Wanted to update this much sooner. Enjoy!
As she approached her parents, Cassie was already putting together scenarios in her head on what mission they would have for her. Things had been relatively peaceful since the whole fiasco with Shinnok, and they'd mostly been dealing with issues in their own realm. Judging by the stern looks on their faces when they noticed her arrival, it was going to be something serious.
She popped her gum in greeting. "What's up?"
Sonya gave her the usual expression for whenever she spoke informally at the base, but didn't address it out loud. "We have a mission for you and your team. Kotal Kahn has requested your help in Outworld."
"Oookay. Definitely not what I was expecting to hear."
Johnny chuckled. "We weren't either. The emperor must be really desperate if he turns to Earthrealm for help."
Cassie scoffed. "Yeah, really desperate to lure us to our deaths. Why would we help him?"
Her mother continued to fix her with a steel expression. "Because it will be good for both our realms. Peace has never been something we've been able to achieve with Outworld. His request may be unexpected, but we believe it is genuine. We've already accepted."
"What?!" She was hardly surprised, but still upset. "Mom, you could be sending us to our deaths! What if they hold us hostage and use us for extortion? How can you know if he's being genuine?"
Her father intervened before the argument progressed. "Honor is very important to someone like Kotal Kahn. Asking us for help probably hurt his pride. It seems like a last resort." He cast a smile towards Sonya. "And your mother's right. Strengthening the bond between our realms is beneficial for everyone."
She returned the smile for a split second before returning to her usual serious demeanor. "We've already notified the others and they're on their way here. It'll be you job to brief them once they arrive, so pay attention."
Cassie popped her gum again, irritated but defeated. She knew she'd never win an argument against both of them. She followed her parents to the briefing room where Sonya pulled up an image of two familiar faces.
"You remember these two?"
"How could I forget. Homegirl on the left snuck up behind me in the jungle."
"This is Tanya and Rain. Two edenians who were part of Mileena's resistance. They've been wanted in Outworld ever since the civil war ended. Kotal says he's kept them on the run for months but he hasn't been able to catch them. We're guessing he wants them alive so he can make an example of them in front of an audience."
The young Cage looked confused. "So why does he need us to catch them? He's really having that much trouble doing it with his whole army and his squad of cronies?"
Her father laughed. "Must be. We're guessing he just wants to finally put an end to it and he knows SF has superior skills and technology in tracking and stealth."
Sonya hadn't taken her eyes off the screen. "Or he's trying to stop them from accomplishing something. Maybe he's worried they're organizing another resistance group or trying to escape the realm entirely."
Cassie snorted. "He's paranoid."
Closing the images, Sonya started towards the doorway. "I've got other work to do. Your team should be here shortly. Brief them and then head for the old refugee area south of the base. Kotal said he'd open you a portal there." She didn't wait for a response.
With a sigh, Cassie turned to her father. "Do you really think this is a good idea?"
He threw an arm around her and pulled her to his chest. "Have I ever steered you wrong, punkin?"
"I don't think you want me to answer that."
"No way. This is an obvious trap." Kung Jin echoed her earlier sentiment as soon as she'd finished explaining the mission.
"That's what I said. My parents are both convinced this will help strengthen the ties between our realms, but I think it's more likely we'll end up with ties around our necks."
Takeda laughed. "Don't be so pessimistic you two. I think it makes perfect sense. We've worked with him before, he knows what we can do."
The shaolin scoffed. "And what happened after that? Oh yeah, he locked us up."
Jacqui quickly came to Takeda's aid. "That was different. The amulet was in play, and he was betrayed by D'Vorah. He probably regrets that decision knowing what he knows now. And besides, after all that's happened, don't you think it's possible that he wants a stronger bond with Earthrealm too?"
"No." Cassie and Jin answered in unison. It was rare that they agreed on something, especially mission related. However, they shared the trait of stubbornness.
Despite her aversion to the plan, Cassie still lead her team to where the portal was supposed to appear. As if sensing their arrival, it materialized as soon as they were in sight of it. Taking a collective deep breath and silently prepping themselves, they stepped through the portal one after another. Bright outworld sunlight assaulted their vision and left them disoriented for a moment. When they were able to see again, they found themselves in Kotal's war room. Balcony was a more fitting word. They looked over the edge to the hustle and bustle of the marketplace and courtyard below.
Turning around, they found the emperor seated at a long table. He was accompanied by Ermac, Erron Black, and Reptile. Cassie could feel the glare Jacqui was shooting the mummy-esque figure who was responsible for the loss of her father's arms. She was a bit on edge that the emperor wasn't alone, but none of the table's occupants seemed hostile at the moment. Kotal extended an arm, motioning for them to have a seat. She was hesitant, but complied, the others sitting beside her.
Kotal Kahn wasted no time. "Suspicion radiates off you in waves, Cassandra Cage. You have my word that I bare no ill will against you or your friends."
Recalling how Kung Jin had impressed the emperor with his choice of words, Cassie did her best to speak as formally as she could manage. "In all honesty, emperor, we are confused as to why you have come to us for help."
The emperor sighed. "It was not my first choice; merely the only one I have left. I've exhausted all other options. It pains me to admit it so frankly, but I grow desperate."
Takeda looked to Cassie for permission to speak. She nodded. "Are the edenians really that big of a threat on their own? I'm sure being hunted constantly hasn't made it easy for them to draw in new supporters."
"I'm afraid it's not new recruits that I fear. Something much worse could be on the horizon if they are not captured."
He became silent after this ominous statement, and Cassie noticed he seemed visibly shaken. She wasn't sure what to say next, but Kung Jin apparently did.
"You going to enlighten us? I think we'd be closer to actually trusting you if we had all the information."
Across from him, the marksman shook his head. "Tch. I see you still haven't learned to keep your mouth shut."
The young shaolin rolled his eyes. "It's a fair question considering the last several encounters we've had were unpleasant to say the least." He studied the gunslinger for a moment. "For all we know, you've already been paid to take us out as soon as our back is turned."
Jacqui socked the shaolin in the arm and Cassie shot her a smile since she'd been about to do the same thing. To her surprise, the emperor sighed and nodded in his direction. "The shaolin is right. If I am to expect your trust, I must be forthcoming with all the details.
Jin shot her an arrogant smirk and she resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. She chose to pop her gum at him instead. Ermac and Reptile watched the exchange, thoroughly confused about Earthrealmers and their nonverbal communications.
The emperor wrung his hands as he spoke, noticeably uncomfortable. "The last location we'd tracked the Edenians to was the Living Forest. I was initially uncertain what could possibly bring them to such a dreary and abandoned place until Reptile brought something unsettling to my attention." He'd tilted his head in the scaly figure's direction, prompting him to reiterate this information for the newcomers.
"The Living Forest was used often during the reign of Shao Kahn. Those who defied him and were unworthy of execution in the coliseum would be used to satisfy the forest's hunger." His slimy tongue extended and hissed as he spoke. Cassie couldn't tell is it was unintentional or if he'd been doing it for dramatic effect, but it disgusted her either way. "The sorcerer Shang Tsung could often be found there, stealing corpses to drag down to his flesh pits. There is an entrance to the wretched place in the heart of the forest. This is surely where the edenians are going."
This was all new intel for the Earthrealmers, but it still didn't really explain anything about their mission. They all looked expectantly back at the emperor, who seemed as though he was struggling to continue. Cassie was slowly starting to see the desperation present in his attitude. This is for real.
"The flesh pits are where that abomination, Mileena, was born. I had thought to be finally rid of her, but I am fearful she may somehow return." He paused to collect himself, as though speaking the words out loud might have made it true somehow. He regained his regal composure and gave the team his full attention. "I am no expert on the sorcerer Shang Tsung, but what Reptile has told me does not bode well. I can think of no reason for the edenians to journey to the flesh pits that does not involve Mileena. This is why I must stop them. This is why I called for your help."
The emperor stood up from the table, moving to look over the balcony. He opened his arms towards his kingdom below. "As long as Mileena may still exist, she is a threat to my throne and my people. I wish nothing more than to be rid of her forever. I have been living with false hope that she was truly gone. I have been a fool to allow the edenians to live for so long."
He returned his attention to the table, now lacking any uncertainty or fear. "I had planned on executing them in front of my people, to show that we stand together against those who wish to tear us apart. Now I only wish for their long lives to end one way or another. By the time we launch our attack, they will have likely arrived at the flesh pits. This is my last chance. They have been able to thwart my previous efforts and escape with their lives, but they would never expect me to call upon Earthrealm for aid."
Takeda chuckled. "We'll have the element of surprise. They won't know what hit them."
The Osh-Tek emperor seemed pleased at his enthusiasm. "Precisely. I see no way we can fail."
Kung Jin was still apprehensive, and Cassie was slightly glad he'd asked the question so she wouldn't have to.
"And what happens afterwards? No double cross this time?"
With a sigh, the emperors momentary burst of passion drained from his expression. "I had hoped it had been made clear that we mean you no harm. What else can I do to earn your trust?"
"You wouldn't have to earn it back if you hadn't betrayed us in the first place, chief."
"What happened to your ability to forge words of silver, young shaolin?"
Jin scoffed. "I reserve that for people who haven't tried to kill me on multiple occasions."
Once again, the mercenary across the table chimed in at his expense. "Quit your whining. Don't you have any sense? The rest of your team understands the current situation. Maybe you should follow their lead."
The shaolin turned around to face the offender. "I don't remember ever asking for your opinion, old yeller."
"Can it, Jin. Cassie's the one in charge here. She decides what we do." The girl in question felt all eyes on her. She hated to admit it, but Jin did make some good points. Even so, she wasn't in a position to decline. If they returned to Earthrealm, her parents would likely force them to come right back. They'd already made the decision for her.
Kotal Kahn must have perceived some sort of inner turmoil. "I would be greatly indebted to you and Earthrealm as a whole. I am very open to negotiating terms of peace in the future, once my empire and realm are fully secured. Something a bit more binding than a non-aggression pact."
Cassie stifled a sigh. There it was; her parent's goal all along. She cracked her knuckles.
"We're in."
Reviews follows and favorites are always appreciated. Next chapter is planned for later this week. Thank you for reading :)
