#harumi shirai x sektor

[fsfghgee]

Who wants the continuation of this really short imagine…

[angel-of-the-moons]

Hear me out this. Hanzo falls in love with a woman who's in the Lin Kuei.

(You can make it as horny as your brain wants)

(Please?)

Oooooooh our resident spicy boy!

Fire & Ice

Hanzo Hasashi x Fem!Lin Kuei!Reader)

TW/CW: NSFW, Smut, Sexual tension, pining, opposites attract, slight spanking (briefly) unprotected sex, bath sex, PiV sex, temperature play(?) wee bit of Kanon fudging

MINORS DNI I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT YOU CONSUME

A/N: Hanzo is just MMMMF also Raiden is Light Aligned here for a wee bit of context

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

It all started during one of the first peace talks after the budding brotherhood of your Grandmaster, Kuai Liang (AKA Sub-Zero) and the Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu.

Once the cease-fire between the clans was initiated, it was met with mixed results. The original Shirai Ryu were annihilated (including Hanzo's wife and child) by the forces of the previous Grandmaster, Bi-Han (whom everyone later discovered was actually the evil sorcerer Quan-Chi in disguise).

However it came to light that the initial fires of hatred that were lit were orchestrated by the Grandmaster before Bi-Han himself; before Bi-Han became the void-creature known as Noob Saibot, before Cyrax and Sektor were "cyberized".

All of course, with Quan-Chi's aid...

But when Kuai Liang and Hanzo Hasashi buried old prejudices and hatreds and pursued an avenue of peace and allyship, they proposed training scenarios between the ninjas.

You were one of Sub-Zero's top members. Your flexibility and cryomancy a deadly and graceful combination.

Naturally, at some point you found yourself pitted against your complete elemental opposite, Scorpion.

Not only was he your elemental opposite, he was vastly more skilled than you. Having spent years as a revenant under the control of Quan-Chi, training others in the way of the Shirai Ryu, working with Lord Raiden... Yeah. You were a child compared to his prowess.

But you however, did get some ideas for your own weaponry from him. Instead of a normal kunai attached to a chain, you settled for a chain with blunt ends, allowing your cryomancy to shape various weapons at the ends. After all, they'd been useful for making things like spears, scythes and various others in the past...

And to say the man was floored when you used his own techniques against him--and mastering them with your own twists while you were at it--was an understatement.

It became rather normal for Hanzo to seek you out for sparring sessions, seeking to experiment with your respective powers you both created various attacks and techniques to better battle one another.

However it was during one of your sessions, where you were to be chased and he the hunter, that the two of you finally figured out that what was between the two of you was more than camaraderie, more than diplomatic friendship.

Hanzo himself realized a lot sooner than you did. The warmth in his heart (and not from his flame) and the increased rate of beats when you were around, how his thoughts would drift back to you when it was quiet, when he would pace the Fire Gardens...

It was a feeling he hasn't felt since Harumi.

He was hesitant to bring it to your attention, for fear of a repeat performance of some cruel twist of fate robbing him of the one he loved once again.

He couldn't dare hope one as vibrant and beautiful as you could feel the same.

Until that night, when he had you pinned to the tree, breathing hard from the chase.

He barely had a moment to realize how close he was to you before masks were torn from faces by your hand and lips met lips in a kiss balanced in his hot and your cold; a kiss so passionate steam wafted as your mouths parted.

It was under the snow-heavy branches of that tree where your hands first explored each other. Not in heated sexual passion, but with the desire to map out every detail you could, so when the two of you parted ways again you would always be able to mentally trace those lines, commit them to memory like a well-read book.

Kuai Liang had suspicions of a budding relationship between the two of you. If anything, you had to wager that he probably knew your true feelings for one another even before the two of you figured it out for yourselves; but he wouldn't bring it forth. He knew you two needed to figure it out at your own pace.

After all, his friend was still nursing a broken heart from the loss of his wife and child. But he knew this was still good for him, for the two of you, for both clans.

Hanzo Hasashi had finally fallen in love again.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Your first real "intimate" moment with Hanzo was when you showed him to the hot springs in the mountains. Heat, ice and snow all together in a blissful harmonious oasis.

Not unlike your love for one another, a peaceful respite in tumultuous times.

"This is... Beautiful." Hanzo said, his breath coming out of him in a cloud that swirled with the snowflakes. "But won't it still be too cold to bathe?"

You chuckled and pulled off your mask. Shaking your hair free of icy flakes. "Well, Hanzo, that's why the goal is to stay in the water. Where it's warm."

He blew out a chuckle and shook his head. "Obviously." He turned and looked around, the red leaves of the maple trees surrounding you casting a beautiful scattering of color among the white and gray.

"But it--"

His voice died in his throat as he watched you strip your uniform from your body.

You held no shame, clearly, as you stripped bare in front of him, your wonderous body on full display for his longing, hungry eyes.

You took pride in your athletic frame, muscles and soft curves in all the right places, your body a gorgeous shell for the violence you were capable of committing.

His dark eyes met yours, a twinkle dancing in their depths as your smile reached your ears. You beckon him towards you, your fingers curling in a silent request for him to come closer.

It is a silent request his body obeys before he realizes he's even moving, his blood rushing in his ears.

When your fingers wrapped around his tabards you begin undoing each bit of his ornamentation slowly, peeling it off of him like a juicy piece of fruit you couldn't wait to take a bite out of.

Maybe you would... later.

Once he was naked, you gave him enough dignity to spare looking between his legs, knowing he wouldn't be ready for you to look at him there just yet, you felt like he would set the very air ablaze; each snowflake that landed on his body melted with a soft hiss as it came into contact with his skin.

At first you were concerned that maybe he was too hot, that the spring might make him sick with the extra heat added to his body; but as you sank into the water, he didn't seem bothered in the slightest. In fact, his eyes continued to take your form as he thought you weren't looking.

Every scar told a story, and he wanted to hear them all, wanted to hear a symphony of your voices together as you breathed your love into one another s lungs as you shared scorching kisses.

You could have sat next to him. You could have.

But you didn't. As shameless as you were, you sank down in front of him between his parted knees, slowly, a soft noise escaping you as the water crept up your cold body and you pressed your back against his chest.

You pretended not to hear the sharp inhale of breath as his raging erection pressed firmly against your back, the heat from it almost hotter than the water you were reclining in.

You hummed softly as he slipped his arms around you, pressing a hot, damp kiss to your icy shoulder.

You'd swear he could probably leave burns with those lips of his.

"Hmm... How did your meeting with Lord Raiden go, Hanzo?" You ask him, sliding your hands up his thighs and to his knees, feeling the knotted muscles tighten and flex beneath your touch.

"Ah..." He said, his voice tight in an effort to control himself.

"It... Went well. Young Takeda was there, it was good to see him again."

"How is Takeda doing?"

"He's spending more time with his father, and I believe he and Jacqui Briggs are officially a couple." Hanzo chuckled.

"That's good, they're a nice match." You sigh, relaxing into him more, maybe, just slightly intentionally grinding your ass against his cock.

His arms tighten around you and he leans in, his lips at the shell of your ear.

"You're playing a dangerous game, my lotus." He growls.

"You know me... I live for danger." You purr, grinding against him once more.

He groaned in your ear and rolled his hips to meet yours.

"I have to ask..." Hanzo said, one of his rough and calloused hands rising to give your ribs a feathery touch.

"I'm experienced, don't worry." You assure him playfully.

"Good..."

Was that... disappointment you heard in his voice?

"Awww..." You reach back and comb through his ebony locks. "Hanzo... Are you sad you're not my first?"

"No..." He lied. "I'm merely content to know this will be fully enjoyable for you, then."

You gladly take a mental note and stow that information away for a later scenario you wanted to play out with him...

"Hanzo?"

"Hmm?"

You turn your head slightly and capture his mouth in an awkwardly-angled kiss, teeth and tongues grazing, nipping, and twining together in a passionate affair.

You lift your hips enough in the water so the head of his cock is squished between your thighs. You roll yourself against him, letting his cock stroke between your legs as you flex your muscles, gripping him as tight as possible.

"Agh... You truly live for danger, hm?" Hanzo groaned hotly in your ear. His hands kneaded your breasts, his fingers heating up as he pulled and twisted your nipples in time with the lazy rolling of your hips.

"Hanzo..." You keened softly.

"You need to stop." Hanzo said, gripping your hips, effectively stilling you.

You pout in protest, and look at him over your shoulder, waiting for an explanation.

Hanzo's tongue darts out to lick at a bead of water that rolls down your shoulder, and nips at the skin, there.

"When I finish, I want it to be inside you." He growled against your skin.

His voice and the way he was touching you sent a jolt of excitement racing up your spine.

"Yes." You breathe, your heart beginning to flutter in your chest like a flighty bird.

"Do you want me, my lotus?" Hanzo asked you. "Do you want me inside you?"

"By the Elder Gods, yes." You reply, your voice shaky but certain.

Hanzo quickly helped you up, turning you around so your breasts were squished against the rocks below you, your hands balling in the snow, ice creeping out from beneath your fingertips.

You eagerly spread your legs for him, water rolling off your body as his searing grip kneaded and squished the flesh of your ass, spreading your cheeks as his chest heaved while his eyes drank in your swollen and waiting sex and prone form.

"Hanzo, please?" You pant, pushing back into his grip.

His cock twitched at the sight of you, at the feel of your icy skin in his hands. Any normal person would be a shivering mess, being practically face down in the snow. But not you. You were Lin Kuei, a cryomancer.

His little ice lotus.

He gripped the base of his cock and took his time lining up, a small smile crinkling the corners of his eyes as you squirm impatiently.

He wasn't sure why, but something told him to raise his hand and slap your ass in a reprimand.

The squeak you made at first gave him the impression that he'd seriously hurt you, but when he noticed how demure you became, he chuckled softly.

"Behave, lotus. You must learn patience. It is a ninja's greatest asset." He said, his chest tightening as the tip of his cock slipped through your wet folds, the walls of your pussy gripping him in a greedy vice.

"Please, Hanzo..." You cried softly, trying to sink yourself deeper against him to sheathe his cock fully in the waiting velvet of your body.

Hanzo's hands prevented that, and it frustrated you, but your complaint died before it could form as he slowly eased himself inside, inch by torturous inch, until the tip of his cock just barely kissed your cervix.

He certainly had girth and length that was definitely going to make you see stars, tonight... His size complemented the roped muscles all throughout his body.

You make a deep, throaty moan as his weight settles into you, your muscles squeezing him down, trying to pull him deeper.

You feel the short coarse hairs that reached his navel brush the skin of your ass as he brought his hips firmly against yours.

He leaned in, kissing up your back and over your shoulder until his mouth was at your ear.

"How do you want me, love?"

"Fuck me hard. Please?"

He kissed your shoulder, biting down and sucking the skin, marking you as he pulled out and slammed his hips back in.

Your cries shook birds from the trees, the sensation of his balls slapping against your clit sending shivers up your spine, the pressure of his cock pounding you and pressing against that one divine spot within you, each drag of the vein running up his length driving you further and further into madness.

No other man you'd ever been with had been so precise or skilled in the art of sex.

Your previous partners were paltry compared to the sharp, angled thrust of Hanzo's hips, his cock cramming into you at such a harsh and heavy rate that you swore you were going to cum at any second, gushing around him, leaving a nice creamy ring at the base of his dick as he fucks into you like a man possessed.

He grips your shoulders and pulls you up against him, so your back is pressed against his chest.

His hands rise to your breasts, his fingertips almost glowing as he pinches your nipples, the soft mounds bouncing and jiggling in his hands with each upward thrust of his hips into yours.

"Hanzo!" You cried out, tossing your head back with a wail of ecstasy, your vision going cross as he brings one of his searing hands to your clit, rolling vigorously, the heat feeling like it set every nerve in your body alight with fire.

"Come for me." He softly commands.

And just like that, your body obeys him, clamping down, squeezing him, trying to mold yourself around him; commit his shape and size to memory so he and only he could ever fuck and satisfy you ever again.

He hisses out a breath, steam rising in waves off his body as he fucks up into you again, riding out your orgasm as he rapidly approaches his own.

Hanzo eases you back down, his hand sliding up your sweaty, chilly spine as he tips his head back, his lips parting in a moan as he cums, jerky thrusts and loud whimpers from you as his boiling hot load paints your insides a nice, pearly white, threatening to burn a hole right through you.

He lazily fucks you, some of his spend leaking out around him and dripping down your thighs as he rides out the blinding high that took over every range of his senses.

Once the two of you regain your breathing, he keeps you firmly seated on his cock as you both sink back into the water, relaxing as the heat soaks through your chilled core while Hanzo gently pours palm fulls of water on your skin, massaging your shoulders.

"Mmmh..." You sigh, relaxing against him as he kisses the top of your damp head.

"You seem content." He chuckled.

"Hanzo, I'm pretty sure you're going to have to carry me back home." You laugh. "Had I known what kind of weapon you were packing, I would have been just slightly more hesitant..."

"Only slightly, hm?"

"Just a bit." You murmur, kissing the knuckles of one of his hands.

Hanzo grins and plants a kiss over the bruise he'd left on your skin.

"You will get used to it, my lotus."

[redara]

Noob Saibot trailer is here!

https://youtu.be/Jb-HBuF5XsQ?si=gYO7rwhC_vJnEJx4

And of course here are a bit of Bi-Han, more of Noob Saibot, and some LiuHan crumbs.

Let's just say i'm not that surprised thanks to the datamine, but i'm impressed with Noob Saibot. He looks so fun!

(also, committing to chaos, Ed Boon tweeted the intro 12 hours before releasing the trailer. So many have thought that Noob's trailer would drop next week, but noooo, agent of chaos doesn't follow orders)

Story-wise, i'm so happy when Noob/Bi-Han talks about desiring a different future, the scene shows him and Kuai Liang. Cause despite having the personality of OG Sektor, Bi-Han still cares about Kuai Liang, and he is doing his best to ensure a better future for him and the Lin Kuei.

Now i wonder if Bi-Han had approached Liu Kang with a proposal for the Lin Kuei's expansion, would the Fire God approve his wish or not 😂 Cause it sounds to me that Liu Kang doesn't mind the Lin Kuei to pursue greatness, only if they do it the right way, and not forget their oath.

Still no explanation about him and Sektor, but i guess it's platonic? I'm just glad his trailer isn't as sappy as Sektor's.

I'll be honest (and this is purely my own opinion and may change in the future), i'm not a fan of Sektor x Bi-Han ship, not out of jealousy, but because it's abrupt, just like Kuai Liang x Harumi (and potentially, if the datamine is true, Kuai Liang x Cyrax used to have a past).

"Here, have two strong, smart, prodigy, female Lin Kuei warriors -- oh just fyi we know they're gonna get so much hate, so we pair them with the popular characters to diminish the hate. Hmm? Personality? Character arcs? Not important!"

Hell naah, i want to see Sektor leading the Cyber LK and move forward with the cyberizations. I want to see more conflict that has a huge stake, not just "oh it's fine we can fix that with the timeline thingy". I want Cyrax to embrace her free will instead of joining the Shirai Ryu. I want Harumi (more Harumi please) to show why the Outworld knows her, and why she allows herself to be married to Kuai Liang and lets him lead the clan instead of her being the Grandmaster.

But anyway, Noob Saibot. Welcome back, my love 🖤

[izzabela]

Solace in Silence -Tomas x fem!reader

in which Tomas comforts you as you remember the pain your former husband, Bi Han

You wander outside the compound aimlessly, the only companions being the light winds that kissed your cheek, and the sound of rustling leaves.

Fall in Japan was near its end for you and the Shirai Ryu, the new clan Kuai Liang and Tomas made. Of course, with the help of Kuai's bride, Shirai Harumi. Without her, you all would have been destitute, so it made sense Kuai named the clan after her.

You were happy for them, even the bridesmaid for Harumi on their wedding. Yet, you envied them. The joys of married life you once knew were nothing but a bygone memory. Thrown away by your husband's feeble mind and blind ambition- Bi Han's corruption haunted you.

You stared at your right hand, the ring finger empty and devoid of the symbol that once defined yours and his undying love. Like Kuai Liang, he thought his bond with Bi Han was strong and stable. He may have been thick in the head, but he was noble, kind (in his own way), and dutiful. Those qualities, plus the undeniable fact that he was handsome, made you fall for him.

Where did it go wrong?

Was it when Cyrax and Sektor entered the picture? Or perhaps when Father-in-law had passed? You knew the answer though- the betrayal at the old fortress.

Swayed by the snake, Shang Tsung, his nobility fell and became tainted. The man you knew was gone, and he completely disappeared when he attack his own blood.

You sigh sadly, sitting down on the wooden edge of the compound, leaning on one of the poles that held the roof up. A calm came over you, and you closed your eyes as you listened to nature's voice.

You dozed off for a bit, because you felt a light fabric cover you, and the creaking of wood by your side. You wake and lock eyes with Tomas, a small and kind smile on his face. His eyes crinkle as he offers you a cup of tea.

"I got your favorite," he said, "It's a bit chilly tonight, so please, drink up."

You smile, "Thank you, Smokey."

He blushes at the nickname, "I am not five, you know."

You chuckle, "I know, it's just fun to see you react."

You take a long sip of tea, the flavor resting on your tongue as the heat of the liquid warmed your body.

For a ninja, assassin ninja nonetheless, Tomas reacted more than his brothers. He was kind and caring, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He loves his brothers, even if one of them had hurt him, he wishes for nothing but reconciliation.

You both sit in a comfortable silence, doing nothing but stare at the stars that bring light to the eternal darkness of the night sky. It grows a bit chillier, the wind aiding in the task, but the blanket Tomas provided proved useful.

He looks at you sadly before returning his eyes to the sky, "You're thinking about him again, right?"

Perceptive as ever, you thought.

"Is it that obvious?" You ask and set the tea down.

He smiles sadly, "It's a decently chilly night. Autumn is almost finished, which means snow and ice is bound to follow."

You bring your legs to your chest, curling into a ball as you think of your past. You were assigned the mission too, accompanying him and the rest of his brothers to take down Shang Tsung and bring him to Liu Kang. Confronting them was easy, but you three were quickly overwhelmed by the opposing side's forces.

The memory was still fresh, like fallen snow, even if it had happened many years prior.

Shackled and on your knees, Shang Tsung began his siren's song, tempting and winning your husband over with his empty promises. The look of horror on your face when he told you to obey him.

Your heart broke there, but he did not relent.

The horrid confession of the truth of Father-in-law, and how he left him to die split your heart more. The man who treated you like the daughter he never had, the man who beamed happily at his eldest getting married.

You agreed with Kuai Liang, he would indeed turn in his grave.

But the breaking point that destroyed your heart, broke it into pieces finer than sand, was when he attacked you and Kuai Liang. You offered your support to take him down, denouncing your marriage, and he surprised both of you. Tomas, who backed away at the right moment, fought back against Bi Han, taking you into his arms to hold you back from joining the battle. You tried to fight his grip, even scratching his arms to get him to release you, but he would not let go.

Leaving the past memories, you eye the current Tomas in front of you. He stared at you with concern, but you were looking only at his body. His arms exposed, you could see the deep, but healed scars from that day, the countless nicks and cuts from training, and more. His chest was barely exposed with the deep v-neck of his attire, and his legs were completely covered, though you could see the muscles hugged his shin guards.

"Tomas," you ask gently, "Is it wrong for me to miss him?"

He shook his head, "No, it's not. There isn't a day where I wished our relationship was better, a day where fate and destiny could change for him."

Tomas's relationship with Bi Han was... rocky, to say the least. But it did not stop him from treating him kindly, respectfully, and with high-regard. Even now, he still loves his brother.

"However," he continued, "Bi Han is different now, and I do not see a semblance of his former self. I wish dearly to help him, but I believe he is no more."

You sighed, your mouth beginning to wobble and tears lining your eyes. You hide your head in your legs as you sniffle, eyes releasing the tears.

"Oh Tomas," you cried gently, "Where did I go wrong?"

He inhales sharply, unsure if he should hug you, hold your hand, or let you be. He scoots a little closer to you, the wood creaking a bit more as he sat by your side.

"I don't think you made any fault," he says, gently saying your name, "He made his choice at the fortress that day, and you made yours. He miscalculated your love, dear."

Your body begins to shake, sobs racking your chest and shoulders. You lift your head and begin to cry loudly, no one hearing but the night and Tomas (and perhaps Kuai Liang and Harumi). You scream, shouting senseless why's and how could you's into the night scene of Japan. Tomas knew it wasn't towards him, but he couldn't bear to see you like this.

Distraught, pain, anger, and more negative emotions did not suit you. Tomas loved you most when you were smiling, laughing, or at peace with a content look on your face. It had been a while since he had seen those emotions on you.

Tomas gently took your shoulder with one arm, using his other to cup your cheek and face your face to his. You saw a look of sadness and a twinge of frustration on his face, his brows furrowed.

"Please, dearest, how can I help you? How I wish nothing more but to remove this pain from you, from all of us, but only of you tell me what I can do."

You barreled into his chest, holding onto him in a deathly tight hug. Tomas's arms remained in the air before you began to cry again, muffled by the fabric of his shirt. Your sobs continue, and Tomas brings his hands down to hold you in a warm embrace.

Tomas doesn't speak for the rest of the night. He simply holds onto you, allowing your tears and snot to cover his shirt. You heave in and out, your cries not stopping even as you feel yourself lulling into sleep.

You stay locked in his arms, hoping, praying, that your pain would leave you.

For now, though, you find solace in his arms and the darkness of the night, the silence bringing you temporary peace.

=====================

Hello! First minific done and I must tell you all.... I wanna give Tomas the world and muffins. My cutie patootie.

I'm also thinking a trademark of my writing could be using the title in a line of dialogue, or anywhere in the stories I write. I used to write like that in my other fics, so i'll take it with me here.

thank you guys so much!

[dalekofchaos]

How I would change Mortal Kombat 1 and Khaos Reigns

I did similar posts to how I would change the NRS games in the past

9 and X 11

But enough time has passed and I thought I would do what I did for those games for MK1. And boy do I have a lot to say.

Mortal Kombat 1.

The core story will remain the same as I actually like it, especially what they did with the royal family, but I'm changing what I really didn't like.

First and foremost. Kuai Liang is NOT Scorpion. Hanzo is Scorpion.(lol fuck you Dominic) Liu Kang's new era saw the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu coexisted and formed the United Clans with Bi-Han as Lin Kuei's Grandmaster and Hanzo as the Shirai Ryu's Grandmaster. Kuai Liang throughout the story is known as Tundra, but after Bi-Han's treachery is known to all, Kuai Liang becomes Sub-Zero, Hanzo and Kuai Liang reforges their alliance, while Bi-Han, Hydro, Frost, Cyrax(temporarily) and Sektor are outcasts and labels themselves as the "True Lin Kuei" United Clans line up Hanzo Kuai Liang Smoke Harumi True Lin Kuei Bi-Han Sektor Hydro Cyrax(Temporarily)

Sonya Blade and Jax exists. One of my biggest problems is how Sonya and Jax were pretty much erased in this timeline. Did they not have a role for them? I mean, they can police Earthrealm like Li-Mei and Tanya policed Outworld, I really don't see why not. I think they could build up to Johnny and Sonya. Maybe start it off with how Johnny meets Kenshi. Maybe Kano and Kabal come to collect as the Yakuza are allies of the Black Dragon and that's when Sonya and Jax pop in and kick their ass. Then Liu Kang pops in and brings them in to train for Mortal Kombat. Give Cage and Sonya their usual banter and properly build up to a relationship and there you go. Side note. You can say that the Special Forces have an uneasy alliance with the United Clans as Bi-Han is jealous of Liu Kang's favoritism(that isn't even there) but after Bi-Han is exiled, TNC and SF work together to safeguard Earthrealm together.

Rain is a ninja and heir to Edenia, not Aquaman. At the start, he is Sindel's dipolmat to Edenia. Throughout the game he seems shady and as it seems he is on General Shao's side, he shows his true allegiances and stands with the Outworld Royal Family. As payment for his true loyalty, he is awarded as liege lord of Edenia and fulfills his destiny as a son of Argus.

General Shao does not have horns. I just thought it was a stupid and unnecessary design. He looked like Motaro, not fucking Shao. Give him his "Ultimate General" helmet or something like that. And if they REALLY wanted to make Shao stand out, just give him his look from the comics

Nitara is voiced by a voice actor. Look I love Megan Fox, I would die and sacrifice for her. But she was just bad in this game. Worse than Ronda Lousey voiced Sonya in MK11. NRS really should have just had Cristina Vee voice Nitara in her entirety, with Megan Fox only being the face model. Cristina Vee should at least be an alternative voice option for Nitara (including all her lines in story mode), like how you can change the announcer voice.

Hydro's inclusion. He is to Bi-Han as what Smoke is for Kuai Liang. Hydro does what Kuai Liang and Tomas are unwilling to do for the United Clans. He shares Bi-Han's vision and even killed Bi-Han's father for Bi-Han and made it look like a drowning.

Hotaru is apart of the roster. Hotaru in the New Era is the leader of Seido. He runs the oppressive regime Havik opposes. He helps Liu Kang maintain order of the realms by any means necessary and learning that Fire God Liu Kang himself put Hotaru in charge drove Havik's ire. Hotaru being absent from MK1’s narrative is a creative failure. Like, they could’ve painted a shade of grey on Liu’s character by having him recruit Hotaru to help maintain order in his timeline. The fact that there is no Chaos Realm just tells me Liu Kang just forced Hotaru and Havik to co-exist and that led to potentially Hotaru enforcing oppressive Order by any means necessary while Havik becomes an anarchist. Oh and by the fucking way. FUCK Ed Boon. How creatively bankrupt do you have to be to not only have NO Hotaru, but insist that you were gonna have him as a Kameo...A FUCKING CAMEO and even reject that? You have Havik, the embodiment of chaos and Hotaru, personification of Order, both in an authoritarian sense and a strong sense of justice and you don't fucking think to include him??? Havik is chaos personified. Hotaru is the worst aspects of Order. He can go from saving you, liberating villages and setting up a fucking police state and NRS STILL does not see the potential in Hotaru? Okay, sorry rant over.

The whole Liu Kang vs Shang Tsung thing, DOES happen. However it is not a rushing of Armageddon. Instead it is the result of the Aftermath endings. Liu Kang's timeline vs Shang Tsung's timeline in MORTAL KOMBAT! Bonus points. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa returns to voice Titan Shang Tsung. In the end, everyone must put aside their differences and work together in order to defeat Titan Shang Tsung's Order of Darkness

End with the tease of Titan Havik. But also end with a tease of Titan Hotaru. Titan Hotaru looks like Hotaru's armor, but Titan white much like from the MK11 tower endings

Khaos Reigns

Build up to Cyrax's defection. Cyrax leaving the Lin Kuei works, what doesn't work is how quick it was. Have a few UC vs TLK fights before Hanzo and Harumi's wedding. It's Kuei Liang and Harumi that ask to spare Cyrax. Just let it simmer, don't jump into it. It took Cyrax 3 games to gain his soul and humanity back,

The New Era variants are in the story. One of the things that pissed me off is how the mainline variants either don't exist or barely have lines. You'd think a NE Havik reacting to Titan Havik would be something you'd like to see in the game, but no. Dominic can't have anything logical or cool. So we'd see our heroes split into Team Ketchup and Team Mustard(I guarantee you Johnny would come up with this) Team Mustard Cyrax Hanzo Johnny Sonya Smoke Team Ketchup Sektor Tanya Kuai Liang Kung Lao Kenshi

WWII Johnny is a thing, but he's joined by Major Blade. Apparently Sonya was supposed to be in the game as Major Blade as shown in concept art....I hate NRS

Noob Saibot has a new family. Sareena, Kia and Jataaka. The Order of chaos. Aka fuck Dominic, you can pry Bi-Han/Sareena from my cold dead hands

Titan Hotaru finds Liu Kang and offers him a deal. He will help deal with Titan Havik, but in exchange that he must give him the Kamidogu. The reason why Liu Kang accepted Hotaru's deal? Titan Havik found Onaga on the loose in the realms and used the Kamidogu to tame him and he will use him to destroy the realms while Havik spreads chaos.

Noob defeats Havik, only momentarily. Havik beats him down and before he could guarantee his domination and chaos throughout the realms. Hotaru appears.

Titan vs Titan. Havik vs Hotaru. We get a similar choice as we had in Aftermath choosing the ending. Ending 1. Khaos Reigns. Havik wins and spreads Chaos throughout the realms. Ending 2. Order Supreme. Hotaru wins and ends the chaos once and for all. Hotaru helps the royal family imprison Onaga to end his rampage and most importantly. we get a clear end to Havik. And before Hotaru can retrieve the Kamidogue, Noob Saibot tries to take them for himself and for Bi-Han being Bi-Han, he is banished to the Netherrealm. "A deal is a deal, Lord Liu Kang" Liu Kang begrudgingly hands over the Kamidogu. Liu Kang looks at his friends "It was the only way" we get a somber ending. Because Hotaru would be fantastic here, especially as a overtly order obsessed character who yes, is aligned with the good guys, who slowly realize “aw shit this guys gonna be a problem too” as his methods and beliefs and goals aren’t perfectly aligned by any means beyond “stop havik”

Epilogue. Cyrax is forgiven by Hanzo and he welcomes her back into the United Clans. While Sektor condemns Bi-Han for refusing to give up his darkness/chaos. She instead focuses to improve their forces. The True Lin Kuei, now become the Tekunin. And a final shot of Johnny proposing to Sonya with Kenshi and Takeda smiling with approval.

[allycot]

I recalled I didn’t even rant about dlc plot because of feeling like a zombie for last months, thanks to my prolonged apathy.

* spoiler sign for those who didn’t see/play dlc and don’t want to see my messy thoughts *

well, what the actual f-

I felt like I watched some Saw x hetero drama crossover

I loved how the lin kuei’s whole plan was about starting some chaotic random fight with Shirai Ryu, exchanging several sassy words with Kuai Liang, and ending it as quickly as it started. For a moment, I even started thinking Cyrax and Harumi were going to become sudden besties out of nothing.

The only sane person seemed to be Mileena, who didn’t want to mess with Bi-Han and Sektor for too long, but- 🙌 Liu Kang 🙌

and all these torturing tests of Havik who watched that through the screen, as if he is at the cinema HWJWHWHHW WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT

rain died too quickly because if there was any good rain in any timeline, the universe would have been exploded eventually.

Bi-Han/Sektor, though. Okay, on the one hand, I even liked their dynamic, because I like all this “leader x attendant” thing, but when I recall that Sektor and Cyrax were probably turned into females there to have those hetero dynamics with Lin Kuei bros, I can’t get into the ship fully (Kuai/Cyrax wasn’t a thing there tho, but maybe they were in the past, I didn’t really remember all the details.)

after watching that, I went to play mk armageddon, crying.

[agvarina]

I need a list of all the kids in au's etc XD so many i cant keep track

Fair, I tend to Loose track of their names myself.

Wich is why I want to keep The Kids always The same per pairing accross The aus.

Liu Kang x Kung Lao

Boys: Chao and Lei (with Kang as the mother Muchen)

Girls: Longmei and Yueying

Kung Jin x takeda

Boy: Decha

Girl: Chalita

Hanzo Hasashi x Kuai Liang

Boy: Bingyan

Girls: Huang and Xue

Syzoth x Bi-han

Girl: Ruiyin

Bi-han x Kung Lao

Boy: Feiyu and Baihu

Girls: Lixúe, Biming, Qixia, Frost and Xiao

Kuai Liang x Harumi shirai

Girl: Akeru

(Scorpion)Hanzo Hasashi x (Scorpion)Harumi hasashi

Girl: Yomi

Hotaru x Shujinko

Boy: Tonbo

Havik x Tomas Vrbada

Boys: Alexej, Karel, Izák

Girl: Klára

Raiden x Cetrion

Boy: Inari

Girl: Jupiter

Raiden x Kung Lao

Boy: Susano

Geras by himself

Girl: Theia

Shang Tsung x Quan Chi

boy: Eidolon

Sektor x Cyrax

Girls: Ada and Mei

Mileena x Rain x Tanya

Girl: Shreya

Emperor Rain x Empress Tanya

Girl: Anippe

And I did at one point give Sonya Blades and Johnny Cage a second child, son named Caleb Cage.

There are also few unamed Kids, like Tanya and Mileenas baby as well as The two children Apep and Shujinko found in their mermay au

This list Will most likely change and be updated, but its all i remember right now.

[cienie-isengardu]

Live footage of NRS when asked why they made Cyrax and Sektor women.

Person: We did it because we wanted more female fighters(ignores the existence of Jade, Skarlet and other women).

Meanwhile some writer hiding their love triangle scripts in the background.

Yeah this is the actual reason.

I think that for now it is best to wait for the story mode to see how the gender swap changed the relationship between Lin Kuei characters and if it improved anything at all. I have some theories on why it happened, but I don’t think the eventual love triangle script would be the main reason, as in, a die-hard shipper wanted, for example, Cyrax x Kuai Liang to happen, but only in heterosexual way or alternatively, wasn’t allowed to imply male x male romance so was forced to genderbending one character. Though admittedly, the letter sounds possible.

I think if anything, the eventual romance subplot will be just a side effect of the change, not a direct reason behind it, because the vast media sucks when it comes to writing a solid, wholesome relationship between male and female characters that is not based on romance or sexual tension. And let’s be honest here, a great chunk of romantic relationships are still bland and boring because authors have no idea how to write them anyway. As I imagine, female Cyrax following willingly Bi-Han and having simply an ideological conflict with Kuai Liang is not that dramatic like them being bitter ex-lovers for example. Which is not true, but like I said, the media sucks when it comes to writing the relationship between female and male characters. 

My theory is that NRS has currently no solid ideas for womens’ subplotes that would add to the expansion story. With Sindel’s death the uneven ratio of women dropped,

Nitara’s storyline may not add anything at all, same as Ashrah’s. Li Mei’s focus lies in protecting the capital city, Tanya is relevant only to Mileena's story but as the expansion is focused heavily on Lin Kuei-Shirai Ryu so far, she may not play that big role currently. Their lack of presence can be easily explained, or they may be just pushed to the background for now. Which leaves us with even more uneven ratio of female characters and yeah, I hope we will get Frost, Harumi and by some miracles maybe even Sonya. But with so many male characters, I suspect Cyrax and Sektor got gender swapped to balance the ratio by the “smallest cost”. And since they are women now, so I can imagine it really fast went from genderbend to make better ratio between female and male characters so fans won’t complain too much and too loudly (we will complain one way or another though) to let’s give Lin Kuei some additional, personal tension over romantic drama because why not?

But of course, it is best to wait and actually see the story mode. Who knows, maybe the rumors(?) about the romantic feelings between Lin Kuei will be just, you know, rumors and nothing more.

[laismoura-art]

I am going to go easy on you but this ship

Bi-han x Sektor??

Indeed easy😅

Bi-Han x Sektor:

No idea what their ship name is ¯\_(ಠ_ಠ)_/¯

I'll be honest, I'm not that fan of Sektor. But I LOVE to write him as this unredeemable asshole who would sacrifice whoever it takes (include his friends and his own humanity) to achieve his goals!

I love to make him ruthless and absolutely vicious! >:D

Meanwhile, I love to have Bi-Han as this guy who could be just as bad as Sektor, but never allowed himself to because he knows keeping his humanity is what keeps Kuai safe, and that's his main goal!

So these too similar yet conflicting personalities make them DESPISE each other, Bi-Han thinking Sektor went too far and Sektor thinking Bi-Han won't go far enough!

I do enjoy the idea of them being friends in the past buy them drifting apart, and Sektor ruining it for good when he starts to treat Bi-Han as a mere soldier rather than his friend.

I also really like the idea of Sektor being well aware that Bi-Han will be blamed by the Shirai Ryu massacre and that it will put him in danger and just not giving a damn💀 which eventually will cause Bi-Han to hold more grudges against Sektor than than Hanzo or Harumi, cause "the Scorpion was just stupid, but Sektor knew exactly what he was doing!"

Bottom line, the toxic dynamic is gold, but anything remotely cute and romantic is an immediate NO for me!

[multiverseforger]

Scorpion" is the alias of Hanzo Hasashi, formerly one of the finest warriors of the Japanese Shirai Ryu ninja clan,[2] until he was slain by Bi-Han, a member of the Lin Kuei (a rival clan of Chinese assassins) who worked under the name "Sub-Zero". Scorpion became a "hellspawn" revenant residing in Hell, later called the Netherrealm, who sought vengeance against those responsible for the destruction of his clan and the murder of his family, including his wife Harumi and his son Satoshi. Although essentially neutral in allegiance, Scorpion joins forces with anyone who can assist in his plans of revenge. He was once manipulated by the sorcerer Quan Chi, whom he promised his life to in exchange for his impressive kombat abilities in order to defeat Sub-Zero.[1]

In his initial backstory, displayed in the first game's (1992) attract mode, he is described as only having enmity towards Sub-Zero, which was attributed to rivalries between their opposing ninja clans. His ending revealed that he was actually an undead specter who had been killed by Sub-Zero and was survived by a wife and child.[3] This was further explored in a tie-in comic book written and illustrated by MK co-creator John Tobias and published by Midway. In a one-page scene, set aboard a junk en route to Mortal Kombat tournament host Shang Tsung's private island, Scorpion shocks Sub-Zero with his unexpected return exactly two years after his death, declaring that his "demons" had allowed him to return and avenge his demise.[4] After Shokan Prince Goro's defeat at the hands of eventual champion Liu Kang, Shang Tsung's army launched an attack, forcing Scorpion to team up with Sub-Zero, the thunder god Raiden, and other tournament survivors to hold them back before he killed his rival and disappeared.[4]

In Mortal Kombat II (1993), Scorpion discovers Sub-Zero has somehow returned, and planned to compete in the second Mortal Kombat tournament held in the otherworldly dimension of Outworld and hosted by the realm's emperor Shao Kahn. He tracks his nemesis down but notices, in the process, Sub-Zero sparing the life of an opponent in battle. Scorpion realizes that this is not Bi-Han, but instead his younger brother, Kuai Liang, who had taken on his brother's codename in his memory and was tasked with completing his failed mission of assassinating Shang Tsung. As a result, Scorpion vowed to serve as the new Sub-Zero's guardian in atonement for killing his older brother.[5]

In the 2005 beat 'em up spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, set during the events of Mortal Kombat II, Scorpion is a boss character who attempts to kill the game's playable protagonists Liu Kang and Kung Lao. He appears in both masked and unmasked forms, with the latter being named "Inferno Scorpion". The planned co-op game, Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice, which would have starred Scorpion and Sub-Zero as the protagonists, was canceled when Paradox Development, the developers of Shaolin Monks, "couldn't do it in time and under budget."[6]

Scorpion, along with all of the game's palette-swapped human ninja characters, was not playable in Mortal Kombat 3, but returned in the 1995 upgrade Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 when Shao Kahn tried to conquer the Netherrealm after his invasion of Earth, and enlisted the ninja in his forces. Scorpion's allegiance to the Kahn quickly dissolved when he discovers, in a continuance of his MKII storyline, that Sub-Zero was one of Earth's chosen warriors, with whom he sided in their final showdown with Shao Kahn.[1]

Quan Chi was officially introduced into Scorpion's rivalry with Sub-Zero in the main MK storyline, starting with Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997). Scorpion is featured therein as an unplayable boss character, appearing twice throughout the game. Despite playing a minor role, his background was officially expanded in a feature on the game's official website, where his real name and that of his clan were revealed, while his yellow outfit was described as an apparent mockery of the Lin Kuei after former Lin Kuei member Takeda developed ninjutsu before leaving the clan and forming the rival Shirai Ryu.[2] Scorpion is enlisted by Quan Chi to find a map hidden in a Shaolin temple, a task the sorcerer also gave to Sub-Zero in order to engage the two rival ninjas in combat. If the player performs a killer move on Scorpion, he will reappear as another boss later in the game. In Mortal Kombat 4 (1997), Quan Chi tricked Scorpion into believing that Sub-Zero was involved in the deaths of his family and clan, resulting in the specter allying with him. In Scorpion's ending, he emerges victorious over Sub-Zero, but Quan Chi reveals his involvement in killing Scorpion's clan and family. When the sorcerer attempts to banish Scorpion, the latter grabs the former at the last minute, sending them both to the Netherrealm.[7] A variation of this ending was seen in Sub-Zero's conclusion, when Sub-Zero stands over a fallen Scorpion before being knocked down by Quan Chi, who again reveals his scheme and claims that both ninjas were pawns for the fallen Elder God Shinnok, which results in Scorpion killing Quan Chi and declaring Sub-Zero free of his curse.[8]

Scorpion's MK4 ending is carried over into Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), where he relentlessly hunts down Quan Chi, only to be attacked by the Oni Drahmin and Moloch, whom the sorcerer had hired as protection and to help free him from the Netherrealm. In his non-canonical ending, Scorpion is killed when Drahmin and Moloch hurl him into a Soulnado, a magical tornado consisting of tormented souls trapped between Earthrealm and Outworld. In Scorpion's biography in Mortal Kombat: Deception however, he is depicted as having escaped as well. He meets the Elder Gods, which, coupled with his witnessing Raiden's death and the emergence of Onaga, the Dragon King, causes him to accept a new role as the Elder Gods' servant while working to prevent Onaga's merging of the realms.

In the Konquest mode of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006), Scorpion cuts a deal with the Elder Gods to serve them in exchange for the resurrection of the Shirai Ryu and his wife and son.[1] However, they resurrect them as undead beings. Enraged, Scorpion seeks to destroy the Elder Gods' chance of preventing Armageddon by taking the elemental Blaze's power, but the Edenian demigod Taven defeats him and he is later killed by Sub-Zero in a battle royal amongst the series characters in the game's opening sequence.[9]

In the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, an alternative-timeline retelling of the first three titles, Scorpion reprises his role from the first game in seeking vengeance against the elder Sub-Zero, Bi-Han. This time though, he serves Quan Chi from the start, unaware that the sorcerer is the mastermind behind the murder of his family and clan. Raiden, attempting to alter the timeline in hopes of averting Armageddon, talks Scorpion into sparing Sub-Zero's life in exchange for reviving the Shirai Ryu. Scorpion agrees, and when he defeats Sub-Zero in the Netherrealm, he refuses to kill him. However, Quan Chi convinces Scorpion otherwise by showing him a graphic vision of Sub-Zero murdering his wife and child. Despite Sub-Zero protests, Scorpion promptly incinerates him. He reappears on the tournament grounds holding Sub-Zero's skull and spinal column.[10] Later in the game, the younger Sub-Zero Kuai Liang seeks revenge for his brother's death by demanding a fight with Scorpion in Shao Kahn's arena, which Quan Chi grants. Scorpion immediately recognizes the new Sub-Zero as the original's younger brother, and while he is defeated, Kuai Liang is apprehended by his clan before he finish the revenant off.[11] Scorpion is last seen when he fights and loses to Raiden in the Netherrealm before disappearing.[12] In his non-canonical arcade ending, the Shirai Ryu appear before Scorpion as ghostly apparitions who reveal the truth about their murder and aid him in killing Quan Chi for his deception. In Sub-Zero's ending, he learns the truth about his and Scorpion's families and offers the specter a chance to join him in his quest for vengeance. Scorpion accepts, joining Sub-Zero to form their own Deadly Alliance.[13]

In Mortal Kombat X, which takes place two years after the previous game, Scorpion was sent to attack the Special Forces alongside a revenant version of Kuai Liang. Due to the efforts of Raiden and his allies however, they were restored to their human forms and freed from Quan Chi's control. Over the course of the following two decades, the newly restored Hanzo Hasashi reformed the Shirai Ryu, trained Kenshi's son Takeda Takahashi, and made amends with the young Sub-Zero after he revealed Quan Chi was responsible for the murder of his family and clan. When the Special Forces captured Quan Chi, a revenge-minded Hasashi subdued them and released the sorcerer so he could challenge him to a final fight before he killed him. Concurrently, Quan Chi's associate D'Vorah appeared so she could have the sorcerer free Shinnok from his amulet. Hasashi decapitated Quan Chi, but not before he could finish reciting a spell to successfully free the fallen Elder God, who immediately incapacitated everyone in the surrounding area.

In Mortal Kombat 11, Hasashi continues to lead the Shirai Ryu in protecting Earthrealm as its Grandmaster a further two years after MKX and Shinnok's defeat. When the keeper of time Kronika caused a time anomaly in an attempt to erase Raiden from history, she brought a past version of Scorpion to the present so she could recruit him to her fold with the promise of resurrecting his clan and family.[14] Meanwhile, Hasashi worked with Sub-Zero to foil Lin Kuei clansman turned cyber ninja Sektor and his plans to build a Cyber Lin Kuei army. They were successful, despite facing opposition from Bi-Han, who had been resurrected as the revenant Noob Saibot, and learning that Sektor played a role in murdering Hasashi's clan and family.[15] After Kronika's forces compromise or destroy most of their bases, Hasashi agrees to house his Earthrealm allies at the Shirai Ryu's Fire Gardens.[16] To help locate Kronika's Keep, Hasashi suggests forging an alliance with Kharon, a ferryman who transports unfortunate souls to the Netherrealm who he and Sub-Zero met while they were revenants.[17] He succeeds in recruiting Kharon and convincing his younger self to turn away from Kronika, but he is killed by D'Vorah. With his dying breath, he urges his younger self to abandon his pursuit of vengeance and defend Earthrealm. Scorpion keeps his word and joins the allied forces of Earthrealm and Outworld to stop Kronika.[18][19][20] In his non-canonical arcade ending, the younger Scorpion fails to keep his promise to his future self, and kills Kronika so he can restart history to ensure his loved ones' survival. When he discovers that otherworldly forces conspire to make sure the tragedy always repeats itself, he undergoes a quest for revenge against them.

[sasorikigai]

1, 13 ( Scorpion! )

Asks for Superpowered Muses || @umtplex​ || accepting 

1. What’s your full ability, to your understanding? (Bonus Q for muns: Does this differ from their actual full ability? Or their potential?)

Scorpion is most commonly associated with hellfire, the Netherrealm's variant of fire. He is immune to the element and primarily uses it to confirm the death of his opponents, spewing it from his skull while unmasked. He is very versatile with this element, for he can summon it under his opponent, light himself up with hellfire to create a damaging aura of flames and hurl fireballs that can explode. His other abilities include necromancy and summoning. After being betrayed by the Elder Gods when they resurrected his clan as undead, he still found use with his undead comrades known as Hellspawns, who are capable of summoning hellfire as well. His summoning abilities allow him to call upon demonic minions that can self-destruct and floating skull creatures that breathe hellfire and spew explosive projectiles. 

As a spectre, Scorpion is immune to death as his soul is still bound by revenge, allowing him to endlessly chase his targets until they have been silenced. He is capable of resurrection (even if his physical body is fully destroyed) as demonstrated in Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance where he was supposedly killed by Quan Chi when he kicked him into a pool of acid, but later returned to life in order to find the Deadly Alliance and their minions. He also came back to life in the Mortal Kombat X comic series after Havik brutally killed him by destroying his chest and lungs.

Like many ninjas, Scorpion is well-versed in the art of armed combat. He has wielded various weapons throughout the tournaments, from axes to the most recent twin Ninjato. His most recurring weapon is the Spear, a kunai attached to a sturdy chain, representing Scorpion's "stinger." At times, the spear is empowered with hellfire for more power.

As Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi, he has gained new powers and abilities. He can burn away his own flesh, revealing a fiery skeleton that can phase through physical matter and burn (sometimes vaporize) anything he touches, making him difficult to harm physically. This implies that he has a powerful healing factor that can regenerate all of the flesh he burnt away. Scorpion can also manipulate wind to create a fiery tornado of hellfire. Although it is unknown if this ability can be used for combat, as this is one of his intros, I headcanon myself that he could when he is dealing with multitudes of enemies at once. His teleport can now produce afterimages that act like solid duplicates as shown in one of his moves where he leaves an afterimage behind to hold the opponent's arm before disintegrating. He can also create afterimages to trick opponents of his next move. His affinity with fire is so potent that he is completely immune to Sektor's high-power flamethrower, calming walking through the jet-powered fire without even so much as a singe on his skin or clothing.

He also has several physical/elemental abilities (Italics only apply for Scorpion, not for Grandmaster Hasashi, a resurrected human).

Enhanced Physical Prowess: Scorpion is physically superior to any normal person.

Wraith Physiology: Reborn from the fires of the Netherrealm, Scorpion is an undead spectre.

Master Martial Artist: Being a ninja, Scorpion is well versed in Pi Gua, Hapkido, and Moi Fah to create a well-rounded hybrid art that takes advantage of his fantastic mobility in battle. He is also incredibly proficient in chained kunai and sword combat.

Hellfire Manipulation: Being a native of the Netherrealm, Scorpion can call upon and shape the realm's hellish flames.

Hellfire Immunity: As a native of the Netherrealm, Scorpion is naturally impervious to any and all hellish flames.

Teleportation: If Scorpion ever needs to close the distance on his opponents, he can simply teleport over near them. Normally he teleports behind the opponent to land a surprise hit on their backs.

Netherrealm Portals: Aside from outright teleportation, Scorpion can also create portals to and from the Netherrealm. He does this to return home and trap opponents with him in Hell.

Undead Reforming: Should his body ever get destroyed via physical force, Scorpion will eventually reform in the Netherrealm.

Immortality: Because he's undead, Scorpion no longer ages.

Netherrealm Boost: Whenever Scorpion returns to the Netherrealm, his power begins to rise. The longer he remains there, the stronger he becomes, with all the boosts disappearing as he leaves.

Enhanced Awareness: Scorpion is capable of tracking targets that are far away. This proved useful when he could still sense Quan Chi even though he was nowhere in his sight after Quan Chi escaped the Netherrealm and fled to Outworld.

Summoning: Scorpion is capable of summoning demonic Netherrealm minions that can attack and hold the enemy in place. They can also self-destruct, and the resulting explosion vaporizes the enemy's flesh out of the skeleton. He also has the ability to summon giant flaming skulls that can fly and shoot explosive projectiles and breathe fire.

Necromancy: With the Shirai Ryu now resurrected by the Elder Gods in an undead state, he is capable of summoning them to aid him in battle. These ninjas can summon hellfire below their opponent and often fight in numbers.

Demon Fire: Scorpion summons hellfire under his opponent to scorch them.

Fire Ball: If long range combat is necessary, Scorpion can shoot a ball of hellfire from his palms. To psyche out the opponent, he can also delay or cancel its release.

Flame Aura: Scorpion surrounds himself in flames, stunning any enemies caught in the aura upon creation. Anyone near Scorpion while the aura is up will be slowly consumed by his flames.

Toasty!: Scorpion rips off his mask to show his burning skull, then he breathes hellfire on the opponent to incinerate them. It is hot enough to vaporize enemies to dust.

Takedown: Scorpion slips onto his side, diving under attacks as he uses his legs to trip an opponent.

Backflip Kick: Scorpion performs a backflip, igniting his feet with hellfire as he kicks the opponent in the jaw.

Spine Rip: To finish off foes, Scorpion sometimes rips off the enemy's head, taking the spine with it.

The extent and potentiality of Hanzo as an esteemed pyromancer may have been undermined, simply because he was a feared ninja and a martial artist even before his resurrection as a Hellspawn spectre and mastered his kunai, when the real world equivalent (rope dart) is extremely difficult to even to properly wield. 

13. Have you ever used your power for petty and/or selfish (or silly) reasons?

At the first Mortal Kombat Tournament, after defeating Cyrax and Sektor, Scorpion was confronted by his nemesis, Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero showed great disrespect to Scorpion and his clan's memory, stating "To hell with your clan!", which enraged the ninja specter, who answered Sub-Zero with "No... To Hell with YOU!", and immediately took both of them to the Netherrealm, where they engaged in Mortal Kombat. Scorpion emerged victorious and decided to spare Sub-Zero's life, only to have Quan Chi appear, ordering Scorpion to kill Sub-Zero. Remembering his bargain with Raiden as the Thunder God saw the future consisting of Scorpion killing Sub-Zero, and the latter's rebirth as Noob Saibot, urged Scorpion to defeat but not kill Sub-Zero. Scorpion at first refused to do so until Raiden promised him that he would make a request to the Elder Gods to bring the Shirai Ryu back to the realm of mortals, but only if Sub-Zero remained alive. Scorpion contemplated Raiden's offer of bringing his clan back to the world of the living, and eventually looked towards Raiden and silently nodded his consent. Raiden nodded back, and left, leaving the specter to think on this new turn of events.

When given the chance to do so, Scorpion refused, stating that Sub-Zero had been defeated and no further bloodshed was required. Knowing that the specter would not kill Sub-Zero unless he was provoked, Quan Chi conjured images of the Lin Kuei slaughter of the Shirai Ryu. The entire event was shown to Scorpion; his village was swallowed by flames, many Shirai Ryu clansmen were struck down by a rain of arrows while others were decapitated by Lin Kuei assassins, and more were run through by katanas from horseback riders and by arrows from archer marksmen, among them Sub-Zero.

Another image was magically conjured by the sorcerer. It showed Scorpion's wife (Harumi) and infant son (Satoshi) huddled in a corner of their home during the Lin Kuei attack. The house's door slid open to reveal Sub-Zero, with a Katana in hand. Unsheathing it, and unaffected by the cries of Scorpion's wife, Sub-Zero brought the blade down. The vision faded and Sub-Zero, badly wounded as he was, was on his feet holding a hand up in mercy, telling Scorpion that was not him. Enraged and reneging on his deal with Raiden, Scorpion ripped the mask from his head, revealing a skull engulfed in flames of pure hatred. Back in the throne room of Shang Tsung, Scorpion reappeared and Shang Tsung smiled in anticipation. Wordlessly, Scorpion held up a scorched skull with the spinal cord attached. The ninja specter had killed the Lin Kuei assassin Sub-Zero, rendering his deal with Raiden null. Head hung low, Scorpion dropped the skull onto the floor and with a loud scream, burst into flames and disappeared.

(aka the MK9 madness, but justifiably understandable as Scorpion was manipulated by Quan Chi). 

[fsfghgee]

Imagine these people on a double date with Liu Kang as the mediator trying to reconcile them..

At some table in Madam Bo's restaurant...

Harumi:ㅤHow can you kill and risk your life for a man like that?

Sektor:ㅤWouldn't you do the same for Kuai Liang?

Harumi:ㅤOf course I would. But he isn't Bi-Han.

Sektor:ㅤExactly. I know his heart. You don't.

Harumi:ㅤWhat heart? That guy let his own father die. He has no honor, no heart. As you must not have to…

Sektor:ㅤYou know nothing about us. You...

Liu Kang:ㅤKuai Liang. Can you say something to your brother?

Kuai Liang:ㅤI'll never forgive you.

Bi-Han:ㅤDid I ask for your forgiveness?

Harumi:ㅤThis guy…

Sektor:ㅤThis is pointless. You're wasting our time.

Kuai Liang:ㅤWasn't it nice to see the mother you dishonor again?

Bi-Han:ㅤMind your place, Kuai Liang! Or I...

Kuai Liang:ㅤOr you what?!

Liu Kang:ㅤBy the elder gods…

.......

[fsfghgee]

Headcanon (with canon events) for Bi-Han not wearing an armor...

even though he has given his approval and praise for its construction.

He cares more about Cyrax and Sektor than he cares about himself.

He would prefer Cyrax and Sektor to continue covering less risky missions and not directly engaging in battles, not because they are women and supposedly weaker, not even close to being in a sexist way (Bi-Han knows how strong they are and admires strong and skilled women like his mother was), but because he fears losing them like he lost his mother…

But Sektor, being stubborn and very good with words, presented the idea of ​​an armor that would increase her physical capacity and protect her from fatal blows. Thus, convincing Bi-Han that she would be out of imminent danger of death on the battlefield, he allowed her to support his efforts on the battlefield as well, with the assistance of her apprentice, Cyrax.

Killing two birds with one stone, Bi-Han took them to arrest Kuai Liang for his defection, figuring that monks and his brother's newly formed clan would be a way to test the effectiveness of Sektor's armor without putting their lives in real danger.

In a way, he was right, as they were winning until Cyrax turned on them...

Cyrax's fighting Lin Kuei here, the symbol on this NPC's attire is the Lin Kuei symbol:

Also, the Shirai Ryu npcs attires features dark gray with details in the orange color, and the monks are wearing orange attires with a lighter shade of gray. While the Lin Kuei nps warriors' attires are completely black.

Cyrax's defection wasn't something Bi-Han expected even if she did find out the truth (according to datamined intros):

But it happened, anyway...

So, although they ended up in danger of dying, it was not because of the failure of Sektor's armor or the Lin Kuei's inability to defeat the monks and Shirai Ryu, Cyrax's turning her coat that led to a series of events not expected by Bi-Han…

Among them, the necessary retreat of the Lin Kuei, his and Sektor's capture, their containment in OutWorld…

Then, titan Havik showed up with his minions to capture Geras, which he and Sektor tried to avoid because it would condemn them, the Lin Kuei as well as the entire timeline…

'Havik's minions trying to capture Geras'

Sektor almost being taken by Havik's minions too, which he avoided (most likely), since neither he nor Sektor were Havik's targets, only Geras, but Bi-Han ended up being abducted with Geras right after the scene where they were about to capture Sektor (who built the armor that she'll be wearing)...

A lot of things happened and a lot of things not teased in the trailers or found in the datamined script will happen (missing scenes, missing lines, Cyrax's ending, Sektor's ending, Noob Saibot's ending…), and despite the "death threat" in one of their datamined dialogues (because either he refuses to swear at her or Sektor convinced him that punishment for deserters should be death instead of prison now), Bi-Han genuinely cared for Cyrax too (not only for Sektor), but her defection disappointed him and hurt him as much as his brother's did.

......

[fsfghgee]

What do you think happened between Kuai Liang and Cyrax?

I think there's enough evidence that they were close. Which begs the question of how close they were…

I've heard a few theories, including that Cyrax was like a little sister to Kuai, but I honestly doubt that what they had was a brother-sister relationship.

First, because he demands a trust from Cyrax that even he himself didn't have in her (since as we all know, he gave up on her without even trying), which indicates that this blind trust he demands from her comes from a deep, but temporary, bond they had at some point. And as we all know, Cyrax didn't grow up with Kuai Liang like Tomas, she was invited to join the main clan because she was a prodigy in her sub-clan.

Second, although Cyrax is currently the youngest Lin Kuei (since there's no official information regarding Frost in MK1 yet), I noticed that in some of her leaked intros, the older characters talk to her in a way that's very similar to how they referred to Smoke's youth (in MK1, Tomas is the youngest among the three heirs of the deceased Grandmaster), that is, although she is the youngest, she is not a minor or inexperienced since there are intros of some characters flirting with her. I believe that her age is very close (if not the same) as Smoke. Which leads to the possibility that Kuai Liang could have had a romantic relationship with her. I mean, It wouldn't have been immoral or indecent of him to have a relationship with her.

Third, although Harumi is currently Kuai Liang's partner, it is said in his ending that he and Harumi were childhood friends and in Smoke's ending, he says that Harumi and Kuai Liang were just friends. Their romantic relationship arose when he went to Japan to hide in her clan. And though one of the story mode fail quotes refers to how much he'd miss seeing Harumi because he dies, I must remind, those who don't know, that the story mode fails are not canon (just like their quotes).

"As children, we played together. But Harumi Shirai was a woman now, the head of her clan."

"Kuai Liang and I were working hard to build our new clan. But even with the help of his close friend, Harumi, it was difficult."

Fourth, Bi-Han and Cyrax's closeness, as well as "her absolute loyalty to Bi-Han" supposed by Kuai, is based solely on mutual acquaintances (Cyrax's bio says that she served Sektor and she says in story mode that Sektor is her instructor and commander, while Sektor's bio shows that she is the one who is really close to Bi-Han), possible common interests (there are leaked intros that show that Bi-Han is surprised by her change of heart, which indicates that she used to believe in his ambitions for the clan just like Sektor, but unlike Sektor she has limits, such as abandoning Earthrealm's defense during Shang Tsung's attack, Bi-Han scratching Kuai's face and learning that Bi-Han had left the late Grandmaster perish) and I'm inclined to believe that it was Bi-Han who invited Cyrax to serve directly under Sektor (so Kuai believing that she would be absolutely loyal to the Grandmaster who gave her such an opportunity makes sense too). Assuming what Kuai says about him and Bi-Han once having a bond as strong as Kitana and Mileena's is true, and recognizing Bi-Han's clear hurt and disappointment that his blood brother refused to continue following him, it's easy to imagine that Kuai Liang was always following his older brother around, and knowing that Cyrax has been shadowing Sektor as her servant/apprentice… Even if it's cliché, it's quite common to happen. It's not unlikely that they got closer and had a thing once so they wouldn't always be a third wheel.

Fifth, she sounds really heartbroken that he disappeared without explanation. Which indicates that she had feelings for him (or still has…)

Sixth, but not the least, there is this intro that when datamined, was said by the dataminer that it was at the top (which indicates that it's one of Cyrax's intros):

From what I know, this (often) means having fallen in love and had a relationship with a certain person, in this case, Cyrax with Kuai-Liang/Scorpion.

.... ...

[fsfghgee]

I just had a crazy thought about Bi-Han's hatred for his father…

What if Bi-Han let him die because he was against his relationship with Sektor? And wanted him to marry another future clan leader like Harumi (if Kuai has known Harumi since childhood as he says, Bi-Han and his father must have known her too)? Because we know that it was Bi-Han who made Sektor second in command of the Lin Kuei, she was just the daughter of a master armorer before he became Grandmaster…

Although her mother had some respect as a warrior leader, that is nowhere near the same status that Bi-Han gave her as his lieutenant.

And from what I could gather from the story mode, bios and intros, there is a kind of caste system in the Lin Kuei…

Where you're born knowing that when you're ready you'll have to take on your parents' role in the clan, a role that they train you to take on from childhood and most likely you have no power to choose to be anything else.

From Scorpion's bio:

From Sektor's bio:

Intros:

Bi-Han letting his father die because his father was against his relationship with Sektor (because she comes from a lower caste and therefore inferior to Bi-Han) and being part of the traditions that Bi-Han despises so much that he has to marry someone of his father's choice or he wouldn't be Grandmaster until his father took his last breath, was what led Bi-Han to refuse to help him when he had the accident that took his life. The desire to make the Lin Kuei rule came after that; thinking about his mother, the things Sektor said, the tasks he received from Liu Kang…

I personally find this less vile than letting his own father die just to take over leadership as Scorpion claims he did (which doesn't even make sense since he would be made Grandmaster for being the oldest and having trained to take that position since childhood, anyway). And also, to me, this would align more with Sektor's bio, since she holds both of her parents in the highest regard.

Like, how could someone like her, who idolizes her parents, think of a man who let his own father die "out of pure impatience to lead" as a kindred spirit, supports him unconditionally and be so indifferent to the fact that he did such a thing?

Did she hate Bi-Han's father too? And if so, why?

Does she simply loves Bi-Han so much that she ignores her own moral values ​​to be with him?

Or did Bi-Han actually have a reason to hate him so much to the point of letting him die and she knows what it is (and naturally, she agrees)?

.....

[fsfghgee]

I need to see how that double date ended 🫡

Resolution

(Double Date 'Sequel' - Kuai Liang, Harumi, Bi-Han & Sektor)

— You know this is a trap, don't you?

— I know.

— So why are we doing this? Why can't you just ignore her?

— She's your mother. — Standing in front of the busy restaurant, staring at the door as if trying to muster up the courage to walk through it, Bi-Han took a deep breath and squeezed Sektor's hand before entering the place. — I can't disrespect her.

— Even though she no longer respects you?

Ignoring the reality exposed by Sek and refusing to accept that he would not be able to win Madam Bo's favor as he had won Longwei's, Bi-Han looked for Madam Bo as if she were not already expecting them.

— Madam Bo! — Calling out to the elderly woman upon finding her leaving the kitchen, Bi-Han hurried to her. — We came as soon as we received your message.

— Very well. — She looked from one to the other, not hiding her surprise regarding Bi-Han. She already knew that he had been transformed into a creature of chaos by the titan Havik, but she never imagined that he had become so repulsive and dark in appearance. — I see that you are literally living with a monster now. — Ignoring Bi-Han, she looked at her daughter. — Is it still worth opposing Lord Liu Kang's will?

— I don't care about your disapproval or Liu Kang's. I fell in love with his soul. Not his appearance.

— A soul that was corrupted by chaos magic.

— Someone is keeping you well informed. So much effort to please Liu Kang… — Sektor mocked and Bi-Han held her tighter before she got too close to her mother. — It's no surprise that my father didn't go after a woman like you.

— What are you insinuating?!

— Sektor, please… — Bi-Han intervened before that discussion ended in a fight. — She's not insinuating anything. We came because you said you wanted to see her and talk to me.

— Yes, but the conversation we must have cannot be done in front of so many people. — Motioning to the restaurant, which was as full as usual, she waited for Bi-Han to agree before motioning for them to follow her. — Accompany me to a more private place.

— Bi-Han, no! — Sektor pulled him, murmuring so that only he could hear. — It could be dangerous.

— She's your mother. — Murmuring back, Bi-Han tried to ignore the concern in her eyes. — What harm would she do to you?

— Not to me. But what about you?!

— She can just try.

— I don't have all day. — Without bothering to hide her irritation, she turned around just to give a scolding before continuing up the stairs to the third floor.

Reluctantly, Sektor went up with Bi-Han to the isolated third floor. There were also tables like on the other floors and all the rest of the decoration, but only muffled noises from the floor below could be heard.

— Have a seat. — The elderly woman waited for the young people to sit down before continuing with the face of a few friends. — You're tired of hearing that what you're doing is wrong.

— In your opinion.

— You betrayed Earthrealm! You betrayed Lord Liu Kang's trust... — Indifferent to Madam Bo's indignation, they just stared at her without emotion. — In exchange for what?

— In exchange for a better future for the Lin Kuei.

— And what future will the Lin Kuei have if you die?

— I will never let anything happen to your daughter. I promise that...

— Your word is worthless, Bi-Han!

— Madam Bo, I-I...

— Don't pretend that you care! — Sektor stood up irritably and shouted in disgust. Interrupting her beloved when she saw how affected he had been by the older woman's words. — You abandoned me! You abandoned my father! You abandoned our clan! In exchange for what? To be a nanny for two farm boys!

— Your mother wisely honors Earthrealm with her services. — Liu Kang intervened, finishing climbing the stairs, making Bi-Han release a guttural sound in contempt.

— Is that what you want her to believe? Like you did with my father?! — Irritated by Liu Kang's sudden appearance, Bi-Han also stood up. — Like you do with my brother?! 

— Bi-Han…

— I've had enough. — Tired of her mother and Liu Kang's presence, Sektor grabbed Bi-Han's hand before he could think of trying anything. — Let's go home.

— Wait! — Madam Bo hurried before they reached the door.

— What do you want now?!

— I made a promise. And I'll keep it. Stay for dinner and I'll make your favorite childhood meal.

— I don't want anything from you!

— We'll stay on one condition. — Sektor looked at Bi-Han in disbelief, but Bi-Han ignored it, still thinking that he could achieve his goal with that visit. — I want you to give me your blessing.

— Bi-Han, you don't have to…

— My mother... — He looked at Sektor before looking back at Madam Bo, serious and resolute. — She would want it that way.

Madam Bo sighs and nods.

— I wish you had half the love for Earthrealm that you have for your mother.

Resigned to the young Grandmaster's lack of response, Madam Bo motioned for them to sit down again before going down with the fire god.

...............................

— You haven't even touched your food.

— I'm not hungry. I want to go home.

— You know this is important to me.

— We have my father's blessing. That should be enough. — Fearing that the day would end worse than it had begun, Sektor cupped his face and pleaded with her eyes. — Let's go home, please.

Bi-Han sighed and was about to do as she had asked, when approaching footsteps drew his attention to the front.

— Do you mind if we join you? — Liu Kang, accompanied by Harumi and Kuai Liang, stood in front of their table.

— Oh, no...

— Calm. — Holding Sektor's hand under the table, Bi-Han motioned with his free hand for Kuai Liang to sit across from him. — Feel free.

— Your manners have improved. But your appearance is still as horrible as your heart.

— You have no vision, Kuai Liang.

— It's your ambition that's blind, Bi-Han! As always. — Outraged by his older brother's disregard, Kuai Liang took a deep breath to control his anger. — There are no limits to your desire for power, are there?

— How can you kill and risk your life for a man like that? — Seeing the derision in Bi-Han's eyes and witnessing once again how unpleasant he was, Harumi questioned Sektor.

— Wouldn't you do the same for Kuai Liang?

— Of course I would. But he isn't Bi-Han.

— Exactly. I know his heart. You don't.

— What heart? — Harumi looked at the Chinese woman as if she had gone mad. — That guy let his own father die! He has no honor, no heart. As you must not have to…

— You know nothing about us! You…

— Kuai Liang. — Seeing that the argument between the women was escalating, Liu Kang intervened, seeking support from Scorpion. — Can you say something to your brother?

— I'll never forgive you.

— Did I ask for your forgiveness? — Bi-Han mocked, much to the indignation of his younger brother's wife.

— This guy…

— This is pointless. — Ready to leave the table, Sektor stood up again. — You're wasting our time.

— Wasn't it nice to see the mother you dishonor again?

— Mind your place, Kuai Liang! Or I…

— Or you what?!

— By the elder gods! — Startled to see Bi-Han jump on Kuai Liang and then the two brothers start exchanging punches, Liu Kang hurriedly stood up to try to separate them. — Enough! Bi-Han, Kuai Liang!

— Kuai Liang! — Harumi worried when she saw that her husband wouldn't stop being beaten by Bi-Han, tried to intervene too, but Sektor threw warning flames in front of the Japanese woman. — What are you doing?!

— Hurt Bi-Han and you'll have to deal with me.

— And let that monster kill my husband?!

— What's going on here?! — Madam Bo, who was carrying another tray of food with her, got angry and put the food aside to hit the tray with all her strength. — Stop now! — Hitting until they moved away from each other, Madam Bo stood between them. — Not in my restaurant.

— Madam Bo, I...

— I've had enough of you!

— But it was Kuai Liang who...

— Let's go, Bi-Han. — Trying to spare her beloved from her mother's wrath, Sektor grabbed his hand and pulled him. — Let's go home. She'll never understand either of us.

— If you're not restored, you'll remain immortal! — Liu Kang shouted behind Bi-Han and Sektor. — And immortality has a high price to pay!

— I am willing to pay any price to break the Lin Kuei free from bondage forever!

— Even Sektor's death?

— Liu Kang! — Taking the dark tone as a threat, he finally stopped and turned around ready to confront him. — If you…

— Sektor will not live forever! She is mortal and you cannot change that. Eventually she will die and you will be alone forever. Do you think that's fair to her?

— He's trying to mess with your mind. — Sektor stated, bringing his attention to herself. — I don't mind dying for the Lin Kuei.

— You will not die! — Shocked by the certainty in Sektor's words, he feared that this sacrifice would one day find her. He could have this from anyone, he would accept it from anyone, except Sektor. He wanted to have anything from her, except this.

— The difficult thing about grief is surviving something that could be normal. Losing someone you love is losing everything you have. No matter how much you cry, no matter how much you go crazy with the absence, no matter the level of your pain, nothing will bring it back. The pain of grief is dying while alive, it is living dying little by little, and what a long vain penance to live forever without feeling loved, without having the one you love.

...............................

— Because you are reckless, Bi-Han! What did you think would happen?! — Furious with his son's disobedience, he just shouted as if no one was watching. — That you would go in there and get rid of them all?!

— I-I never thought that…

— Of course not! Of course you never thought! Because you never think, Bi-Han! You never think! — Unhinged by his own fury, he hits the boy so hard that he knocks him down with the impact.

— Bi-Han!

— Stay out of this. — Longwei murmured while holding his daughter.

— B-But…

— Stay out.

— Forgive me, my friend. But I need to excuse myself and end this night here. — Fixing his own clothes as if trying to calm himself by fiddling with the fabric, he continued to stare at his son on the floor as he spoke to the master armorer. — You understand, don't you?

— I understand. Good night.

— But father… — Unable to see Sektor's concern, he only heard the girl's voice cry out to her father before the loud slamming of the front door drowned out her voice.

— Go to your room.

— I-I want to see my mother. — Weak from the injuries from earlier, some so serious that they hadn't healed yet, he got up with great effort.

— Go to your room before I change my mind.

— N-No, I want to talk to my mother…

— I told you to go to your room! — The older one dragged him by the wrist, freezing him to prevent his resistance and cutting the younger one's arm by throwing him inside his chambers without completely thawing his skin. — And you will only leave there for your training and studies until further notice!

— N-No! — Desperate, he runs to the door, banging on it with all his strength, but the door doesn't budge as if it were enchanted. — I-I don't want to be locked in here! Mom! Don't leave me locked in here! - Banging until he almost ran out of strength, he could no longer hold back the tears and cried. — M-Mom… — Crying profusely, he slipped to the floor. — M-Men don't cry... — Repeating what his father always told him, Bi-Han tried to control his emotions in vain. — M-much less perfect warriors, m-much less...

— Lin Kuei warriors.

— S-Sektor?

— What he says is not true. You can...

— Don't look at me!

Waking up suddenly, Bi-Han sat up in bed and looked for Sektor. Soon seeing that she remained beside him, sleeping soundly with her back to him, he stroked her short hair. He inhaled her sweet perfume and hugged her tightly until he fell asleep again.

He found himself in the middle of a war, it reminded him of Chaosrealm, but he had seen the chaos of that place many other times before. It was the chaos of a battlefield, surrounded by fallen dead bodies, destruction and terror. Combat proved that he was alive, there was no better way to prove his strength and skill than by subduing his enemies. And in the midst of it all, he could only see those who attacked him, killing them all with ease, suddenly a scream of pain reminded him that he was not alone.

— Sektor?! - Amidst the darkness, he searched for her as if nothing else mattered.

What was the point of that battle?

What was he looking for?

Who was his target?

He no longer remembered.

— Sektor?! — The trail of deaths he had created to reach her was the reason why his clothes were already bloody when he found her. — S-Sektor… — The blood that dripped from her stomach without stopping stained his clothes even more, as he held her in his arms and begged her to keep her eyes open. — Chō stay with me… P-Please…

— B-Bi-Han…

— S-Stay with me. — Terrified and in a desperate attempt to keep her with him, he tried to transfer the chaos magic to her, but she stopped him by holding his hand with all her remaining strength.

— I-I don't want to live forever.

— Y-You promised you would never abandon me.

— I-I... I-I love you...

— No!

Feeling tears streaming down his face even after opening his eyes, Bi-Han gasped for the recent nightmare. He couldn't lose her. However, he knew...

He knew she was willing to do anything for the Lin Kuei. And that as much as she had accepted him, she didn't want anything to do with chaos magic. Immortality wasn't something any Lin Kuei desired. And he wondered when he had started to think differently...

Taking care not to wake her, he wrote a farewell letter and got dressed. Leaving the envelope on his own pillow, he kissed the side of her forehead and inhaled her scent deeply to take with him as a memento.

— She will remain Grandmaster and will not be punished for having freed me.

— It is not for this transgression that she...

— Either you promise this or there is no deal.

— I agree to your conditions, Bi-Han. As long as you not only make peace with the Shirai Ryu but also reconcile with Kuai Liang.

— That is impossible.

— He is your brother.

— He stopped being my brother when he betrayed me.

— You disappointed him first, Bi-Han. This condition is non-negotiable.

...............................

5 years later…

— You're ready to go, Bi-Han. Don't forget what you promised.

— Only if you have kept your word.

— I wove the fabric of time to shape your destiny. I saw you born, grow and lose yourself. As much as you continue to hate me and your father for what happened to your mother... It was never our intention to hurt you.

— Bi-Han.

— Kuai Liang. — He greeted him with a brief nod, just as the younger one had just done. Still uncomfortable with each other.

— Are you ready, brother?

— You're pushing it, Tomas.

— Okay! Sorry. — Retracting his arms and apologizing after the older's scolding, he bowed briefly before him after walking away. — One step at a time. — He muttered to himself.

— I hope to see you together more often. — Finishing opening the fire portal, Liu Kang motioned for them to go through. — Have a safe journey.

— Where are we going?

— To the Shirai Ryu. — Upon seeing the alarm in Bi-Han’s eyes, Tomas continued. — You promised you would visit our clan when your restoration was completed.

— I don't recall making such a promise.

— Come on, Bi-Han. Tomas was counting the days until your visit. I agreed because Liu Kang said it would be good for both of us too. I still don't trust you completely. So don't threaten my clan when we get there.

Bi-Han took a deep breath before following the two through the portal. And in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Japanese clan's compound.

— Bi-Han. — The younger one bowed briefly in greeting.

— Harumi.

— Welcome to the Shirai Ryu. I hope this can be a fresh start for all of us. And that you don't make any of us regret this.

— Where is Hanzo? — Tomas asked almost desperately, anxiously looking around. — He has to meet you! You two have so much in common…

— How can a indigent whelp who lived on the streets not long ago have anything in common with me? — Bi-Han muttered to himself, trying to hide his contempt as Tomas hurried away. Kuai Liang, next to him sighed, listening to every word.

— By the elder gods, Bi-Han. Make an effort. — Without waiting for an answer from his older brother, who only took a deep breath at his demand, Kuai Liang took front of his wife. — Harumi will show you the rest, I have matters to attend to now.

— Don't be late for dinner. — Harumi smiled as she said goodbye to her husband. Hoping he wouldn't leave her waiting once again. — Kuai Liang has been quite busy resolving conflicts within the clan.

Bi-Han scoffed.

— As expected.

Noticing the mockery in the older one's tone, Harumi narrowed her eyes at him and took a deep breath to ignore it.

— Are you at least happy to see your brother? Because I know you were never really fond of me. — Smiling out of politeness, Harumi continued guiding him.  — I know you introduced Cyrax to Kuai Liang to make him forget about me.

— And she failed.

— You failed. — Ignoring the unfriendly looks towards the cryomancer along the way, Harumi continued distracting Bi-Han so he wouldn't stare back. — The way you always treated me coldly, how you always seemed to dislike me, made me wonder once if you had some kind of crush on me.

— I'm not Japanese. I don't pretend to like someone when I actually don't, nor do I pretend to hate someone when I actually like. Falsehood is not part of my culture. What my brother saw in Japan and in a woman so...

— Be careful, dear brother-in-law! — Harumi smiled after seeing Bi-Han lose his breath when she elbowed him in the stomach. — You don't want to get hurt before dinner. 

— I won't participate in your...

— Eventually I learned that my assumption about you was wrong. — Bi-Han, ignoring the pain in his stomach and trying very hard to hold back his curses, continued to follow the Japanese woman reluctantly. — And that you simply didn't think I was worthy of your brother. Because my blood wasn't Lin Kuei.

— It still isn't. Marrying my brother doesn't make you a Lin Kuei.

— I can't change my bloodline, Bi-Han. And I didn't marry your brother for that. I've loved him since I was very young. I love him with all my heart and I'm willing to do anything to protect him. — She said firmly, looking into Bi-Han's eyes without blinking. — You already know that I would give my life for his.

— I can respect that.

Harumi smiled, pleased to feel that she had somehow touched him.

— Thank you. — And finally entering the living room, simple and modest with typical Japanese decoration, Bi-Han controlled himself not to comment on the conditions they lived in. Having been born and raised in the imposing Lin Kuei palace, surrounded by luxuries, having lived his entire life only with the most influential Lin Kuei families and even with OutWorld sovereigns due to his late father's friendship with the emperor, he could not hide the expression of disgust with the simplicity of the place. The compound had already disappointed him enough, but a Grandmaster living in those conditions... — Most of our warriors hate you, so to avoid conflicts we will have an intimate dinner. I advise you not to leave here alone.

— I really don't want to stay for your dinner.

— It'll be worth it. — The young Shirai smiled mysteriously. — If you want to wash up before dinner, you can go down that hallway and turn right.

— I don't...

— See you later.

That wasn't an invitation, it was a summons.

Convinced that he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, Bi-Han took a deep breath and exhaled slowly in frustration. Frustrated for having to put up with that, frustrated for the time he had spent sleeping until Liu Kang discovered an effective way to restore him, frustrated for not being sure if the conditions he had imposed had been respected by Liu Kang, frustrated for not having returned to the Lin Kuei yet, frustrated for fear that he would never be able to return...

Without paying much attention to the room, Bi-Han locked the door behind him and leaned against it.

— Why wasn't she there? — Sliding from the door to the floor, he curled up and hugged his legs, wishing he was with the Lin Kuei. — W-Where is she? — Wishing he was with her. — S-She can't... S-She can't forget about me.

Tired of holding it in, he let the tears roll down his face twisted in pain. The vision already blurred by his tears.

— M-Men don't cry... — Repeating what his father always told him, Bi-Han, desolate on the floor, tried to control his tears. — M-much less perfect warriors, m-much less...

— Lin Kuei warriors. — Paralyzed, as if she were a mirage, a delirium. It took Bi-Han a while to realize that the warmth in her eyes and her smile were real. She was there. She was there with him this time.

— S-Sektor?!

— Are you still the Bi-Han I know?

— I-I am... — Standing up quickly, he stood in front of her in the blink of an eye. — I will always be. — Looking deep into her eyes, he caressed her bare arms, as if to make sure they were real, and smiled when he felt the softness of her skin under his rough hands again. — Do you still love me?

— Bi-Han, I…

— Say yes… — Whispering as he leaned down towards her lips, he was surprised when she dodged his.

— I don't know if I can forgive you.

— What? I did what I did for both of us.

— No, Bi-Han. You did it for yourself.

— Chō…

— There's no explanation, Bi-Han. — Breaking free from his grip, she dodged when he tried to hold her once more. — Not this time! You abandoned me. You left me alone for 5 years…

— I didn't know it would take this long!

— You didn't know?! You told me we couldn't wait to find a cure. That I should stop looking for it, because you were stronger that way… — She had been so angry and sad since Bi-Han had left, that she could barely control the tears that threatened to fall almost as an insult to herself. — Y-You said it was better for the Lin Kuei if you stayed that way, that you didn't care as long as I didn't…

— Sektor…

— W-Why like that… So suddenly?!

— I never wanted to be immortal. I-I never wanted to put your life at risk. I-I… — It was choked, stuck in his throat, very difficult for someone like him to admit… — I was wrong. I want to build a family with you. I want to grow old by your side. I-I couldn't bear a life without you with me! — With his eyes starting to blur again because of the tears he was holding back, he looked at her like the time he realized he loved her. — I couldn't bear to live without you.

— Why didn't you just talk to me?

— I was afraid you would see me as a…

— As a what?

— As a weakling. — Trying to keep his pride, he almost whispered before confessing in a louder tone. — I was afraid you would see me as a weakling. 

— After everything we've been through together, you still...

— I know! I was wrong. I just need you, I need your love... — Eager to be with her again, he cupped her face, making her see the sincerity in his eyes. — I love you like crazy. Don't you love me anymore?

— I wouldn't be here if I didn't.

— Take me home.

— You must stay for dinner.

— I don't want to stay.

— Bi-Han... — Turning her back on him, Sek wiped away the tears that threatened to make her give in once more.

— Don't leave me here. — Almost begging, but too proud to actually beg, he buried his face in her neck. — Take me with you, p-please.

— Arctika is as much your home as it is mine. Even if I don't want you in my bed anymore. You know the way back.

— You can't be serious.

— Think whatever you want. After 5 years I got used to an empty bed.

— So let me get you used to sharing it again... — Hugging her from behind and bringing her close to him, she moved as if she wanted to break free, but she didn't. Letting out deep sighs, her heart raced and he felt her body temperature rise quickly as the sometimes strong, sometimes soft touches of his lips trailed an imaginary path down her neck. He marked her as if she were his, squeezing her to feel every soft part, reminding her body of what it was like to feel desired and loved by him. — Your body still reacts to mine…

— O-Out of anger…

— Is it? — In a sudden movement, he turned her to him, searching for what he already knew he would find.

— B-Bi-Han… — Melting under his touches, her determination to remain angry wavered. She held his hand as he caressed her face with such affection and looked at her with such ardour that it made her want to forget all the nights she had cried herself to sleep.

— You still want me…

— I-I don't want to want.

— Don't say that.

— That letter… — Taking a deep breath so as not to shed more tears for him, she looked away from his intense hazel eyes to the old lamp flickering in the room. — You asked me to be happy, but not to forget about you. How could I be happy while I imagined you trapped in that temple again? H-How could I not want to forget about you after everything?

— Because you love me. — Caressing her nose with his, feeling her breath blow on his face, he sucked and nibbled on her lower lip. — As much as I love you.

— Bi-Han… — He kisses her deeply, a sweet and voracious kiss. Silencing her protests and fading the hurt she felt for him with each movement of his tongue in the warm interior of her mouth. — I-I still haven't forgiven you.

— D-Don't stop me from being with you…

— I'm not going to.

......