I'm still thinking about what to do for a Sonya chapter (I mean, Johnny and Cassie have had their chapters, so Sonya needs to have her turn), so for now, how about we check on Raiden? MK11 wasted Dark Raiden, but I will not.

Leave a review after reading, please. Feedback is always appreciated.

I'd like to thank the following users for reviewing the previous chapter: Spinopoop, MKDemigodZ-Warrior, ChillBra19, Guest(s), Aiyhana K, Daniel Barga, Shadow Saika, SpiderxCat

To ChillBra19 and MKDemigodZ-Warrior: Honestly, I'm just rolling with it. If I start explaining, my whole story falls apart. It's an AU heavily based on the new timeline with so many mix-ups, but I just want to have fun writing this and taking it seriously at the same time. All you can know so far is, Dark Raiden killed Revenant Sindel, which really angered Kitana.

ANOTHER reply to ChillBra19: As for Skarlet faking/not faking falling in love with Sub-Zero, I have left hints that she's conflicted. Keep that in mind and it might help.

To Daniel Barga: Well, you can go with either one or both. You can either think Sub-Zero made a stupid decision or understand why saving Skarlet is so important to him... or you can go with both. Be disappointed with Kuai Liang while being understanding of his reasons, even if Skarlet might be playing him.

To Shadow Saika: Love your review. I love how you described the Cages' fun chapters and the Sub-Zero/Skarlet love story.

To Guest (talking about more Sub-Zero and Scorpion interactions): Well, maybe in the next Cold-Blooded chapter, I'll give Scorpion as much attention as the Sub-Zero/Skarlet story.

Six months ago...

Liu Kang, Kitana, Kung Lao, and Raiden encounter the revenant Sindel in the Netherrealm at Shinnok's Bone Temple. Four against one are favorable odds, right? Well, no. Not when Sindel is accompanied by a portion of Shinnok's undead army. Raiden and the Shaolin Monks are occupied with the undead army, while Kitana fights her mother. Kitana didn't want to fight, but Sindel threw the first kick so she had no choice but to defend herself. The fight between mother and daughter was veering towards the mother's side, only because Kitana was holding back.

Despite getting several kicks to the face, Kitana drives her mother backwards with a twisting slashing move with her fans. She may have cut her mother a few times, but it's all self-defense.

"Please, mother. I have been studying the magic of Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. There is a way to free you from this corruption," Kitana pleaded.

"You killed your father, Kitana," Sindel said vengefully.

"Shao Kahn was a barbaric monster. He means nothing to you or me," said Kitana. "I promised not to inherit his cruelty, but his death was the only way to ensure the realms' safety."

"You sit on your father's throne, thinking you can rule Outworld under Raiden's influence?" Sindel criticized. "He has become like those you despise."

"Raiden does not control me. I rule Outworld by my own will," said Kitana. "I beg of you, mother. Do not make me execute you like I did Shao Kahn."

"Then you will have to, if you want to live," said Sindel.

Sindel unleashes her ultrasonic scream, forcing Kitana to cover her ears, as well as Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Raiden is able to resist, even if his ears are hurting. Sindel kicks her daughter to the side, but she chooses not to end her. Instead, she decides to go after someone else.

The downed Liu Kang.

"You took my daughter away from me, Liu Kang. Your sentimental beliefs and immature propositions," Sindel said angrily. "She will get to watch her source of sentiment die in front of her."

Sindel grabs Liu Kang in a choke hold, preparing to break his neck and kill him, all the while making sure Kitana watches. Kitana can do nothing as she helplessly watches her mother smile evilly as her grip on Liu Kang's throat tightens dangerously.

"NO!" Raiden bellowed with a thundering voice.

Raiden quickly unleashes a beam of dark energy from Shinnok's amulet at Sindel, harming her and forcing her to release Liu Kang. Raiden doesn't stop there. He maintains the dark energy burst upon Sindel. She screams in pain as she begins to slowly disintegrate. Kitana, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao unfortunately watch as Shinnok's amulet reduces Sindel into nothingness. No body. No remains. Just nothing.

"Mother!" Kitana cried. "Raiden, what have you done?!"

"What was necessary," Raiden answered, stoic and unashamed.

Raiden teleports himself and his allies out of the temple, as there was still an undead horde that outnumbers them greatly. A grieving Kitana drops to her knees as she replays the image of her mother's death in her head.

"The plan was not to kill her, Raiden," Liu Kang reminded.

"And what would you have me do, Liu Kang?" Raiden asked with fury. "Earthrealm needs their champion."

"Perhaps, but not like this," said Liu Kang.

"We were supposed to save Sindel," said Kung Lao.

"Would you sacrifice Liu Kang yourself, Kung Lao?" Raiden questioned. "To protect the realm, we must all be willing to do what is necessary, no matter..."

Kitana interrupts Raiden when she strikes him with a windy slash from her sharp fan. Raiden falls down with a bleeding cut on his face, but that meant little to a demigod. Liu Kang and Kung Lao had to hold Kitana back to keep her from further harming Raiden.

"I sense your hostility," said Raiden.

"Good, because that's all you'll be sensing from me for the rest of our lives," Kitana said furiously. "My mother was going to be saved, Raiden, and you took her away from me. You saved Liu Kang and I am somewhat grateful, but what you did to my mother was anything but necessary."

"She is right, Raiden," Liu Kang agreed. "Shinnok's Amulet has corrupted you worse beyond imagination. You have lost so much reason."

"We fight to protect Earthrealm, only to vanquish our foes when it's necessary, not just whenever we want to," said Kung Lao.

"You should listen to your former students, Raiden. You are no wiser than them with that wretched amulet bound to your soul," Kitana raved.

Raiden ceases the looking back into the past. Still, that day will forever hold great significance to his immortal life. When Shinnok's Amulet changed his perspective on justice and protection, his champions would still fight with him because he still fights for the safety of Earthrealm. After his hand in Sindel's demise, everyone now only begrudgingly cooperates with him, as they feel that Shinnok's Amulet has turned him into the very thing he swore to protect Earthrealm from. For some reason, Raiden refuses to listen to them about it.

"Raiden," someone called.

Raiden stops looking down and looks up, right at the Elder God Cetrion. Once again, Raiden consults the Elder Gods on the latest crisis, which is the finding of Kronika's crown and of it being in the possession of Noob Saibot and his new allies.

"Something troubles you, Raiden," said Cetrion.

"I was... preoccupied," Raiden said vaguely.

"Do not deny that the power of Shinnok's amulet conflicts you," said Cetrion.

"I seek guidance, Cetrion, not opprobrium," said Raiden.

"Calm down, Raiden. You have done nothing that requires our intervention. Not yet," said Cetrion. "So long as your intentions remain in Earthrealm's best interest, your methods are to only be questioned by those around you, not us."

"I appreciate your cognizance, Cetrion," said Raiden. "But back to the matter at hand..."

"Your answer is in your champions, Raiden," said Cetrion.

"They would not follow me," said Raiden. "They deem me dangerous and untrustworthy. Unless a truly dire threat comes, they would rather fight their own battles."

"Their battles are your battles as well," said Cetrion. "Mortals possessing Kronika's crown could prove dangerous to all the realms, yet Kronika's current location remains a mystery. It is imperative that she must not reclaim possession of her crown."

"Which is why we're fortunate that it is not Kronika who possesses the crown," said Raiden. "While the extent of Noob Saibot's understanding of the crown's power is unknown, it is vital we retrieve it."

"But first, you must locate Kronika's minion. Geras," said Cetrion. "The unearthing of Kronika's crown has resurrected him. His undying loyalty to his mistress will compel him to seek out the crown."

"I shall not fail," said Raiden.

"But remember, Raiden. Geras cannot die. He can be killed, but his deaths will always be undone by time. He grows stronger. He has died over a thousand deaths throughout his existence," said Cetrion. "He may or may not have grown powerful enough to match you."

"Regardless, I shall face him at my fullest," Raiden said determinedly.

"Alone?" Cetrion asked.

"I feel that searching for one immortal would not pique their interest," said Raiden.

"Is there no one among your champions who are willing to trust you?" asked Cetrion.

"I suppose there is one," said Raiden.

"At least try, Raiden," said Cetrion. "The Mortal Kombat tournament may be extinct, but your champions will always be your champions."

And so, Raiden is off to the Netherrealm to search for Geras. There is only person he can trust to accompany him on this mission just in case Geras has grown too powerful from his thousands of deaths. Sipping her cold mocha from Mokap Mokha and texting on her phone, Cassie Cage walks alongside Raiden with her drone Emma hovering by her side.

"My mom's gonna kill you if something bad happens to me," said Cassie.

"I only asked. You did not have to agree to come with me," said Raiden. "In fact, you insisted even after I revoked my question."

"Only because you seemed desperate," said Cassie. "But why me?"

"Your family's magic grants you strength that rivals that of an Elder God, and you are the only one of your family able to control it," said Raiden.

"And the other reason?" asked Cassie, knowing there is another one.

"We are in the Netherrealm. My powers are weaker here," said Raiden.

"And?" Cassie asked, wanting the real reason.

"You trust me most, but only compared to the trust of your allies in me," said Raiden.

"Well, I'm not a fan of your dark makeup, but I know you still want to protect Earthrealm," said Cassie. "You can count on me, Raiden. And Emma here, too."

Emma hovers in front of Raiden's face and beeps at him, as if it was saying hi or expressing its eagerness or something. Raiden too is unsettled by Cassie's tendency to treat the drone like its her pet.

"I welcome any assistance, no matter how... unusual," Raiden said.

"So, this Geras gets stronger every time he dies, right?" asked Cassie.

"Correct," Raiden confirmed.

"So, the plan is not to kill him?" asked Cassie.

"We are only to subdue him so I can take him somewhere he can never harm anyone," said Raiden.

"Thousands of deaths. Yikes. Must be traumatizing for him," said Cassie.

"Geras is but a loyal and docile minion of Kronika. Pain and trauma mean nothing to him," said Raiden. "He exists only to serve. He has no free will. That is why his first instinct upon resurrection is to find his mistress."

"You're still keeping us in the dark about what happened to Kronika," said Cassie. "She's still alive, but she's also not around to mess with time."

"There are some things I must keep from you, Cassandra Cage," said Raiden.

"Can you just call me Cassie?" Cassie responded, exasperated. "Honestly, why do you and Kitana and Jade and Kotal have to be so formal?"

Raiden did not respond. He just kept on walking. Cassie just rolled her eyes. It's just annoying that the very sophisticated people in her life, like those she just mentioned, keep calling her Cassandra. Would it kill them to address her as Cassie?

"You know it's not completely our fault you're all alone," said Cassie. "I know Shinnok's Amulet is supposed to... change you... but have you considered that maybe it's made you a tiny bit more ignorant?"

"Care to enlighten, Cassandra Cage?" Raiden asked, mildly provoked.

"You used Shinnok's head to scare all potential threats to Earthrealm, including Outworld. You killed Sindel when you were supposed to save her," said Cassie. "Kung Lao told me that you could've just incapacitated her with Shinnok's amulet. You had already saved Liu Kang. You didn't have to kill her."

"I will not repeat this conversation with you, Cassandra," said Raiden.

"I'm just saying, there's a lot for you to think about," said Cassie. "We'll always fight by your side, Raiden, but your turn to the dark side doesn't help us trust you enough. You're lucky I agreed. Mom will still give you hell, though. Dad might just punch you where the sun don't shine."

"While I do not understand the metaphor, I know what you are implying with Johnny Cage," said Raiden. "I have always found that attack of his crude."

"Yeah, but hey, there are no rules in kombat. You either win or lose," said Cassie.

"On that, we can agree," said Raiden.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ MORTAL KOMBAT ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Cassie and Raiden make it to the remains of the Bone Temple, where they found a tall, strong, and bald person wearing white and gold armor. This person turns around and eyes the two trespassers with his glowing blue eyes. His face looks like it's been put together like a puzzle, what with the thin lines on his skin looking like the in between of puzzle pieces. On his chest is a blue crystal with a gold skull placed over it. Judging by the red electricity emanating from Raiden's hand, Cassie can tell that they found who they're looking. It's Geras.

"Tall, dark, and shiny there is Geras, I'm guessing," said Cassie.

"Raiden, the God of Thunder. Cassandra Cage, daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade," Geras started.

"Uh, hi. I'm Cassie, by the way," Cassie greeted awkwardly.

"I know who you are. You defeated Shinnok, son of Kronika," said Geras.

"Shinnok was begotten by Kronika?" Raiden asked, actually shocked.

"And you, Raiden, beheaded him," said Geras. "Kronika will be pleased that I have exacted vengeance on her son's offenders."

"Well, I guess we can skip the surrender-or-die banter," Cassie commented.

Geras makes the first move rather quickly, opening the sand beneath Cassie's feet and burying her halfway. He closes the sand around her and traps her there. While Cassie squirms, Geras stomps towards Raiden with murderous intent.

"Well, at least I get front row seats," Cassie joked.

"Now is not the time for levity," said Raiden.

"No, but I could use some levity," Cassie said, still squirming.

Unfortunately, Raiden can't help Cassie right now. Geras forms a giant fist out of sand around his own hand and throws the first punch. This punch sends Raiden flying back by over three dozen feet. He manages to stop by safely landing while down on one knee. Geras ignores the still trapped Cassie and walks menacingly towards Raiden. The drone tries to get in the way, but Geras just swats it away.

"What, am I too unimportant for you time?" Cassie asked jokingly.

Cassie activates her magic and manages to free one arm from the sand. She reaches up to her drone for help.

Raiden fires electricity at Geras, who was only mildly fazed by the shock. He fights through the pain and keeps walking forward, albeit slowly. Geras manages to stop Raiden by sneakily creating a sand hammer that hits Raiden in the back of he head. Geras punches Raiden twice in the face. His punches made thundering booms, only emphasizing how strong the time construct really is. Geras raises the sand below Raiden's feet, pushing the Thunder God into the air. Geras summons two more sand hammers, one in front of Raiden and one behind him. Geras slams them on Raiden's chest and back at the same time, possible breaking something.

Raiden falls down with the pain in his body slowing him down. Geras uses his solid sandy fist to pound Raiden over and over again. However, Shinnok's Amulet starts glowing. The red glow in Raiden's eyes shines bigger and brighter. Raiden actually shoots electricity from eyes, pushing Geras away and leaving a nasty mark on his chest. Still, Geras remains standing. Raiden summons his staff and starts twirling it in his hand, whacking Geras repeatedly in the face. After a huge swing across the head, Raiden teleports behind Geras and throws his staff like spear right into the minion's back. Raiden pulls the staff out, electrifies Geras into the air, and then impales Geras with his spear as the latter falls.

Raiden tosses Geras to the side. Geras' wound slowly heals, but it gave Raiden enough time to make another move. Raiden goes for his signature Electric Fly attack, flying forward towards his opponent with speed...

Only for Geras to freeze Raiden in place with his time powers. Geras takes Raiden's staff and prepares to use it against him.

"For centuries, across multiple timelines, I have only known one thing. To serve. To please Kronika," said Geras. "I have only ever desired eternal rest once my services are complete. With your death, Raiden, and the death of Cassandra Cage, Kronika cannot deny my usefulness..."

"Hey, Baldy!"

Geras turns around, only to get a boot to the face. Cassie just darted at Geras at high speed using her drone with her leg stretched out for a kick. She was also glowing green when she kicked him and she stayed green because Geras was getting back up. Fortunately, Raiden is unfrozen.

"I heard you could now control your father's power, Cassandra," said Geras.

"Yeah, and I'm about to kick your butt with it," said Cassie.

Geras charges at Cassie with his sand fist raised high. Cassie dodges the first smash attempt and the next two punches. Cassie punches Geras left and right multiple times before whacking him in the face with one of her guns. She shoots him repeatedly, but Geras is like a bullet sponge. So, Cassie ditches the guns and opts for up-close kombat. Geras once again reforms his giant sandy fist as Cassie charges at him. They throw their punches at the same time. Surprisingly, Cassie's fist doesn't break. Instead, their fists collide like they're of equal strength.

Cassie smirks at Geras before flip-kicking him in the jaw. Getting a boost from Emma, Cassie lands a Shadow Drop Kick on Geras and follows it up with Shadow Spin Kick to the face. Geras tries magically burying Cassie in the sand, only for Emma to light a green flash that temporarily blinds Geras. Cassie delivers yet another Shadow Flying Kick, kicking Geras against a half-destroyed column. That column was 40 feet from where Cassie is standing.

"I underestimated you, Cassandra," said Geras.

"Damn right, you did," said Cassie.

Raiden grabs Geras' head and shocks his brain until he passes out. Cassie goes to make sure Geras isn't dead. He's not. At least he restrained himself this time, Cassie thought.

"Thank you for saving me, Cassie," said Raiden.

Cassie smiles and says, "Anytime, Rai-Dude."

"You weary me," Raiden commented.

"Where are you gonna take him?" asked Cassie.

"That is for me to know," said Raiden. "Once again, I must thank you. I had hoped to win this battle myself, but you have truly helped me."

"Don't be afraid to ask," said Cassie. "Just between you and me, this team-up never happened. Ever."

"You can count on my silence," said Raiden.

"So, can I go home now?" asked Cassie. "I'd walk, but... you know."

Raiden gladly teleports Cassie back to Earthrealm.

Deeper into the depths of the Netherrealm, in a cave filled with pools of lava and skeletons of the damned, Raiden walks in to see someone important who happens to be in this dreadful place. Chained to two enchanted pillars was a woman whose armor of shining white and gold bore resemblance to the armor that Geras wears. Her eyes shine with a deviously majestic blue glow.

"Raiden," she greeted.

"Kronika," Raiden greeted scornfully.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Kronika asked with a sinister smile.

"We have much to discuss," Raiden said. "First, your son Shinnok."

Red electricity surges from Raiden's hand as he prepares to talk. Kronika can tell that this won't be a simple conversation, but that smile on her face remains.

Well, I guess I just gave you all an answer. Geras is here. Kronika is here. But don't expect this story to kick into high gear just yet. I'm merely setting up the bigger plots. I still wish to focus on simpler chapters, such as more Cage family shenanigans and the Skarlet/Sub-Zero romance. But I really do hope you enjoyed this chapter. I thought a Raiden-centered chapter would be difficult for me. It was, but I guess adding Cassie helped a lot.

If you do leave a review, I just want to ask...

1) What are your thoughts on this chapter?

2) One of Cassie's MK11 intros with Sub-Zero shows her asking him for a favor. I'd like to try that, but what kind of favor can she even ask of him? I am open to suggestions just for this one. It may not be for the next chapter, but for a future chapter.