#((ruuuude))

But he found with the constant, endless cycle of bloodshed and everyone around him dying terrible deaths–did it really matter in the end?

He watched as the world unraveled backwards. He was going to save Kung Lao, and he was going to make sure everyone else got the same chance–a life to live to its fullest with the ones they loved the most.

Raiden stepped through. He was going to have to get this right. Step in before Lao dies, bring him to the Hour Glass, and they could rule together. There would be no fear of what could go wrong if he interfered. Raiden knew and understood Liu Kang's concerns, but he was going to find the workaround for that–before becoming the true and proper Titan, he would go to the Kung Lao he knew, the Kung Lao he knew–the only one that truly mattered as far as he was concerned.

He saw Lao stand on shaking, bloodied legs. He watched as Shao stepped closer, smirking.

And Raiden reached through and pulled him back.

"What–"