Chapter 5: The Ties

Dante looked up at his Raiden as he finished telling him his plan…

"Son that all sounds very risky but…" Looking around him the thunder god knew that the people he cared for were far more important than his original plan. "If it means ending Shinnok's reign so, be it."

Raiden turned and looked at Shang Tsung who had been silent the whole time; he'd forgotten he was there. "I assume you're here to supervise our actions?"

The sorcerer laughed, "Always were the paranoid one Raiden; no, I'm also here to take you to whichever time you desire… In honor of the boy's deal with Kronika."

Magdalene blinked and looked at Raiden, her former husband, "Whichever time period we want?"

Shang Tsung frowned before answering, "However the time must be chosen wisely; you have three chances."

Savannah groaned, "Why is it always three?"

The sorcerer rolled his eyes, "Oh excuse me did you want two?" She swallowed and shook her head, "No three is fine."

Shang huffed and looked back at Raiden, "So when will it be?"

Earth realms protector thought to himself for a moment until he sighed and looked at Magdalene. "I want to go back to the day I met Magdalene…"

The usually bitter woman looked at him in surprise, "Raiden…"

The thunder god looked at her with sorrow, "I took something from you that day dear… If I hadn't you probably wouldn't be where you are now…"

They looked at one another for a moment longer before Shang Tsung used the sorcery that had been given by Kronika to take them to where it all began.

The Beginning

After the dust settled and the air stopped moving around him Raiden looked up and saw Magdalene once more in the remote village that he had met his former wife in.

There she was…

His heart clenched on itself. Magdalene's dark hair, slim figure, and infectious laugh had him all at once. Raiden breathed shakily once he realized that he couldn't do it… he couldn't deny the past of meeting his wife.

Feeling troubled and indecisive Raiden walked away to a fishing dock and took a seat. This was all too much and too soon; he didn't want this. Groaning the demigod took off his hat and held it tightly in his fingers...

THWACK

A water bucket hit his back forcefully and startled him.

"What in the elder gods?" Raiden turned his head quickly and glared behind him expecting to see Shang Tsung or another pesky rival.

Instead, he saw Magdalene's sister, Rashid in her mortal form. Her dark hair a wind-blown mess and her left eye covered by her bang. Sweat drenched her underarms and he could see some of her hair stuck in the chain she was wearing around her neck. She was stocky in comparison to her sister and held a cold gaze that almost seemed uninviting. Well for the time being she was panic stricken.

"Oh man… Sorry I didn't mean…" She stuttered an apology and ran a hand over her head.

Raiden blinked and stood up from his sitting area. "What exactly were you trying to accomplish by kicking around things that are not yours?" He crossed his arms and frowned while he walked in front of her; stopping to give Rashid a once over.

"I'm sorry sir… I was ticked off and didn't see you…" Rashid stammered. He shook his head and sighed.

"You really should watch your temper Rashid…"

The mortal blinked and looked up at him, "How do you know my name?"

He caught himself for a second, thinking of a reasonable excuse for knowing her, "I am Raiden, Protector of Earth realm. I know everyone…"

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth either; unless they were earths champions Raiden never bothered to learn any other mortal's name.

"Well, it's nice to meet you…" Rashid bowed respectfully and looked back up at him. Raiden took this moment to scan her appearance. What a difference between who she was now and what Shinnok had made her into. "Was changing her all for the best; denying his relationship to Magdalene was that for the best?

He felt his heart squeeze on himself again; turning away Raiden swallowed his emotions.

"My apologies I must depart…" The thunder god transported himself by lightning and took himself to the one place he knew he would get answers.

Johnny Cage and Sonya sat in front of Raiden as he poured them tea. He'd invited them to his sky temple; by time traveling terms this was several hours after he'd ran his glorious plan of surrogation to their attention.

"What are you saying Raiden you don't think having a surrogate protector is a good idea?" Sonya cocked an eyebrow and frowned hearing Johnny slurp his.

"What he makes good tea?" The actor chuckled and put his cup down before turning his attention to their favorite thunder god.

"So, what big guy; you getting cold feet?" Cage snickered and laid back against his chair. At this moment Raiden just spilled his guts and told them everything.

Throughout the whole story Sonya kept a neutral face and Johnny occasionally would make some sort of remark on his behalf. By the end of Raiden's explanation, they weren't the least surprised. After everything that had happened in the past few months this was the tamest event to date.

"So now you see my issue? Is it wise to cease the existence of my children even though I can't stand their mother? But as of now I couldn't bring myself to follow through with the initial plan." Raiden looked at his remaining champions for some sort of approval.

"Raiden…" Sonya started, "You have to stop running."

He blinked, "Running? I've never ran from anything Ms. Blade."

Johnny frowned and chuckled to that remark, "Yes you do. You run from the most meaningful things and then you go chasing the things that get you in deep guacamole."

Sonya looked at her self-centered boyfriend in surprise, "That wasn't bad Johnny…"

Raiden face palmed, "I'm not here to be counseled. My question remains should I pursue this woman or..."

"I say leave her out of it and keep doing what your doing… You want stability but you're not going to get it with this lady." Johnny looked at Sonya as he spoke.

"That and you must remember Raiden yes, they're your children but they were miserable, and Dante probably shouldn't have been brought into existence. He is the Omen in this case." Sonya hated to admit.

"What about her sister?" Raiden stood up from his chair and looked out of the balcony as he did hours before.

Sonya sighed as Johnny started laughing, "You mean the old man lover?"

Frowning Raiden nodded, "Yes Rashid… Was she better off without meeting Shinnok? If I take Magdalene out of the current equation, they'd still have one another at least."

Sonya frowned, "They hate each other…"

Raiden grimaced at the fact, "That's true…"

It was silent for a moment until Johnny spoke once more, "Why don't you talk to Shinnok?"

Raiden choked on his spit.

"…WHAT?" The thunder god choked as he tried to compose himself. "I refuse to talk to that madman! He is the father of lies!"

Sonya shook her head and crossed her arms, "And he's the father of a boy he hates and hates him in return."

Raiden composed himself, "That's true…"

If it hadn't been for Shinnok's influence Tiberius would probably be in a better standing with himself and for his own mental state; considering he went mad after his father turned him from the light.

Raiden sighed, "If I must sit in the depths of hell to figure this out then so be it."

With that in mind Raiden transported himself to the Spire of the fallen elder god himself.

He felt himself weaken significantly but it was for a good reason; unfortunately, he happened to transport right in front of the fallen god himself.

"Raiden…" Shinnok frowned and sat up in his throne; he seemed almost bored with the thunder god's presence.

The thunder god took a deep breath and began speaking, "Shinnok there is a matter of business that I must discuss with you."

Shinnok huffed in disapproval, "I don't recall making any deals with you Raiden; therefore, your request is denied."

"This is not a request!" Raiden boomed forgetting not to overexert himself and nearly got lightheaded.

Sighing heavily Shinnok rose from his throne and walked over to Raiden agitated.

"My time is precious, but I am eternal, and I am enjoying how pathetic you look standing here in my realm, speak Raiden."

Once again Raiden told the story of how he met a mortal he thought was his soul mate, had children, separated and went against Shinnok for off-spring dominance.

"And so, I'm here to convince you in giving up your…connection." Raiden finished.

For a minute Shinnok didn't say anything until he hummed in thought and looked up at his tall ceilings, "Oh Raiden you really are the perfect idiot."

The thunder god felt his face heat up in anger, "What's that supposed to mean?"

The pale fallen god looked at his old nemesis, "You have no idea what you're doing do you?"

He began to walk around his spire exasperated, "You think coming here telling me a sob story will make me give up my claim on a luxurious wife and a cruel son?"

Raiden face palmed, "Can you for once stop being so damned arrogant and just listen! Your world is going to be turned upside down and you're thinking about getting laid!"

At this comment Shinnok growled under his breath and spun back around, "Okay hero let's go over the facts, shall we? You got desperate and picked a woman up for your enjoyment, no?"

Raiden gasped, "Not for my enjoyme…"

"Yes, or no?!" Shinnok seethed.

"Yes…" He hung his head in embarrassment.

"You could have formed a god with your own hands, but you decided to be creative and do things on your own! A child is born, and little Raiden can't handle the pressure of family life and now here we are." Shinnok crossed his arms and snarled, "You tell everyone the same little story in your head and getting advice for your own painfully obvious answer. You do whatever suits you and it's usually wrong by the way!"

Raiden was silent as Shinnok turned away from him and sat in his throne once more, "How do I know you're not speaking for your own gain?" Raiden muttered cautiously.

Shinnok frowned at the demi-god, "How do you know I don't care for my son? I just don't want him to be some weak little termite like you!"

Raiden sighed knowing that despite his enemy being one of the worst forces of nature he's ever dealt with he was correct.

"Besides why are you here? Shouldn't I be talking to my heir? My queen?" Shinnok frowned in the thunder god's direction,

"You imprisoned them…" Raiden attempted to thwart the fallen god of death once more.

Expecting this Shinnok snorted, "Yes well things seemed peachy before you showed up…"

This had been true, when Raiden had informed Shinnok that their wives were sisters that had sent Shinnok into a downward spiral. It had been a personal matter on his part but overall, the old crow still cared for his unbalanced wife.

"I think I know what I need to do…"

The thunder god prepared to leave when Shinnok stopped him. "While you're leaving, I want to see my so-called son… I'm not giving up my claim Raiden."

Without another word but silently agreeing he left, and Shinnok awaited the result of his future heir.