Love & War

Chapter 34: Change Of Heart

Back at the church, the Forces of Light are still discussing.

"But how do we know? Raiden could be having visions of possible futures, not the future," Sonya said.

Jax agreed, "Sonya's right. Was I supposed to have my arms replaced with these? Or was it caused by interfering with the timeline?"

"My head hurts thinking about it," said Johnny.

"This isn't helpful," said Kitana. "We cannot second guess our decisions. Raiden, what are your thought?"

Raiden was unresponsive.

"Raiden?"

"Yes. That is best." Say what now?

Sub-Zero speaks, "What's our next objective?"

Nightwolf returned. "It is done. Earthrealm's souls are safe."

Raiden, on the other hand, doesn't seem to agree.

"No. How is this not enough? I must speak with the Elder Gods. Shao Kahn's violation must be punished!"

"But the battle is joined here, in Earthrealm," said Liu Kang.

"We cannot win without the Elder Gods."

"But, master..."

Johnny interrupted, "Liu Kang, close as a shadow."

"Nightwolf, lead the charge until I return."

"As you wish, Haokah."

Raiden disappears.

"Well, now what?"asked Stryker. "Standing around won't do us any good."

"Wait!" Sub-Zero spotted multiple Lin Kuei cyborgs.

"So much for standing around."

"ATTACK!" called Nightwolf.

The heroes charge against the cyborgs. Nightwolf faces Cyrax.

"My speed and skill are beyond you."

Despite that, Nightwolf made quick work on Cyrax.

"Mere speed and skill will not win this war, Cyrax."

Smoke was unable to land a hit on Sektor.

"You are weak, Smoke." he used a afterburn attack that sent Smoke careening down the stairwell. "Now do you understand the power of the Grandmaster's vision?" Nightwolf threw a tomahawk at Sektor.

"You are no match for the power of the spirits."

Sektor's weaponry didn't give him the advantage he was hoping for as Nightwolf simply defeated him.

"Perhaps even you can be saved."

The cyborgs were done for. Nightwolf walks up to Kitana.

"What is it?"

"Mother..."

Cover your ears! Sindel is in the house, with a scream that can shatter windows from hundreds of miles away.

"Come forward, if you dare. I will finish what the Lin Kuei could not!"

The heroes come together.

"Let's do this," said Jax.

"ATTACK!" Nightwolf calls again. But just before the assault began, gunshots were fired. It was Chris who just got back after informing his team to regroup and retreat if necessary. He shot his Desert Eagle 7 times, not bothering to reload it. "This is not happening! You! YOU! What the fuck are you doing?"He points his gun at Sindel. "So you must the queen Tanya was talking about."

"You! You are the one that defeated that emperor in Outworld."

"You're damn right I did, and I'll do it again." He reloads his Desert Eagle.

"You think a puny weapon will..."

"Bitch, shut the fuck up."

"What the hell...," Johnny seemed confused as is the rest of the group.

"Look, Tanya told me all about you. I did not think it was you, about to kill my allies? I just can't let that happen."

A portal opens. Tanya comes through.

"Your highness, think about what you're doing. This is not who you are. Remember Edenia, remember our family. I betrayed our realm, and I know you despise me for it. But thanks to Chris, and his willingness to save our realm, I saw what I've become. He inspired me. He inspired us. Now it's our turn to inspire you."

Sindel looks at Kitana and Jade, then at Chris. "Chris, you saved our realm from Shao Kahn, and yet I failed to see it. I was dead. Shao Kahn corrupted me. He made me his wife! He murdered my husband! I see what they see in you. I have a request."

"Name it."

"I want you to look after my daughter and her best friend. We must rebuild Edenia."

Tanya spoke, "The process of our rejuvenation is almost complete."

"Shao Kahn has not invaded Earthrealm yet."

"He will soon." said Sonya.

"Hold on a minute. Why does Chris get the ladies? What does he got that I don't have?" Johnny asked.

Sindel replied, "It is called charm, Johnny Cage."

Kitana looked at Chris. "With Chris around, and Edenia rebuilt, it will no doubt be deemed in his honor."

Jade agreed, "I have no doubt he will enjoy his time with us."

Chris says, "I love it very much, ladies, but we have a war to finish. What will you do now, Your Highness? Before you answer, my apologies for earlier."

"You are a superb warrior, Chris. I will side with my daughter and your allies until Shao Kahn is gone."

'We got Chris' back if anything goes wrong," said Jax.

"I appreciate your support, but I've gotta do this alone. Earthrealm has suffered enough."

"Tanya, see to it that our rejuvenation is complete. If Chris fails, we will dedicate our victory to him."

"Chris." Jade walks up to him. "Tanya told me that you called us 3 awesome babes. That may be a Earthrealm term, but if you think of us as awesome babes, you will know firsthand how awesome you think we are."

"Just be careful," Kitana said. "Shao Kahn is ruthless. He will destroy you."

"Then I guess it's up to me."

Author's Note

I wanted to change this part of the MK9 story because a lot of us were pissed after seeing Sindel murder damn near everyone. Not on my watch! Chris, it looks like, will battle Shao Kahn again, but how will this battle be any different from the first one? We'll find out later on.