Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Chapter 10: Pre-Drinks I
Kotal Kahn peered up with narrowed eyes at the structure before him.
It was not as grand in appearance as his palace in Z'Unkahrah – it was too humble, too modest for even the Osh-Tekk's taste. Yet at the same time, he could feel an aura of intense energy surrounding this place. Like a fire burning in a glass bottle, he could sense the powerful force that emanated from within the structure known as the Sky Temple. It was enough to inspire awe and strike fear into the emperor's heart; he responded to both with loathing. His lips twisted into a frown.
"So this is the devil's sacred ground," he murmured.
Behind him, he heard Erron Black grumble:
"You'd think that being a Thunder God and all, Raiden'd be able to control the weather."
Indeed, it had begun to drizzle over the Sky Temple. Standing in the courtyard with his three enforcers, Kotal Kahn turned his attention to the sky: dark clouds floated overhead, sending light raindrops down to hit his skin. As one who favoured the light of the sun, the emperor's mood dampened by a ten-fold.
A Tlāloc, Raiden is most certainly not. Even a lesser deity such as Xolotl would be appalled if he were to be compared to the likes of the Thunder God.
Reptile and Erron were also annoyed. The Zaterran, who thrived in Outworld's heat and basked in its warm sunlight at any given opportunity, disliked the cold immensely. Rain, no matter if it took the form of a smattering or a storm (or a heathen half-god), was especially reviled. The drizzle that showered upon his scaly skin made him shrink back and hiss under his breath. For the former Earthrealmer, he, too, could not abide the rain nor the cold that it brought. That, and he was miffed that his new (stiff, stuffy, godawful and ridiculously expensive) suit was getting wet. With a hunched posture and a miserable expression, he shoved his hands deep into his trouser pockets, tracing the barrels of his guns through the material.
As for Ermac, Kotal Kahn found it difficult to gauge how he felt. Glancing at him, he saw the soul collective also gazing up at the temple. He seemed unfazed by the rain, save for his eyes squinting as the drops bounced off his face.
Rain quenches the thirst of the earth, but what succour does it provide the drowning man?
"This One does not mind the rain too much. It freshens the blooms, brings back their colour. You must come see them, Emperor. You will like them best when they open in the sunlight –"
Enough, Ko'atal. Cast that turncoat from your mind.
"Emperor?" Reptile stood beside him. He could almost feel his cool, hardened skin against his, he was standing so close. "Someone approaches."
Shaking his head free of his thoughts, Kotal Kahn watched as an Earthrealmer, enshrouded in yellow sleeved robes, emerged from the temple and walked across the courtyard towards them. When he was close enough, he paused in his step and bowed.
"Greetings, Kotal Kahn," he said, straightening his posture. "My name is Xue, and I bid you and your guests welcome to the Sky Temple."
Kotal Kahn dipped his head, albeit with a small frown.
"And where is our host for the evening?" he asked.
Xue gestured towards the temple. "Lord Raiden awaits you inside, Emperor. Please follow me."
He turned and began walking back towards the entrance. The Osh-Tekk glanced around at his enforcers, who were all gathered on either side of him now. He sighed.
"Take caution tonight," he said quietly. "Forging an alliance with Earthrealm may be our objective, but woe betide the Thunder God and his underlings if they attempt to deceive us. Should it come to that, this temple will be their final resting place."
Lifting a defiant chin and a beckoning hand, the reluctant Kahn followed after Xue with his companions in tow.
Little did the Outworlders know, only three of them would be walking out of the Sky Temple at the end of the night.
As soon as he set his eyes on Outworld's emperor, Johnny Cage knew right then and there that his attempt at behaving tonight was irreparably screwed.
Standing between Kenshi and Cassie, the actor watched as the Shaolin monk Xue entered the foyer. But upon seeing the freakishly tall figure walking behind him … with giant feathers sprouting from his head, and wearing what looked like a bright blue mini-skirt and a cape so loud it would break the sound barrier …
Oh no, God, I canooooot …
With a wobbly smile, eyes tearing up behind his sunglasses, and slightly shaking shoulders as he attempted to swallow down his laughter, Johnny reached for both Kenshi and Cassie's forearms, and squeezed them tight.
Luckily for him, Kotal Kahn did not even take notice of the actor who was trying to maintain his composure. When he set foot into the foyer, he swept his gaze around the area. Like the temple's façade, the vast room was too modest for his liking. Satisfied that no shadowy figures were lurking behind the dragon statuettes, near the candle-holders or on the staircase, he drew his attention to the nine impeccably dressed individuals standing a few metres away from him. A few of them, he recognised, while the rest were unfamiliar to him.
But it was easy to determine who exactly was the host: a man, draped in white finery, stepped forward, holding the emperor's gaze steady.
"Kotal Kahn, it is my pleasure to bid you and your guests a warm welcome to the Sky Temple," declared Raiden, authority in each word. "It is nothing short of an honour to have you all here tonight."
He held out his hand. Kotal Kahn regarded it for several seconds.
The hand of a half-witted god is no different from the hand of a witless devil.
Nevertheless, he accepted the hand and gave it a firm shake. In the politest tone he could muster, he replied:
"And it is a great honour for us to be here among you. We have been looking forward to this function all week."
Behind him, Reptile and Ermac's impassive expressions did not change, while Erron practically rolled his eyes to the back of his head.
Raiden nodded. He motioned towards the individuals behind him.
"Come, Emperor, I would like to introduce some associates of mine who will be dining alongside us this evening."
The Thunder God led the Osh-Tekk and his entourage towards the group of Earthrealmers. The first one they came to was a woman, whose straight posture and sharp features suggested that she was not a person to be trifled with.
"This is General Sonya Blade of Special Forces," Raiden informed the Outworlders. "An exemplary leader in her field. Under her command, Special Forces played an instrumental role in attaining victory for Earthrealm against Shinnok."
"General Blade," Kotal Kahn murmured as he held out his hand. "I have heard you speak multiple times via Sergeant Cage's communications device. I can at last put a face to your voice."
And what a face it was. From her strong brow to her delicately squared chin, she was indeed striking to behold. Looking at her, the emperor was reminded of someone he knew, though he could not remember who it was.
Sonya's grip was powerful as she shook his hand.
"I can say the same to you, Emperor," she replied, her voice crisp and clear. "Hopefully this dinner will provide an opportunity for us to get better acquainted."
Reptile bit back the snarl on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he took to glowering at the general.
Raiden gestured towards the muscular individual standing next to Sonya. Although it had been a good deal many years since he last encountered him, Ermac recognised the man almost immediately.
Almost, in that the last time he saw him, he had been lying on the ground, bleeding from two stumps where his arms would have been – this time around, unfamiliar prosthetics had taken their place.
"This is Jackson Briggs," Ermac heard Raiden say. "He served Special Forces as a major before his retirement, although he does occasionally act in a consulting capacity."
The military veteran grunted out a greeting. When his eyes settled on Ermac, however, his features hardened like a rock, much to Kotal Kahn's surprise. He crossed his artificial limbs over his chest.
"I'd offer you my hand, but something tells me you won't settle for anything less than an arm," he rumbled through gritted teeth, staring daggers and knives at Ermac.
The Earthrealmers bristled upon hearing their comrade's words. Kotal Kahn and Reptile shared a mystified look. Erron followed the man's fiery gaze back to the construct, raising a bemused eyebrow at him.
Ermac merely stared back at Jax, sensing his animosity in waves. He clenched his gloved fist, feeling the energy building up as the former major made to move forward …
"Oof!"
… only for something to pull him back. Ermac watched as the blindfolded man next to him removed his hand from his momentarily stunned comrade's forearm. A warm smile appeared across his bearded visage.
"Please excuse Jax, rainy weather makes him awfully cranky," he said cheerfully. "Us older folk can't abide the cold like we used to. Goes right to our joints, isn't that right, Jax?"
To Ermac's eyes, Jax appeared to shoot a sharp glance at the shorter man before turning his attention back to the extremely baffled emperor.
"Yeah, somethin' like that," he grumbled before shaking his hand proper. His metal hand was unexpectedly warm to the touch.
Lowering his head with a smile still painted on his lips, his blindfolded comrade seemed to direct his concealed gaze towards Ermac.
Suddenly, the construct felt a small shudder rippling throughout his frail frame, stirring the countless souls within. It was if every fibre of his being was being scrutinised under a magnifying glass. It was neither a comfortable nor uncomfortable sensation, but it still unsettled him. He nearly missed a harried-sounding Raiden's next words:
"Takahashi Kenshi has long been an ally of mine and of Special Forces. His swordsmanship, and not least his affability, are second to none."
Even when he took Kotal Kahn's hand into his own, the swordsman called Kenshi – a name that rang several bells – continued to fix his attention on Ermac, who was having difficulty trying to collect himself.
It's as if he can see us … but how?
With a sharp yet silent intake of breath, Ermac shuffled closer to Erron and turned his face away. In response, Kenshi, a small frown taking his smile's place, finally shifted his focus back to the emperor.
Raiden motioned towards the next Earthrealmer. Upon seeing his dark eyewear, garish suit and infernally grinning countenance, Reptile felt a combination of dread and disgust erupting in his chest.
"Now Emperor, allow me to introduce –" the Thunder God started, but a dismissive hand practically waving in his face cut him off.
"Hold on, Raiden, allow me," the Earthrealmer confidently declared.
Raiden frowned. "But I –"
"Don't sweat it, bubba, I've got this."
Hearing him speak, the Zaterran's dread and disgust deepened by a hundred-fold. Judging by the quiet "Oh God" uttered by the general, she, too, anticipated the worst.
Turning to Kotal Kahn, the Earthrealmer peered intensely at him, his shaded eyes trailing up and down his lofty physique.
"So, Kotal Kahn, at last we meet," he said, taking on a dramatic tone of voice (Typical of him). "I've gotta say, you definitely give Dr Manhattan a run for his money in the height department. Blue skin? Eh, not so much."
The emperor, beyond bewildered at this point, stared at him in utter befuddlement.
"Excuse me, but am I supposed to know you?" he asked.
Asking him such a question, Reptile knew, was akin to opening a faucet that was already leaking.
Lifting his sunglasses, revealing his keen blue eyes, the man flashed an exceptionally bright, toothy smile at the Osh-Tekk.
"The name's Cage … Johnny Cage," he stated, smooth as silk. "Johnny for short, Mr Cage if you're nasty, or "Hollywood's Finest" if you want to get on my good side. Action flicks are my specialty, but I guess it's more of a side-hustle now in comparison to, y'know, helping to save the world in real life. I'm pretty big down Outworld's way since my last jaunt there, back when Shao Kahn was running the joint. Ask anyone, Big Blue, they'll remember me."
To say Kotal Kahn was overwhelmed at hearing this babble was the understatement of the millennium. Reptile, on the other hand, was unimpressed.
"They will certainly remember your big mouth," he growled.
Johnny turned to him, his smile unwavering.
"My God, it speaks!" he remarked. "It's been a long time since I last saw you, Reptile. I guess you're still recovering from the whooping I gave you, huh?"
The Kahn glanced at Reptile, eyebrows raised. "You know him?"
"Oh yeah, we go way back," Johnny answered before he could say anything. "Took him down in my first tournament and nearly walked away with a snakeskin luggage set."
Before Raiden or Sonya could tell him to watch his tongue, Johnny shifted his focus away from the furious Zaterran to Ermac, who had recovered from his fluster.
"I also remember you, Apple Mac," he said. Taking in the lithe body and withering skin, he added, "Huh, whatever diet you're on, you're really putting it to work. Bet it'll do wonders for Bo' Rai Cho. Just remember the lotion next time."
The ashy bastard's already slippery enough, thought Jax bitterly.
Finally, Johnny turned to the construct's comrade, who had by now given up wondering what was going on and was trying his best to tune out of reality altogether. Johnny stared hard at him.
"So you must be the cowboy – Erron Black, right?" he asked.
Erron, sensing everyone's eyes on him, drew his gaze level with the actor. His hands went to his hips.
"Yeah, I am," he drawled lowly. "What's it to you?"
Johnny screwed up his eyes. "Honestly, I was expecting you to look like Wyatt Earp all dressed up in your best Fievel Goes West gear, not …" – he gestured wildly towards him with his hand, trying to find the right words – "… Costas Mandylor in a three-piece suit."
Unsure if the last part was an insult or a compliment, the former Earthrealmer nonetheless glared at Johnny with narrowed eyes.
"Wyatt Earp?" he scoffed. "That overprized clown. Least his brother Morgan was more decent."
"Sounds like you knew them both."
Johnny was being sarcastic, of course, but how surprised were he and his comrades when Erron replied:
"I ran into 'em a few times on the Texan gambling circuit. Great poker-faces, but still too goody-goody for my liking."
"But that was, like, 150 years ago! You couldn't have been alive back then."
"Maybe he was a cactus in his past life, Mr Cage. Or a tumbleweed."
That saucy remark came from where the four remaining Earthrealmers stood. Erron – as well as his employer and his comrades – looked in their direction. Frowns immediately appeared on their visages as they recognised the team of emissaries who had caused them so much grief a month before. The frowns grew deeper as Raiden (who was equal parts eager to move on from Johnny, equals part rueing the cursed day he met the actor) said:
"I understand that you have already met and worked closely with Johnny Cage's Special Forces unit, Emperor, but beginning relationships anew begs reintroductions: Sergeant Cassandra Cage, Specialist Jacqueline Briggs, Takahashi Takeda of the Shirai Ryu, and Kung Jin of the Shaolin Monastery."
Cage? Kotal Kahn stared at the handsome blonde-haired sergeant, then stole a quick glance at Johnny. They both shared the same last name – were they related? Yet, as the emperor's blue eyes passed back up to Sonya Blade, it now occurred to him who the general reminded him of earlier.
Same last name as the loquacious Earthrealmer, yet possessing similar looks to General Blade … dear Elder Gods, is Cassandra their child? I cannot even comprehend that these two are colleagues, let alone each other's spouses!
While the Osh-Tekk mulled over this new piece of information, Ermac closely regarded the nervous countenances of Jacqueline Briggs and Takahashi Takeda. His last encounter with them during Shinnok's attempted invasion of Earthrealm was still fresh in his mind – the specialist was every bit like her father, but unlike him, she refused to stay down. As for the fledgling telepath …
Takahashi … then surely he must be the offspring of the sightless one, although his father does not strike us as the child-rearing type. He –
Ermac stopped his thoughts in time, feeling the pin-pricks of disquiet that had shaken him earlier. No, he could not – would not – think about the swordsman anymore.
Keep away, the souls whispered within. Do not engage him. Stay close to Black – his sullen demeanour will deter anyone from trying to interact with us.
As one can tell, Erron's "sullen demeanour" worsened when he fixed his attention on the dark-haired, smart-lipped culprit who uttered that "tumbleweed" comment.
"Kotal Kahn, giver of light and master of fire, we greet you," said Kung Jin, his voice confident, smooth and reverent. "I speak for my team when I say that we are glad to make your reacquaintance. Our past grievances with each other should not overshadow such a momentous occasion. And indeed, your presence this evening is a blessing."
"Oh, puh-leeze," mumbled Cassie lowly, only to receive a hard nudge from Jacqui.
Jin's honeyed words were enough to please the emperor. He shook hands with the Shaolin monk, saying:
"You have not lost the use of your silver tongue, I see. It would be a great pity if you were to be ridden of it."
"Or a damn miracle," muttered Erron under his breath.
Jin heard that and raised an eyebrow at him. It was strange to see Erron Black without his mask or kohl. In fact, he looked like a real and proper Earthrealm man. He recalled Jacqui's words from earlier: You clean up nicely.
Even so, the bowman reminded himself, he was still the same (rude, greedy, arrogant and stupidly miserable) gunslinger who had also fallen for his golden words once upon a time.
With a slight bow of his head, Jin's mouth curled into a smile that Erron was all too familiar with.
"Don't fret, Black, I haven't forgotten about you, either," he crooned in the same slow, suave tone. "Nice to see your lovely mug again, too. You ever get your, uh, bonus?"
"Bonus?" repeated Kotal Kahn, perplexed. "What bonus?"
Damn it, Junior. "It's nothin', Emperor," Erron answered quickly – too quickly.
Before Jin could open his damn mouth again, the mercenary turned to Raiden, saying, "Isn't it about time for those drinks yet?"
"Ah, a man after my own heart," gushed Johnny mockingly. "Whaddaya say, Raididdy? I think it's time we got some bottles popping, am I right?"
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with Cage," Sonya whispered to Jax and Kenshi. "God knows I'd kill for a drink right now."
"I nominate to kill Ermac," Jax whispered back, oblivious to the swordsman's frown.
"Yes, I do believe we all need a pick-me-up before the first course commences," the Thunder God replied to Johnny, weariness filling his tone to the brim. "We still have about 15 minutes left. We will all be gathered together by then."
Kotal Kahn cocked his head to side – were they not already gathered together?
Before he could dwell on the matter further, Raiden called out a command, his voice echoing around the foyer. Several seconds later, a dozen or so men dressed in identical clothing entered the room. In their hands they carried trays of glasses filled either with gold or ruby-red liquid.
"Please help yourselves," said Raiden to his guests. "Do not hesitate to ask for another glass."
After hearing that, Erron made a beeline for the nearest Shaolin monk. Grabbing a glass with golden liquid, he took a large sip, then immediately wished that he had not.
"Ugh, white wine," he blurted out in disgust after swallowing the dry fluid. "Don't you have any whiskey in this joint?"
The monk shook his head. "Only white wine and non-alcoholic rosé, sir."
"Oh dear, that is too bad, Erron," murmured Kotal Kahn as he joined him; Reptile and Ermac followed close behind. The emperor had removed his grand headdress and cape and gave them to a monk to store away. He tried his best to look sympathetic as he sipped his own wine. "I suppose you will have to make do with what you have been given. Just don't overdo it, of course."
Erron scowled for the Elder Gods.
If it means getting through this bulls*** dinner quick enough, then bottoms up, he thought resentfully before lifting his glass to his lips again. It's not like it can get any worse from here.
Oh, but it did.
The gunslinger just about took a large mouthful of wine, only to nearly spit it out on Ermac when – with the intensity of a thunderstroke – a loud, ungodly cry rang out, startling everyone:
"What in the name of hell is THIS?"
A/N: Dear me, the dinner's been going for 15 minutes, and already everything's gone to hell. X3
I suddenly came down with the flu and am still recovering from it, so I'm sorry for the chapter's delay and for it being kinda all over the place. But yay, at least the dinner's finally on. :) I've still yet to get MK11 (sheesh, but it's pricey, hey? X'D), so I've no idea what goes on in its story-mode yet or if any of the absent characters from MKX appear. Still, let me know what you thought of it.
Guest #1 – Thank you so much, G#1! I was worried that the Jax/Kenshi banter wasn't that great (pure cringe, I thought), but if it got you laughing, then I'm happy enough. :D Here's hoping the minor J/K banter here was okay as well, along with everything else!
Guest #2 – The revenants' time will come, G#2, you'll see! And yup, Kenshi is the king of all trolls, heh heh. There will be more moments between those two couples ... that's if they get through the first half of the dinner alive. Thanks for the review, hun, and let me know if you liked the you-know-who moments.
LoveLovers – Thank you, hun, and I hope you enjoyed your Easter as well! Glad to hear you like the outfits; the revenants' outfits will be coming soon. Did you play MK11 yet? If so, I hope it met your expectations. I'm still nervous/excited about it. :)
Sarah – Thank you! You're not the only one who feels bad for Takeda, believe you me. As you can tell, I tried to put in more Johnny Cage moments here (I had to get the lame jokes out of my system), so let me know what you thought of them. I personally like the look of Kabal and Kitana (they are my favourites), so I hope to play as them when I get the game. :)
Now that the Outworlders are in the mix, perhaps it's time for the next guests to make an appearance? I definitely think so. Pray for Raididdy's soul, y'all.
Reviews are welcome!
*~AI07~*