Con't VI

A day later after taking the last of the shots Aiko needed to be accustomed to China's foreign environment, she had a call coming from her new physician, Dr. Esuna Kavita.

"The iron within shall strengthen your heart, providing you more energy and oxygen to the blood vessels. And iron deficiency can cause complications such as manifesting depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, even schizophrenia and other anxiety disorders. I theorize you have some of them."

Aiko actually confirmed this, being diagnosed with OCD and depression as well as a tad of nervous schizo when she was 18. She even mentioned she had restless legs once while she was medicated, and the doc assured that iron can relieve that.

"Oh, does that mean, since I'll be taking supplements, does that mean I can't have grapefruit...?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

She sighed irritatingly, and she hoped she won't drink it by accident such as in fruit juices or salads. Dr. Ivita recommended to avoid Sunny D, particularly the regular flavor, in which Aiko usually enjoyed the strawberry-orange, or any random fruit salads in the future summers ahead. Especially with high-octane energy drinks like Mountain Dew, Monster, and others, plus cutting back on caffeine related to coffee, Coke or tea, unless it's up to about three servings which was tolerable enough. This did give Aiko deja vu on the strict withdrawals while she was medicated in the distant past...

After a grainy breakfast from the usual academy cafeteria, and since the weather was warming up yet still some constant moist breezes emitting from the Yellow River, Aiko was encouraged by Kung Lao to make some warmup exercises before her big footrace! She made up to 20 pushups, 30 sit-ups after a break, even bending her legs loosening them, then making a slow jog around the compound; at times she needed to slow down on account of her low stamina, and she had her doubts her new iron inputs were working... At least her left arm was easing up finally, particularly the upper portion.

"I wish I could've trained more... I hadn't done these exercises since I was in gym class, in my junior year; senior year I was in study hall since a volleyball of all things fractured my right pinkie," she murmured.

"By the Gods..." Lao was shocked. He hardly noticed her barely curling it since the tiny bones were disintegrated upon impact.

After about an hour of working out, her muscles were sore, her body was sleek and sometimes oozing with sweat, and she was a bit irritated and exhausted since she wasn't used to the sudden exertions... Nevertheless, it was less stressful with Kung Lao by her side, encouraging her to reach her potential. It was even better when he actually surprised her with a couple of those containers with raw mixed fish meats and healthy greens! Aiko enjoyed it so much with the strong, refreshing tastes.

"Fish is always rich in iron. Lobster, crab, eel, sardines, all of them. That was one of the reasons I wanted you to join the Shaolin in fishing, aside from using your cardio abilities."

She smiled and thanked him, although she couldn't absorb the caught prey's heart since the bio chemicals were still needed to make the catch rich in nutrients.

Through their break, Aiko felt more energized than before. She wondered if the iron diets were finally working. Actually, she experimented by making a few high jumps after watching Lao doing some tricky kick maneuvers like his ancestor did. "Wow, I feel almost as light as a feather! I think it's the iron!" She even noticed her bowels acting up days before to empty themselves as well, particularly from the growls, the occasional pangs, and sometimes the loose stool instead of the usual constipation. Despite her lightness, she hoped her cardiokinesis would improve with more strength and more rapidness.

Before the pair knew it, Raiden arrived and let them know it was finally time for the footrace!

It was around the afternoon beside the Academy, there was an even dirt path suitable for running, and from a considerable distance, a thick sliver of yellow tape was hung horizontally and tied onto adjacent trees. Aiko bent her knees and stimmed a few times as a last warmup while several young monks arrived along with Lao and Liu. The fresh bloods were of course murmuring with each other in Mandarin, although the cardiokinetic could've sworn they had their distastes on having their only lady race them.

Liu gave out the orders that this will be a test of speed and endurance as his students shall race against other petite warriors on this dirt track for about 100 meters. The first warrior breaking the yellow tape wins. Everyone including Aiko got down and were in mountain climbing positions. Liu raised his hand and signaled the race in Chinese from 3 to 1 before the go command and fired.

Aiko rose quickly and began running, her skinny "chicken" legs and her clenched fists swaying fast! At first, she was able to pass a few male warriors; however, she noticed her heart was pumping harder and her breathing became more rampant after several meters. She was quick and agile, but it indicated her stamina was diminishing, even with her new iron inputs. She felt her energy dissipate despite her rush to keep going, and she started to become more wobbly, even sometimes waddling it seemed. Her inhales and exhales became heavy, and the few monks caught up and passed her seamlessly. Aiko was trying to catch her breath as she slowed and hunched over, breathing hoarsely.

A sudden, white flash was seen just out of Aiko's peripheral vision! She abruptly looked up and noticed an opaque cloud forming out of nowhere, up to the size of a Titan's fist! There was another burst, and the startled rookie noticed it was lightning; a storm was starting to brew! She heard a sharp crack of thunder, and considering she was an astraphobic...

She NEEDED to get off that course!

Aiko ran like her life depended on it! Literally! She ran phenomenally fast as it she felt her feet were nearly aloft from the ground! Her heart felt like as if it leapt to her throat and was pumping out quarts of adrenaline as if it was her only source of energy, like a plane running on just vapors! She didn't even notice herself screaming, her mouth open like a hippo's jaws, hyper fixated and gaining the lead as she miraculously passed the monks! The spectators were actually cheering, encouraging Aiko to move her ass, even when it seemed to overpower her shrill screams! In Aiko's frantic mind, she figured it was still not just flashing white but a bolt or two trying to lick her, as if Raiden can be guiding them to chase her down and strike her down!

The Shaolin were almost stupefied as the once fatigued newbie whizzed past them like a sudden gust! One by one, she raced thru them! Lao and Liu were nearly roaring in the audience, even Kung Ling!

"Go Aiko, go Aiko, GO AIKO!"

With that last cry, she passed the remaining two warriors ahead of the pack and she wasn't sure if she was the one who broke the tape before them! She heard the spectators cheer but all she wanted was to escape from the oncoming thunderstorm! She made a tight right and went under the roof of the adjacent academy, and she clutched a wall tightly as her body quivered and became numb with her heart hammering and her breath very coarse. She hardly saw a shadow approaching and felt a warm sensation behind her. Sure enough, it was Kung Lao just tending her, assuring her she was safe. She was too weak to speak on whether or not she won, so she only nodded before she plopped on the skinny wooden bench.

After minutes of reprieve, the sky quickly returned to a serene tone as before with the sun starting to tint to a tangerine. Aiko, with Lao beside her, kept patting her down.

"I think it was Raiden... I think he was forcing me to win that race. I could've passed out...!"

"At least without all that iron in your system," he assured. "That could've saved your life."

"I swear by the Elder Gods, if I see Raiden right now, I'm gonna maul him like a punching bag by a wild wrestler!"

Lao couldn't help but snicker, "Good luck. Yea, he deserves a beating now and then, but...I think he DID desire you to win that footrace. So that...maybe it can give you better fitness, more energy, more skill. You have great potential, especially for the White Lotus!"

Just then, Nightwolf came in with Kiba barking beside him. "Hey! I just heard you stormed that race, Aiko! Congrats!"

She was astounded, "Nightwolf! I... haven't see you during the race, nor...during my tests." She appreciated Kiba licking her.

"I'm sorry, Aiko. I was installing new technology throughout the Academy, even the Dragon Grotto. The latter shall be monitored if there are any intruders."

"I see," complimented Lao. "I thank you for the effort."

The shaman smiled.

"Hey, have you met Dr. ES-una...Ee...veeta yet?" Aiko struggled to pronounce.

"Actually yes, she even recommended a veterinarian for Kiba; she sees him as more of a husky than a wolf. Which is good since wolves'd be treated as outcasts anyway."

"Have you...become a member of the White Lotus yet?"

"Not yet. I was actually waiting for you to be enlisted, after the tests. They do need the most fit to defend Earthrealm from otherworldly threats. I think I shall be racing them tomorrow; they still need to get used to me being merged with Kiba here."

"You seem to be handling the side effects well."

"Well, I guess when you're one of the indigenous, you become immune and resistant to illness and side effects."

"It was no problem for me and Kung Lao." Liu Kang marched up to the group with a grin. "Come. The White Lotus are awaiting us."

Liu and Lao escorted Nightwolf, Kiba and Aiko to society's headquarters. Raiden was front and center amongst the other members. "Welcome, Nightwolf, Kiba, and Aiko. You're all just in time for the enrollment ceremony." They smiled while the wolf panted.

The Thunder God was handed an opaque headband with the five-petal lotus gleaming. "The Matoka shaman, Nightwolf. You and your people have demonstrated astonishing feats on defending Earthrealm and your sacred land from Shao Kahn's invasions. You've demonstrated outstanding character and resourcefulness, including unveiling our feral animal spirits. Your native customs fascinate us, and we are proud to have an indigenous individual join our ranks."

He took off his usual headband and bowed for the newer wrap. "Thanks, Lord Raiden." He shall let his distant people know back in the US East Coast. As the Matoka applied the collar onto his sidekick, Raiden advanced to Aiko.

"Aiko Krackle, the cardiokinetic. Your resilience, innocence, and your origins had touched us all. Your amazing feats of survival from your own birth to your dystopian future demonstrates your dark history and positivity thru great loss. Your rate capabilities and your gentile persona shall be of great moral support. We shall train you in the ways of the Shalin to enhance your skills. Remember that there's always more to just fighting when overcoming adversities including Mortal Kombat," he faced Liu and Lao while stating the latter.

He then applied the crimson band onto her as she bowed. "Thanks, Raiden. I promise I won't let you down."

The Shaolin seemed to have followed her determined charisma as they saluted and cried in unison, "Welcome to the White Lotus Society!"

Aiko, Nightwolf and Kiba were thrilled as the survivors mingled with them; they couldn't wait on what the new team can do, even in the years to come!

A/N: Lightfoot Tracking Test from Starfox Adventures, followed by Poofoot from Disturbia as Aiko races the other new lightweight runners. At least that's all I got so far and brainstormed a while ago... Hopefully I can develop the soundtrack more... Unlike what I did in my F-Zero "deleted" scenes...

I know Raiden can be a dick sometimes, no matter what the media is, even as his dark self, or in MK 2021, or even in Defenders of the Realm. But I not only wanted to have him just goof off but also have that concept on giving others the strength to overcome adversity. Or...maybe it wasn't Raiden using Aiko's astraphobia, and it can just be Lord Liu Kang instead...? Either way! He just wanted Aiko to have the chance to win.

It is in fact true I happen to be an astraphobic, having a fear of lightning/thunderstorms; ever since I was little, I always despised them, especially at night, and I've sound/light sensitivity besides! They can be so bad I can hardly sleep throughout the night, and they'd happened so frequently in the 90s! Raiden was one of the creepy factors ever since the original game, particularly with his air tackle! As I'd said in my Retrospective and Electrokinetics list, my relationship with Raiden has been rocky ever since, till I started my Khronology in 2022.

Also...I never got struck, but I sure as Hell won't experiment with it; stay away from water and metal too as they're electrical conduits! I occasionally get misfiring sparks in my brain too... Even making me take an unexpecting jolt like when I go to bed.

I wish the series would've highlighted more of the White Lotus, how members are enlisted, even if they aren't just the usual Kombatants but other occupations like agriculturists, artisans, etc but gifted; I feel they need more to contribute across the Society and the Order of Light. I feel they function as two in one unit not just requiring some karate/kung fu army. I too feel that Nightwolf would've been perfect for the Society with his shamanistic and technological skills, in which everyone hates the latter! I really despise what Midway's doing whether it's for Dominic's failed experiment, the atrocious movie sequel incoming one week before Halloween, or the Elder Gods know what! The sooner Tobias returns, kicks out Dominic and Spoony Boony to the curb and when MK shall be independent, the better everyone can be; even if the snobby content creators consider otherwise!