Hi all!! I'm back!!
I've made a few changes, fixed spelling, etc. I'm now back in the writing spirit, and will be working on this alot now.
When I first posted this fic I hadn't yet played MK:DA, but now I own the game so I have all the info to write a fic. (It's
hard being an Aussie sometimes. We're always the last to know.) So I hope you enjoy this new addition to the Life of Sonya Blade.
For those of you who aren't aware, this is a sequal. The original is called 'Seems Like A Lifetime...' You'll find it in here
somewhere.
***********
By the way, I don't own any of the Characters, or names or anything in this, They're Midway's so there.
***********
And this is my take on the story, ever since 'Seems Like A Lifetime...' I've alwyas taken everything I've read on Mortal Kombat
and twisted them all together with my own twisted mind to come up with a new twist on an old story. That's for any of you
purists out there who are wondering why things don't seem right.
***********
New Beginnings
By Ryan Bowden
Copyright (C) 2002 Ryan Bowden
Prologue
Johnny Cage rolled over in his queen sized bed. He lay there staring at the other pillow. He remembered what it was like to see Sonya's face staring back at him, and a deep sadness engulfed him as he dreamed that those days would return.
"When are you coming home?" He asked quietly, rubbing the pillow. It had been four long months since Sonya's death, and he was still having trouble dealing with it. Jax had recruited him in the Special Forces and had taken to looking after him. They had grown very close after her death. Suddenly a high pitched electronic beeping started to squeal from his bedside table. He rolled back to look at his pager. Jax's number flashed at him. He sighed and sat up.
"Time to bear another day." He said before standing and walking to the bathroom. Johnny looked at his naked reflection. A dark stubble covered his jaw and he had bags under his eyes. He looked down at his razor sitting on the bathroom sink. He considered shaving but decided that he didn't care what he looked like. He stepped into the large shower and turned on the water, leaning against the wall. He didn't care what he looked like but he never liked to be stinky.
An hour later he walked into Special Forces Headquarters. He greeted the security staff and got into the elevator.
"Hold the door!" A voice shouted from outside. Johnny quickly stopped the elevator door from closing and let Lieutenant Mikka Stone in.
"Thanks Johnny." She puffed.
"No problem. How you been?" Johnny greeted his colleague.
"Not bad. How 'bout you? How are you doing?" She asked in a concerned tone. It was no secret that Johnny was having a hard time.
"Yeah, I'm okay. It's getting better. Very, very slowly, but still, better." He smiled slightly.
"Glad to hear it." She smiled back.
They arrived at their floor and Johnny went straight to Jax's office. When he walked in, Jax was on the phone, so Johnny sat in the other chair and waited. He looked around at the photos on the wall until he came to one of Sonya. He felt a small smile form on his face and he looked down at the floor as Jax hung up the phone.
"Johnny." Jax greeted his friend.
"Jax." Johnny replied satirically. "What's the what?"
"The Black Dragon." Jax replied simply. Johnny stared at him for a moment, furrowing his brow.
"I'm sorry, what?" Johnny asked.
"The Black Dragon. They're back."
"That's impossible. Jarek was the last one." Johnny argued. "He's dead now." He finished quietly.
"I know it. You know it. But it's happening none the less. There was a robbery at a museum last night. The guard was killed with a large knife to the throat. It had the Black Dragon insignia printed on it."
"How could you know that?"
"We found it where they left it." Jax explained. Johnny raised his eyebrows in response.
"In the guards neck." Jax finished. Johnny grimaced. Jax reached into a draw and pulled out a bag with the knife in question in it. Johnny stared at it. At the image of a dragon printed on the blade, and the blood stain on the stainless steel. In his minds eye, he saw the blade that was used to slash his throat years before. At the hands of Kano.
"Where was this museum.?" Johnny asked.
"Down town. We'll leave straight away."
"Who's going?" Johnny asked as they both stood and walked from Jax's office.
"Apart from you and I, Mikka and Sylence." Jax replied as the two officers in question joined them at the elevator.
"Ladies." Johnny said allowing them to step into the elevator first.
They arrived at the crime scene two hours later. The front was barricaded with police tape which the special forces moved past and entered the building. There was no power so they all held flashlights.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Johnny asked dragging the light across the room.
"Anything." Jax replied.
The team searched for a while but found very little. A smashed window, entry point, and muddy footprints leading to a pedestal where an ancient jewel was stolen. Johnny stood before it examining the place where the jewel once rested.
"What exactly was this jewel thingy?" Johnny asked.
"It was ancient Egyptian. Apparently it gave it's holder extraordinary power. It was donated to the museum by a Mr. Nicholas Quentin Harper." Jax replied. Johnny furrowed his brow.
"Since when did you become Mr. Knowledge?" He asked turning to look at Jax. "Oh." He murmured, seeing Jax standing next to the information plaque with a big grin on his face.
"Always the wise ass." Johnny said walking past him. "I don't get this, man. I mean, why would the Black Dragon steal a jewel? What could it possibly bring them? I mean it's not like it's an actual ancient weapon. Right?" He looked to Jax for a little reassurance.
"Who knows. After everything we've seen over the last couple of years would it surprise you?"
"I guess not." Johnny replied.
"Wait a minute." Mikka said interrupting. Everyone gave her their attention. "There uh, there was once a member of the Black Dragon who had a jewel imbedded into his eye socket." Mikka reminded everyone.
"What's your point? I mean, you can't possibly be saying what I think you are." Johnny frowned.
"Why not?" She asked simply making Johnny laugh.
"Kano is dead Mikka. That's why."
"So were you once."
"I don't want to hear it." Johnny said walking away angrily.
"Maybe you have to!" Sylence snapped. "You may not want to but we aren't exactly dealing with the norm here. Maybe Kano has been brought back. Maybe he wasn't even dead to begin with."
Johnny exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief at what he was hearing.
"Johnny, just chill alright?" Jax tried to calm his friend. "Maybe they're right. Kano could be alive. It's the best possible answer."
"Okay." He said quietly. "Maybe you are right. But Kano is the last thing that I could ever want to deal with right now."
"Tough shit pretty boy." A raspy voice came from the shadows. Everyone began scanning the room with their flashlights. "'Cause whether you like it or not, I'm back. And there's no escaping me. Or what's coming."
Johnny noticed a dull red glow in one of the corners of the large room. He quickly shined his light on the glow and nearly gasped aloud at the sight of Kano's face. The face of the man that once took his life. The face of a teammate of the man that took Sonya's life. The face that trained him. Johnny felt an anger like he'd never felt before. He didn't even realize he was pulling his gun from his holster and firing at him. When his magazine was emptied and the smoke cleared, Kano still stood there. Unhurt.
"Nice try." Kano grinned. "But I got a little help from the Nether big wigs on my side." He said prodding the force field in front of him.
"What do you want Kano? Why take the jewel?" Jax asked calmly.
"Just a little preparation for the party to come." He replied tossing said jewel in the air and catching it.
"I'm sure Rayden's told you all. Right?" Kano asked.
"Told us what?" Johnny snarled.
"Hmm." He grinned. "I'll let him fill you in." Kano said walking from the room. When he got to the door he slowly turned to look at Johnny. "Oh by the way. I heard about Sonya. I mean, I would have liked to have taken her out myself, but at least one of my boys got to." He said proudly. Johnny snapped and sprinted at Kano, yelling at the top of his voice. He got to within a few meters of him and was suddenly thrown back by the force field around the criminal. Kano laughed.
"Save it for the tournament Cage." He said before disappearing out the door and into the night.
Everyone stood still wearing shocked expressions on their faces.
"Did he just say what I think he said?" Mikka asked.
"The tournament." Johnny whispered. "Jax?"
"I'm on it. I'll try to get in touch with Fujin when we get back to headquarters."
"Right. So let's go." Johnny said standing and brushing himself off.
"Johnny, I want you to go home."
"What!?"
"You heard me. I don't wanna pull rank on you, so I'm telling you as a friend. Go home. Get some rest. I'll call you in the morning with the news. Whatever it may be."
"Jax come on!" Johnny pleaded.
"You heard me Cage. There's nothing you can help with, I'm sorry. Just go home, rest up. 'Cause I have a feeling we may need you and right now you couldn't go two rounds with a fly. You're strung out. You're not concentrating. Kano could have killed you without trying right now and you know it. Yet you charged him like a bull. You need to control your anger, 'cause you know as well as I do, it doesn't help in a fight. You get sloppy. As we just saw."
"You cut me real deep Briggs." Johnny grinned. He knew exactly was Jax was saying and he knew that he was right.
"What are friends for?" Jax smiled back. They all walked to the cars parked outside, Mikka and Sylence, joining Jax leaving the other car for Johnny to take home.
"First thing right?" Johnny asked his friend.
"Get some sleep Johnny." Jax said slapping him on the shoulder before driving off.
Johnny watched them go and took a deep breath. He stood in the cool night air for a while before getting in the other car and driving home.
********************
Back at Special Forces, Jax had called Fujin into his office.
"So it's true then.?" Jax asked the Wind god for confirmation.
"I'm afraid so Major Briggs. While we can't exactly say what's going to happen, there is definitely something amiss in Outworld. The wind carries whispers of treachery and betrayal. And mention of a new tournament from Kano isn't filling me with pleasant feelings."
"But, I thought Outworld was gone now that we restored Edenia?" Jax asked.
"No. Outworld was a collection of conquered realms, Edenia was one of them. Outworld still exists, only minus Edenia."
"Right. Makes sense I guess." Jax said sitting behind his desk and rubbing his forehead. "So evil's on the way?"
"No Jax. Evil is already here. It's always been here and it will always be here. We can never change that. All we can do is keep knocking it back." Fujin replied.
"Great." Jax sighed. "What about the Elder Gods? And Rayden? What do they say about all this?"
"They aren't saying anything. I'm not sure whether or not they know what's going on, or going to happen, but when the time is right, I'm sure they'll fill us in."
"So what now?" Jax looked up at him. "We just wait?"
"We prepare. Something's coming, and we need to be ready." Fujin said pacing the office.
"So we're back on the clock." Jax said with a sigh. Then something dawned on him. "Sonya? Now that there's another tournament she can be brought back right?"
"Rayden is going to take her to the counsel of Elder Gods as we speak. They will decide whether or not she is required in the tournament."
"Yeah? Well get this. If she's not in? Then neither am I. And I'm positive Johnny would agree."
"I understand Major Briggs." Fujin nodded. "But I believe that her talents will surely be needed. She is truly an outstanding warrior, and an asset to Earth Realm."
"Damn straight." Jax said quietly staring at her picture.
*****************
Sonya was suddenly plunged into the whiteness of the Crossing. Rayden stood before her, smiling.
"Rayden!" She exclaimed hugging the Elder god. "Oh my god, how are you?"
"I am well Sonya. How are you enjoying the afterlife?" He asked.
"Well, it's great I guess. No pain or anything, so that's a plus."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Okay, so I don't want to jinx it or anything, but you being here could mean only one thing right? New tournament?"
"We're not sure yet. But it would appear so." Rayden confirmed it for her.
"Great! When do we leave? Have I got time to have the baby before the tournament starts?" She asked excitedly.
"Calm down Sonya. First I need to bring you before the counsel of Elder gods. The entire counsel must decide whether or not your presence is required. We're still not entirely sure there will be another tournament."
"Who cares!? If there's a chance we need to be ready! And I can't fight until I have my baby." Sonya protested, pacing back and forth. "This is bullshit! Why shouldn't I be allowed back?"
"Sonya, please remain calm. I'm sure that the counsel will agree on your return." He reassured her. "And besides, I have a say in the matter and I will see to it that you be reinstated."
"You make it sound like I'm re-applying for a job." she quipped.
"Well, you almost are."
"Yeah, but the pay still sux." She laughed.
"True, I'm afraid. Let's go."
Sonya took a deep breath before Rayden took her before the counsel to decide her fate.
************
Johnny walked in the front door of the apartment and stood at the threshold for a moment. He thought about what this new tournament could mean. He would finally see Sonya again. He couldn't bare to wait. He remembered when he was brought before the counsel, and how nervous he was. He had spent all that time in the afterlife watching her, longing for the time they would be reunited. He decided that the more he thought about it, the more it would drive him insane, so he went to his bed to try and sleep. He knew he would lie there for hours thinking about the whole thing but it was better than sitting up and worrying about it. On his way upstairs he kept seeing her face everywhere. As if she had never left. But he would close his eyes, and she would disappear. He walked into the bedroom, removed his clothes and got into bed. He closed his eyes to see her face, and a smile formed on his.
"See ya soon Lt. Blade." He whispered.
When eventually morning came, he sat up in his bed, half expecting to see her there alive and well. But the room was empty. He felt a slight disappointment form in his gut, as he went into the bathroom and showered. He decided that he would head straight for headquarters and see how Jax got on. He got out the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist, walking back into the bedroom. His mind hadn't eased, and he saw her again, lying in bed. Sleeping soundly. He realized that he couldn't keep doing this to himself and so shut his eyes, trying to clear her from his mind. He opened them again and looked at the bed. He furrowed his brow when he still saw her. He tried to clear his mind again, but it didn't work. He kept seeing her lying in bed, her face peaceful. Though she looked a little different than he remembered. Not unrecognizable but a slight difference. Like a twin. He walked to the bed where she lay and sat on the edge. He went to stroke her hair expecting his hand to move right through her, but he was shocked when he felt her warm flesh on his finger tips.
"Sonya?" He asked in a whisper. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at him. She then looked at her surroundings, as if she didn't know where she was. Then a slow look of realization formed across her face. Johnny soon realized that she was waking for the first time in her new body. He realized that he was in fact staring at the woman he loved. She was home. She looked back to his face as a tear ran down her cheek. She lifted a hand to his face and he felt her warm touch. She wiped away the tears he didn't even realize he had shed.
"Hi baby." She whispered. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." He whispered back, his voice breaking. He went to kiss her but she stopped him.
"Wait. The Elder gods told me something."
Johnny immediately thought the worst. He nodded for her to continue.
"Whatever's coming. We have time."
Johnny frowned not fully understanding.
"For what?" He asked confused.
"Johnny, before Jarek...Before I died." She began. Johnny grew impatient, he just wanted to hold her. He didn't know what she was going to tell him, and a part of him didn't care. He just wanted to hold her once again. A smile formed across her face.
"I'm pregnant." She said glowing up at him. They sat there staring at each other for a moment before falling into a tight embrace, again reclaiming the love they had once again lost. A love that was now, stronger than ever.
I've made a few changes, fixed spelling, etc. I'm now back in the writing spirit, and will be working on this alot now.
When I first posted this fic I hadn't yet played MK:DA, but now I own the game so I have all the info to write a fic. (It's
hard being an Aussie sometimes. We're always the last to know.) So I hope you enjoy this new addition to the Life of Sonya Blade.
For those of you who aren't aware, this is a sequal. The original is called 'Seems Like A Lifetime...' You'll find it in here
somewhere.
***********
By the way, I don't own any of the Characters, or names or anything in this, They're Midway's so there.
***********
And this is my take on the story, ever since 'Seems Like A Lifetime...' I've alwyas taken everything I've read on Mortal Kombat
and twisted them all together with my own twisted mind to come up with a new twist on an old story. That's for any of you
purists out there who are wondering why things don't seem right.
***********
New Beginnings
By Ryan Bowden
Copyright (C) 2002 Ryan Bowden
Prologue
Johnny Cage rolled over in his queen sized bed. He lay there staring at the other pillow. He remembered what it was like to see Sonya's face staring back at him, and a deep sadness engulfed him as he dreamed that those days would return.
"When are you coming home?" He asked quietly, rubbing the pillow. It had been four long months since Sonya's death, and he was still having trouble dealing with it. Jax had recruited him in the Special Forces and had taken to looking after him. They had grown very close after her death. Suddenly a high pitched electronic beeping started to squeal from his bedside table. He rolled back to look at his pager. Jax's number flashed at him. He sighed and sat up.
"Time to bear another day." He said before standing and walking to the bathroom. Johnny looked at his naked reflection. A dark stubble covered his jaw and he had bags under his eyes. He looked down at his razor sitting on the bathroom sink. He considered shaving but decided that he didn't care what he looked like. He stepped into the large shower and turned on the water, leaning against the wall. He didn't care what he looked like but he never liked to be stinky.
An hour later he walked into Special Forces Headquarters. He greeted the security staff and got into the elevator.
"Hold the door!" A voice shouted from outside. Johnny quickly stopped the elevator door from closing and let Lieutenant Mikka Stone in.
"Thanks Johnny." She puffed.
"No problem. How you been?" Johnny greeted his colleague.
"Not bad. How 'bout you? How are you doing?" She asked in a concerned tone. It was no secret that Johnny was having a hard time.
"Yeah, I'm okay. It's getting better. Very, very slowly, but still, better." He smiled slightly.
"Glad to hear it." She smiled back.
They arrived at their floor and Johnny went straight to Jax's office. When he walked in, Jax was on the phone, so Johnny sat in the other chair and waited. He looked around at the photos on the wall until he came to one of Sonya. He felt a small smile form on his face and he looked down at the floor as Jax hung up the phone.
"Johnny." Jax greeted his friend.
"Jax." Johnny replied satirically. "What's the what?"
"The Black Dragon." Jax replied simply. Johnny stared at him for a moment, furrowing his brow.
"I'm sorry, what?" Johnny asked.
"The Black Dragon. They're back."
"That's impossible. Jarek was the last one." Johnny argued. "He's dead now." He finished quietly.
"I know it. You know it. But it's happening none the less. There was a robbery at a museum last night. The guard was killed with a large knife to the throat. It had the Black Dragon insignia printed on it."
"How could you know that?"
"We found it where they left it." Jax explained. Johnny raised his eyebrows in response.
"In the guards neck." Jax finished. Johnny grimaced. Jax reached into a draw and pulled out a bag with the knife in question in it. Johnny stared at it. At the image of a dragon printed on the blade, and the blood stain on the stainless steel. In his minds eye, he saw the blade that was used to slash his throat years before. At the hands of Kano.
"Where was this museum.?" Johnny asked.
"Down town. We'll leave straight away."
"Who's going?" Johnny asked as they both stood and walked from Jax's office.
"Apart from you and I, Mikka and Sylence." Jax replied as the two officers in question joined them at the elevator.
"Ladies." Johnny said allowing them to step into the elevator first.
They arrived at the crime scene two hours later. The front was barricaded with police tape which the special forces moved past and entered the building. There was no power so they all held flashlights.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Johnny asked dragging the light across the room.
"Anything." Jax replied.
The team searched for a while but found very little. A smashed window, entry point, and muddy footprints leading to a pedestal where an ancient jewel was stolen. Johnny stood before it examining the place where the jewel once rested.
"What exactly was this jewel thingy?" Johnny asked.
"It was ancient Egyptian. Apparently it gave it's holder extraordinary power. It was donated to the museum by a Mr. Nicholas Quentin Harper." Jax replied. Johnny furrowed his brow.
"Since when did you become Mr. Knowledge?" He asked turning to look at Jax. "Oh." He murmured, seeing Jax standing next to the information plaque with a big grin on his face.
"Always the wise ass." Johnny said walking past him. "I don't get this, man. I mean, why would the Black Dragon steal a jewel? What could it possibly bring them? I mean it's not like it's an actual ancient weapon. Right?" He looked to Jax for a little reassurance.
"Who knows. After everything we've seen over the last couple of years would it surprise you?"
"I guess not." Johnny replied.
"Wait a minute." Mikka said interrupting. Everyone gave her their attention. "There uh, there was once a member of the Black Dragon who had a jewel imbedded into his eye socket." Mikka reminded everyone.
"What's your point? I mean, you can't possibly be saying what I think you are." Johnny frowned.
"Why not?" She asked simply making Johnny laugh.
"Kano is dead Mikka. That's why."
"So were you once."
"I don't want to hear it." Johnny said walking away angrily.
"Maybe you have to!" Sylence snapped. "You may not want to but we aren't exactly dealing with the norm here. Maybe Kano has been brought back. Maybe he wasn't even dead to begin with."
Johnny exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief at what he was hearing.
"Johnny, just chill alright?" Jax tried to calm his friend. "Maybe they're right. Kano could be alive. It's the best possible answer."
"Okay." He said quietly. "Maybe you are right. But Kano is the last thing that I could ever want to deal with right now."
"Tough shit pretty boy." A raspy voice came from the shadows. Everyone began scanning the room with their flashlights. "'Cause whether you like it or not, I'm back. And there's no escaping me. Or what's coming."
Johnny noticed a dull red glow in one of the corners of the large room. He quickly shined his light on the glow and nearly gasped aloud at the sight of Kano's face. The face of the man that once took his life. The face of a teammate of the man that took Sonya's life. The face that trained him. Johnny felt an anger like he'd never felt before. He didn't even realize he was pulling his gun from his holster and firing at him. When his magazine was emptied and the smoke cleared, Kano still stood there. Unhurt.
"Nice try." Kano grinned. "But I got a little help from the Nether big wigs on my side." He said prodding the force field in front of him.
"What do you want Kano? Why take the jewel?" Jax asked calmly.
"Just a little preparation for the party to come." He replied tossing said jewel in the air and catching it.
"I'm sure Rayden's told you all. Right?" Kano asked.
"Told us what?" Johnny snarled.
"Hmm." He grinned. "I'll let him fill you in." Kano said walking from the room. When he got to the door he slowly turned to look at Johnny. "Oh by the way. I heard about Sonya. I mean, I would have liked to have taken her out myself, but at least one of my boys got to." He said proudly. Johnny snapped and sprinted at Kano, yelling at the top of his voice. He got to within a few meters of him and was suddenly thrown back by the force field around the criminal. Kano laughed.
"Save it for the tournament Cage." He said before disappearing out the door and into the night.
Everyone stood still wearing shocked expressions on their faces.
"Did he just say what I think he said?" Mikka asked.
"The tournament." Johnny whispered. "Jax?"
"I'm on it. I'll try to get in touch with Fujin when we get back to headquarters."
"Right. So let's go." Johnny said standing and brushing himself off.
"Johnny, I want you to go home."
"What!?"
"You heard me. I don't wanna pull rank on you, so I'm telling you as a friend. Go home. Get some rest. I'll call you in the morning with the news. Whatever it may be."
"Jax come on!" Johnny pleaded.
"You heard me Cage. There's nothing you can help with, I'm sorry. Just go home, rest up. 'Cause I have a feeling we may need you and right now you couldn't go two rounds with a fly. You're strung out. You're not concentrating. Kano could have killed you without trying right now and you know it. Yet you charged him like a bull. You need to control your anger, 'cause you know as well as I do, it doesn't help in a fight. You get sloppy. As we just saw."
"You cut me real deep Briggs." Johnny grinned. He knew exactly was Jax was saying and he knew that he was right.
"What are friends for?" Jax smiled back. They all walked to the cars parked outside, Mikka and Sylence, joining Jax leaving the other car for Johnny to take home.
"First thing right?" Johnny asked his friend.
"Get some sleep Johnny." Jax said slapping him on the shoulder before driving off.
Johnny watched them go and took a deep breath. He stood in the cool night air for a while before getting in the other car and driving home.
********************
Back at Special Forces, Jax had called Fujin into his office.
"So it's true then.?" Jax asked the Wind god for confirmation.
"I'm afraid so Major Briggs. While we can't exactly say what's going to happen, there is definitely something amiss in Outworld. The wind carries whispers of treachery and betrayal. And mention of a new tournament from Kano isn't filling me with pleasant feelings."
"But, I thought Outworld was gone now that we restored Edenia?" Jax asked.
"No. Outworld was a collection of conquered realms, Edenia was one of them. Outworld still exists, only minus Edenia."
"Right. Makes sense I guess." Jax said sitting behind his desk and rubbing his forehead. "So evil's on the way?"
"No Jax. Evil is already here. It's always been here and it will always be here. We can never change that. All we can do is keep knocking it back." Fujin replied.
"Great." Jax sighed. "What about the Elder Gods? And Rayden? What do they say about all this?"
"They aren't saying anything. I'm not sure whether or not they know what's going on, or going to happen, but when the time is right, I'm sure they'll fill us in."
"So what now?" Jax looked up at him. "We just wait?"
"We prepare. Something's coming, and we need to be ready." Fujin said pacing the office.
"So we're back on the clock." Jax said with a sigh. Then something dawned on him. "Sonya? Now that there's another tournament she can be brought back right?"
"Rayden is going to take her to the counsel of Elder Gods as we speak. They will decide whether or not she is required in the tournament."
"Yeah? Well get this. If she's not in? Then neither am I. And I'm positive Johnny would agree."
"I understand Major Briggs." Fujin nodded. "But I believe that her talents will surely be needed. She is truly an outstanding warrior, and an asset to Earth Realm."
"Damn straight." Jax said quietly staring at her picture.
*****************
Sonya was suddenly plunged into the whiteness of the Crossing. Rayden stood before her, smiling.
"Rayden!" She exclaimed hugging the Elder god. "Oh my god, how are you?"
"I am well Sonya. How are you enjoying the afterlife?" He asked.
"Well, it's great I guess. No pain or anything, so that's a plus."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Okay, so I don't want to jinx it or anything, but you being here could mean only one thing right? New tournament?"
"We're not sure yet. But it would appear so." Rayden confirmed it for her.
"Great! When do we leave? Have I got time to have the baby before the tournament starts?" She asked excitedly.
"Calm down Sonya. First I need to bring you before the counsel of Elder gods. The entire counsel must decide whether or not your presence is required. We're still not entirely sure there will be another tournament."
"Who cares!? If there's a chance we need to be ready! And I can't fight until I have my baby." Sonya protested, pacing back and forth. "This is bullshit! Why shouldn't I be allowed back?"
"Sonya, please remain calm. I'm sure that the counsel will agree on your return." He reassured her. "And besides, I have a say in the matter and I will see to it that you be reinstated."
"You make it sound like I'm re-applying for a job." she quipped.
"Well, you almost are."
"Yeah, but the pay still sux." She laughed.
"True, I'm afraid. Let's go."
Sonya took a deep breath before Rayden took her before the counsel to decide her fate.
************
Johnny walked in the front door of the apartment and stood at the threshold for a moment. He thought about what this new tournament could mean. He would finally see Sonya again. He couldn't bare to wait. He remembered when he was brought before the counsel, and how nervous he was. He had spent all that time in the afterlife watching her, longing for the time they would be reunited. He decided that the more he thought about it, the more it would drive him insane, so he went to his bed to try and sleep. He knew he would lie there for hours thinking about the whole thing but it was better than sitting up and worrying about it. On his way upstairs he kept seeing her face everywhere. As if she had never left. But he would close his eyes, and she would disappear. He walked into the bedroom, removed his clothes and got into bed. He closed his eyes to see her face, and a smile formed on his.
"See ya soon Lt. Blade." He whispered.
When eventually morning came, he sat up in his bed, half expecting to see her there alive and well. But the room was empty. He felt a slight disappointment form in his gut, as he went into the bathroom and showered. He decided that he would head straight for headquarters and see how Jax got on. He got out the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist, walking back into the bedroom. His mind hadn't eased, and he saw her again, lying in bed. Sleeping soundly. He realized that he couldn't keep doing this to himself and so shut his eyes, trying to clear her from his mind. He opened them again and looked at the bed. He furrowed his brow when he still saw her. He tried to clear his mind again, but it didn't work. He kept seeing her lying in bed, her face peaceful. Though she looked a little different than he remembered. Not unrecognizable but a slight difference. Like a twin. He walked to the bed where she lay and sat on the edge. He went to stroke her hair expecting his hand to move right through her, but he was shocked when he felt her warm flesh on his finger tips.
"Sonya?" He asked in a whisper. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at him. She then looked at her surroundings, as if she didn't know where she was. Then a slow look of realization formed across her face. Johnny soon realized that she was waking for the first time in her new body. He realized that he was in fact staring at the woman he loved. She was home. She looked back to his face as a tear ran down her cheek. She lifted a hand to his face and he felt her warm touch. She wiped away the tears he didn't even realize he had shed.
"Hi baby." She whispered. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." He whispered back, his voice breaking. He went to kiss her but she stopped him.
"Wait. The Elder gods told me something."
Johnny immediately thought the worst. He nodded for her to continue.
"Whatever's coming. We have time."
Johnny frowned not fully understanding.
"For what?" He asked confused.
"Johnny, before Jarek...Before I died." She began. Johnny grew impatient, he just wanted to hold her. He didn't know what she was going to tell him, and a part of him didn't care. He just wanted to hold her once again. A smile formed across her face.
"I'm pregnant." She said glowing up at him. They sat there staring at each other for a moment before falling into a tight embrace, again reclaiming the love they had once again lost. A love that was now, stronger than ever.