Lightning cracked on the stones by the entrance of the Shaolin Temple. From the lightning emerged Raiden with his allies Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Scorpion, Tundra, Smoke, Kenshi and Johnny Cage. Bo' Rai Cho immediately approached to greet them, Nightwolf and another man stood by Bo's side.
"Welcome everyone." Bo' Rai Cho welcomed.
"Bo' Rai Cho, Nightwolf and... Fujin?" Raiden was surprised to see his brother, the god of wind Fujin.
"It is I, brother." Fujin confirmed as the two embraced each other. "I came down from the Heavens to aid Bo' Rai Cho in the Shaolin Temple's reformation."
"I am grateful for your help, Fujin." Raiden thanked. "And I'm sure Li Mei is grateful of yours, Nightwolf."
"I apologize for forfeiting." Nightwolf needlessly said his sorrows.
"You did it to assure the safety of others." Raiden understood. "You have no reason to apologize."
"I'm also grateful of both of your help." Bo' Rai Cho added. "We have also planned to host a ceremony for all of you."
"Indeed." Fujin confirmed. "Though I can't stay for long as I'm required to defend the Elder Gods' Eternal Palace."
"I understand." Raiden replied. "I'm just glad that we had some time to interact once more."
"We have many more centuries left, Raiden." Fujin assured. "The time between us interacting will flow past like a breeze."
"Always one with the puns." Raiden smiled.
"Who said a god can't have humour?" Fujin asked rhetorically, smiling as well.
"Lord Fujin." Liu Kang greeted as he stepped forward.
"Here he is, Fujin, the Mortal Kombat champion." Bo' Rai Cho introduced.
"Is that so?" The wind god queried as he stuck his hand out.
"Indeed, it is." Liu confirmed as he shook Fujin's hand.
"Then congratulations."
"Well done." Nightwolf also congratulated.
"Your praise means the world to me." Liu said gratefully.
"You did save this world after all." Fujin reminded. "You are a hero."
"The ceremony is prepared, my friends." Cho announced. "Follow me."
Bo' Rai Cho led the heroes to a courtyard located in the centre of the temple. Behind the main courtyard stood the remnants of the Wu Shi Academy. As it was at the back of the society it hadn't be completely left in ruins, though the same couldn't have been said for the main Shaolin Temple which had been obliterated thanks to the Naknadans and the Tarkatans. The main damage go the White Lotus Society wasn't the structural damage but it was the family taken away and slaughtered by the savages from Outworld. Bo' Rai Cho always frowned at this sight, despite having to have looked at the destruction plenty of times he still couldn't get used to the feeling of sadness he received when he looked around at the ruins that formerly represented his home.
"I shall call for our fellow Shaolin." Cho informed as he went to grab a heavy hammer to ring the gong that stood at the back of the central podium that was shaped as an octagon.
"Allow me." Fujin insisted as he gently grabbed his friends' chunky arm and stood in front of him. Fujin used his wind powers to send a strong gale crashing into the gong.
The Shaolin monks began to surround the podium, waiting patiently for the announcement.
"Thank you for attending promptly," Cho said gratefully. "I've called for you all to celebrate the victory of our Earthrealm warriors."
The monks applauded. One stepped onto the podium, holding a box that contained several unique medals. He carefully handed the box to Raiden before walking back to the audience.
"I was unaware you had prepared medals, my friend." Raiden said, appreciative of another of Cho's gifts.
"They were meant to reward those from the previous tournament." Cho explained. "Unfortunately, Shao Kahn's new tournament format threw us off guard."
"Now there's only more the reason to congratulate these warriors." Raiden said as he pulled one medal out the box. "Like you, Johnny Cage."
"Me?" Cage was surprised.
"You outlasted many of Kahn's forces." Raiden reminded. "Though you're arrogant, you still have potential of being a protector of Earthrealm."
"Thank you, Raiden." Johnny was genuinely grateful. He bowed his head as Raiden put the red silk over his head, a golden medal dangling at the bottom in front of his chest.
"I will help you with discovering your newly acquired powers too." Raiden promised. "Of course, I'll only do so if you wish to learn more."
"I do." Johnny confirmed as he looked back up at Raiden, the man who had given him a new kind of determination he had never felt before.
"Hope we aren't late." Jax hoped as the crowd of monks humbly made way for him and Sonya Blade.
"It is no issue, Jackson Briggs." Raiden assured. "I see you've found new arms."
"Sure did," Jax said happily as he stepped onto the podium. "Just got finished whooping some Black Dragon tail."
"Even more the reason for me to present you with this." Raiden presented the two soldiers with a medal each. "For your services of protection to Earthrealm and for your aid during the two latest tournaments."
"Jeez Raiden, you shouldn't have." Jax said as he looked at the engraved details of his medal.
"You honour us soldiers." Sonya informed.
"Soldiers and police are everyday heroes." Raiden explained. "I'm pleased to have given you these rewards. Know that if the Special Forces receive any trouble in their battles then seek my aid."
"We will," Sonya assured. "And thank you."
"Now Nightwolf," Raiden turned to his Matokan ally. "You also fought for Earthrealm as well as aiding those outside our realm, taking a blade for one who others would consider an enemy. Your nobility is boundless."
"You humble me, Haokah." Nightwolf bowed his head to receive his well deserved medal.
"And thank you Scorpion, Tundra, Smoke and Kenshi. While I have no medals to grant to you all, I'm still grateful for your decision to align yourself with me." Raiden thanked.
"This isn't about medals," Kenshi muttered. "This is about my stolen vision. This is about the deceiving of Tundra's brother. This is about Scorpion's now gone family."
"I'm sorry to hear that hatred lingers on you all." Raiden apologised.
"It's hard to forget," Scorpion explained. "Remain respectful though, Kenshi."
"Respectful? How are you remaining so calm?" Kenshi frustratingly asked.
"Because everybody here are allies." Scorpion clarified. "I take my anger out on those who deserve it."
"Like Bi Han?"
"You don't have a right to mention his name!" Tundra snapped. Their argument was becoming audible to the crowd now.
"Kuai, come with me," Smoke demanded. "You need to cool off."
"Right." He complied and the two former Lin Kuei left the podium. Kenshi also walked off the opposite side.
"Apologies." Scorpion said respectfully, holding back his anger towards Kenshi.
"Now, where was I?" Raiden tried to recall, moving on from the small argument. Kung Lao made a throat clearing noise which managed to make Raiden collect his thoughts. "Ah of course. Liu Kang, two-time Mortal Kombat champion and thus, the saviour of Earthrealm twice. I'm beyond proud of you, Liu Kang."
The crowd applauded as the ceremony had seemingly come to a close. A young boy pushed through to the front row of the audience and began calling for his cousin. "Lao! Kung Lao!"
"Jin? Hey buddy!" Kung Lao knelt down to his level. "What's up?"
"I made you a medal!" He pulled out a pebble that dangled from a string and handed it to his older cousin.
"Thanks kiddo." Lao took the 'medal' and noticed a pattern that had been carved onto the rock. "Nice artwork."
"I know." Jin laughed.
"And last but not least," A voice that wasn't Raiden's announced. "Kung Lao."
Lao turned around to see the spirit of his ancestor, the Great Kung Lao. "You're here!"
"Of course! And I'd like to proudly reward you with this medal," He presented the medal from his transparent blue hands. "For aiding Earthrealm in the Mortal Kombat tournament."
"I don't know what to say..." Kung Lao was for once speechless as he collected his medal and placed it over his head as well as the custom made one by Kung Jin.
"You don't have to say anything."
"Thank you." Lao stood up to get a closer look of his ancestor's spirit.
"As I said, I'll be by your side, my heir." The Great Kung Lao had kept his promise.
"Then I look forward to our next interaction."
Meanwhile, Scorpion approached Kenshi in an attempt to comfort him. "What do you want?" Kenshi looked up from the ground, he was sat on a bench in contemplation of whether it was worth being around the likes of Raiden and Scorpion.
"I thought you could use someone to talk to." Scorpion explained. "Though I'm not the best at communication, I ought to try."
"All I need is myself and my mind," Kenshi muttered. "Not you."
"Look..." Scorpion paused to try and think of how he could articulate his point.
"Look," Kenshi interrupted. "This isn't your forte so I'd recommend you stop whatever you're trying to do and leave me be."
"You don't realize your clouded judgement in the anger of seeking vengeance until you hurt someone who was innocent." Scorpion finally managed to explain. "Like Bi Han. I took his life unnecessarily and now he and his brother have suffered because of me."
"You think Shang Tsung is innocent?"
"No, the sorcerer deserves death whether he's a culprit to you and I or not." Scorpion stated.
"Then what is your point?" Kenshi queried, shutting down Scorpion's explanation.
"I... I just think we shouldn't be just angry men out for vengeance. There's more to life."
"Like having an eyesight." Kenshi said bitterly. "These 'more' factors in our lives were stripped away by a sorcerer. I won't rest until he pays his debt in death."
"Maybe you should just think about what I've been saying." Scorpion recommended before leaving Kenshi alone.
Tundra and Smoke were also having a private conversation on another side of the temple where Tundra was sat against a temple wall. Smoke was kneeling by Tundra, rubbing his friends shoulder to try and comfort him. "You alright now?" Smoke asked.
Tundra nodded and Smoke reluctantly move his hand back to himself. "Thank you."
"Of course, we're friends." Smoke reminded.
"Should we even be here?" Tundra asked. He was overwhelmed by his recent experiences.
"Raiden will protect us from the Cyber Lin Kuei." Smoke reassured. "We are safe with him."
"For how long?"
"Well, would you prefer to be alone?" Smoke stood up and offered Tundra a hand up.
"I don't know what I want." Tundra admitted as he took Smoke's hand.
"With Raiden's help we can save ourselves and Oniro's victims." Smoke explained. "Like Cyrax."
"I'm just... afraid." Tundra admitted.
"As am I," Smoke felt the same way. "But with Raiden and his allies protection we needn't be afraid."
"True." Tundra realized his more fortunate position. He had found new allies and was yet to have been cyberized. "You remind me of Bi Han."
"Oh?" Smoke was surprised. "I didn't mean to..."
"No." Tundra interrupted. "They're positive memories."
"That's good to hear." Smoke smiled behind his mask, as was Tundra.
Nearby was a conversation between Raiden, Bo' Rai Cho, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. "I'm glad you're all safe." Bo' said. "I don't think I could cope with the loss of another student."
"You refer to Shujinko?" Raiden queried.
Bo' Rai Cho nodded. "I hope he returns once this quest for the Elder Gods is complete."
"Shujinko?" Nightwolf recognized the name as he walked by the group. "He had been going under my training for the past five years."
"Can I see him?" Bo' Rai Cho jumped to ask.
"Unfortunately, he left only a week ago for the Mortal Kombat tournament." Nightwolf explained.
"I didn't see him there." Liu informed.
"Me neither." Nightwolf said worryingly.
"Perhaps the Elder Gods had rerouted his quest." Raiden considered. "I met him about a week ago myself, as I've already explained to Bo' Rai Cho."
"Did he mention where he was heading?" Cho questioned.
"Nothing besides the fact that he had opened an ancient portal to the Nexus." Raiden explained.
"The Nexus?" Liu Kang and Kung Lao asked in unison.
"The Nexus is a plane of existence that exists as the central hub between the various realms of existence." Raiden explained. "The portals available are of Earthrealm, Outworld, Netherrealm, Chaosrealm and Orderrealm. It also has a portal that would transport you to Edenia, but it is currently broken due to that realm being merged with Outworld."
"Another victim of Shao Kahn's tyranny." Liu commented, still angered by Kahn's actions.
"Shujinko was going to find me an invitation to the Mortal Kombat tournament around five years ago." Kenshi informed, talkative for once. "I waited in a village for about a month for his confirmation that I was invited but he never returned. I left to find another way and it wasn't until I heard of the new tournament at the notorious Coliseum that I had an opportunity for revenge."
"I believe he may have been side tracked by my training." Nightwolf informed reluctantly. "I'm sorry that I have delayed your vengeance."
"It's... not your fault." Kenshi admitted. "Nor is it Shujinko's."
"Plans change." Fujin explained, also joining in on the conversation. "Like the flow of the wind."
"Again, Fujin?" Liu asked before laughing.
"Yes, Fujin has been spending too much time with me." Bo' Rai Cho clarified.
"It is a delightful change to the characters you can meet up in the Heavens." Fujin informed.
"I can imagine." Bo' Rai Cho chuckled as he placed a hand on Fujin's shoulder. "It's been only a day and you've been incredibly helpful to our society."
"I'm glad to have helped. But now my help is required in the Heavens once more." Fujin sadly stated. "Goodbye everyone."
Everyone waved to Fujin as he walked on thin air as if there was an invisible staircase to the Heavens. Even Kenshi was waving despite facing the wrong way.
"Can you play with me now, Lao?" Kung Jin asked after waiting surprisingly patiently for his conversation to conclude.
"Of course." He confirmed before chasing after his cousin.
"Earthrealm is finally at peace." Liu said as he smiled from watching Kung Lao and Kung Jin interact playfully with one another.
"For now." Raiden reminded. "Threats aren't forever diminished."
"We'll be ready, Lord Raiden."