Mortal Kombat
Redemption Part 2

"Mortal Kombat!"

The shouts from the onlooking audience filled Kitana's Sky Temple. The sun shined high in the sky with a cool breeze blowing around the near 200 spectators surrounding the Kombat arena floor. The Goddess of Lightning, Kitana, stood by with her regal blue robes and sedge hat. She watched intently as the local Kombatant circled the ring facing off against Earthrealm's Mortal Kombat champion, Liu Kang.

Among those spectating were young children who were taking a tour about the temple before the small open challenge of the champion began. The local warrior charged Liu Kang with all the fury and skill of a blind and hungry bear, but each swipe was met with only air. Liu dipped and dodged around every strike without so much as moving backward a few feet.

A solid strike landed at Liu's center that forced him to stagger backward. Strikes cracked against the sides of his face and pushed him closer and closer to the edge of the ring. His fancy dodges were nowhere to be found, and neither was Liu's offense. The challenger's grin grew as he forced the champion down to a knee after a stiff clubbing blow across his face.

"This is the great Mortal Kombat champion?!" The challenger called out as he faced the cheering, and slightly jeering audience. "You are past your prime, Liu Kang!"

Liu's fingers pressed at the center of the man's chest. There was a deafening pause of silence.

His fingers curled into a fist and smashed into his sternum with only a few inches of space closed in, but with such impact that the man was knocked on his backside much to the amusement of the audience. The sounds of clapping swallowed up any means of pained grunt from the individual.

Liu extended his hand to assist him to stand, but it was instead slapped away. The man stormed out through the audience, leaving Liu to bow and take in the adoration of his audience.

Through the cheers and applause Liu Kang's eyes stared distantly over the crowd. Another effortless victory. As hollow as the halls he later roamed lined with images in remembrance of Raiden. No one came to see this side of the temple anymore. The present Goddess of Thunder, Kitana was all the world seemed to care for.

However, Liu Kang did not forget. Despite any disagreements in the past, Raiden's sacrifice ultimately gave him the life he currently enjoyed. Liu's distance from Kitana was filled with meditation and reflection. He dealt with his internal struggles internally, and sought to eliminate any thoughts of external means of management. Though he felt a measure of control when meditating, he could not control the perception of the outside world. Kitana's worry was thick in the air.

The vacant area of the Sky Temple had the echo of her every step until she stopped in the essence-filled room made into a shrine for the fallen protector of Earthrealm.

"May I enter?" Kitana's voice was soft as she leaned against the solid wooden doorframe.

"Meditation can wait." Liu stood and bowed to her. "Is something the matter?"

"There are festivities going on. I did not wish to attend them alone." Kitana stepped away from the door with her fingers clasped before herself. "Though I can feel something is troubling you. Is it Shen?"

"It's not Shen."

"Are you sure? We cannot continue to pretend it did not happen."

"Just because it is Shen for you, does not mean it still is for me. Not every waking moment, Kitana."

The Thunder Goddess pursed her lips tightly and held her chin high. The two maintained a tense gaze until Kitana glanced at Raiden's portraits. "Then what is bothering you, Liu? Why have you become a stranger to me? To Jiao-Long?"

Liu's brows furrowed. His hands went to his sides as he looked upon Kitana with confusion. "I have not become a stranger. I at times need to breathe and think. You and our son are not strangers to me. I would never be so cold."

"Yet you act strangely." Kitana interjected. "You are not answering the larger question Liu Kang—"

"You are attempting to start an argument." Liu replied aggressively. "Such things I will not partake in with you. Not now." He turned away from her and went about adjusting the various Shaolin trinkets and memorabilia of Raiden and the temple in the shrine.

Kitana was quiet.

Liu Kang's busy hands slowed to a crawl as he felt her heavy gaze on him. "I know." He spoke up with his eyes closed. "I know how much you sacrificed. What you did to give us this life, Kitana. I am eternally appreciative that the worst did not happen to me. There just are things I must discover for myself. Before I grow into an old man."

Kitana still did not speak.

Liu turned to face her, finding her to be standing as opposition to the world. Her posture was straight and her head was held high despite her softened gaze. Liu was near the total opposite. He lowered his head as he spoke. "I want to make sure all of your struggles through time were not in vain."

"Do you love me?" She said with a cracking voice.

"Kitana that is a rather-…"

"Do you love me? Liu Kang, do you love me?" Her composure rapidly disintegrated.

"Why would you question it?" He stepped closer to her with his hand partially raised to touch her arm.

"We are not wed. After all these years. You are distant no matter what you claim. I feel as if your heart is elsewhere. You say it is not Shen, but…"

"I love you." Liu held her by her shoulders. "I apologize for making you wait. I am not prepared for such festivities, but my heart only belongs with you. There is no other. Shen is not your fault."

Kitana's armor was broken. Her vulnerability poured through her façade when her shoulders and posture slumped. "That is all I need to hear. Please, if something is bothering you do not hold it from me. We need no secrets. I have a meeting with other Gods and Guardians soon. I need to leave Jiao with you."

"What does this meeting concern?"

"Further peace and balance in all the realms. The smaller realms engaged in Kombat and the changing of Kombat rules."

Liu's eyes lit up. His nostrils flared and his feet were spread further apart. "Kombat? On Earthrealm?"

"Not here, but smaller realms who wish to be allied and protected. Either by Earthrealm or others. We already are allied with three other realms; Edenia, Infernia, and Galeheim. There is potential for more."

"Kitana, you are but one woman. How can you protect multiple realms?"

"They have their guardians, like Jade in Edenia." Kitana answered while pacing away from Liu. "Though these agreements are more for alliance rather than sheer protection. My family comes first in any case. You come first. Which is why I am so concerned with you."

"You needn't worry." Liu assured her with his hands clasped on the sides of her face. "In time, all will come together. I must remember my teachings and release the past and not worry of the future. I must center myself here and now once more."

"We both must." Kitana placed her hand on his wrist and brought herself to a slight smile.

Later in the evening, Liu Kang's rapid footfalls dashed across the grassy gardens of the temple, followed closely by a smaller male. The two raced from one end of the garden to the other, with the child just barely beating his father each time. If Liu was holding back or not would never be told.

"Faster than an arrow!" Liu Kang exclaimed with a chuckle.

"Unrivaled by the wind!" Jiao-Long laughed along with his father. He was an eight-year-old boy of a very athletic frame. A few scars lined his right arm that had long since healed, and a bandage sat over the bridge of his nose. "If I keep beating you at racing, I might beat you at long jumps next like Kung Lao or Uncle Chow!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Liu leaned down and threw a play jab at his son that was routinely parried. When the child fired back, Liu Kang returned the playful block and redirected the strike away. "Both of them have not seen my new technique. The one that I can only pass on to you."

"A new technique?! Will it make me jump higher?"

"Maybe."

"Can I throw a ball farther?"

"It is possible."

"When do I learn it?!"

"When you master the art of cleaning up your bedroom without being told." He winked and stood straight with his shoulders relaxed. "Now. There will be no martial arts training tonight. You must save your energy for tomorrow. Your mother is leaving us for a little while, so we will be heading to my home temple."

"Why is she leaving this time?" Jiao frowned and coughed lightly into his fist, which seemed to surprise Liu briefly.

"Business." He took a more serious tone. "Let's get inside. The weather is starting to chill, and we cannot train if you catch cold."

A woman approached the two, holding a jacket for young Jiao. She appeared to be around the same age as Liu Kang, also of some Asian descent, though it wasn't exactly clear as to what region. "Perfect timing as usual. Your mother just sent me out here with a jacket for you, Jiao."

"Thanks, Miss Suchin!" The child grabbed at the jacket and slipped it on, still letting out a brief cough into his fist. "Can Takeda and I play tomorrow?"

"Certainly. As long as you two don't get into any nonsense adventuring again." She bowed her head to the child as she and Liu Kang saw him off back inside of the temple, where Kitana was waiting for him.

Suchin and Liu hung back, however, exchanging a few words.

"Takeda is well, yes?" Liu asked quietly. "Is he still asking questions of who his father is? I assure you, my friend, it was never my intention to breed jealousy among the boys or unfair favor."

"I told him I will bring his father to him." Suchin shook her head. "Kenshi is a hard man to find. Love was not exactly our focus."

Liu placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a light squeeze. "We will find him. Together, as friends. If I have learned anything, fathers always think of their children, even if they seem not to be."

"Kenshi seeks justice though his anger. How can a man be twice blind?" Suchin sounded as if she pitied him. "Shang Tsung's death is the only thing that will give Kenshi peace."

"At times I relate." Liu said humorously. "Though I hope to have words with him. Convince him he is poisoning his mind and soul. But it is you who has to tell him about Takeda. You have to show him he can replace his peace."

"Thank you, Grand Champion." Suchin palmed her fist and bowed slightly to Liu Kang.

As the two said their goodbyes and parted ways, Liu returned to the grassy area of the courtyard. He faced the evening's winds and watched the clouds roll through the moonlight. Often times a punch or a kick skillfully sailed through the air, but no opponent met the end of each strike. Just the hollowed ghosts of an era long since passed.

The following afternoon, Kitana's thunder struck at the center of a large dragon medalian shaped carving in the ground. She was within the mysterious realm between all, in which Gods and Elder Gods alike met. A timeless space surrounded by clouds, pillars, and statues of the Elder Gods.

Gods of various elements from various realms all gathered to meet at a round table. Though there was only one face in which Kitana was extremely familiar with. Representing Edenia in its entirety, Jade stepped through a portal and quickly met eyes with her childhood friend.

Over the last decade since Shinnok's defeat, Kitana quickly established a new order. Gods and guardians were assigned to each realm within the alliance. Orderrealm, Edenia, and Earthrealm were the biggest names of the bunch, but dozens of smaller realms also joined the alliance with the protection of a realm of choice if small or in an era of rebuilding.

There was one special edition to this meeting, however. A speaker for the Elder Gods. An unnamed hooded and golden-masked woman who only wished to be referred to as the Vessel.

The Vessel only came with one new rule from the Elder Gods as it referred to Mortal Kombat; if a realm came under the protection of another, they would inherit the loss streak of Kombat of the lesser realm and would have to defend it in Kombat as a package deal.

Kitana found no threat in the thought, as Earthrealm alone could take on any challenge.

"And what news do you bring to our meeting, Goddess of Thunder?" The Vessel asked as she drew attention to Kitana.

"Kombat should be abolished," she suggested, "there are no more threats. There is no Shao Kahn or Shinnok issue. Any threats to the realms are internal and each realm is now armed for such an event. Outworld can handle its own internal affairs. For what reason must we still honor Kombat as a possibility?"

"Smaller realms have been engaging in Kombat under your nose." Vessel informed. "Outworld is gaining strength as you enjoy your peace. Abolishing Kombat makes the possibility of invasion all too real all over again."

"They can do their worst." Kitana stood her ground. "But if we must stick to this archaic way, then so be it. My forces will be ready and we will win. The Earth has enjoyed a decade of peace under my rule, and I am just beginning. Edenia has never been better. We have taken our lessons from our Sedian friends very well."

"As long as you do not disrupt time again, Kitana." The Vessel gazed upon her intensely from behind her mask. "Remember that humility is the essence of a God. Your Edenian nature still overpowers it."

"My 'Edenian nature' has caused many things. This is far from the worst." Kitana replied firmly with her hands clasped behind her back. "Earthrealm has nothing more to add for updates. We encourage all new and developing realms to come to us if they need assistance."

"The same can be said for Edenia soon." Jade interjected. "Though we ask for time to handle issues. Lord Jerrod may not survive through the coming year."

Kitana's eyes widened.

Jade continued with her hand over her heart. "If any realm can offer us support in fixing his magic-born ailment, Edenia's doors are open."

There was chatter among the gods and guardians, but Kitana's silence was as loud as a siren's call. However, she waited until she could have words privately with Jade after the meeting came to its conclusion much later.

The two old friends met at the portals back to their respective realms, but stood by to talk.

"What has befallen my father? How can I help?"

"Unless you remember Shao Kahn's magic I am afraid there is not much you can do." Jade sighed. "Ermac, the host cannot sustain himself forever. The souls will eventually break free and disperse, so our mages believe. We need a connection to Outworld, but that is asking for trouble. A powerful sorcerer from that realm will not willingly drop on our doorsteps."

"Then we get them unwillingly." Kitana said with a grave tone. "Shang Tsung can and will cooperate if he values his life. He eluded judgement once from us, he and his wife will be wise to help."

"You do not get it, do you?" Jade leaned her head back and squinted. "Nido has told me many things, one in which is that Shang Tsung and his wife are vastly more powerful than they were before. No one seems to know how, but when he destroyed the chance for Onaga to revive in this time…he told me there was an immense heat leaving Denise the next time he saw her. A blaze."

"That creature scares me less than my own power does. I will fetch Shang Tsung if I must." Kitana stood firm.

"Your powers will not help you in Outworld, Kitana. I am certain you do not wish to send your Earthrealm friends to slaughter either. There is a war going on there – big surprise, I know – but we must find alternatives."

"We ask Mileena." Kitana concluded. "I have not spoken to her in…six years."

"Six?" Jade sounded surprised. "I have not seen her in a few months. Why have neither of you told me you have not seen one another?"

"I have been busy." Kitana sighed. "If I ask her for such a favor she will resist. I know how stubborn she can be."

"She said the same when her daughter fell ill. She wanted to ask you for help, but all she got was a lousy best friend and not her elder sister. There are things called phones, Kitana. You should use them."

"Did her daughter survive?" Kitana asked quietly, gazing at her hands as if they were bloodstained.

"She did. Though it took some time. She still has a slight cough like Jiao does. Nothing threatening just yet."

Kitana's ego completely deflated. She stood before Jade with impatient feet and a crumbling heart. "What happened to me? Why have I let so much time pass?"

"You put much effort into crafting this world for all of us." Jade set her hand on her friend's shoulder. "You must learn when you can stop crafting and begin living. You cannot control everything."

"But I can try to fix what I am given to fix."

"And you will have broken hands from all of your crafting. You will soon have grey hairs – ah I have discovered one!" She reached out and poked at Kitana's pitch-black hair.

"Grey hair?! I do not-!" She grasped her head and hunched with panicked eyes. "That is not for a few thousand more years!"

"It comes early for the best of us! Maybe it is all of that worrying?" Jade turned her back on Kitana with a chuckle.

"You are gaming with me. Sly devil." Kitana regained part of her composure. "We will both be old maidens by the time you have children of your own. What is taking Nido so long, I wonder?"

"As the old saying goes, if at first you don't succeed…!" Jade turned and waved to Kitana as she backed into the portal. "Until next we meet, Kitana. Do not be a stranger. Visit us, I implore you!"

For the next few hours Kitana made her rounds in Earthrealm. She visited the various temples dedicated to her that had sprung up over the last decade. Every continent recognized her, unlike Raiden before her. She displayed her abilities and made her promises and intentions known as the guardian of the Earth.

Millions of people flocked to see her in person. Many children dressed similar to her stylized garbs to show their admiration to her. It swelled her heart three sizes to see the hope and joy in the eyes of her followers. Though when night fell, she departed from her adoring public to return to the sky temple.

Thunder struck the pavement of the temple. The echo of the rumbling followed.

The scent of blood arrived shortly after that when crimson liquid touched Kitana's boot. A fallen monk lay near her feet covered in bullet holes. The pattern was repeated as she walked slowly into the broken open temple. Her monks, her followers, slaughtered by modern weapons. Kitana raced to Jiao's bedroom and found it untouched.

She raced to her bedroom and the same was discovered. No invasion, no struggle. "Suchin?" She called as she rapidly walked through the halls in search of Suchin's chambers. However, she was stopped by a chillingly familiar tone.

"Mistakes are made starting with rage, Princess." Shang Tsung spoke as he stepped around a corner with a youthful face. He wore all black with a freshly made leather coat over it all. "You are preparing to make a few. I can see it in your eyes."

"What did you do, sorcerer?" Her tessen appeared in her hand as she solidified her place several yards away from him.

"I did nothing." Innocence came across his softened face for all but a moment. "The Black Dragon did everything. They are not affiliates of mine. Not currently. I've only come to deliver a message. As a god and defender of this realm, you are forbidden from striking down a peaceful—"

Her tessen zipped through the air and severed Shang Tsung's head from his shoulders. As the body collapsed, it reverted back into the form of a Black Dragon mercenary.

Shang Tsung once again appeared, stepping around the corner. "You are forbidden from striking down a peaceful visitor. Especially with my new abilities, I take it you will have a hard time vanquishing me when I am not actually present."

"Start talking, Sorcerer. Starting with where my son is."

"With his father." Shang answered bluntly. "They departed to visit Kung Lao. The attack happened hours after. The job was assigned by a party in Outworld who wishes to revive Kombat between our realms. As a businessman—"

"Opportunist." Kitana corrected.

"Businessman." Shang insisted. "I see no fortune or favor in engaging in Kombat with Earthrealm again. But some cannot let the past simply be. Some wish to continue Shao Kahn's quest."

"Give me a name." She said with a growl boiling on her tongue.

"Of the many factions in Outworld, the most powerful name comes in form of Noob Saibot. He wishes to claim this realm. He has powerful allies similar to your alliance, but far more prepared to die and murder for him. I come with an offer, however. Surrender Earthrealm to my wife and I, and we vow to eradicate the Black Dragon and their ilk from all the realms for you. Consider this an alliance between us, beneficial to both realms."

"Declined. You will not play me for a fool, Shang Tsung."

"If you do not wish to be allies, there are other options for me." He examined his nails and rubbed his thumb along his forefinger. "But be careful with your choices. Deaths will be out of your control. Just like Shen's—"

Her tessen cleaved through Shang Tsung again before he finished the name. As the halves spilled to the floor and reformed into the remains of a Black Dragon mercenary, Kitana stood over him breathing heavily.

Thunder clapped wildly around the sky temple, as a distant call of rage echoed out of every hall and every opened window. Rain fell violently all around as dark clouds spread across the land.

On the surface far below the temple, a woman draped in black gazed upon the violent skies. The Black Dragon soldiers around her fell back into their vehicles and drove away. The woman, however, walked on foot.

A/N

Alright. Review, review, review! Tell me what you think, after all of this time. Using a (hopefully) improved writing style. Tell me what you think of the characters thus far!