+++ Mortal Kombat: Conquest by LadyRaiden aka Raydiva +++

Notes: I do not own Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Conquest, Earthrealm, Outworld, etc, etc. This is all for fun and I do not make a profit from any of this. I do claim the mysterious white haired woman, Althea, Vatas and Zuravan as my own. If you wish to borrow any of them, just ask. Be aware I will not give out any info on any of them until it appears in one of these stories. This story takes place right after Chapter Three: Unique Heritage. I highly recommend reading the previous chapters since much that goes on here is in someway connected to them. I have also raise this group of stories rating by notch since I believe that some scenes in this chapter and following chapters might not be understandable or perhaps suitable for younger children.

        Chapter Four: Painful Pasts

        It has been two days since Zuravan’s attack on the trading post, and there were still signs everywhere of the almost epic battle. The rubble had been removed, but the doors still had to be replaced and walls rebuilt. The trio had decided to take turns keeping watch until the repairs could be made. The most worrying proof of the attack was Althea. She was still unconscious and no one had been able to wake her up.
        “Is there anything we can do?” asked Siro, “She’s been out since that fight.” Rayden sighed, “Perhaps, but it’s dangerous and might end up killing her.” “No offense, Rayden, “said Kung Lao, “But if she doesn’t wake up soon, she’ll end up dieing anyway.”
        Rayden sighed and looked out the window to think about the issue. Normally, he would not be able to help the mortal girl, but since it was because it was an immortal that attacked the place that cause her condition he should be allowed to help. But Zuravan did not directly cause the injury, she did herself thus I may not be allowed to help. Rayden almost shivered at the thought of nearly falling for the same trick as the one Shao Kahn used in the other time thread. If it wasn’t for his ‘friend’ he would now be at the mercy of that maniac. Taja was right, I am an idiot. If it wasn’t for Althea’s attack, they all would have been dead or worse. But can I return the gift. The ‘A rule that can not be broken can be bent’ line entered his head. Rayden then vanished.
        “Okay...,”said Siro.

****

        The woman stood completely still after giving her report to her master. “So, Kung Lao has acquired a godslayer as his student, “said Quan Chi, “That could prove most useful.”
        The woman, his newest servent, remained silent. Quan Chi frowned, his previous servents all failed to live up to expectation and they were all now in the Neatherealm facing their punishments. This one however was different and he didn’t know for certain if she was the right choice. He smiled. It didn’t matter; if she failed him she would just join the others.
        He walked over to some shelves and pulled out a potion. The bottle looked as if it was filled with a dark green smoke. Quan Chi handed it to his servent.
        “Here, Lupena, “he said, “Take this and place it in the same room as the girl.” Lupena took the bottle. Quan Chi continued, “Open the bottle and make sure you leave the room quickly. Or you too may be pulled into your worse nightmare.”

****
        That night a dog-like shape loped down the deserted road. It sees Siro yawning as he walked past the damaged gate. The ‘dog’ waited until Siro was turned around and then slipped past him, through the yard and into the kitchen. It cocked its head as it listened. All it heard was the sounds of sleeping humans and Siro walking outside. Walking past a dimmed lamp, the dog proved to be a solid black wolf with a scar in the shape of a crescent moon on its shoulder. Quickly and silently it made its way upstairs.

****
        Outside Siro yawned again and shook his head, trying to stay awake. Since there was no way to lock the gate, they had decided to take turns keeping watch. Siro still thought that Taja cheated when they drew straws as to which shift each of them got.
        Rayden appeared in a sparkle of light and Siro nearly walked into him. Instantly, Siro was fully awake and asked, “Where the hell have you been?”
        Rayden replied, “Taking care of a few things before I attempt to help Althea. What will be needed will take my full concentration and some time. I needed to get someone to....cover for me.” He took Siro by the elbow and continued, “This is important. I need you to tell the others that no one is to disturb me or attempt to contact me. Should serious trouble arise, Kung Lao is to seek out Fujin instead of me.”
        “Fujin?” asked Siro.

****
        The door to Althea’s room opened and Lupena entered. She made her way to the bed and looked upon the girl with regret filled eyes. In moments she placed the opened bottle on the table next to the bed and left the room, making sure that the door was closed behind her. Green smoke slowly rose out of the bottle to fill the room.
        A few seconds later the wolf was sneaking past the Rayden and Siro as they spoke. Rayden as if sensing something looked around but did not see the wolf as it hid on the other side of the wall. Rayden shrugged and told Siro that he would be in Althea’s room from now until perhaps late that evening or early tomorrow morning. No one was to enter the room during this time. The thunder god then flickered out. The wolf hearing this quickly ran to report to its master.

****
        Just as the green smoke was dissipating, Rayden appeared in Althea’s room. He pulled up the chair so to be more comfortable while he worked. Taking a deep breath, he took her hand to attempt recharging her chi with his own elemental energy. It was then that the potion took full effect on both of them. Rayden fell forward, his head landing just below Althea’s chest.

****
        “You’re telling me that Rayden himself went into the room while the potion was still in the air,” Quan Chi laughed aloud, “Marvelous, I’m getting two birds with one potion.” Lupena just remained silent as Quan Chi celebrated the idea of both a god and a godslayer falling for his trap.

****
        Rayden stood within the ruins of a destroyed city. Not sure as to where he was and how he got there, he tried to teleport out but failed. A cold wind blew....”Rayden” a ghostly voice spoke, “You failed us, us, us....” Rayden turned towards the source of the voice and saw a ghostly shape of a soldier wearing the uniform of a long destroyed civilization. “No...” Rayden whispered.
        Other ghosts appeared; men, women and children. All blaming Rayden for their deaths and being forgotten. The pain in Rayden’s soul brought him to his knees. He covered his head with his arms.
        “RAYDEN!” a familiar voice rang out, “This is just a manifestation of an old, misplaced guilt. IT IS NOT REAL!”
        The ghostly voices stopped and the spirits vanished. A hand reached down to the thunder god. He took it and looked up to see a face with crystal blue eyes looking over a dark scarf. “It’s a good thing this IS a dream, this way we can talk without me having to pull you into that damn time bubble, “She said as she helped him up. Once again she was wearing clothes similar to Rayden’s, only in black and gray.
        “How...” Rayden began, but then shook his head at his own stupidity, “The old dream trick.”
        The woman laughed and said, “I see...you used it before. Perhaps someone should warn Taja or maybe Althea. Hmmmm.”
        Rayden frown and said, “What’s going on, one moment I’m getting ready to help Althea and now..”
        “Quan Chi was always a talented alchemist. Shame he calls the Netherealm his home. Take this potion that was used in Althea’s room for example. It is able to pull up the most painful, guilt-ridden memories of anyone who breathes it, even a god,” answered the woman, “It gets even better...you didn’t even get the full dose.”
        “Althea, “said Rayden. The woman nodded and said, “Unfortunately, I am unable to help her, not directly anyway, as I am able to do with you. If the rules are bent too much, they will end up breaking. So it’s up to you, now....WAKE UP!”
        Rayden jerked away and sat up in the chair. Looking around and spreading his senses, he was now able to detect the remnants of the potion and the emotions radiating from the girl. Fear, anger and guilt mixed and forcing her nearly to the border of insanity. If this went on for much longer, she wouldn’t have a mind worth saving from the energy drain. Rayden breathed deeply and entered Althea’s nightmare.

****
        Downstairs Siro prepared some tea in the hopes it would wake him up. Kung Lao walked in with a tired look on his face. “Rough night?” asked Siro and he offered some tea to his friend.
        “Kept tossing and turning, worrying about Althea and this Zuravan that attacked us.” Kung Lao answered.
        “Oh, yeah, “said Siro, “That reminds me. Rayden showed up and said he was going to try whatever it is to help Althea. He’s up there now and does not want to be disturbed. You are to find someone by the name of Fujin if we need any help.
        “Fujin? The God of Wind?” ask Kung Lao. A stiff breeze blew through the kitchen and then a voice said, “You called?” Both of the men turned and saw a man sitting next to the table. He had long grey hair, tied up in a pony tail and sun-tanned skin. His eyes were the same dark color as Rayden’s and he wore a leather vest over a white shirt and green pants. Just then Taja walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen. Fujin saw her and said, “Why, hello there.”

****
        Upon entering Althea’s dream, Rayden saw the carnage of a corpse filled battlefield and heard the sounds of battle. He turned and saw Althea and a large cat of some sort fighting a large figure that seemed to be made up of shadows. The cat fought with tooth and claw as Althea blasted away with elemental blasts of Fire, Ice and even Lighting. None seemed to work on their foe. It was obvious that her powers were waning and the cat weakening from multiple injuries. A shadowy claw swung across and nearly ripping the muzzle off of the cat, throwing it across the ground.
        “No!” Althea yelled and the now familiar light-blue flame of her chi energy flew from both of her hands to strike the shadow. Like with Kuravan, nothing happened at first. Then the shadow exploded away and a figure in red and black fell to the ground. Kneeling he looked up just in time to see Althea stabbing him in the heart with a long dagger. From the injury an explosion of energy blew out, causing a shockwave that threw Althea, the cat and a number of the corpses outward. Rayden, fully aware that this was just a dream was untouched by the blast, but he was still shocked. Althea was a godslayer. That explained how her attack weakened Zuravan as it did.
        “Freyon!” Althea screamed at the beast in her arms, “I’ll get you to the healers. Just don’t die on me.” The great liger-like beast didn’t even raise it’s head, “::Mistress, don’t bother....I can feel the spirit within me leaving. I will soon return from whence I came. The bond between us must be removed before I do.::”
        “No! I will not let that happen. “She cried aloud to her partner’s mental speech. The creature’s chest moved as if in painful laughter but no sound came from its torn up muzzle. “::Ahhh, Mistress. You may have defeated the Insane One, but even you can not.....::”
        Just then the wind picked up and then they were surrounded by the five whose battle she just fought. “Help him!” she demanded.
        “I am sorry, “said one with kind, green eyes and wind blown air, “But we can not, he is but a spirit in animal form as is all familiars. His spirit shall return from where it came, but his body is too far gone.”
        Zuravan snorted, “He did his job, he should be honored that we don’t destroy his spirit for going against....”
        He was unable to finish, Althea jumped up and slapped him across the face. “Bastards! We risked our lives, our very souls for your sorry hides!”
        The other three back off as if in fear of the woman. The first one placed his hand on her shoulder, “Please, Althea.....”
        Anger flashed in the eyes of the one she slapped, but his voice remained cold. “It doesn’t matter; you must now take the place of the one you fought.”
        “No.”
        “Althea, “said the kind one, “Since you have defeated him, you have absorbed his power. You have no choice....”
        Althea shook her shoulder to remove his hand and walked back to her fallen friend who still breathed. “Give it to Freyon.” Zuravan replied, “That’s impossible...”
        “No its not, “sighed the green eyed one deity. “He is still bonded with her and can draw the power from her if she chooses. Freyon took part in the battle and in a sense also earned the right to join us.”
        “Are you certain of this child, “a red-headed woman in red armor asked, “Once done there is no reversing it.”
        “Yes, I am,” answered Althea.

“That’s exactly how it happened, “said someone behind Rayden. Rayden turned and saw the same greened eyed man that was with Althea. “You must be Rayden, I am Vatas, Sworn Protector of Calorna.” Rayden bowed slightly in acknowledgement, as Vatas continued, “I sensed her pain but since I am not of Earth it was necessary....”
        “To pull the dream trick,” finished Rayden with a half-smile. “It seems everyone is using it today.”
        They watched ‘Vatas’ talk with Althea in regards as to what she is to do next as the others left with Freyon. “It’ll start again soon. First it will be the death of Granny for harboring a ‘witch,’ then the destruction of the Mage’s Conclave, and eventually the carnage of the Calornian God War. None of which is her fault, but she feels a responsibility for.”
        Rayden didn’t comment. He understood what it felt to be powerless to prevent such tragedy and be force to be part of it. Rayden then walked towards Althea, the memory Vatas vanishing as Rayden placed a hand on her shoulder. “I understand, “he whispered, “I’ve been in that same place that you are in now.”
        Althea looked up into Rayden’s eyes and saw he truly knew what she was going through. She threw her arms around him and for the first time, truly wept.

*****
        Back at Quan Chi’s lair, Lupena reported, “My apologies, Master. Rayden and the girl have both been freed of your spell.”
        Surprisingly, Quan Chi was in a good mood. “It doesn’t matter, “he said as he moved some bottles around on the shelves. “It’s no big lost, after all I did get the true prizes.” He then picked up a bottle filled with black and purple lighting, “A bit of pain and guilt of a god, “he placed it down and picked up another bottle filled with blood red flame, “and a bit of pain and guilt of a godslayer.”

The End

Next Time on Mortal Kombat Conquest.....

Fujin spoke out of the side of his mouth, “Shut up already, I’m trying to score.”

“The Black Dragon is dead, “the man said as he slit the woman’s throat, “Long live the Red.”