This takes place after the heroic Kombatants' victory over Onaga and before Armageddon. Just a novelette of some more random ideas Ikran had. This was also heavily based on the Sesame Street miniseries, Trip to Montanna, and it spearheaded the fic as soon as she found it!
Aiko had been anxious, uneasy over something... Over the talk she had last night with Nightwolf, as he stated that someone in his former Matoka tribe within the East Coast needed his help, on something big and personal. The thing was, his last born is yet to attain his Matokan name. On top of that, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and soon Raiden decided to tag along with the Shaolin being curious to Matoka customs. She was just antsy they'd leave so suddenly and Nightwolf and Raiden stated this can take about 5 days, with her, Fujin, Kai, and Jin staying behind.
She soon brought the news to Jin and his mom, and Lao affirmed this. The former monk said he was interested in Nightwolf's odyssey, ever since they dealt with the Makeba as she was entranced by them. He assured her it'd be over before she'd know it. After breakfast it was time for Lao to leave with Raiden, and Aiko wondered why she's always being swayed; the God only stated the answer would come in due time, and he assured that Fujin would still stay and look out for the Shaolin. She soon had a pep talk with Jin before school as he was curious as to why she didn't leave; everyone, mortal or no, has a weakness; that no one is invincible, and hers was Indian customs, but mostly their tribal drums, ever since she was 4 first encountering them on a Sesame Street episode of all things, followed by other references to various media growing up. Only Nightwolf understood of her triggers. She even referred to his past talk about separation anxiety, the same that Ernie went thru when Bert was away, or if Kung Lao was involved in kombat.
Jin wished Lao luck as he was leaving for the rip. She then expressed her worries, as to how and why she's connected to them and why they affect her the way they do; she believed that maybe she's too tension sensitive, amongst several others such as touch, sound, light, not into spicy foods. Which is why she needs an anchor, more than anything! To her surprise, it was Kenshi!! It wasn't just cuz he picked up tension, via Aiko's heart gem once used for communication, but rather because Raiden passed on the news. He still was miffed she pronounced Takeda wrong as she thought he'd still be staying with Hanzo and the Shirai Ryu. It couldn't have been a better time since he was planning to train Aiko to enhance her heart thru coherence, the ability to use the heart and mind simultaneously!
Con't II[]
Koherence (Con't II)
She thought it'd be easier said than done, although she remembered Liu's lesson with Kai, same with Lao's, that the body, soul and mind must be one to achieve anything! She asked what he suggested, and a quick run shall be a good warmup designed to enhance the heart. Jin's mom shall prepare meals specially for the heart as well. She jogged around the cottage, took a slight break, and then paced herself from the Wu Shi Academy, then back. Kenshi taught her some breathing exercises to soothe her. She discussed of her weakness as she went in depth over the history of those incidents, starting with the same experience the quartet are endeavoring to. She believed she's only tension sensitive, as Raiden and Nightwolf never explained the ordeal as to how/why she's the only being affected. Kenshi wondered if there was some kind of defense mechanism, to which Aiko can think of a song with a similar tempo, though she never used it. The blindman stated that the heart and brain are unstoppable while working inseparably and she should let them both guide her. Before she knew it, it was almost nightfall, Jin returned from school, and she noticed her training had been time-consuming.
Photo of younger Kung Lao
After dinner, she was relieved to see Kung Lao's photo beaming up at her until something fell out. It was a micro cassette in which she inserted into her tape recorder; recently, she bought it on account of memories using it for gibberish by her younger self since last year. She found it randomly as she was curious looking behind a foldable cushion within the backseat of a family car in one night. She grew addicted to using it chatting gibberish into it. So, the older Aiko heard the Raiden encouraging Liu Kang to start his "training." There was a catchy beat, and he rapped along...
Wu Shi Rap from Koherence
Ok, Liu Kang. Do you remember your Wu Shi training?
Yes, Master Raiden. I am ready.
Alright then. Let's go.
It's your boy Raiden, with the thunder and the shock.
I'm gonna strike you down in battle like your name was Shinnok.
This is no Deception; I will bring an end to this Brutality!
Armageddon begins, Raiden wins a Flawless Victory!
This made Aiko giddy, and she listened to it again more attentively. It was certainly a nice surprise, and it filled her with more confidence before she hit the sack.
Con't III[]
Koherence (Con't III)
The next day, Kenshi visited Aiko again after breakfast and when Jin returned to school. She brought out the same basket with any leftover scraps from the previous day's meal suited for the heart. But the telepath had other ideas in mind; he suggested for Aiko to meet up with the White Lotus Society who're actually about to perform their usual warmup exercises. In unison, Aiko made the usual with the other Shaolin, even Kai, with Fujin proudly watching over them! They were thrilled to have the Wind God lead the group, and surprised he planned to have Kenshi attend. He was also the main teacher on the topic of Hypnotic Music and Manipulation; a lot of the members seemed experienced on the subject, even sympathizing with Aiko's plight ever since the story about the Makeba from Outworld. They figured the best way to counter it is not only visualization but, if possible, to form their own musical number! Fujin and Aiko wondered if there'd be a way to have otherworlders participate!
Then, the topic shifted concerning that most of the Shaolin were unable to on account of the negative side effects from meditation. Liu Kang and Aiko were aware of this, even when Raiden warned the dark night of the soul and descent into the abyss, even paying total disregard to enlightenment, even faith in Gods. Some monks quit meditation altogether while most of them just quit the Order and the Society, even no longer supporting their just cause offering to the Gods nor protecting Earth. Kenshi suggested this'd be the time to kombat Aiko's weakness and restore peace to the Shaolin! Even to unite the realms, Fujin suggested. Aiko mentioned the tallest temple the Order possessed, but Fujin recommended the Sky Temple, as the wind currents can carry the positive energy from not just her heart, but others both emitting and receiving; the heart works both ways, and thus does the effects of the gem, thus proving to be the opposite of the corrupt Saurian ruler!
As Aiko was going to bed, since it was eight hours ahead of the East Coast, she wished Kung Lao goodnight and to see him again. He was waking up as he noticed her heart gem, while she smiled at him, and he yearned to see her again...
Con't IV[]
Koncept exterior of the tallest Shaolin Temples
Koherence (Cont IV)
Kenshi met up with Aiko again, and they had 3 days left till the Matokan ceremony. He guided her to the tallest monastery outside of the Order, where the top had the portal pinpointed to Edenia. She made it up halfway through with little to no problem until anxiety gotten the best of her; she began to get fatigued and anxious, even slipping on one of the stone steps. Her mind began to wander and succumb to her curse, until it began to remember a song with that same tempo! It motivated her, along with Kenshi, to keep her climbing at a better pace. They soon reached the top and Aiko was very weary. Several moments later, they went in the Edenian Palace and met up with Sindel, Kitana and Jerrod. Kenshi addressed their concerns over the plight of the White Lotus and safeguarding Aiko, and from her sudden coherence, they decided to make their own riveting number. They weren't sure who was a musician, until they heard distant thumps and a cymbal crash! Out came Goro who volunteered as a percussionist! Jerrod made a run through with his repertoire of souls and emerged a keytar made of green energy! Aiko was thrilled she's able to see one in person, rather than it just being in random animations. He soon mastered the instrument and Kenshi and Aiko thought of a number to rehearse within 3 days!
Con't V[]
Koherence (Cont V)
Kenshi and Aiko, still exhausted from the tumultuous climb, arrived back in China and they updated Fujin on the news that Goro and Jerrod shall join in on the upcoming number. Kenshi grew concerned if Ashrah has buried the hatchet involving Ermac since he never wants a feud between her and Jerrod. Fujin assured that she'd only know him as the noble Edenian King. And Aiko almost forgot to tell when...the similar occurence (episodes in the Trip to Montanna) would start; she estimated between 7 to 9 am which she believed China'd be 8 hours ahead. She grew confused since they're near the heavens, time wouldn't matter, but it was still of the essence, and Fujin wished Raiden was around. The Shaolin that left had grown deeper into their despair, and Fujin was confident he can easily adjust his voice after Aiko offered him to lead since the song's done by a guy. Fujin and Aiko believed in Raiden's words that there's more to Mortal Kombat than just martial arts, as Liu said the same to Kai.
Aiko rested for 6 hours due to her anxieties, but she was still fit for the performance. It was good that she forgot to take her heart gem along as there'd be little distractions at the Sky Temple, with the other gems about a foot away. Ashrah admired the song choice as Earth had great taste. She was struggling to keep up with the bass solos being overmatched by the other instruments, though it was easy to improvise. Ermac needed some more intel for playing the keytar and mimicking the tubular tunes, while Goro could match the percussion easily, as did Kenshi on keyboard, Fujin on melody with the lyrics requiring effort, while Aiko simply would coordinate. Fujin offered Kenshi to be their guide via telepathy and projection. They didn't mind repeating the riveting song several times, and Fujin picked up more intel that the son's known as Fortunate Young One, the elder would lead making the drums more omnipotent, the boy's father's a documentarist bridging the gap between modern and traditional, and Liu and Lao became more intrigued. Kenshi encouraged to never let their handicaps hinder everyone, and Fujin cheered for everyone to emerge victorious.
Con't VI[]
Revenants Aiko and Liu Kang as chieftains of the Netherrealm
Aiko woke up abruptly with less than 24 hours to go. She felt as if her united heart and mind were drifting apart. Then, she picked up distant tremors emitting from her heart gem in the top drawer. Out of curiosity and intrigue she slowly took it out, sat on the mattress, and caved into the enticing beats of the Matoka... With the chief wielding their power, it made her submissive and gave her the urge to join them and her Shaolin family doing the same... She hardly noticed her gem becoming fuzzy as she drummed on the mattress like a bongo, that was until an altered self was surprised to see her! The astonishment broke her out of her thrall seeing herself in the Netherrealm, specifically the Bone Temple, wielding a black gem and a tribal drum, wearing a dark complexion and attire, and was also part of Emperor Liu Kang's own posse! She explained reality's been disrupted as she and Liu were also emitting their own drums causing the two dimensions to converge and cause a glitch! She stated they're at the same time by alternate realities, with her being killed and converted by Liu Kang who churned into his revenancy by Darkseid and were about to wage war on the Elder Gods. She warned if they'd talk too long the dimensions may end up swapping as she's experienced these anomalies before. She and Liu were looking forward to the upcoming Matoka ceremony, and stated that they, the Makeba and all the Aboriginals are a part of them. She encouraged her living self to embrace that forbidden part of herself, not just have her mind and heart function as one. She ended the transmission, leaving the human bewildered.
Fujin corrected Aiko that there's a 13-hour difference rather than 8 hours, so they must start at 6pm in Chinese Standard Time if the Matoka would begin around their Eastern time.
Koherence (Con't VI)
At the other side of the Earth, it was nightfall, and Raiden pined for his return as well as the sacred ceremony. He gazed into Aiko's heart gem seeing his Sky Temple being occupied by numerous Kombatants. Wanting to investigate he dropped by via lightning bolt and was impressed on the band's endeavors. He hoped they'd achieve on lifting the Shaolin's spirits while safeguarding their own. Fujin suggested Goro to tighten up the screws on his drum set on not making them sloppy and for Ashrah to loosen up her nervousness. Raiden alerted it'll start at 9am in Matokan time and was impressed she was able to master coherence. He wished them luck. Fujin warned everyone they can be as powerful as the Makeba, their ancestors of Outworld, so they all must stay the course. Everyone made a hand pile saluting the Shaolin.
The Matokan camp based on the Crow camp of Montanna
They practiced again for several hours before they took a break for the last few, enough time to settle especially for Aiko having a hearty meal with the Kungs. Ashrah kept a lookout on the instruments and figured they should make an announcement to get everyone's attention. Before they knew it, it was time for the warmups and Fujin eventually gave them the signal when Fortunate One emerged! He and Aiko stood front and center, making her heart gems emit some sort of interference over the Matoka drums. Nightwolf, Kung Lao and Liu Kang became deeply enthralled, especially Lao who immediately melded with the other drummers.
The Koherence Koncert featuring Kenshi, Aiko, Goro, Jerrod/Ermac, Fujin and Ashrah at the Sky Temple
"Ladies and gentlemen. We've been thru the darkness; we've been thru the light. We've went across all realms. And you know? ...Fujin?"
"The best place to be? Is here. The best thing to use, is with both ends! And the best time to be, is now. And all's we kan say is..."
"Let's rock!!"
They made a rhythmic count and signaled Kenshi to lead the number, followed by Ashrah, Jerrod, and Goro before Fujin took the lead.
Sudden darkness kreeps into your soul
Envy moves the light of self kontrol
The kage that holds you kaptive has the door.
Burnin' with determination to evens up the score.
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
Hearts on fire
Fever's risin', hiiiiiigh
The moment of truth draws near.
Time will not allow you to stay still, no
Silence breaks the heart and bends the will.
Defense is guilty passions out of kontrol
Rules and regulations have no meaning anymore.
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
Hearts on fire
Fever's risin', hiiiiiigh
The moment of truth is here.
Oh!
Is here.
Oh yeah!
Kenshi and Jerrod were the unchallenged musicians throughout the number as Aiko coordinated with Fujin!
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
Fever's risin', energizin'
Right up till the end
Hearts on fire
Ashrah actually functioned as the backup with the Wind God.
Strong desire
Rages deep within
Aiko signaled everyone to keep climbing and peak the climax!! They did just that making the Shaolin, and sometimes themselves, cheer! Unfortunately, Fujin motioned it's not enough, as the Matoka ceremony's still dragging on. Aiko immediately switched gears and prepare their backup number. Kenshi and Ashrah led before Fujin joined with his woodwind. Goro only drummed his claves and the rest followed. The song repeated, only this time Aiko, Fujin, Ashrah and Kenshi assisted singing the chorus twice! Aiko encouraged their audience to go along!
We are the Champions, my friend.
And we'll keep on fighting to the end.
The kardiokinetic signaled for everyone to sing along!
It was thru that second song that made Aiko's gems ignite and restore inner peace to everyone, even breaking the thralls over Lao, Liu and Nightwolf! Lao recollected his yearning for Aiko, though Raiden said they need to see the assembly thru and say farewell, although it was hard since Fortunate One was so into them.
Minutes later, Aiko was in the bedroom pining for Kung Lao with his photo looking up, she kissed it and wished he and her family were there... Raiden mentioned they were, and their work is complete. Raiden was proud on what she'd done.
Days later after Armageddon...she realized she'd forgotten to ask Raiden about her weakness before he passed... Kungs Lao and Jin thought the same that there'd be something more than her hyper sensitivities... Fire God Liu Kang replied and made an unexpected visit answering that. He wished to invite Aiko to the Hourglass personally, and Lao decided to tag along as her anchor, while Jin stayed due to his unpredictable stimuli with puberty.
Apex[]
Koherence (Apex)
The pair was taken aback by its majesty, especially Lao since it was his first time seeing it! Liu became the new Keeper of Time, and Lao was confused he'd be a titan; however, Liu still considered himself a God holding back his prowess unless it'd be necessary for excessive force matching a titan, even when manipulating time. Although all he did currently was for a minute and he wouldn't want any primordial chaos, so all he'd want to do is show them the past. He wore the Krown and rewound time, showing the Earth changing as Pangea separated. He confirmed the Makeba of Outworld are still Earth's living ancestors, and they first colonized at the middle of the ancient continent. As tectonic plates shifted, so did the early denizens as some stayed within the center while others located to where it'd become the Americas, thus sharing the same customs. Liu also traced back Aiko's lineage; ever since she was 4, she discovered the secret. She must use this weakness as her strength as she came from European immigrants, then mingling with the natives. It was done out of passion, not mutilation. Thru their bond, Aiko and her family actually has a Matokan heritage!!
That small sliver was the indication on who she was, it's in her blood! And just like what her doppelganger stated, she must use and accept that foreboding trait. Liu offered to train her, with Nightwolf, to use that weakness as her strength, giving her more energy and skill! Being trained by Liu and Nightwolf was like a dream come true! She took the proposal with upmost gratitude as did Kung Lao since he shared her tick via heart meld!
The Wu Shi Rap was originally created by one of Ikran's friends, although ashamed on using AI voices from Kombatants, he took the video down; it was made last October, but Ikran had to improvise on the words. Although the lyrics would foreshadow other events, it was just thrown in for luls.
This fic featured random ideas Ikran had. Even based on the Trip to Montanna miniseries from Sesame Street, in which she encountered back in 1991 and that was when her fascination with tribal drums first started. There were other media that followed since then such as the African Dance clip, Peter Pan, and encountering Nightwolf.
Just like the younger Aiko did, Ikran once owned a micro cassette recorder and chatted gibberish into one after she did find one within that same foldable cushion at the backseat of her family's car. Each tape had 60 minutes per side. She had to give it up when she was 14 during her severe growing pains involving her stepmom.
The glitch in which Aiko saw her darker self in the Netherrealm and in an altered dimension was inspired by AVGN'sBerenstain Bears vid and concerning the Mandela Effect with the possibility of alternate realities. It was also inspired by the ongoing roleplay between Ikran and ChosenShaolin orchestrating the Unaliving War, the war with the Elder Gods and their mutual relationship.
The technique on using another song with the same tempo was a method Ikran came up with; she's not sure if it's foolproof if she shall be swayed away by a tribal drum number...
It's true that Ikran was once curious of her own distant heritage, and she discovered from her old man that they are mixed bags as they have strands of Hungarian, Polish, Italian, and German DNA. And the cherry on top, they also have Native American DNA, possibly when the Europeans immigrated to the States. They also tend to have an excellent immune system thus not getting sick often!
It's also very likely the main reason that Native Americans are so similar to Africans where they have the same tribal customs, the most probable of settling in Pangea and its separation by tectonic plates and just evolving differently in separate plains.
The songs featured here were Hearts on Fire (extended version) by Randy Meisner, the iconic song of Rocky IV, and We are the Champions performed by the Royal Philharmonic, the same song featured at the end of Return of the Dragon King.
While the cast pretty much reprised their roles, Liu Kang had changed his voice actor from the usual Brian Tochi to Matthew Yang King, as the latter's sounded in this fic. Just as he would in MK11, MK11: Aftermath, and MK Onslaught, before the AI abuse...
It's true that after people meditate, they experience the dark night of the soul, which is basically negative side effects that consume them and worsen their mental health, sometimes to the point on worsening mental problems or even ending themselves... It's rarely talked about, but meditation isn't always a positive and it can and will bring out your worst enemy. More info can be found here.
