Disclaimer: Except for any original ideas, everything else belong to their respective owners.

I had this idea for some time but after seeing the most recent trailers of the upcoming Mortal Kombat X, I felt its time to make it happen. The story may not be to the liking of everyone so if you have any doubts, feel free to pass this story.

I started fanfiction only months ago, so don't be harsh if my writing is not to standards.

This MK universe is based on MK9, but it starts months before the 10th tournament starts. The DXD universe will have some of its events; past and present altered, thanks to a certain villain. The flow of time between the MK and DXD universes are the same though.

If you like the story, I would appreciate reviews. I can handle criticism, but to an extent.

The Realms Beyond – Prologue

-Earthrealm, Sky Temple-

'It been 10 years since that incident with that sorcerer.' The God of Thunder and Protector of Earthrealm fell to his thoughts as he mediating at his Sky Temple. He fought against many evils that threatened Earthrealm from potential conquerors to powerful demons. He even fought against Shinnok, who turned on his fellow Elder Gods in his attempt to claim the realm for his own. Yet that incident 10 years ago, was something that even Raiden couldn't even comprehend…

'That boy… He was so young yet he had incredible amounts of power within in. It hard to believe he was just a normal human…' Raiden can't help but recall as he was about to teleport himself to the Wu Shi Academy. Where an incident there shattered his notion of there being only one Earthrealm… Where he saved a young boy from a fate worse than death…

-Earthrealm, Wu Shi Academy (10 Years Ago)-

"Lord Raiden! Thank the Elder Gods you're here!" A shaolin monk greeted Raiden as he arrived at the Academy after sensing a powerful disturbance in its grounds."

"What happened? What is this disturbance?" Raiden made his concerns clear as the monk quickly replied, "It's the Academy's grounds! A portal appeared there and it looks unstable! We moved everyone away from the grounds as a precaution. We are ready to move at your order."

'A portal? Does the Emperor seek to invade without victory in Mortal Kombat? If so, he will face the wrath of the Elder Gods.' With that in mind, Raiden quickly moved with some of the monks to the grounds where this portal resides. When he arrived, he quickly sense that the portal was very different from the one he seen before.

'This portal… Its design is more complex than anything I have seen before. Does it mean that Earthrealm will be invaded by an unknown force?' As Raiden was thinking of possible scenarios, a figure carry something appeared in the portal and walked out as it began to close.'

Raiden only stare at the person in front of him as he clearly recognize his face. He was a man with a mustache and goatee, black hair and wearing an ornate robe. On his shoulder was a young boy in casual clothes who seems to be 6 years old. The man looked at his surroundings and saw Raiden.

'Of all the miscalculations in my incantations and spells, I ended up meeting you Raiden." Raiden narrowed his eyes at him, "Shang Tsung… It looks like you were rejuvenated…"

"Careful Raiden, you might hurt this boy," as Shang Tsung tighten his grip on the boy on his shoulder. "Don't worry Raiden, this boy is not from Earthrealm." This caught Raiden attention, "What do you mean? He is clearly human."

Shang Tsung made a small smile, "I wanted to keep my most recent discovery a secret, but in this situation I can't help but share a bit with you." He was secretly channeling magic to create a portal to Outworld. He hoped to keep Raiden distracted so the portal would form and he would escape with his prize.

Raiden was not a fool however and knows his intention, but decided to get as much information from the sorcerer. "This portal? It is not meant for an invasion?" Shang Tsung shook his head, "No, it was meant to be passage between Outworld and a brand new realm. Another Earthrealm…"

"What do you mean?!" Raiden was shocked of hearing this. "Oh it's a realm that I have discovered a year ago. It had however had an extraordinary powerful barrier which prevents us from even laying a foot on the world, so the Emperor ordered me to create a brand new spell to enter that realm."

Shang Tsung continued as Raiden listened but kept a close eye on him. "The spell is still experimental though and currently only I can travel between that realm and Outworld. So I took the liberty to scout the realm for the honor of the Emperor and discovered there were more than humans there." He continue speak of the new Realm he found.

"There were powerful beings that I sense as I travelled the realm. The magic that I found were not like the ones we use here. Artifacts of great power that have manage to retrieve for Outworld. The Emperor was pleased with my discoveries and rewarded me well." Raiden can see now why the Shang Tsung was rejuvenated to his youth.

The sorcerer then looked at the boy on his shoulder. "And this boy here is from my recent trip and he have something powerful in him which would please the Emperor. Shame the boy broke down when I dealt with his parents, but I can fix that." He made a small laugh as he had other plans for the boy.

Raiden felt his anger flow as he heard the sorcerer. "You killed this boy's parents and now you seek to turn him into your slave, a puppet for the Emperor?! You think you can get away with that!" He release a powerful aura around him and Shang Tsung realize that it was time to go.

"I would love to talk more Raiden, but I need to report back to the Emperor." A portal quickly formed behind him, but Raiden anticipated this and fired a bolt of lightning at him. "Hah!" The projectile moved so fast that Shang Tsung couldn't react to it in time.

"Agh!" He was hit with enough force that was pushed back to the portal and forced to release the boy. As Shang Tsung disappeared along with the portal, quickly ran up to boy and check on him. The moment the Thunder God touched him, he felt a vast amount of power within the body.

"So much power… So this is why Shang Tsung abducted him. Just what burden does this boy has?" As the monks moved up to Raiden, they all saw the boy twitch and tears slowly build up in his closed eyes. "Mom… Dad… Don't go…" They could only watch in sadness at what the boy had to endure.

"His parents were taken from him and he has no home to return to." One monk said as he looked at the boy sadly. Raiden felt the same, but also know that the boy cannot live a normal life with such powers within him. It was then he carried the boy in his arms and turn to the monks.

"This boy could easily become one of the most powerful warrior, but we cannot risk him turning to evil." He then gesture one of the monks to carry the boy in his arms. "I am giving you and rest of the monks of the Wu Shi Academy an important task. You are to raise and protect this boy. Train him in the art of combat and help him master his powers. Ensure that he will fight for the good of Earthrealm. I will return in a decade's time to see his progess"

When the monks heard Raiden, they bowed their heads. "We accept Lord Raiden. We will ensure the boy's safety and training. On this day, he will be treated as a fellow monk-in-training."

Hearing that, Raiden teleport back to the Sky Temple and the monks move the boy to their living quarters, the task of raising him as one of their own and making him a powerful warrior.

-Earthrealm, Wu Shi Academy (Present Day)-

'It been ten years since that incident with Shang Tsung. Ten years since I entrusted the monks to take care of the boy. It's time to see his progress…' Raiden teleported to the entrance of the Academy where a monk was waiting for him. Raiden saw it was Liu Kang, one of the best shaolin monks and was high favoured by Raiden himself. "Liu Kang." He greeted the monk and Liu Kang bowed his head in return, "Lord Raiden."

"It's good to see you again. How is he?" Liu Kang then directed Raiden to follow him as he answered his question. "We were able get his name; Issei Hyoudou. While it took time for him to accept us when he was young, he now see us as a family. For me, he sees me as an older brother."

Liu Kang made a small smile as he remembers the day he first met Issei. During training, he tried to get him to forgo his desire for revenge against his parent's killer Shang Tsung. While Issei still desire to kill the sorcerer, it doesn't consume his life as he knows there are more to life than revenge. "He is a skilled fighter despite his age and it was such that we allowed him to travel outside the Academy for a time."

He then continue on Issei's progress to Raiden. "While he know of our teachings and support out beliefs, he doesn't fully act as a shaolin such as relaxing too often or talking about materialistic items such as electronics, cars and clothing. He is technically like a semi-shaolin monk, but we tolerate it as we know that in heart, he a selfless warrior and know the concept of good and evil." Raiden listened intently from Liu Kang, but he desire to know more about Issei's abilities.

"Regarding his fighting skills…" Liu Kang stopped in his tracks and diverge about Issei's ability was a warrior. "He may be 16 years old, but the death of his parents motivated him to train when we first took him in. He became a skilled user in various forms of Kung Fu and archery. He was rather innovative as well, for he modified his bow to have blades at its ends, which he was effective in using at close combat. Regarding that incredible amount of energy within him, it was not what we expected."

Raiden was concerned with Liu Kang's words. "What do you mean?" Liu Kang than answered him, "It was a powerful artifact that first manifested sometime after you entrusted us with Issei. It appeared as a red gauntlet of unusual design and it actually spoke to us." Raiden was shocked by this news, "You mean like a spirit infused to the artifact?" Liu Kang shook his head, "No Raiden, a dragon! It said its name was Ddraig before its soul was imprison in the artifact, which it calls Boosted Gear!"

"That why Shang Tsung wanted to bring him back to Outworld. We would be in grave danger with they have such a powerful artifact on their side." Liu Kang agreed with Raiden's words, "Yes, this artifact can double Issei's power in each interval of time until it reaches his limit. Just 2 years ago, he was now able to form a suit of armour from that artifact, making him more powerful." This however made Raiden worried than pleased, "With such power, he could easily corrupt himself if not careful."

"I share your concerns Raiden, but Issei know this well. He vowed to only use Boosted Gear only in training or if the situation warrants it. He still does it to this day." Liu Kang was able to relieve Raiden of the fear that Issei could became their greatest threat. "If that the case, I would like to see him in person Liu Kang."

"Understood Raiden, I will lead you to him now." The two then start moving again and towards the Academy's training grounds. As they were moving, Raiden thought of Issei and the power he wields. "When I told the Elder Gods about the incident, they said that I am not interfere as long Earthrealm is not threatened. If Shang Tsung has given the Emperor these artifacts similar to this Boosted Gear, Earthrealm is no doubt in peril in the future. I cannot interfere with this other Earthrealm, but a warrior of light can…"

When they arrived at the grounds, they saw an individual wearing a customized black robe with some decorated armor, a red sash around the hips and pointed hood. He was practicing his archery with a bow that has sharpened blades at the ends and was firing at targets at a distance, hitting dead center. He soon switch to hand-to-hand, swinging his weaponized bow with skill and agility before putting on his back. He then practiced high-speed punches and kicks, making jumps and stances as he displays his prowess.

As soon he made a Shaolin Fist stance, a green glow appeared on the back of his left hand which got Raiden's and Liu Kang's attention. "Hey, we have company," as a voice came from the glow and spoke. The individual then took off his hood and turned to the Thunder God and Shaolin, showing he had brown hair and eyes. He then walk his way towards them, "Liu Kang".

"Issei," as Liu Kang greeted him in return, "Still practicing?" Issei give a simple nod, "Yes, can't afford to lose the training I have obtained." He turned to Raiden with a questioning look, "Who is he? I get the feeling I know him."

"Yes, we met before but you haven't yet seen my face." Raiden answered him as Liu Kang told the confused warrior in question. "Issei, this is Lord Raiden, the Thunder God and Protector of Earthrealm. He is also the one who saved you from Shang Tsung's clutches."

Issei stood in complete shock as he finally met the one who saved him ten years ago and Raiden soon made it clear. "Yes, I saved you and given these monks the task of raising." It was then that Raiden made a small grin, "And I am also pleased that you have grown to be a fine warrior of light.

As you see, the Issei in this story is much different and stronger compared to the original. Now you are aware of the villain himself, I have ideas on how he would have impacted the lives of the other characters in the DXD Universe. I also have ideas on the implementation of concepts from Mortal Kombat such as X-Ray Moves, Variations or even Fatalities. If you have ideas please tell me, but I will have to see if it can fit the story.

I plan to do pairings for the alternative Issei, but I wonder if a single pairing or harem would do. I will put my decision on the next chapter.

Regarding Issei's outfit, I based it on Ezio's primary outfit from Assassin's Creed: Revelations. It hard for me to describe it, but just imagine the outfit in a modern appearance.

If you like to guess, what is the fighting style of this story's Issei based? Look at the MK X trailers for clues.

Hope you enjoyed the prologue, for the next chapter is about to get interesting.