Mortal Kombat Harem x Male OC Reboot (MK9-MK1)

Prologue (MK1): New Conspiracy

A wagon can be seen stationed in a village sitting within a forest in Outworld. It is set as a type of shop as food and small trinkets are on full display. In the front of the wagon, a group of people within the village gather as an elderly man, presumably the owner of the wagon, reveals a new product he has created.

"My friends, your patience is about to be rewarded. For I saved the best for last. I have recently discovered a cure-all of unrivaled potency. It will soon be on the shelves in every home of Outworld. This elixir is crafted from an ancient recipe. It has Patreon flowers. Margovian nectar. Powdered teeth of an Arctikan dragon. All this and more, infused with powerful Lekorian magic. There is a village, in the next canton ever, where everyone has purchased this miracle cure. Overnight, all diseases, even Tarkat, have disappeared. Now magic this potent is expensive. And I am sure you're asking yourselves: can I afford it? But the true question you must ask is: can I afford to be without it?" The Old man explains.

Just then, a voice calls out.

"You lie, Shang Tsung! Your cures are useless!" The voice says.

Shang Tsung looks behind the group of people to find another man, much younger than him but his face filled with anger and grief. The people step away as the man approaches the old man who merely glares at the approacher.

"I'm sorry. You are?" Shang Tsung asks.

"Someone fool enough to have believed you. My daughter was dying when you came to my farm. You promised a miracle and I gave you all I had. But only days later...she was dead." The Grieving Man explains.

Shang Tsung merely chuckles.

"That is impossible. My magic could not have failed her." Shang Tsung points out.

"THERE WAS NO MAGIC! I took your elixir to an imperial mage and you know what she said?" The grieving man asks.

The man then takes the vial out of Shang Tsung's hands and throws it down, the glass shattering as it hits the ground.

"It's nothing. Just borjang tea!" The Grieving man reveals.

The crowd gasps in shock as Shang Tsung leans against his wagon, trying to move away from the man.

"The mage is mistaken, kind sir. My elixirs are of superior quality. Their efficacy is guaranteed." Shang Tsungs stammers.

The grieving man then grabs hold Shang Tsung and throws him to the ground. Shang Tsung grunts before looking up to see the now angry crowd closing in on him.

A clap of Thunder roars to reveal that nighttime has arrived, rain pouring heavily. Shang Tsung is then seen exiting the wagon with a small case in his hand. He then takes a seat on the staircase and opens up the case to reveal a mirror, showing his now battered face, having clearly been beaten by the crowd of people mere hours ago. He then rips off the hair and beard to reveal that he was an elder at all but merely a young man. As he looks down at his reflection in shame, a voice catches his attention. He turns towards the direction of where the voice is coming from and sees a woman standing there wearing some form of cloak and her eyes glowing a bright light blue.

"It is an excellent ruse, your disguise. Backwater folk are far more likely to trust a kindly old man." The mysterious woman says.

"Here on behalf of a dissatisfied customer? If it's revenge you want, have at it. If it's restitution... there's nothing left." Shang Tsung points out.

"What I want, Shang Tsung, is to elevate you. To make you the great sorcerer that now you can only pretend to be." The mysterious woman offers.

"A generous offer. Why me?" Shang Tsung asks.

"You are uniquely resilient. Who else could eke out a living travelling Outworld's hinterlands, selling quack cures and fake magic?" The mysterious woman asks.

Shang Tsung merely scoffs.

"A living? It is barely survival." Shang Tsung points out.

The woman then steps closer to Shang Tsung, her face revealed from the wagons lantern.

"And you were meant for more. To live among kings, not peasants. But since before you were born, you have been conspired against. By those who fear how formidable you could become." The mysterious woman explains.

Shang Tsung looks on in surprise.

"How do you know this? Who are you?" Shang Tsung asks.

"I am your deliverer, Shang Tsung. Join me and I will put the realms at your feet." The mysterious woman replies.

Thunder claps again as a devilish smile becomes plastered on Shang Tsung's face.