Welcome to the second chapter! Not much is happening here (you can basically skip it :D) but we get to meet the rest of the crew that is going to investigate the weird portal and what has happened to Raiden and Kuai Liang.

I'm doing my best to impersonate the MK character but I don't feel very confident about some of them. My apologies if they don't feel real.

Anyway, enjoy the story if you can. :P

The Trinity.

Sonya Blade has always been obsessed with her work and never in her life has she felt bad about it. Happiness was scarce in her marriage and being wed to Johnny was one hell of a ride, even though she was not easy-going on him either. Now divorced, she found peace in having her daughter and ex-husband working with her to protect the world from bloodthirsty warlocks, fallen Elder gods, and crazy Outworld emperors. Her allies, the rest of Earthrealm's protectors, were the people that have deemed themselves worthy of her trust and respect. They have gone through many trials together, emerging victorious from all of them, never losing a fight or a war. Not until recently, when Kuai Liang passed away under suspicious circumstances. Sonya was sure that foul play was at hand and her main priority was to find out who was responsible for his death.

No one could believe that Sub-Zero was actually gone – his calm presence and unmatched strategic thinking were to be missed and this absence was obvious. As if a piece of the puzzle was missing and now, the whole picture was falling apart. For months, the Special Forces had tried investigating the cause for his end but their efforts were futile. They had even sent a team over to the Lin Kuei temple but a blizzard took their helicopter down. After that, Sonya was more than sure that something was off and there is a killer still at large.

Johnny Cage, one of Sub-Zero's closest friends, was feeling guilty and responsible for the fate of the Grandmaster. He was rarely attending the SF meetings nowadays, preferring to stay away from all the 'action'. As a fighter, he didn't like losing. The actor shivered as he imagined what it would be like if he was to lose Sonya, or even worse – Cassie.

Even though it was 4 am, he couldn't sleep because of the pessimistic thoughts that were eating him alive. As he rose from his disappointingly short slumber, his cell rang.

'Who the hell…?' his expression froze as he read the name on the display. General Sonya Blade was calling him.

'But she never calls… oh, shit, what if something has happened to Cassie?!' the fear paralyzed Johnny for a second but he managed to pull himself together and answer the call.

'Cage, what took you so long to pick up the damn phone? Afraid you'll miss out on your beauty sleep?' shouted his ex-wife on the other side of the phone.

'Sorry babe, I saw my reflection in the screen and I was amazed at how gracefully I age. Have you seen me lately? I'm hot!' jokes were not the best defense mechanism but it worked for him just fine.

'Actually, no, I haven't seen anything of you lately because you've been skipping on some important meetings and missions, pretty boy. So why don't you drag your self-centered ass to the SF headquarters and help me out with something?' general Blade was trying to sound harsh but her voice was shaky. Something was wrong and Johnny could tell – she never asks for help unless it's serious.

'Aww, admit it, you miss my ass! The smooth skin and the rough muscles that would love you all night long…'

'Johnny, get here as soon as possible…' After a long pause, she said bluntly, 'Sub-Zero is alive.'

As he was about to say something, Sonya had already hung up.

The day was getting weirder and weirder. First, his ex-wife was calling him and then she declared that Kuai is alive.

'Is this some kind of a prank? Maybe a dream. Am I dreaming?' Before he could carry on with his theories about reality and dreams, Johnny's philosophical tranquility was interrupted by another call, this time from his daughter, Cassie.

'Hey paps, mom.. uuh, I mean general Blade wanted me to call you and to make sure that you're on your way to the HQ. Is everything all right? She sounded uptight.' Cassie's naïve voice was like a soothing song to him right now. Unbeknownst to her, she had answered all his questions and paradoxically lifted his spirits a little bit.

'Dad, you there?'

'Sure thing, honey, tell the general that I'll be there in no time. Don't worry about a thing, Daddy will come to save the day!.' This time Johnny was the first to end the call and rushed to the bathroom for a rejuvenating shower. Afterwards, he would make his way to the base of the Special Forces.

Cassie Cage was still wondering why her mother was so keen on getting Johnny for the next mission and why her dad had lost his cool for a second during their conversation. She trusted her parents but at the back of her mind, she knew something bigger was going on. The young woman didn't have anyone to talk to, mainly because her mother has always been a bit cold and distant, and also due to the fact that her best friend, Jacqui, was sent with Takeda to be the new ambassadors of the Shirai Ruy. So, basically, they were on a holiday in Japan.

'Lucky bastards…' she admired their relationship but there was a sign of jealousy as well. Cassie had never fallen in love madly, not that she didn't believe in that, it was just that her parents' complicated life had shown her that love doesn't always get a happy ending.

She kept herself occupied until her father's arrival a few hours later and when the famous trio, the ex-family, finally gathered, a heavy atmosphere was spreading around. 'Too hard to breathe… or even talk.' Johnny thought to himself as he sat opposite of his daughter, waiting for the instructions from Sonya. She was standing up and holding a small remote control in her hand, the thumb ready to hit the play button any time. As the awkward but familiar silence between them sank in, the general decided to show them a video Hanzo had sent her a day ago. The friendly face appeared on the big flat screen and its lips started moving:

'General Blade, I have information that might be shocking to accept at first but please believe me when I say that I am telling you the whole truth.' The warrior was unsure of how to continue but nonetheless, he went on with the explanation.

'A student of mine found an unusual scar-shaped portal to the south of our home. I went to investigate it in case there is another attack on Earthrealm… and I can tell you that I have never seen anything like that in my life. Trust me, I've seen quite a lot.' The man on the video paused, cleared his throat and resumed his speech.

'The most peculiar thing was what had come out of that portal. I noticed a body nearby, covered in blood, brutally beaten but still breathing. At first, I thought it might be Raiden. I… don't know how to say this but… I realized this person was… Kuai Liang.'

Cassie's eyes widened, surprised by what she just heard. Everyone was motionless and quiet. The man from the video went on, this time more confident:

'However, there is one problem. The man I found is not the Sub-Zero we all know. There are no words to explain the current situation but I am certain that you will be able to react and help your allies in solving this… enigma.'

Then the screen went black.

The people in the room were standing still as if they were frozen - staring at where Hanzo's face was a moment ago.

'If you don't have any questions get your lazy asses on the first plane and bring me this imposter!' Sonya's face was saying that even if they have questions, she wouldn't be able to provide any answers. The Cages were like hypnotized for a second but then, without saying a word, just by nodding at each other, stood up, and went out.

'I thought this day can't get any weirder.' Johnny sighed as he and Cassie were boarding the plane.

Oh no, how come it's not the same Sub-Zero? :O

Stay tuned to find out. :D

And thanks a lot for reading, weirdos. :33