Chapter Twenty-Six: Clearing The Air
Snafu's Notes: Once again, I have written one long-ass chapter (about 21 pages, rather than my usual 11). I was going to split it in two, but said fuck it. Here we go...
Following the reformation of Team S-F and dismissing the team for the day, Jax decided to wander the grounds. The heroes and S.H.I.E.L.D. respectfully kept their distance, as he was a man grieving the loss of his wife.
The bionic-armed warrior had suspected that the Cage family had told the others about Vera Briggs' violent end at the hands of Kano, and that he was mourning the loss of his wife. Jacqui had focused her grieving on learning the ropes of her new bionic arms.
Jax's wanderings of the Cage Inc.'s main complex had led him to the site of Kano's death. He stood in the lobby, staring at the two scorch marks on the floor. His hand balled into a fist as he remembered Kano taunting him about his wife's death whilst under Raiden's control.
"You took my eye. I fucked your bitch. Fair trade, if you ask me."
Jax's hand balled into a fist. While he was thankful to Cassie for avenging Vera, he honestly wanted to rip Kano's arms off and smash his head in like a melon for what he and his son had done to her.
Before leaving Johnny's office, Cassie had showed him Kano's final fight. Seeing it and hearing about it were two very different things entirely. Seeing Kano beg for his life when it became clear that he was going to die did bring the former major a sense of satisfaction. He just found it ironic that it was Cassie herself that had dealt the deathblow, using his own sins against him to obliterate his soul.
Given who Cassie had drew inspiration from to finish Kano, Jax would not want to meet the Ghost Rider, given his own sins, both as a former revenant and while under Raiden's control.
"She must have been quite a woman, Major."
Jax was so caught up in his reverie that he did not notice T'Challa walk up behind him. The Wakandan-born superhero stood alongside the Earthrealm exile.
"She was." Jax sighed. "We were high school sweethearts, married after I got my commission. Even when my job in S-F kept me away from home...she was always there, supporting me. Always having my back."
"It would appear that General Blade could have taken some pointers from you back when she was in command," T'Challa noted.
"All this time, I thought that Johnny divorced her the first time around back in Earthrealm. Now...I find out that wasn't the case. Johnny Cage may have been a fool, but he tried to make his marriage with Sonya work."
"That, I also know. The Cage family showed us their past back in Earthrealm hours before Kano attacked." The younger man paused for a moment. "I know what it's like to lose someone, Major."
"Jax. I'm not a Major. Gave that up."
"And from what I've seen, I don't blame you. My father, T'Chaka, was the King of Wakanda, and Black Panther before me. My kingdom is small, yet we are considered the most technologically advanced nation on the planet. I was a teenager when my father was invited to the Bilderberg Conference to negotiate the use of Wakandan goods. When my father refused them, taking them to task in regards to their love of materialistic wealth, they ordered our assassination. I survived by fighting off the assassin."
"I'm sorry."
"Had the roles been reversed...I would have killed Kano myself had he laid a hand on Ororo. That is, if there was anything left of him once Danvers and the other females were finished with him," T'Challa added, remembering how the superheroines were about to rip Darren limb from limb after hearing him gloat about how he and Kano raped and murdered Vera, and would most likely do the same to Kano himself.
"How do you know Johnny and Sonya?"
"I met them when they were vacationing in Wakanda. Well, I met Ravenna first. That girl has a brilliant mind."
Jax smiled. "That she does." His expresison fell. "But it still hurts...I mean, I was aware the entire time...Kano...he gloated about what he had done to my wife to my face, and I couldn't do anything. I was screaming on the inside, to break free of Raiden's corruption and break his neck. Now...after three years..."
T'Challa placed a hand on Jax's shoulder. "I know."
"Want some advice?" Jax grunted. "Hold on to your wife, and never let go. You'll never know when it will be the last time you get to hold her."
Brushing off T'Challa's hand, Jax walked out of the lobby. T'Challa didn't bother to follow him. Jax needed time to grieve. And honestly, he didn't blame him.
One thing for sure, the Black Panther needed to find his wife. Jax's advice did have some merit. Right now, he needed Ororo.
Office of Chairman Johnny Cage, the following day.
Following the siege led by the now-deceased Kano and the Black Dragon-Hand forces and the mission into Earthrealm that not only resulted in the rescue of his youngest daughter, but the successful retrieval of Jax and Team S-F, Johnny barely had time for himself. With the threat of Raiden and Earthrealm, Cage Incorporated was his home away from home, if only temporary, Johnny playing host to both the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.
At least S.H.I.E.L.D., Stark and Rand had agreed to reimburse him once this was all over.
Even with what was going on, Johnny had barely enough time to relax, unless it was either for food or sleep. Now, he was at least given some form of reprieve as he was alone in his office. At least he still had a spare set of clothes stashed away. Okay, it was his dark blue henley and his khaki pants, the sleeveless hooded jacket – a copy of the original that he had lost – was slung behind his chair. His sidearm – an S-F issued Glock 19 – rested on his desk, next to some random bits of paperwork and his favorite pair of shades.
Even as the Chairman of Cage Incorporated, he could not rest easy. If it wasn't the costumed supervillains running amok, it was his former boss, a corrupted thunder god wanting his and Sonya's heads on a platter and ultimately, turn this planet into one giant, smoking crater.
And given the fact that both girls had barbecued Raiden, it was safe to say that now, all bets were off.
"That's the first time I've seen you close your eyes ever since all of this began," Sonya said as she entered the office, the door locking behind her. One of the perks that she enjoyed as the wife of Cage Inc.'s chairman was Level 3 access to his office. She looked just as worn out as he was, but still alert.
"I do it when you're not looking," her husband replied.
"How long have you slept?"
"A good twelve hours," he replied. "You?"
"About the same," Sonya replied as she walked over to her husband. "The cots you got stashed away are surprisingly comfortable."
Johnny pointed to the couch. "That couch has every cot beat."
Sonya smirked as she sat on the edge of the desk. "I agree with you on that." Many a time Sonya visited her husband at the office when he was swamped with paperwork. Sometimes, he didn't go home, which meant he slept in the office. And Sonya kept a spare uniform or three inside the office whenever she stayed over.
Johnny looked at his watch. It was almost noon.
"So where's Cassie and the others?"
"Cassie's onboard the Helicarrier hoping to get Mavado to talk, Takeda is with her," Sonya reported. "Ravenna's helping Cyclops and Emma Frost with securing Utopia. Jin's with Mey, on his way to meet Kung Lao. Jax is showing Jacqui the ropes regarding her new arms. And Frost is training with Iron Fist. I've talked with both Cass and Rogers. Cassie will be leaving for Latveria at fourteen hundred hours."
"Two hours early..." Johnny mused. "Better to get it over with, I guess. You told the others?"
"I did. Cap's briefing Danvers, Rand and Walters as we speak. I just got off the phone with Mayor Sinclair and the Governor. San Francisco's in a state of emergency, as is the rest of California."
"And the President?" her husband asked.
"I just got through talking with him and the Joint Chiefs. The President has declared martial law in light of these events, and will remain until Raiden is dealt with. Julia is guessing that Raiden's forces will likely counterattack in the next couple of days."
Johnny rose from his seat and walked over to the window. Outside, S.H.I.E.L.D., S-F, the X-Men and the Avengers were patrolling the main headquarters. "You know, we're getting too old for this kind of thing," he mused.
Sonya walked over to him. "But we still have a job to do."
"Heh. Guess it's a good thing that we're both professionals."
"Some more than others," Sonya noted as she idly trailed her hand alongside her husband's. "You know...reconnecting with Jax and Cassie's team...it made me realize just how fortunate you've decided to drag me along. You didn't have to...but you did."
"Well, Cassie would probably hate me if I left you back in Earthrealm," Johnny said. "And I wouldn't have the drive to better myself, let alone build the company. I would had gone back to acting had it not been for you. And there's Ravenna."
Sonya smiled. Outside, he was Johnny Cage, the charming, charismatic martial artist who had built one of the world's most successful conglomerates. But to her, he was still John Carlton, hero, husband and father. He was the man that she had fallen in love with...and divorced the first time around because she felt that he was a hindrance to her job. And here she was, back in love with him again, only this time, they learned from the mistakes of their past marriages, and now, they were solid.
"We've been though a lot, haven't we?" Sonya asked.
Johnny grinned. "We lived."
"That, and then some." She interlocked her hand into hers. "Thank you, Johnny. For bringing me along for the ride."
Johnny's response was just to kiss her. Sonya responded with the same intensity and passion that he had. Originally, following the divorce, Sonya still held onto some lingering feelings towards her then-ex-husband. She saw it as a weakness, as did her enemies. But that charisma, that swagger, she found it to be incredibly sexy.
Had it not been for Raiden going batshit crazy and the Avengers and X-Men fighting over Cassie and Ravenna, it would have been only a matter of time before Sonya had jumped on him.
"You know..." Sonya panted as she and Johnny broke off the kiss, "if we didn't have to deal with Raiden and everything else...I'd lock you in the bedroom and make you beg for mercy."
Johnny's grin went smug. "Had it not been for all of this shit we have to deal with...I'd have hurt you in the bedroom. Again."
They would have kissed again had it not been for Sonya's phone ringing in her pocket. The couple groaned as the Cage family matriarch retrieved her phone and answered it. "Blade...okay, I'm on the way." Upon ending the phone, she gave her husband an apologetic look. "Gotta report in to the top brass. They're a bit concerned over their interests in the company."
Johnny snorted. "You mean they want to protect their contracts." He kissed her on the forehead. "No rest for the weary, babe. Especially us." He released Sonya from the embrace and gave her a pat on her backside. "Off you go."
Sonya left the room. Johnny turned back to the window, and sighed. 'I am getting way too old for this shit,' he thought.
Portsmouth Square, at the same time...
Fear. Anticipation. Dread. Hesitation. Kung Jin was feeling all four and then some. He was a Shaolin warrior and monk, trained to let go of his emotions in order to achieve enlightenment. But now, despite Mey's reassurances that his elder cousin was not going to condemn him because of his preferences, Jin was pretty much petrified.
Hell, the last time the two cousins had seen each other, Lao was trying to kill him.
He stood on the overpass of Portsmouth Square, dressed incognito, watching as some of the elders led a Tai Chi class. Nineteen years ago, Johnny Cage and Liu Kang stood in this same spot and had forged a non-aggression pact. A pact that had been honored between the Red Lotus and the Cage family. Neither side interfered in the other's affairs, and pretty much left the other alone. Goes to show that some wounds still ran deep.
But, the mistrust between the former champions had lessened in the years away from Earthrealm. San Francisco had been nuked back in Earthrealm, the Black Dragon's handiwork. Now, Kano was dead, as were his lieutenants, the Black Dragon destroyed. A small smile made his way across his lips as he remembered Cassie showing him the memory of his demise. Given her family's history with Kano and the fact that Jacqui's mother had met a horrific end at his hands, his death was a long time coming.
"Feels strange, doesn't it?"
Jin had been so caught up in his reverie/brooding that he didn't notice his elder cousin stand alongside him. Despite the razor-rimmed hat that kept the sun out of his eyes, Lao was clad in more traditional Chinese-style attire.
He looked so different, Jin realized. It was as if he had aged some twenty years, looking about the same age as Liu Kang. When he was a revenant, he was bald, his hat just as corrupted as he was. Now, here he was, alive, dark hair tied in a ponytail. But his eyes...they looked somber, combined with a sense of sadness.
Jin could only nod.
Lao sighed as he looked out over the landscape. "I'm not angry over your preferences, Jin. I just want to get that out of the way. No one can have a say over who we love."
Jin snorted. "Mama didn't see it that way. She saw my desires as a stain on the Kung family name."
Lao scoffed. "Yian isn't one to talk. Well...if she was still alive. Walk with me."
The younger Kung fell into step alongside the elder Kung. "I know it's been hard. Trying to live up to the expectations of the family. Believe me, I've been there. And contrary to what my sister may have told you, the Kung family wasn't always perfect."
"Compared to Cassie's family, I think our family was normal."
Lao chuckled. "Even now, it still boggles the mind as to how Johnny Cage managed to woo someone like Sonya Blade."
A memory resurfaced in Lao's mind, from many, many years ago. One that made Lao smile, if ever so slightly. Jade had just flipped and Johnny was lamenting about how Raiden had 'snagged another one.'
"What's Raiden got that I haven't got?"
"Godlike power?"
"And a personality that is not at all like sanding paper."
"...Jerks."
Jin grunted. "I wondered that myself when the Shaolin assigned me to Team S-F. Cassie and I had butted heads in the past...but it turns out that she had her own problems; self-doubt and trying to live up to her parents' expectations. Well, mostly her mother's."
"I think defeating Shinnok whilst powered by the Jinsei may have given her a confidence boost...well, up until Raiden screwed her over."
"She fought Shinnok. I dealt with D'Vorah. I got off easy. Same with Jacqui and Takeda."
"I know," Lao replied mildly. "We left the lot of you half-dead while Cassie risked her life to save her father and Earthrealm. It seems that making the impossible possible is a Cage family trait."
"That and making plans on the fly," Jin said. "Can't disagree that it produces results." Something then clicked in Jin's head. "You said that our family had its own skeletons in its closet."
Lao nodded. "None more so than my namesake. The Great Kung Lao was a skilled fighter, of which there was no doubt. He just...drew the wrong crowd to his person." Seeing that he had Jin's attention, Lao continued on. "Before joining the Shaolin, Kung Lao was a healer specializing in acupuncture. One day, a rival cousin from the ruling class challenged him. Lao refused, knowing that if he had won the match, it would mean his death. Despite making Lao's life a living hell by destroying his practice and stealing his betrothed, Lao would not budge, until finally, his cousin murdered a beggar and framed Lao for the crime."
"Lao was faced with the choice of kombat in exchange for the charges to be dropped," Jin guessed.
The elder Kung nodded. "Lao gave the man what he wanted. But when it became clear that the cousin would have him sent to the chopping block regardless of how the match had ended, Lao crippled his cousin, and fled the city. He found his way to a mountain temple, where the Shaolin took him in. There, Bo' Rai Cho found him...and the rest is history."
"Bo' Rai Cho is dead," Jin deadpanned. "Raiden killed him. He refused to surrender, and Raiden electrocuted him to death."
Lao sighed. "I and the other revenants had hoped to apologize for our actions towards him back at the Sky Temple. Another thing that Raiden must answer for." He then pre-empted Jin. "You're wondering how I know so much about our ancestor's past?"
Jin nodded. "The thought did cross my mind."
"It was after Mortal Kombat, after Liu had beaten Shang Tsung the first time around. I decided to meditate at the Great Kung Lao's grave. Then, for some strange reason, I touched the headstone. What I told you were memories, Jin. My memories. It's not every day you find out that you're a reincarnation of a legendary Shaolin warrior such as Kung Lao himself." He shrugged his shoulders, while Jin gaped at him. "I let it get to my head. Raiden chose me to fight in Outworld."
"Your hubris led to your death," Jin said. "Yeah, Johnny told me about that, how Shao Kahn snapped your neck."
Lao sighed. "My death was my own fault. I should have known better than to turn my back on him." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"So you're with the Red Lotus now?" Jin asked.
Lao nodded. "Just as you have rejoined Team S-F. Redemption can take on many forms, but there is one absolute: it is earned, not given. Your redemption lies with Cassandra Cage and her parents. Mine lies with Liu Kang. And no, I will not become an assassin. Liu has offered me the chance to train up the recruits."
"Thank the gods," Jin muttered.
"Jin...no one's perfect," Lao said. He turned to face him. "Not you, and especially not me." He placed one hand on Jin's shoulder. "No matter what happens...you can take comfort that I am proud of you. You saved Earthrealm, something that I myself failed to do."
Jin exhaled sharply. To hear this coming from his cousin...well, it meant a lot to him. All he could say was, "Thank you."
"If you need my guidance, or advice, or even someone to talk to...don't hesitate to contact me," Lao said. He pulled out a scrap sheet of paper and handed it to the Shaolin archer. "My private number."
Jin memorized the number and destroyed the scrap sheet of paper. "When I get settled in...we'll talk some more."
"The good general's throwing your team back into the fire?"
Jin nodded. "Escort mission. We're heading for Latervia later on today. Apparently, Cassie's got some pull with the country's boss to have a sit-down with him."
"I must return to the Red Lotus," Lao said. "Liu needs my help overseeing the preperations for the inevitable moment when Raiden returns."
"Do you have to leave just now?" Jin asked. "I got time. About...thirty minutes, tops."
"As do I. We have a lot of catching up to do. And I would like to get to know my little cousin a bit better."
Jin smiled at that. Maybe this meeting wasn't such a bad idea after all.
With Cassie and Takeda, onboard the Helicarrier...
The eyepatch had originally belonged to Maria Hill's predecessor. Even she found Takeda's horrific eye injury squeamish, which led to her ordering Dum Dum Dugan to retrieve one of Fury's spare eyepatches from his personal effects.
Cassie had said that he looked more like a ninja pirate with the eyepatch. At least now he won't have to use his Shirai Ryu headband to hide the injury.
Cassandra Cage had spent the morning preparing for the mission into Latveria. Prior to that, she had been experimenting with opening portals with Magik's help, and at the same time, making sure that the portal detection technology worked, as it had been a while since it had been used. So far, Cassie was getting the hang of conjuring portals, and both S.H.I.E.L.D. and S-F had her energy signatures on file, meaning that they won't freak out whenever she conjured a portal.
Takeda noticed that the catsuit was the same one he had saw her in back in Earthrealm when she fought both himself and Jacqui. Her dual Desert Eagles were secured to her holsters, her short blonde hair undone, rather than in her bun. A black leather flight jacket with blue trim along the sleeves covered the upper half of the catsuit, the patch of the American flag and a second patch of the old S-F flag stitched onto the right sleeve, the sleeves themselves rolled up to her elbows.
Upon returning to Earthrealm and following her redemption from Shujinko, Cassie had returned the old S-F flag back to her mother.
Even now, Maria Hill thought it to be weird, seeing as how Cassie was older than her. She was a maverick, sure, but when it came down to it, she was all business. Goes to show just how far Maria's views of the elder daughter of Johnny and Sonya had come in the days following the battle at Cage Incorporated.
Once Jax and Cassie's team was freed of the corruption, they had been debriefed by Sonya, Johnny, Captain America, Iron Man and Maria Hill. The revelations of what they had experienced under Raiden's control, not to mention the extension of his crimes were...disturbing.
Frost had told them what she knew, regarding Hotaru's alliance with Raiden in exchange for the genocide of Chaosrealm's denziens. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Raiden, for lack of a better term, had made 'crimes against humanity' down to an art form.
But one key element was missing. The exact size of Raiden's forces. That was where Mavado came in...albeit, unwillingly. Sure Cassie had looked into Kano's mind and he claimed that he knew the numbers of Raiden's forces, but she suspected that Raiden didn't tell Kano the entire truth. After all, the mad god did plan on screwing the Black Dragon over.
Nitara - of whom Quan Chi had accquired the blood magik that would become known as the Blood Code - was dead, along with her vampire tribe, as Raiden killed her and destroyed her tribe. Kano had taken a nuke to the vampires, and that was the end of them. Kotal Kahn's capital, Z'Unkarrah, was turned into a smoking crater by Raiden. Jax and Team S-F had taken part in the slaughter and had witnessed its destruction.
Rain had attempted to lead the resistance alongside Darrius and Dairou, but Raiden and Hotaru had wiped them out. No mercy, no quarter. In fact, any form of resistance was dealt with extreme prejudice. In effect, by merging Outworld with Earthrealm and the following war, Raiden had blasted Earthrealm back to the Stone Age. Only his forces had the technology needed to quell any uprising.
And there was Fujin...
Raiden had tortured him, demanding the whereabouts of Cassie and her family. This, Jax witnessed. Fujin didn't crack. Not even when Raiden ripped out his tongue, did Fujin break. Of course, Fujin's tongue grew back, but Raiden had drained him of his godlike essence just to keep him alive until he felt like torturing him again.
In regards to Jax and Team S-F's role in Raiden's forces the past three years, it had been Captain America who had spoken in their defense. While they were aware, they were not in control. Bucky - the Winter Soldier - could attest to that, as did Cassie herself, due to her past exposure to the Blood Code and the Purple Man's mind control.
As Jax and Team S-F were now exiles like the older kombatants, they needed records; birth certificates and the like. That was where Johnny Cage had came in. A couple of planted records here and there, and the citizenship status for his former charges and Jax. Jacqui was quietly placed in S-F, thanks to Sonya's machinations. No one would suspect anything, and S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers would keep their secret.
And then, there was Mavado. Ever since throwing him into a holding cell, Mavado said not a word aside from the occasional threats. That was where Cassie came in.
As for Takeda, he was patrolling the grounds of Cage Incorporated with some of the Avengers when Cassie had gang-pressed him into coming onboard the Helicarrier. With Jin talking with Kung Lao and Jacqui getting the hang of her new arms, that left Cassie to take a crack at Mavado.
Cassie was known for pulling off the impossible, as it was a Cage speciality. But even Takeda realized that kidnapping Daegon's No.2 man might be crossing the line.
"It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing," Cassie had admitted later on. "We know what Raiden has planned thanks to Uncle Jax and the rest of you. But now, we need Mavado's side of the story."
"If he talks," Takeda had replied.
"Oh, he'll talk. My unique charisma will win him over."
The sinister undertone of Cassie's sentence still sent shivers down his spine, even now. Despite her maverick tendecies, Cassie Cage was still a professional. A bit more ruthless, but still, a professional.
"Has he said anything?" Cassie asked Maria Hill as the blonde captain followed the younger (yes, younger) woman down the corridors of the Helicarrier. Just a few short years ago, Cassie had been hauled in here in handcuffs. Now, she was here to try and get Mavado to talk, accompanied by the aforementioned Shirai Ryu chujin, Simon Williams, Captain America, Dum Dum Dugan and the Black Widow.
"Other than the occasional threats about how Raiden and Daegon's gonna kill us all, nothing," Maria replied.
"Have you tried poking around in his head?"
"That was the first thing Director Hill had Agent Hook try," Widow replied. "Mavado has some serious mental blocks inside his head. They could be just as potent as the ones inside your own head, Captain."
"Are you sure that he'll talk to you, Cassie?" Cap asked.
"I split the guy open with his own hookswords when I was seventeen. Oh, he'll talk to me. And if he wants to do things the hard way..."
"Cassie, no torture," Cap warned.
"Oh, I'm not gonna torture him, Blue," Cassie replied. "You worry too much. Sometimes, the most difficult problem needs a practical solution."
"Define 'practical,'" Simon asked in a dry tone.
"We know that Agent Hook can't break into his mind. Let's see if I can do better. Professor X taught me a couple of tricks. Let's see if they work on him."
"We have him locked away in a special cell that was designed for the Hulk, just in case he got onboard the Helicarrier again," Maria continued. "Tony Stark had it commissioned after Hulk's little rampage in New York."
Cassie smirked at that. Tony and his band of heroes had it coming, shooting Banner into space. Of course he was gonna come back. Of course he was gonna be pissed.
"For the record, this plan to get Doom on our side is a bad idea," Maria said, changing the subject.
"Noted, Director," Cassie replied. "But we need a sorcerer who can fight. Raiden has his in Shang Tsung. Strange can't fight. Magik, while I helped trained alongside Hope with Ravenna, isn't up to his level. Like it or not, we need Victor Von Doom on our side."
"Still a bad idea," Simon added.
"No faith in me," Cassie pouted. "Any luck on Shinnok's Amulet?"
"We tried using many methods to destroy the damn thing." Dugan reported. "Repulsor blasts, optic blasts. Hell, even Luke Cage tried to turn it into scrap. Nothing."
"You best bet it to have Magik and Strange seal it away," Cassie said.
"Your mother said the same thing," Hill said.
"That damned amulet has been the bane of my family for many years," Cassie said. "It's a literal homing beacon for anyone wanting to take it for themselves. Trust me, I know. Can you really risk someone like Loki or M.O.D.O.K. getting their hands on that damn amulet?"
"We can't," Cap deadpanned, remembering the memories of Cassie's parents and her own regarding the amulet.
"And here we are," Maria said, stopping in front of the door that led to Mavado's cell.
"Is he still secure?" Cassie asked.
Producing a tablet, Dugan punched in several keys. Sure enough, there was a live feed showing Mavado inside his cell, on his knees in a meditative position.
"You searched him before throwing him in there, right?" Cassie asked.
"He had a couple of surprises," Dugan replied. "As per your mother's orders, we had them destroyed."
Cassie nodded. "Good."
Maria punched in the keys and the doors slid open. Cassie stepped into the room, flanked by Hill, Romanoff, and Cap. Dugan remained behind.
In the middle of the cell, Mavado was in the seiza position, meditating, his eyes closed. In front of the cell, was a steel chair. Walking over to it, Cassie slid it over, getting his attention, and sat down in front of him.
Mavado opened his eyes, and saw the bane of his existence. He did not move from his place on the floor, though. "I knew you'd come, Cassandra," Mavado said. "It was inevitable."
"Unfortunately, you were right." Cassie tilted her head. "So...here we are, once again, Mavado. You the Kano to my Sonya. So how do you think this will end?"
As if he was stating the obvious, Mavado replied, "Simple. With this realm subjugated. Or destroyed. Although I'm certain that Lord Raiden will choose the latter for this realm."
Cassie smirked. "You, nor Raiden, obviously don't know this realm very well. Despite Shang Tsung absorbing Elektra's soul, that's only the tip of the iceberg."
"Your bluffing skills are less than par," Mavado sneered. "Perhaps you should try taking notes from your father." He turned to Simon. "You must be the boyfriend. You have that look about you. I remember you...you were with Cassandra's team back in Earthrealm." His sneer turned sinister. "The Red Dragon may not lower themselves to the level of depravity as the Red Dragon does..." He turned back to Cassie and Maria. "...but I'm sure that both Lords Daegon and Raiden will make the exception."
Simon took a step forward, but a raised hand from Cassie stopped him.
"You stopped him. Good. Had you let him inside, I would have beaten him," Mavado laughed.
"I stopped him not to save his neck, but yours," Cassie replied. "Tell me...how would Raiden fare against someone like Apocalypse? Or maybe, Mister Sinister? Raiden is powerful, sure. But against some of the more powerful being in this realm, they can turn him into a red smear."
"Why didn't you bring them with you when you returned to Earthrealm?" Mavado demanded.
Cassie chuckled. "You have eyes, yet, you're still blind. I'm one of them, along with my sister." She gestured to Simon. "Simon is another."
"It still doesn't matter. Raiden will kill you all once he arrives," Mavado replied. He looked at Takeda. "I see you have Kenshi's bastard with you. You always had a soft spot for your former team, Cassandra. That will prove to be your undoing."
"Enlighten me."
This time, it was Mavado who smirked. "Do you know of the crimes they have committed in Raiden's name? The lives they have taken?" His smirk deepened. "You remember, don't you, Takeda? You were aware, but unable to break free of Raiden's control." He looked at Captain America. "I wonder how your allies would take the news that your team is nothing more than a bunch of murderers?"
Cap's answer shot Mavado down. "We're all aware of their crimes. They were brainwashed into serving a madman. I will not condemn them for their actions, as they weren't in control. I should know, as my best friend was brainwashed into becoming an assassin. Sometimes, people are forced into circumstances beyond their control. I don't blame him for his crimes, but Bucky is trying to atone for them."
Cassie knew who Cap was talking about. Bucky Barnes. A World War II vet like Captain America, he was thought to have been killed in action. In truth, he was recovered by the Soviets, and brainwashed into becoming an assassin. When not in use, he was stored in deep freeze.
Cassie had fought against him a couple of times. A good warrior, but she was better.
"But we're not here about them," Cassie said. "Don't think of this as you being a prisoner of war. You're my guest, and S.H.I.E.L.D. is the host. Of course, given that you were Daegon's right-hand man, we need to take the necessary precautions to ensure our safety."
"This is the deal, Mavado," Hill said. "We got a real good look at how Raiden worked thanks to Jax and the others. Even Frost contributed to the dissertation. Now...it's your turn. We know that Raiden favored the Red Dragon over the Black Dragon. We also have a feeling that Kano was full of shit when he claimed to know Raiden's numbers."
"Save it," Mavado snapped. "I know what you want, Hill. You want to know Raiden's military strength. He was smart to keep it from Jax and the others. But you will not get anything out of me. Your Agent Hill tried to invade my mind, and was unsuccessful." He turned back to Cassie. "You just wasted my time...and yours. I won't give up nothing about Raiden's forces."
Cassie shrugged her shoulders. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Good thing I was distracting you this entire time." Grinning at Mavado's surprised expression, Cassie tapped her temple. "I'm a mutant, remember? Those mental blocks that Daegon had put in your head were pretty impressive. But I've seen better. Tell me...did you feel a slight tingling sensation in the back of your skull, but didn't think nothing else of it?"
Mavado froze. He did felt what Cassie described, but dismissed it as nothing serious.
"Yeah, that was your mental blocks breaking down," Cassie continued, enjoying the look of rage that was building on Mavado's face. "The perk of being mentored by one of the most powerful mutants on the planet. And after that...your mind was like an open book to us. Uncle Jax was open to what he knew. You just confirmed it."
Mavado was trembling. He had just betrayed the Red Dragon without even realizing it. The mental blocks had been put in by Daegon himself, and reinforced with Shang Tsung's sorcery. And Cassandra Cage had broken through them without even trying. Not even Kenshi nor his son could accomplish such a feat.
"So..." Cassie turned to Maria. "Ryker's Island...? Or Prison 42?"
"Prison 42 for him," Maria replied.
"YOU BITCH!"
Cassie and the others turned back to Mavado's cell. He was now on his feet, punching and kicking at the shatterproof glass. For Takeda, this was the first time that he had seen the cool and composed Mavado look angry. The fact that Cassie had outmaneuvered him must have really stung.
"I'LL KILL YOU, CAGE! DO YOU HEAR ME?!" Mavado screamed. "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"
"Such language, Mavado," Cassie teased. "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
Takeda looked worried, but a side glance from Cassie told him that everything was under control.
"YOU'RE DEAD, CAGE! I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF! THIS WHOLE REALM IS DEAD! LORD RAIDEN WILL SEE TO IT!" Mavado screamed.
Cassie sighed. Then she stretched out her hand, almost casually, towards Mavado.
Mavado's rant and threats were abruptly cut off when he felt his throat tighten. He coughed as he clawed at his throat, trying to breathe. He would have fallen to his knees had it not been for Cassie making him float into the air.
"You know...that's the same look that Kano gave when I did this to him." Cassie said. "Turned the same shade of red, too." She cocked her head. "Would you like to know how Kano died? I killed him, after both me and Mom had beaten him within an inch of his life. Of course, you probably know that already, otherwise, the Red Dragon wouldn't have attacked Fort Charles."
Cap moved in to intervene, but Takeda placed a hand on his shoulder. 'She's not going to kill him, Cap,' he said mentally. 'She's not that cold.'
"Oh, how I want to end you," Cassie said. "But you're worth more to me alive than dead. Daegon will come for you. I know this." Mavado's eyes widened in horror as Cassie's blue irises then changed from purple, then to red, the whites going black. Unknown to Mavado, Cassie could project her memories without the Phoenix Force. With Johnny Cage for a father, she had a flair for the dramatic. "Look into my eyes, Mavado...and don't blink."
Mavado couldn't close his eyes. Not that he wanted to, as Cassie's memories invaded his skull. He watched as both Sonya and Cassie took apart Kano, but not before Sonya breaking Darren's neck. Mavado felt Cassie and Sonya's rage. But most importantly, he felt Kano's fear.
It was the first time that Mavado had seen Kano...petrified.
And his screams...Mavado didn't even realize that Kano could scream. He could see all of the crimes that Kano had committed as Cassie stared into his eyes, forcing Kano to relive them until they killed him.
Then, it was all over. Mavado fell to the floor, coughing as his lungs took huge swallows of air. Cassandra Cage had all but verified what he and Daegon had just heard.
TAP. TAP.
Mavado turned to the glass. Cassie had sat down on the floor, legs crossed Indian-style, tapping on it, gaining his attention, a somewhat psychotic grin on her face, yer eyes going back to normal. "Not so tough now after I've taken the piss out of ya, Mavado?" she taunted. "If you think what I did to Kano was bad, imagine what would happen if I got my hands on Daegon? As you've seen with Kano, his sins is what killed him."
"You...you're a monster..." Mavado gasped.
Cassie chuckled. "Compared to Daegon and Raiden, I'm a saint. Now you see the difference between us, Mavado? If you think I'm bad...oh, you've seen nothing yet. Maybe I can introduce Daegon to the Ghost Rider. Oh, the possibilities..." She stood up. "Before I forget...if you're still alive after this and still want a shot at the title, I'll be waiting."
Turning on her heels, she swaggered out of the room, followed by the group of heroes and Takeda.
"So what are we dealing with?" Cap asked as the doors behind them shut.
"Raiden's got some serious firepower," Cassie said, transferring what she had seen in Mavado's thoughts to Cap and Maria Hill. "Aside from the Red Dragon, he's got the Seidan Guard backing him up, confirming Frost's story. The Tarkarta you have already seen. But the Shokan...that's what worries me."
"Shokan?" Maria repeated.
"Half-human, half-dragon warriors," Takeda explained. "They hail from Kuatan, an underground kingdom in Outworld. If you see an 8-foot-tall mountain of muscle with four arms, and a bad attitude, you've met a Shokan. There's two main species of the Shokan: the Draco and the Tigrar."
Cap and Maria nodded. They've both seen the Shokan from Johnny and Sonya's memories back at the Cove.
"Turns out that Kano didn't entirely nuked the Shokan forces," Cassie continued. "Goro is leading the Shokan, having taken the throne after killing Queen Sheeva." She frowned. "But Raiden's got the Centaurians backing him as well, and those two races don't get along."
"Centaurians? Wait..." Maria racked her brain. "You mean the human-horse hybrids that we've seen when Shao Kahn invaded Earthrealm?"
Cassie nodded. "Those guys are vicious. Even more so than the Shokan. And Motaro's leading them. I thought Raiden killed him."
"He didn't," Takeda replied. "Daegon revived him. Probably used the same method he used to restore Goro's arms. The Red Dragon was always the more sneaky of the two, preferring subterfuge over brute force."
"I told Mom the same thing, and Julia agrees with me," Cassie said. "I need to report in," Cassie said as she stretched out her hand. A portal, crackling with the green shadow energy of her bloodline and mixed with bits of azure lightning, materialized into existence (think Atrocitus' intro from Injustice 2 when he emerges from a portal). Cassie, Cap, Romanoff, and Takeda stepped through the portal, while Maria remained onboard the Helicarrier.
"I seriously can't get the hang of that," Cap muttered as he, Cassie, Simon, Romanoff and Takeda emerged from the portal, Cassie having placed them inside the lobby of Cage Incorporated's main building. Romanoff looked somewhat queasy, but maintained her composure.
"The nausea will pass in a moment, Natasha," Cassie said. "It was like that with me when I went through the first time." Something outside then caught her attention. "Now what?"
Cap, Takeda Simon, and Natasha followed Cassie's line of sight. Armed SHIELD operatives and S-F troops were running towards a disturbance, Cassie identifying her mother, Jacqui and Frost among them.
They soon saw the reason why. Near the front gate, a portal - blue in color - has appeared.
"Is that you?" Simon asked.
Cassie shook her head. "No. It's Red Lotus. I recognize the energy signature." She paused to unholster one of her Desert Eagles. "But just to be on the safe side..."
Cassie walked out of the lobby, accompanied by Takeda and three of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
At the same time, with Johnny...
Coming up on the rooftop of the main building helped Johnny to think. So much has happened in the past several days. It reminded him of the days before Mortal Kombat, back when all he had to worry about was the film critics calling his movies fake. Back before he was drawn into Earthrealm intrigue, and the war between Raiden and those who sought to conquer Earthrealm. Clad in his favorite blue henley, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his pair of khaki pants and work boots, Johnny looked over the grounds, king of all he surveyed. His old S-F issued Glock was strapped to his leg.
He knew that Raiden would not take his and Cassie fleeing Earthrealm lying down, nor the fact that he had dragged Sonya along for the ride, freeing her of the corruption in the process.
Looking up, he saw the Helicarrier hovering overhead, with several of the superheroes in flight, patrolling the grounds. Thankfully, the reporters had mostly dispersed, yet some of them lingered around the front gate. However, the reporters had been ordered to move back at least 100 yards, the front gate guarded by S-F soldiers.
He had lost so much, Sonya and Cassie included. But in some cases, an ending can be a beginning in disguise. Without the pressures of Hollywood and S-F on the both of them, they managed to rebuild their relationship. Sonya learned to trust him more and Johnny had accepted that the military was her life aside from him and Cassie, and that there was a life outside the silver screen. But she wasn't as obsessed with her job as she had been, which had been one of the main reasons why they had split the first time around.
Coming to the roof was something that he did in order to think and reflect. Before all of this had happened, the Avengers and the X-Men were about to fight over Cassie and Ravenna over the Phoenix Force. Now, they were united under a common enemy in the form of his former mentor and friend. Well, more or less.
"Sonya said you might be here."
Johnny didn't turn around, but he knew Jax's voice from anywhere. Plus, the cigar smoke wasn't entirely subtle.
The father of Jacqui walked over to Johnny and stood beside him, puffing on a cigar, savoring the flavor that has been denied to him for the past three years. He had spent most of the morning in meetings with Sonya, the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. Suffice to say, the combined numbers of Raiden's forces were a threat.
"Let me guess...Logan?" Johnny asked, regarding the cigars.
Jax nodded. "You have no idea how much I missed cigars."
"You do realize that you have bionic arms, not bionic lungs, right?"
Jax snorted. "Not like it's gonna kill me. I died once already, remember?"
"And my business is a smoke-free zone," Johnny added.
Jax took another puff. Johnny rolled his eyes.
"I went down to where Kano died," Jax continued. "Cassie showed me the memories of her and Sonya's fight. Some form of closure for me. Would it be a bad thing if I told you that I enjoyed watching Kano die the way he did?"
"After how he tormented my family and what he did to Vera...nope," the actor-turned-industrialist replied. "If Sonya didn't kill him, then Kitana would have gladly done the deed. She hates rapists and child predators." Johnny noticed that Jacqui was absent. "Where's Jacqui?"
"Getting the hang of her new arms." Jax looked down at the grounds. "I still don't get it." He gestured to the grounds. "I mean...all of this."
"Would you be surprised to know that I began as a stuntman while putting myself through college back in Earthrealm?" Johnny asked. "Or that I held a degree in Business Administration from UCLA?"
"So the 'tech-savvy business mogul' is just another act," Jax surmised.
"Yes...and no. Yes, this is an act, but at the same time, I wanted to do something different with my life. Not many folks had the chance that was given to me, Sonya and Cassie," admitted Johnny. "By the time I graduated college, I was making more in film than I would if I went corporate. So I chose the easy way out." He smiled sardonically. "Up until Mortal Kombat, I was concerned about filming 'Iron Claw.' Now..."
"Things changed," Jax said. He sighed. "Believe me, I know the feeling."
"You wanna know how I convinced Sonya to let me use S-F tech to build up Cage Inc.?" When Jax nodded, Johnny continued on. "Well, before we fled, I had my sister hack the S-F mainframe and download all of its data onto a modified laptop. Rebecca's in London with her family, overseeing our European interests."
"You knew that all of this was coming," Jax said. "Yeah, Sonya told me that too. She also said that you've been kicking yourself over not doing any more to save the rest of us." He sighed. "You made a judgment call; cut your losses and withdraw. I made several myself back when I was in command of S-F, and I know the feeling. Had the roles been reversed, I'd done the same thing."
"Still doesn't make it easier for me," the former actor admitted. "I've been second-guessing myself ever since Mortal Kombat. I was able to save Sonya from Shinnok when my powers kicked in. Had I known about them sooner, I could have stopped Sindel from killing you and the others."
"At least now there's more to you than being a fool," Jax said. Off Johnny's glare, Jax continued. "Before the conference, Sonya told me everything that's happened between the both of you."
"Of course she told you," Johnny snorted.
"She also told me the real reason why you split the first time," Jax said.
"You mean with her being obsessed with saving the world at the cost of her relationship with Cassie and me?"
"Up to the point that she divorced you, so yeah." Jax shook his head. "I chewed Sonya out about that later on after the conference was over...when she told me the reason why. All this time, I thought that you divorced her."
"I can almost imagine the mighty Sonya Blade cringing in fear of being chewed out by you," Johnny said. "I tried to make it work the first time around. But I was forced into a corner. So I gave her what she wanted. Up until Shinnok's Amulet, she saw me as a crutch."
"Yeah, she said that too," admitted Jax. "She was miserable afterward, and tried to bury it under her work."
Johnny nodded. "Took being kidnapped and tortured by Shinnok to finally make her come around. Cassie knew. She knew that despite trying to save the world, Sonya still needed me." He smiled. "Sonya ended up a lot like me after the first time we split; more somber, but still a hard-ass. Since this realm already has its fair share of superpowered heroes saving the world, it made our second marriage a whole lot easier."
"Y'all did have your own share of bumps along the way."
"As with all marriages," conceded Johnny. "But it's as I told Sonya the day we went down to get the marriage certificate: 'As long as you're trying, then I'm staying.' She tried, and I stayed. Our second go-round had plenty of bumps, sure, but we made it work even better the first time around. Well, not counting the House of M, the Decimation, Hulk's rampage through New York and Osborn kidnapping the girls...honestly, I don't know how Sonya and I survived House of M..."
Johnny shuddered at the memories. One night, he went to bed as the head of Cage Incorporated. The next morning, he woke up and found out that humans were in the minority while the mutants under the House of Magnus were in control of the world. For Cassie, she wasn't a military officer, but rather an actress. He managed to get away with being called a mutant due to his inborn powers. Sonya, not to much, as she worked with the company as his public relations manager. Ravenna was still the heiress to the company, overseeing the European interests, so that was no big loss.
Liu and Kitana still worked as assassins, wanted by the Magnus regime. Johnny and Sonya had given them both sanctuary within the company.
When the Decimation came, Cassie and Ravenna both lucked out and kept their powers, along with 198 other mutants. Liu and Kitana found themselves running the Red Lotus Society once again. Just as they had done when Nitro had killed Red Lotus members, Liu and Kitana had personally dealt with a senior member of the organization - a mutant - who had been murdered by the Purifiers. Liu, Kitana and Jade had wiped out the Purifiers down to the last man, including its leader, William Stryker. The Sentinel Nimrod was also destroyed, turned into scrap.
The timing could not have been more better. He had a series of assassinations planned on several mutants, including Laurie Collins. Cassie and Ravenna Cage were also the targets of Stryker, but Liu and Kitana had stopped Stryker cold. By killing William Stryker, not only was Laurie Collins' life was saved, but that of 30 depowered mutants that had left the Xavier Institute.
"Can't say that things haven't been boring here," Jax noted.
Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "At least someone else is playing the hero. Sonya and I are the protectors now. Cassie and Ravenna are the warriors. I heard that you and Raven's been getting along quite well."
Jax smiled as he blew out a puff of smoke. "She's a good kid. You and Sonya obviously did good in raising her together."
"Another thing you ripped on my wife?"
"That she was supposed to help raise Cassie alongside you instead of trying to police Earthrealm 24/7? Yeah, I called Sonya out on that as well. Although despite everything I've seen with most of the dads back in Earthrealm, myself included, you were quite possibly, the most decent one out of all of us."
"A compliment, from you, of all people? I'm touched, Jax."
"Just statin' the facts," Jax grunted. "As much as you piss me and Sonya off...you were there for Cassie...and Jacqui during my time as a revenant."
Johnny was about to reply when something below caught his attention. A portal, blue in color, had just opened. The warning klaxons on the Helicarrier sounded moments after.
"Attention. Attention. Portal opening detected. Location: Cage Incorporated. Repeat: Portal opening detected at Cage Incorporated."
"Please tell me that's friendly," Jax said, eyeing the portal warily.
"Nah. Seen this type of portal several days ago. It's Red Lotus." Looking up, he saw Iron Man and Ms. Marvel flying in their direction. A sharp whistle caught the heroes' attention. "Hey! This the way to Toledo?" Johnny asked, ignoring Jax shaking his head.
"Need a lift?" Danvers asked.
"If it's not too much trouble," Johnny replied.
"Clench up, Briggs," Iron Man said as he grabbed the back of Jax's jacket. Ms. Marvel grabbed Johnny by the hands.
Once both men were on the ground, they saw that Sonya was leading the T.R.U. soldiers - armed with G36c assault rifles - having joined up with Jacqui and Kung Jin, the latter having recently returned from his meeting with Kung Lao. From the the main building, came Cassie Cage, Simon Williams and Takahashi Takeda, her father and honorary uncle soon following thereafter. Takeda was the last of the exiled kombatants to join alongside Frost, the former having disembarked from the Quintjet, while the latter had been training with Logan when the alarm rang.
The Tactical Response Unit stood in front of the portal, assault rifles raised.
"Wait! Stop!" Mey rushed in front of the impromptu firing squad, arms stretched. "The grandmasters sent them! They're Red Lotus!"
Cassie looked at her parents, who both nodded. Cassie lowered her gun, but did not put it away. Takeda and Jacqui were on their guard. A silent signal from Sonya and her troops lowered their guns, but did not put them away.
Iron Man wasn't taking any chances. He still had his hands raised, the repulsors whining softly. Cap had his shield ready, both Ms. Marvel and Spider-Woman had their respective energy blasts charged and ready to fly. Wolverine had his claws out. Jax stood at the ready, just in case. Frost had materialized a pair of ice kukri knives and held them in a reverse grip.
Nightwolf was the first to emerge from the portal. He had aged from the last time both Johnny and Sonya had saw him; a revenant wielding energy tomahawks that were just as corrupted as he was. Now, he looked older, more somber, as if he had been here on this realm just as long as they both have. Despite the short, graying hair, it was the fresh coat of warpaint that gave him away regarding his identity. In his hands, he was holding an alabaster urn.
He was followed by Stryker, Smoke and Kabal. Johnny, Jax and Sonya both saw that Smoke favored his old uniform back when he was a Lin Kuei (when he was in Outworld), save that the mask was off, his hair tied in a ponytail. He kept the stubble on his face and his hair was tied back. And there was a smoky, demonic-looking raven perched on his shoulder that made the others slightly uneasy.
Stryker looked the same, as if he didn't age a day, clad in the same riot cop uniform that he wore the day he died. The badge was gone, while the cap was turned backwards on his head. But what shocked Sonya, Johnny and Jax was Kabal. During Shao Kahn's invasion, he had a run-in with Kintaro that left him hideously disfigured, and being forced to rely on a respirator due to his lungs being damaged after he was burned alive. They only identified him not only to him wearing his old uniform from his Black Dragon days, but the hookswords that were slung behind his back and his mask was in one hand. Like Stryker, he had not aged.
Jax stepped forward, standing on Sonya's right as the four ex-revenants approached the couple and himself.
"Well..." Johnny began. "This is weird, yet ironic. Funny how things come full circle."
"Try it from our end," Stryker replied. He looked at the gathering of heroes behind the elder kombatants. "Um...you mind telling your friends to lay down the hardware? We come in peace."
Johnny and Sonya turned around. While Sonya's forces had stood down, the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and Team S-F - bar Cassie - still had weapons drawn. "It's okay, Rogers," Sonya said. "Stand down."
After a brief moment, Cap secured his shield behind his back. He then relayed the order. "Avengers, stand down."
A glance from her father and Cassie did the same for Team S-F, despite her own mistrust of the ex-revenants. 'Guys, be cool,' she mentally ordered. 'Lower your weapons.'
Reluctantly, Team S-F (Frost included) stood down.
A quick scan of the crowd, and Nightwolf saw in the midst of the crowd, Daredevil, flanked by Luke Cage and Wolverine. The Lakota shaman/ex-revenant walked over to the blind hero and stopped in front of him. "Matthew Murdock?"
Daredevil nodded.
"As per to the orders of the Emperor...I mean, Grandmasters," Nightwolf corrected, "the body of Elektra was recovered. Grandmaster Kahnum herself cleaned the body as best she could before having it cremated. These are her ashes. The Grandmasters felt that you should take them."
Securing his batons, Daredevil accepted the urn. "Thank you," he said.
Walking back to Johnny and Sonya, Nightwolf reached into his pocket and produced a $20 bill. "From Liu Kang," he said.
Smirking, Johnny took the $20, remembering the bet that he and the former Shaolin had made...only for Sonya to snatch it out of his hand. "You owe me," she said as she pocketed the bill.
Johnny didn't bother to argue with his wife, much to the amusement of the ex-revenants and some of the heroes present. Johnny turned to the gathering of soldiers and heroes. "Show's over. Back to work." He turned back to Nightwolf and the others. "Sorry for the reception. We've been a bit busy for the past couple of days."
"We know," Nightwolf replied. "Liu and Kitana have informed us of what has happened here, from Kano's attack to the mission in Earthrealm, and Raiden's immolation. Never a dull moment with you, Cage."
Normally, Nightwolf would address Raiden as Haokah in a form of respect. Now, that respect was gone. That did not go unnoticed by Johnny, Jax and Sonya.
Noticing the level of mistrust between her daughter and the ex-revenants (honestly, Sonya really couldn't blame Cassie for that), the general turned to Cassie. "Captain, you and your team leave for Latveria in ten minutes. Finish your preperations." To Captain America, she said, "Brief the three in question and have them meet in the main lobby."
Cap nodded and walked off.
Nightwolf cocked an eyebrow. "Throwing them back into the fire, General?"
"They have a mission," Sonya explained. "An escort mission, with her team and three of the Avengers accompanying her."
"Hmm..." Nightwolf paused for a moment. "General, I would like for both Vbrada and Stryker to accompany your daughter and her team." When Cassie began to object, Nightwolf cut her off. "I know you mistrust us, Cassandra, given what we had done in the past regarding your father. And honestly, I, nor the others, don't blame you. Had the roles been reversed, I'd be the same. But like it or not, we're all on the same side. While your escort team is indeed powerful, you could benefit from having a couple of veteran fighters accompany you."
"Funny thing is that I'm also a veteran," Cassie replied. She gestured to Sonya. "But the final decision lies with her."
Nightwolf turned to the Cage family matriarch. "General?"
"They can come," Sonya said after a brief moment. "Provided that they follow Captain Cage's orders." Looking at Cassie, she said, "Everyone deserves a second chance."
Cassie sighed. "Fine." She turned and walked off to prepare for the mission. Team S-F also dispersed, walking off to prepare.
"She doesn't trust us," Kabal mused as the heroes dispersed.
"Can you blame her? It took me a while to trust you after you told me that you were a criminal," Stryker noted. To Johnny, he asked, "Is there a place where we can talk?"
"The command center," Sonya explained.
With the impending war with Earthrealm, Sonya had commandeered one of Cage Incoporated's conference rooms as an impromptu command center. When she was not seen with Johnny, Sonya was there most of the time, issuing orders and running the T.R.U. from there.
Johnny turned to face the group of heroes and soldiers. "Okay, folks. Back to work."
"I still don't believe this," Kabal muttered as the Cage patriarch and his wife led them to the command center.
"No argument here," Smoke replied.
With Cassie, Jacqui and Frost...
Her gear reminded her of her boot camp days, Jacqui realized, only the coloring was different. The tanktop was grey, while the fatigues were solid black, as were the kneepads and boots. The body armor reminded the bionic-armed woman of her old set back in Earthrealm.
"The material's made out of an adamantium-based alloy," Cassie had explained when she delivered the fresh set of Jacqui's gear. "Same material that Mom uses for her gauntlets. S-F uses the alloy as part of their body armor, as it can stop an armor-piercing round, a knife attack and even an energy blast. It's pretty much indestructable."
Deiding to forego the army jacket, Jacqui had opted to don the body armor instead. It was indeed light, much lighter than her old armor. The armor also came with standard-issued Hatch Reactor fingerless gloves, of which Jacqui also donned.
Frost was securing the blue overmantle over her body. Cassie was leaning up against the wall, arms folded, eyes closed, brooding. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see what was the reason behind Cassie's foul mood.
"You know, if you keep your face like that, you'll end up like your mother," Frost noted. Ignoring the stink eye from Cassie, she continued, "You don't trust the Red Lotus."
"My trust in them is in a certain extent," Cassie replied. "While Liu and Kitana have been here as long as me and my parents, it's the other ex-revenants that concern me."
"Yet, you trust me and the others," Jacqui pointed out.
"Because I've known you all my life," Cassie pointed out. "We came up together in the military. Hell, I trust Uncle Jax despite being a revenant. Takeda and Jin...when Dad formed our unit, Takeda mistrusted us because of the Blood Code and Jin thought we would ridicule him for being gay, but..." She sighed in frustration. "Sometimes, I just wish that the X-Men and the Avengers would just fight over me and Ravenna."
"And what about me?" Frost asked.
"You wasn't a revenant. Plus, I looked into your mind."
"Cass..." Jacqui chose her words carefully. "You're thinking about this too hard. Do you really want to be like Aunt Sonya back when she was in charge of S-F?"
Cassie frowned, yet she didn't answer.
"As much as I hate to say this, but you should give the ex-revenants a chance," Jacqui said. "You took a chance on me and the others when you freed us. Now you gotta to do the same for them."
Cassie groaned. She knew that Jacqui was right. And from what she had learned from Jax, they had been given a raw deal when Sindel had killed them.
"It always boils down to redemption, doesn't it?" Cassie mused. "Dad gave Mom a second chance...hell, I gave Mom a second chance. My parents and I vouched for you and the others after you told us the truth. I still don't trust them, Jacqui."
"Then let them prove their worth," Frost suggested. "At least when they screw up, you won't feel as bad when you fry them."
Cassie sighed. "Dad always said that you can't fake a comeback. Fine. I'll give them a shot. This doesn't mean that they get a clean slate. If they want me to trust them, then they'll have to seriously impress me." She straightened up. "Come on. Let's go."
At the same time, with the elder Kombatants...
Following the Skirmish at Cage Incorporated, Sonya had moved her command onto the grounds of Cage Incorporated, and had comandeered a conference room on the second floor as her command center. To Johnny, it reminded him of the old command center back at the refugee camp back in Earthrealm...only more sophisticated.
"When Liu Kang and Kitana told us that you decided to become an industrialist rather than return to acting, I honestly was shocked," Nightwolf said once the room was cleared of Sonya's subordinates.
"As we the rest of us," Kabal seconded. "Then again, we really wasn't all that surprised to hear that both you and Cassie returned to the military."
"Johnny wanted a change," Sonya admitted. "I wanted to see how life was on the other side by enlisting and working my way up the ranks." She smiled sardonically. "Back In Earthrealm, I earned a scholarship to the Naval Academy, while Cassie enlisted. Here, we unintentionally did the opposite; Cassie earned the scholarship to West Point, while I enlisted."
"A lot has changed in the years," Nightwolf said. "Including us." He looked at Sonya and Jax. "What can you tell us about the corruption?"
"The brainwashing is a lot similar as to what Quan Chi uses for his revenant spell," Jax explained. "I know the feeling anywhere. It manipulates your emotions...plays with them. But the power..."
"...it's intoxicating," Sonya finished, with Jax nodding. "The corruption was easier on Jax because of his time as a revenant. And it was easier on me and Jacqui due to the Blood Code." She turned to Johnny, who had a look of support on his face. "Johnny saw it coming. He was warned about Raiden's becoming corrupted after purifying the Jinsei. I didn't listen."
"You two seem to be getting along much better now." When Johnny and Sonya gave Stryker confused looks, the former cop explained. "In the Netherrealm, there's not much in entertainment aside from torture and killing. We were surprised to find out that somehow, you and Johnny got married. We also had a laugh when the both of you divorced."
"Why I'm not surprised..." Sonya muttered.
"But what surprised all of us was the fact that Cassie took down Shinnok after absorbing the Jinsei," Nightwolf noted. "Liu Kang and Kitana both said that it was quite the fight."
Johnny and Sonya grinned. While Sonya wished that she was there, Johnny had a front-row seat of his eldest daughter beating Shinnok's face in. Granted that he was imprisoned in resin and had been tortured by D'Vorah beforehand, but still his crowning achievement back in Earthrealm.
"This wasn't the first time that Raiden had fallen to the darkness."
Now, everyone's attention was directed to Nightwolf.
"Being Raiden's right-hand man for many years before my sacrifice meant that I was also his confidant," the shaman continued. "When Cassandra's team raided the Sky Temple to stop Shinnok, it wasn't his second attempt. It was his third." He turned to Johnny. "You know of Shinnok's story, of how he was an Elder God before his betrayal?"
Johnny nodded. "Homework that Raiden forced me to study when he made me his champion after Liu. Back then, the Elder Gods were too chickenshit in trying to stop Shinnok, so they sent Raiden and Fujin after him. Their battle nearly destroyed Earthrealm, but Raiden and Fujin emerged victorious. The battle had corrupted Raiden, and it took Fujin to purify his essence by using a combination of the Jinsei and magic."
"Guess that explains why Fujin was Raiden's first target," Jax said, rubbing his chin. "Not because he helped Cassie escape, but that he could stop him."
"But when Raiden purified the Jinsei, he absorbed not only Shinnok's corruption, but also his power," Nightwolf continued. "We realized this only after he delivered Shinnok's head to the Netherrealm."
"You believe that he can be saved?" Sonya asked.
Nightwolf shook his head. "No. Raiden has passed the point of no return. Even when I was a revenant, I still had some shred of respect towards him. Now...with his crimes brought to light...the god I once knew is gone. He must be destroyed."
"Raiden reminds me of a line from one of my films," Johnny said. "'You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.' With all the shit he's caused, that line has a whole new meaning." Turning to Nightwolf, he asked, "Do you know about the First Run? About how Raiden screwed with the chain of events in order to stop Armageddon?"
Nightwolf nodded. "Shinnok told me. Raiden must have told you, right?"
"Told both me and Sonya."
"Do you have a plan in stopping him?" Kabal asked.
Meanwhile, Johnny's phone began to vibrate. He plucked it out of his pocket and activated it. It was a message from Cassie. We're ready, Dad. Meet us in the lobby.
"We need Fujin, for starters," Sonya said. "Then we need to free Hanzo and Kuai. But it won't be easy."
"Nothing never is," Kabal said.
Johnny tapped Sonya on the shoulder. "Babe..." He showed her the text. "It's time."
Sonya nodded. "Let's go. Cassie and her team are ready."
The couple led Jax and the ex-revenants out of the conference room. Down the hallway, passing the Cage Incorporated employees that reported in and the patrolling T.R.U. soldiers.
"So what is this mission that Cassie is being sent on?" Stryker asked.
"Escort mission," Sonya replied. "Cassie is heading to Latveria to speak with Doctor Doom."
Stryker chortled. "Doctor Doom? His name practically screams 'bad guy.'"
"Oh, he is," Johnny confirmed. "You'll like him, Stryker. He's an spiring conqueror with diplomatic immunity and a serious beef with Reed Richards."
"Despite this, Doom is honorable to the point that he keeps his word," Sonya continued. "Cassie saved the life of his ambassador a while back, and Doom promised her a favor that she can cash in at any time."
"A villain who keeps his word," Nightwolf noted in a dry tone. "How original."
"Doom's as tough as they come," Sonya continued. "He's a master of the mystic arts, and can hold his own in hand-to-hand combat. Having him on our side may prove to be an advantage."
"Plus, the thought of Raiden actually trying to take over the planet before he can will be a huge insult to him," Johnny added as he and the others arrived on the ground floor landing. "That alone will hurt his ego more than anything."
With Cassie and the others...
Takeda and Kung Jin were not intimidated. They survived Shinnok, and after that, three hellish years under Raiden's control as they witnessed the downfall of Earthrealm.
But seeing a six-foot-seven green-skinned giantess built like a dump truck somewhat unnerved the both of them. Queen Sheeva of the Shokan was taller than her, standing at seven-feet-even, but had the Shokan Queen still been alive, both the Shaolin and the Shirai Ryu chujin would have guessed that even Sheeva would have lost if both her and the emerald beauty fought one-on-one.
Both Jin and Takeda knew Iron Fist well enough, more or less. Ms. Marvel? Not so much. All they were able to get was that there was a rivalry between her and Sonya in the past, but they just recently ended the rivalry between them, united against a single threat.
Cassie, in the meantime, was talking to Cap, while Simon stood by. Jacqui and Frost stood alongside Takeda and Jin, waiting for the mission to take place.
"Did you brief them on the mission?" Cassie asked.
Cap smirked. "I figured that honor would be left to you, Captain."
Shaking her head, Cassie turned to the three superheroes. Deciding not to beat around the bush, Cassie began the briefing. "As per the request of Captain America, you three are going to accompany my team and myself to Doomstadt."
"Wait..." Danvers raised a hand. "Did I hear you right? We're going to Latveria? To pay a visit to Doctor Doom?"
Cassie nodded. "That's right."
"And you're just gonna waltz into Doomstadt and hope that he doesn't have you thrown in prison for trespassing?" She-Hulk pitched in.
"Actually...yes," Cassie replied, enjoying the looks of shock on the womens' faces. "Doom may be many things, but what most people don't know is that he is a man of his word. Mr. Fantastic can attest to that, given Doom's vow of protection regarding Valeria. He owes me a favor, and I intend to collect."
"How you manage to pull that off?" Rand inquired as Johnny and Sonya led Jax and the recently-revived kombatants to the group. Both Kung Jin and She-Hulk had given Kabal a look over. Stryker noticed it as well. Kabal had been a pretty boy, even back in his Black Dragon days. That changed with Kabal's run-in with Kintaro.
"I saved the life of his ambassador," Cassie replied. "Doom himself promised me a favor, which I can cash in at any time." She then introduced Smoke and Stryker. "The ninja is Enenra. The supercop is Kurtis Stryker. As you know, they are with the Red Lotus, and will be joining us on this mission."
"Smoke," the Czech-born ninja corrected. "The name's Smoke." He pointed to the demonic raven on his shoulder, who cawed. "That's Enenra. And for the record, Captain, I'm not a ninja. I am Lin Kuei." He pointed to Takeda. "Takeda is the ninja."
That remark made Frost crack a grin.
"Stryker, Smoke, you know my team," Cassie continued. She then introduced the three heroes. "This is Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk and Iron Fist."
"I've heard about you from Liu Kang," Nightwolf said. "He speaks highly of you."
"This is a bad idea," She-Hulk said, changing the subject. "Going into Latveria."
"Noted," Cassie replied. "Director Hill said the same thing." She tied her hair back in a bun. "If you don't want to go, you can back out now."
None of the heroes said nothing. Cap nodded in approval. Cassie had chosen well for this task.
Sonya stepped forward. "Captain...Cassandra...be careful." She turned to the others. "All of you. Good hunting."
Cassie nodded. "Thanks, Mom." She raised her left hand, and concentrated.
A portal flashed into existence. Cassie sighed. "Out of the frying pan, and back into the fire," she whispered as she walked into the portal, followed by her boyfriend, the ex-revenants, Team-S-F and the three Avengers.
"May the gods watch over you, Cassandra Cage," Nightwolf intoned in a whisper. "May they watch over you, my friends and your team."
Johnny, Sonya and Jax said nothing, but silently agreed with the shaman's prayer.