After our thrilling and daring escape from Efrafa, we managed to arrive back at the down somewhere about midnight. When we found out the warren was fully made, everyone came out of the burrows to see us we just arrived back. Everyone seemed to be extremely worried, especially Hazel for the fact that he told us that Jade informed him that our group were in danger. It was than Captain Holly, Bluebell, Liu Kang and I explained to them that we were set out a journey to find a warren that were filled with does, according to Kehaar. However, it was unpleasant and extraordinary discovery that the does were held as prisoners against their will. Even Bluebell, spoke most of the horrors in grand detail that included about a bottom burrow, where all the does were kept, when they're not allowed to silflay, being marked by Efrafans to be put into groups, and of course constant tortures and cruelty upon the does, even Blackavar. It was getting to frighten everyone, while Bluebell told our story. I still couldn't help, but to think about my family and an imminent threat that Shang Tsung and Farid would inflect on back in my hometown. Hazel than suggested that we end the Efrafa story for tonight, as we should fall asleep for tonight.
In the middle of the night, I was only in my burrow that Strawberry showed to me, I couldn't even blink my eyes to go asleep. Not even after what I experience in Efrafa, but it was more like reliving the horrors back in Afghanistan. However, that wasn't important, because the real reason I couldn't sleep is the worry and fear for my family back in Colorado. The images of Afghanistan and Efrafa haunts me through the night, until I could hear the crows chirp above, as I had a small hole to have some light at night. However, when I looked up, there was nothing above me, as if a fog was coming from the hills. I got out of my burrow quietly, as I hear the rabbits and the Earthrealm Warriors were still asleep. I have to make an opportunity to find my way back and stop Shang Tsung and Farid from attacking my family. I made a pass of Captain Holly's burrow, as he was still asleep. I was relieved that he was still at one piece from last night's escape. The final burrow I passed was Hazel and Fiver's burrow. I noticed Fiver murmured in his sleep, as if he was having a vision. He started to quietly gasp, until he woke up to spot me.
"Thomas, what are you doing up?" Fiver asked.
"Just go back to sleep, Fiver. You were dreaming." I told him, before I left. As I passed through The Honeycomb and before I was able to reach for the exit, I turned to see Fiver was following me.
"Where are you going? No one should go out in the fog." Fiver questioned.
"I need to stop Shang Tsung and someone I knew back in my POW days. They're planning to do harm to my family. I've to warn them." I answered.
"But you can't leave us here. The Earthrealm Warriors needed your help to know our ways here. Most of all, we needed you here, even from Hazel."
"I know... but I won't be gone for long. I'll be back before they wake up. I just want to see my family are safe."
"You'll find nothing, but the hurtful truth! I had a dream that you were leaving... to save your family. I have to warn you that you need to stay. You'll be fall into a trap!" Fiver pleaded.
I was surprised that he had a vision of me. However, I couldn't be able to ask in full, because I was in a hurry and I wanted to see if my family is safe. Unless what he may visioned that something will happen to me and/or my family that he didn't want to reveal it to me. "I understand Fiver. I just have to find out about my family. I know what I'm doing."
"Thomas-"
I didn't know what he said afterwards, because I climbed out from the warren and began my journey to find my way back home.
The fog was completely covering the whole down, even I couldn't be able to find the warren. However it was already too late that I have to get back to my family. At first, I was wandering through the mist and had no idea where I was going. I continued to go through the mist until I found myself still around the hills and apparently lost my way.
Perhaps I could be an assistance.
I heard the voice that was almost that it came from the sky or from the fog.
I know you longing to seek for your family's safety. After hearing what Farid has plans for them.
"Who are you?! Show yourself!" I demanded.
Out of nowhere, it was Shang Tsung who appeared from the foggy mist. "Shang Tsung!"
"Hello again, Private First Class Thomas. I'm not here to combat with you." he spoke.
"How could you be so sure?! You set up ambushes along the way, even at one point nearly killing Bigwig! Why should I speak with you?!" I exclaimed.
"I know you see horrors and the afflictions of your nightmares." I turned around and was surprised. "I knew Farid has done terrible things, alongside Kano. Perhaps I could be some assistance to you. If you care to... hear me out?"
"Alright... what do you want?" I questioned.
"To help you end your nightmares and suppress the traumatic experiences as a Prisoner of War. Farid and his villainous thugs have murdered your unit in a ambush, as well torturing and executing the escapees by being burned on pyres and/or steel cages. And leaving you no food to starve, no contact to the your loved ones, and rotting your life away."
"That is true... it was an ordeal." I admitted.
"See? I told you that I know a thing or two about you. Perhaps we could make a deal if you wish." Shang Tsung spoke.
"What kind of deal?"
"Simple... what if I could tell you that I remove your horrific ordeals and your nightmares, and restoring your world back to what it was before the invasion?"
It came to a surprise that a sorcerer would be able to reverse time. "You could do that?"
Shang Tsung smirked. "My dear, sweet boy, that's what I do. It's what I live for to help unfortunate folks like yourself. Poor souls with no one else to turn to."
I gave him a unconvinced expression. "I knew you just copied Ursula's line from The Little Mermaid."
He chuckled. "Not only I would only restore your health and your world... but also ceasing Farid's attack on your family." It really got my attention that he would call off the attack on my family. "Even providing you wealth for you and your family."
"Really... I could use some of that." it brought Shang Tsung a smile upon his face. "But... I don't think we both have the same ambitions if this deal was to work. What about-"
"Shao Kahn? And his army? I'll be able to overpower that foul. Outworld will be left with no ruler and Earthrealm will live on for generations to come. And I'm sure the Elder Gods would accept this." Shang Tsung tries to convince me for the deal. I remained silent, as part me should say to take the deal, while another was doubting that it would work... or something else he's hiding. "Please understand this, Mr. Thomas... I have experience as well to make deals with warriors, terrorist organizations such as The Black Dragon Clan, businessperson, or even a world leader. Even the President of The United States... for that's where you're from. I'll able to have him contact you and your family. Receive recognition of your heroism and your families hard work in the military. And/or perhaps you'll be able to become President for your country. Make things where you and your family wanted them to be." Shang Tsung finishes. "This is my bargain that I'll offer to you... now what do you think?"
I took a moment and thought to think about his deal. Would he really be able to fulfill the end of the bargain if I do agree to the terms. However, I was certain that he did want something in return. "Okay... what would Shao Kahn say, if he found out about this deal?"
"He means nothing to this deal. I'll be able to spare you and your family from his wrath." Shang Tsung answered.
"Really... I bet you would really think that I'll be able to agree to your deal, as if I was making a deal with The Devil. However, I know you're more of a Devil than I've seen throughout my life. I know you really want me to fulfill your demand of revealing The Rabbits' warren, only to be destroyed by Woundwart and as well for Shao Kahn to obtain their souls. Even for you and perhaps your second sorcerer Quan Chi wanted the spoils. If my president was still alive, I could guarantee that you're only just blowing smoke up your ass to give in your demands. You know what I think... I think your deal is total, total... bullshit."
Shang Tsung's smile fades.
"I know your goons and perhaps the Efrafans are listening into this deal as well. My offer to you is this... I give you nothing. Unless you could abandon the world domination and having the Efrafans lay off my friends... perhaps we could strike a neutral deal."
"You seemed to be disappointment to me. I knew that deal like this would never strike gold in riches, in retrospect I hoped you would say 'no'. Because if anyone would destroy those pathetic, loathsome, diseased creatures that only hop and mate, will be me." Shang Tsung begins to boil.
"Wow... there's a reveal of your true colors." I smirked.
"But really... you should be grateful that Raiden has chosen you... to protect those fools." Shang Tsung spoke calmly that my smirk fades. "You wouldn't be able to see the light of day of your family. I know where they live... around Colorado Springs, Colorado and I do believe your family were U.S. Army veterans and they live at base not far from that city too."
"You wouldn't! You have no idea-"
"Oh yes, yes... I do have the idea, especially from Farid and even the loathsome Kano. They found out and revealed your family's base before the invasion. After if the invasion is complete or become ruined no one would give a damn about a Army base." Shang Tsung continued.
"Shang Tsung, don't do this! I'm warning you!" my anger boiled.
"I know what you would do... perhaps if you reach them in time in the snap of my fingers... you'll be amazed that you saved your family in time. Better hurry up." he than snapped his fingers and I felt the fog was sucking the air out of me that I passed out.
I woke up to see I was back in my Wal-Mart where I was working. However, it was in ruins, before I was being teleported to the Rabbits' World. I checked in my pockets to see I have my car keys that I was able to find my car and hurry to drive back. I used my car fob to reveal my car's location. I than started to hear the car horn and I hurried through the parking lot to find my Chevy pickup truck. I unlocked and opened the door, climbed in, and miraculously I was able to start up the truck. I stepped on the gas pedal to drive away from the parking lot. I followed the roads that I knew to get my way home. I managed to got onto a free and from there I saw helicopters hoovering over me, as they were racing to get ahead. I knew who they were. However every time I pushed for the truck's speed, there are always obstacles to maneuver, such as destroyed vehicles, roads, and other ruins that I have to drive by or was able to pass through.
I was getting close. I was able to get off from the freeway and used the private roads to reach towards the base. I than started to see the choppers were making their landing, as I reached towards the base's entry point. One chopper turned and aimed it's head towards me, before turning to the side to see Farid and Kano with RPGs. Without reacting in a brief second, they fired their rockets at me. I was able to miss the first rocket... but the second hit one of my tires that it flipped in the air, in a barrel roll and crashed.
It knocked me unconscious, until I woke up to see my truck was in flames. I was able to crawl through my driver's door window. My vision was bad that I was going in and out, as I saw Farid and Kano approaching towards me. I than saw a M1911 right in front of me. I was about to reach for it, but my hand was stomped on by Kano, as he squeezed my hand. He picked up the handgun and picked me up on my knees.
"It's nice to see you again, after you and your mates made an impossible escape." Kano taunted.
"Kano... our guests are ready... bring them here." Farid ordered Kano. Farid knelt down and lifted my face. "Thrice that we've seen each other again. Shang Tsung?"
I than saw Shang Tsung approached towards me with Kano and their goons... with them were my parents and my siblings.
"Thomas!" my mother and my siblings cried.
"Now... your family's lives and souls are bound for damnation at the abyss. However it's not too late. We could renegotiate this deal that would save your family from death and their souls captured. Tell me where your friends are and your family lives... or they'll suffer with the fire." Shang Tsung spoke.
My anger boiled that I was about to attack him, but I was held down by Cyrax and Sektor.
"Let's try this again... I know you don't want your family to suffer. Which will it be?" I than spat on Shang Tsung's face with defiance after he gave me a final ultimatum. He struck me across the face. "TELL ME NOW!"
"Never!" I heard my father. "My son would never tell you anything!"
Shang Tsung took a deep breath, composure himself. "Have it your way." He than walked towards the pyres that my family were being strapped onto by Reptile, Mileena and Sindel, and Farid and Kano. Shang Tsung summoned the flames from his hands. "Your families souls are mine!" I than began to hear my siblings scream out of fright and tears, as my mother called for me. My father was defiant and silent. "After your rabbit friends... you'll be next!" He than lightened the piles of wood. My family began to scream for their lives.
"NOOOOOOOO!" I screamed and reached my hand out for them. Shang Tsung snapped his fingers, as the flames rise and my family screamed louder than before, as the flames reached towards them. Kano and Farid walked back towards me.
Farid than cocked the handgun. "Say goodbye to your family." He than fired the shot.
Fiver gasped from a vision. He hurried back into the burrow where he and Hazel were sleeping. "Hazel! Hazel!" Fiver attempts to wake his brother.
His older brother began to wake up, as he was still a bit tired. "Fiver? You're up and early. What news, Hrairoo?"
Fiver began to shed some tears. "It's Thomas! He's gone!"