Jump 046: Mortal Kombat

Jump 046: Mortal Kombat

Location: Shang Tsung's Island
Faction: (+300) Factionless
Identity: Drop-In, Human
Drawbacks: (+800) Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, Dead Or Alive, The Krypt

[Free]      Variation
[Free]      Stage Hazard
[300/2100]  Mortal Kombat!
[900/2100]  Konqueror
[1100/2100] Will Of Cold Steel
[1300/2100] Vengence
[1400/2100] Bloodied, Not Beaten
[Free]      Kostume
[Free]      Sekret Icon
[Free]      Iconic Item
[1600/2100] The Krypt
[1800/2100] Living Towers
[2100/2100] Shang Tsung's Island

What a place we find ourselves in. Earthrealm is ... well, it's home. And it's been a long time since I've seen it.

The Mortal Kombat tournament is interesting, I will say. But the shenanigans Raiden engages in, to force the Elder Gods' hand in terms of enforcing their own rules, puts a major damper on my participation at that point. Still, it's a bold strategy he employs, and I've got to admit respect for someone who is willing to sacrifice everything - even potentially himself - in order to save everything. Even if related conflict finds Earth after, it's brief and local, and my intervention changes not the outcome but the details.

Which leaves me with quite some time to simply get my mind off of war, and actually enjoy the world. To come back home. After centuries upon centuries. Sometimes, I can even delude myself into thinking that it is in fact my home. This world is one where history seems to be identical to what I distantly remember. Still, though, there are small changes.

Though my extended family exists, I was never born in this world, nor was my sister. Further research was made... and really it's irrelevant to anyone who isn't me, but it turns out that someone who died in my home did not die here, and there likely were butterflies from there. A tragedy undone, and lives unwoven in its wake. Oh, a child was eventually born, but that child was decidedly not me. Still, there are some that I knew in my life, and I give a few nudges to improve theirs. For instance, biomancy is quite helpful to correct unbalanced hormones, after all - the endocrine system is a cruel mistress. Perhaps, if I ever make my way to an Earth again, I should see whether this pattern repeats; not everyone was in the same situation as I expected to find, even if the broad strokes were similar.

All of this downtime gives me quite the opportunity to attack the Living Towers as well. With the vast majority of my abilities locked away in the Krypt... well, obviously that's one of my priorities. And despite enjoying the world, being this vulnerable is not something I find to my liking - the Krypt gets visited by me on a daily basis. It doesn't hurt that this also means I get practice fighting the locals, as well. And even if I start out closer to the average human than I'd like, it doesn't mean that I don't still have practice in hand to hand fighting. It's only a matter of time until I've returned to having all the power I've grown accustomed to back at my fingertips.

Regardless, eventually the wheel turns again, and Earth comes under attack. I'd spent the years ensuring I'd be aware of certain individuals' actions, and when several of them converge on the same location, I do the same. Amusing, really. Outworld. It's no surprise - after all, Tsung's island was yielded to me, even if I've done little with it since other than letting it serve as a gateway between Outworld and Earth. But with such an auspicious group crossing... I find it appropriate for me to cross as well. Only to immediately find myself confronted by Raiden. And here I am, with the Second Legion staying upon the Bastion in the wake of the Black Crusade.

I'd find it hilarious, had I no inkling of Raiden's true power.

"What do you come to Outworld for, outsider?" he inquires. I'm impressed that he managed not to sneer, but he's still distinctly unfriendly. But it is to be expected.

"I've decided to call in my marker, thunder god," I reply with cheer. "I have come for Mortal Kombat."

Scoffing, Raiden shakes his head. "There is no tournament to be had. Outworld is having a civil war-"

"Which makes it the perfect time to settle who should be in charge, does it not?" I comment, interrupting him. "No matter how much you dislike me, you DO know you owe me for what I did on your behalf when Shinnok brought his revenants."

"We would still have triumphed without you," he observes.

I nod. "But I was there and saved many from otherwise horrific fates - and restored their souls after purging their corruption, weakening the Netherrealm. Your pyrrhic victory is why that battle even occurred, and you agreed the debt fell solely upon you. Therefore... if you would be so kind as to take my request to the Elder Gods?" The look of shock on Raiden's face is evident, before it falls in resignation. I add, "I ask only that you remain impartial. I'll not lie to you about my intent, but I have interest only in Outworld. Earth, or something very similar to it, was once my home and I look upon it with nostalgia. I'd not taint it. And a Mortal Kombat tournament would be much less bloody than a war, would it not?"

"It would," he mutters unhappily. "Very well. This shall eliminate any debt between us, outsider."

I smile, and offer agreement, before he disappears in a bolt of lightning. And then begin strolling into Outworld, to shake things up.

I've ruled hundreds of worlds, albeit temporarily and in another universe. Ruling one permanently might be interesting. Even if bloodshed comes along with it.