The Trix Vs The Wizards Of The Black Circle

Snape has a kid

I know no one cares but I wanted to share my opinion to possible listeners. I've read a fair bunch of fanfics where Snape has a son or daughter and the kid only has some of his looks like his hair or his eyes. It's like writers are afraid to make the kid look normal, at least Snape levels of normal.

I have to be specific, but think of how the kid would actually look like. I think the kid should have every right to be as creepy and stern looking as Snape himself, and if it's a girl don't be afraid to give her a hooked nose.

I guarantee that kid is going to look like either Pakunoda or Illumi. If anyone thinks otherwise then they're wrong. I know that it's mostly Snaters that love hating on his appearance and his character overall but I always roll my eyes when his child is given traits that are either predictable, or felt like they came from a teen drama. This distaste skyrockets when they fancast a Vampire Diaries-esk actor.

Write your original character however you want but is it so bad to want to read a story where an author experimented with giving Snape a goth kid, or a kid that practises martial arts. Something wild that manages not to butcher the characters at the same time.

I'm probably being judgemental and I don't mean to bash anyone's original characters or favourite fanfic story, there's even a chance that I'm chatting crap or don't know what I'm talking about, but can we spice things up around here?

Havik Rant + Wasted Plotential and Theory

Warning: This is a long post, so read if you have the time.

I love Havik in the 3d era, and I guess it's because there's so little of him that sets him up for mystery, but I mainly love his face. The way half his face is ridden of flesh and his eyes glow as if he's some kind of Skeletor adjacent creature. I always look at him and go "How did it get to this point?", but in a way where I'm laughing about it, 'cause what did bro do to his face?

I hope Titan Havik will be a great break from the cartoonish evil that is Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi and the others. (Don't get me wrong with Shang Tsung, I love him, but his belief system is equivalent to a power ranger villain. He's basically Valtor if he was successful. I'm not talking about MK1 Shang btw.)

I also can't picture Havik working with or for villains like Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung, and Shinnok. Havik wants to spread chaos, yes, but I don't think he views this as enslavement and feeding off misery. Another thing I'd like to note is his voice and delivery, courtesy of George C. Cole. Havik is calm, patient and almost kind. Shao Kahn actively sounds dominant, Shang Tsung is calm but cruel and impatient, with Quan Chi being condescending.

In the small glimpses that I've seen Havik through the later games (before MK1) he seems like a pretty chill guy. Now get this, Chaos is his way of life because that's the world he comes from. Chaos is basically the equivalent of freedom, so Havik wants to share that freedom. In Deceptions Konquest mode he describes water in a way you only expect from a scholar with a love and sense for nature, and I interpreted this as him believing everything should go naturally. In a Christian perspective, humans are naturally evil, and it's in our nature to be attracted to wicked things. Havik wants us to embrace who we are, and our deep desires.

In Noob Saibot's MK9 ending he meets Havik and shares an 'understanding' with him. Havik helps him with taking over the Netherealm before saying goodbye and returning to the Chaosrealm, no back stabbing or anything. Next there's Joker's ending in MK11, and we all know how Joker is. But there's also Mileena (before NRS let fans bully them into making her dlc), whose bloodlust is fuelled by her Tarkatan blood, a trait she cannot help because it's instinctual. Finally, in MK: Deception's Konquest mode he agrees to train Shujinko if Shujinko helps him in return, and he does but in his own way. Experience instead of practice. Havik doesn't come off as evil but chaotic neutral.

Wasted Plotential

I try not to complain about anything these days because I know NRS are gonna disappoint us anyways, but if I was to really complain about things then I'll start with the storymode, and with the previous games.

MKX could've just been about Sub Zero and Scorpion finding out about Quan Chi and stopping Shinnok. How? Idk, Johnny uses the amulet to trap Shinnok, the Special Forces find Sektor's files and reveal them to Scorpion, who gets his revenge and yada yada. Helps them free Sub Zero and Jax, blah blah.

Scorpion defeating Shinnok is more believable since he's stronger and cooler (sorry Johnny), and has more familiarity with the Neatherealm. (What was the point of building up Johnny just to nerf him in MK11?)

Johnny and Sonya get divorced earlier on because of their differing views on the world (and parenting), so Cassie becomes a UFC fighter or a pro wrestler (as a reference to Johnny's quote in his MK9 chapter about possibly winning a belt in the tournament). I remember coming up with an idea where Jacqui leaves the Special Forces and gets trained by the Shirai-Ryu, but saw an AU fanart design where she was trained by the Lin Kuei, which sounds so much better since it separates her from Takeda. Jacqui shares strong ideals with her father but his overbearing reluctance caused her to be more rebellious and find another way to defend Earthrealm without him possibly intercepting. Instead of being a Jax variant she shares more similarity to Human Cyrax (technology + ninjutsu assassination), and that can introduce a little beef with Frost and have them both deliver lines that feel more personal since they have the same teacher, but have different morals that make them butt heads. Johnny ends up leading the Kombat kids with the Wu Shi instead of the Special Forces, edging Sonya to check on Cassie more often by trying to be involved with their missions. (During MK9 Johnny was glued to Raiden's side and his focus was more on the tournament than on Sonya. After Cyrax defeats him it's Raiden that checks on him.) Instead of Cassie saving the day, have Scorpion save the day because Shinnok is Quan Chi's master, and Scorpion needs to fix his mess. Also because Scorpion would have better control with his powers and has more experience.

The next game can introduce Havik, with the chaos happening in small ways at first, like trees slowly decaying and technology acting against them. Havik is a lesser evil than Shao Kahn, Quan Chi and Shinnok, but he's nothing Scorpion or Sub Zero have handled before since he's less predictable and isn't paranoid about someone threatening his power. Bro just wants to spread some joy and laughter (sarcasm). I'm pretty sure Havik wouldn't even have an army, and I doubt his minions will be anything like the aggressive jobbers that are seen in Outworld. With Shao Kahn it's power and being served, but with Havik it would be everyone serves each other, meaning they will inflict pain on each other and themselves = This game can be about the heroes and villains turning on themselves, by being more honest and less co-operative.

The Special Forces start being wary of the Wu Shi, Sonya interrogates Dark Raiden on information he could be withholding about the realms, Raiden counters back with how she is trying to enlist the Kombat kids behind his back when they are already content with their current positions.

Frost has stolen Sektor's body parts from the Special Forces, and plans to cyberise herself with them. Jacqui and Cassie are sent to stop Frost's cyber initiation plans. Cassie defeats Frost, but Jacqui has the need to rehabilitate her, which sets her at odds with Cassie who doesn't believe Frost is worthy of it, and that they must follow Raiden's orders.

Noob Saibot is working under revenant Liu Kang, but just like his MK9 ending, he starts plotting against him and the other revenants. Noob confronts Hanzo about his loyalty to Quan Chi, and how Hanzo worked with him even after Noob was killed. Noob's revenge is forcing Hanzo to shift between himself and Scorpion, ensuring that the Lin Kuei and Shirai-Ryu will never have peace with Hanzo continuously reliving the past and trying to kill Sub Zero.

Kung Lao reports that the head of Shinnok is missing, and Liu Kang accuses Kung Lao of having something to do with it, and so the revenants turn on themselves. A civil war begins in Neatherealm.

Hotaru meets up with the heroes and tells them that Havik is behind their plight, and offers Seidos help if Earthrealm helps them with the resistance in Seido. Kung Jin and Takeda are sent to aid and they witness the injustice and lunacy of Seidos rules. Kung Jin being Kung Jin speaks against this, and Hotaru has a problem with it, Takeda tries his best to keep the peace. Kung Jin defeats Darrius, Dairou and whatever. Although Hotaru keeps his word about the help thing, he is overbearing when it comes to the rules and their strategy, even getting in the way of the Special Forces.

Skarlet teams up with Tanya to find Mileena's soul (Because why not?They're sisters). Ermac doesn't have it, so they must find it through the Neatherealm. They meet Noob, who admits that he consumed it, but points out the location of the Flesh Pits for a calling of clues. Skarlet combines her power with Noob's to give life to the clones encased in glass (blood + shadow). The clones unleash chaos throughout Outworld, but Skarlet is not finished in her revenge.

Johnny reveals to Dairou that Darrius is behind his family's murder, and sets him free to let him get revenge. Sonya argues that he's made a terrible mistake, but Johnny says that she let Kano live and how that keeps screwing everyone over.

Johnny decides to get a drink at a bar, and Havik will show up, calm and collected. Johnny compliments his costume, and Havik expresses that his fake-ness is an interesting weapon.

I don't know what else.

Theory

I think Havik's hero equivalent would be Johnny Cage, which is where he would come in as the hero instead of defeating a former elder god. Havik isn't Godlike, I'd say his power level is identical to Edenian/Outworld, and if Sonya can handle defeating Kitana and Jade at the same time, then Johnny can handle his own against Havik. Just like Havik, Johnny has a separation from the other heroes concerning his traits and/or beliefs, even sometimes clashing with Cassie, who is always noted to be much like him in personality. Johnny has an easy going attitude that pisses off just about everyone around him, to the point . I think he would be the first to pick up on the odd energy surrounding everyone.

First off he likes to give everyone a nickname, much to their displeasure. Very adamant on giving them those names, but Havik would arguably (probably) be more accepting. I'm quite certain that Havik's name is a title given to him or a name he's made up himself. There are some fans who speculate that he doesn't even have a name given at birth and made up 'Havik' to be his name, suggesting that the name is somewhat earned through experience.

Chaosrealm doesn't have a real name, like Edenia and Seido, it's simply called Chaosrealm. They don't have a name for themselves, simply a representation of what they embody.

"Grandmaster Blueberry Ice, eh?"

"Only Johnny Cage may use that name and live."

Johnny's humour is fuelled by his insensitivity, even while fighting on the side of good he is self-serving, superficial and has a self confidence that almost everyone is eager to stomp on (he's basically a normal person). Even when he clearly doesn't mean to be insensitive (speaking the truth or what's on his mind), people still get offended by what he's said and express some form of aggression. Hell, Bi Han kicked the hell out of him just for touching his arm in MK1.

Now I'm going to get really technical here: In MK11 Skarlet was present and you could tell she was a stand-in for Mileena, which is shown in her sibling rivalry with Kitana. Now let's say Joker was a stand-in for Havik, and in his ending he voices his displeasure about the roster "But these nincompoops? They didn't really get me. Not even that pretty boy, Ninja Mine. Goodnight, sweet Prince!" meaning Joker saw some potential in Johnny Cage. Saw something that suggested that they are similar.

Johnny Cage's humour aside, there has to be something else.

Now let's get into Johnny's MK9 ending: Johnny starts to have spasms where a burst of energy would escape him and destroy everything around him, so he is sent to Seido to learn how to better control it.

Next, to Havik and Johnny's Armageddon endings: Johnny becomes enlightened, freed from vanity and leaves the acting business. What seemed like the joys of life before became meaningless to him, and wanted no part in the shallow lifestyle. Then there's Havik, whose dream for chaos becomes absolute.

(As a bonus let's compare Johnny's ending to Hotaru's, where everyone was forced to bow to Hotaru or be changed into someone they're not. Havik gets the worst end of it by being turned into Hotaru's 2nd in command. What's even funnier is that in the Armageddon intro I can spot Hotaru as the one who impaled Li Mei, but Li Mei is on the side of good while Hotaru is suspiciously on the opposite, despite being against the forces of evil. Why would he be on the same side as Havik when they are enemies? I would also like to point out that Johnny was fighting Darrius, a man resisting the Order of Seido.)

I already wrote something similar to this in another post I made like a year ago, but I'm gonna say this anyway. Johnny found out by himself that all the luxuries and fame that he sought in life weren't worth it. In his MK11 ending he ends up going on adventures with Cassie after coming to this realisation, choosing a life where he can always spend time with those he loves, not ruling over the world or being a dictator. There's chaos within Johnny, but there is a want or need for peace and stability.

Johnny should've been the one that was super pissed about being in a death tournament. Up until that point Johnny has never killed anyone, yet suddenly is expected to in exchange for his own life. How does he, a Hollyweird actor, fit into all this? He got tricked into this yet was able to adapt. He's fine with it, or pretends to be, handling it better than everyone else around. The "Sure, let's go and ruin someone else's life." quote from MK9 always runs through my head when I think about his dedication to defending Earthrealm and trusting Raiden.

When the tournament took place Johnny didn't really know Raiden personally, but Johnny trusted him. Johnny had no reason to be loyal to Raiden, yet he was, unlike Liu Kang who ended up losing faith and rebelling. Johnny has all the recipes to let his ego get to him and potentially betray Raiden, but he never does so.

If Havik and Johnny were to have anything in common, I would say it's a strong sense of faith in what they believe in. Johnny fights for the betterment of Earthrealm, Havik fights for havoc.

I'm very certain that even though Johnny changed over the years, the people around him still hold a dislike towards him to some degree. My first candidates for this are Sonya and Jax.

Read this if you can be bothered: [No matter what, Jax cannot stand Johnny, even at an age where they're more familiar with each other.]

Sonya and Jax are basically the order to Johnny's chaos. Being around them has also influenced (turned) him into someone he wasn't, which was a self hating Special Forces aid (What are is credentials?). It was Hotaru's Armageddon ending but slower.

The reason I haven't listed Kuai Liang is because... I think Kuai Liang has a bit of a friendship with Johnny. He's fond of him, but he won't admit it. He even helps Johnny in sending the Kombat kids into a fake mission with the Lin Kuei.

Originally, Shao Kahn killed Sindel's husband, and took her as his wife and Kitana as spoils of war. Sindel then escaped mind control on her own, taught her skills to the hero of MK Deception, and presumably spent the rest of the first timeline embarrassing Kitana, as is every mother's prerogative. It was a very different era in the game's history lol

I'm sorry, I ought to have specified that I was referring to historical figures. We all know what a great dude Christopher Columbus was, right? /s (If you can bielieve it, there are still Christopher Columbus parades in cities with large Italian-American populations. I /think/ it's a holdover from when most Italians in the US were immigrants and ergo not exactly popular, but c'mon, guys, have some fucking standards) Nobody's talking about how much of a jerk Bilbo Baggins is.

Everyone should be a Johnny Cage stan, that guy is badass, funny, and the ultimate cool dad. "Must've left [my fear] in my other pants" never gets old (nor does Jacqui shooting things with her arms, no matter how much people accuse her of being a bore)

It's been amazing talking to you, you're super perceptive and aren't afraid to say things that might ruffle feathers. I've heard from 500 people why Kitana is best girl and Jade is the chillest, it's time I heard why Kitana is a sack of crap and Jade is no better. (my headcanons are admittedly more charitable than yours, but someone has to say it)

I'm closing off with the opinion that it's super gratifying to see Mileena as empress and Kitana as big sis' adoring little handmaid. I'm also getting Kenshi/Kitana vibes, but that's neither here nor there.

I've never considered Kenshi/Kitana, but it would be interesting to see.

I'm all for good Sindel, it's a shame they turned her into... that. The whole Christopher Colombus thing is very disturbing.

Wish Jacqui got more love too, had a blast playing as her in MKX and her relationship with Takeda is a 10/10. I'd say they get rid of Jax and bring more attention to her.

Speaking to you has been amazing as well, hugs from an internet stranger.

MKX's Kung Lao an essay

Notes: I originally wrote this in youtube comment section and decided to post it here. Watch Cynical Warlock's Rewriting Kung Lao video, its super interesting.

Kung Lao seemed pretty badass in MKX, and I'm talking about the old man version that's not seen in the storymode. I first interpreted MKX version of Lao appeared more humble and secure, no longer needing to prove himself as Liu Kang's equal. He even gave me the impression that he could be a mentor figure, appearance wise, whereas Old Liu Kang didn't give me that same vibe. Also, Kung Lao has a special hat that he uses as a weapon... How does he not outshine Liu Kang?

We do see his hat origin in MK1, so we can assume that it's similar to the past timelines on why he uses it. With that being said, he's great at coming up with random weapons, and very effective ones too. In another timeline he might be a weapons specialist, maybe even a maker. He even has another version of the hat that looks like daggers have been glued onto it, which we see in the game (I think it was a variant), and that might have been his first hat before he made a perfected version.

I think if MKX had better writing, then Kung Lao could've been brought back from the dead (like Sub Zero, Scorpion & Jax) and become another mentor figure to the combat kids instead of just being another yes man revenant who obey's revenant Liu Kang.

Both Liu Kang and Kung Lao were playable in MKX, they could've at least brought one of them back. Since they made Liu Kang king of the Neatherrealm, it would have to be Kung Lao.

Just as Sub Zero has a sort of friendship with Johnny, Kung Lao could be the same, separating him from Liu Kang on who they keep close to them. Personality wise, he's less harsh and strict than Liu Kang, and is more friendly, so I can picture him and Johnny having a friendship.

He can teach the combat kids that weapons can be formed from anything, basically ensuring that no one becomes a copy paste of their parents (Cassie & Jacqui), and has something unique about them, like having knives in their shoes and doing capoeira to cut the opponent or something (idk).

Just like Johnny, he isn't treated or spoken to very nicely by Sonya and some others because they keep mistaking his current self to his past self. He doesn't like it when people do this (I certainly wouldn't), but he is mostly civil with cutting remarks every now and then. Think of it as visiting a toxic family you've been in low contact with, and they occasionally make jokes and jabs about you copying your golden child sibling, and how you'll never be like them or escape their shadow. Even though you stand up for yourself, you're still seen as being bitter and jealous.

Another reason why I think Johnny and Kung Lao have a shot at friendship is because Johnny doesn't mention Liu Kang once, or anything linked to the past, or even his personality. Kung Lao is also said to "smile too much" according to Ferra, meaning he has a tendency to smile when he's about to face off with an opponent. Remind you of someone we know?

Here's how he can be introduced: The combat kids have a mission, however, the combat kids cannot go with weapons, at least weapons that are seen. In this au Johnny is with the Wu Shi instead of the Special Forces (as seen in my Havik post), so he sends the combat kids (mainly Cassie and Jacqui) to meet Kung Lao. The combat kids find out that Kung Lao, while still maintaining his teachings, has left the Shaolin and works as a weapons maker in some random town or city in China, and lives in solitude (a metaphor for no longer seeking the validation of others). Instead of giving the weapons straight up, he tests every single one of them. He ends up letting them have the weapons of course, and watches them go on their day.

MK11 made him so cocky to the point he was a Johnny Cage clone, and Kung Lao never struck me as the cocky type during MK9. It was actually Liu Kang that came off as egotistical to me, and the fact that he rebels against Raiden kind of proves that. Liu Kang went against a literal god. There's even an ending that shows he will be corrupt if he replaced Raiden. Earthrealm's champion, ladies and gentlemen.

I never viewed Kung Lao as cocky, so his MK11 version was a complete 180, and the fact that NRS continued that into MK1 disappointed me. Kung Lao is impulsive, but not always. He is capable of being reserved and calculating. While Kung Lao is also quite ruthless, Liu Kang is the hot headed one that refuses to listen to reason at times.

People make all kinds of jokes about Kung Lao and him getting his neck snapped, when Shao Kahn went about it cowardly. I'll elaborate by saying Shao Kahn snuck up on him, it wasn't face to face. In the words of Kendrick Lamar, "when I catch flight, it's gon' be direct". Shao Kahn is Drake in this situation, sneak dissing. When people make fun of Kung Lao's neck snap they're technically meat riding Shao Kahn.

Clark Kent is Insane (Smallville)

I'm on the Smallville bandwagon, and I'm currently on season 7. I've seen some posts that find it unbelievable that people weren't interested in and crazy in love with Clark and stuff. I'm convinced that people stayed away from him because they thought he was crazy, or was that guy that always had something weird happening to him. It's obvious that Clark is attractive, but there's also another side to it besides his looks.

Clark would find himself in situations that would make people scratch their heads. Put yourselves in the perspective of the Smallville citizens.

I'm going to give some examples from season 1 (can't remember which episode)

Clark's powers get transferred to another boy named Eric Summers, and once Eric finds out about these abilities he exploits them. Clark tries to talk Eric into not being a bad person, and that ends with Clark getting smashed into the top of a car, bleeding from his nose and all. A lot of his school mates saw that, and word apparently travels fast in small towns. Everyone certainly found out.

In another episode, Earl Jenkins (played by Tony Todd) is a victim of the Luthors, and while Clark's class is on a school trip, the character holds the students hostage in order to threaten the Luthors. Whatever experiments Luthor corp did on him makes him shake violently, and anything he comes into contact with will shake uncontrollably as well (can't remember if it results in death). It's best to stay away from this guy. What does Clark do? Try's to speak to the guy and convince him not to do this, and stuff like that. Basically, the same thing he did with Eric Summers. It doesn't get him heavily injured, but it could've made things worse.

Clark would also go through a thing where his personality flips. Not knowing he's on red kryptonite, everyone probably felt like they were interacting with a completely different person, but with Clark's face. Everyone's just like "Clark Kent is letting his intrusive thoughts win?" And he would mysteriously forget what's transpired (due to switching bodies or his mind being taken over). He would be genuinely confused, and is frighteningly proceeding as if nothing's happened, despite being aware that something wrong has taken place, thanks to him or involving him.

When Clark accidentally causes his mum's miscarriage, the first thing he does is crashout. He puts on the red kryptonite and rides of to Metropolis. I'm pretty sure he was gone for months, robbing from atms and getting into fights with people.

When Nathan Dean (the banshee guy) showed up (around season 3-ish), Clark lost his sight temporarily... even though it's everyone's ears that suffered. That's weird.

Onwards, Clark would suspiciously be at the scene of a crime or some kind of incident. He's always involved in police business, and playing "investigator" with Chloe and Pete. Always on his way to save people, and do something that everyone will immediately think is stupid.

Around season 3 or 4, Clark marries Alicia. A literal stalker who tried to harm Lana Lang (the it girl of Smallville). Once he comes back from his honeymoon, looking all guilty, everyone whispers while side eyeing him. And of all things Mr and Mrs Kent are mad about, it's the fact that Clark married illegally (both Alicia and him were underage), and that he disregarded how sacred marriage is (even though he was on red kryptonite). That was terrible writing, but I don't remember them being too angry about Alicia.

There's also that time (can't remember if it was season 5 or 6) when Clark and Lois crash Lex and Lana's dinner party where they're celebrating their engagement. Clark and Lois are dressed as bikers, informal leather jacket outfits. They must've looked insane to everyone at that party, Lex especially. And then Clark proceeded to ruin the pregnancy announcement for Lex and Lana (he did it for the lolz).

Every time Clark is doing (or about to do) something everyone is probably side eyeing him, and thinking "What's he about to do this time?"

What's worse is that his parents don't seem to be doing anything about it. They don't appear to be worried about the fact that he might potentially be having occasional psychotic breaks, and other mental disorders going on with him. He's got main character syndrome, and a hero complex. Insert other mental disorders and illnesses of your choosing, because I'm not a psychiatrist nor am I trained in knowing about mental health.

If the writers intended on this, knowing that they couldn't make Tom Welling look like a pathetic dork, then it's a good call. Can't make him dweebish? Make him look insane. Even if Clark was a nerd, and looked like one, everyone would still be fawning over him (me especially). But fawning over a crazy person is risky because of how unpredictable they are. Not only that, but we've seen girls fawn over him before, albeit harbouring bad intent (to some degree for most). And of course, Chloe was super interested in him, and Lana would get jealous and shocked from whatever relationship he had outside of her, even when she was with another guy.

That's my Smallville theory.

Cole Young should've been Kai

I know, I know, this is just an excuse to project how much I wanna see more black characters as main characters.

I'm pretty sure the hate for Mortal Kombat 2021 has died down to some degree, as it's been a good 3 years since the movie came out, and no ones talking about it anymore. Nonetheless, I wanted to give my take on Cole Young. I heard that the reason they made Cole Young is because they wanted to pander to the audience, and how they didn't want a white main character to be the every man that introduces the audience to Mortal Kombat... So they came up with Cole Young.

If that was the case, then Kai was right there. I mean, they did bring out characters from the Midway era, so they could've brought Kai. Let me explain myself here. Kai has fire powers as well, but he doesn't even have to be a descendant of Hanzo. They could've pulled a Miles Morales, but he doesn't have to be painted as the next Scorpion or some other crap. Kai in canon is a student/mentee of Liu Kang's, and is a member of the White Lotus. What does Cole do? He trains with Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Just like Cole, Kai can be an orphan as well.

 Of course, you can't trust them to write the script. I can't be trusted either, but here's my take on what could've been:

Kai is a college kid doing underground fighting to make ends meet or a side hustle. The ring is run by the Black Dragon, who are keeping some tabs on him due to how much money he's been making, so they set up Kobra to be his next contender. The start of the film shows him defeating Kobra, before heading home to count his money to make sure he has enough for rent. His bedroom has a set design that clues the audience in on what his interests are. There are Martial Arts posters, he has a collection of weapons (hints to poor spending habits), and there's a picture of him and his baseball team from high school. There's a metal baseball bat laying somewhere, implying that he still occasionally likes to play.

He later goes on to China Town, and purchases a random spear from some guy, not knowing that it used to belong to Hanzo Hasashi aka Scorpion. To his credit, the seller tells Kai that the spear is cursed and is said to drive people who use it insane, with all of them claiming to see images of Hell fire, and nightmares of a sceptre, that's why it's selling for such a low price. Kai tells him that he doesn't need to worry about marketing, and that he just wants the spear. (He's also a big fan of watching youtubers explore "haunted" abandoned buildings and ouija board stuff, so it's a win for him)

Kai gets on to his daily life, not knowing that he's being stalked by Kobra. He accidentally sets a few things on fire, quickly figuring out that he has new powers. He doesn't know how to control them, and tries to stay away from flammable objects. (I think Kai's fire should be a certain colour to differentiate him from Liu Kang and Scorpion. Either pink, blue or green. Pink just because, blue to imply that it's super hot, and green to reference the Chaosrealm as a hint to Kai's ancestry, made up on my part)

Kobra breaks into Kai's home and demands a rematch, and Kai uses the baseball bat to help defend himself. He accidentally kills Kobra after shooting a fireball at him, and his home catches fire. He doesn't know how to stop the fire, and in his panic, he grabs as many valuables as he can before leaving the scene. The spear, a family photo, some money.

He tells the police that Kobra was some random home invader who knocked him out, but Kai woke up in time to find the place on fire, and Kobra was still present and unfortunately burned to death. Stryker investigates, and suspects there's more to the story, sensing something off about Kai. At the same time, he can't help but feel bad for Kai, and offers his spare bedroom so long as Kai pays rent. (Cue Stryker accidentally becoming a father to a college kid)

In natural reporter fashion, the incident is broadcast to the world, alerting his whereabouts to Sub Zero, and other Outworld champions. Raiden appears and warns Kai of danger, and asks Kai to come with him. Stryker intervenes (because some random lightning guy appeared in his house), telling Kai to run while he keeps Raiden at bay. Kai runs off to hide at a nearby store or something, and that's when Sub Zero appears to kill him. Kai does pretty well to hold him off, but his flames are flaring up when he doesn't want them to. Raiden saves him, and once he's able to shoo Sub Zero away he explains everything to Kai.

Kai's family used to compete in the tournament, and after they died under mysterious circumstances, he's been stuck living by himself. (He never told anyone in fear of social services, but he's been alone since 17. Maybe they went on holiday and never came back, idk) It's one of the reasons he's making ends meet in underground fighting. Those white markings on his skin? Family heirloom type stuff. Kai's parents were one of the many who were slain by Sub Zero over the years. Coming into contact with a supernatural object activated Kai's abilities.

Kai agrees to go with Raiden to China, and trains with the White Lotus, where he is introduced to Liu Kang. Kai wants to know how to use his spear, but Liu Kang hands him a club. (I personally hate clubs, because the weapon looks so unclean and tacky. But in the game, Kai uses a spiked club, so I can't retcon anything.) Here, he becomes Liu Kang's student. Although he's good at using the club, he is still determined to use the spear, and practises by himself. He accidentally summons some fire, but it's not his fire, it's hell fire.

Edit: Kai finds out some other things about himself, like how his family were shamans of some kind, leading him to investigate how to summon entities. He starts to experience the effects of the spear, and tries to communicate with Scorpion, and find hints through his visions. The next time Kai gets into a fight, he is not himself, and his eyes shine a golden blaze.

He does find a way to summon Scorpion and bring him to the mortal world.

I love how Terry didn't look the least bit offended when Kenny flipped the bird at him.

A part of me likes to believe he sort of saw Kenny as a surrogate son, or at least could've been. I always saw Terry as Kenny's Miyagi, and I can picture Kenny (when Dallas was still small) following Terry around. Terry (though manipulative) is more soft and sympathetic than Kreese was. Terry was probably the 'nicer' one.

Yes, Robby trained Kenny most of the time with the addition of Tory, but I'm pretty sure he was more of a brotherly figure. Terry had the mentor title because not only was he much older, but he could teach things Robby didn't know.

Like, Daniel was someone to torment, whereas Kenny's mentorship was genuine. There was a bond forming between them. Edit: Kenny and Daniel both have big brown eyes. Makes me wonder, if Daniel wasn't an enemy, would Terry have treated Daniel like he treated Kenny? Even with the coke in his system?

When Kenny flips the bird it's like seeing your child be rebellious, and while you could get mad, it's also adorable. No matter what, you'll remember them for the little kid they once were. Regardless of whether or not their anger is valid, that's your little boy/girl.

He didn't look disappointed or angered, it was more like a 'well, damn'.

Can you do Hanzo, Fujin , Cassie, and kitana with reader that does aerial silk?

Aerial Silk Reader x Mortal Kombat

I had to search up aerial silk for this one, and I gotta say writing this was tricky. Sorry if it sucks. Reader (just like bimbo reader) is descended from a Chaosrealmer which is why she has her abilities (hypnotism, control gravity around her, time-related).

Cassie Cage

Cassie wasn't sure what to make of you being joining the team. Johnny knew you because you were an extra in one of his films, but you had to be great if you were placed with the Kombat Kids. She was pretty sceptical, what were you going to do with a long silk? It certainly wasn't a whip. And then she saw it. When you fought it was as if the world slowed down. You moved majestically, your silk was a trap, and she was trapped. To you.

Surrounded by silk, she kissed you, and you let her.

Hanzo Hasashi

Your moves looked very complicated. No matter how many times Hanzo watched you fight, it was a confusing experience. But it was the kind of confusing he was strangely fine with. Every time it was a performance rather than a moment of bloodshed. Most times you weren't fighting at all, just twisting and turning in that silk of yours. It was a new thing every time. The concept of time did not exist with you in its way, and one could not waste time wondering how that was possible.

Hanzo was glad that you were on his side, even if he was confident he could see through your silk of webs, he was not confident he could burn them, because that would mean burning you.

Fujin

Fujin is entranced to say the least. You commanded gravity itself, and floated where your enemies could see you, but your silk caught the weapons as if they could not be considered an obstacle. If Fujin did not have more than a thousand years of experience he was sure he wouldn't be able to see through your tricks.

Where did the music come from? That he could not figure out. You used his wind against him, and he was caught in your silk. He hung upside down like a butterfly stuck in a web. Fujin was much too cute to suffocate, so you joined his side of the battle.

Kitana

Kitana could remember when she first saw you. You were Shang Tsung's pupil straight from Earthrealm, but it seemed there was something else in your blood. You were a better assassin than she was. Your victims did not know what awaited them as your performance was the last thing they would see. Kitana was almost envious, not of you but of them. She too wanted to see something as beautiful if she were to die.

You were a tangle of silk, and Shang Tsung took pride in this. But Kitana was determined to make that pride become her's, and possibly something more.

Liu Kang x Bimbo Reader

Reader and Shang Tsung banter (slight friendship). I don't think Chaosrealm exists in the new timeline, or is at least inaccessible, so reader is descended from a Seido outcast. Their ancestor was a bit like Darrius, so that's the closest to Chaos she's gonna go.

This prompt is for @valyrra, hope you enjoy. Sorry if there's not enough Liu Kang.

You watched Liu Kang stand next to keeper Kitana. They were talking, smiling at each other with the utmost care in their eyes. You could pull any man you wanted, but you couldn't help the worry and jealousy you felt as you stared at them. This was Liu Kang's Kitana, one where he came from.

Your titan self was almost identical to you, and when you spotted her she was standing next to her partner from her timeline, something you always did when your partner was around. And that was Liu Kang, but it wasn't the appropriate time to get his attention.

There were multiple versions of you, and yet only two were titans. There was one with Kung Lao, the other with Johnny Cage. You loved Johnny, but seeing the difference in your love life sent a punch to your gut.

You tried to distract yourself by applying makeup, keeping your attention to your mini mirror. But a certain sorcerer had to have your attention.

"Isn't it a shame. It's always the ones you hold dear."

"Shut up." you rolled your eyes at Shang Tsung. "Didn't you get your crown snatched?"

Shang frowned but waved his hand dismissively, "It wasn't a pageant crown, it wasn't as important as it was made out to be." he spoke sarcastically.

"You still lost a crown." you waved your lipstick at him.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean it like that." said a different Shang, a Light variant of him. He had a gold circlet crown that proved your point. "I'm sure he's just..." he stared hard at his other self, who returned the stare with a tiny sneer, "A bit concerned."

"Very concerned." Shang crooned, "You aren't your usual lively self."

Light Shang blinked at you, "You feel upset, why?"

You looked at them both, then at where your Liu Kang was talking with his Kitana.

"Look at them." you hissed and then pouted.

Light Shang glanced at where you were glaring and a small smile went on his face. "Princess Kitana and Lord Liu Kang. They are always good allies."

You huffed, "Sure."

Light Shang held interest in his eyes, "Is this timeline's Liu Kang courting you? He looks at you with a lot of affection."

"We are intimate."

"I doubt he gets squeamish." said your Shang, inspecting his nails.

Light Shang had a slight blush on his cheeks and avoided eye contact. "You both enjoy each other."

"We don't just enjoy each other, he takes me out to places and listens to me when I talk. And I just love the way he talks to me, you know." you playfully slapped his arm. "His voice all deep and smart sounding." you purred.

Shang rolled his eyes in disgust while his good counterpart accepted the information in stride.

"But now he's seeing his ex-girlfriend." you continued, "What if he leaves me for her? I've never been in anything long term but I don't want it to end so soon."

Light Shang was sympathetic, "I am confident Liu Kang's feelings for you haven't changed."

"It's not often for a person to find another that's fluent in yapping." your Shang supplied unhelpfully. Light Shang shot him a look of disapproval. Shang looked up and his glee returned, "I guess I spoke too soon."

You all looked up. Liu Kang was standing in front of you, his expression stern enough to match his mood.

"Comrades." he addressed both Shangs, and then his attention went solely on you. "My flower, may I speak with you?"

"Fine." you got up, walking with him to somewhere private, but you refused to touch him.

"You were speaking with Shang Tsung."

His eyes were angry looking, but two could play that game.

"I was. Weren't you speaking to Kitana?" you crossed your arms at him, "You seem close with her."

It was then Liu Kang realised where your mind was going, "That was eons ago."

"You didn't seem to be acting like it. It looks to me that eons have turned into a day." you fixed him a stern look of your own, "And Shang Tsung is my rival, there's nothing going on between us."

"Flower," he started, taking your hand, "There is nothing I'm starting with Kitana. We are simply allies now."

He was expression was soft, and the rosy parts of your heart went all gushy. "You really mean that?"

He started kissing your hand, and then his kisses went up your arm, to your shoulder and then your cheek. You giggled, and Liu Kang was pleased to have a positive response from you.

"I would never do this to Kitana."

This time his lips were on yours and you gave in. You were able to push him away before anything got serious, "Not here, Darling. We will need secure privacy."

He chuckled, "Of course, only I can see your delicate parts." he was possessive, which wasn't usual of him.

And then you realised something. "You were jealous of Shang Tsung." your heart skipped a beat, "Aww, darling." you grabbed his face, and he flushed as you delivered a bunch of kisses on it.

He has marks on his face now, but he didn't wipe them away. Not that he ever did unlike your ex boyfriends. That's another thing you loved about Liu Kang.

You hugged him eagerly, "There's nothing to be jealous of."

"I am very relieved to hear that." he admitted, returning the hug. He didn't let go.

"Are you two going to be having alone time all day?" Shang Tsung, asked. His hand was raised sass-ily in contempt.

"An hour should suffice." you answered.

Shang's face screwed up, "I'll pretend I didn't hear that and just tell everyone that you're both very busy."

He wasn't wrong. You both were about to be very busy.