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Chapter Text

Little Lord Liu

Chapter 1: Brought down a cosmic peg

It all started with a serum. 

Harmless, really. Just a little jar of something that had promised to stave off the years. 

A balm—or, more like a salve—that could smooth away all that wasted time and make room for a fresh start. 

It was supposed to be a farce; the kind of snake-oil that grizzled old men could laugh in the face of…not something that could worry the keeper of time…

But then, there was much about this new era that wasn’t ‘supposed’ to happen. 

Timelines weren’t ‘supposed’ to converge, Titans weren’t ‘supposed’ to interfere between their domains. 

Shang Tsung, certainly, wasn’t ‘supposed’ to be the kind of sorcerer that Liu Kang remembered… 

Hours ago, he would have been thankful that, in many ways, he still wasn’t.

This was not one of those times. 

—-

The darkness was suffocating. 

It wasn’t like at the dawn of time; a place where all that had been and all that could be stretched out into the expanse. Where he could feel all possibilities at his fingertips, crackling like lightning… 

No, this darkness was different. It was a much more tangible feeling; closer, rougher…and carrying a fragrance not unlike the gentle blend of spices that Liu Kang had used to deodorise himself that very morning… 

And another thing about this darkness: it moved! He couldn’t be sure at first but, there…! It did it again! Whenever he tried to move an arm, the surface, it rippled… 

But try as he might, he couldn’t just seem to push it away? His limbs…they were so heavy? Or was it just that whatever he’d found himself smothered beneath bore such a tremendous weight? 

Either way, instinct refused to let him lie there and wonder. With great effort, Liu Kang thrust both his hands out into the darkness…but all that seemed to do was wrinkle the void. 

He did again and again…! And when that didn’t work, he simply tried harder, his limbs working themselves into such a fervour that the darkness had no choice but to bend to his might…! 

With a mighty cry, the god of fire finally breached the surface…! And the reality of the situation met Liu Kang like a cold, hard, slap in the face…

—-

Shang Tsung’s laughter was as maniacal as it was sudden. It rang out about the laboratory with such delirium that Raiden couldn’t be sure the sorcerer hadn’t finally tipped completely off his rocker…and taken everyone else along for the ride. 

“Is that…?” 

“No way…?” 

He heard both Kung Lao and Johnny Cage beginning to murmur; and it was oddly comforting, Raiden found, to hear his uncertainty given voice. At least if he truly was spiralling into the depths of insanity then he wouldn’t be going down alone. 

“Lord…Liu Kang…?” He heard himself wonder, eyes wide as he watched a pair of pudgy fists flail furiously in the air. 

“Lord!’” Shang Tsung barked back, his face twisting into a mocking sneer “I hardly think that’s a fitting title right now! In fact…” 

The sound of claws unsheathing from a gauntlet made Raiden’s heart sink. He made to rush forwards…but, with one quick motion, Shang Tsung had already snapped an arm down and skewered the loose folds of Liu Kang’s shirt. 

“…I doubt this little ‘lord’ will be fitting into much of anything from now on!”

As he raised the tattered bundle up to his eye-line, that mocking sneer began to twist more menacingly into his youthful face. What little solace Raiden might have taken from the garment’s vehement squirming was sorely tempered by the crazed look glittering in the sorcerer’s eye. 

“Shang Tsung…” Raiden spoke, his voice a slow and measured breath “Please…” 

Raiden knew damn well that it wasn’t the plea itself that caught Shang Tsung’s attention. 

 Rather, the humility in his voice…the pitifulness of it…

Shang Tsung was many things and merciful was not one, but if he had a chance to gloat…

If Raiden could just keep him talking… 

“‘Please’ what, farmer?” Shang snorted, chin jutting slightly in that regal manner he held. All the better, Raiden suspected, to peer down on the common riff-raff who dared cross his path. 

“Well?” The sorcerer pressed when Raiden said nothing, the arm that skewered the wriggling bundle gesturing out grandly “‘Please’ what? Let me guess…‘Please don’t kill this little pest of a god?’ Hm? ‘Please don’t spear him like a stuck pig?’” 

Raiden’s lips dried and pressed tightly together, all while the sinister smirk wove that bit tighter over Shang Tsung’s mouth. 

The claws in the other gauntlet had already been unsheathed. He brought them dangerously close  to Liu Kang’s tiny, wriggling form. 

“Why?” 

“Sorcerer, I swear…” Kung Lao started to growl, but Raiden swept an arm out in front in a silent bid to keep him at bay. Kung Lao stiffened…but made no move to start forward. 

“That isn’t a god you hold, Shang Tsung, it’s a child…” Raiden began, his voice forcing itself past the dry walls of his throat “It’s…it’s not worth it. He’s beneath you now.”

“Correction,” Shang sneered “He was always beneath me, godly or not. This is just the icing on the proverbial cake. And believe me, I intend to eat well…” 

“Shang Tsung!” Raiden yelled “By the Elder Gods, think about what you’re doing! He’s your creator! If not for him then you wouldn’t exist!” 

“If not for him then I would have already achieved greatness!” Shang Tsung snarled, clearly unmoved by the other’s call to reason. If anything, the sorcerer’s gaze had only darkened at the turn the conversation had taken. 

“Then why waste such a victory?” Raiden pressed, turning the heads of his two companions. 

“Raiden…?” Kung Lao quietly hissed, glancing to Johnny who similarly chipped in. 

“Where the hell you going with this, kid thunder?” 

But Raiden only waved for them to quiet. 

“Why end it here where no one can see?” Carefully, he continued “Wouldn’t it be better savoured? Relished in public, with all the fanfare you no doubt crave?” 

There was a pause, Shang Tsung’s head slightly cocking to the side. Raiden took it as a good sign. 

“Think about it…” The humbler man continued “If you just do away with him like this, who would believe you? And, even if they did, I doubt it would be much of a claim to fame. A warrior who was so outmatched that he had to resort to turning his foe into a helpless infant to fell him?” 

Raiden forced a breathless laugh, “It’s hardly the making of a fearless warrior’s legendary feat, is it? More the tale of a coward so weak he had to resort to trickery…” 

The gentle upturn of the wizard’s brow furrowed sharply, while the point of Shang Tsung’s claws inched dangerously close to the squirming weight of cloth. He was bristling, and for a moment, Raiden wondered if he hadn’t pushed his appeal to Shang’s vanity that bit too far… 

“An intriguing notion…” The sorcerer spoke after what seemed to be a long moment of consideration “But I think you’re overestimating your audience here. Warrior, wizard, what’s in a name? And even if I don’t have an audience for the felling of Liu Kang, I can just easily prove my power at another junction. Besides…” 

Shang Tsung smirked, raising the bundle higher. 

 “Why should I work harder later, when I can just work smarter now?” 

The talons drew back and Raiden felt himself move. 

“Shang Tsung!!”

“You son of a bitch!!” Johnny snarled, charging forward after him while Kung Lao loosed his hat from his head. 

But what started as a sprint for Raiden quickly turned into an electrified leap. Sailing alongside of Kung Lao’s blade, the young farmer thrust both fists out ahead of him…The hat made first contact, bouncing against Shang Tsung’s talons before they could skewer tender flesh. 

There was a tearing sound. Raiden felt his heart leap…! But just as he feared he might be too late,   hope tumbled from the torn cloth and landed, naked and new, right into the palm of his hands. 

“Lord Liu Kang…!” Raiden breathed, skidding to a halt on both knees.  

A mighty wail bounced off the laboratory’s walls, heralding the fire god’s freedom. 

Relief washed over Raiden like a tidal wave, flooding him from head to toe as he clutched Liu Kang close…! 

“Insolent pests!” 

Shang Tsung’s snarl broke through the reverie, snapping Raiden’s attention back to the moment with a sizzling glare. 

Flinging both arms out, the sorcerer did away with the tattered remains of Liu Kang’s shirt, as well as the cleanly sliced sections of his other gauntlet. Distraction or not, Kung Lao’s hat had proven useful, it seemed. 

Raiden made a mental note to apologise for ever doubting that damn thing…

“How touching…” The sorcerer sneered, righting himself to tower over where Raiden still crouched, “But a pointless endeavour. You simple minded bumpkin, you haven’t saved him. All you’ve done is given me an extra body to mow…!” 

Green-gilded talons rose high into the air, lining themselves up over the top of their prey. 

Raiden didn’t cower. 

With one shoulder turning to shield Liu Kang from Shang Tsung’s sights, the young warrior drew out a fist and began to build a charge. The amulet tied at his side sizzled to life, guiding his chi and giving it shape… 

Lightning crackled around them, rising up and curving over their heads like a shield. 

Shang Tsung wasn’t deterred. 

Fine, Raiden thought; let the fool’s pride be his downfall. 

“You won’t harm him…” The promise came in a whisper, like the low rumbling of thunder over the mountain “I won’t let you.” 

Shang Tsung’s face twisted into another sneer. 

“You won’t have a say.” 

He raised his talons higher. 

“Not today!!” 

The triumphant crow of Johnny Cage rang out as the toe of his boot drove itself into Shang Tsung’s ribs. Raiden leapt to his feet as their foe staggered backwards, but he could already see that Shang was unharmed. 

Just winded at best. 

“We shouldn’t linger.” he decided at once, turning to Johnny. 

The actor flashed a smug, but approving, grin. 

“Couldn’t agree more!” 

—-

A furious yell followed the fleeing trio. 

“Ohh, I think we gone done it now, boys!” Johnny whooped from the head of their three pronged sprint down the halls, “Ol’ Shang is pissed!” 

“Johnny, please!” Raiden snapped, doing his best to bring up the rear, “Now is not the time for jokes!” 

Arms tensing protectively over his chest, he tried to pick up enough speed to draw level with his companions. Strapped to his person with only a red, silken sash, little Lord Liu Kang continued his frantic wailing. 

Honestly, Raiden couldn’t blame him; that damn thing was fit for little more than decoration. It was only by chance that he’d spotted its’ edge peeking up beneath the pile of Liu’s now massively oversized clothes, but between the baby’s squirming and all the jostling of the run, it was proving to be nowhere near as supportive a sling as Raiden had hoped. 

One wrong move and the little lord would be dashed against the floor. 

The thought tightened his grip around the squirming bundle.

“Raiden, hurry up!” Kung Lao urged, Raiden realised with a blink, from over his shoulder.

Crap, when had he fallen so far back? 

Grunting, Raiden willed more power down to his legs, charging back to level off with Kung Lao…until an ardent wail forced him to slow. Their infant lord, it appeared, didn’t appreciate being both crushed into and jostled against someone’s shoulder. 

“Sorry, sorry…!” Raiden winced, stumbling slightly over one his lead foot as he struggled to readjust the howling baby, “Not much farther now…” 

But his hurried gasps of reassurance did little to soothe the squalling fire god. Raiden couldn’t blame him, of course, given that he barely believed his own whispers. This corridor seemed to stretch on and on…and even then, nothing about it looked remotely familiar. 

“Johnny, where are we going…!?” He finally snapped, once Liu’s cries reached another crescendo “This isn’t the way we came in!”  

“I know…!” Johnny huffed from ahead of the line “I figured that’d be too obvious! Shang was bound to have goons waiting to jump us…this is a short-cut!” 

“‘Short-Cut!?’” Kung Lao snorted and, for once, Raiden wasn’t about to chide him “We’ve been running twice as long as it took to get in here!” 

“Ok, so it’s the scenic route!” Johnny grunted back irritably “Gimme a break, it’s not like any of this was supposed to be my job!”

Throwing his head back, Johnny sucked in a few deep breaths before adding “Ya would’ve thought a Lord of Time would’ve seen this coming!!” 

—-

The first leg of their mad dash came to an abrupt halt at the landing of a long, winding staircase. 

Johnny was the first to halt, barrelling straight ahead into the banister without a care. 

“Goddamn…!” He wheezed, his upper body slumping gratefully over the polished wood “This place…it’s…it’s a damn maze, agh…!” 

With great effort, the actor rolled his torso back to face his compatriots, head lolling back in an effort to finally catch his breath. 

For their parts, Kung Lao and Raiden looked to be faring better. Kung Lao was panting, that was true, and given how terribly Liu Kang had taken their little sprint out of Shang Tsung’s main chamber, Raiden looked understandably concerned…

But, if nothing else, the young thunder warrior was grateful to have a moment to stop and check on the wailing fire god. 

“We’re getting nowhere fast running around like this.” He muttered tensely. 

“Literally…!” Johnny agreed, head bobbing between ragged gasps for air, “Freaking…might as well be going around in circles…” 

Kung Lao frowned.  

“Don’t you know where you’re going?” 

Johnny’s head lolled up. 

“…Me??” He snorted out bluntly. 

“Yes, you!  You’ve been here before, haven’t you?” Kung Lao ardently insisted “Didn’t you pay any attention to where you were going?” 

“That was different!” Johnny grunted as he hefted himself upright “We came up from the basement, it was just a straight shot through the front door! This…” 

He gestured outwards and upwards to the two-pronged sets of staircase. 

“…Who needs this many stairs?? What, Outworld hasn’t heard of elevators yet??” 

“Enough, both of you…” Raiden stepped in before things could get heated. At his breast, Lord Liu Kang was still putting up a fuss; no doubt railing against his current predicament. He gave him a bounce, but it didn’t seem to do much good. 

 “Let’s just think about this. How many flights did we climb when we first came in?” Raiden wondered, pacing a few steps back and forth as he thought, “That might give us a better idea of how to find the ground floor…I thought I counted three, but I couldn’t be sure.”

“I thought two?” Johnny frowned in thought “Hell, it could’ve been three for all I know. These landings all look the same…” 

“I didn’t count at all,” Kung Lao admitted after a moment,“I was too concerned with what to do when we’d face Shang Tsung…” 

Sheepishly, the bladed brim of his hat dipped over his face. Raiden didn’t chide him, though it did earn a snort from Johnny.

“Well…that’s more than what Liu was doing, I guess…” the actor murmured idly from the corner of his mouth. 

“Johnny.” Raiden glared as Liu Kang began to fuss “He’s still our Lord. Show some respect.” 

“I’m just saying!” The actor defended quickly “Kind of a rookie mistake, just punching the hell out of a random-ass canister…” 

Another, louder howl tore from the Fire God’s tiny lungs, the complaint unmistakable.

“Johnny!” Raiden just about kept from shouting. 

“I’m just saying!” Johnny reiterated, but quickly backed off when he saw the lightning flickering in Raiden’s eye. 

It was a look that followed Johnny all the way to the edge of corridor. 

Even then, it wasn’t Johnny’s sincerity in making a sincere ‘zipping’ motion over his mouth that made him let up. Rather, it was Liu Kang… 

“There now…” The young man murmured, forcing a deep and calming sigh through his nostrils as he gave the little body another bounce. 

It did little to soothe the wailing. Luckily, Raiden wasn’t the type to panic too easily. 

With one arm still supporting the squirming baby, he reached around and began to loosen the make-shift sling’s knot at his side. 

Perhaps a bit of freedom would help them both see things more clearly? 

Liu Kang popped out of the silken confines with a mighty squall. Such a tiny thing, Raiden quietly marvelled, but certainly not without spirit; with his little fits bunched tightly by his face and both chubby legs kicking defiantly out at the air, the baby certainly looked the part of a fierce combatant…

‘A born chosen one…’ Raiden couldn’t help but muse, just about keeping the chuckle from his breath. Considering how badly Johnny’s commentary had gone, he doubted very much that their Fire God would appreciate feeling that he was being laughed at. 

Instead, Raiden carefully drew him back towards his chest.

“Shh, shh, shh…” He murmured softly, taking those little kicks to the sternum in stride,  “It’s alright now, Lord Liu Kang. I know, I know…this has all gone rather pear-shaped, hasn’t it?” 

Liu Kang met the question with another little cry, fists flying out of either side of him in frustration.

“Yes, yes…” Raiden clucked so very sombrely, “I agree, it’s quite a mess, isn’t it?”

 Gently, Raiden accompanied his gentle bouncing with a rhythmic pat across Liu Kang’s back. 

He felt the baby’s chest give a heave, but there was no wild cry this time. Just another, plaintive little sound, almost like a whine. 

“Yes…” Raiden nodded, easing the baby back just enough to meet his gaze. He wanted the little lord to see that he was taking the matter seriously, after all, and regarding it with all the reverence due. 

Liu Kang’s chest gave another heave, but that too came to little more than a whiny sniffle. 

Now that he was beginning to calm, Raiden could better appreciate the intensity in the little god’s gaze; how his eyes—still a brilliant, blazing blue—darted about, as if following him. He also noticed how, with each huff and puff of his tiny chest, the tattoos that adorned his torso and arms seemed to glimmer…and how out of place all this regality looked when paired with the dark tufts of hair that seemed to bounce with each jerk of his little head, especially that particularly unruly lock in the front that just wouldn’t be brushed back…

A tiny smile crooked at the edge of Raiden’s lip. 

“I know…” he murmured, softer now, “I can’t imagine how disorienting this all must be. But you’re alive, and that’s all that matters right now…” 

Liu Kang whined out again. Raiden smiled, he swore that was a pensive pout forming on those little lips. 

“Oh yes it is,” He insisted, indulging the little one in the debate “Tiny or not, you’re still our Fire God, Lord Liu Kang. The realms would be in chaos without you. More than that, you’re our friend…” 

Liu Kang blinked. This time, Raiden couldn’t suppress the chuckle. 

“Yes, that’s right,” he murmured, giving the little one another bounce, “And after all you’ve done to protect us, I’d say the least we can do is get you out of this in one piece, hm?” 

Liu Kang’s lower lip jutted a bit, as if in thought. 

“Besides,” Raiden added, “It isn’t like we’re not going to figure out how to fix this. We just need to pull back and regroup, really think about our next moves. That’s the most sensible option, after all; wouldn’t you agree, my Lord?” 

The baby lord continued to stare for a few moments more, as if truly considering the matter. Then, without any warning, his verdict came;

“Aah…!” 

An agreeable enough answer, Raiden decided. 

“Splendid,” the thunder warrior smiled, “I knew you’d see the wisdom in my words, Lord Liu Kang.” 

“Aah wuh ahh…!” The little one continued to babble, his chubby arms flapping around, as if to articulate the importance of such a decision. 

Raiden took a moment to let the little one settle, continuing to idly bounce him as he said his piece.

“Raiden…” Kung Lao called over from the edge of the stairwell, “I don’t think we should linger…” 

“One moment,” Raiden nodded, turning to the borrowed sash still knotted at his side. He paused, before slipping Liu Kang back into the silken sfolds. 

A tiny whine made clear Liu Kang’s complaint. 

“I know, I know, I’m sorry…” Raiden murmured, doing his best to readjust the wrapping with just one spare hand, “It’s not the most comfortable thing in the world, you’re right, but it’s the safest option right now.” 

Liu Kang didn’t seem to agree. A tiny hand popped out of the sash. Raiden caught it gently.

“It’s alright…” He murmured, one thumb smoothing over the back of Liu’s little palm “I’ve got you, Lord Liu Kang. We’ll be quick and careful…I won’t let anything happen to you…”

Carefully, he tucked the little hand back to the baby’s chest. Liu Kang stared up at him. For a moment, Raiden swore he saw something in the little one’s gaze; a sense of awe, a fleeting beat of familiarity…

But there was no time to dawdle. 

So, with his gaze steady, Raiden leaned down to murmur into the tiny ear.

“Will you trust me?” 

Tiny hands reached to grasp Raiden’s shirt, bunching tightly into the fabric.

“Aah…!” 

—-

With their breath caught and Liu Kang (somewhat) settled, the group decided to head right. 

“Can’t go wrong with right…” Johnny had tried to quip, but that was more to beat back the tense silence. 

“Nothing’s been chasing us…” Kung Lao observed, once they’d reached about halfway down the stairs.

“All the more reason to be careful,” Raiden pointed out, his arms tightening over his precious bundle “I doubt Shang Tsung would waste his energy summoning something to chase us. It’d be much easier to let us come to him…” 

“Which means we might well be walking into a trap?” Johnny pointed out, a brow arching “And considering I’ve only ever seen one way in or outta this dump…” 

Raiden’s lips tightened. 

“We don’t have a choice…” he sighed, “We’re just going to have to do our best to evade…” 

“Besides,” Kung Lao piped up “Don’t forget, we’ve still got Kenshi down there guarding the portal!” 

Johnny’s eyes widened. 

“Crap, that’s right…!” 

“Johnny…” Raiden frowned, one hand idly coming to rest over one of Liu Kang’s ears. 

Infant or not, it just wasn’t polite to curse in front of a god. But Johnny just continued fumbling with something in his pocket.

“No, look, I forgot…!” The actor hissed, pulling out a small black box.

Kung Lao frowned, “Is that a radio?” 

Johnny’s eye teeth seemed to gleam as he pressed down on the button. 

The speaker crackled to life.

—-

As it turned out, Outworld magic generated a lot of interference for Earthrealm radios. 

For a good while, all they were able to get was static. It was only when they moved another flight down that the tail end of Kenshi’s voice had started coming through. 

“…—ohnny?” 

“Kenshi! Finally!” Johnny had sighed, having just about kept from flinging the radio at the wall in frustration, “Listen man, we need you to be our eyes…” 

There was a long, painful beat of silence. 

The radio gave a crackle;  Johnny quickly interrupted.

“Shut up, you know what I mean.” 

— -

There wasn’t time to give a full run-down of their situation. 

For now, all Kenshi knew was that Liu Kang was indisposed and unable to generate another portal to get them out. The one that they’d arrived with was still strong, Kenshi confirmed…

Except…

“It flickered.” The swordsman explained, “Except…it wasn’t like…like a literal ‘flicker,’ but…more like a shiver?” 

“What dya mean ‘it shivered??’” Johnny pressed, having to shout a bit to get through the static.

Kenshi sighed.

“I’m just telling you what it felt like. Sento saw it blip…but I felt it shiver. Look, all I’m saying is that we might be taking our chances running back through it. Are you sure that Liu Kang can’t generate another one?” 

There was a beat of silence over the radio. 

Kenshi didn’t like how that felt either. 

“Yeah, pretty sure…” Johnny’s voice finally came in through a crackle “He’s um…he’s not himself?” 

A tinier sound followed the sigh. 

Kenshi stopped in his tracks. 

“Wait, what was that?” 

That wasn’t just radio interference there. 

“Long story,” Johnny’s voice hurried, “Don’t worry, you’ll find out if we live. Speaking of…?” 

“Right.”

The portal was sat in the thicket that surrounded Shang Tsung’s laboratory, at the very edges of the the Living Forest, as it was known.

The problem was, all that lay between the edge of the tree-line and Shang Tsung’s lab was a vast expanse of open land. 

Either Kenshi had a clear run to the front door…or he was a sitting duck for a surprise attack. 

There was no in between. 

“Sento’s not seeing anything at the doorway…” the swordsman confirmed after a moment, “Not sensing any movement either…but that doesn’t mean that Shang Tsung isn’t laying a trap as we speak…” 

—-

“Damnit…” Johnny swore, but nodded, “Alright Kenshi, just keep an eye out for us—”

The radio clicked, 

“You know what I mean!” Johnny quickly interrupted, “Just…cover our ass! Please!” 

 —-

Their pace slowed considerably as they reached the bottom of the second stairwell. 

According to Kenshi and Sento, there was still no movement at the front door…but still, unease rose like stomach acid up into Raiden’s throat.

“It’s quiet…too quiet…” Johnny commentated, and while Kung Lao groaned and gave the other man’s shoulder a slight shove, Raiden had to agree with the sentiment. 

None of this felt right. It was all too smooth…much too convenient. 

And yet, Raiden couldn’t fight the leap his heart took when he finally set eyes on the door…

It was right there. Freedom, safety, so tantalisingly close…

It took all of his self control, once his foot hit the final step, to keep it there and not race ahead like a fool…

Liu Kang fidgeted a little in the sling; Raiden’s arms tightened around him with a little shush. 

The movement grounded his nerves somewhat. 

“Kenshi…?” Johnny spoke into the radio’s receiver. 

There was a beat, before it crackled to life; “Still no movement.” 

And yet, none of the trio made to move. 

“Ok, look…” Johnny eventually sighed, “We know it’s a trap, right?” 

Kung Lao and Raiden nodded.

“Yeah, well…” Johnny motioned forwards, the implication as clear as the exasperation wearing at his face. 

Raiden couldn’t blame him…

“Alright…” He sighed, tucking Liu Kang that bit closer to himself “Move quickly and softly.” 

With one last gentle, reassuring squeeze to the mewling bundle at his chest, Raiden was the first to start ahead. 

—-

They knew it was a trap.

Somehow, that knowledge made it all the crueller. 

It wasn’t how the trap was sprung, but rather, the when. 

Raiden would never forget the moment. There he was, racing towards the exit; the door ajar, just as they’d left it. He could feel the breeze of the outside world brushing past his cheeks. 

It was as crisp as a spring day. 

His last thought was of Liu Kang, of whether he’d be too cold out there in only a sling…

He heard the crack long before he’d felt it, but felt the slam long after it had taken place. 

Even as he was rolling to the floor, Raiden swore that time had stilled; that he was still just about to reach the doorway…

“Raiden!!” 

The call of his name came from two different directions…

But it was another sound that brought him back to his senses; a high-pitched wail…

‘Liu Kang…!’  The realisation shot through his mind like lightning. 

At once, Raiden felt his body moving on instinct. His arms snapped around the squalling bundle, while he automatically rolled over from his back to his front, making himself a shield. 

Raiden had no idea what he was doing, mind; the world was still careening about ten seconds behind his movements…

But he was up and on his feet. For now, that was enough. 

Now, if his vision would just…

But the strange mass ahead of him wouldn’t clear. 

It was only when the world stopped spinning that Raiden realised: that was no mass. 

Well…it was. Or rather: a walking wall of muscle. 

The figure was humanoid and massive; the four arms would give it away as a Shokan…and yet, the size…it was grotesque. 

Not just large, but positively overgrown; painful masses bulged from the leg joints, while the arms were disproportionately long. Two of the hands looked to be the only thing supporting the great girth…

“Shang Tsung…?” Raiden questioned, but he didn’t see the sorcerer at first…

Until something moved in the corner of his eye. 

Raiden startled back.

Shang Tsung rose from a portal in the floor, like some sort of a ghoul…

Liu Kang wailed again. 

There was no humour in the sorcerer’s eye, not even as he let the smirk slink across his lip. 

“The struggle is pointless.” Shang Tsung spoke with such measure, “Give him to me and I promise to gut him quickly.” 

Raiden’s arms tightened around the wailing baby. 

“I’ll try and make sure that you three are crushed as humanely as possible, of course…” Shang Tsung smirked, his voice practically dripping with venom as he spared a glance up towards the bloated creature, “But no promises, I’m afraid. My dear pet is awfully under stimulated…” 

A low, almost pained groan echoed from the creature as if on cue. As Raiden watched the dulled gaze struggle to focus, a part of him almost began to feel sorry for the poor monstrosity. 

There was no life in that gaze, be it spark of hope or thirst for blood. Whoever this being was—if they had ever been born Shokan at all—had long since been stripped of their own initiative. 

Raiden took his stance, turning Liu Kang away.  Johnny and Kung Lao were quick to square up at either side of him. 

“Doesn’t look so tough…” Raiden heard Johnny mutter beside him. The actor was already bouncing slightly from foot to foot, waking his muscles for a fight. 

 “Big, sure. But he’s gotta be slow, right?” 

Raiden didn’t dare voice an answer. 

“Last chance.” Shang Tsung spoke out once more, “Hand over Liu Kang and submit.” 

He reached out a hand, talons glinting as each finger stretched expectantly for the baby.

But Raiden made no move to hand Liu Kang over. He simply frowned, gaze sparking. 

“Over our dead bodies…” Johnny growled. 

The curl in Shang Tsung’s lip flattened. 

“That can be arranged.” 

With a snap, the gilded talons withdrew. 

The creature at Shang Tsung’s back sparked suddenly to life. Raiden barely had time to react between meeting the being’s gaze and seeing it barrel towards him like a shooting bullet. 

Raiden side-stepped and leapt to the left, but it was a damn close call. The edge of the creature’s fist  cuffed the edge of his shoulder, knocking his balance. 

And then, Raiden heard it, the sickening pop of bone…

He thought it was something of his, a dislocated shoulder perhaps, until he just happened to glance to the side…

The creature’s mid-section was contorted at an unnatural angle. No, not just contorted—twisted. Twisting, rather! Faster than Raiden could blink, shifting sinew forced solid muscle out of the joints sitting at the creatures waists and propelled exceptionally large fists around at one hundred and eighty degrees, like balls strung to a demented tether.  

There was hardly time to react. 

Instinctively, Raiden raised an arm to block, useless as it would be against the sheer mass heading towards him, until he remembered the precious cargo bundled against his chest. Too late, the arm was out and Liu Kang was exposed, his little face peering out from the sash’s crimson folds…

Raiden’s heart leapt. 

A thin sheet of lightning just about about cut between him and the side monster’s fist…but it wasn’t enough to shield them completely. 

The force of the blow bounced Raiden back a fair way, sore but in one piece. Liu Kang was wailing again, but he wasn’t hurt, Raiden confirmed with a frantic glance; probably just startled at being so violently jostled.  

But there was no time to ponder. 

Raiden realised that by chance, when the sound of cloth tearing made him turn and he saw Shang Tsung’s claws gliding through the edge of his sleeve. 

The farmer leaped back before the sorcerer could correct his course. 

Lucky. 

Too damn lucky. 

“Kung-Lao, Johnny!” Raiden called out blindly as the ground once again began to rumble. He daren’t take his eyes off Shang Tsung, but elder gods knew his precious ‘pet’ was faster than it looked. 

“We’re on it!” He heard Johnny call back, “Hey ugly!!” 

But it wasn’t the distraction that any of them had been hoping for. Despite its’ dull-witted gaze, the creature was much disciplined of mind than they’d have given credit. 

It just kept charging. So, Johnny and Kung Lao charged, and while their flying fists and feet might have made contact with flesh, the creature was hardly perturbed. 

It twirled gracefully to a standstill as the sickening chorus of joints dislocating started anew. 

This time, at least, Johnny and Kung Lao knew what to expect. 

They evaded well enough…

But none of this was of any help to Raiden. 

With his creation having veered off course, Shang Tsung moved in to close the gap. 

Talons swiped out. This time, Raiden was ready; he leapt back, then ducked, then back again, all the while keeping both arms locked protectively around the bundle at his torso. 

Back, down, right. Back, down, left. 

Each time, the metal claws would collide uselessly with the air, until Raiden felt stone against his back and ducked. 

Shang Tsung gave a furious snarl as debris sailed from the blow. Raiden felt a few shards grazing past his cheeks, but he paid them no mind; he was more concerned with shielding Liu. 

“Farmer!!” 

The sorcerer roared, before sucking in a deep, deep breath. 

Raiden recognised the effort and couldn’t help but somewhat admire how quickly Shang Tsung seemed to regain his poise before pulling his talons out of the scarred brick. 

But when the sorcerer turned, he swore, hatred rippled from the man like fire.

Raiden remained crouched, shoulders bunched protectively around Liu Kang. The baby was mewling again, probably jostled by the sharp movements. Damnit, they couldn’t go on like this…

The speed and grace at which Shang Tsung approached was proof of that. 

It was like deja-vu; Raiden at Shang Tsung’s feet, his entire being hunched over the tiny body in his arms, while the sorcerer sneered from on high. 

Once again, Raiden met the scene with defiance. 

Once again, Shang Tsung bared his claws. 

“I grow weary of these games…” 

Raiden turned his shoulders as he watched the blades raise, one hand clasped to the medallion at his side, willing his chi into his palm, to his side, all around him, anything…! 

But it was neither thunder nor lightning that stayed the blow. 

The sound of steel striking steel echoed through the air.

“Then yield!” Raiden heard his saviour spit as he laid eyes upon a familiar blade. 

“Kenshi…!” It was Johnny who piped up from afar, “Alright! About time you showed—”

But a fierce yell from the leaping behemoth cut off his triumphant crow. Johnny rolled, just about keeping himself in one piece. 

Kenshi paid him no notice. All of his concentration was on keeping Shang Tsung’s claws at bay. 

“Would anyone like to tell me what’s going on?” The swordsman grunted, pushing all of his weight  into his stance as Shang bore down against Sento. The sorcerer had a lot more brawn behind him than appearances might convey. 

Raiden moved just as the hold began to break, sweeping foot out and catching Shang Tsung off guard. 

That gave him and Kenshi enough time, at least, to get some distance. 

“Where’s Lord Liu Kang?” The swordsman demanded as he held Sento at the ready, “I can’t hear him. Has he been captured?” 

“Not exactly,” Raiden sighed, glancing down towards the infant. With Sento angled away, Kenshi wouldn’t have been able to see; nor would he have parsed the meaning even if he could. 

“Don’t worry about Liu Kang…!” Johnny grunted, having just about managed to evade another strike of his opponent’s massive fist, “Worry about this guy…!” 

Kenshi swept Sento quickly in the direction of Johnny’s voice, brows raising high over the red blindfold soon enough. 

“Ah.” He clucked, “I see.” 

“Pun not intended, right?” 

Eyes or not, Kenshi could practically feel the grin beaming from Johnny’s smug face. 

He ignored it, his focus now torn between two opponents. 

While the creature took a moment to right itself, its’ monstrous limbs untwisting and re-settling themselves in their joints, Shang Tsung had long since regained his footing. 

The sorcerer made no move towards them though, no doubt letting them all regroup into a convenient little target for his pet to smash. 

Fine. Raiden took the opportunity to glance about for Kung Lao, finally noticing him rushing up from between a gap in the monster’s fingers. 

“What do we do?” He breathed as he finally rejoined the group, “That thing’s tough. I don’t what its’ hide’s made out of, but my hat’s barely been able to scratch the surface!” 

“Sento can wound it,” Kenshi confidently murmured. 

“Maybe, but that’ll take too long.” Kung Lao countered with a frown, “We need to get out of here.” 

“Damnit. Where’s Lord Liu Kang?” Kenshi hissed, “Why isn’t he helping us?” 

“Raiden’s got him.” Johnny supplied, “Trust me, he’s not gonna be much help right now.” 

“What’re you—?” Kenshi scowled, before a tiny mewl of a sound cut him off. 

He knew that sound, that was what he’d heard over the radio; but it almost sounded like…a baby? 

“Oh great.” 

There were enough pieces for him to put together for now. 

“Alright then, new plan.” Kenshi hissed decisively, “Raiden, you start heading towards the exit. Johnny, Kung Lao and I can buy you some time.” 

“What?” It was Raiden’s turn to scowl, “I’m not leaving you three to fend for yourselves, that’s suicide.” 

“Maybe not,” Johnny put in, sounding oddly rational for once, “Kung Lao and I are pretty good at giving that thing the run-around…” 

“And I can distract Shang Tsung…” Kenshi added quietly. 

“It’s a solid plan,” Johnny nodded, “Better than what we’ve been doing.” 

But still, Raiden was adamant. 

“I’m not leaving any of you behind.” 

“But you have to,” Kung Lao was the one to reason, “You’ve seen for yourself, Shang Tsung won’t hesitate to kill him!” 

“And if I do escape? What then?” Raiden hit back, “The portal closes and you three are stranded.” 

“Better that than the realms falling into chaos!” Kenshi hissed. 

A mighty roar drowned out any argument Raiden might have made. Their foe, it seemed, had recovered their composure. 

“Look, we don’t have time to argue…” Johnny sighed, readying himself into a stance “Don’t worry about us. So long as you can get Liu Kang to safety, then we’ll be alright.” 

“He’s right, Raiden.” Kung Lao spoke up before his friend, “If Liu Kang dies, then we’re all as good as dead anyway. At least this way we’ve got a fighting chance.” 

“Besides,” Johnny piped up again, “Didn’t you promise you’d keep him safe?” 

That gave Raiden pause, the actor noticed. Whatever arguments that had been brewing on the warrior’s tongue seemed to wither, while his gaze wandered down to the little bundle at his chest. 

The satin wriggled. Raiden peeled back a fold, his head tilting sombrely as he considered the tiny passenger housed beneath. 

The gaze that met him was wide-eyed, yet eerie; unnaturally focussed for so young a baby and shimmering with the very heart of creation.

Life, death…eternity itself was staring up at him. 

Raiden recognised it, accepted it…

And yet, that wasn’t what caught his eye. 

No, what Raiden noticed first was far less remarkable; not Liu Kang’s eyes, but his hands. 

Two tiny, pudgy little digits that, somehow, had managed to stay so tightly wound against his shirt. 

Throughout everything, all the jostling and shaking; through breakneck speeds and flying debris, Liu Kang had managed to cling on as if for dear life… 

It wasn’t eternity staring him in the face, he realised; it was trust.

With a heavy sigh, Raiden forced himself to relent. 

“…Alright.” 

A long, guttural groan signalled an end to their little reprieve. Shang Tsung’s monstrosity had just about finished recomposing, the large, swollen masses of joints settling sickeningly into place as the creature drew themself to full height. 

The four fighters tightened their formation, squaring themselves as the creature lumbered towards them.

“Get ready…” Kenshi murmured at Raiden’s side. 

The thunder-warrior felt his shoulders tense, but he forced a stiff nod. 

This was for Liu Kang, he had to remind himself, for the good of all the realms… 

Were their Fire God in any position, Raiden had to believe that he’d be the first to remind him of that. 

“Enough prattle.” Shang Tsung spoke crisply, as he gave a graceful flick of his gauntlet-clad wrist, “Finish them.” 

A snap of fingers: the creature leaped back into motion. 

Raiden felt his medallion spark as he leapt out to the side. 

Damnit, not how he wanted to spend that charge…but the burst of momentum proved vital. 

With a colossal thud, Shang Tsung’s creation shook the very earth beneath their feet. The brick floor began to crack, ornate stone launching up and away from the foundation. 

Raiden launched himself from the broken edge, landing into swift and weightless sprint. 

He could do this. The door was right there. 

But freedom was not so easily won. 

The familiar sound of unsheathing talons met Raiden at his left side. He pushed ahead, resolve unwavering. His courage was well rewarded. 

The mighty clang of steel against steel echoed sharply in Raiden’s ear. 

‘Kenshi…’  

His jaw clenched tight. 

“Out of the way, weakling…!” Shang Tsung snarled, talons swiping aggressively across Sento’s edge. 

“Keep running, Raiden!!” The swordsman called, parrying another swipe, “Whatever you do, don’t—”

But there was a thud—like the sound of a jaw being punched. 

Raiden felt his stomach drop, but he kept moving. 

Even at the sound of another crack, the feel of the earth moving beneath him…

Despite the ache in his chest when Liu Kang began to wail… 

“I’m sorry…” he hissed, legs pumping wildly against the shuddering ground, “I’m sorry, Liu Kang, I’m so sorry…” 

But empty words were of little comfort to the infant lord. 

One by one, he could hear his champions beginning to wane, yet there was nothing he could do to help. He cried out again to Raiden, eyes wide and trained imploringly on his protector. 

Raiden didn’t look down, yet still he could feel the white-hot intensity of the boy’s gaze upon him. 

“Liu Kang…” He hissed, “Please understand…!” 

But try as Raiden might, there was no willing away the guilt. It clung to him, like a vice tightening around his heart…

Another wail, this one more desperate than the last, as Liu Kang arched his back and gave a mighty tug upon his shirt…

And just like that, Raiden felt the world drawing to a standstill. 

The door was mere steps away, yet he wasn’t moving towards it. He could hear the gravel shift beneath soft-soled shoes, could feel himself skidding to a halt…

And when he turned back to look over his shoulder, to let himself see the friends he almost left behind…

Kenshi had been swept to the floor, all his strength pushing through Sento to keep Shang Tsung’s murderous claws away from his throat. Johnny was finally beginning to run out steam, landing hard on his right hip, and Kung Lao…

Raiden’s eyes went wide when he saw. 

Kung Lao was still standing, but just seconds too late to see the massive fist sailing towards him. His arms were up, as if to block, but it would do no good…

And it was then that Raiden felt that vice over his heart suddenly pulse. 

The medallion at his belt seemed to spring to life with a violent flash. 

Raiden reached out, screaming with such unbridled fury that he felt it coursing down his arm in a thousand and one sparks. 

No, not from his arm…from his very soul. 

Lightning flooded the scene, rising from the floor and surging outwards. 

Part of it caught the beastly fist seconds before impact, the rest shot up the length of the creature’s spine, cutting into the tendons and forcing them to retract with a hellish roar…! 

“No!!” Shang Tsung yelled out, but the sound of his voice only seemed to draw the lightning to him. Suddenly, the sorcerer was faced with a choice; retreat, or be fried alive like his monstrous pet. 

There was no hesitation. Before the first spark could so much as nick his skin, a wall of green smoke enveloped the villain. 

Shang Tsung was gone, for now at least, leaving his poor, pitiful creation to their fate. 

With a mighty yell, the creature arched its’ back and threw out their massive fists…before crashing to the floor for the final time. 

The flurry of sparks dissipated into the air, leaving behind an eerie stillness. 

Amongst the rubble, Raiden’s three compatriots lay bruised, but miraculously unharmed. 

“What…” Johnny tentatively started, “What the hell was that…?” 

But neither Kenshi nor Kung Lao had an answer. 

All any of them could really do was slowly turn towards Raiden, taking note of his still outstretched arm. 

The lightning had faded, yet still he felt his fingers trembling from the effort. 

Slowly, he found it in him to draw his hand down, to straighten himself and stand with shoulders squared. 

“Let’s go…!” The thunder-warrior called. 

The others wasted no time in heeding him. 

—-

“No, seriously!!” Johnny called as the four of them sprinted down the knoll “What the hell was that!” 

It wasn’t the first time he’d asked that question, nor would it be the last; but just like before, Raiden ignored him. 

He had no idea himself and, quite frankly, he couldn’t care. 

They were alive, that’s all that mattered, but they weren’t yet safe. 

“Keep going!!” Raiden barked from the head of the line, “The portal’s just up ahead!” 

Bruised and battered though they were, the young warriors willed everything they had into their aching legs. 

The vague glimmer of Earthrealm was outlined by a ring of flames, the last vestiges of their Fire God’s power. 

All four warriors shoved themselves through at once. Liu Kang gave a startled cry, and Raiden noticed how the flames seemed to jump and concave after them. He pulled the baby that bit closer, shoulders instinctively moving to act as a barrier between fire and soft flesh. But just as it looked like they would be engulfed by flame, a sudden rush of gravity—like an invisible hand—seemed to shove them forwards and out of the way. 

Raiden skidded to his knees, still clutching Liu Kang close as dust and dirt swirled through the air. 

The inferno that had been chasing them collapsed harmlessly on itself; the portal was closed. 

Not that any of them noticed right away. For a good few moments the four men were practically glued to the ground, each sucking large and haggard breaths into their tired and burning lungs.

“We…” Kung Lao eventually coughed, “We made it…”

“Y-yeah…” Johnny breathed huskily, rolling to his side to get a look in front. 

He paused. 

“Uh, guys?” 

Three faces tilted tiredly in the vague direction of the actor’s voice, none of them really taking note of the expression drawing over his face. 

“This…isn’t where we took off from.”  

Alarm bells were immediately ringing in everyone’s ears. At once Raiden was on his feet, eyes scanning the horizon for the next oncoming threat…!

But when he looked up, it took him a moment to properly register the mundane sight before him. 

“Is that…” He blinked, squinting slightly as if to make sure, “Madam Bo’s tea house?” 

—-

TBC

Chapter Text

Little Lord Liu

Chapter 2: The Fire God Needs His Diaper Changed

“Like I said, the portal ‘shivered,’” Kenshi explained, once they’d all staggered to their feet, “Sento found it strange, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. But once I saw what happened to Liu Kang, well…I figured that it must have been some kind of side-effect?” 

“Some side-effect!” Johnny snorted, “This isn’t like a blip on the radar, this is a whole-ass change of scenery! I mean…look!” 

Both arms went wide at his sides, “We’re miles out from the Fire temple! And look, I’m no expert in this magic stuff, right?” 

A few murmurs of agreement passed between them, all of which Johnny chose to ignore. 

“But I’m pretty sure that summoning up a portal isn’t as easy as changing the channels on TV. You’ve seen Liu Kang summon up one of these things, it takes power right?” 

“That…” Kenshi frowned slightly, “Is actually a good point.” 

But, just as that insufferably smug grin had finished crawling over Johnny’s face, the swordsman felt the pressing need to point out, “But if it’s not a side-effect, then why would we have ended up here?” 

“What dya mean?” 

“Think about it,” Kenshi continued, “Ok, so suppose we did cross through a new portal. Who summoned it? And how would they know to bring us to Madam Bo’s? I’ve never brought anyone here from Outworld, have you?” 

He swept Sento critically in Johnny’s direction, who glanced off sheepishly to the side. 

“Well…no…” The actor admitted, idly sweeping a hand over his dust-filled hair, “But I still don’t see how Liu Kang could’ve possibly done it. Look at him…! Poor kid can’t even lift his own head up!” 

Kenshi’s lips pursed tightly, while Johnny continued agitatedly brushing dust off of his shoulders. 

“What do you think, Raiden?” Kung Lao wondered, peering curiously over the other’s shoulder. 

Liu Kang had quieted considerably since coming through the portal, much to everyone’s relief. Still, Raiden looked no more relaxed than he had back in Outworld. At first, he said nothing, as if lost in some deep and troubling contemplation; but just as Kung Lao was about press, his shoulders heaved with a sigh. 

“I don’t know,” He admitted quietly, before turning slightly to speak up “But I also don’t think it’s our most pressing matter at hand here.” 

“Yeah, but—” Johnny started to argue. 

“We’re safe,” Raiden went on, “It might not be where we departed from, but it’s certainly better than winding up in the middle of nowhere. At least Madam Bo’s a familiar face…” 

And, he quietly mused to himself, perhaps she’d have some advice as to their…predicament. 

—-

The trek to the entrance seemed to take longer than usual. It wasn’t a long route, nor particularly gruelling—just a gentle incline up a dusty old road—and yet, Raiden couldn’t help but feel that it was taking eternity. 

He couldn’t blame any of them for lagging, of course. Glancing back, he noticed a slight limp to Johnny’s gait and Kung Lao was occasionally stopping to rest a hand on his thigh, no doubt trying to will just a little more energy to it. That creature had given them quite a run for their money…yet still, here they were, determined to make it to the finish line. A little quirk caught the edge of his lip at the thought. 

“Almost there now,” Raiden narrated, making it look like it was for Liu Kang’s benefit, but his voice still loud enough to carry to his compatriots. 

A tiny coo signalled Liu Kang’s agreement. The slight smile at Raiden’s lip deepened considerably. 

“Yes, that’s right,” He chuckled, giving the little one a bounce as they started up the stone steps, “It’ll be nice and warm in here for you at least, Lord Liu Kang.”

Though, Raiden did idly wonder if Madam Bo might have a blanket, or something, that he could wrap him in? It was only early evening—the sun setting over the tea-house’s roof made that clear enough—and though summer nights weren’t dreadfully cold around here, he did seem to recall overhearing something about babies needing layers. 

As they neared the top, the sound of hustle and bustle could be heard rumbling through the doorway. 

“Dinner-time rush…” Kung Lao observed, his nose poking upwards to catch a whiff of what might be roast duck. His stomach growled longingly. 

“One thing at a time,” Raiden gently chided from the top step. Though he was first, he made no move through the entrance. 

 “Don’t forget,” He reminded, “…We’ve got some explaining to do first.” 

And as he glanced over the sober faces of his friends, Raiden knew they all shared the same anxiety.

Madam Bo was a wonderful, kind, generous woman…but by the Elder Gods, could she let them have it when they’d messed up. 

—- 

Behind those old doors, the tea-house was ablaze with life. 

Fengjian was a small village, home mostly to farmers and their families. ‘Nightlife’ around these parts didn’t exist in expensive nightclubs or fancy restaurants like in the big cities; it was here, in the heart of the town, catching up with old friends over good food and some tea, or maybe a few beers. 

Madam Bo had worked long and hard over the years to foster such an atmosphere, and not just because it was good for business; for two young boys, restless and dreaming of adventure, Madam Bo had provided a haven, somewhere for them to ground and grow instead of running head-first into trouble. 

When he opened those doors and stepped through the parlour, Raiden couldn’t help but relish the warmth brushing past his cheeks. Though the Fire Temple was certainly a place that he could call home, quietly, he was glad that this is where they happened to land… 

“Oh no, don’t even try pulling that old fast one!” Madam Bo’s voice rang through the thrall, as dry and chipper as ever. She was the type of woman whose presence was well known even before you saw her. Raiden wasn’t surprised when he finally spied her; right in the thick of it all, towering over a customer at least twice her size with the bill pinched firmly between her fingers. 

“Come on,” The old woman coaxed, waving impatiently towards the customer’s pocket, “Pay up. That’s not some dry old fowl you’ve been gobbling, that is home-cooked, slow-roasted duck tended by my own two hands and a crap-ton of love and care, so unless you wanna be out on your ass once and for all…?” 

The threat lingered even as the old owner’s gaze wandered. 

“Ah, boys!” Madam Bo smiled as soon as she spied the familiar little group, “Be right with you, dears! Go on, take a seat by the bar, we were just settling up.” 

The warmth in her gaze seemed to become rather menacing when she turned it back towards the customer. 

They watched from afar as the old woman collected her dues. 

“Ruthless…” Kenshi murmured, 

“But effective.” Raiden agreed with a quiet chuckle. He really shouldn’t, he knew that…after all, how many times had he been left squirming under that same gaze after a meal with Kung Lao? When it came to matters of money, Madam Bo could be more ferocious a force than any they’d faced in Outworld. 

It didn’t take long for the old owner to leaver her victim’s wallet well and truly squeezed dry. She was still counting the bills on her approach, the thin line of her mouth quirked triumphantly as she pocketed the small fortune. 

But when she lifted her head to finally greet Raiden proper, that smile fell from her face like a stone into water. 

“Alright,” Madam Bo glowered, one hand settling on her hip while the other pointed accusingly to the bundle at Raiden’s chest,  “Which one of you did what?” 

—-

It took many minutes to explain the situation to Madam Bo, the majority of which were spent timidly assuring her that, no, this was not the result of a one-night stand gone awry. 

But that said, the full story did little to reassure her. 

“Elder Gods…” The old woman groaned, turning to the bar where she’d left a pack of smokes and a well-loved lighter, “Ohh, I just can’t with you sometimes…” 

A cigarette went straight to the corner of her mouth, followed by a few harsh clicks of the old lighter. 

“Hey,” Johnny frowned, “It’s not like we—”

“Not you.” Bo cut him off, jabbing a thumb towards Raiden’s bundle, “Him. Our dear little ‘defender of the realm’ over there…” 

An indignant squeal sounded from Liu Kang, his tiny fists and feet flying out in protest.  

“Oh no, Madam Bo…” Raiden went to appease, but all he got for his efforts was a face full of smoke. 

“No, no! Don’t you go defending him now, Raiden!” Bo chastised with a wave of her cigarette, ignoring the dramatic waving of the young man’s hand as he tried to keep the smoke out of Liu Kang’s face, “This is just typical! Y’know, I told him it was a bad idea for him to lock people to their destinies like that. First time he came down here, asking me to train you boys and giving me the whole spiel about realms and tournaments? I said ‘I don’t care if you created the universe, you can’t just will people into misfortune and not expect them to come out looking for blood!’ This Shang Tsung character…”

Raiden didn’t quite catch the rest of her spiel, however; he was too busy trying to quiet the wail that tore from Liu Kang’s lungs. 

“Shh, shh…no, no, she doesn’t mean it like that Lord Liu Kang, really…” He cooed, the steady bobbing of his arms doing little to soothe the tiny God’s temper, “Madam Bo?”

The old woman wasn’t listening, too busy trailing a line of smoke from one end of the bar to the other, “—I mean come on, he’s the first one to start harping on about compassion and all that schlock…!” 

Raiden had no choice but to draw in a breath; “Madam Bo, please!” 

Thin lips clasped tightly around the cigarette as Madam Bo’s pacing came to a stop. She sucked in a smoky breath, before plucking it elegantly from the corner of her mouth with two bony fingers and turning nice and slow to regard the young warrior with a somewhat surprised arch of her brow. 

Quietly, Raiden bit back a wince. 

“Please,” he corrected, quieter and much more respectfully this time, “I think that Lord Liu Kang has well and truly learned his lesson…” 

He glanced back down to the fussing little body at his chest. The indignant wails didn’t seem to sound quite so harsh somehow, having become softer and much more plaintive. Raiden shifted him, easing Liu Kang’s head from the crook of his arm up to his shoulder and holding him close. 

“Shhh…” Raiden clucked once more, giving the baby another bounce, “It’ll be alright…” 

Madam Bo, for her part, only sighed at the sight. 

“Oh really now…” The old woman eventually muttered, stubbing her cigarette out in a nearby ash-tray. With a haughty stride, she made her way over, having to bend some to meet the baby God’s tearful gaze. 

“Look at this…” Madam Bo clucked, before her voice began to raise “…A poor, forgotten waif!!” 

Behind her, the tea-house’s usual hustle and bustle went quiet. 

The four men stared down at the owner in puzzlement. She just gave a quick wink of one eye before turning, rather nonchalantly, back towards the rest of her clientele. 

“Oh, isn’t it just a tragedy!” Madam Bo went on, both hands clutching at her chest as if to save her breaking heart, “An innocent child, left at the mercy of the world. These here warriors, these, brave and noble warriors! They risked life and limb in Outworld…but life and limb can only carry a child so far…!”

She reached out to Raiden then, motioning for him to hand her Liu Kang. The baby looked unsure; Raiden didn’t look much more confident…but he trusted Madam Bo… 

“Ah there, see?” Madam Bo made a show of cooing as she held little Liu Kang out for all to see, “Oh the dear thing, not even a scrap of clothing to call his own…!” 

A few hushed murmurs sounded up from the crowd. Liu Kang made a pitiful sound, his little face crumpling unsurely as his eyes swept over the sea of faces. 

“…Why is he tattooed like that?” One keen-eyed observer thought to pipe up over the chorus of concerned mutters. 

Madam Bo’s lips thinned in annoyance, “Well…he…” 

“Yeah and, hey, what’s with his eyes?” Another pointed out, 

“He kinda looks like that guy in the hood that hangs out here sometimes?” 

“Hey, yeah! The guy that never pays?” 

Raiden felt himself stiffen at the turn the mutterings took, striding up quickly to Madam Bo’s side. 

The old woman shook his head at him, completely unfazed. 

“Yes, well!” Madam Bo called, “I suppose he does have a look of our Fire God about him, doesn’t he? Clearly he’s been blessed—!” 

“—How blessed can he be if he’s abandoned?” 

This time, Bo let her irritation show. 

“Alright, look!” She called, handing Liu Kang back to Raiden, “I get it, it’s not the first time someone’s come around here trying to pull a fast one. I should know, I’ve seen ‘em all. But this is a child we’re talking about, here!” 

She swept a firm look over the crowd, noting how many eyes began to dip shamefully towards the floor. 

“It doesn’t matter where he came from, or even what he looks like. The fact of it is, he’s got nothing. Nothing except these four that is,” She motioned over her shoulder with a snort, “And Elder Gods know, they sure don’t know what they’re in for!” 

“Hee-eey?” Johnny piped up with a frown, but Kung Lao elbowed him to keep silent. 

“Come on, people…” Madam Bo implored, “Just what is Fengjian good for if it won’t help those most in need?” 

That struck a chord. 

Glancing around, Raiden noticed many of the shame-faced glances turning upwards, their eyes seeming to glitter with purpose. 

“Madam Bo…!” Someone called out; a young woman. She was waving something in the air as she snaked her way through the crowd. 

Madam Bo turned to her pleasantly. 

“Here…” The young woman held out what looked to be a small pile of something white and padded, “We don’t live very far from here. Please, take these diapers; my son’s got enough to last until we get home.” 

“I’ve got some spare diapers too,” Another called out, “And a spare onesie. It’s getting too small for my little one, but I think it should be perfect for your’s?” 

“Oh, how kind!” Madam Bo beamed as she gratefully accepted the donations, “Such generosity! Why…it warms this old heart. I almost feel like offering out a few complimentary cups of tea…?” 

There was a distinct sparkle in Madam Bo’s eye as she noticed how much life suddenly sparked through the crowd. 

“They’ll need a bottle!” 

“And formula!” 

“I can donate a few measures!” 

“Do they need a blanket? I have a blanket!” 

—-

Before long, the generosity of Fengjian village was laid bare across Madam Bo’s bar. 

“Hey, not a bad haul…” Johnny observed as he helped Kung Lao set a few of the things into a row, “I counted twenty-six diapers…that should be enough to last us a few days, right?” 

“Ha!” Madam Bo barked in laughter, “Good one!” 

Johnny, of course, only blinked cluelessly back at her. 

“Regardless of how much, it’s still very generous,” Raiden, of course, was quick to note, “And more importantly, it’ll do for right now.”  

With a tender smile, he plucked one of the twenty-six diapers from the line. 

“Now, let’s see here…” He murmured, brow furrowing slightly as he studied the little garment, “This side faces the front, I think…?” 

He turned it over to its’ side for a better look, catching the attention of the little deity in his arms. Large and eyes watched Raiden turning the strange thing over, but when it happened to unfold a bit out of Raiden’s palm, when he caught sight of the cutesy little cartoon dragons dancing across the diaper’s front, smiling at him; mocking him…

Liu Kang positively howled at the prospect.

“Liu Kang?” Raiden jolted at once, letting the diaper drop back to the table so he could begin to bounce the little deity against his chest. 

 The others looked over in alarm. 

“What happened?” Kung Lao wondered, but all he got from Raiden was a shake of the head. 

“I’m not sure…” The other eventually murmured, “He was fine just a second ago?” 

“Maybe he’s cold?” Kenshi suggested, 

“Maybe…” Raiden hummed back, giving the squirming little body a bounce, “Alright, here, let’s get you dressed, ok? Johnny, could you lay that blanket out for me, please?”

But try as he might, no amount of shushing nor cajoling seemed to do anything to calm Liu Kang down. Even just laying him down on the freshly laid blanket seemed to incense the child, drawing many a surprised glance from the various patrons. 

“What in all the realms?” Madam Bo’s voice just about crowed over the noise. 

For the second time that evening, the old woman stubbed a cigarette out into the ashtray. Suffice to say, she was not looking too pleased as she strode over to survey the situation. 

“I don’t know what happened,” Raiden worriedly began to explain, “He was fine just a minute ago! Right up until I picked up a diaper—?” 

“Oh! So that’s it!” Bo snorted at once, before turning back to the squalling infant, “Now you just stop that, young man!” 

Before Raiden could ask, she’d already lifted Liu Kang up from the table. The baby gave another cry, but that seemed to quickly taper when Madam Bo held him at eye-level. Even ageless Gods weren’t immune, it seemed, to a chastising gaze. 

“There. That’s more like it,” Bo sniffed, once the last of those cries had petered out to little whimpers, “Now you listen here: I don’t care if you’re the creator of all time, there is no way I am putting up with that kind of nonsense in here.” 

Liu Kang seemed to shrink back at the lecture, his little fists tucking beneath his chin in surprise. 

“Ah…!” He burbled, as if to argue, but Madam Bo was having none of that either. 

“Nah-ah!” She chided firmly, “No you don’t. What, you think throwing a tantrum at the only people who can help is going to solve anything? Well, let me tell you…you think you’re feeling foolish now? Pah! Just wait until nature comes to call and you’re still in your birthday suit!” 

Electric blue eyes suddenly seemed wider and glassier as Liu Kang’s bottom lip began to tremble. 

“Madam Bo…” Raiden stepped in before matters could escalate, “I think Lord Liu Kang gets the picture…” 

Quickly, he reached in to rescue the whimpering little God from Madam Bo’s grasp. A tiny hiccup sounded from Liu Kang as he immediately turned to hide his face away in his saviour’s shoulder. Honestly, Raiden couldn’t blame him. 

“There we go,” He murmured, giving his back a few reassuring pats, “My apologies, Lord Liu Kang. I forgot how overwhelming all of this must be for you…” 

More babyish babbles began sprang up from Liu, no doubt pleading his case against such unfair treatment.

“Mmhm. Yes, yes…oh, that’s right…” Raiden chattered comfortingly in Liu’s ear, nodding as if this were a matter of the utmost importance. 

Madam Bo just rolled her eyes. 

“You’re going to spoil him…” She sighed, lighting up another cigarette. 

For once, Raiden took no heed; he just kept humming and clucking as he walked Liu Kang back towards the table.

“Now then, shall we try this again?” He hummed. Once the last of Liu’s hiccups had settled, he laid the baby back down on the blanket. 

“Lord Liu Kang?” Raiden smiled gently as he picked up another diaper, “Shall we get you changed?” 

—-

Having come face to face with one of Madam Bo’s lectures, Liu Kang didn’t put up too much fuss at being dressed. He wriggled a bit once the diaper was taped in place, but Raiden was more than willing to forgive that as simply getting used to the new sensation. 

Soon enough, the young Fire God was once again tucked back into the crook of Raiden’s arm, this time sporting a fire-red onesie with little yellow cuffs at the sleeves and collar. 

“There…” Raiden sighed once he had a chance to finally sit down. 

Kung Lao, Johnny and Kenshi had done a great job of sorting out all the donated supplies into a small pile in the centre of the table. As meagre as it might seem, Raiden couldn’t help but admire just how much a small village was willing to part with. 

“Is that a baby carrier?” He observed with a blink. 

“Yeah, from old man Yang!” Kung Lao grinned and thumbed over his shoulder, “Fished it out from his garage. Said his kids are all too big for it now and it seemed a shame to let it go to waste.” 

“Even Madam Bo had to give him credit,” Johnny chuckled “She actually went and gave him a free beer.” 

Raiden’s eyes widened at that. 

“Did you hear that, Lord Liu Kang?” He chattered, sharing a look of surprise with the tiny God, “Aren’t you lucky, indeed?” 

But that sentiment did nothing to ease the pout that Liu Kang had been sporting ever since his encounter with Madam Bo. 

“Buh…” He burbled, before going to turn back towards Raiden’s chest. 

It didn’t go unnoticed by the others. 

“Oh now, now,” Raiden tried to comfort, giving his back another pat, “It’s not all bad…” 

The baby just wriggled disagreeably to the efforts. 

“Aw give the kid a break. It’s gotta be tough being brought down to pint-size…” Johnny put in, reaching over to brush a hand over Liu’s unruly little tufts of hair. 

“Hey, I’ve got an idea…” He suddenly grinned, “Raiden, you still got that sash you were using as a sling? Yeah, that! Pass it over here.” 

Eagerly, Johnny grabbed the length of silk from Raiden’s offered hand. 

“Ok, now, lemme see…” He began to murmur, holding it out between two hands as if trying to judge a measurement of some sort, “Hmm…c’mere little guy…” 

“Johnny,” Raiden frowned as he watched the actor reach to wrap  the silk around Liu Kang’s head, much to the baby’s chagrin “What’re you—be careful…”

“I got it, I got it…” Johnny just murmured, pulling the excess length through a loosely tied knot, “Ok, Kenshi? Think you can slice it just about…here?” 

The swordsman complied, but had to cut it a bit longer given how protectively Raiden pulled Liu Kang to his breast. 

“Aa-wah-wuh?” Liu Kang babbled once he felt the excess falling away, blinking up curiously at the familiar sensation.

“There, see?” Johnny grinned proudly “Now you’re looking a little more like your old self! Heh…y’know? Red really suits him?” 

“Look, Lord Liu Kang!” Kung Lao coaxed, holding the reflective bottom of an ashtray up for him to see, “Johnny’s right, see?” 

Liu Kang had to blink a few times at the sight that met him, but once recognition began to set in, everyone was relieved to see how bright the smile was that tugged at the chubby cheeks. 

“Ah-wah…!” Liu babbled, his little feet kicking excitedly as he reached to the silk’s reflection; his old headband! 

Raiden couldn’t help but chuckle warmly. 

“See?” He murmured, brushing a hand over the one little tuft of hair that refused to be tamed, “We haven’t forgotten that it’s you in that younger body. You’re just…well…” 

“Smaller!” Kung Lao cheerfully supplied, 

“Right,” Raiden agreed with a bounce, “And—”

“—Squeakier!” Johnny put in, earning something of a squint from Raiden. 

“I…was going to say that there’s no shame in needing to lean on your friends, but…” He sighed resignedly. He supposed it sounded better than ‘temporarily incapacitated.’

Thankfully, it didn’t seem to bother Liu Kang much either. Or, perhaps, he still knew how to simply ignore most of Johnny’s eccentricities. 

Liu Kang was still burbling happily when Madam Bo approached, wheeling a cart with a pot that held the faint aroma of jasmine tea. 

“Good to see things settling down over here,” The old woman commented rather kindly, a small quirk sitting just at the edge of her lip as she noted Liu Kang’s sunnier disposition.

She brushed it off, though, as she parked the cart. 

“Alright,” Bo began, turning to the table with a stern hand on her hip, “I think you boys’ll agree that I’ve been mighty generous tonight…” 

The four, adult heads dipped and nodded reverently. 

“Of course, Madam Bo,” Raiden agreed, “We’re extremely grateful for all your help.” 

“Not to say that we wouldn’t be, y’know, extra grateful if you were to…continue being so generous?” Johnny piped up, his gaze wandering towards the tea-pot so very hopefully…

“Nice try, Hollywood.” Madam Bo was quick to slap down, however, “After all the tea and beer I’ve given away tonight, you’re lucky I’m not charging you double. That’s why I’m making sure; you’ve all got money, right?” 

Kung Lao grimaced sharply, while Raiden glanced down. 

“Ah, well…” Raiden began, 

“Oh for crying out loud, I got this.” Johnny sighed at once, eyes rolling up towards the ceiling as Kung Lao’s face brightened at once.

“Just don’t go nuts!” He pointed, quickly, to the biggest eater of the group. 

“Thank you, Johnny,” Raiden couldn’t help but smile gratefully, “I’ll pay you back—”

“Ah forget it,” Johnny waved off before the other could start, “The way I figure it, you got bigger problems right now…”

He arched a playful brow down towards Liu Kang. The little one was wriggling again, trying to reach over towards the tea pot. 

“Ah…! Ah…!” 

“Oh, no, Liu Kang…” Raiden gently chided, shifting him over towards the crook of his other arm, “I don’t think you can have tea at this age…?” 

Liu Kang, of course, only met such sensible reasoning with a squeal of complaint. 

“Alright, pipe down,” Madam Bo tutted, “Here, you got a bottle and formula in that treasure-pile there?” 

She held her hand out expectantly. Kenshi passed it over quickly. 

“You boys go ahead and serve yourselves. I’ll whip this up nice and quick…” 

She was going to have to squint, though, to make out the instructions on the side of the box… 

—-

Liu Kang pouted furiously in the face of the bottle. 

It had been entire minutes since Madam Bo had brought it over, and despite her assurances that instinct  and hunger would soon override pride, the tiny Fire God had yet to concede defeat. 

“Please, Lord Liu Kang?” Raiden, again, tried to coax, “Won’t you at least try it…” 

But the closer the bottle tried to move, the deeper Liu Kang’s pout became. 

“Maybe he’s not hungry?” Kenshi wondered, “Do Gods even need food?” 

“Nah, I’ve seen him eat before,” Johnny pointed out, “And it wasn’t just a few nibbles either! I thought he was gonna give Kung Lao a run for his money.” 

“Hey!” Kung Lao frowned at once. It might have been true, but still. 

“I know he can eat,” Kenshi clarified firmly, “But enjoying food and needing it for sustenance might be two different things in this case?” 

“I’m not sure…” Raiden sighed, moving the bottle away from Liu’s pouting mouth, “But I’d rather he have something just to be safe, rather than have him do himself any harm on a hunger strike. Come on, Liu Kang…” 

He bounced his arm a bit in encouragement. 

“Won’t you even take just a tiny sip? You never know, it might make you grow up all big and strong again…?” 

A long-shot, if not an outright fallacy…but given Liu Kang’s unhappiness at his own predicament, Raiden would be surprised if the little God wasn’t, at least, desperate enough to try anything. 

Sure enough, that stiff bottom lip slowly began to un-purse. Raiden seized the opportunity. 

“There you go, that’s the way…” he encouraged as he slowly guided the bottle towards Liu’s mouth “I bet you’ll be feeling all better in no time…” 

—-

It took a few tries before Liu Kang managed to get any milk. For something, supposedly, so instinctive, it took a surprising amount of effort to be able to suckle properly; but even as an infant, Liu was nothing if not determined. 

Really, he was only doing this to humour Raiden. He already expected that he’d hate the milk; was quite prepared, actually, to pull away almost as fast as it took to take his first sip. 

But just as Liu laid his tiny hands on the bottle, the first mouthful came through…and those bright eyes seemed to shimmer at the taste. 

It was sweeter than he’d imagined, with a richness that, even as an adult, he wouldn’t have been able to put his finger on. And not to mention the warmth of the mixture. 

Even before his ascension into godhood, there were very few earthly pleasures that Liu permitted himself; a cup of tea had always seemed to fill that gap, or so he thought. 

This milk, this formula, seemed to lay on the tiny tummy like a blanket…

It was a delight, a comfort, that Liu Kang wasn’t sure he’d ever known…

“Oh wow, would ya look at that,” He thought he heard Johnny say, “Poor kid, he must’ve been starving,” 

And that might have been followed by a murmur of agreement from Raiden, but he wasn’t sure. 

Truth be told, he didn’t care.  So entranced by this new experience, Liu hardly noticed as the topic of conversation began to fade away into the background; 

“Has anyone thought how we’re getting back to the Fire Temple from here?” 

“Rent a car?” 

“In these parts? From where?” 

“Ok, borrow from someone then!” 

All just noise. Nowhere near as enriching a matter as his milk; so warm, so soothing…

Slowly, Liu Kang felt the edges of the world beginning to soften and blur…

—-

A crisp chill threatened to bring it all back into focus. 

“Ah muh-mah…?” Liu Kang thought he heard himself babble, but the sound still sounded so far away to his ears. 

There was movement, like a bounce, then another sound…a voice…

“Shhh…” It whispered to him, sounding oddly familiar in its’ own way, “Go back to sleep, little one…” 

‘Little one’…that sounded familiar too, but in a way that made Liu’s head feel all light and fuzzy. 

He felt himself sinking some, his cheek pressing up against warmth. There was the faint smell of something, like spices warming over a low fire. 

It smelled like…like a time almost long forgotten, like home…

‘Raiden…?’  

The edges of the world once again began to blur and fade…

—-

Kung Lao and Raiden had been making their way back to their old village when Liu Kang threatened to wake. 

“Is he alright?” Kung Lao whispered, using the short pause to slightly readjust the weight he held in his left arm. As it turned out, the baby carrier made a great transport system for the spoils of the evening. 

“I think so,” Raiden chuckled after a moment, once the sleepy burbling quieted, “Just a little dream, I think?”

But nothing to be concerned about. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to put him in the carrier?” 

“Not just yet, Kung Lao.” Raiden murmured gently, “He’s peaceful where he is, I’ll wait until I get home.”

Besides, he didn’t want to voice, the way Kung Lao had been swinging that thing at his side didn’t exactly instil Raiden with confidence. 

“It’s only a short walk,” He said instead, “And I think it’s my heartbeat that settles him down, more than anything.” 

“I dunno…” It was Kung Lao’s turn to chuckle as they started off again, “I think you’ve always been Liu Kang’s favourite, Raiden.” 

Raiden opened his mouth to argue, but Kung Lao cut him off. 

“It’s ok,” He laughed softly, “I get it! Didn’t he say that, in his timeline, it was you training me and him rather than the other way around? It makes sense that he’d latch on to you when he’s like this.” 

“What do you mean?” Raiden frowned ever so slightly, “I haven’t done anything special, I was just the one who happened to catch him…” 

“Re-imprint, then,” Kung Lao grinned mischievously “And come off it. If that were true, you’d have let one of us hold him by now,” 

Raiden frowned deeper. 

“He’s the Fire God and keeper of time, Kung Lao, not a parcel to be passed around.” 

“Uh-huh,” Kung Lao chortled, “Doesn’t stop you coddling him.” 

“Oh, I do not.” Raiden just sniffed, before immediately glancing back down at the baby when he thought he heard another murmur, “Shh, shh…” 

Kung Lao had to stifle another teasing titter. 

—-

“Thanks for your help,” Raiden spoke softly, watching as Kung Lao unloaded the items from the carrier into his front parlour, “I think I can manage from here.” 

“Hey, anything for our creator, right?” Kung Lao grinned as he straightened, “Meet you back at Madam Bo’s tomorrow? Johnny reckons he’ll be able to rustle up a car from somewhere; says he’s willing to buy if he can’t borrow.” 

Raiden gave another hum. Honestly, that didn’t sound like a terrible plan. Even for a recent divorcee, Johnny Cage still seemed to have enough money to throw at his problems…this, at least, might do all parties some good. 

“Let me know,” He nodded softly, giving Liu Kang another little bounce. 

“Right,”

With another little chuckle and wave, Kung Lao started down the path to his own homestead. He could handle himself just fine but, still, Raiden always watched him go. 

The hatted warrior was just about halfway towards the back when he turned back to call; 

“Just gimme a call if he starts getting too fussy!” 

Of course, Raiden just waved him off. 

—- 

TBC

Chapter Text

Little Lord Liu

Chapter 3: Monsters in the closet

There was nothing to fear. 

Warmth, dark, quiet; all key ingredients for stillness. 

For contentment. 

He was floating. 

It had been a long time since Liu Kang could say that; since before the dawn of time, when no earth yet existed to stand upon…

There were only shapes, faint colours drifting in and out of focus. 

There was some now, faint wisps travelling along some infinite path. He reached out; they brushed over his hand like clouds within a stream. 

He giggled. He’d never giggled before, not that he could remember. 

Remember…? 

He pulled his hand back, before looking upwards for something more distant. 

Stars. 

Liu Kang loved stars. Stars were so bright and pretty. 

He reached upwards, feet pushing off of nothingness. He felt himself gently coasting forth, up towards those twinkling little lights…

Pretty. Pretty and free. 

Free…

He felt all four limbs stretching outwards, a gentle sigh rising from his chest as he relished the feeling. 

The stars were getting closer; he let himself drift towards them, lighter than the non-existent air. 

Distant silver-white flecks slowly began to expand, becoming brighter, more brilliant orbs before his very eyes. With captivated gaze, he watched in awe as colour and light began to play; how the soft breath of entire galaxies brushed through their glittering surfaces without ever sullying its’ perfection. 

He felt his hands reaching out again, wanting so very much to be part of the magic. The glitter tickled his soft skin, like kisses landing on his forehead. 

He drew closer, utterly enthralled by the display. There were even more colours now, each one more brilliant than the last; all sparkling with these beautiful, tiny specks of gold…

…Gold…?

No…

No, Liu Kang didn’t much like gold for some reason. Not any more, not for a long time. 

He pulled away again, but it was harder this time. Like something was trying to hold him down. 

He wriggled. That seemed to help him turn away, back towards where he came…but still, he wasn’t floating like he used to. 

The sparkles weren’t tickling any more, either. They felt rough, like sand…

It was the gold, something told him, the gold was bad… 

But no matter how hard he kicked or crawled through the expanse, he couldn’t seem to make any progress. That sandy feeling was closer now, pressing tighter on his belly. Liu whined and fought harder. But no matter how much effort he spent, nothing seemed to be helping him move forwards.

He reached up, out towards another set of distant stars…but unlike last time, the sparkles from afar were already beginning to slip through his fingers. Not away, mind, but towards him… 

And it wasn’t just them, it was the one’s here too, the one’s already drifting over him…suddenly, it was as if everything was pulling him back, like a whirlpool. 

He gave a gasp, but the air was too thick and hot to breathe. Strange sounds were beginning to rumble up from everywhere, like thunder…but it wasn’t like the gentle rumbles that he was used to. This was louder, angrier somehow. 

He wanted to cry out, but he didn’t have the breath. The force behind him was getting stronger, pulling him along its’ path. 

He turned. Again, he wanted to yell. 

Gold. Hot, molten gold was rising from the path and taking shape before his very eyes. 

Eyes…yes, that’s what they were, eyes! Large, golden eyes…

And the closer he was drawn the more familiar they felt, like they were…

And he was… 

And then he remembered…

And it all came flooding back… 

‘By the Gods, no!’ 

‘If you must die, so be it!’ 

‘Liu Kang, stop!!’ 

—-

Wails pierced the evening stillness. 

Once again, darkness surrounded Liu Kang.

Where was he? What had happened? All thoughts seemed blurred and muddled somehow. 

He made to move, but something was stopping him. Not from his arms or legs, he didn’t think, but his chest. Like it was pinning him in place. 

He tried to look down to see, but he couldn’t make out a thing in this light. 

What was going on? Why couldn’t he move? 

The wails were still echoing through the blackness, but from where Liu Kang couldn’t see. He went to call out over them…but somehow, that just seemed to make the cries louder. 

They were deafening against his ears. 

He tried again and again, louder each time…but no matter what he tried, he couldn’t seem to make a single word intelligible word. 

‘Help!’ He tried to scream ‘Raiden…!’ 

Raiden, that’s right. Where was Raiden? He’d been here just a moment ago, hadn’t he? 

Where had he gone? Why had he left him? 

He turned his head, desperately peering through the darkness. 

‘Raiden?’ He cried out, ‘Raiden…!!’ 

He tried wriggling a bit more, legs kicking out to try to gain more traction. No good, the bonds that held him just wouldn’t give. 

‘Raiden…!!!’ He called, louder this time. 

Somehow, the darkness that surrounded him seemed to be growing. An endless expanse and, yet, Liu Kang felt that it wasn’t entirely apathetic to his cries. 

If anything, he felt watched…

Something was in here with him. He couldn’t see it, but he could feel it. Shadows turning their invisible eyes on to him, circling, closing in… 

Agitated kicking quickly turned into a desperate flurry, as if he could ward off his attacker before it struck. 

He felt the shadows shifting across his face, leering, snarling, salivating…He felt them reach, felt them lunge…! 

‘Raiden…!!!’ he screamed…! 

—-

With a hurried clap of a palm, light flooded into the room. 

“Liu Kang?” 

Raiden called out worriedly, one hand still pressed to the light-switch as his gaze swept diligently across the room. 

No sign of an intruder. Good. But then, no obvious sign for the cause of Liu Kang’s cries either. 

By the Elder Gods, what a shriek! Raiden had just been getting out of the shower when he’d heard it, towelling the day’s conflict out of his hair…the fear that had gripped him as he raced down the hall. 

For a moment—well, more than that—he’d truly thought that something terrible had befallen Liu Kang. Some unseen tragedy that might have been prevented had he not taken his eyes off of his young charge. 

Even now, as he headed over, Raiden wasn’t quite convinced that something wasn’t right. 

Liu Kang was still screaming and writhing, the carrier rocketing back and forth with the sheer force of the baby’s thrashing. 

“Shh, shh, shh…” Raiden tried to lull, kneeling down so that he might better assess the situation, “Liu Kang? What is it, little one? What happened?” 

Large hands reached out to carefully catch the tiny fists. They landed square in each palm. Perfect to gently pin and begin smoothing little circles over with a thumb. 

It took a few seconds for it to register. Slowly, the frantic cries began to lessen; or at least taper long enough for Liu to open his eyes and begin blinking himself back to reality. 

“A-Ah-wuh…?” 

With a hiccup, the bleary gaze began to come back into focus. Raided shushed and clucked a few more notes of comfort. 

“Shh, shh…hey, what happened, huh?” He wondered as he reached to stroke the tears rolling down those chubby little cheeks. 

Liu Kang just continue to stare cluelessly for a few more moments, mouth moving mutely as if trying to find his voice. Raiden wished he could. Alas, all Liu could do was let out a burble and Raiden could only watch as the little face suddenly began to crumble. 

“Little one…” he murmured, hurriedly working to undo the carrier’s straps, “It’s alright, I’m here now…” 

Liu Kang cried, but didn’t fight as he was lifted. In fact, the little God was all too eager to find a fold of Raiden’s robe to hide away in. 

“It’s ok…” Raiden cooed, content to let the little one cling as tightly as he liked, “Everything’s going to be alright…” 

Carefully, he brought himself to stand. A few little bounces was all it took for Raiden to notice a problem; the back of Liu Kang’s diaper sounded rather damp when patted. Not really a surprise, given his age, but probably still upsetting for the poor Fire God. 

Still, one thing at a time. 

With a soft stride, Raiden began to pace from one end of the room to the other. He didn’t try to rush Liu Kang to quiet, nor huff or sigh when he didn’t immediately quiet; he just let him take his time, shushing and bouncing, letting Liu work it out in his own time. 

“Shhh, shhh…there now…” Raiden murmured once all had settled to little whimpers, “Did something frighten you, little one?”

Liu Kang just hiccuped in reply. 

Raiden gave a cluck of sympathy. 

“I see,” he nodded understandingly, “Well, whatever it was, it’s all gone now. I’m here, and I’m not going to let anything harm you…” 

Another little hiccup, followed by Liu tugging a fold of the silken collar closer. 

“That’s right,” Raiden clucked, making his way over towards the dresser. 

Though he’d settled Liu Kang in his own bedroom, he thought it might be safer to lay the carrier on the floor rather than at any height. A wise choice, given how frantically the baby had been kicking. Some of the supplies, though, had been quietly packed away into an old, weathered satchel. He’d set it, along with the blanket, out ready. 

“Ok now…” Raiden narrated as he smoothed the blanket over the dresser, “I’m just going to lay you down here, ok? Just for a moment…” 

Liu voiced a tiny whine of complaint as he felt himself being lowered. 

“Now, now,” Raiden just soothed, doing his best to unhook the tiny hands out of his robe, “I’m still right here, see? Nobody’s leaving you…” 

That did little to ease the pout off Liu’s face, however, even as Raiden managed to free himself from the tiny, iron grip. 

“Don’t worry, Lord Liu Kang; you’ll feel better soon, I’m sure…” He gently narrated as he began to undo the poppers at the onesie’s feet. The baby wriggled a little, but not enough to make things difficult. 

“Here we go,” Raiden murmured as Liu Kang’s feet were finally freed, “Now we’ll just—oh, Liu Kang! You’re soaked…!” 

He didn’t for it to come out quite so bluntly, but nonetheless the damage was done. Liu’s face crumpled again as he began trying to turn and wriggle away. 

“No, no, no…” Raiden immediately went to soothe, “Shh, shh, no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that…shh, come here…” 

Quickly, he lifted Liu back into his arms. 

“I’m sorry little one. You’re right, that was very insensitive of me, wasn’t it?” Raiden shushed as he once again began to bounce, “I just didn’t realise how terrible a night you must have been having. No, no, it’s alright, it is…” 

It took a few more bounces and tender shushes but, gradually, the tiny sobs began to peter out to sniffles. 

Still, Raiden didn’t set him back down on the dresser just yet. For a few moments he just stood, his chin set gently atop Liu Kang’s head as he stared pensively off towards the window.  

“Did you have a scary dream?” He eventually wondered, voice little more above a tender whisper. 

Liu Kang just ducked his head deeper against his collar, whimpering unhappily. 

“It’s ok…” Raiden whispered again, rocking idly from side to side, “There’s no shame in it. Even if they’re just dreams, it can be difficult to face the things that frighten us. But you were still very brave, Liu Kang…” 

A tender kiss set itself atop Liu’s head. He burbled softly, before finally lifting his gaze curiously upwards. 

Raiden just smiled down tenderly. 

“Yes you were,” He assured as he began to lay Liu down again, “You’re our big, brave Fire God, no matter what…” 

He said as he untaped the sodden diaper and lifted said Fire God’s bottom to be wiped. Liu whined, of course, but Raiden continued regardless. 

“I know, I know. It’s not very dignified, is it?” 

But, as any infant would no doubt attest if they could, it was better than getting diaper rash. 

Besides, it didn’t last long. Before Liu Kang knew it, the diaper-cream was smoothed on and a nice, dry diaper was being taped in the old one’s place. 

“There we go…” Raiden chuckled as he re-did the last of the poppers, “That’s better, isn't it?” 

“Ah-wah…” Liu cooed back, little arms reaching as he was obligingly lifted back up. 

Raiden settled him once more against his chest. 

“Now then,” he began with a gentle pat to the freshly padded bottom, “Shall we try getting you settled back down?”

He turned towards where the baby carrier still lay, only for Liu Kang to give a whine and stubbornly hide himself away against his collar. 

“No?” Raiden hummed, brows raising in mild surprise “Oh dear. Well, what shall we do then, hm?” 

He began to pace again, one hand idly patting a steady rhythm against Liu’s back as he headed towards the door and out into the hallway. Like most cabbage farmers in Fengjian, Raiden couldn’t say that he lay claim to a particularly lavish abode. It was an old building, for one thing, only one story and held together with more duct-tape and hope than anything else. 

Still, it was home; and he was proud of it. 

That being said, it didn’t take very long for him to walk Liu Kang through to the main living area. 

“Let’s see now…” Raiden commentated as they went, “When I was a little boy and couldn’t sleep, I always found that a nice, warm glass of milk did just the trick to settle me down.”

Given that Liu didn’t see fit to pout at him this time, he chose to take that as a positive sign. 

“Does that sound good?” He murmured, meeting the curious little gaze with a tender smile, “Shall we fix you up a bottle, Lord Liu Kang?” 

“Ah…!” 

—- 

Mixing the bottle itself wasn’t as difficult an affair as Raiden had first thought. No, the challenge, as it turned out, came from having to do this with an infant in hand. 

Of course, Raiden had idly floated the idea of bringing the baby carrier down to give Liu Kang a place to sit…but he dismissed it almost as quickly as it took for the baby’s bottom lip to quiver. 

Dream or not, whatever Liu Kang saw had clearly rattled him; and at this age, it would have been simple cruelty to expect him to suck it up and deal. That said, Raiden did notice that his grip seemed tighter than normal. 

“Almost done now,” he assured as he gave the little body a bounce. Liu Kang watched passively for a while as Raiden set the bottle in the pan to warm. Then, when nothing more of interest happened, his glowing gaze began to wander some more about the rest of the room. 

The main living space consisted of a sitting area connected to a modest kitchenette. Right now, the light above the stove was proving sufficient enough for what Raiden was doing, but he supposed, in hind-sight, that it might have made the rest of the space look quite intimidating to a young child. 

Liu Kang stared pensively over his protector’s shoulder. There was a window sat just opposite of his eye-line; not well lit, but certainly brighter than the walls around it. A better focus, at the least, than wondering what be lurking just behind the shadows. 

It was just as Liu’s gaze began to wander, though, that something fluttered through the dim glow. He gave a cry, which was quickly met by more gentle bounces and comforting pats.

“Nearly there, little one.” Raiden patiently murmured as he fished the bottle out of the warm water. 

Liu wasn’t much interested in the milk anymore, however. His gaze was still fixed on the window. 

“Ah…!” He whined, tugging again at Raiden’s collar, “Ah-wuh-ah…!” 

“Shh, shh…” Raiden tried again to soothe when the frantic wriggling didn’t settle “Now then, what’s gotten into you, hm?” 

With the bottle now in hand, he slowly turned towards where Liu Kang was staring. 

“Over here?” 

He padded over softly. While he had no reason to believe that anything was amiss, he still kept a cautious air about him for the sake of Liu Kang. These were strange times, after all, and it never hurt to be careful. 

While his young charge clung tightly to his robes, Raiden curiously peered out through the glass. 

“I don’t see—oh!” 

But his observations were quickly disproven when, again, something flashed past the window. 

At once, he was on guard. Setting the bottle on the window’s sill, Raiden turned a shoulder and edged cautiously closer towards the glass. He stared out at the dimly lit road, watching for even the slightest hint of movement. 

A shifting shadow, a rustling branch…with the type of character he and his rag-tag group of friends squared up against these days, who knew what might come crashing through the walls. 

What if it was Shang Tsung? 

A mere flash of a thought, but enough to make Raiden’s blood run cold. 

If that slimy sorcerer really had interfered with the portals—

But his train of thought was quickly derailed. The shadow flashed across the window again, but now that he had a chance to see…

With a frown, Raiden squinted his eyes up towards the skyline…And then felt the tension immediately drain from his shoulders. 

“Oh…no, it’s alright…” He laughed in a soft breath, “Shh, look, see?” 

He patted Liu’s back a bit, before pointing up towards his neighbour’s rooftop. The shadow had taken roost by the chimney, and was ducking and bobbing in a way that didn’t seem too convincing to his young charge. 

“Look…” Raiden cooed still, “That’s not a monster…” 

He angled them a little more towards the light. Liu whined, but managed to peek up out of Raiden’s collar long enough to see where he was pointing. 

“See?” Raiden chuckled, watching as the shadow began to huddle over something, “It’s a birdie…” 

Ok, to be fair, that ‘birdie’ was more of a hawk or eagle; and while it probably would try to carry off a small baby if it were desperate enough, Raiden doubted that it could get very far. 

Besides, their feathered friend seemed to have higher priorities. 

“Look, see there? That’s a mommy bird…or maybe a daddy?” Raiden smiled as he spied just a hint of a beak poking up over the nest, “Either way, there’s a little baby up there. And I’m sure our feathered friend is telling their little one that it’s time to settle down…” 

Picking the bottle up from the sill, Raiden then turned to walk Liu Kang over towards the small sitting-room. 

A small desk-lamp occupied a nearby end-table. Raiden clicked it on, before taking a seat in a nearby arm-chair. The plush rests made it easier to get Liu Kang settled, nestling him once more in the crook of his arm. 

The baby looked rather pensive, as if embarrassed by his little outburst. 

“There now…” Raiden just cooed, his voice warm and reassuring, “You’ve had quite a night, haven’t you?” 

When the baby didn’t babble back, Raiden brought the bottle up towards the pouting little mouth. 

Liu regarded it for a moment, his lower lip trembling ever so slightly…but unlike back at the tea-house, it wasn’t long before he gave in and latched on. 

A tender smile tugged at Raiden’s cheek as he watched the little one nurse. 

“You know, Liu Kang, seeing our feathered friend out there reminded me of a story I once heard,” He chatted softly, “It’s about an eagle and his baby chick, and it takes place a very long time ago; far away, in a long forgotten valley…” 

Well, really it was a combination of a few tales, with a dash of real life thrown in here and there.

As Liu Kang supped on his milk, Raiden weaved the story of an eagle; how he was once a great force of raw, cosmic power who, through no fault of his own, was suddenly forced to inhabit the form of a hatchling. Fortunately, the baby eagle wouldn’t face his tribulation alone. 

Raiden narrated about how his cries were heard by a traveller on the road; a humble rooster. When the rooster happened by the baby eagle, he was all too willing to take him under his wing but his life-long friend, a spirited sparrow-hawk, landed beside them to pose a warning. He’d been soaring amongst the breezes when he took note of a dark cloud building over the horizon. If they didn’t move soon then they’d be caught up in a storm. Of course, the rooster worried…but the baby eagle was still much too young to move by himself. 

“What could they do?” Raiden whispered, as one does when children’s stories take such a dramatic turn. Liu Kang was about halfway through his bottle at this point, but the frantic suckling had begun to calm, giving way to something much more rhythmic. 

The little one murmured a bit, eyes wide and curious. 

“Well,” Raiden smiled, “Fortunately, luck was on their side…” 

He went on to describe how, while the rooster stayed to watch over the baby eagle, the sparrow-hawk flew off in search of aid. The sparrow-hawk was an expert at riding the breezes, but he didn’t have to soar far before coming across two more travellers on the road; a shrike with a stick clutched tightly under a wing, who was riding on the back of beautiful but boastful peacock. 

The shrike was blind, as it happened, and he and the peacock would often bicker on their journey. When the sparrow-hawk explained their predicament, the duo’s bickering quickly turned to a concerned dialogue. 

The peacock was eager to make his way to where the rooster and baby eagle lay, and while the shrike agreed, he also brought up a good point about just what they could do to help move the little one to safety. 

“‘Put him on my back!’” Raiden narrated in a voice that held a familiar ‘Hollywood’ twang, “‘I’ll carry him all the way outta the valley! I’ve travelled awfully far and wide, you know!’” 

Another, more giggly little murmur sounded out of Liu Kang, and Raiden had to pause just to make sure that the baby wasn’t going to accidentally choke. 

The shrike was a much more practical character, however, and pointed out how that was only part of the problem. No doubt the rooster would have already thought of that, but baby birds just weren’t able to hold on enough to stay safe. 

They were still debating this all the way back to the valley. It gave the rooster an idea; 

“‘Mothers build nests to keep their babies safe,’” Raiden spoke, this time in a voice much closer to his own, “‘We should build something like that on my back, and Mister Peacock can show us the way to safety.’” 

This was a perfectly acceptable solution as far as the group was concerned, but the other birds also felt a profound sense of duty to this baby bird. 

The blind shrike told of how the stick he carried was enchanted; it not only helped him see a certain distance ahead, but could also point out dangers and shelter. The peacock piped up about how he’d seen good, sturdy sticks nearby with which to build this nest, which the sparrow-hawk was all too eager to help him gather. 

And so, together, the kind birds built a strong and sturdy nest atop the rooster’s back, lined with the softest grass so that their little charge could be ferried in comfort… 

“…And so, they began their journey. But though they didn’t know it yet, the small trip were about to set off on would prove more eventful than any had imagined…” Raiden narrated, his voice having dropped barely above a whisper. 

Liu Kang was reaching the end of his bottle, and much like before, the warm milk was proving itself a powerful opponent. Bright eyes had become heavy and glazed, drooping ever more steadily closed. 

Raiden smiled down lovingly at the sight. 

“But I think that’s a story for another time, don’t you…?” 

TBC.