Raiden (2nd Timeline)/Synopsis

The story of Lord Raiden from the Mortal Kombat: Titan Trilogy.
==Backstory==
Raiden shares the same backstory as his original counterpart, including becoming the protector of Earthrealm and aiding in banishing Shinnok. As well as this, the events of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero are also referenced.
==Mortal Kombat (2011)==
===Earthrealm tournament===
Just before entering the Mortal Kombat tournament, Raiden started receiving visions from his other self from the Battle of Armageddon, and his amulet cracked. At first he thinks nothing of it, preferring to focus on the tournament. After observing Johnny Cage's skill in the first two rounds, Raiden and Liu Kang congratulate him and warn him of the threat to Earthrealm, which he does not take remotely seriously. After finding Sonya confronting Shang Tsung, Raiden saw a vision of Liu Kang defeating Shang Tsung and tried to urge her to back off, to which she fought him. Raiden provided a distraction of blinding light so Sonya could rescue Jax. After Sonya and Jax were prevented from escaping, Raiden healed Jax's injuries, and told them he was seeing visions of the future, and planned to alter events so Armageddon will not happen, urging them to play along with the tournament for now.
When Scorpion was summoned to fight in the tournament, Raiden noticed one of the guards was a disguised Kung Lao and told him off for disobeying orders. Kung Lao decided to take Scorpion to prove himself but was defeated. After Scorpion demanded to face Sub-Zero, Raiden had a vision of Sub-Zero becoming a greater threat, and later urged him to spare his life. In return, he would put in a word to the Elder Gods to restore his clan. However, after Sub-Zero challenged Scorpion, events led to Sub-Zero's death anyway. Along with Cyrax, Raiden eulogised him, but noted he made his fate, referring to the Cyber Initiative as one of the Lin Kuei's "ruinous choices". Cyrax responded that he was speaking against the plan, and Raiden told him he was betraying Earthrealm by being employed by Shang Tsung to kill Earthrealm warriors.
After Cyrax's battle with Johnny, Raiden silently urged him to spare him, which Cyrax did. After Ermac emerged, Raiden urged Liu Kang to be careful, and his pupil quickly defeated him. After the battle, Raiden mused on his visions, with Raiden believing the one who "must win" his future self mentioned with Liu Kang. After Liu Kang defeated Goro and Shang Tsung, Raiden was delighted at his pupil, but noticed his amulet was still cracked. After the tournament, at the Wu Shi temple, Raiden gave Liu Kang a medal to honour his victory. Afterwards, alongside Jax, Raiden wondered why the amulet was still cracked, before encountering a revitalized Shang Tsung, who proposed a second tournament in return for Shao Kahn abandoning his claim on Earthrealm in the event of their victory.
===Outworld tournament===
Raiden initially refused the sorcerer's offer, before his hand was forced by an invasion of Tarkatans, with the Thunder God fighting off Shang Tsung personally. At the tournament, Jax inadvertently nominated himself as the first challenger, and Raiden saw a vision of Sonya's potential execution. He teleported himself and the other Earthrealm warriors to the Armory, attempting to keep Jax and Johnny from butting heads. After managing to prevent Sonya's excution, she picked up high tech signals, which Raiden and Johnny headed to investigate. He discovered Smoke being captured by the Cyber Lin Kuei, and disabled them to prevent them converting him, as seen in his visions.
When Smoke joined them, they also sought out Kuai Liang, who had adopted the title of Sub-Zero after his brother's death. By the time they found him, he was captured by the Cyber Lin Kuei, and Raiden had to hold Smoke back to save him. Raiden was left remorseful at Sub-Zero's fate. He also noticed conflict between Kitana and the Kahn, noting that she could be swayed to their side. He and the others would attempt to convince the princess that Shao could not be trusted. Prompted by a vision, Raiden brought up her mother Sindel, but she did not understand what he meant. During the final rounds of the tournament, Raiden elected to do the opposite of this visions, and selected Kung Lao to be Earthrealm's champion. While he was victorious, Shao snapped Lao's neck, much to Raiden's horror, who nearly killed Khan himself before Liu Kang fought and defeated him personally.
===Tragedy during the invasion===
When Outworld began their invasion, Raiden became involved, saving police officer Stryker from Mileena, before receiving a vision of Johnny's death by Motaro, and proceeded to fly into him, killing the Centaur. Later, Raiden encountered Stryker's partner Kabal, along with the now Cyber Sub-Zero, and recruited them to join their allies. Raiden sent Nightwolf to prevent Outworld forces opening up a soulnado to steal Earthrealm's souls, which he succeeded in with Sub-Zero's help. However, Raiden's amulet remained cracked, much to his fustration. He and Liu Kang attempted to convince the Elder Gods to intervene, which they refused as Shao had not broken any of their rules. When they returned, however, they found that Sindel, whose powers had been enhanced in response to his killing of Motaro, had killed many of their fellow champions, and were too late to save Nightwolf from sacrificing himself to take her down with him.
Left bereft at their losses, Raiden was forced to travel to the Netherrealm to bargain with Quan Chi for help. He offers Quan Chi the souls of Earthrealm warriors who fall in battle, including his own. Quan Chi gloatingly reveals that the souls of Earthrealm's fallen already belong to him as part of Shao Kahn's agreement for the Netherrealm's assistance. Raiden is forced to fight off undead versions of his former comrades in order to escape the Netherrealm. Raiden managed to realize the meaning of "He must win!" was referring to Shao Kahn being allowed to begin merging Realms, as the Elder Gods would be forced to intervene.Returning to Liu Kang, Raiden revealed this revelation to him, but his pupil had become incredibly skeptical of him, due to their losses. When Shao Kahn arrived, the two came into direct conflict, with Raiden being forced to defeat Liu Kang in combat to prevent him from interfering. When Liu Kang attempted to kill Raiden, Raiden accidentally killed Liu Kang when Raiden's electricity reacts with Liu Kang's fireball and incinerated him, much to his horror. Shao Kahn is allowed to enter Earthrealm, and an emotionally shattered Raiden concedes ultimate defeat, as Kahn proceeds to dominate Raiden in almost exactly the same manner as the Armageddon aftermath. Only this time, the Elder Gods finally intervene and restore Raiden's strength. He and Shao Kahn engage in a final battle, with Raiden emerging victorious and Shao Kahn destroyed by the Elder Gods. Raiden, while relieved Armageddon had been prevented, is deeply saddened by the cost in lives, blaming himself for their loss. Raiden, Johnny Cage and Sonya then left with Kang's body to try and rebuild the Earth. 
==Mortal Kombat X Comics==
After Shinnok's forces lost the Netherrealm War and the fallen Elder God was banished again, Raiden appeared before the Elder Gods, demanding that Shinnok's amulet be destroyed to prevent his return yet again. The Elder Gods refused, explaining that the amulet, while imprisoning Shinnok, would release him once again if it were destroyed. Accepting this, Raiden asked that the amulet then be safeguarded, locked away within a dark dimension where no one could find it and release Shinnok. The Elder Gods agreed, but proclaimed a lock was only as safe as its key, and summoned the Kamidogu daggers to encircle Raiden. The Elder Gods explained that the Kamidogu daggers had tasted the blood of the One Being, and while no single dagger could contain Shinnok alone, Raiden understood that united they could. The Elder Gods agreed, and Raiden allowed each Kamidogu to impale him, tasting his blood and locking Shinnok's Amulet away.
Raiden would then entrust each dagger to a powerful champion to protect them from those who would seek the daggers out, either for the power of Blood Magik or to release Shinnok from his prison. Raiden recovered the revived Kuai Liang and brought him back to his Sky Temple. When Sub-Zero awoke from his comatose state months later, he was initially confused and attacked Raiden, but the thunder god easily deflected his ice blast and swore to him he was safe. While Sub-Zero was in disbelief over being alive, Raiden explained his resurrection and welcomed him back. When Sub-Zero expressed deep remorse for the actions he committed under Quan Chi's control, Raiden told him to make amends and explained Earthrealm needed his help. Raiden then sent Sub-Zero to retrieve one of the Kamidogu in possession of the Red Dragon in China, the dagger having been stolen before hand. Sub-Zero would disappear with the dagger shortly after.
Several years later, the god of thunder appears before Hanzo Hasashi in the Shirai Ryu temple. Raiden apologizes for his intrusion before noting that Scorpion has safeguarded the dagger well, which pleases him. When Hanzo demands to know why he is there, Raiden reveals that the Netherrealm invasion weakened Earthrealm's cosmic barrier, allowing a powerful demon to invade before Raiden could repair the damage. Raiden warns Hanzo that the demon will target the few remaining Earthrealm warriors. When Hanzo cruelly reminds Raiden of his own hand in that, the god of thunder takes his leave to warn the others, but not before warning Scorpion, "beware the one who walks in silence."
Raiden is seen again in his Sky Temple alongside fellow god Fujin. Frustrated by his inability to locate the demon in Earthrealm, Raiden turns to another of the Kamidogu already in his possession, hoping to invoke Blood Magik as a means to locate the demon. Fujin warns him that the price is too high but Raiden reminds him that humans consider it an honor to give blood. Taking the dagger, Raiden cuts his forearm to offer it blood and is besieged by visions of various Kombatants across the realms and realizes in horror that he is too late. "It has begun," the thunder god cries in horror as his body is consumed by the Blood Magik. Raiden collapses to his knees as the Blood Magik dissipates, his temple damaged and Fujin wounded. Raiden heals Fujin while warning his friend that they are short on time. When Fujin sees Raiden's own wounded arm, the thunder god reveals it will not heal for some time due to invoking Blood Magik. Raiden then tells Fujin that Earthrealm and Outworld will fall into chaos, and the that bloodshed could begin with Cassie Cage.
Raiden appears in the Special Forces base in a display of lightning, bolts of electricity striking the warring Outworld warriors and Special Forces soldiers as the thunder god declares, "Enough," Kotal Kahn warns Raiden that Outworld's pain will be Earthrealm's before creating a portal with his Portal Stone. Raiden reminds Kotal that he promised him he would not use that anymore but Kotal retorts that after the Netherrealm War he promised their worlds would cooperate before departing. Sonya Blade is annoyed by Raiden's intervention but the thunder god only asks her where her daughter is.
After a long absence, Raiden returns, possessed by the demonic force infesting the Kamidogu. The thunder god attacks Hanzo and Takeda in their camp outside the Sky Temple, Kamidogu dagger in one hand while grabbing Hanzo by the neck with the other and roaring that the ninja should not have come to his home. Soon the extent of Raiden's possession is revealed. Now believing the demon has come to set them free through the Blood Code, Raiden brutally battles with Hanzo, dominating the Shirai Ryu easily with his lightning. Raiden grabs the ninja by the neck again, but Hanzo's student, Takeda, manages to sneak up behind the thunder god and impale him with a sword. Unfazed, Raiden bids Takeda to suffer the consequences of his foolish actions and calls down lightning to electrify the youth.
Hanzo saves his student by using his teleport and flees with Takeda. Raiden warns Hanzo that he cannot run from a god. As he rips the sword out from his abdomen, Raiden proclaims that chaos is coming to Earthrealm and that he will be its herald, when Scorpion returns, trying to take the Kamidogu dagger from Raiden's hand. Raiden mockingly questions how much hellfire Hanzo has left after all his teleporting, but the Shirai Ryu declares he has enough for a lifetime before landing a powerful punch across the thunder god's face.
Scorpion gains the upper hand over the possessed Raiden, stabbing him with his kunai and choking the thunder god with his chain, all the while raging at Raiden for giving him the Kamidogu dagger that resulted in second destruction of his clan and for seemingly killing Takeda with his lightning. Brought to his knees by the enraged Shirai Ryu, Raiden is saved from death when Scorpion sees that Takeda is still alive and rushes to his student's side. Raiden is then able to come to his senses, his blood purged of the demon's corruption.
Calling to Hanzo, Raiden apologises to the distrustful ninja and tells him he can save Takeda if they act quickly by taking him to the Jinsei Chamber, where Earthrealm's lifeforce will heal both Raiden and Takeda. Raiden heals his injuries from his fight with Scorpion, and while it at first appears Takeda is not recovering, Raiden reveals to Hanzo that his apprentice's soul is fighting against the Netherrealm's reach for him, and compliments the ninja for teaching his apprentice well. Takeda quickly awakens, feeling invincible after bathing in the Jinsei's light, with Raiden saying it is an effect.
Raiden apologises to Hanzo and Takeda before explaining the truth behind the Kamidogu's role in keeping Shinnok bound. The thunder god reveals that he could not keep each dagger in the same location, which is why he entrusted one to Scorpion for safe-guarding. Raiden then seals the dagger he entrusted Hanzo in a vault in his Sky Temple and apologizes to Hanzo for not telling him the dagger was more than a sacred relic and admits that he did not foresee a demon corrupting their power.
When Hanzo asks if Quan Chi is the culprit, Raiden disagrees but reveals Fujin is investigating the Netherrealm for his involvement. Hanzo asks who else has the daggers, and the thunder god tells him each dagger is accounted for, save one. Raiden tells Hanzo of the mission he gave Sub-Zero to retrieve a stolen Kamidogu, but the cryomancer never returned. Knowing whoever is after the daggers seeks to unseal Shinnok's amulet, Raiden asks Scorpion to save Sub-Zero from the demon corrupting him. At his student's urging, Hanzo agrees to the thunder god's request, vowing to bring Sub-Zero back dead or alive.
When Hanzo and Takeda returned to the Sky Temple with the Kamidogu recovered, Raiden commended Hanzo for sparing Kuai Liang's life, stating they had both suffered enough vengeance, though Hanzo wanted to hear none of it and asked who was next. Raiden assigned the Shirai Ryu to go to the Liu Kang Shaolin temple to recover the Chaosrealm Kamidogu, warning them to be civil to the monks while explaining he would recover Earthrealm's Kamidogu from its keeper, Jackson Briggs.
Raiden teleports to Jax's farm, calling out to the former Special Forces major. The thunder god is horrified when he spots Jax unconscious through a destroyed wall in his home. While Raiden tries to question the former major on what happened, it is Jax's wife, Vera, who answers him, revealing that Reiko, the former general of Outworld, attacked their home, having kidnapped their daughter Jacqui and demanding the Kamidogu dagger in exchange for her life. When Reiko threatened Vera's life, Jax complied and turned over the dagger. Raiden is troubled by the fact that Reiko now possesses more than one Kamidogu, and when Vera angrily demands that the thunder god bring her and Jax's daughter home, Raiden informs her of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade's venture into Outworld for their own daughter.
Raiden returns to the Sky Temple, but discovers that the Jinsei is rejecting him whenever he tries to enter it. Waiting for Fujin's return, the thunder god greets the wind god after he arrives and asks what news he brings from the Netherrealm. Fujin reveals that the retaining seals around the realm are untouched and there was no sign of Quan Chi or his Revenants. Fujin then tells Raiden that when they repaired the barriers protecting Earthrealm, they left Shang Tsung's Island vulnerable, as it is between Earthrealm and Outworld. Raiden says they should investigate at once but Fujin tells him he already attempted and informs Raiden that the island is protected by a shield spell similar to Raiden's own. When Fujin questions this, a horrified Raiden realizes the implications and attempts to enter the Jinsei again, only to be violently repulsed and thrown back.
A weakened Raiden reveals to Fujin how the Jinsei has been rejecting him since the morning, leaving him unable to revitalize himself. Fujin realizes that Raiden's overuse of the Kamidogu has left him corrupted and the Jinsei rejects him due to sensing its presence within him. As Fujin help him up, while reminding him he warned Raiden against using the Kamidogu, Raiden recalls how he never listens and after Fujin asks how many Kamidogu he has, Raiden reveals he has three, saying they are safe in the Sky Temple before realizing that Outworld is as exposed to Shang Tsung's Island as Earthrealm is, and realizes that Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade are in danger before telling Fujin they must determine if Kotal Kahn remains their ally.
However, Raiden is once again enslaved to the Blood Code, his overuse of Blood Magik allowing Havik to regain control over him. Raiden attacks Fujin, impaling him with a naginta before collecting all the Kamidogu he has so far and flying for Shang Tsung's Island. Raiden arrived on the island, and at Havik's command, unleashed thousands of blood red lightning bolts down on the island, striking his own champions Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, as well as Kotal Kahn and Mileena along with their forces. Raiden continues to call down lightning until Havik orders him to stop. Floating down to the chaos cleric's side, Raiden joins Havik later in the throne room and alongside the Blood Code possessed Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs, takes part in the ritual that will ascend Reiko into godhood. During the ritual, Raiden stabs Reiko with two of the Kamidogu, and witnesses the general become the Blood God.
Raiden floats alongside Cassie and Jacqui as he watches Reiko revel in his newfound godhood, devouring Mileena and Kotal Kahn's forces as tributes to himself. When the general continues to suffer from agonizing hunger and his body begins to tear itself apart, Raiden speaks in time with Cassie and Jacqui to remind Reiko that the power of the Blood Code comes from suffering, and watches as Havik murders Reiko before ripping Shinnok's amulet from the general's body, the cleric of chaos true goal having been undoing the seal on it the whole time.
Raiden observes as Havik tests the amulet's power on a group of Shokan spying on them. When Havik returns after dealing with Queen Sheeva's ship, Raiden takes up one of the Kamidogu and holds it over the bound Mileena. At Havik's bidding, Raiden stabs the deposed empress, enslaving her to Havik's will through the Blood Code. Havik then reveals his intentions to destroy the Netherrealm, believing death to be another form of order, and thus the chaos cleric desires to use Shinnok's amulet to destroy the cosmic barriers Raiden had enacted to protect Earthrealm, which also protect anyone from entering Netherrealm, so they can invade and destroy the realm. As Havik charges Shinnok's amulet with Ermac's souls to give the relic the power needed, Takeda arrives, severing Havik's hand that holds the amulet with his new whips.
Raiden stands beside Havik and the other corrupted champions as Takeda fights and defeats Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs. When Havik has the rest of his puppets attack Takeda, it is Raiden who delivers the final blow, grabbing Takeda and releasing bolts of lightning into the boy, all the while taunting him for his failures. Raiden watches Havik torture Takeda with Shinnok's amulet until D'Vorah arrives with reinforcements from Outworld. Havik uses Raiden to greet the warriors, and Raiden is shot at by Erron Black. Raiden continues to battle Erron Black, flying in the air to dodge his shots while raining red lightning down. The god eventually overwhelms the gunslinger and electrocutes him with streams of lightning. Before Raiden can kill Black, he is released from Havik's control as the Blood Code is broken. Shocked, Raiden relents in his assault, horrified at his own actions.
As the gathered warriors of Outworld and Earthrealm convene together, Raiden stands over Erron Black as Takeda reprimands the god for keeping secrets that ultimately resulted in all of them fighting and now having to live with the consequences. Takeda then throws to Raiden Shinnok's amulet, and though the thunder god tries to apologize to the young Shirai Ryu, Takeda only tells him to keep the relic safe for all their sakes. Raiden then begins speaking with Kotal Kahn and Sonya Blade, questioning who supplied Reiko and Havik with their forces, and after learning of Daegon and the Red Dragon's involvement, the thunder god informs Sonya of an accord he and the emperor have discussing over with between their realms, explainingit would lead to discussions of interrealm conflicts before either side attacks. After hearing Kotal out, Sonya agrees, and a pleased Raiden moves on to the next discussion.
Presenting the amulet of Shinnok to the two, Raiden explains that he cannot hold onto the relic, fearing it will corrupt him, and after telling the two that he once believed hiding it with secrets and lies made sense once, he acknowledges that those secrets have claimed too many victims and declares that the amulet will be protected by a qualified champion: Either Kotal Kahn or Sonya Blade. The emperor declines, still having to deal with Mileena and Outworld's civil war, and it is Sonya Blade who ultimately places the amulet under Earthrealm and Special Forces protection.
Though unseen, it was Raiden who directed the cryomancer Frost to Sub-Zero in Arctika, sending her and several other warriors to aid Kuai in reestablishing his clan.
==Mortal Kombat X==
A few months after the events of Mortal Kombat 9, Shinnok begins his invasion of Earthrealm. Raiden is seen alongside Fujin fending of waves of demons that begin to overrun the grounds of the Sky Temple. Quan Chi then appears in person and Raiden angrily rebukes at the necromancer to leave the sacred grounds. However, besides Quan Chi are undead revenants of Kurtis Stryker, Sindel, and Kabal who then tell Raiden that he had freed them, with the thunder god claiming that he had given them a fate even worse than death.
As Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Kenshi make their way to the Sky Temple, Raiden and Fujin attempt to hold off Quan Chi and the undead revenants from entering the Jinsei chambers. Shinnok then appears before both Raiden and Fujin and the undead revenants began to attack the two gods. Raiden is stabbed by Kabal's hook swords, but manages to use the blades as a conductor for his electricity and knocks out Kabal. He then aids Fujin as he shocks Sindel before the latter could finish him. They are then knocked by Shinnok's amulet and are almost absorbed by the amulet itself until the untimely intervention of Cage. Cage fights and defeats Shinnok, with Raiden using his amulet to seal him away. While Raiden remarks that the amulet cannot be destroyed, Fujin suggests that they go to the Elder Gods for counsel.
Five years after Shinnok's attack, Johnny along with Sonya go to the Netherrealm to infiltrate Quan Chi's fortress. While Cage is left stabbed in the back by Jax and is left dying, his revenant self begins to take shape. Raiden then enters the Netherrealm and attempts to stop the process, but is interrupted by Quan Chi. After Sonya defeats Quan Chi, Raiden manages to reverse the spell, not only saving Johnny, but freed Scorpion, Kuai Liang, and Jax in the process. He is then seen tending to Johnny's wounds.
At some prior to the main events of the game, Raiden catches Kung Jin when he attempted to steal a heirloom from the Sky Temple, urging him to return it. Yet, Kung Jin ignores Raiden's advice, forcing the god to take the statue away from the thief and tells him that the reason why Kung family gave it to him, as a gift to honor Kung Lao, Jin's cousin, after his defeat. Jin blames Raiden for Lao's death, leading to a fight, which Raiden lets Jin win to release his anger. Afterwards, he suggests Jin train at the Wu Shi as a Shaolin. Jin was apprehensive about being rejected for his homosexuality, to which Raiden assures him that the academy cares about what is in his heart. In the modern day, Raiden is seen in the Outworld refugee camp where he along with Sonya, Johnny, and Johnny's team are seen talking with Li Mei. They learn that Mileena is in possession of an amulet that gives her immense power. Suspecting the object to be Shinnok's amulet, he goes off to check on the amulet's security. He then is seen later on communicating with Sonya while confirming with her that the amulet was replaced with a duplicate. Before he can say more, he is then cutoff, leaving Sonya to ponder.
Raiden does not appear again in the story until much later where Bo' Rai Cho is seen waiting for him at the Sky Temple. Bo' Rai Cho informs Raiden his concerns about Shinnok's possible return. Raiden goes on to explain that he was caught in a trap by Kano and that getting out required his full attention, being unaware of the events that have already taken place. They proceed to travel to the Jinsei chamber, where Raiden goes to recover his strength. As they enter, Raiden reveals he hopes to turn the situation around by forcing Quan Chi to restore their comrades and allies. Raiden lamented over the loss of the Earthrealm warriors during Shao Kahn's invasion, especially Liu Kang and Kung Lao. He goes off in a melancholic tone where he claims that the both of them were like sons, and that he would move the heavens to bring them back. In a flashback to twenty five years ago, before the Outworld tournament, Raiden, Kung Lao and Liu Kang worked together to free Shaolin prisoners. He confronted first Baraka, then D'Vorah. Afterwards he sent Kang and Lao to free the Shaolin from the second ship, while he headed to the tournament, proudly noting he was certain of their success.
As Raiden is recuperating, he is awakened by a large shock, noticing a large hole above the Jinsei chamber and Bo' Rai Cho on the ground being dragged off. As Raiden makes it above ground, he sees Shinnok has returned and is draining his lifeforce with his amulet along with the Revenant Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Smoke, Kitana, and Sindel. Raiden refuted Shinnok's claim that Bo' Rai Cho's soul could be taken, and Shinnok ordered Raiden to be left alive to witness his realm's death, and to sealed within his amulet as he was before. Raiden was left to fight the Revenants, who begin beating down on him, and was nearly choked by Kung Lao, before the two of them fought, with Lao wishing revenge on the Thunder God. Raiden defeats Lao, sadly noting that he deserved a better fate. Afterwards Raiden faced Liu Kang, who mocked him by asking if he could still see the future. Raiden tells his former student that he knows this was not his true fate, with Kang blaming him for his death, to which Raiden responds it was an accident that haunted him ever since. Victorious over his corrupted champion, Raiden reiterated his regret. Raiden attempt to stop Shinnok in the Jinsei Chamber, but is caught and tortuously captured. While he and Johnny are captives, Raiden vows that others will stop him. After Cassie Cage knocks out Shinnok, he urges her to take him to the Jinsei in order to purify it. The purification succeeds, and Raiden is then last seen being tended to by Kung Jin.
After the post-credits, Raiden is seen in the Netherrealm. Due to cleansing the Jinsei from Shinnok, he has now adopted a much darker persona. He appears before the new rulers of the Netherrealm, Liu Kang and Kitana, and threatens them by stating that he would no longer stand by and watch Earthrealm on the defensive. He would from now on seek and destroy all who threaten Earthrealm with no mercy or remorse. He then leaves the severed, yet still-living head of Shinnok on the ground to make his point, and disappears in a flash of lightning, leaving Kang and Kitana to ponder in thought.
==Injustice 2==
Raiden made his guest appearance in Injustice 2 along with Sub-Zero. Raiden comes from a version of events where he defeated Shinnok, being brought to the Injustice universe by Shinnok's corruption of the Jinsei, and became aware that Brainiac's actions would eventually result in the barrier between the Realms being destroyed, annihilating all life. In his ending, Raiden dispatches Brainiac, but unable to save the now-former Doctor Fate Kent Nelson from a heavy impale by Brainiac himself. However, Kent manage to warn Raiden on his last breath, about an upcoming Armageddon, designed by Lords of Orders, leading Raiden to join Justice League and led the universe's Justice League Dark section, consisting some living magic wielding heroes like Constantine, Deadman, Zatanna and Swamp Thing to keep the Order and Chaos at balance.
==Mortal Kombat 11==
===Part 1===
The prologue shows what happened after Shinnok's defeat but before Mortal Kombat X's epilogue.
The new dark Raiden is shown torturing Shinnok. Noticing that the Thunder God now wears his amulet, Shinnok taunts Raiden that he finally embraces "the truth [he] was cast out for speaking." Raiden replies that the only truth he embraces is that showing mercy to those who threaten Earthrealm is pointless and vows to preemptively destroy Earthrealm's enemies, beginning with Shinnok himself. When Shinnok reminds Raiden that not even he can kill an Elder God, the Thunder God darkly responds that "there are fates worse than death", and proceeds to decapitate Shinnok with a blade construct. Raiden states that Shinnok will serve as "a warning, and an emblem of [his] wrath," and leaves the Jinsei chamber. After Raiden leaves the Jinsei, the keeper of time Kronika approaches Shinnok and states that Raiden has upset the balance of history and this is not her son's fate.
Two years later, Raiden would go on to lead the Special Forces in their preemptive attack on the Netherrealm. Cassie and the Special Forces began their attack on the inside, while Raiden provides the distraction by facing the demon army, empowered by Shinnok's amulet. After they destroyed the temple, he quickly teleports everyone back to Earthrealm, where he tells Cassie that Sonya died a warrior's death, much to Jacqui's chagrin. Sometime later, a mysterious earthquake ensures at the Special Forces base and younger versions of Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and Jax appear, while Raiden disappears, and a younger, uncorrupted Raiden to the future at the Koliseum. Raiden tells Kotal Kahn that they were participating in the tournament when they were taken. Shao Kahn accuses him of powering a delusion, but Raiden states that if it was, then they were all sharing it. Shao Kahn then attempts to usurp the throne from Kotal, and Raiden suggests that they help Kotal as he has heard that he is a man of honor, which the younger Jade confirms. Shao Kahn is forced to retreat, and in the aftermath, Raiden heads back to Earthrealm with Liu Kang and Kung Lao to see if any anomalies have occurred there.
Upon arriving in Earthrealm, Raiden consults the Elder Gods, with Cetrion telling him what to do. He admits his concerns with how his future turns out, but the Elder Gods assure him that restoring the timeline will not pre determine his destiny. He returns and sends Liu Kang and Kung Lao to secure the Jinsei before Kronika claims it, but the two fail as Kronika intervenes herself. Raiden tells the two what he has learned, and promises not to lead them to their deaths as Dark Raiden did. He also discovers that Sektor and the Cyber Lin Kuei have also been brought to this time, but are being handled by Sub-Zero and Grandmaster Hasashi, to which Raiden was shocked to discover that Scorpion is now on their side.
The Thunder God discovers that the Heavens are left in shambles by Cetrion, who reveals that she betrayed the Elder Gods to aid Kronika in her plans, with her telling him that his dark self's decapitation of Shinnok disrupted her balance of good and evil. Vowing to prevent Kronika's plan to create "balance" through endless confict, he discovered that Kotal and Jade had been captured by Shao Kahn. Raiden returns to the Special Forces base, just in time before Sektor self-destructs, activated by Kano. With the command base destroyed, he brought them to Hanzo Hasashi's Fire Garden, as it is the only secure location left.
Later, Raiden and the others encounter the younger Scorpion, who attempts to tell him that Kharon will assist him, but Raiden believes he is lying (as he killed Bi-Han against his wishes) and battles him in kombat, defeating him. Liu Kang decides to hear him out, but Raiden is affected by Shinnok's amulet, beginning to torture Scorpion. When Liu Kang begs him to stop, realising that the amulet's darkness is taking hold, Raiden refuses to listen and fights Liu Kang staging he states that he demands obedience, not trust. As Raiden slowly goes onto the verge of becoming Dark Raiden, Liu Kang unwillingly prepares to battle the corrupted thunder god to the death. Raiden suddenly comes to a stop, his corruption halting as a realization strikes him. "This has happened before." Raiden whispers to himself, living out the fatal confrontation between himself and Liu Kang in MK9, before experiencing visions of the two battling across various different battle fields, their own appearances changing with each battle ground, but their battle is always the same. The truth finally dawns on Raiden, who falls to his knees as the visions end.
Raiden realizes his mistakes, and tosses aside Shinnok's amulet before healing the younger Scorpion and apologizing to Liu Kang. He explains to the others that in every timeline, Kronika has pitted him and Liu Kang against each other, only for the latter to die each time, and states that he will no longer be manipulated by Kronika. Kronika then halts time and privately converses with Raiden, commending him for noticing the pattern. However, he states that he does not understand the purpose, to which she states that both his and Liu Kang's powers combined threaten her vision. Raiden is still intent on opposing her, but she then takes Liu Kang away. As time returns to normal, the others wonder where Liu Kang has gone, and he tells them that Kronika has taken him and that they must launch their assault immediately, taking the younger Scorpion's word that Kharon will assist them.
As Kharon leads the strike force to Kronika's Keep, she sends Frost, the older Jax, Geras and the Cyber Lin Kuei. He orders the group to protect Kharon at all costs, just as the elder Jax challenges him to battle. Jax states that he is doing what is right, but Raiden defeats him in kombat and tells him that Kronika intends to revive Shinnok, who was responsible for his revenant enslavement. Geras then appears and challenges him in kombat, but Raiden defeats him. When Geras proclaims that he cannot die, Raiden notices an anchor and binds Geras in it before moving it off ship, as he will be unable to escape the bottomless Sea of Blood. Frost then battles him, who reveals that she is in command of the Cyber Lin Kuei. Upon defeating Frost, Raiden is forced to fry her circuits to deactivate the Cyber Lin Kuei. Shortly afterwards, the revenant Liu Kang then attacks Raiden, and he was horrified that the revenant had absorbed his human self's soul. After a lengthy battle, Raiden chose to save Liu Kang by merging himself with the two versions of him, making Liu Kang a Fire God. Kronika, who witnessed the younger Liu Kang leave her Keep, expresses surprise that Raiden would try something innovative.
With his new godly powers and the knowledge about the Hourglass and Kronika's plan, Liu Kang is able to kombat her and her time manipulating abilities. The armies of Earthrealm and Outworld begin their assault on Kronika's Keep. Once inside however, Kronika reverses time sending Liu Kang's allies back to Kharon's Ship, forcing Liu Kang to the battle the revenant counterparts of his friends alone. Within his mind, Raiden gives Liu Kang the strength to fight on by reminding him of the Jinsei flowing through him. Liu Kang eventually defeats the revenant Kitana, Kung Lao and Jade. Then Liu Kang battles Cetrion and defeats her. After Liu Kang finally kills Kronika at the dawn of time, Raiden is separated from him leaving Liu Kang a God and the latter a mortal. The former Thunder God bestows the title of protector of Earthrealm and the keep to Liu Kang, with the latter accepting his former master's words. When Raiden describes the task of watching over time, Liu Kang believes he cannot handle the task alone. Raiden suggests that he will advise Liu Kang as long as he lives. Together, they start to shape the sands of time. 
In an alternate version of events where Liu Kang defeated Kronika in the prehistoric age, Raiden suggests he chose someone to share his duty. After Liu chooses Kitana as Raiden expected, he bids farewell to Liu Kang, and the two vow to see each other again in the next timeline.
===Aftermath===
Following on from the main ending, Raiden and Liu Kang begin to create the New Era together, before being interrupted by Shang Tsung, Nightwolf, and Fujin, having escaped a Void beyond time. Raiden did not trust Shang Tsung's claims that they needed the Crown. Liu Kang decided to send them before the time-merger, so they could get Kronika's crown at Shang Tsung's island while he and Raiden stayed behind to operate the hourglass. However, their involvement in the past began to create a different outcome.
That version of Raiden appears when Scorpion returns from the Netherrealm, confronting their old nemesis and his brother, who told them about their future, the Crown, and the plan to defeat Kronika. But he denies it, due to his questionable alliance with Shang Tsung and Shinnok's amulet's influence over him. Liu Kang decides that they should hear him out, but Raiden refuses to listen. Fujin intervenes when he tries to kill Liu Kang and fight his brother. Raiden recovered his senses and decides to listen.
After learning about their drastic future, Kronika appears to retrive the crown, but the combined efforts of Shang Tsung, Raiden and Fujin forces her to retreat, then deciding to go to her isle and transform Liu Kang (past and present) into the Firegod. When he was about to face-off with revenant Liu Kang one last time, Liu Kang's leg is suddenly broken. His former pupil reveals it was Shao Kahn's doing, having smashed the human Liu Kang's legs. Understanding that they had been manipulated by Shang Tsung, he confronted the sorcerer just as he tricked Fujin into giving him the Crown by taking Raiden's form. 
The sorcerer achieves his goal and gets into a brief fight with both gods, then turning his attention to Nightwolf. Raiden and Fujin stop him from taking his soul. However, both are defeated and their souls are taken. Weakened but still alive, the two are dragged away by Shokan soldiers when Shao Kahn and Sindel arrives, so they could feast on their soul for eternity. In Shang Tsung's New Era, Raiden is made into his Dark self who serves him. However, in Fire God Liu Kang's version of events, this particular version of the events is undone. The fate of the mortal Raiden is unknown, but he presumably passed away naturally. 
==Titan Raiden==
In his MK11 ending, Raiden was able to defeat Kronika without merging with Liu Kang, but was left insecure about being the keeper of time after having being shown his falliblity. Electing to burn away his more emotional side with strong magic, he attempted to build a better timeline, but found that using mere logic was not good enough, acknowledging that compassion was just as valuable. After this, he elected to build a timeline based on both to ensure peace for the Realms.
=== Mortal Kombat 1 ===
This version of Raiden would join with Fire God Liu Kang, as well as Titan versions of Kitana and Kung Lao, against the threat of Titan Shang Tsung, with Raiden sadly noting that the cycle of violence he had hoped to end by defeating Kronika had started again. They confronted Shang Tsung and his forces when he attempted to destroy Kang's Hourglass, with Raiden battling a Dark Kung Lao and Liu Kang, but was eventually overwhelmed. Shortly after, Raiden joined the others in restoring the Hourglass from Shang Tsung's attack on it. Raiden participated in the Battle of Armageddon as a part of the Union of Light, and saved his New Era self from Dark Shao. After the battle, he returned to his own timeline.
Category:Synopsis