Ffffuuucck so did Scorpion call them in to be killed in one last stand? Or did he call them in to destroy the coalition in one go? God damn I can't tell!

But I suppose this was the intended effect with the ending. After the timeline, we finally have an explanation for all the random appearances and slaughters the Mortals had been involved in. And that you mentioned that Smoke's children also died in the bombing... jesus how could I have missed that. I feel even worse now that's been pointed out to me. Smoke certainly is a lost man.

At least Scorpion admits that Reptile's retained his heart. That much is reassuring of the humanity the Mortals still cling on to.

Scorpion's recollection of Stryker dubbing their kind of warfar as "Mortal Combat" was a genuinely brilliant touch. The whole story comes full circle with that one phrase.

Well, since this is the final piece of the story, and I'm still reeling from the last chapter, I'll do my bit here and thank you for writing this. It was an immensely wonderful experience reading this story from the start to finish. It was certainly a crazy ride, with all the ups and downs, the emotional appeal of the characters and the seamless incorporation of the game's lore into the universe you created.
The characters were endearing and I couldn't help myself getting attached to some while absolutely hating those you intended for us to hate - but the most intelligent aspect of this fic is how (other than Stryker), none of the characters truly felt evil. There was always some sort of depth involved and characters you'd normally hate or were undeniably evil in the games were so multi-dimensional and utterly human. In the end, I didn't hate the Grimms or the Russian experiments or Shao Kahn's little outfit or the younger Sub-Zero or Kabal. I didn't hate anyone (save Stryker) because there was always a reason behind their motives and they way you portrayed them was very compelling.
And the masterstroke here is that your characterisations are so unique and well done that the characters in this fic stand as completely different counterparts to their actual selves. A suffering Quan Chi, a kindhearted Reptile, a loving Smoke, a frightened Kano, a scarred Shao Kahn, a mad Stryker, a repentant Kabal - all these and more felt like their own characters.
While the story I'll admit wasn't much different than what I get in MGS, Call of Duty and other military-based plot lines in games, you certainly managed to retain my interest as a reader with all the plot-twists and mystery involved in the course of the story. And the way you managed to integrate MK lore with themes that are the complete polar opposite of what the series is about is testament to your art.

So in the end, thank you so very much (again) for writing a brilliant story and actually sticking through with it till its completion (unlike most good fan fics that just stop updating). This certainly stands out as a valuable gem in this archive and I hope that in the near future you continue to write.

Okay, I was going to talk about the Rain vs Scorpion fight but the timeline in the end just left me in a state of shock. The fight was brilliantly done, that's all that I can manage right now

I know I shouldn't have expected any happy endings since this is categorised as a tragedy but holy shit I didn't think it'd get me this bad! I expected that I might see the "heroes" of this fic die honourably in battle and I'm happy (I guess...? because they got fucked over anyway) but what I got instead made me so mad and so hurt I can't even begin to describe!

My jaw literally dropped when I read that the bombing was blamed on the Mortals and Stryker FUCKING HAILED AS A HERO LIKE WTF THAT IS WAY TOO CRUEL MAN
After all the shit Stryker caused, he got it so easy! The death he got (deserved) was brutal and painful as it was but, and to quote Smoke, he won. He didn't get to become an immortal (physically at least) but now his name will go down in history books like some gilded hero NO FUCK THAT

In a way, it sort of is ironic that Stryker did manage to achieve immortality. Just not the way he intended.

The timeline is a nice reference in itself and I absolutely adore the lore you've created for after the US was bombed. It really did feel like it was taken out from some alternate future textbook - very believable and expertly handled.

Well I still have the epilogue to go through. Should I expect Raiden to pop up again after presuming he died? 'Cause he kinda enjoyed doing that. Oh well, I'd better see for myself

(God it feels like there's a lump stuck in my throat and its pressing down on my tonsils and making them hurt like a bitch. That's how awful I feel right now. Fucking hell)

Aw my favourite finally got his chapter!
I figured that Reptile might also have a flashback scene but oh well. What I already know about him from past chapters is enough (how else would he be such an endearing character?)

I loved seeing Shao Kahn in all his full glory, going berserk on Tremor and tearing him several new assholes. Smashing Tremor into a bloody pulp felt so satisfying to read.

I already knew in the first bit that Reptile wasn't going to go out so easily so I had an easy time reading Frost and Chameleon getting rekt. But this time I'm going to single out Chameleon here because he had his shining moment in there. The fact that he threatened Reptile he'd hurt him just like he did Frost lends to the kind of relationship he had with the Grimms. I can tell that Chameleon was just as attached to his teammates as Reptile was to his, and that he spoke (something which you pointed out he doesn't usually do) right after Frost was injured is a testament to that. It was a parallel with the Mortals and showed Chameleon and Frost's humanity in this one moment.

And then on the other end of the spectrum, Reptile's animal side came out. The scene where he was feeding on Frost showed that he had, for just a moment, discarded the very humanity which he displayed through dialogue in the first scene. And his refusal to grant Frost mercy was a wonderful depiction of the costs of war. He knew he couldn't rely on his kindness here in the heat of battle and had to eliminate Frost whom he knew was Sub-Zero's relative. And the fact that he admitted that even Sub-Zero wouldn't have shown her any mercy is a sad truth of the familial bonds that are tested and destroyed in times of conflict.

Tl;dr
Great chapter!

So I see there's a flash back scene for every Mortal in the beginning before it cuts to the final battle. Great approach! I also loved the language and expressions Harry and his wife used - felt authentically pre-WWI, especially when Harry uses the word "show".

And if I'm guessing correctly here, Moloch makes for an interesting cameo! I already love how his head's in Quan Chi's MKX intro so this just feels all the more prefect.

Raiden is a riot. I can hear his English accent in my head and the way he says bastard, all proper like, is just so corny and brilliant at the same time. And him popping up into places, even when people think he's dead, feels like a great reference to his "batman" disappearing acts in the movie and live-action series.

I wonder though where Scorps and Raiden are heading to. Kinda like the flesh pits (except more technologically advanced)? Love Shao Kahn in this. The serum makes for a great way to explain how op he is generally - but I have to wonder: will he turn into a confirmed bad guy now that he's taken the serum? I mean his eyes turned red - that's usually a sign of evil incoming. But then again, Reptile is undeniably a good guy here and he looks more like a villain than say Rain or Frost.

fuuuuuuuuuccckkkk I've been so busy these months I never even bothered to check my mail for any notifications on this fic
fuck me
God this has already ended and I still haven't read past 27, jesus christ kill me

I sincerely apologise for fucking off like this. Didn't want to give the impression that I decided to not bother with reviewing and really sorry if you felt that way. I'm still going to go chapter by chapter here (even though its complete now and GOD I DON'T KNOW HOW IT ENDS AND I'M SO CURIOUS)

Anyway, I loved the beginning. Deborah's death was inevitable but the way you used minimal expressions and descriptions actually helped set the prefect mood for it. It wasn't overdone with melodrama and not underdone so the reader (in this case, me) felt alienated. It was touching and beautiful - Smoke's love for his aged wife even in the face of his youth comes across wonderfully when he disappears after her passing away. Really speaks volumes of the relationship these two had.

So I'm just going to assume the burning rock man is Blaze since the description reminds me of his Armageddon look (clever way of tying into the "last" game in the series). And Smoke's already getting his ass handed to him so should I expect a tragedy in the next chapter?

Okay, heading on to the next one right now, like I should have when it got updated

Good Lord, it's over... it's really over... This has been a great ride from beginning to end... and I love it. Thank you so much for making a story like this, though I may feel like wanting more of this or like a sequel or something... but at the same time this was a very nice way to wrap it up.
Thank you for sharing this amazing AU with us

A wonderful end to a great story. I loved it. Thanks for writing it.

This is a depressing but well-written finale to a magnificent story. I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again: this is the most compelling extreme MK AU that I've ever read. Nearly every tweak of the MK lore is done well, and my disbelief was suspended very rarely for this kind of story. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with the world, and I wish you the very best in your future writing endeavours.

That is a fitting Fatality for a crazy madman who wanted to take the world out with him. Too bad he succeeds. It's still morbidly funny that my most hated character in MK3 manages to be such a nauseating and self-serving villain.

All good things must come to an end. It's too bad that my favourite character (in the franchise) is the first Mortal to bite the dust, but oh well. On to the epilogue.

Wow now that's a way to end a story! It's been a joy reading this story I doubt I'll ever read another story quiet like this one. It's been a pleasure :)

Are you planning on doing any other MK stories?

Insanity. Nuclear Armageddon and the Mortals are wanted men. Awesome!

Wow this was certainly an intense chapter! Very satisfying to see Rain and Stryker die.
The time at the end was certainly interesting! Sad to hear that Raiden died though. Can't wait for the epilogue!

and the reviews are no problem at all ;)

Yes, the fight begins, another great chapter!
Smoke part was sad, but at least his wife passed away peacefully

Noob Saibot! Awesome

Another good chapter, nice thing with Shao Khan's skull mask being his father's skull :)

Man that speech from Reptile makes me tear up...so beautifully done
Loved the part between Scorpion and Kuai Liang reconciling, it was well done and not just brushed over, which is very appreciated :)