Raiden (雷電), formerly spelt Rayden, is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Being the eternal God of Thunder, Raiden has been the one the most significant characters in the series along with being one of the most memorable characters in the fighting game genre.
Raiden made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first Mortal Kombat game and is the one of the few characters to have appeared in every generation of Mortal Kombat games as a playable character. He has been a major, central character throughout the series.
Raiden is the eternal God of Thunder, protector of Earthrealm, and arguably one of the most powerful characters in all of Mortal Kombat. After the second defeat of Shinnok, he ascended to the status of Elder God. As a result of his divine nature, he possesses many supernatural abilities, such as the ability to teleport, control lightning, and fly. He is also more prone to thinking in terms of eternity rather than normal human lifespans and has a radically different outlook on life.
Throughout the series, Raiden has served as a mentor and father figure to Earthrealm's champions, especially Liu Kang and Kung Lao. As Earthrealm's protector, he harbors an intense hatred for Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, Shinnok, and anyone who would pose a threat to Earth.
In the ending of Mortal Kombat X's Story Mode and seen in Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden now assumes his corrupted form similar to that of his counterpart in the Original Timeline. His outlook on Earthrealm's protection drastically changes, where he lashes out at anyone, he deems a threat to Earthrealm, even leading a full-on invasion of the Netherealm to destroy Shinnok's Bone Temple. When Kronika erases this incarnation of Raiden from the timeline as a result of his defeat of Shinnok and her merging the timelines, his past incarnation is left to learn of his corruption and stop Kronika's plans of restarting the timeline, vowing never to walk the path of his future self.
In the new timeline, Raiden's role is reversed with Liu Kang where he's young and mortal.
Theme songs[]
Rayden (Eternal Life) - The Immortals
Mortal Kombat Raiden Theme - EZXD
Raiden's Theme - Welcome Home Sanitarium (Metallica - Mortal Kombat Reconciliation)
Ikran's theme song: Heaven is a Place on Earth (Belinda Carlisle)
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
Raiden up to Shinnok's Uprising
Raiden, with his remaining abilities, was able to paralyze and petrify Shao Kahn! Liu Kang and Kung Lao finished the job and destroyed the Emperor. The Thunder God congratulated them both and assured their ancestors shall be at peace by the monks accomplishing the fallen's tasks by working together and saving Earthrealm. He then protected the heroes with his minimized powers as they headed back to the Wu Shi Academy. He escorted Sonya, Jax, and Johnny back to their corresponding homelands.
He then overheard a monk ranting to Kung Lao of the eternal curse he and Liu were bestowed with as Champions of Mortal Kombat, the way how the Great Kung Lao suffered. He then met with Kung Lao in all his lonesome on one of the balconies; he realized he may be an introvert, but he never saw his promising Champion like this. He was ashamed on not warning the heroes sooner, though he was reluctant as the curse would make them lose their focus and will to fight and fail to protect Earth.
He then made a sneaky move, incapacitating Kung Lao for a few months since he needed to rid his survivor's guilt; although Lao never noticed, as he abruptly wound up at New Jersey from China. The reason being was Raiden sensed Aiko's familiar aura, though she was grown, and he sent Kung Lao to Jersey to protect her. He then met up with Lao as he settled for the night with her, and he explained that the war with the resurrected Shao Kahn is still happening. He wondered if Aiko remembered the warriors, which was vague, and her powers were dormant due to age. Raiden awakened hidden memories from her lost early childhood assisting the team as their pacifier next to Nightwolf. He assured her the time will come if she should use her hidden potential. He then transported her and Lao to a barren battleground where Komodai and his Saurian army became stragglers from Outworld, remembering Aiko's an astraphobic. Lao was successful on helping the united team, and he offered them to catch up at their hidden base.
He was then seen in its main deck with all the Kombatants aside from Kung Lao, Aiko, Kiba, and Nightwolf who were busy with her first meditation session. He suspected that Shao Kahn still lives, perhaps even resurrected, though there hasn't been any activity in Outworld nor in Kahn's Keep since the lethal scrimmage of the Shokans against the Centaurs and Tarkans. As tension was beginning to build, he offered his warriors a week's respite, upon Stryker's suggestion. Sonya even wondered why he never summoned Johnny Cage during the past trimester as he did so with Lao and Aiko.
He was later seen evacuating the elder monks from the Temple of Light and other stragglers once he began losing his powers and strength. Earthrealm began to merge with Outworld, and the Wu Shi Academy was being ransacked by Kahn's extermination squads. With his limited prowess, he assisted Kung Lao against a few Centaurs before he collapsed. He requested for Lao and Aiko head to Nightwolf's sacred land in the US' East Coast. He and Nightwolf were still waiting for the other Kombatants to make it.
Little to no time, he teleported Aiko and Kung Lao to the East Coast and pointed out Nightwolf's reservation. He held back the monk for a second as he warned him of Aiko being fragile and handicapped. He relied on Kung Lao to protect her heart and soul, especially when it comes to Nightwolf's customs; growing up she became susceptible to them. It was also stated by Nightwolf that Raiden was able to unleash his Animality no problem as an electric eel.
Raiden met up with Sub-Zero who was teleported to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains; he forewarned the ninja that venturing into the Lin Kuei HQ was suicide, and he assured him Smoke was safe for the moment. That was unless he'd get to him before Oniro should hunt him down! Kung Lao, Nightwolf, and Aiko heard the abrupt rumble of thunder, and the guys noticed it was him, contrary to her astraphobia; once they spotted the ice path in the distance, they knew it was Sub-Zero's calling card and went straight to him!
Later on, when Asgaarth saved Liu Kang and Kitana from a collapsing Bell Tower, he revealed that Raiden was unwell upon the merger of both Earth and Outworld; he hospitalized himself at the Jinsei Chamber and it won't be long if the sacred, healing liquid should run out. Raiden anointed the esteemed knight as the personal guard, but he followed the Dragon Jet and noticed the princess in peril. After the quartet were caught up, Asgaarth returned to his post. It was also shown in Aiko's heart meld with Kung Lao that Raiden was struggling to defend himself and other surviving Kombatants by a new horde of revenants led by a fallen Elder God and sorcerer associate who Kung Lao didn't know...
Asgaarth took Aiko straight up to Raiden's mysterious Sky Temple as both heroes doubted that she'd be able to endure the massive armies. They arrived in the Jinsei Chamber with Raiden pretty much on life support... She grew very worried of the Thunder God's condition, as the Jinsei and the world were losing their vitality rapidly. They prayed for the heroes' success.
Raiden barely managed to teleport Kung Lao to the Jinsei Chamber after his fatal bout with Motaro, though they were unable to recuperate him... Aiko was devastated as she witnessed her lover's death, even after confessing her feelings for him... The god said that the merger was complete, and he and the Jinsei were currently powerless, unless if Liu Kang should destroy Kahn for good...
Raiden, Aiko and Asgaarth watched from the summit of the Sky Temple and the Champion was successful! The two realms started to regain life as souls returned to their vessels, even Kung Lao's! The Jinsei was restored, as was Raiden's powers thus forming the portal! He watched Aiko reunite with him and wake him up with a kiss. Lao was still dreading over Liu Kang's curse since he won thrice... He assured he can deal with it being ageless as he was still mortal. Raiden assured he'll discuss the matter with the Elder Gods, and they'd be easier to negotiate with on account of Earthrealm thriving in strength and proving to the Elder Gods it's capable of defending from other realms. Lao offered to stay in the Jinsei and rest more, relieving his fatigue and aching body. Raiden reminded him that his nephew's worried for him, and he mustn't linger on his doubts on not having the peace last for long. He then watched the pair share a passionate kiss before they slumbered, then he looked over the world once more, even when Asgaarth left for the Edenian ruins. He was also one of Aiko's mentors, training her to join the White Lotus Society as well as her cardiokinesis!
A Date and a Destiny[]
Raiden was first seen as he became proud and impressed on Aiko having a date with Kung Lao and looking nifty from the Shaolin maids. Aiko was anxious and couldn't wait to escape the hefty incents and the constant rotations with the large crowds, though he tried to assure her they did a great job preparing her. As he looked upon the koi pond, he flashed back over 500 years ago, as Aiko's relationship reminded him of the Great Kung Lao's with Jen Reyland. He summarized their union was tough, as her father Baron disallowed her on loving a rich man since Baron was attacked by the Black Dragons upon his debts. That didn't stop them, though, until one fateful night. After Lao became Champion, Jen was abducted and Baron was killed by accident since Takeda, possessed by Scorpion (not Hanzo Hasashi), was planning to take Great's soul for Shang Tsung. Unfortunately, he failed to protect Jen, then she gave him the key to her trading house as a last request. Since then, it'd been used as his base of operations, before his soul was finally taken by Shang 50 years later...
He stated that Lao kept dreading the date as he felt it'd be deja vu. Raiden never stopped Liu from travelling to America and find future Shaolin Monks since he felt it was the right thing; everyone has a right for their own destiny. He encouraged Aiko to make it a good one!
Mortal Kombat: Shinnok's Uprising[]
Attire in Shinnok's Uprising
Raiden approached Liu and Kai near the Bayan Har Mountains after he spotted his brother crashlanding onto Earthrealm. The Army of Darkness' infantry followed to the crash site and the monks, assisted by a Dragon Jet, managed to save his life. Raiden warned of the apocalyptic war against Shinnok as he fought him thousands of years ago. He regretted that he lost an entire civilization while Earthrealm was encased in darkness. He dreaded that his old nemesis, Shinnok, escaped from the Netherrealm and waged war on the heavens as a result of his banishment. Raiden ordered the monks, Lao, Aiko and Nightwolf to gather all of Earth's forces once more.
By the time Johnny Cage reunited with Sonya in a chopper from Shanghai, he explained he was resurrected after two years by Raiden inside the Jinsei Chamber. He was revived within his intact body which was in an inanimate state due to his extensive injuries at the hands of Motaro. He decided to assist the team on account of Shinnok's invasions on Edenia and the heavens.
It was revealed by the Saurians at the ruins of Zaterra that Raiden evacuated a large number of Saurians as his first conflict with Shinnok transpired thousands of years ago; it was exactly the same cataclysmic event that put an end to the dinosaurs and enveloped the world in darkness and death for centuries.
Raiden appeared inside the Edenian Palace after Scorpion killed off Quan Chi and retained the Amulet. Knowing it was the real deal, he urged Hanzo and Kuai to return it to the Temple of Elements in Earthrealm, contrary to having Bi-Han let the demon sorcerer keep it for himself after the cryomancer cleared the way. Since the guardians were no longer around, the labyrinth would still be tumultuous, thus urging them to hurry and bind Shinnok into the Netherrealm while still remaining powerless. The ninjas left, and he ordered Nightwolf to stay put and help the army. And just for lulz, he incapacitated the stunned Baraka in order to not cause any more mayhem.
Raiden alerted Liu Kang that Kung Lao, after following his screams, and Aiko had been dragged into the Netherrealm by Shinnok, making the monk nervous. He and Fujin assisted him thru till they reached Shinnok's temple, the Fire Well, but they arrived too late for Lao and Aiko had their hearts corrupted. While Shinnok stunned the brothers, Liu was barely a match for the cardiokinetic and his best friend. Shinnok drew the hero close and was about to waste away his heart until Nightwolf performed a ritual that allowed his and the compatriots' strength to cross into the Netherrealm from the Edenian Palace. With Shinnok weakened by his pure memories and thoughts, he lost the Amulet temporarily by Liu's strong Kick, though Lao retrieved it via Teleport, and Shinnok attached it to the Staff! By the time Hanzo and Kuai restored the REAL Amulet at the Temple of Elements, Shinnok's powers ran out and realized he only was using the duplicate! Raiden stunned the usurped couple before taking them to the Jinsei while Liu backed the hapless Elder God to the spiked Well! Fujin pushed the monk aside before he and Raiden forced Shinnok into the massive spikes below!! The two Gods became the new Champions and escorted the hurt hero back to Edenia!
The team cheered, and Liu remembered of Lao and Aiko's fate, and so Raiden took him to the Sky Temple. He and Johnny greeted them, and the monk forgave them for what they'd done... He stayed with them for several hours until they finally returned to China.
Meanwhile, Raiden ascended into the heavens to announce to the Elder Gods the war was over! One of the elders congratulated the Thunder God a position among their ranks; however, he must choose a successor to watch over Earth. He chose his younger brother, Fujin, to be its new guardian. He soon broke the news at the Elder Gods' chamber after one of the celestials briefed the elemental on his new assignment. Fujin was enthusiastic on accepting in being Earthrealm's protector, and Raiden warned the people are good though have a tendency to self-destruct. He assured Raiden he won't fail him.
Finally, Raiden summoned most of his nearby warriors for his final farewell to Earthrealm near Fujin's crater. Needless to say, most of the spectators grew emotional, including Aiko, Liu, Kung Lao, and Kung Jin. He assured the crying boy he shall return when the need arises, or if he wanted to make an occasional visit. Lao and Aiko assured they'll gift him at the Dragon Grotto. She and Liu made a kowtow upon his exit, only for her to hide her tears, while Lao hid his sorrowful face under his hat. Liu queried if he'll never see him again, while Aiko wondered it was because of her future; he assured it wasn't and he'd be there if the heroes should need him. Even Kuai and Sindel looked at the full moon, with the latter wishing him Godspeed.
Mortal Kombat: Vengeance[]
Raiden, MK Vengeance attire
Raiden's dragon head relic
Raiden began striking the Wu Shi Arena via lightning, albeit sporadic and violent. As an Elder God, he had witnessed what transpired there with the likes of the Deadly Alliance and Liu Kang. He hastily went down to Earth, putting the Elder Gods at unease, and sacrificed most of his advanced prowess; luckily, he was able to make a dragon amulet, much like Shinnok forging his, and encased Liu's soul just before it was taken by Shang Tsung! He attacked the Academy and was soon joined by Nightwolf, both conjuring their fatal electricity! Unfortunately, the deadly duo got away, and he wasn't certain how to comfort his disciples including Aiko and Kung Lao. Only Liu's voice snapped them out of their bereavement, then Raiden summarized what happened. He wanted to keep Liu's soul, the former Champion of Earth, in case the unthinkable should happen! Remembering his old nemesis and being an Elder God, he vowed to do so, and he led his small group of warriors on a quest for revenge and to stop the Deadly Alliance here and now!
By the time the heroes were prepared to make the journey, Raiden assured Liu's grandfather he'll be buried in a discreet, wooded location and erect his own personal temple following his ancestors, including the Great Kung Lao. He then created a portal leading to Shang Tsung's Island within the Lost Sea, in which Lao and Liu fought in near the end of the first tournament; with him and the Champion intervening throughout. Aiko, Lao, Nightwolf, Kiba and Liu entered thru, and it was a rendezvous point if Fujin shall gather the other Kombatants here. Until then, he was the instructor on the ritual of Liu Kang merging with Kung Lao's body! He broke down every step, though this was a strategy to outmatch the Deadly Alliance. Whether it'd be entering and exiting Lao's body, being intrigued on how well their elemental powers intertwined (with fire and air working together), and coaching them thru the procedure, even comforting them on the repercussions.
A few days later, he woke up Kung Lao from a deep meditation session, saying it was tough on awakening him, and he was lucky he didn't have to use an electrshock onto the retired monk. He informed the group that since he was an Elder God, he was able to monitor Quan Chi escape from the Netherrealm, with Drahmin and Moloch following suit; the two demons wound up at the Living Forest and he felt pity for the doomed Saurians which he failed to save during Shinnok's insurrection. Regardless, he assigned Fujin to recruit the distant Kombatants and rendezvous them to Shang's Island as he'd continue to monitor over Lao's training. Aiko suggested to use Kiba as a soul-sniffing hound to make sure the heroes were real, to which the God admired. Soon, a portal opened and out walked Sonya and Johnny! It was confirmed they were legit! He summarized the predicament after Sonya recapped his scrimmage with Hsu Hao and losing the signal from the Outer World Investigation Agency; he theorized that Fujin has confirmed the Red Dragon are conspiring with the Deadly Alliance. The agents crossed paths, and he shall wait for Fujin to enlist more of their team.
His brother was successful on finding the remaining Kombatants consisting of Hanzo, Kuai, and his new apprentice, Frost. After an hour, the heroes made last-minute preparations and introduced themselves before they set foot to Outworld. Raiden warned that once they should cross over, they'd be on their own; however, he and Fujin conjured a portal to the Celestial Portal, the same secret route the Deadly Alliance used to invade Earthrealm. Contrary to what Johnny was thinking as they wouldn't use the Nethership, excepting to transport souls to Shang's Palace to revive Onaga and his mummified army.
Raiden and Fujin lead the gang to the main pillar beneath the portal, with the faces of the Asian sages guarding it. Raiden warned the warriors must overcome a trial to cross realms; only deities and sorcerers knew the consequences of the secretive though protected waystation. Before he took the lead, Kung Lao stepped up, determined to prove himself a match against the Deadly Alliance, only to have him deal with his Revenant self! Raiden was impressed as he and Liu defeated him, and the former recovered courtesy of Kuai and Frost soothing his tepid temperature from Liu breaching his body. He declared the way was clear and reminded the mortals'd be on their own. They took the mission and Raiden wished them luck.
Raiden and Fujin both surprised the group as they had their hands full of the Tarkatan army! Bolts of lightning rained down on the waves of enemies, before Fujin unleashed his own fury! Liu and Lao became flabbergasted due to the fact they'd be powerless; however, due to their former status as Elder Gods, they confirmed their powers are slightly enhanced. They can't be as strong as the Deadly Alliance, and he entrusted his heroes and disciples to succeed.
At the Tarkatan War Kamp, Raiden and Fujin scouted the bleak perimeter near the plateau, though he doubted the Unholy Alliance would try anything until the Kombatants should march onto their territory. He watched Lao meditate, then Aiko passed on Nightwolf's broth, and Lao was so regretful he was unable to save Liu from his tragic fate. Raiden assured it still lied in his hands. The heroes soon witnessed the Soulnado, in which Fujin shielded the heroes from the microburst, and Raiden declared the sorcerers unlocked a portal to the Heavens putting angels hostage and absorbing an endless supply of souls! Fujin ordered Lao to assist him on shutting down the source of endless energy; better to take a minute amount instead of being astronomically powerful! Raiden distracted the demonic duo long enough, until he was being overpowered. After the ordeal, Lao and Fujin witnessed Raiden struggling against the Deadly Alliance with their fresh energy, and Liu's soul went straight for Lao's body! They merged once more, making aerosol moves while Nightwolf volunteered with his soul-empowered weapons! Lao eventually became irate and rained down severe blows till he conjured his Tornado Brutality!! Shang and the funnel eventually exploded! Leaving a wounded Lao in its wake.
Kenshi and Nightwolf carried him to the Nethership, where he rested in the cabin. Raiden and Liu declared he's the new Champion and equal to the chosen monk! Though he shouldn't worry of the eternal curse as it wasn't an official tournament. Raiden and Fujin powered up the ship, after Cage's observance of the vessel, instead of dreading going thru the Celestial Portal and its bleak trials.
"Rage fueled Kung Lao's thirst for revenge. The memory of holding his fellow monk's broken body on the lei tai of the Wu Shi Academy grounds konsumed him as he rained blow after blow down upon Shang Tsung. Kung Lao had finally mastered the attack Bo' Rai Cho had taught him. The sorcerer kould not withstand his whirlwind assault. Shang Tsung begged for mercy. Kung Lao granted him none.
"Once again, the threat to Earthrealm has been vanquished. The Deadly Alliance is no more. What dangers lie in the future, I kan no longer foresee. Perhaps the Dragon King will in fact return. Perhaps the depths of the Netherrealm will spew forth a legion of Oni. Even the Vampire people pose a threat to peace now that Outworld is in khaos. But one thing is certain... Earthrealm must be protected.
"I have abandoned my status as an Elder God to aid these mortals...an act defiant of the Heavens. I will instead remain here on Earth...as God of Thunder."
Raiden and Fujin were still surveying the ruins of Shang's Palace, whether or not Outworld would be in chaos on account on its liberation. He discussed with Fujin on the possibility that Reptile, along with Baraka, would have also been time displaced. But Quan denounced the resurrection of the Dragon King would soon commence. To his horror, he witnessed the inanimate mummies reanimate themselves, moments before Fujin killed Quan, the sky darkened and flashed with radical lightning, and the Gods beheld Onaga letting out a roar that he was finally free!!
The Return of the Dragon King[]
Raiden's attire in Return of the Dragon King
At Shang Tsung's Palace, he and Fujin were taking in a brief, quiet respite after escorting the Kombatants home; he still wondered if whether or not Outworld would be in chaos with their victory, until his reveries were interrupted by Quan Chi's muttered laughter! He halted Fujin on making a move, demanding what does he know of Onaga. Quan mocked it's a matter of time before his rebirth and he shall smite and rule over all realms, knowing their strength is futile! Enraged, Fujin finished off the sorcerer, but Raiden was the first who beheld the presence of Onaga! Even though they'd been weakened in Outworld, the God brothers were still fighting against the monstrosity! Lao took on the offensive first as soon as he and several other Kombatants ran thru a portal leading there, but it wasn't long before Lao was wounded. He even summoned Liu Kang's fiery dragon spirit back into the amulet before it was decimated, when Sonya, Jax, Johnny, Kitana and Nightwolf got involved. Needless to say, their efforts were futile, and Raiden was too weak from the scrimmage. All he did was make a desperate attempt in an incantation, conjuring lightning into him! Fujin knew what was coming and before the fighters knew it, they were each caught in the explosion decimating the Palace and leaving only a scratch on Onaga!
Raiden was then in Lao's spiritual journey into the past, as soon as the latter was about to enter the portal to the Nexus. He stated their souls are hanging by weak threads as their subconscious traveled to 1964, before Lao and Liu were born and when Shujinko and Damashi began their quest for the Kamidogu. He believed that the kid could hold the keys on stopping Onaga. His weak voice echoed in the Jinsei Chamber as he despaired on failing to protect the realms... He could only rely on Lao and Liu to do so as they headed to Edenia.
Raiden met Kung Lao in the Nexus after his expedition into the Netherrealm was kompleted. He stated he never wanted to wait as he had no powers nor jurisdiction in Hell, so he awaited the Champion near the altar. Lao expressed his angsts that Shujinko was a bad omen and more blindly loyal than Liu Kang as he witnessed him finding Shinnok's Amulet and side with the enemy, Ermac, against the benevolent traveler, Ashrah. Raiden reminded him they're in the past and they can't intervene; no calamities took place so he shalln't lose hope. He encouraged Lao to keep going as the Elder Gods hid the Kamidogu to prevent a repeated catastrophe on merging all realms as the user becomes the One Being. He must find the realms' Champions before it's too late.
Kenshi sensed some disturbances near the Wu Shi Academy, and he and Aiko took the portal back from the Temple of Elements. Raiden urged Fujin for several heroes to protect the last Kamidogu from Onaga and his undead followers, to which they knew there'd be no reversal. He was still on life support as Fujin assisted the Kombatants to the Temple. Kenshi and Aiko followed the omniscient storm and witnessed the panicked monks, in which they were scampering away from Liu Kang as his decayed self!! Dark Raiden, via red lightning, intervened and he enlisted him as his deadly enforcer wiping out anyone he imposed as a threat to Earthrealm! He'd been revived here after his sacrifice on dealing with Onaga, in which the pair were stunned! He even put an end to the naive, foolhardy Shujinko as he brought about Onaga's resurrection! He stated he utilized the black arts of the Houan tribe to resurrect the Champion and bound him to their dark chains! Kenshi urged Aiko to escort the monks to safety before he was outmatched! Fujin was appalled but even he was bested easily by his corrupt brother!
Meanwhile, the benevolent counterpart sent some telepathic messages to Nightwolf via his meditation! He urged him to create the secret weapon he told him earlier of, as he knew his doppelganger was running amok. He also ordered the shaman to conjure a pure rainstorm combatting the dark storm. With his ancestors' help, he was able to restore Raiden's energy, though partially. He was still greatly weakened, though he needed to save Fujin and the hapless monks.
The corrupt self had won over Fujin easily, and as a defyer to his new cause, he was willing to assassinate his own brother! Until he was hit by a shockwave which seemed to stun him momentarily. Turned out to be the EMP that the Matokan created! He resumed Fujin's demise...
Within minutes, giant streaks of white lightning obliterated the corrupt counterpart, even electrocuting Liu's undead vessel! He soon teleported into the Grotto, and everyone cheered as they accepted his whole self!
He then stated to Nightwolf he must prepare to conjure the Sin Eater ritual, only if Onaga's weak enough by Kung Lao and the Champions he gathered. He then teleported himself, the wounded Fujin, and Nightwolf to the Jinsei for recovery.
Minutes later, Raiden met up with Sub-Zero, Ashrah and Sareena when they returned on a grassy field from a Netherrealm portal. He was pleased to see the cryomancer, and finally meeting the fallen angel face-to-face; however, he was a bit appalled by the demon's presence. Kuai defended that she used to assist Bi-Han several years before the first tournament, and she lent her assistance against Noob Saibot. She'd also be reliable for Frost and Smoke in Outworld. Raiden agreed that they'd assist against Onaga and defend Nightwolf as he'd prepare for the lethal Sin Eater ritual; he took him to the foreboding frontier moments before he caught up to the trio. With that, he opened a portal there, while he escorted Ashrah to the Sky Temple and purify Johnny's and soon Sonya and Jax's souls.
He was then overseeing Lao run away from Onaga in the Nexus, Outworld, Chaosrealm, and Orderrealm. Both he and Fujin watched the epic battle, even when the Kombatants decided to destroy each of the Kamidogu. He soon appeared in the Nexus after Onaga's spirit was separated from Reptile upon the Champions' endeavors as they must head to the Jinsei for recovery. All excepting Havik who was about to make a sneak attack onto the lifeless Reptile, till Ermac kicked him into the Chaosrealm portal.
Little by little, the Kombatants recuperated, until Raiden and Fujin dreaded on escorting Liu's spirit. They were lucky they'd been able to remove the Houan Chains and Raiden vowed to vanquish whatever was left of the Houan. Until then, he began the ritual, which hadn't been done in millennia, along with Nightwolf. He monitored each of the victims, until a spark of energy entered and revived Kung Lao. He assured he's himself again and Fujin escorted him out, while Raiden focused on Liu Kang.
They were the last couple Kombatants to leave the Jinsei and Liu declared he's still the Champion. Raiden mentioned Lao shall share the title, as well as naming them as saviors of all realms.
Final Kombat[]
Raiden's attire in Final Kombat
Raiden had been receiving disturbing visions of Armageddon; every Kombatant he saw, even himself, be bombarded within two factions in a deep crater in Edenia. He witnessed everyone be slaughtered as a pyramid began to rise, and soon unveil a fire elemental. When it ended, he was in complete dread, and he noticed his amulet began to show deep cracks on its surface. Liu Kang followed his distress into the Temple and as his promising disciple and since he had the visions as well, Raiden was willing to reveal ancient secrets that'd been sealed away amongst the pantheon, in which mortals were disallowed to know. The embodiment of the end went by the name of Blaze, and Armageddon had begun.
He soon found Kuai, Smoke, Sareena and Frost amongst several Lin Kuei in Arctika near an eerie monolith Taven dissipated into; he disregarded him and offered the ninjas to stay while he'd regroup the best warriors as he took Sareena to meet up with Ashrah for a pep talk of the battle of Armageddon he foresaw.
Due to time zones, he waited until he contacted Liu Kang and Kung Lao, Aiko followed the latter's call. He planned to summon them to the Dragon Grotto to discuss the matters of Armageddon and Blaze's involvement. He conjured a portal leading to the sacred fountain while avoiding the traps and Nightwolf, Kenshi, Hanzo, Frost, Smoke, Kuai, Kitana and her new associate, Frederick San, joined in. He summarized his angsts and each Kombatant must be prepared for one last fight to save all realms. Kitana was ashamed to alert Edenia, thus eloping from there, and Raiden was miffed of Fujin's tardiness to summon the Special Forces; fortunately, Nightwolf and Smoke were able to record the summons.
He shared with the heroes' worries that their old nemeses can also join in on the fray, and he and Hanzo concluded they may be hatching machinations in the Netherrealm. He believed that the amulet he attained from the Elder Gods had no purpose until recently once he received visions of the end of days as its surface began to form fractures. He soon conjured a portal and reminded everyone he's powerless there. Aiko, Lao, Nightwolf, Frederick and Hanzo joined in for the espionage.
Raiden dreaded crossing the Sea of Blood en route to Shinnok's Spire, as he figured the Fire Well would be too predictable, and doomed souls tend to fall forever... He made a payment for Kharon, in preparation for Armageddon as they spy on Shinnok if he should gather their adversaries. While his powers were limited, Raiden still fought off the undead stragglers emerging from the Blood Sea with his staff, and he was grateful he never gave it up to Kai as he turned down his journey of enlightenment. He seemed to be the lesser fazed by the tough voyage, like Nightwolf, and he was grateful for Caro saving Aiko's life, even when Frederick transported everyone off with his blip spell. He led the gauntlet challenges up the Spire and was outraged once he noticed Taven cleaning house! He clarified that he banished Shinnok for waging war on the Elder Gods and destroying Earthrealm, but it wasn't long before they spotted his defective vessel! Apparently, after absorbing Liu's positive heart energy, courtesy of Nightwolf's ritual, and mimicking Aiko's cardiokinesis, Shinnok diffused himself into two; he also detected Raiden's dark signature after his sacrifice onto Onaga! Raiden felt some sympathy as Shinnok was rejected by his family since he'd free will and soon was enraged once he realized how petty the Elder Gods are. The discussion left the God puzzled and overwhelmed, as to whether or not he should believe Shinnok's weaker self as his stronger double would plot Armageddon...
Raiden led the team back thru Caro's portal before he collapsed. He managed to heal the serpent with Jinsei energy and offered him and Aiko to recover at the Grotto; Lao and Taven decided to tag along, although Caro confessed that his quest may be a setup and Daegon became more evil than they knew, especially when he was awakened prematurely and killed their parents upon his upset of the quest. Despite Caro blaming himself, Raiden felt his intentions are still good when he saved Aiko's life and assisted the group. He also wondered if Caro knew who she was, but it was actually that powerful godlike warrior who knew everyone. Moments after Caro, Lao and Aiko went for some R&R, he was met up by the tardy Fujin. He was irritated he missed his summons, but it was better than never since he received a recording from Nightwolf and the Special Forces. He soon received a hallucination while Aiko's heart gem acted up; he was atop a pyramid, gravely wounded, and Kahn was about to make the killing blow with his hammer, and the God uttered three cryptic words, He must win..., before the vision ended as he was hit! Even Fujin was confused, but Raiden theorized that the mysterious Oriental may be Liu Kang from a different time period, much to Fujin's skepticism. He strongly believed only he must win and assist them in Armageddon!
Minutes later, he woke up Aiko, Kung Lao and Caro slumbering in the Grotto and the cardiokinetic felt their heart gems had been tapped by Shinnok. He suggested to leave them be until the Battle of Armageddon and warned Liu Kang, Sindel and Kitana to do the same. Aiko grew worried of Shinnok crossing over, and so Raiden focused that the Amulet was still sealed in the Temple of Elements. In order to prove Fujin wrong, he coaxed Caro to return to the island of his discretion and see if the stranger was Liu Kang from another time or dimension. Only to have the dragons reunite!
Raiden was still anxious on Liu Kang arriving from Edenia, in which Aiko figured he may be spending his last minutes with Kitana there. He was calmed by Fujin as soon as he walked thru the portal, just in time to test the remaining Kombatants on their crash courses, the same ones before the first tournament, the Tests of Might, Sight and Balance. He explained to Nightwolf, Aiko, Kai and Frederick that they'd been exercises in order to choose the realm's representative for the first tournament. Liu passed with flying colors over Lao, but he dismissed the kontest and went to America, so Lao was chosen by default. Until upon his brother's death, Liu returned on a path on vengeance, yet still since Lao was default, Raiden offered him to sneak aboard the Nethership and participate indirectly. Nevertheless, Raiden and Fujin were the judges, and he was the sole provider of the Jinsei healing all wounds sustained by each of the subjects. He and Fujin tallied the results, and he also invited them to the Edenian soiree. Lao and Frederick, however, decided to stay with Aiko who was disqualified for being in last. Raiden also wondered how he'd explain to the commonfolk on what's ahead.
He was discussing with Fujin that Aiko's heart gem experiments were successful, and that the monks shall provide the warriors with her jewels allowing the Kombatants to be revived after falling, but only once... It was also proven that Aiko's positive energy was a stark contrast to the Gem of Tetsurri in which he thought was a myth; she and Nightwolf confirmed that the gem was exactly that, and Raiden believed the shaman's theory on Shinnok using antimatter was also correct. He then pondered on the riddles, that He must win, and the hearts must be one and together. He headed to the Grotto where Liu and Kitana were spending their last minutes; the monk hypothesized that as Grand Champion he was confident on stopping Blaze, but Kitana doubted he'd do it as a mortal. Raiden then barged in and shocked Kitana into a coma slowing her heart and pulse. Liu was enraged, but Raiden said their theories were accurate. Liu thought he'd have the same fate as Kitana's, but Raiden said he'd rather save him! He actually enveloped and immobilized Liu, merging them into one and to have the Champion achieve godhood!!
Koherence[]
Before Armageddon, Raiden watched over Nightwolf's Matokan tribe on the East Coast out of curiosity. He was the one who notified the shaman after he received the spiritual message on the last born receiving his tribal name and being adopted! They were both proud that they finally embraced both modern and traditional customs. He also invited Liu Kang and Kung Lao to come along as they too became intrigued by their unique ways. Upon the short notice, he alerted Fujin to keep an eye on the Shaolin in his stead and that Kai and Aiko would still accompany them. He too enlisted Kenshi to train her and be her guardian of her heart and mind like he was against the Makeba, training her to master coherence, utilizing both mind and heart.
He said farewell at the Kung Kottage and opened the portal to the Matokan's land for 5 days. He watched over the small village and was admired how Liu and Lao immersed with them, even having their youngest be fascinated on becoming a warrior like them. In one night, he yearned to see Fujin whom he noticed thru Aiko's gem as he and several others were rocking at the Sky Temple! He dropped by and was amazed he, Aiko, Ashrah, Kenshi and even Goro and Jerrod were planning to restore the hearts of the Shaolin and safeguard their own during the hot dance.
Raiden wished them luck, and it was soon the day of the dance. He brought Liu and Lao to the gathering where Nightwolf and Kiba stood beside the elder's teepee awaiting the kid to be prepared. As he did, Fujin's number started, and he paid heed to both ends, contrary to the former monks who were deeply entranced, especially Kung Lao. When Aiko's gems ignited with so much positive energy, they broke the thrall! Raiden realized they achieved their goal and he reminded they must say farewell to the kid before returning to China. He then met Aiko inside the bedchamber and congratulated her a job well done. Sadly...she forgot to ask him why and how she's susceptible to the tribal customs, and her dimensional distortion, though Fire God Liu Kang solved the puzzles!
The Tribal Ceremony[]
Tribal Dark Raiden
The fourth ceremony, taking some time for the young ones to develop, he joined with Fujin, Geras, Kung Lao, Kung Jin, Nightwolf, Aiko and Unaliving Liu Kang as they'd been sent by Geras atop the Eternal Palace to gather. Not only as the guardian of Earthrealm he'd embrace the ancient, omnipotent tribal customs from the Africans, Makeba and Native Americans, but also prepare for the Unaliving War against Darkseid!
Trivia[]
- Raiden happens to be the inspiration of Lightning, one of the trio of elemental villains, The Storms, working for Lo Pan in the action parody, Big Trouble in Little China.
- Hard to believe that Raiden's VA in Defenders of the Realm, Clancy Brown, actually happens to be the same one who currently voices Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob!
- Ikran had a difficult choice between Clancy Brown and Dan Bakkedahl, Christopher Lambert was chosen as the voice for her former Onondaga OC for Sleepy Hollow, Chief Turgado, and someone had to be more serious. Guess Dan would have to do...
- Until The Return of the Dragon King; inspired by Evil Emperor X using his voice in his Deception ending, it was decided! Richard Epcar was the same VA who actually became Dark Raiden in the start of MK9 and the end of MKX! It was simple enough to use him from the NRS timeline!
- Ikran figured the reason how Shinnok was new and never brought up to the heroes in either timeline was because it was out of the trope, Old Shame. Due to Earth's destruction from the asteroid, which was a fallen God due to the war in the heavens before Shinnok was cased to the Netherrealm, it was likely Raiden was grieving over the Saurians' extinction and the realm's demise for thousands of years.
- According to the MK1's site source code, Raiden's purpose is stability, much like Liu's role as security; roles had been reversed and he's Earthrealm's current Champion.
- Raiden may be chosen as one of Ikran's Video Game Electrokinetics.
Gallery[]
.webp "Raiden render (MK4-G).webp (8 KB)")
Skins[]
Dark Raiden[]
Raiden[]
Chris Lambert Raiden[]
