far more telling clue as to where Komodai was. Glancing down at the floor, spilt blood splashed in time with his footsteps, clearly giving away his position and rendering his stealth completely useless. With a cackle, Mileena struck with an elbow strike, cracking Komodai across the face again and forcing him out of his invisibility. She pressed in, attacking swiftly with low kick and powerful palm strikes until a cartwheel kick knocked him into the air. Then she threw a sai, spearing his wounded arm and driving the blade even deeper into his flesh. Mileena charged ahead and attacked him with a leaping double stomp, her bladed heels tearing deep into Komodai and sending him tumbling across the ground. He finally came to a halt and remained still, not moving any more.

Believing she had won, Mileena turned to see Magnus fighting with Liu Kang and Kung Lao, a growing pile of defeated Tarkatans building up at their feet. She made to go join them… only to be stopped suddenly when something snared her ankle.

She looked over her shoulder and found Komodai back on his feet, the tip of his tail wrapped around her one leg. With powerful muscles he flipped her end over end, slamming Mileena into the ground before he hurled her into a nearby wall. Mileena slumped down, the last thing she saw being Komodai's open palm rushing towards her face before everything went dark…


Mileena came to with a groan. The first thing she picked up were faint voices speaking indistinctly above her. Her vision was blurry at first but soon the features of Magnus could be seen hovering near her face. His pale skin, blue eyes and blonde hair were sharply in focus soon enough and Mileena remembered everything that had happened. 'Komodai… slimy scale-bellied bastard…'

Closing her eyes, she calmed down and focused. Mileena felt her teeth and jaws begin to reshape, skin folding over rapidly-shrinking teeth as her mouth returned to a more normal shape. "What did I miss?" She quietly asked, realizing she was being propped up in his arms. She wished she could stay there for a moment longer.

"Raiden beat Shang Tsung within an inch of his life. He sent him and his Tarkatans packing." Magnus described as he helped her stand. Mileena paused, surveying the scene. While many Tarkatans lay dead, there were as many dead Shaolin on the ground with them.

"There was a Saurian. Komodai."

"He fled with them. Kung Lao dealt with him after you went down." Magnus said.

"He is one of Shao Kahn's assassins. This was planned." Mileena hurriedly described.

"Indeed, Mileena." Raiden concurred as he approached them. "This is Outworld's retribution for losing the tournament."

"But this is in direct violation of the rules!" Mileena exclaimed. "Surely they do not believe they can get away with this."

"Shang Tsung came with a proposal; to host one tournament to decide the fate of Earthrealm instead of the system of ten the Elder Gods put in place." Raiden explained. Mileena frowned.

"Shao Kahn oversteps himself."

"He has made it clear Earthrealm will be under constant threat until we agree to his scheme." Raiden mused.

"What do we do now?" Magnus questioned. Raiden surveyed the scene, a rare sadness in his eyes as he noted so many dead Shaolin. His hands balled into fists as he crossed his arms. A single course of action formed.

"I will speak with the Elder Gods." He decided. "They will surely punish Outworld for this transgression." He looked back to the four with him. "Remain here and help the others. I will return momentarily."

With that, he summoned a bolt of lightning from above and teleported away with a crackle of thunder.


The astral domain was a glorious sight to behold, stars in their thousands lining the spectacular view of the cosmos as colorful nebulae danced about. This pocket of reality was a holdover from the Chaotian Age, the last of the most primordial aspects of the universe all concentrated into a single realm that was home to the most fundamental components of existence.

But one did not come for the view. One came for the Elder Gods.

A bolt of lightning struck a single floating floor surrounded by massive thrones, each one the seat of an unknown deity. Raiden appeared soon after and called out to those enthroned around him. "Elder Gods, I beseech you. Earthrealm is in danger." His bellowing voice travelled to the stars and one by one, the ghostly forms of the great deities who ruled the realms took their shape atop their thrones. Each was unique in appearance, a mixture of gods and goddesses of every stature and design, but all were of one accord.

"We are aware of your plight, Raiden." They spoke with one voice despite being unique individuals. Raiden knew all of their names by heart.

"Then you must intervene on Earthrealm's behalf." The thunder god insisted.

"We cannot."

The answer was astonishing and for a moment Raiden stood slack-jawed. He looked to his right. "But Shao Kahn has violated the rules of Mortal Kombat, Cetrion! He-"

"Shao Kahn has not violated the rules of Mortal Kombat."

Again, the words of the Elder Gods left Raiden dumbstruck. He looked to another to plead his case. "What?! He seeks to invade Earthrealm as we speak, Derecho! His armies use portals to assault it's people-"

"Invasion is not itself a transgression. It is the merger of realms that is proscribed."

"A distinction without a difference!" Raiden roared, his eyes alive with living thunder. "Innocents will die at the hands of Outworld if Shao Kahn is left unchecked, Mordulus!"

"It is regrettable. But the Mortal Kombat tournaments are not intended to prevent certain outcomes. They are intended only to maintain balance among the realms."

Raiden's shoulders sagged. The thunder god was absolutely mortified by the Elder Gods' response. His hopes for aid had been dashed, there would be no divine justice against Outworld… nor, did it seem, would Earthrealm receive any for any future invasions. "Please, you must-"

"We have spoken."

One by one, their lights faded, until only Raiden was left alone before the thrones of the Elder Gods. The god of lightning was crushed. Never did he think that the Elder Gods of all people would turn a blind eye to something as brazen as one realm attacking another. His sorrow turned to anger as he realized that Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung had played the Elder Gods for fools by exploiting their own discrepancies within their rules.

'How desperate must a mortal be to toy so flippantly with the divine laws of the universe?'

His thoughts turned to the solitude Earthrealm found itself in. No aid, no allies, only those it could find within itself were all he had to protect the realm with…

The more he pondered, the more Raiden hardened himself as he cleared his focus. There was still a path forward, the harder one, but Earthrealm was not abandoned to wanton destruction just yet.

Casting one last rueful look at the empty thrones around him, the thunder god summoned another thunderbolt and teleported away from the astral domain…


Himalayas, Nepal…

It was dark when Raiden arrived. Thick clouds covered the skies, making the jutting spires surrounding him nearly invisible. The thunder god alighted atop a stone crossroad where a carven roundel led to four different walkways leading to four towering spires. The roundel bore the symbol of the White Lotus Society, etched about an inch deep into the stone surface. This was the Temple of the Elements, a sacred location that was nearly as old as Earthrealm itself was. It was a secure place where many ancient and powerful relics were housed, a symbol of divine forces… as well as the dwelling place of gods.

Raiden stood in the middle where he summoned his Jo staff into his hand with a shower of sparks. From there he thrust it down into the centre of the roundel with a shout, conjuring a massive surge of thunderbolts that struck his staff and rose to the heavens, flashing across the sky as sheet lightning that could be scene for miles. Waiting a few seconds, Raiden allowed his staff and lightning to dissipate and from there he stood back with hands folded behind his back in order to patiently wait.

And he did not have to wait long.

As he sat there, looking focused and deep in thought, the sound of rushing winds announced the arrival of one he'd been hoping to meet. Raiden's gaze turned skyward where a wind funnel brought with it the arrival of Fujin, the god of wind. Cloaked in dark robes with silvery trim, his kusinagi sword sheathed on his belt, Fujin's long white ponytail whipped about in the winds of his own creation as he touched down beside his brother. Raiden turned and offered a traditional bow of greeting. "I saw your summons, brother." Fujin greeted. "Long as it been since any meeting was convened at the Temple of the Elements."

"Indeed, Fujin. Alas, such times have come upon us again. I have grave news to deliver." Raiden replied. As he finished speaking, there came a tremendous roar of rushing water from somewhere down below. Like an ancient dam giving way, water burst forth from one of the floodgates mounted at a lower level on one of the temple's spires. The outpouring did not behave naturally, however, churning upwards and rushing towards the crossroad like a waterspout.

Bending into a graceful arc, it came splashing down before Raiden and Fujin, the majority of the water dissipating as the remainder formed into a fluid, humanoid shape. That shape further hardened into the appearance of a curvaceous woman before the water began to solidify into a regal kimono. Long and flowing with teal accents, the otherwise white silk cloth was covered from hem to hem in intricate tattoos that glowed sapphire blue. The woman's white hair was tied up tightly in a maiko style, with a tiara of seashells cresting the top of her head. Her eyes glowed blue, much like Raiden's and Fujin's, for this was their sister: Suijin, goddess of water. She stepped forward with feet guarded by more traditional slippers, a stark contrast to her more battle-ready brothers. However her kamayari pole arm was collapsed across her back, ready to be used if necessary.

"Raiden. Fujin. Long has it been." She greeted in a silken voice that matched her graceful, fluid robes. The three exchanged bows.

"Lady Suijin." Raiden responded. Their introductions were cut short as another roar resounded from one of the spires. Arcing high and above, a great spout of blue-white flame came hurtling over the spire to their left, like a meteor with a mind of its own. It descended rapidly, striking the walkway below where it remained in place, a column of flame threatening to burn all who dared to try and pass it.

Still with a mind of its own, the flame hardened and changed it's shape into that of a bipedal figure. It began walking towards the three deities, taking shape as it went. The flames faded to smoke, revealing two-tone robes (shaped not unlike Raiden's) of gold and orange coated with layers of blood-red armor. The being's bare arms revealed intricate, otherworldly tattoos that glowed bright red as if the fire he had once been made of had plunged into his very veins. His white hair was cut short and his white goatee was neatly trimmed. Like Raiden, Fujin, and Suijin, his eyes glowed blue as evidence of his divine status. After all, he was their brother; Kagutsuchi, the god of fire. He stood before his siblings, a chigiriki mace dangling from his hip, and bowed.

"Lord Kagutsuchi." Fujin greeted.

"Brothers. Sister." Kagutsuchi responded, rising up. "Long has it been since our kind has been face to face." Another rumble from beyond drew the attention of the four gods to the mountainside to their right.

The very surface of rock and stone began to shift and move as if it had been turned to fluid. Stretching away from the surface, the figure of a man was loosed from the mountain where its stony visage came to stand on the walkway opposite the gods. Pausing where it stood, stoic and solitary like the very material it had been hewn from, the man of stone shifted his appearance. He became like one of the gods, his brown robes wreathed in armor that retained the presence of the mountain. The plating glistened in the faint light of the environment, reflecting polished gemstones of ruby, diamond, and emerald, as well as dense materials like granite and obsidian. The mountain was his armor, the skin of his face alone revealed but framed by a high-collared breastplate. His eyes glowed blue while his white hair was strikingly short, like a crop of young pampas grass atop his scalp. A kanabo war club lay strapped across his back as Dojin, god of earth, approached his siblings.

"Raiden. Fujin. Suijin. Kagutsuchi. It is good to see you all again." He boomed.

"Likewise, Lord Dojin." Raiden replied as they all exchanged bows. "I wish I had come to convene this council in the name of good tidings. But I bring ill news that has grave ramifications for Earthrealm."

"I understand we won the tournament." Kagutsuchi said. "Surely there is no ill tidings to be wrought from our victory."

"Unfortunately, it is so, Kagutsuchi. Our victory in Mortal Kombat does not sit well with the emperor of Outworld." Raiden stated. "Shao Kahn desires to conquer Earthrealm so badly that he dares to violate the rules of interrealm warfare."

"That is a very brazen act. How so?" Suijin questioned.

"Earlier today, his sorcerer, Shang Tsung, attacked the Wu Shi Academy with a company of Tarkatans." The gods shared looks of incredulity.

"Unprovoked?" Suijin asked.

"Indeed. However, Shang Tsung came with a message. A request from Shao Kahn himself. He wishes to host a single tournament to decide Earthrealm's fate. If Outworld wins then they will conquer us. But if Earthrealm wins, he will abandon his efforts to invade forever." Raiden continued. "I dismissed Shang Tsung at first, thinking his words nothing more than raving lunacy. But then he opened a portal to allow Tarkatan hordes through and thought very little of our ability to beat them back."

"One tournament." Dojin repeated. "Instead of ten as the Elder Gods declared. Who does this Shao Kahn think he is?"

"Out of desperation springs madness." Fujin said.

"Shang Tsung has made it clear that Earthrealm will be under constant threat unless I agree to a new tournament." Raiden added.

"Surely the Elder Gods will respond to this. For their brazenness alone, Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung must be punished." Suijin said. At her words, Raiden closed his eyes for a moment and fought back the urge to release a tired sigh.

"I have spoke with the Elder Gods. They will not aid us. They claim that only the act of merging realms without victory in Mortal Kombat is forbidden, not so with invasions. Theirs is a distinction without a difference." He revealed to them all.

The gods of Earthrealm fell quiet, sharing knowing looks between themselves as Raiden's revelation sank in. Dojin began to pace, stroking his chin. "The war with Abyssos. The battle against Shinnok. Both times the Elder Gods intervened. And now they choose not to?" He mused aloud.

"I agree it does not make sense, Dojin." Raiden concurred. "I had hoped that they would be more willing to lend their aid, as they promised when they chose me to be the Protector of Earthrealm ages ago. But they have spoken and their word is final."

"What is to be done then?" Kagutsuchi questioned. "If the Elder Gods will not intervene then all we have to look to is each other."

"Our strength alone may be enough." Suijin suggested. "We five held back the Old Wyrms before the Elder Gods intervened. As well as the demonic hordes of the Netherrealm."

"Suijin speaks truly. We have defeated threats to the realm before, without the help of the Elder Gods. We can do so again." Dojin concurred. Raiden nodded.

"I am pleased you agree." He said. "For that is our only course of action now." He turned to address all four of his siblings, ensuring each was within his line of sight. "Shao Kahn believes he can weary us into agreeing to his scheme. He believes that enough attacks against us and our people will cause us to fear him and his armies and agree to host a new tournament in order to stop his efforts. I believe we can prove him wrong. We can show him the heartiness of Earthrealm, its gods and its champions. We will become the shield he breaks his fists upon. If we stand in defiance, united, and continue to repulse him again and again, it will be he who grows weary of the effort and will call off his hordes."

His siblings nodded in agreement, one by one Fujin, Suijin, Kagutsuchi, and Dojin becoming of one accord. Earthrealm was all they had ever known. It was their dominion, their home. Therefore it was rightly theirs to protect and defend.

"Should we be so fortunate, the Elder Gods may change their minds as they witness our efforts." Fujin mused.

"We can only pray that is the case, brother." Dojin rumbled. "For now, have you a plan by which to thwart the enemy, Raiden?"

"Spread your senses to the four corners of the realm. Inform me whenever you sense a shift in the fabric between realms," the thunder god answered, "we will use this system to determine where Outworld is invading and beat them back with force. If Shao Kahn desires kombat, he will find it."

"You were wise to call upon us, brother." Suijin praised. "Our combined strength will show him the error of his ways."

"Your readiness is pleasing, sister. But it will not be we alone who fight this battle." Raiden responded. "My champions, the victors of Mortal Kombat, will fight too. And I suspect there are more worthy mortals to be discovered within the realm."

"Then we have an accord." Kagutsuchi decided. "Return to your champions, brother, and prepare them for the battles to come. We will keep an eye out for Outworld's attempts to invade us."


Later…

A brilliant thunderbolt struck the grounds of the Wu Shi academy, teleporting Raiden and Fujin onto the scene. The two gods stood among a battle-scarred area where the champions of Earthrealm continued to clean up. The dead Shaolin were gathered together to be buried in proper ceremony, while the Tarkatan remains were piled up in order to be thrown into a mass grave beyond the grounds of the Academy.

Liu Kang, Magnus, Mileena and Kung Lao stopped what they were doing to focus on the arriving gods.

"Lord Raiden!"

"What did the Elder Gods say?"

The thunder god took a moment to study them one by one, each of them eager to act and learn in their own right. 'I have asked so much of them already. And now I find myself asking even more, for a situation that I never once deemed imaginable.' He thought to himself. "Our help will not come from the Elder Gods. We stand alone against Outworld." Raiden stated, earning looks of despair from the four.

"What are we supposed to do? Just agree to Shao Kahn's terms?" Kung Lao asked in dismay.

"No, Kung Lao. This may be our battle to fight alone, but we will still fight it. Shao Kahn believes he can intimidate us. Be we do not fear him." Raiden responded. "We can fight back against the armies of Outworld and win. Our defiance may yet weary Shao Kahn and force his hand."

"Like standing up to a bully." Magnus mused with arms crossed.

"Indeed." Raiden affirmed with a nod. "It will not be an easy endeavour-"

"Say no more, Lord Raiden. I'm in." Magnus interjected. Kung Lao looked at him askance.

"Just like that?"

"I am always willing to stand up to cowards like Shao Kahn. And if that crooked sorcerer is also behind this, then my score to settle with him commands I fight back." Magnus answered in a stony voice.

"I will help too." Mileena quickly proffered. "Whatever my origins may be, Earthrealm is my realm now. I fought for it at the tournament, aided those born and raised here with staving off its annihilation. I've come this far. I can go a little further."

Impressed by their dedication and responses, Liu Kang offered a bow of acceptance. "You will always have my aid, Lord Raiden." He promised. Kung Lao was quick to echo the motions of his cousin.

"As will I!" He hurriedly said.

Raiden's gaze flicked back and forth between the four, electricity rippling across his eyes as a newfound hope began to flicker in his heart. 'I am as old as the realm and yet mortals still find ways to surprise me.' He thought gaily. With a warm look in his gaze, he nodded in acceptance of their pledges. "Thank you. All of you. Know that I do not expect the four of you to bear this burden alone. There are other worthy mortals in the realm that we must seek out. Future champions who might campaign this cause as willingly as you have." He promised them.

"The gods of Earthrealm will give you their aid and support." Fujin then added. "We will raise a formidable team of champions to oppose Outworld and teach Shao Kahn the error of his ways." Raiden stepped forward to address them, his words strong and clear and bold,

"Each of you has my deepest respect for your dedication to this undertaking. Only the most extraordinary of warriors could possibly face this challenge, both those before me and those we have yet to meet. I know you all to be strong in mind and spirit and the battles to come will test you like nothing else can. But I have faith in each and every one of you." Summoning his staff, the thunder god planted atop the former battlefield as if to signify this would be the last time so many were lost to Outworld's treachery. With this newfound alliance, anything seemed possible.

"Driven by purpose and bound by honor, you will become… the Defenders of the Realm!"