Love & War 4
Chapter 44: The Good News
Tanya returned to Edenia to report to Queen Sindel.
"Your highness."
"Tanya, my dear. You have returned with good tidings?"
"I do. Havik is gone..."
"And your twin?"
"Dead."
"Tanya, you did what needed to be done. You got nothing to be ashamed of."
"I know."
"This calls for a celebration. I'm sure Kotal Kahn would agree."
"I will let him know."
"Before you go, Kotal Kahn and I had a meeting a few days ago. he remembered that you tried to free our realm from his grasp. He agreed to a alliance with he allied with Earthrealm against Havik, he felt it was necessary that his merger was no longer in need."
"That was my mission the whole time. That's why I joined Mileena."
"Return to him, Tanya. The celebration will begin in Outworld. You've done well, Tanya."
Back on the island...
"Dad's never gonna let me leave the house again," said Jacqui.
"Deep breaths, Jacqui. You're going home," said Johnny.
"Young lady, I had business to attend to," Sonya said.
"You always do," Cassie complained.
"You left the base without telling anyone."
"Sorry, Colonel Blade, I..."
"Dammit Cassie, I'm not your Commanding Officer, I'm your mom. I love you too much to lose you."
Cassie cried as they hugged. A portal opened and Tanya arrived.
"Everything ok?"
"Tanya, I want to thank you for saving my daughter," said Sonya.
"I never did like you, Tanya, but after battling Havik and saving us, you're pretty badass."
"I don't know what that means, but I do appreciate it, Cassie."
"I am pleased to see a family reunited once more," said Kotal.
"Me too," Tanya agreed. "I also noticed a kidnapper in your search party."
"About that..."
"Reiko and Havik didn't do this alone," Raiden said. "They had help, manpower..."
"From Daegon and the Red Dragon."
"I've asked Kotal to consider an accord, to discuss interrealm conflicts before attacking each other."
"But I will only agree of you do, Colonel."
"An alliance with Outworld?"
"An non-aggression pact. leaving any collaboration at our mutual discretion. And as a gesture of good faith, I shall return these... what do you call them? Weapons of mass destruction that were reclaimed from Kano."
"I know you found them in Z'unkahrah. Thank you for thrusting me to do the right thing."
"So we are in agreement?"
"We are."
"Very good. One other matter... the amulet of Shinnok. A weapon so terrible I dare not possess it for long. Hiding it with secrets and lies made sense, once... but those secrets have claimed too many victims. This amulet will be placed in the protection of the qualified champions... one of you."
"Mileena has fled. Outworld is still under civil war. I cannot guarantee its protection."
"We can. We'll put it somewhere where no one will find it."
"Thank you, Sonya," Tanya said. "I trust you know where to put it?"
"This amulet corrupted you once, Tanya. I cannot trust you with it, lest you become corrupted again."
"I've already found my calling, Sonya. The two people I love, the things we've been through. I just hope it doesn't fall into the wrong hands again."
"Tanya, because of your actions to free us, you have saved the realms as well. I have also discovered your war with your evil twin and prevailed."
"I could not allow her to possess those daggers, emperor. If she were to possess them, she would fuse herself with them, becoming far worse than even Shao Kahn, Shinnok or even the Dragon King combined. Had that been the case, I would've died, the realms would be in great peril..." Tanya began tearing up.
"Tanya, you did what any strong-willed woman would do," said Chris, holding her close. "Your mission was dangerous, no question, but you knew form your heart that failure was never a option. And because you prevailed, I'm sure Queen Sindel herself would see such bravery in facing adversity. For that, Earthrealm thanks you."
"I'm so grateful, Chris. I only have one question."
"What is it?"
"Can we go home now? I'm sure Melody would too."
"Miss Blade," said Melody. "For what it's worth, I hope you understand that Cassie could use a little more combat experience. I'm sure you agree that she'd be shown a thing under's my father orders. In other words, straighten her out some."
"Cassie has already trained under my supervision, but if you wish to further Cassie's training, I'm sure Chris wouldn't mind."
"The student has become the teacher, Sonya. Melody is just like you, only younger."
"I heard that." :)
