Chapter Twenty-Five: Bringing The Band Back Together

Note: The scene between Maria and Mavado was inspired by the Nick Fury and Loki scene from The Avengers. And as it turns out, there are some entities that are greatly concerned with the threat of Raiden and Earthrealm, as the Marvel Universe is also home to many other deities.

San Francisco, California – following the Dance of Dragons (Iron Fist vs Liu Kang)...

Back in Earthrealm, Sonya rarely laughed.

But here, Johnny watched in amusement as his wife broken out in a fit of giggles as he recounted the events that led to the showdown between Iron Fist and Liu Kang. She would have Ravenna show her the memories of the fight later on.

But the fact that Kitana and Jade had nearly shit a brick upon not only hearing Johnny speak Edenian (of which she already knew), but correctly deduced that Mey was a spy made Sonya laugh for a good half hour from their home to the small diner several blocks away. By that time, Sonya had somewhat calmed down.

The diner had fallen on hard times in the past. Had it not been the fact that Cage Incorporated has risen to prominence and its employees needed a preferable spot to eat, and add the fact that Sonya had recommended the diner to some of her subordinates...

The diner owner had offered Johnny and his wife discounts for whenever they ate. But Johnny and Sonya paid full price every time.

"Honestly, I thought you'd be pissed at Liu for pulling a stunt like that," Sonya said as she sipped her coffee.

"Oh, I knew that Mey was a Red Lotus plant for a while now," her husband admitted. "The only reason why I kept her on is because she's good at her job. Plus, good help is so hard to find nowadays."

"I'm gonna have to have Julia scan the base and make sure that my unit is not compromised," Sonya said. "So what did Liu and Kitana say about your proposal?"

"Mey just texted me earlier," Johnny replied. "Her job title has officially changed from 'spy' to 'liaison.' I did have to give her a verbal warning for the deception, of course."

"I hope you know what you are doing, Johnny."

"Usually, I ask myself that question after I've done something reckless or stupid."

"Johnny Cage?"

Johnny and Sonya turned to the source of the voice. A woman, around Sonya's age, stood in front of their table. She stood around Sonya's height, very attractive, with long red hair pulled back into a bun, the blue eyes clear, alert, showing intelligence, cunning. She was dressed like a businesswoman; white blouse, red pants, black businessman's jacket and heels.

For Johnny and Sonya, a certain feeling was creeping in their gut. It was the same feeling that they both had whenever Raiden or Fujin were present. There was something about this woman that made them uneasy.

Johnny confirmed his identity with a nod. "That's me. And you are?"

The woman extended her hand. Johnny shook it. "Argeia. Hera Argeia."

Sonya cocked an eyebrow. "Hera? As in the Greek goddess Hera?"

"More importantly," Johnny continued, "She's the President of the Olympus Group out in New York."

Hera nodded. "May I sit?"

Johnny nodded, and after a glance to Sonya, she scooted over, allowing the stunning redhead to sit. "As to my name...well, my mother gave me the name, as she loved Greek mythology."

"So what brings you to my backyard?" Johnny asked.

"I have family that lives out here. A step-daughter and my youngest daughter. I suppose it was luck that I managed to run into you here." Hera cleared her throat. "I missed you in New York, due to a series of meetings with my shareholders. Now that I've caught up with you, I wanted to speak to you."

"Here I am. You have the floor, Madam President."

"I come to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime, Chairman," Hera said. "I wish for us to join forces. Cage Incorporated and Olympic Group." She pulled out a small sheet of paper and slid it across the table to Johnny. "As you can see, the offer is a very generous one. You will remain on as Chairman, and have complete autonomy. But all decisions must be made through me. I've been looking to set up shop on the West Coast, and I believe that Cage Incorporated will be the foothold that I need."

Johnny looked at the price. It was a hefty sum for his business, but in the end, he folded the sheet of paper and slid it back to Hera. "With respect, Madam President, I must say no."

"Why? Is the price too low?"

"Of course not. I built the business out of nothing with the help of my sister," Johnny explained. "I want to pass it down to Ravenna. She has voiced her interest in running the company, which is why I have been grooming her to take my place once I retire. Please understand, Madam President...my sister and I have invested too much in my business. To sell it now meant that all the years spent would be for nothing."

Hera nodded. "I understand, Chairman. Like you, I would like to leave the business to my own children, so I can see where you are coming from. And after you and your wife's little brawl against the Goblin, I would not want to press my luck...as much as I want to." She stood up. "Thank you for your time, Chairman."

With a nod to Sonya, Hera departed from the diner. Once she was gone, Johnny turned to Sonya. "You felt that too, right? Raw power, coming from her?"

Sonya nodded. "Only time I felt that was when I was around Raiden, Fujin, or Shinnok."

"I'm thinking that Hera may be the real deal," Johnny said. "But a Goddess running a conglomerate out of New York?"

"We've seen weirder stuff," Sonya said. "Lived through most of it too."

"Don't remind me. And I thought that this realm was out of surprises. So what do we do about Hera?"

Sonya cocked an eyebrow. "'We?' What 'we?'"

"You got a personal stake in the business, remember?"

"Best thing to do is nothing...for now. I didn't get the same gut feeling that I had when you refused Osborn's offer," Sonya replied. "We shouldn't have no problems out of Hera...for the time being, at least."

Olympic Group, following the press conference...

Hera had a lot to think about. The television was playing a repeat of the press conference at Cage Incorporated, but she had seen it already, which is why it was on mute.

Ever since meeting both Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, she knew about their true origins, having looked into both of their souls. She knew of how he and Cassie were forced to flee from Earthrealm, taking a brainwashed Sonya along for the ride. She knew about his past as an actor and as Raiden's chosen champion following the death of Liu Kang, not to mention the mistrust between the former champions, now having been waned in the past nineteen years since their exile.

Honestly, had she been in Johnny's position, she would mistrust the Red Lotus grandmasters as well. But there was a mutual respect between the Chairman of Cage Incorporated and the former Shaolin.

But Liu Kang and Kitana and the late Jade were off-limits, as they had the favor of the Japanese gods.

Hera was still brooding when her son walked into the room. Six-feet-four, five hundred pounds of muscle, with dark close-cropped hair and blue eyes that can pierce your soul. He was dressed casual, rather than in his normal combat attire.

The battle at Cage Incorporated had drawn the attention of both Athena and her brother, Ares. Things had been boring for the God of War since the death of Norman Osborn, but now, with the threat that Raiden posed from Earthrealm and the role of the Cage family before their flight...

'Yes...things will become interesting indeed,' Ares thought as he approached his mother.

"Ares," Hera greeted.

Ares responded with a nod. "Mother."

It had been decided that while Hera operated the Olympus Group in New York, Zeus would rule from Mount Olympus. Thankfully, his manwhore tendencies have lessened, as were the numerous illegitimate children he had running around.

"Any word from my husband?" Hera asked.

The God of War sat down. "He had returned from the Council of the Gods. This threat from Earthrealm...it has the other deities concerned."

Hera nodded. "As it does me. Glad to see that Zeus is taking things seriously for once."

"You knew all this time," Ares accused. "That the Cage family was of Earthrealm. You knew all this time."

"As should you," scolded Hera. "When I spoke with Chairman Cage that day, I looked into his soul. He is a hero, alongside his wife and elder daughter."

Ares frowned. His last confrontation with Cassandra Cage didn't end too well. He wanted to take revenge on her, but Hera had forbade it. The matriarch of the Greek pantheon actually found it pretty funny that a super-powered mutant was able to best her son.

"Is that why you and Father did not seek retribution on her?" Ares asked.

"Johnny Cage...intrigues me," Hera replied. "I even had Aphrodite attempt to seduce him to test his character, but he refused her." She smiled. "He is fiercely loyal to his wife and a devoted father. Something that your father should scrimp notes from once in a while."

'I heard that,' Zeus' voice intoned, like a zephyr on the wind.

Hera ignored him. "Because of his devotion to his family, and as the patron goddess of marriage, he has earned my favor...although he does not know it yet." Her smile turned into a smirk. "Admit it, Ares. You were impressed with how Cassandra bested Shinnok...using only her inborn powers."

Ares sighed. Hera had shown both him and Athena the past memories, and the circumstances leading to the Cage family's flight from Earthrealm. Even Ares was impressed with how Cassie had taken down Shinnok whilst on a Jinsei high. Surprisingly enough, he and Athena were in agreement regarding Johnny's decision to flee Earthrealm.

"I'll admit," conceded Ares, "Cassandra is quite skilled in the arts of war. It's obvious that she gets it from her mother. No wonder Captain Cage is Athena's favorite alongside Amadeus Cho."

"The gods support the Cage family, while the Japanese kami favor the former revenants," Hera continued. "Despite their occupation as assassins, they fight for justice. Justice that has been denied to the less fortunate."

"I'm not surprised. Although I believe that Kitana could do better than someone like Liu Kang," Ares noted.

"It's not up to you." Hera leaned back in her seat. "This war will decide the fate of this dimension. The battle at Cage Incorporated was merely the first shots."

"No, Mother. The war began when Kano killed Elektra and Shang Tsung stole her soul." Oh, yes, the gods were privy to that. They also knew of the attack on the Red Lotus compound. And they knew about the meeting of the heroes at the Cage family home, and the circumstances that led to the attack on Cage Incorporated, of which the Gods of this dimension had watched with great interest.

Lightning crackled along Hera's fingertips. "To force oneself on a woman..." she seethed as she remembered Darren's gloating about how he and Kano had tortured and raped Cassie's surrogate aunt before killing her.

Ares' hand balled into a fist. Even as the God of War, he abhorred rapists. "I concur, Mother. Kano was fortunate that it had been Cassandra that had killed him. Had I been there in person...I would had taken my time in torturing him, maybe let Athena join in on the fun, seeing as how that is the one thing that we both agree on. Then I would send both him and his son to the darkest pits of Tartarus."

Hera smirked evilly. "Although the manner of Kano's demise was very satisfying to watch."

Ares matched his mother's smirk. "Indeed, Mother. Using one's sins to kill. Had the Rider saw that, he would have been proud."

"While the Japanese kami are subtle in their aid towards the former revenants," Hera replied, "we have no compunctions. Thor will come when the time is right to aid this dimension, as he has his own responsibilities at the moment, as he always does."

"Father said the same thing. He's sending me to personally aid the heroes. Alexander will remain behind."

"It seems that Cassandra has a favor owed to her by a...'mutual acquaintance' of ours," Hera noted. "That would be the perfect time to join up with her and her allies. And I shouldn't have to tell you to be careful, my son."

Ares nodded. "By your leave, Mother."

Hera waved him off. As Ares departed from the office, Hera couldn't help but to think to herself. 'Once again, you prove to be entertaining, Johnny Cage. You and your family. I shall be watching you from here on out.'

With Takeda, Frost and Kung Jin...

Takeda knew that he was on thin ice not only with Cassie, but also with Jacqui. Frost found the whole thing hilarious. Maybe it was because of the old rivalry between the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu, despite her not being part of the former. Either way, her respect towards Cassie had went up several notches, not only for her actions back in Earthrealm, but also avenging Li Mei and barbecuing Raiden alongside her sister. The former ninja stood up against the wall and watched as Reed Richards and Hank McCoy conducted their physical exams on the former thief and the chujin.

First, was Doctor Strange and Magik, who used their powers to make sure that Raiden's corruption was truly gone. Seeing as how neither man wasn't having a seizure, it was proof that they had done their job in purging Raiden's corruption.

Next, came the physical examination, which is where Reed Richards and Hank McCoy came in.

After living through hell for the past three years, seeing a man who had the ability to stretch himself and another who looked like a hulking blue cat really didn't phase neither man.

McCoy looked at the empty eye socket, where Takeda's eye was originally located. A horrific injury indeed, the area around the socket surrounded by scar tissue. "If you don't mind my asking, how did you lose the eye?" McCoy asked. "It looks like someone shot it out."

"You're right," confirmed Takeda. "Shrapnel from the bullet actually. I still have headaches. I can still close my eye, though."

McCoy nodded. "You know, you guys are kinda famous. Cassie told us about how you guys saved not only Chairman Cage, but also Earthrealm. All of this before Cassandra's powers had manifested."

"Cassie did the heavy lifting by facing Shinnok," Jin noted, remembering the climatic battle between the former sergeant and the corrupted Elder God. "We were distracting the revenants long enough for Cassie to win."

"And all of this before acquiring her powers," Richards noted, having been told of this by Stark shortly before the battle at Cage Incorporated began. "Most impressive. Deep breath, please."

"How do you know Cassie?" Takeda asked, while Jin took a deep breath, then exhaled.

"I was one of her teachers, the other being Professor Xavier," McCoy explained. "She was...six years old at the time...well, back when we all thought she was six. Cassie learned how to train and hone her powers at the Institute. She, along with Jean Grey, was Xavier's finest pupil in telekinesis and telepathy."

"Just how powerful is she? Cassie, I mean," Takeda asked.

"Without the Phoenix Force, Cassandra and Ravenna are both considered to be Omega-class mutants, considered to be the strongest," the furry mutant explained. "You're a mutant as well."

"Something like that," Takeda said. "My dad had the same powers as Cassie. I didn't start training until recently."

"Well, I think that's something we can remedy once this is all over," McCoy replied.

The door to the medical room opened and Johnny Cage entered the room, followed by Mey. Both Takeda and Jin had seen him on TV during the press conference. But seeing him in person after three years...he was younger, despite his actual age being seventy-three. For Takeda, the Cage patriarch reminded him of how young he looked during the Blood Code fiasco.

Now that Takeda thought about it, it was the second time that a Cage had punched him in the balls. Only difference was that the first time, Johnny had been brainwashed, while the second time around, he had been brainwashed, and it was Cassie who went low.

But the intensity was still there in his eyes. The same intensity that Cassie had her hers.

"Give it to me straight, Doc," Johnny said, addressing Richards. "Will my boys live?"

"They're a bit dehydrated, Chairman," Richards replied, "but other than that, healthy."

Johnny nodded. "Thanks. Both of you. You may go."

The two heroes left the room. Johnny turned to Takeda and Jin. "Welcome to Cage Incorporated. I'm your host...although the both of you probably knew that already. As to where we are, we're in San Francisco. How you feel?"

"A little better," admitted Jin.

"Okay," seconded Takeda.

"That's good to hear." Johnny turned to Takeda. "You'd probably want to apologize to Cassie. If anything, she has a mean streak even worse than Sonya."

"Heard you and General Blade remarried," Takeda said.

"That we did," confirmed Johnny. "It's more stable now than it was back in Earthrealm." His expression grew serious. "I heard about Kenshi, Takeda. Despite his faults, he was a good fighter, a good man. He saved both my life and Sonya's during the Netherrealm War."

"Thank you."

"Even in death, your father is looking out for you. His soul is sealed inside of Sento. He helped Cassie and the others escape from Earthrealm when they rescued you guys and Ravenna. Sento's in my office..." He then turned to Jin. "...along with your bow."

"You built all of this?" Jin asked, gesturing to the building surrounding them.

"Yup. Using my business-savvy and Sonya's S-F tech that I had my sister hacked and saved," the former actor confirmed,

"You stole it," Takeda deadpanned.

Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "Sonya's not complaining. She's a secret partner in all of this." He gestured to Jin. "Honestly, I was expecting the jerkass attitude from Jin."

"I wasn't expecting to get punched in the nuts by another Cage, either," Takeda grumbled.

"Yeah, only difference is that you were the one brainwashed and Cassie was in the handicap match." Johnny frowned. "You know...we can probably give you a new eye to replace the one you lost. Unless you like looking like Carl Grimes from The Walking Dead."

"Who?" Jin and Takeda asked.

"Pop culture reference," Johnny replied, waving his hand. "You'll find out eventually. Like I said, we can give you a new eye, Tak. I gave Jacqui her new set of arms, I can fix you up as well. Either that, or find an eyepatch, cause that looks freaky." He then got serious. "We all failed you. Sonya, Cassie, even me. Cassie took it the hardest, because not only did Raiden manipulated her into killing Shujinko, but also that she was forced to leave after Raiden corrupted you."

"Yet, you took Sonya along with you," Takeda pointed out.

Johnny nodded. "Raiden sent her after me, given that at the time, she was my ex-wife. He thought that she would distract me long enough to have me restrained. I couldn't leave her behind. Not only would Cassie hate my guts, but also I had my home wired to blow. Probably the only time she could get away with assaulting a superior officer." He sighed. "Believe me when I say I thought I had more time to try and get you guys away from Raiden. But he forced my hand when he began to corrupt you guys and tricked Cassie into killing Shujinko. You think what you've been through was bad, Cassie had to live with the guilt of killing Shujinko and failing her team for nearly twenty years."

"And what about you and Sonya?" Jin asked.

"Sonya and I both got our own burdens to bear. I knew what was going to happen, as Yao warned me of the things to come. Despite my preparations and planning, I couldn't stop Raiden fast enough from corrupting the both of you and the others. On top of that, Raiden planned to have me murdered during Mortal Kombat and have Cassie take my place. So yeah, I lived with that failure on my track record. Sonya's failures are already known between the both of you in regards to choosing her job over Cassie and me."

Yeah, both Jin and Takeda knew that very well. They had gotten a front-row seat of the contempt Sonya had for Johnny once she found out that Kano was on the base.

"Where is General...I mean, Sonya?" Takeda asked.

"You got it right the first time," Johnny replied. "She just got promoted to Brigadier General. Cassie's been promoted to Captain. She's with Jax over at the Science Building. Cassie and Jacqui are over there, Jacqui getting her arms calibrated. Offer's still open, Takeda. We can give you a new eye."

"I'll think about it," Takeda replied. "But I need to see Jacqui."

Johnny nodded. "Fair enough. Follow me."

With Sonya, Cassie and the Briggs...

Jacqui was lying on an exam table, her wrists and ankles secured with metal restraints. Wires protruded from the bionic implants, running all the way to a series of computers, of which Amadeus Cho was furiously typing on the keyboard.

Watching this take place, was Sonya Blade and her former boss. Jax had a look of concern on his face, while Sonya had her arms folded.

When Johnny had came to Amadeus with his proposal, Amadeus was skeptical. But upon seeing the resources that Cage Incorporated had at his proposal, not to mention his own lab space...well, suffice to say, accepting Cage's offer had benefited the both of them in the long run.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark see you as a criminal," Cage had said. "I see raw talent and potential. They want to contain you. I want to unleash you. I want to unleash your potential upon the world."

And unleash him upon the world he did.

"Why the restraints?" Jacqui asked.

"Well, the last two guys that we subjected to the implants didn't take them very well," Cho replied, hooking up a USB cord into Jacqui's forearm and into the computer. "The arms went haywire. This was before Cassie took the schematics to Forge. "One didn't work, and the other guy was psychologically unstable."

"So how did you manage to fix it?" Jax asked.

"We salvaged what we could from Jacqui's old arms, mainly the nerves. They were the key," Cho explained, pausing to take a bite out of a piece of fudge brownie. "Chairman Cage brought me in to help solve the problem as to why the implants were not working properly. Had to borrow the good general's notes in regards to your implants in order to crack the code."

"The arms, as you already know, combine the best from S-F and Lin Kuei technology," Sonya continued. "We had plenty of time to work on them. But I had Johnny hold back on showing them to the military until we can work the bugs out. That's where Amadeus comes in."

"Chairman Cage knows potential when he sees it," Cho boasted. "I am, after all, the eighth smartest person on the planet." He looked at the screen. "Okay...diagnostics scan complete...everything is five-by-five...and we're good." He turned to Jacqui, a remote control in his hand. "Your arms are now calibrated. All I need to do is release the restraints and..."

He pointed the remote at Jacqui and pressed the button. Nothing happened. Cho pressed it again. Again, nothing happened. "Oh, for the love of..." Cho muttered as he fumbled with the control. Turning to the elder Cage (or Blade, as Sonya preferred), her daughter and Jax, he apologized, saying "This never happened before. Hold on..."

TING.

Amadeus turned around...and ducked as the now-broken metal restraint was sent flying in his direction. Acting quickly, Cassie deflected it to the side.

Jacqui, not wanting to wait to be released, broke free of the first restraint.

TING.

The second restraint then followed suit, Cassie once again deflecting the flying piece of metal that was sent flying in their direction.

"Sorry," Jacqui apologized as she sat up, removing the USB cord from her arm. "You were taking too long." She reached forward and ripped apart the ankle restraints, tossing them to the floor.

"Aren't we eager," Johnny said as he led his charges into Amadeus' lab, just in time to see Jacqui rip the ankle restraints. Sonya acknowledged both Takeda and Jin with a nod before turning back to Jacqui. He smiled broadly at Jacqui. "Everything good with the arms?"

Jacqui looked at her new arms. "Yeah...these arms feel kinda weird, yet they feel like my old arms."

Jax nodded. "Yeah, that's about right. It was the same for me when I got fitted with my implants."

"The arms are made out of a light material," Sonya explained as she helped Jacqui to her feet. "The same stuff that Cap's shield is made out of; proto-vibranium. Johnny had perfected the formula so that it's lightweight."

"You mean I perfected the formula, General," Cho corrected.

Sonya rolled her eyes as she continued to brief Jacqui on her arms. "You were already strong to begin with, but now you can lift as much as four times your weight. Your punching power has also increased, but you can tone it down to normal levels, so that way you won't accidentally hurt someone."

"So I'm as strong as Dad?" Jacqui asked.

"More or less. Plus, you can fire off energy blasts like Jax," Sonya replied. She looked at Takeda and Jin. "Takeda. Jin. Glad to have you back."

"General," Jin greeted, while Takeda only nodded.

"I know. It's hard to believe that Johnny was able to pull this off," Sonya said.

"I'm still not believing this, to be honest," Jax mutters so that Sonya could hear him.

To Amadeus, Johnny said, "Good work." To the others, he said, "All of you, come with me. We got a lot to discuss."

As Johnny led his entourage out of the lab, leaving Amadeus to clean up, Cassie walked by Takeda, but stopped when he placed his hand on her shoulder. 'Sorry. I was out of line,' the ninja apologized. 'Your dad told us everything.'

Cassie nodded. 'Apology accepted.' She then broke the link and the two former teammates followed the others out of the lab.

Near Johnny's office...

Mey's phone buzzed within her pocket. Reaching down and retrieving it, she opened it. It was a message from Liu Kang.

Relay to the Chairman and the General that Kitana and I are sending Nightwolf, Kurtis Stryker, Kabal and Smoke to help with the planning come tomorrow at noon. Also, Kung Lao will be in Chinatown at the same time. Chairman Cage and General Blade knows the spot that I speak. Grandmaster Kang.

Mey cleared her throat. "Chairman. General. A message from Grandmaster Kang."

"What is it?" Sonya asked, beating her husband to the punch.

"Both her and Kitana have finalized the envoy that will be arriving here tomorrow at noon," Mey reported. "Nightwolf, Smoke, Kabal and Kurtis Stryker." She turned to Jin. "Your cousin will be in Chinatown at the same time." She frowned. "The Grandmaster said that you both will know the spot that he is referring to."

"Portsmouth Square, the West Entrance," Johnny explained. "There's a walkway that overlooks the park."

Jin nodded.

Johnny saw the apprehension in Jin's eyes and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, son. Lao's not mad at you. I told you that already."

"Still doesn't make it any easier," Jin admitted.

"Makes sense for Liu and Kitana to send Nightwolf," Sonya mused. "He was Raiden's right-hand man for years up until Kahn's invasion." She looked up. "Heads up. We got visitors."

Standing in front of the double doors that read JOHNNY CAGE, CHAIRMAN, along with a second sign that read ABANDON ALL HOPE, YE WHO ENTER HERE, were Tony Stark – in his Iron Man getup – Captain America, Cyclops and Charles Xavier.

Jax recognized Stark from earlier, as he was unmasked. He could understand why Johnny called him 'Tin Man.'

"Whoa," Cassie noted. "What's this about?"

"Found out that your guests were up and about from Stark," Cap replied. "Also heard that you planned on debriefing them once they were settled in. We'd like to sit in on it."

"The same with us," Cyclops seconded.

"We already know the events leading up to our infiltration of Earthrealm thanks to our debriefing Frost, but since you guys were part of Raiden's inner circle, you can give us more as to what has happened in the time following the Cage family's flight from Earthrealm."

"I can save you the trouble," Cassie said. "When Mom and I fought Kano, I got a good glimpse inside his thoughts. I sent the report to Mom..." Cassie quickly amended her wording following a leveled glare from Sonya. "I mean, General Blade. She can send you guys a copy."

"Anything from Mavado?" Sonya asked.

"He's been silent," Cap replied. "We even had Agent Hood try and probe his mind, but he has some pretty powerful mental blocks in place. Director Hill is gonna try and take a shot at him."

"Daegon's work," Takeda said. "Dad and I were the only telepaths."

"He'll talk to me," Cassie said. "I did split the guy open."

"Just in case, Romanoff is going to sit in on the interrogation," Cap said. "But I still would like to see what has happened in Earthrealm prior to our arrival."

Johnny shrugged his shoulders. There was nothing that would make Cap change his mind. Pulling out his ID Badge, he tapped it against the card reader, unlocking the door and entering the office.

"I gotta warn you," Cassie warned. "You may want to throw up after this."

At the same time, within the Helicarrier...

A glass cell, dubbed the 'Banner Suite,' held in place by hydraulic rigs (i.e., think the cell Loki was imprisoned in The Avengers). Inside the cell, was the most valuable prisoner brought back from Earthrealm.

For the past three days, Mavado was silent. He did not acknowledge his interrogators, even repelling a mental invasion of his mind by one of their supposedly best agents. At least the knew that a live hostage was better than a dead one, as they fed him. Sandwiches, and biodegradable cups of water.

Oh, they were not taking any chances with him. He was Daegon's right-hand man, his second-in-command of the Red Dragon. He knew that Daegon would not take his abduction lying down. As he calmly paced his cell, he knew that Cassandra Cage would rue the day that she crossed the Red Dragon.

"I trust you accommodations are to you liking?" Maria Hill asked, flanked by Dum Dum Dugan and Agent Hood.

"An impressive cage," Mavado commented. "But I suppose it wasn't built for me."

"He speaks," Hill said.

Mavado tilted his head. "You must be the one in charge here. You have the same air of authority that surrounds General Blade."

"Good assumption," Hill said. "This is the Helicarrier. We're about 2,000 feet over Cage Incorporated. And you're my guest."

"A fancy way of saying 'prisoner,'" Mavado scoffed. He began to walk in a circle. "I suppose that you want to know more about the Red Dragon, not to mention Raiden's plans for this realm, correct?"

"It would be a start," Hill replied. "Cooperate, and you will be sent to the Negative Zone. Piss me off, and you get the firing squad."

Mavado darkly chuckled. "You think you frighten me? I am a Red Dragon. An ant has no quarrel with a boot."

Hill smirked. "Yet, Cassandra Cage managed to one-up you. Twice."

Mavado's smirk vanished. The very name of his nemesis has made him angry.

"Oh, yes. I know all about that. Kinda burns at you, getting your ass handed to you by a teenage girl. Although I'm surprised that your death did not stick." Maria walked over to a small panel. "Maybe I'll have better luck...when I drop you from thirty thousand feet."

Maria pointed to Mavado. "You're the ant..." Then he gestured to the panel, with the lever, and flipped the switch. A hatch underneath Mavado's cell opened, showing nothing but the ground below. "...and that's the boot." She closed the hatch.

"Is that desperation I hear in your voice?" taunted Mavado.

"Desperation?" Maria repeated. "Your boss threatens to destroy this realm all because he didn't like it when his former champions told him to fuck off. Thirty of my men were killed when he gave Kano the order to invade and destroy. He threatens destruction if we don't surrender and pay tribute. Oh, trust me. Raiden has made me very desperate. And he won't be glad that he did. He has no idea what he is dealing with. What you have seen with Cassie and Ravenna Cage was just the beginning. Raiden wants a war...he got one."

Mavado's smirk returned. "In that case, you've signed your death warrant." He walked over to the glass wall. "And when Raiden comes...and he will...I will personally seek you out."

Maria scoffed. "We'll see," she said as she turned and left the area, Hood and Dugan walking behind her.

His smirk never leaving his face, Mavado sat on his cot.

Emotions were running very, very high following the 'debriefing' of Jax Briggs and Cassie's former team. On one side, shame was the dominant expression on the faces of the formerly corrupted. Anger was the dominant expression on the faces of Frost, Cassie and her parents. Disbelief was on Mey's face.

Tony Stark had just finished voiding out the contents of his stomach inside an empty wastebasket. Cyclops and Captain America's expressions matched that of the Cage family. Professor X had a look of genuine sympathy on his face as he broke the mind link, having used Cassie as a conduit to reveal the past three years of her former allies' minds.

Kotal Kahn was dead, of which there was no doubt. Raiden had killed the Emperor himself, and in gruesome fashion. And once Earthrealm had absorbed Outworld, things really went downhill for the planet.

It reminded Charles Xavier of the horrific visions of the non-existent future in which the Sentinels had all but wiped out mutantkind. Only much, much worse.

Sonya had already seen Kano kill General Flagg. But it still didn't make it easier for her. But her, her husband and Cassie were horrified to see Raiden electrocute Secretary Blake to death. They watched as Raiden tortured Fujin all because he had aided Cassie in her escape following Shujinko's death. They watched as Jax and Cassie's teammates committed atrocities while under Raiden's corruption. They watched as they exterminated the remnants of Mileena's rebellion, Rain falling to the might of Jax. Jacqui and Takeda were responsible for slaying Ferra/Torr, Ferra screaming for mercy after Takeda decapitated Torr with Sento.

Jacqui calmly blasted Ferra's head off with her gauntlet.

Jin fought Erron Black, the fight taking place in the Netherrealm. Jin won the battle by kneecapping Black with his arrows, then punted him into the lava river. Not even Black could survive that.

Every once in a while, Raiden would unleash his bodyguards and generals to quell any sign of rebellion. Of course, Takeda did break free out of the corruption following his seeing his father die.

If Cassie hated Raiden for manipulating her into killing Shujinko, then she really despised him now for destroying her friends' lives.

"I knew that burning that asshole alive was too good for him," Cassie seethed, her eyes going red before going back to normal.

"It wasn't your fault," Cap said to Jax and the others. "Raiden brainwashed you into do his bidding. I should know, because it happened to a close friend of mine."

"We were aware the entire time," Jacqui said. "It doesn't make it any easier...I thought Dad had it bad when he was a revenant...but to be betrayed by someone I knew my entire life..."

"Join the club," Johnny said. "Had I not fled with Cassie and Sonya, Raiden would've had me killed during Mortal Kombat. The most ironic thing was that he said that I was a hero, only thing was that I didn't realize it yet. This is the thanks my family and I get not only for saving Earthrealm, but also his sorry ass."

"Like what Jacqui said," Takeda said as he interlaced Jacqui's fingers with his own, "it doesn't make it any easier."

"We all got blood on our hands," Cassie said. "Some more than others. The only thing we can do is move forward."

"That reminds me," Sonya interjected. "Cass...you may need to cash in that favor 'he' owes you."

Cassie sighed. "I know. I planned on leaving tomorrow to speak with him."

"'He?'" Stark repeated. "Who's 'he?'"

Cassie ignored the Iron Avenger for the moment. She turned back to Jax and the others. "While you four were out cold, I had a talk with Mom and Dad, regarding you guys. You know I can lead a team, but I haven't ever since I fled Earthrealm, preferring to work alone."

Jax quickly connected the dots. "You want to reform your daughter's old unit." When Sonya nodded, Jax asked, "Why?"

"Because despite everything, I trust all of you," Cassie explained. "We saved Earthrealm together, but Raiden destroyed our lives and forced me and my family into exile. We're not just offering you a second chance. What we're offering you is payback. Payback on Raiden and his allies."

Jacqui nodded. "Payback sounds good." She looked at her arms. "Especially after what he had done to me. And he needs to answer for what he had done to Mom."

"I'm with Jacqui. Payback sounds very good," Jin added.

"Raiden will come to this realm," Johnny said. "That's inevitable. And he's gonna bring down the full fury of his forces upon us. There's a flood coming. Sonya and I are offering all of you a place on the ark."

"If you agree to our offer," Sonya continued, "you will once again, be placed under my command, with Cassie as your squad leader. Liu and Kitana have recruited the ex-revenants, and I want you three back under Cassie. You don't have to do this, and honestly, after what I've seen, I wouldn't blame you if any of you said no. But it would make both Johnny and me feel a whole lot better knowing that Cassie has people she trust watching her back."

It had been the most tense minute in Cassie's life as Jacqui, Takeda and Jin talked in hushed whispers. Even Johnny and Sonya watched on in anticipation aa to what the final decision would be. Cassie didn't influence the decision in any way, as Xavier would instantly detect her using her powers.

After the minute passed, Jacqui turned to Sonya. "We'll do it."

Cassie breathed a sigh of relief. A sigh that she wasn't aware of holding.

"You're right, Aunt Sonya," Jacqui continued. "Raiden has a lot to answer for. And Uncle Johnny didn't have to give me these new arms...but I'm glad that he did."

"Like I told Cap," Johnny said, "Sonya and I take care of our own. We're family in all but blood, after all."

Cassie turned to Frost. "I'm gonna need your help on this as well, Frost. I know first-hand that you can fight, and both Blue and Logan vouched for you. I want you to join up, if only temporary. If we can free Jax and my old team, then we can do the same with your uncle and the Lin Kuei."

Frost pondered her options. Sure she disliked Cassie, but she respected her for beating Shinnok and saving Earthrealm. Like her, Cassie and her family had been given a raw deal by Raiden after he had went insane.

The ice ninja and nice of Subzero sighed. "What the hell...sign me up. This doesn't mean we're friends, Cage."

"I'll settle for mutual acquaintances," Cassie replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"Jax, I want you with me," Sonya said. "Once Nightwolf arrives with the others, I want the both of you to trade notes. You know how Raiden thinks. You're...you're our Raiden expertise."

"As much as I hate to admit, you're right," Jax said. "I'll do my best."

"That's all I ask, Jax," Sonya replied.

Johnny, for his part, couldn't help but to smile. Nineteen years ago, this team had been his brainchild. Sure Sonya had been against it, but in the end, following Shinnok's defeat, she accepted the fact that even he had a good idea once in a while.

Now, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes (bad analogy, this Sonya knew, given her daughters' connection to the cosmic entity in question), Team S-F was reborn, united not only for the defense of Earth, but united in their quest for vengeance against Raiden.

"Um...while this is all good, and I'm glad to see Cassie back in the game," Cap interrupted, "exactly who is 'He' that owes you a favor?"

"Both you and Stark know him well," Cassie replied. "Victor Von Doom."

Stark and Rogers' eyes widened in surprise.

"Who's Victor Von Doom?" Takeda asked.

A side glance from Cassie was Stark's cue. He brought up a projection of the man in question; clad head to toe in metallic armor, the green tunic covering most of it, with a hooded cape completing the outfit.

"Victor Von Doom, aka Doctor Doom," Cassie briefed her now-reformed team. "Monarch of Latveria, master scientist and sorcerer, would-be conqueror, and the leader of an order of Tibetan monks." She shrugged her shoulders when Jax and the others gave her weird looks. "Don't ask, just go with it."

"You guys remembered Dr. Richards, who had looked the both of you over?" Johnny asked. When Takeda and Jin both nodded, Johnny continued, "Doom's had some serious beef with Mr. Fantastic and his band of heroes over the years. But since Doom has promised to protect Richards' daughter, you may have a chance to get him to join us."

Stark dismissed the hologram. "Knowing Victor, he'd probably be insulted with what Raiden has planned for the planet, that is, if he knows already about what has happened here. And speaking from past experiences with the man, Doom doesn't take too kindly to insults." Turning to Cassie, he asked, "So how does Doom owe you a favor?"

"I saved the life of his favorite ambassador a while back while I was visiting my Aunt Rebecca in Europe," Cassie explained. "Bout the same time that I made First Lieutenant. Say what you want about the man, but he's quite affable. He promised me a reward, I asked only for a favor that I can cash in at any time. He agreed."

"There you go," Sonya said, "your first mission. Tomorrow, you and your team will head for Latveria and speak with Doctor Doom."

"You're not going alone," Stark said, dismissing the hologram. "You may need some extra firepower. Just in case Doom's not friendly."

"As much as I want to go myself, I can't commit, let alone anyone else from my team," Cyclops said, breaking his silence. "I have to oversee the preparations regarding Utopia."

Cassie considered her options. "I know that Simon will want to come along," she mused. To Cap, she said, "Blue, I'll bring along Rand, Danvers and Walters."

"Iron Fist, Ms. Marvel and She-Hulk..." Cap mused. "Good choices. And Rand's recovered from his injuries. What time do you plan on leaving?"

Cassie took a moment to think about that. "Around sixteen-hundred."

"I'll let them know," Cap said. "Sixteen-hundred."

"Should give you more than enough time to settle your differences with your cousin," Cassie said, addressing Jin, who nodded. "One more thing..."

Cassie raised her hand. From behind Johnny's desk, two items floated into view. Sento, Kenshi's sword, now Takeda's and the Dragon's Head Bow. The two weapons in question floated into their respective owner's hands.

"Your dad saved us, Takeda," Cassie said, with both Captain America and Frost both nodding, backing Cassie's claim. "He showed us the way out of Earthrealm."

Takeda looked at the sword, the only keepsake from his father. He bowed his head in reverence. 'Papa-san...thank you.'

Sento pulsed softly, as if Kenshi was saying, 'You're welcome.'

Sonya cleared her throat. "You will be staying inside you hospital rooms for the time being. In the meantime, you're free to wander around the grounds, but you can't leave the main headquarters, understood?"

Team S-F nodded.

"Good. Dismissed."