The massive crowd cheered enthusiastically at their queen up on the main terrace of the Edenian palace. Sindel stood with Kitana and Jade by her side, raising a hand to calm the crowd down before attempting to address them.

"My fellow Edenians," Sindel boomed to the spectators below, her voice enhanced enough to rival an Earthrealm surround sound system. "I am happy to inform you today that your royal family has returned!"

Her announcement was met with more jubilation from the people below, including the Earthrealm warriors. Off to their side stood a spared Mileena and Baraka, the former helping the latter to clap his hastily re-stapled arms as Sindel spoke.

"The journey to independence from Outworld will be long and difficult," Sindel continued. "But Edenia is strong. Her people will defend her as they have for millennia!"

Her comment spurred a round of patriotic fervor from her supporters below.

"Yet," Sindel went on, prompting a small lull from the crowd's shouts. "We must not forget to thank those who helped us take this momentous step forward in Edenian history. Remember the Earthrealm warriors!"

There was more applause as Edenians cheered the group at the head of the crowd on. Sonya couldn't help but wonder that maybe Earthrealm was being given too much credit, but kept the thought to herself as she saw Johnny characteristically bask in the glow of approval. From up on the balcony Kitana waved amicably down to Liu Kang, who returned the gesture.

"Thanks to their efforts, and those of their leader," Sindel continued, "The order between realms has been secured once more. We owe our thanks to them, and to their protector god!"

As the crowd continued to shout enthusiastically, their queen soon realized that the deity in question was nowhere to be found and rushed to correct herself.

"May our thanks reach him, wherever he may be."

At this Johnny, too, realized somebody was missing and took a break from his adoring fans.

"Wait," he said, looking around confused. "Where did Ray go?"

"I'm sure he'll turn up eventually," Nightwolf assured him. Realizing that was the best answer he would probably get, Johnny shrugged and returned to his cheering. Sindel continued with her monologue.

"As a sign of our gratitude, we promise to offer as much support as possible to our sister realm as she begins the road to recovery."

Her speech ended with an explosion of approval from the crowds from every realm.

Later that evening, Sonya found herself strolling with Johnny along the outskirts of the palace. She had surprised herself by taking his invitation in the first place, but after realizing they would probably not have a ride home anytime soon, she made an effort to dispel a wary Jax and joined Johnny as he attempted to make sense of their foreign environment. As they admired the lush scenery Edenia had to offer, she found herself unexpectedly engaged in pleasant conversation with the actor, a far cry from when everything that came out of his mouth spurred in her the sudden urge to strike him upside the head.

"Not bad," Johnny commented as they passed by the palace's signature fountains. "Doesn't beat Bermuda, but maybe I'm just biased."

"Shocker," Sonya replied dryly but good-naturedly as they approached the front doors of the tournament hall. They both drew to a stop and were silent for a moment.

"Weird to think this is where it all started, isn't it?" Johnny commented. Sonya was surprised at the sudden seriousness in his voice, but then paused to recollect with him as she realized that this was where it had all started; this was where the most unlikely of people, including an actor, a monk, and a Special Forces agent had all somehow got tangled up in the fight to save the universe. And to be honest, it hadn't turned out half bad.

She was still reminiscing before she realized that Johnny had gone up to the closed gates and was attempting to budge them open. She snapped out of her sentimental stupor to quip at him.

"Are you crazy?" she barked at him as he continued to tug on the circular red door to the fighting stage. "Those things weigh a ton each. You can't move them."

"Never say never, babe," Johnny replied without looking at her as he continued in his efforts. Normally Sonya would have protested at the 'babe' comment, but instead took it upon herself to help Johnny in his task, figuring they had taken bigger risks in their lives at this point. To her surprise, their combined efforts helped to move the massive doors a crack, allowing enough space for the two of them to sneak in.

"Wow," Johnny commented as he took in the sight of the stage at night, much less imposing than when he had first seen it filled with menacing warriors, but still giving off a grand and magnificent air nonetheless as the open space was bathed in moonlight. Sonya quickly noticed they were not alone in the arena.

"Johnny, look!" she said, grabbing his shoulder and pointing to a spot on the stage behind where Shang Tsung had once watched over the ceremonies. They could both make out a tall silhouette with a familiar coolie hat.

"Raiden!" they called out simultaneously as they rushed to greet their friend. Said thunder god turned around at the mention of his name, the glow of his eyes signaling that they were visibly crinkling as he smiled at his allies rushing on stage.

"Looks like we found your hiding spot," Sonya remarked as they drew up to his side.

"Can't ditch us that easy, Ray," Johnny responded, causing Raiden to let loose another small smirk.

"I should have known," he retorted, returning his attention to the full moon.

"Yeah," Sonya replied softly as she and Johnny joined him in his moon gazing.

"So," Johnny interrupted, not being one to handle silence well for too long. "What happens now? Any more intergalactic tournaments we should know about?"

"Not for a while," Raiden answered. "Until another realm makes a claim to her, Earthrealm will not have to participate in Mortal Kombat unless asked for assistance."

"Speaking of which," Sonya butted in, his statement triggering her memory. "Apparently Edenia's trying to break from Outworld now. Sindel explained everything earlier. She tried to thank you, but you pulled a vanishing act back there."

"Send her my apologies," Raiden responded. "But after everything that had happened, I believed I needed a little 'me-time.' You Earthrealmers know how it is."

"Well!" Sonya replied as she and Johnny faked offense at the playfully derogatory reference, encouraging another smirk from their friend. After they both calmed down, Sonya spoke again.

"You made quite a comeback there," she told Raiden, prompting him to turn to her. "We should count our lucky stars you got back when you did."

"Yeah," Johnny agreed with her. "Hard as it is to believe, that whole 'saving the world' thing can get at you. It was hard trying to hold down the fort while you were gone," he said, spurring an unexpected chuckle from Raiden.

"Thanks for coming back," Sonya said in an effort to reword Johnny's sentiments. "We couldn't have done it without you."

Raiden paused at her statement, silently reflecting on everything that had happened.

"Perhaps it is I who should be thanking both of you," he finally responded. "If it were not for the two of you, who knows what would have happened after the Elder Gods discarded me? Your aid helped to prevent disaster on a cosmic scale. I must apologize for putting you two through so much. I am sorry for having been such a burden in that time."

"What burden, man?" Johnny replied. "That's what friends do."

"…Yes," Raiden responded, smirking warmly. "It is."

"Well," Sonya said. "I love sharing the warm fuzzies as much as the next girl, but don't you think we should be getting back soon?"

Raiden continued to look up at the moon, leaving Johnny with the opportunity to speak for him.

"Why don't we just take it easy for a while?" he replied, turning his attention to the night sky as well. Outnumbered, Sonya resignedly turned her gaze upwards as well. The three of them enjoyed their view of the peaceful evening sky, a symbol of the calm that had returned after the storm. But not too much time passed before one of them felt compelled to break the silence with an urgent inquiry.

"…So am I getting that robe back, or what?"

FINISHED IT! :D

Thank you so much for everyone who took the time to read and review! I really hope I'll be able to do some kind of sequel, but with school coming up I'm not making any promises. :P

You guys rock. I really appreciate all the feedback. Hope you guys have a great summer (or whatever season it may be in your corner of the globe). :)