Mortal Kombat: Consequences
A Mortal Kombat Fanfiction
By Snafu the Great
Disclaimer: Mortal Kombat belongs to Netherrealm Studios, while the Consequences series is mine. This was inspired by handidandi's In With The Old, Out With The New, in which Sonya – having disobeyed orders in regards not only to bring in a Black Dragon for questioning following a raid in which she killed Kano but also getting a number of S-F soldiers killed – is forced to resign from the military or face a court-martial, in which she will be stripped of her rank and dismissed (the military officer's version of a bad conduct discharge). Granted that Kano had raped Cassie out of spite after she had won a fight for her freedom, (yes, you read that right), he had it coming. This time around, Captain Blake (the future Secretary Blake) is going to be the bad guy in this. As I have modeled him after Aidan Gillen (Petyr Baelish from Game of Thrones), it's fitting.
Originally, I was going to have Sonya as the bad guy, as she would screw her ex-husband over to the point that he was forced to relocate to Seido, but I scrapped that idea.
Mortal Kombat: Consequences is the fifth in the Consequences Series (following Love Hina, Naruto, Ranma – which is still ongoing due to writer's block – and Game of Thrones) in which the hero is screwed over and the bad guys receive their comeuppance.
Part One
Note: The President of the United States is modeled after Gary Oldman. General Blake (Secretary Blake's father) is modeled after Brian Cox.
Fort Charles – nine months after the Netherrealm War
The whole court-martial was a sham, Sonya Blade realized. One big sham.
She had been resting at home with her family when word came that she was being charged with insubordination and failure to follow orders. Sonya had called bullshit. Especially with General Brad Blake and his son leading the charge.
Sonya had nothing but disdain towards Captain Drew Blake. And despite being higher on the pecking order, she also had a negative view on his father, General Brad Blake. As it turned out, General Blake and her late father, Herman Blade, had a long, bitter rivalry, one that ended with her father's death while on assignment.
Since the first Major Blade was deceased, General Blake and his son decided to go after the second Major Blade.
It had all stemmed from a tip from a confidential informant on the payroll of the U.S. military. The Black Dragon had a warehouse located in the outskirts of Seattle, and Sonya – given her past history with chasing after the Black Dragon – was tasked with raiding the warehouse.
However, Sonya had received word from Kenshi Takahashi, one of her informants and a freelance member of S-F, that she was leading her team into a trap. Kano had purposely leaked out the info to his mole – the confidential informant – knowing that she would act on it. Waiting for her was ninety Black Dragons, armed to the teeth, their orders made clear: leave no survivors. Kano himself would be the one to kill Sonya.
Outnumbered 3-to-1, and with no backup, Sonya gave the order to withdraw. In doing so, she saved the lives of thirty men.
But for General Blake, it was the perfect opportunity to slander the daughter of his most hated rival, and to deliver S-F to his son.
Sonya stood at attention in front of the podium. She was the epitome of perfection in her service dress uniform; the dark green jacket and perfectly creased trousers showing off the black stripe on both her sleeves and on the outer side of her trousers which identified her as a commissioned officer. If one did not notice that, then the golden oak leaf on her jacket shoulders was more than obvious.
General David Blake sat in the middle of the bench, acting as if he was a king. He looked at Sonya as if she was a cockroach that needed to be squashed. Sonya responded by looking at the general with nothing but contempt. The man wasn't even a Judge Advocate, yet he managed to bully and intimidate his way onto the bench for this hearing. His son, Captain David Blake, sat in on the hearing, the smug grin not leaving his face.
Also present, in a show of support, was Sonya's 30-man assault squad. Those who owe their lives to Sonya when she called off the raid.
"Major Blade," General Blake began, holding Sonya's dissertation detailing the events of the raid that did not take place. "Please explain in your own words the events leading to your refusal to follow orders in regards to Operation Clipped Wing."
Sonya kept her cool. "About three weeks ago, we received word from a confidential informant about the location of a Black Dragon hideout near Seattle. I volunteered to lead the raid, as I was the one with the most knowledge in regards to the Black Dragon organization and its major players."
"And in the hours before the raid? Then what?" prodded/demanded General Blake.
"I received word from a personal informant of mine in regards to the warehouse in question. The warehouse was indeed a Black Dragon hideout, but there were ninety Black Dragon operatives inside, heavily armed. Among them, was its chieftain, Kano. We would have walked into an ambush. I made a judgment call, and called off the raid."
"Of whom your long-standing rivalry is well-known," General Blake said. "Who was your 'personal informant,' the one who supposedly warned you of this supposed trap?"
"Kenshi Takahashi, General."
"Ah, yes. The 'master swordsman and telepath,'" Blake said with disdain. "And why isn't he here to corroborate your claim, Major?"
"Mr. Takahashi was not summoned to this hearing, nor was he unable to, due to a long-term assignment of his own, in regards to the Red Dragon," Sonya replied. "Captain Flagg can just as easily corroborate my..."
"So you took the word of an informant, one who we do not know about, and refused to follow orders in leading the raid," one of the Judge Advocates said, cutting Sonya off.
"Mr. Takahashi has always been honest and straightforward with me. He has fought alongside myself and my husband during the Netherrealm War."
"And yet, Kano was in your words, 'honest and straightforward' with you when he convinced you in becoming his informant, did he not?" Blake demanded.
"That was before both Major Briggs and myself found out the hard way that he was the leader of the Black Dragon," Sonya replied. "I was captured, along with my fiance at the time. I was tortured, and was forced to watch as Kano executed him with a bullet to the head. It was also due to the torture I endured that I lost my unborn child from a miscarriage."
"Yet, you had the chance to capture Kano, but you relented in an act of cowardice," General Blake said in a self-righteous tone. "Your father would be ashamed of you."
Sonya took issue with that. "What would you have me do then, General? Lead thirty men to their deaths against ninety heavily-armed soldiers? Leave my husband a widower and my daughters without a mother? My actions ensured that thirty men lived to return home to their families."
"They knew the risks when they signed on for Special Forces," General Blake replied, unmoved, dismissing Sonya's rebuttal with a wave of his hand. "As did you, Major."
"Big talk for someone who couldn't hack it in S-F," Sonya said in a mocking tone, "let alone your son."
"Watch your tone, Major," General Blake warned. "We will reconvene in thirty minutes with a verdict on this matter. You are dismissed in the meantime."
It didn't take very long for the tribunal to make its decision. As Sonya had expected, Blake and the four Judge Advocates had ruled against her. Not surprising, but still a shocker.
Once again, Sonya found herself standing at the podium as Blake issued his verdict.
"Major Blade, you have been found guilty of insubordination. Normally, this charge would result in your dismissal," General Blake said, with a look of phony sympathy. "However...we shall be merciful in light of your...past contributions, and instead, hand down a demotion in rank to Second Lieutenant, and relieve you of your command as Commander of Special Forces. Do you have anything else to add?"
"Aside that this entire court-martial is nothing more than a joke, General?" Sonya said, pronouncing Blake's rank with sarcasm. 'Yeah, Johnny's been rubbing off on me,' she thought.
"Careful, Lieutenant," General Blake said, pronouncing Sonya's new rank in a cold tone. "Even my mercy has its limits."
"You call this mercy, General?" Sonya bit back. "You call demoting me and forcing me to become subordinate to your son mercy? The only reason why he has those bars is because of nepotism. In other words...you."
Blake's face was turning red, but Sonya kept on going.
"You know for a fact that I saved lives by not falling into the Black Dragon's trap. But you don't care for that. You're not even a Judge Advocate, yet you forced your way into this hearing. All you care about is railroading my career just to spite my late father, of which your hatred towards him is well known among the rank and file. Since he's deceased, I am the next best target."
"Enough!" General Blake bellowed, now on his feet. "One more word out of you, Blade, and I will see that you are sent to prison and given your dismissal for your insolence!"
Sonya thought about telling General Blake to go fuck himself. She glared at him, who had a look of abject rage on his face despite the fact he had just destroyed the military career of his daughter's nemesis. Captain Blake, however, had a look of smug satisfaction on his face.
But there was Johnny and the girls.
"I guess I have no other choice then," she said.
General Blake settled back into his chair. "I'm glad that you are now thinking clearly, Lieutenant," he said, now calm. "You will report to Captain Blake tomorrow at zero-nine-hundred for reassignment."
"No. You misunderstand, General," Sonya said.
Blake's eyes narrowed. "I beg your pardon?"
"If saving the lives of 30 men is what cost me my career..." At this, Sonya's hands went for the golden oak leaves, which identified her as a Major, the youngest one in the Army's history. She only hesitated for a moment before ripping the rank off her shoulders and slamming them down on the podium. "Then the problem is not me, is it?"
This single act of defiance worried the other Judge Advocates, as they had not seen this coming from Sonya.
"Given the choice of living as a civilian and continuing to work under a military that condemns their officers for saving lives...I choose the former," declared Sonya.
Her hand then went for the Special Forces patch on her jacket's sleeve. This, she also ripped off, and placed on the podium beside her former rank. "My father would be ashamed. But not of me. He would be ashamed of all of you."
"Lieutenant Blade," one of the Judge Advocates pleaded, "please reconsider! You don't have to do this!"
"Reconsider?" Sonya repeated, glaring at the Judge Advocate. "Reconsider what? You made your choice. And I made mine. I'm done. Consider this my resignation from Special Forces and from the Army. Effective immediately."
That said, she turned and stormed out of the courtroom, passing by Captain Blake, who had a smirk on his face.
General Blake leaned back in his chair, while his fellow judge advocates whispered among themselves. He had to admit that Sonya's resignation was unexpected. He had expected her to swallow her pride and accept his son as her new commanding officer of Special Forces.
He was wrong. Sonya Blade was definitely Herman Blade's daughter.
His look of victory was short-lived, however, when one of the thirty men – of whose lives Sonya had saved when she refused to go through with her orders – stood up, walked over to the podium where Sonya's rank and patch laid, and proceeded to remove his Special Forces patch and placed it alongside Sonya's rank, right before turning around and walking out.
The look of confidence soon turned to worry when three more patches, ripped from the uniforms of the men, joined the pile.
"Wait! Stop! You can't do this!" Captain Blake shouted, leaping to his feet.
Four patches then turned to seven. Eleven. Fifteen.
"You are members of Special Forces! Remember that!" Captain Blake shouted again, but to no avail. "You have your duty!"
Ten more patches joined the pile, bringing the number to twenty-five. Twenty six patches. Then three more, bringing the number to twenty-nine.
"This is treason!" General Blake bellowed, red-faced. This was not in his plans in regards to S-F.
"No. This is our resignation from S-F," the last officer – Captain Clark Flagg – replied, before tossing down his patch and walking out of the courtroom.
Venice, California – two months later.
Rather than a multi-million dollar mansion, Johnny Cage made his home inside a three-story warehouse that he bought out and converted into his condo. Sonya admitted to herself that she liked the setup Johnny had. The first floor served as the garage. The second floor was the condo itself, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and twice as big as any other condo in L.A. But the third floor was Sonya's favorite – a workout center, complete with weights, punching bags, a treadmill, and MMA mats fashioned into an impromptu ring.
Compact, yet spacious and efficient. Even Jax had to admit – albeit grudgingly – that Johnny had a nice place.
It had been two months since Sonya had been dismissed from the Army. Since then, she had been wallowing in a combination of self-pity and frustration. Johnny knew that the Army was her life. But now, that was unjustly taken from her. Even Johnny called the court-martial bullshit, as Sonya did nothing wrong. She saved thirty lives, but at the cost of her career. Instead of the mandatory general discharge, Sonya was given a dismissal – the officer's version of a bad conduct discharge.
For Blake and his son, however, their victory would become a Pyrrhic one. When Captain Blake had taken command of S-F, the remaining 119 members had already turned in their patches and resigned, both in support for Sonya and leaving Blake in command of S-F without any members, their crimes in regards to forcing Sonya out of the military now public knowledge.
S-F was dissolved days later. Captain Blake was left with nothing.
Johnny couldn't imagine what would happen if his acting career was unjustly taken from him. Honestly, he probably would have gone nuts a long time ago.
But now, despite being a devoted mother to Cassandra and Roxanna, Johnny was starting to get very worried for his wife. Even Jax – who never got along with Johnny – agreed that Sonya was reaching her breaking point. She was like a caged animal who upon being unleashed, would hurt anyone within reach.
Speaking of Jax, the former major and his family were visiting from their farm upstate. The relationship between the former revenant and the action star had been a shaky one. During Jax's time as one of Quan Chi's undead slaves, Johnny had married Sonya, while leaving his own wife a widow, pregnant with his daughter.
Aside from marrying Sonya, there was the fact that both men had been on opposite sides during the Netherrealm War. Jax had almost killed him had it not been for Raiden and Sonya; the former being able to not only keep Johnny alive and reviving Jax, Subzero and Scorpion, and the latter for beating down Quan Chi.
Jax had reconnected with Vera in the nine months following his resurrection, and was a doting father to little Jacqueline. And as much as the bionic-armed man hated to admit, Johnny Cage was a good father to his and Sonya's twins, Cassandra and Roxana Carlton Cage, and a good husband.
Sonya was out on the beach, staring out into the ocean. Johnny knew this, as he was watching her from the living room window of the condo, seeing as how his home faced the beach. He had meant to talk to her earlier, but was called away for a meeting at the film studio in regards to his latest film. The actor knew his wife's schedule in the two months following her dismissal from the military like the back of his hand: morning jog, tend to Cassie and Roxie, train in the upstairs gym, and go to the beach for an hour for another session of self-loathing/self-pity before coming back inside.
"You need to talk to her."
"You think I haven't tried that, Briggs?" Johnny replied as the bionic-armed man stood beside him. "She keeps shutting me out, or telling me, and I quote, to 'Fuck off.'"
"She always was stubborn," Jax said.
"I know," the actor conceded. "Sonya lived and breathed the Army. If I had my career torpedoed the way hers was, I'd probably go nuts myself."
"Probably would be for the best," Jax snorted. "Less shitty movies in the world."
Johnny scoffed. "Your wife would be pissed about that," he said, as Vera was a fan of his movies. "Speaking of Vera, where is she?"
"Looking after Jacqui and the girls," Jax replied. "She really enjoys being an aunt."
Johnny sighed. He turned from the window and walked towards the front door, pausing only to pick up his shades. "Hold the fort down, tin-man. Gonna have a chat with the missus."
Jax groaned, but nodded. "God, I hate your movie references, Cage..."
"Your wife loves them," Johnny replied as he closed the door behind him.
On the beach, Sonya Blade stood, watching the ocean. The former major was dressed down in a simple sleeveless shirt and denim pants. Her favorite pair of tennis shoes were on her feet. It had been two months since the life she knew was now gone, taken from her. She had resigned her commission, but was still given the dismissal out of spite.
Now, she didn't know what to do.
Sonya sensed movement from behind her. She knew that it was her husband. But she didn't turn around. She sighed. She wanted to be left alone with her thoughts. She didn't want to deal with anybody, not Jax, not Vera, and especially not her husband.
"What do you want, Cage?" Sonya demanded in a tired, yet angry tone.
Johnny didn't flinch at his wife's harsh tone. He'd seen worse from her. "You did the right thing in saving the lives of those men, Sonya," he said in a calm tone.
The disillusioned woman sighed harshly. "The brass didn't see it that way," she replied. Her husband had showed her nothing but support in the aftermath of her dismissal, and she was pushing him away. But she had to admit that John Carlton had the patience of a saint when it came to her.
Seeing that she didn't push him away, Johnny saw that as a positive sign from her. He made his way to his distraught wife, and gently, yet firmly, wrapped his arms around her waist. Sonya was only four inches shorter than her husband, five-foot-ten to his six-foot one.
Sonya said nothing, nor did anything. But she mentally promised herself that if Johnny tried to seduce her, then Quan Chi wouldn't be the only man whose nuts she'd crush into his stomach with her feet.
"Talk to me, Sonya. Don't shut me out."
Sonya blinked. That, she did not see coming. Then again, her husband did beat down Shinnok and saved her life. Even now, her husband was full of surprises.
"Do you know where the name Pacific came from?" Johnny asked. Sonya shook her head. "The name came from Ferdinand Magellan during his worldwide trip. He encountered favorable winds on reaching this side of the world, and it's because of those winds he named the ocean Mar Pacifico. 'The Peaceful Sea.'"
Sonya relaxed in her husband's arms.
"They don't know a good soldier when they see it. Raiden knows your worth. Jax and Vera both knows your worth," Johnny continued when Sonya remained silent. He gave her a squeeze. "And I know your worth. As a fighter, as my wife and as a mother."
Still locked in the embrace, Sonya turned around, and gave her husband a soft smile. "Thank you."
Johnny smiled back. It wasn't one of his confident smirks, full of bravado and swagger. This smile was genuine. "Your smile was missed, babe," he whispered.
"You were doing good before you called me that," Sonya said, frowning slightly. Her expression softened. "But I appreciate the compliment." She rested her head on his chest, hearing his heart beat. "I'm sorry...for being a total bitch to you," she apologized. "You've been trying to support me and..."
"Apology accepted," her husband replied, cutting her off. "You can say I got tired of watching you mope around the place all day. I was worried. So was Jax and Vera, and you know that if Jax and I agree on something, then it's serious."
The couple was silent after that for a few minutes. "What do I do now, Johnny?" she whispered, looking at him, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "The Army was my life. And it was taken from me..."
"You do the only thing you can do. Start over," her husband replied as he wiped his wife's tears away. "The only thing we can do when we fall down is pick ourselves back up. Something my old sensei told me."
"And if you couldn't act? If that was taken from you?"
"Oh, I'd flip out. Then I'd move on. I know it's hard, hon, but you're a fighter. No matter what happens now, I'll be by your side."
Sonya sighed. "It's...still hard for me. I worked hard to get where I was at, only for it to be taken from me out of spite towards my father."
"If you want, I can bust their balls for you," her husband suggested. "Give them your regards when I do. Anyone who screws with my leading lady will get Caged."
The thought did have merit, but Sonya shot that down, as much as she wanted to see her husband crush Papa Blake's nuts alongside his son's, she did not want to see her husband in jail. "Thanks, but no. You're needed here with the girls...and with me," she said, her cheeks turning pink.
"Aw...you do care for me," Johnny teased.
"I thought you realized that when I caved in Quan Chi's balls to save your life."
"At least you're smiling again," Johnny said. "For what it's worth, you'll always be Major Blade to me."
Sonya smiled and kissed her husband on the cheek. Despite his faults (which were many), she admired Johnny for his honesty and commitment. Behind the couple, two government-issued SUVs pulled to a stop on the street in front of the condo. The couple heard their arrival and turned around. From the first SUV, out stepped a man and a woman. Both were dressed in dark suits, and moved with a purpose.
"You expecting company?" Johnny asked.
Sonya shook her head. At the same time, the female in black noticed the couple approaching and signaled her partner, who stood by the woman as Johnny and Sonya stepped onto the sidewalk.
"No solicitors, unless you're from the studio," Johnny began, while Sonya rolled her eyes and muttered, "Jesus Christ, Cage," under her breath.
The man and woman flashed their badges. The woman's badge showed that she was an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while her male counterpart's badge was that of the United States Secret Service.
"Johnny Cage, I presume?" the female asked.
"You're looking at him."
The male agent then addressed Sonya. "And you're Sonya Cage."
Sonya's eye twitched. "It's Blade," she corrected, lightly punching Johnny in the shoulder as he snickered.
For some odd reason, she hated the fact that people assumed that she had taken Johnny's stage name as her own. Fortunately, Johnny didn't raise a big stink over the fact. It was one of the conditions made when Sonya agreed to marry him, that she would keep her last name, while their children would carry Johnny's legal and stage surname.
"You presence has been requested," the female agent said. "The both of you. Come with us, please."
Johnny looked at his wife. "Either someone likes you...or you must have pissed someone off higher up."
"Personally, I'm hoping for the first one," Sonya replied as she got into the SUV, her husband following behind her.
Minutes later...
Johnny and Sonya were taken to the Beverly Wilshire, one of the most expensive hotels in Los Angeles. Johnny should know, seeing as how he had shot a couple of his movies there. It was also a hotel of historic significance, seeing as how it was on the National Register of Historic Places.
Whoever it was that had summoned them had good taste, Johnny surmised. He stayed here on occasion, even brought Sonya here once.
They were ushered through a side entrance. After being searched for weapons, the couple was led through the hotel's kitchen, and taken into the dining room. It was almost empty, as there were several more Secret Service agents inside, watching their every move.
The reason for the presence of Secret Service agents emerged from a set of double-doors on the far end of the hall. Flanked by two more Secret Service agents, was a wiry man, around General Blake's age, with greying dark hair, trimmed goatee and a pair of reading glasses.
Sonya and Johnny recognized him instantly. William Spencer, the President of the United States.
"I trust my men didn't alarm the both of you too badly," Spencer said. When they replied in the negative, Spencer continued. "I believe you know who I am?"
"That we do, Mr. President," Johnny replied, shaking his hand. "An honor to meet you, sir."
"Likewise, Mr. Cage." He turned to Sonya and shook her hand. "Miss Blade."
"Sir," Sonya replied.
"Please, have a seat," the President said, gesturing to the chairs opposite of him. All three sat down. A waitress came over with three glasses and a pitcher of water. She poured them all three glasses before departing back into the kitchen.
"This is unexpected. So what brings you to Los Angeles, Sir?" Sonya asked.
"Charity event with the wife," Spencer explained. "Even I need to take a break from dealing with the backstabbers and boot-lickers in Washington." He then interlaced his fingers together. "But that's not the main reason as to why I am here. I was away at a summit meeting when you were dismissed from the Army. When a dedicated officer such as yourself is unjustly court-martialed and dismissed from the military for saving thirty lives, I get curious. When said thirty men resign from S-F in protest in the wake of said court-martial, that concerns me. But when the remaining 119 members turn in their patches, that raises a red flag, one that not even the General of the Army and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs cannot ignore."
The President paused to take a sip of water. "Fortunately, my son-in-law helped fill in the blanks when I asked him about it. I believe you know him. Captain Flagg."
Now Sonya was surprised. "Captain Flagg is your son-in-law, sir?"
President Spencer nodded. "That he is. Bit wet behind the ears, but he makes my daughter happy. He speaks highly of you." He cleared his throat. "For the record, General Blake was not supposed to spearhead your court-martial, as his feud with your late father is well-known."
"So General Blake is dirty," Johnny guessed.
"The C.I.D. had him under investigation for quite some time for taking in bribes and kickbacks. The Judge Advocates at your trial were either in his pockets or he was blackmailing them into torpedoing your career. For all intents and purposes, you shouldn't have been put under the bus for saving lives. But unfortunately, the damage has already been done."
"So the dismissal still stands," Sonya said, shoulders slumped.
"Not exactly, Miss Blade," the Commander-in-Chief replied. "The Joint Chiefs ordered your case to be reopened. This time around, General Blake and his son were not present, although they did try to influence the court in letting your guilty verdict stand." He paused for a moment and pulled out a sealed envelope. "From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Your guilty verdict has been expunged, and while you are unable to return to the military, your dismissal has been upgraded to an honorable discharge."
"I'll bet Blake and his son didn't like that," Johnny snorted.
"They didn't," confirmed Spencer. "Nor did they like the fact that General Blake was being brought up on corruption charges, as were the Judge Advocates who oversaw your trial. In a way, your trial has opened up Pandora's Box, Miss Blade. The Joint Chiefs gave him a choice: resign or face prosecution. Blake chose the former. The others were given their dismissals."
Sonya growled. "He resigns and keeps all honors, while I resign in protest and I get slandered? Even if I was given the chance to return to the military, I would still say no. It's too corrupt."
"I understand your disillusionment with the military, Miss Blade," Spencer said, "but at least now, you have a clean slate. The chance to rebuild your life."
The letter from the General of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sure enough, as Sonya read the letter, she had been cleared of all charges, and while she couldn't return to the military, her discharge had been upgraded, her rank to Major restored. Accompanying the letter was a set of military discharge papers, showing that Sonya had been granted the aforementioned honorable discharge. The formal certificate would arrive by mail later in the week.
Sonya didn't know what to say. But the proverbial Sword of Damocles has been lifted off her shoulders. She had been found innocent of all charges. While she was no longer with the military thanks to Blake and his son, she would have the last laugh. Captain Blake had lost S-F, while General Blake had lost his own career.
Having read Sonya's letter and discharge papers over her shoulder, Johnny gave her shoulders a squeeze. "Congratulations, Sonya," he said.
Sonya folded the letter and discharge papers and placed them back inside the envelope. "Thank you, Mr. President," she said.
President Spencer smiled. "This is your second chance, Miss Blade. You want my advice? Don't squander it."
Sonya nodded and pocketed the envelope.
Then the President turned to Johnny. "As for you, Mr. Cage...my youngest son is a fan of your movies..."
"Say no more," Johnny said. "I always wanted to take a picture with the President. Works better for you this way."
"Fair enough," Spencer said.
After having a Secret Service agent snap a photo with both Johnny and the President shaking hands, followed by Johnny signing a couple of more autographs and taking pictures for the Secret Service agents, including Sonya taking a picture with her husband and the President, the couple were sent on their way.
Three days later...
After making sure that Cassie and Roxie were fast asleep, Johnny exited their room and walked back into the living room where he had left Sonya.
She was now in good spirits, a complete 180 from how she was when she returned home in disgrace. The letter and discharge papers were locked away in Johnny's security box, and placed inside their bedroom closet. The now-redeemed former major was dressed in her night clothes; a black sleeveless shirt, and a pair of shorts. Her blonde hair was now out of the ponytail, brushed, the golden strands falling down her back.
Johnny may have been a superstar, but he enjoyed the simple things in life. One of these things was Sonya's smile. It was one of the reasons why she was his 'Number One Leading Lady.' Clad in only a pair of pajama pants, he walked over to his wife, who was on the sofa, finishing up her call to Jax.
Upon returning home from their meeting with the President, Sonya and Johnny had sat Jax and Vera down at the table and explained everything, Johnny showing them the pictures of himself, Sonya and the President, while Sonya showed Jax and Vera the letter and her new discharge papers. Jax and Vera had been overjoyed at the news of Sonya's vindication.
Johnny and Sonya had spent the last couple of days talking, Sonya opening up to her husband even more. She still had some problems in opening up emotionally, but she was working on those issues. Johnny's method of getting Sonya to open up to him was to let her vent. And it worked. She told him about her past, of losing her unborn child and fiance at the hands of Kano. She ranted and raved, all the while Johnny didn't say a single word. And she felt better at the end of it.
As it turned out, Sonya wasn't the only one with trust issues, as Johnny had been married before. His first marriage had ended in divorce upon discovering that Cindy was having an affair. He wanted this marriage between Sonya and himself to work.
Once she was finished with the call, she tossed the phone to the side, stood up, and walked over to her husband. "Johnny...thank you. For standing by me...even when I was trying to push you away."
"C'mere," Johnny whispered, enveloping Sonya in his arms. "You don't have to thank me, hon. It's my job to support you, just as you support me."
"Even when I don't like most of your movies?"
"Especially when you don't like most of my movies." He sounded amused. "So...what are you gonna do now?"
Sonya really hadn't thought about that. She had been set on making the Army a career. Now... "I...I don't know. I'd probably be miserable in a conventional line of work."
Johnny looked at his wife. "Sonya, we're Raiden's chosen warriors assigned to protect Earthrealm from otherworldly threats. I hardly think that's conventional."
"True. I guess I can go back to school. I hold a dual degree in Business Administration and History."
Johnny was impressed. "Well, aren't you full of surprises, Miss Blade."
Sonya kissed her husband on the lips, a quick kiss. "I was thinking about pursuing a doctorate once things settled down. Now, I got the chance."
"That's great," Johnny said.
"Wanna know what's even better? You're paying my way," Sonya said, grinning. "I don't know if I can apply for the G.I. Bill, and the process takes too long. So you're the next best thing."
"So, by me being both your husband and a top-paid movie star, you'd expect to attend college on my dime?" That amused tone was back in his voice. "Ask me nicely."
Sonya smirked. Then she drove her foot into Johnny's own, causing him to release her. This, she followed with a hard palm strike to the chest, stunning him. She then completed the attack by grabbing him and flipping him over her hip. Johnny landed on the hardwood floor. Then she was on top of him, all 140 pounds of her pinning him to the ground. She knew that Johnny outweighed her by a good sixty pounds. But she was actually enjoying herself.
She leaned forward and whispered into his ear, her tone seductive. "Please."
"You are so gonna pay for that, Mrs. Blade," Johnny said.
Sonya then squealed as Johnny reversed their positions; Sonya was now on the bottom and Johnny was the one pinning her, her hands held over her head by Johnny's own. Sonya didn't show no resistance. The fact that her legs were now wrapped around his waist proved that.
"If I wanted to continue, you think you'd be able to stop me?" Johnny asked.
"I know I could," his wife replied, wiggling her body underneath him. "But the real question you should be asking me is whether I want to."
Johnny grinned. "I think I know the answer to that." His expression then grew serious. "Promise me one thing, Sonya."
"What?"
"That you'll do right for our children, for yourself and for me."
"I will," Sonya said, all the while freeing one of her hands so that she could grab the back of Johnny's head in order to pull him down towards her.
Had Jax or Vera been present and had walked in on Johnny and Sonya making out on the living room floor, what they were doing would have earned them both a stern lecture from the both of them.
Not that neither person would listen. This was their home after all.