Love War: Fall From Grace

Chapter 5: Melody

Homefront Warriors HQ

Inside the bunkers of the HQ, a young African-American woman was hitting the bag when her cellphone rang.

"Hello?"

"Melody, it's Cassie."

"Hey, girl! What's up?"

"My mother would like to speak to you."

"Melody."

"Sonya. What's going on?"

"I have some terrible news."

Melody's cheerful smile slowly turned to a frown. "What is it, Sonya?"

"Our soldier, Chris Jones, is dead."

Melody was frozen. Chris was her father. Her legs grew weak.

"Mel?"

"My... dad?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Report to the HQ."

Before she left, she went to the locker room and cried. She hasn't seen him in 20 years. She immediately left to the HQ.

"Dad..."

She arrived to find Sonya and everyone at the control room.

"Melody..." Cassie and Jacqui held Melody close. Sonya hugged her.

"I'm really sorry, Mel."

"Who killed him?"

Sonya flinched at Melody's question the way she asked it.

"His name is Quan Chi. This may seem new to you..." Somya took Melody to the computer room and showed her his mugshot.

"Why does he look like Uncle Fester of the Addams Family?"

"You have your father's sense of humor."

"I learned a lot from him."

"That's one ugly motherfucker."

Sonya laughed. "You ok?"

"No. I've been without family since I was raped long ago."

Sonya knew what Melody meant and brought up Kano's criminal record. Melody shivered at his face. "Bastard!"

"This man raped you?"

"Chris told you?"

"Yeah. He wanted to wring his neck."

"I would too, but, I decided to go to school."

"Smart move. How did you do?"

"Graduated with honors. Then I became an USMC Scout sniper."

"Where have you been all my life?"

"School, gym, to name a few."

"You must be Melody Jones." Sareena approaches.

"I am. Who are you? I like your hair."

"Thank you. I am Sareena of the Netherrealm. This is Ashrah. We are here on behalf of your father."

"What do you know of him?"

"Quan Chi killed him in kombat, rather unceremoniously in my opinion."

Melody looked at Quan Chi's face and made a fist." Where's my dad?"

"We believe they are in the Netherrealm, but it's dangerous to go alone. That's why Ashrah and I must go to retrieve a spell book that can help reverse his curse."

"Can I trust you two?"

"Of course, Melody. Once our task is complete, we will inform the Edenians and send them here."

"Edenians?" Melody was now utterly confused.

"Excuse me." Sareena contacts Jade

Edenia

Jade's Chambers

"Sareena, everything ok?"

"We are about to depart to the Netherrealm and into Quan Chi's base. I need you and the others to come to Earthrealm. I fear Quan Chi is already making his move."

"I will let them know."

"Find us at the Special Forces base."

Jade enters Sindel's chambers.

"Jade, are you alright, my dear?"

"Sareena just contacted me. Quan Chi is on the move, possibly to Earthrealm. Where's Kitana and Tanya?"

"At the spa. is it urgent?"

"Yes. She's with Sonya and her allies. She and Ashrah are leaving for the Netherrealm."

Jade went to the spa.

"Jade, care to join us?" Asked Tanya.

"I can't. Sindel is waiting for us at the portal to Earthrealm."

"What's going on?" Kitana asked.

"Something urgent. I'll try to make more sense when we get there."

Kitana and Tanya joined Jade as they find Sindel at the portal.

"Ladies, Sareena and Ashrah have left for the Netherrealm. I assume this urgency involves Chris."

"I have no doubt," said Tanya. "We must go."

They entered the portal to Earthrealm.