Chapter Nine: Discovery, Part Two

San Francisco, Portsmouth Square

It was known as the 'Heart of Chinatown,' named after the U.S.S. Portsmouth, which was commanded by Captain John B. Montgomery, of which the street now bears his name. The park itself was the size of a city block, stretching from Kearny Street on the eastern side, Washington Street on the North, Clay Street on the South, and Walter Lum Place on the west.

But the party was not just confined to just Portsmouth Square. The San Francisco Festival was one of the biggest events on the calendar, and people from all walks of life would migrate to the center of the park to take in the sights.

For Johnny Cage, the block-wide park had a special place in his heart. Back in Earthrealm, he had shot 'Every Dog Has Its Day' here. And here, it was his favorite place to hang out with Sonya and the girls.

That, and occasionally teach Tai Chi to the locals.

Johnny Cage was the center of attention, as the Festival fell on the same day as his retirement as champion. A perfect streak, spanning sixteen years. But he was enjoying himself as Sonya stood by his side, looking as proud as any wife would be of her husband's accomplishments.

Johnny Cage had spent years building his brand. He liked the challenge of being a family man, a martial arts champion and running a successful business. But, the competition was starting to get scarce and after thinking it over and talking with Sonya about it, decided to step down as Champion and retire.

The atmosphere was lively. Style of dress was semi-casual. Johnny was in his element, wearing only a dark blue Oxford dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, top button undone with no tie, a black vest, slacks and boots. Sonya was wearing a gray sundress...and her custom steel-toed combat boots. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

At the moment, Johnny was finishing up an interview with a local reporter.

"...so I figure that I had a nice, long run as the full-contact champion," Johnny concluded. "But it's time for me to move on. Gotta focus on my business and my family."

"I'll bet the competition is thankful that you're stepping down, Chairman," the reporter replied. "Best of luck to you in your future endeavors."

"Thanks." Johnny turned to Sonya as the reporter ambled off. "So...when can I expect to see your retirement?"

Sonya scoffed. "Retirement my ass."

San Francisco has been good to the Cage family for many years. And Johnny was appreciative of that. So he returned the gesture, becoming the city's biggest patron. Even the local gangs and the Triads didn't mess with him, out of respect, as some of their family members worked for Cage Incorporated.

Several members of Cage Incorporated and Sonya's Tactical Response Unit were also present. Seated on a bench, sipping on a beverage, was Julia Carpenter, the second Madame Web. Her 12-year-old daughter, Rachel, was chasing after some of her friends. The second was Amadeus Cho, who worked as a lead scientist and researcher for Cage Incorporated. He was also seated on a bench, his girlfriend seated beside him.

Sonya had found it a bit...freaky that Amadeus was dating an actual Gorgon, minus the whole petrify-by-stare thing. If you got around the green skin, golden reptilian eyes and the snakes for hair, Delphyne was actually a nice person, as Johnny vouched for her. Plus, she was an Amazon warrior...even if the schoolgirl-plaid skirt, the wire mesh top and sleeveless black shirt said otherwise.

"You're enjoying yourself," Johnny said. "Too bad Jax couldn't come. He and Vera would've enjoyed this."

"I know. But it was his turn to stay overnight at the base," Sonya said. "At least Vera's with him."

"Least Jacqui and Takeda don't have to worry about Jax breathing down on them," Johnny said.

"We never really got the chance to do this, you know. Just take in a night on the town. Maybe we can, now that things are now back to normal."

"As normal as it'll get with us..." Johnny started to reply, but was cut off when a man had forcibly brushed up against him. A man, standing around Johnny's height with a muscular build, short blond hair, dressed in a suit sans tie. "Hey! Watch where you're walking!"

The man turned around. Younger than Johnny, with short blond hair, dressed in a suit. He carried himself like a martial artist. "You should watch your mouth, old man," he replied.

"This old man will kick your ass up and down Chinatown," threatened Johnny.

"Make a move, Grandpa."

"I'm standing here, Junior. You wanna play with hardcore? Jump."

For a long moment, Johnny and the other man stared the other down. Then they broke out into wide grins and embraced like brothers. "Johnny. Congratulations on your retirement."

"Danny. Glad you decided to come," Johnny replied, releasing the younger man.

Danny Rand, the hero known as Iron Fist, turned to Sonya and embraced her as well. "Colonel. A pleasure as always."

Sonya smiled as she returned the hug. "I'm off the clock, Danny. Sonya's fine." She released him. "How's Luke and Jessica?"

"They both said 'hi,'" Danny replied. "And Dani also says 'hi' as well...well as good as a three-year-old can get," he added in reference to the daughter of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, of which he was also the godfather.

"You went stag?" Johnny asked.

"Of course. I'm married to my job, Cage."

Johnny grinned. "So am I, which makes Sonya my mistress. Which is why I'm still in love with her." Sonya responded by punching him on the arm. "Easy on the shoulder, babe."

"Pray that she doesn't make you scream falsetto like she did Osborn," Danny said.

Johnny Cage and Daniel T. Rand had met three years earlier at a fundraiser in New York City. Johnny didn't know that Danny was the superhero known as Iron Fist, and in turn, Danny didn't know about Johnny being an Earthrealm fugitive alongside his family and several others.

All that changed on the eve of the Superhero Civil War, in which Danny – as Iron Fist – confronted Johnny Cage and Jax Briggs, the two men having stopped a break in at a Cage Incorporated-aligned warehouse. Of course, whatever questions the two Heroes for Hire had for Johnny were derailed with the arrival of Takeda via portal, the Shirai Ryu ninja 'requesting' the presence of the K'un Lun warrior.

Hanzo had used Takeda to deliver a formal challenge, of which Danny had accepted

Hotaru Hazashi had greeted the three men upon their arrival at the Shirai Ryu Fire Gardens. As it turned out, Hanzo himself had been the one behind the 'summon,' as he wished to challenge Iron Fist to kombat.

Already knowing Rand's identity, Johnny kept his secret. As did Hanzo, who challenged Iron Fist to kombat. Johnny knew that Hanzo was tough. Very tough. After all, he was Quan Chi's right-hand man before he was revived. But as he found out from Luke, Danny Rand was no pushover.

The match had been tough, but Hanzo had walked away with the victory. Not only that, Hanzo had earned Danny's respect, of which Danny himself had returned.

Like Doctor Strange, both Luke and Danny were privy to the true origins of the Exiled Gods, with Jax and Johnny swearing both men to secrecy, and for good reason, seeing as how neither Jax nor Johnny didn't need anymore headaches in regards to the S.H.R.A. and keeping their daughters. Rather than tell them about his past, he used a trick he had developed using his inborn powers to show them his past memories.

When Luke asked him why he chose not to be a hero, Johnny had replied, "Been there, done that, got the broken bones and almost dying to prove it. I've been a fighter all my life. Now...I'm a protector."

That much was true, Danny realized. When they were on the run following Captain America's death at the end of the Civil War, Johnny had told him about a loophole that Sonya had found in the S.H.R.A., that the Secret Avengers could sign on as 'civilian contractors' for the military, meaning that they would be exempt from registration from S.H.I.E.L.D., as they were employed by the military.

It also kept them out of prison. And Tony Stark's face nearly matched that of his armor.

Danny looked over to Amadeus. "Didn't know that your golden boy has a thing for snakes."

"Delphyne Gorgon," Johnny said. "And before you ask, no, she's not going to turn him or anyone else into stone. I had the chance to talk to her. She's a literal Amazon, but a nice girl."

"Aside from giving the Act the middle finger and helping us," Danny said, "Amadeus Cho was probably the biggest black eye for S.H.I.E.L.D. How did you manage to get Cho to work for you?"

"Well, I've had my eye on him for a while before his parents were murdered," Johnny explained. "Then, S.H.I.E.L.D. started to chase after him, thinking that he was a mutant due to his hypermind. Stark and the others saw a threat. I saw an opportunity."

"An opportunity to one-up Stark, it seems," Rand said.

"That was the bonus," admitted Johnny. "But it would be a shame to see him locked up due to circumstances beyond his control. Gotta admit that Inferno Squad had some pretty good trackers. So when Amadeus stopped at a diner in Alameda for a bite to eat, I saw my opportunity and took it."

[Flashback...]

One year earlier...

"Amadeus Cho?"

The 19-year-old Korean-American looked up from the menu, surprised to see Johnny Cage standing over him. "You're Johnny Cage, the Chairman of Cage Incorporated."

"None other." Johnny pointed to the booth seat opposite of Amadeus. "May I?"

Amadeus nodded and Johnny sat down. When a waitress came to place an order, Johnny asked only for a bottle of water, a cup of milk, and a chunk of walnut fudge. Amadeus was still indecisive and asked for some more time.

"Amadeus Cho," Johnny drawled, "aliases include Mastermind Excello, Freelancer Of All Things Science, and the Tenth Smartest Person On The Planet."

"Seventh," Amadeus corrected.

Johnny smirked. "My daughter and King T'Challa would disagree. Besides, Doctor Banner says otherwise."

Now, Amadeus was surprised. "You know Bruce?"

Johnny nodded. "I do. He spoke highly of you, Amadeus. He's been working for me ever since Stark shot his Skrull clone into space."

"So what do you want with me?" Amadeus asked as the waitress came back with Johnny's order. "You're not with S.H.I.E.L.D., otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"I'm insulted, Cho," Johnny said, amused. "My wife and I are not on good terms with Stark and his bunch of misfits." He folded his hands together. "I have a proposal for you, Amadeus."

"I'm listening."

"First off, I'm a fan of your work," Johnny said. "I've been following your exploits with Hercules for some time now. You have my condolences. Anyway, you show great talent with that hyper-mind of yours, and I pride myself in having a keen eye for that kind of talent. Something that Stark and Richards lack. But your status in all things science is still amateur." He un-clapsed his hands and gently shoved the plate of walnut fudge and the glass of milk towards Amadeus. "I've come to see if you'd like to go pro. I understand you need sweets for your mind to work."

"It's not pie, but it'll do," Amadeus replied as he broke off a chunk of fudge and began to eat. "You're offering me a job with your company? Why should I agree?"

"The benefits are nice," Johnny said, "Room and board also included. And we can use someone of your skills in the science and biomedical division."

"Wouldn't that make Kitana jealous?"

"My daughter thrives on competition," the wind god replied. "Besides, she's taking the year off with some friends. As for your legal problems, I know the Attorney General, and he owes me a couple of favors. You agree, I can get Stark and his buddies off your back while the A.G. reviews your case. Give you some breathing room. You won't see the inside of a prison cell, but you will probably be placed under house arrest, but it's better than rotting in a cell."

Amadeus swallowed a gulp of milk. "And if I say no?"

"Then I'll leave it at that," Johnny said. "But that means that you will have to deal with S.H.I.E.L.D." He leaned back in his seat. "I've given you the pitch. Now you got a choice to make. What say you, Amadeus Cho?"

[End Flashback]

"From the look of things, Amadeus chose wisely," Rand said. "Bet Stark didn't like that."

"Oh. He didn't. As he was busy with playing Director, he sent Sue Richards and Natasha Romanov to my office to discuss repatriation."

Rand chuckled. "I remember hearing about that. Who'd knew that Sue could curse up a storm the way she did?"

[Flashback]

Cage Incorporated – Office of Chairman Johnny Cage

Inside the main building, located on the top floor, was Johnny's office.

For a billionaire industrialist, Johnny's office was spacious, yet simply furnished. He modeled it after his old study back in Earthrealm, the office twice the size of that; desk at the far wall, facing the door to the office. Bookshelves lined the wall facing the windows, with photos and awards, and of course, books, with How To Influence People, The Art of War and The Prince being among the books on his shelf. In front of the desk, facing each other, were two couches, with a coffee table in between them. On the far end of the wall, was a flat-screen TV.

Johnny sat behind his desk, preparing himself for the confrontation that was to come. He knew that it wouldn't be long before Stark and his band of sellouts would come for Amadeus. He already wasn't on good terms with Stark, given that he had given Luke Cage's team the chance to sign on the military registry as 'independent contractors.' And the less said about the fiasco down at Union Vale, the better.

At least Amadeus was settling into his new occupation as a scientist, working with Bruce Banner. Yes, even Johnny was able to get the Incredible Hulk to work for him. That also had Cage use his military connections and those within the judicial system to put Banner under his custody, a secret deal between the government and Cage Incorporated.

Bruce had been working for Cage Incorporated long before the civil war between the heroes went hot. As it turned out, he had been captured by the Skrull, but was able to escape. But not before the Skrull sent out a duplicate of him. The Skrull-Hulk was the one that Stark had shot in space, while Bruce remained incognito in San Francisco. Bruce watched with mild amusement as the Skrull-Worldbreaker version of himself trashed New York City.

But back to Amadeus.

BEEP.

The intercom on his desk caught his attention. He pressed a button. "Yes?"

"Chairman, you have visitors. A Miss Romanov and Mrs. Richards."

"Send them in."

This was unexpected. He was expecting Stark or Danvers. Well, probably Stark, following the explosive fallout between Sonya and Carol over Julia Carpenter.

Johnny stood up, just as the door opened and in walked one the wife of Reed Richards and the Slavic redhead/former assassin who went by the codename Black Widow.

"Huh. A blonde and a redhead," Johnny mused. "All we need now is a brunette and a bar." He sat back down. "You're here for Amadeus Cho, I take it?"

"He has much to answer for, Chairman," Widow replied. "If you would kindly summon him here..."

"No."

"No?" Both Sue and Widow repeated.

"No," Johnny repeated firmly. "Mr. Cho is the newest employee of Cage Incorporated," Johnny replied.

"No he's not. He's a fugitive and I'm here to take him into custody," Sue replied. "Hand him over, Cage."

"I don't think so, Richards," Johnny replied.

"Either hand him over, or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice," the Invisible Woman threatened.

If anything, Johnny looked amused. "Wait for it..."

"Wait for what, Cage? Quit stalling and hand Cho over..."

BEEP. BEEP.

"I believe that's for you, Sue," Johnny said.

Giving Johnny the evil eye, Sue answered her phone. "Richards...yes, I'm at the Cage Inc. now, Stark..." Her expression then turned from anger to disbelief as she looked at Johnny. "What? Impossible, there's no way that Cage can work that fast...!" Sue then growled, muttering under her breath. "Fine. Richards out."

"What happened?" Widow asked.

Glaring at Johnny, Sue replied, "Amadeus is untouchable for the moment. His case is under review."

Johnny looked amused. "Nice glare, but my wife has you beat," Johnny said. "Now, is there anything else...?"

"This isn't over, Cage," Sue threatened as she stalked out of the room, followed by Natasha.

[End Flashback]

"I remember that day," Rand said, chuckling, as Sonya walked off to speak with Julia. "I never knew that Sue could swear up a storm like that. I almost pity Reed."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. didn't see the potential in Amadeus. Instead, they assumed that he was a criminal due to him not registering under the Act," Johnny said. "The kid's no mutant. His mind can be considered to be a hyper-mind. I want to see Amadeus challenged and rewarded, rather than punished."

Rand nodded. "I agree that the situation with Amadeus should have been handled better. I told Stark as much."

Meanwhile...

Tony Stark watched from a distance as Johnny Cage spoke with Daniel Rand.

As the Festivals dress code was semi-casual, the Iron Avenger was also in casual dress; a red business shirt, the collar undone, with a black suit jacket and slacks.

When Tony discovered that the Cage and Briggs families had helped some of the heroes evade capture by using the military loophole in the S.H.R.A., he was furious. But he couldn't do anything. He hated to lose.

The Starks and the Cage families had quite the history. When Cage Incorporated was still a small software firm, Howard Stark attempted to sway Rebecca Cage to his side. But she refused the offer. As Cage Incorporated began to rise, Stark Enterprises attempted to buy them out several times, but their offers were shot down.

Hell, even Tony himself headhunted Kitana Kahn days before she graduated from Oxford with a job offer. But Kitana chose to work with her father. Honestly, after seeing what Johnny had offered to his daughter, Tony really couldn't blame her for deciding to work with her father.

"I hope you're not here to cause trouble, Stark."

Tony turned to his side, and stared at the Wakandan king, who had rose from his seat and intercepted him before he could butt in the conversation with Johnny and Danny. From her place on the bench, Queen Ororo watched this scene unfold with a slight worry, while Oyoke stood at the ready.

Tony feigned being insulted. "Me? Cause trouble? Usually, trouble come finds me, T'Challa. I'm only here to offer my congratulations to Chairman Cage on his retirement."

"And to provoke him in his backyard," T'Challa added. "I know you all too well, Stark."

"You're no fun."

"My wife says otherwise."

"Why are you here in San Francisco, T'Challa?"

"Matters of Wakandan national security," the Black Panther replied. "Plus, Ororo wanted to visit Utopia and Shuri wanted to visit Kitana. Visited Cage Incorporated and watched as Lieutenant Briggs got her bionic upgrades." He smiled. "Kitana Kahn is truly gifted in the art of science."

"On that, I agree," Stark said. "Have you heard anything about the Phoenix Force?"

"Nothing. Neither hide or hair. Ororo gets rather upset when I mention it."

"After what it did to her friend and teammate, I don't blame her." Stark straightened himself up. "Don't worry about me, T'Challa. If I wanted to cause trouble for Cage, then he wouldn't see it coming."

"Be careful when you speak of trouble," a female voice said. "For it may come in many forms."

The two men turned to the source of the female voice. Tony Stark's jaw literally dropped to the floor. In his mind, he was looking upon what he could consider the most beautiful woman on the planet.

She had an exotic look to her, her complexion being similar to that of Ororo's. Dark hair cut short in an angled bob, the bangs blunt. Her eyes were a dark brown, showing intelligence while at the same time, being flirtatious. Her clothing, however, was similar to the ancient Egyptians; a golden-yellow midriff baring top, black pants with golden paneling, a golden skirt, and low-heeled tall boots. A menat necklace around her neck completed the outfit.

Tony was smitten. T'Challa's danger senses were slowly rising, and it wasn't because of Storm glaring daggers at the wench.

"Please be looking for me," Stark said, in awe of the woman's beauty. He turned to T'Challa. "One of yours, T'Challa?"

"No. She's not Wakandan. I would know," T'Challa replied.

Tony introduced himself, extending his hand. The woman shook it. "Tony Stark. And you are?"

"Tanya," the woman replied.

"No last name?" Tony asked.

"I have one," Tanya lied, "but I just met you." She turned to T'Challa. "And you are?"

"You don't know who he is?" Tony asked, shocked. "Will miracles ever cease."

"You're a king?" Tanya asked, curious.

"How can you tell?" T'Challa asked.

"You have a regal air around you. Regal, yet humble. I've been around rulers, so I should know."

"King T'Challa of Wakanda," T'Challa introduced himself.

Tanya bowed. "Your Grace." She sized him up. "You are very handsome."

T'Challa raised one hand so that Tanya could see the wedding ring on his finger. "And I am very married," he said.

She pouted. "A pity. Your wife is a very lucky woman."

"I'm available," Tony said, earning a dope slap upside his head from the other man.

"Tempting, but I have a previous engagement," Tanya said. "Maybe some other time." She smirked. "Let's just say this meeting is merely a taste of things to come."

"Oh, man..." Stark said as Tanya walked away. "Maybe I should visit this town more often."

"That woman...she is dangerous," T'Challa deduced.

Stark smirked. "I like my women with a bit of danger."

"Get your mind out of the gutter," the African monarch snapped. "Her eyes gave her away. She's a trained killer, Stark. An opportunist. Ask yourself this...when hasn't a woman fawn themselves over you, or showed me the proper reverence once they find out who we are?"

Stark took a moment to think about that. T'Challa did have a point on that. "Okay, Panther. I'll bite. Friend or Foe?"

T'Challa's response was instant. "Foe."

"You're kidding? Dressed like that?"

"Definitely foe."

After returning to the Fire Gardens, Liu Hasashi had been put through the ringer by his father. Then, he took his Shirai Ryu trials. No one was exempt, not even the Grandmaster's adopted son.

To become a full-fledged member of the Shirai Ryu, a ninja must undergo three trials: the Trial of Courage, The Trial of Skill and the Trial of Kombat. Liu breezed through the first two, but for the Trial of Kombat, he had to face off against Takeda. Nothing was held back, and despite being healed of his wounds following the match, Liu was still feeling the phantom pains of the battle.

Speaking of Takeda, he was with Jacqui, somewhere at the festival. Uncle Johnny was chatting with Master Rand, Aunt Sonya was speaking with a redheaded woman with sunglasses on - must be blind, Liu deduced.

Rather than arriving in Shirai Ryu garb, Liu chose something a bit more practical; a yellow Chinese-style shirt, black Chinese slacks...and a pair of tennis shoes. Hey, if Aunt Sonya can get away with wearing her combat boots with a sundress, then no one would bat an eye to Liu's choice of footwear.

He had some time off from his duties with the Shirai Ryu, which meant he could make the trip to San Francisco to spend time with Kitana.

He knew that despite being Hanzo's son (albeit, adopted), he would not inherit the Shirai Ryu. So, after a long talk with his parents, Liu decided to forge his own path. One of the reasons why he was in San Francisco aside from Kitana was to check out several empty buildings. Liu knew that he would have to have a physical education degree in order to teach martial arts, but in the meantime, he could work as an assistant instructor for a martial arts school while attending college.

Of course, his father would request that he would look after the Shirai Ryu safehouse should he decide to relocate. Takeda would also have to relocate to America once he and Jacqui get hitched, due to his duties as the Shirai Ryu's liaison to S-F, only returning to the Fire Gardens for training exercises with the clan.

Then, he saw her.

She was a vision of loveliness. Usually, Kitana Kahn would dress in jeans and a T-shirt. Now, she was wearing was dressed to kill in a black cheongsam with a blue rose motif that showed off her figure and showed plenty of leg. Aside from the blue eyeliner, she wore no makeup. Her hair was done in traditional Edenian fashion; dual braids and a bun, the braids secured with a pair of lacquered chopsticks, the bangs framing her face.

Kitana looked around before seeing Liu. She smiled as she approached. Liu's face also broke out into a smile as he strode over to her.

"You look great," Liu complimented.

"So do you," Kitana replied. "When did you get back into town?"

"Earlier today. Shirai Ryu business and all that good stuff. And to see you, of course."

Kitana beamed. "Smart answer."

As Kitana looped her arm around Liu's neither person knew that they were being watched.

From his place at the entrance to the park, Shang Tsung watched.

The shapeshifting sorcerer was able to identify Johnny Cage with no problem, as Sonya Blade stood alongside him whilst he conducted a newspaper interview. She was as lovely as ever, Shang realized.

Then, he saw their daughter. A mirror image of Sonya back when she was at that age, accompanied by a tall, blond man. And Shang knew. This was Cassandra Cage. The same woman who had defeated Shinnok. The same woman Shao Kahn was obsessing over. The same woman that Liu Kang once dismissed as a 'pathetic child with idiots for parents.'

He also confirmed both Kitana Kahn and Liu Hasashi were indeed the same pieces of the missing souls, now reincarnated.

The man speaking with Johnny also caught his interest. 'A martial artist, and wielder of a mystical power...interesting,' Shang thought as he sensed Danny's power.

But it was the blonde Slavic girl that had piqued his interest. "A sorceress...and her soul is tainted, yet she wields almost godlike power. Interesting. She could be worthy of being my apprentice.'

"It seems that Chairman Cage keeps some interesting company," Tanya said as she returned to where Shang was posted. "One of them is a king."

"King T'Challa of Wakanda," Shang said. "I know. Quite the interesting man, I see."

"And competition for Shao Kahn," Tanya said. "Did you see them?"

"I did. I confirmed that Liu Hasashi and Kitana Kahn are indeed the reincarnations of Liu Kang and Princess Kitana," Shang said. "Lady Kronika will be most pleased." His smile was a sinister one. "This realm proves to be more interesting by the minute."

"So what now?" Tanya asked.

"We did as ordered by Lady Kronika," Shang said. "Now, we return to the others and report our findings. Lady Kronika will be pleased as to what we have discovered."

Near Portsmouth Square…

Jonathon Blaze wasn't Danish by any stretch, but he knew that something was very, very rotten. And it involved the Exiled Gods.

Well, in a way, it seems.

Johnny Blaze was one of several people who knew about the true origins of the Exiled Gods. While he was late to the party in regards to that, Blaze had been watching the Exiled Gods from the shadows, none more so than Hanzo Hasashi. In a way, he felt a strange kinship with the God of Hellfire, as some elements of Hanzo's life mirrored that of his own.

Out of the Exiled Gods, Blaze considered the God Of Hellfire to be the most dangerous. The fact that he was friends with someone the likes of the Silver Samurai didn't help his case.

But it had been an intervention from Nightwolf that had kept the Shirai Ryu god and the Ghost Rider from coming to blows. The Matokan goddess had taken Blaze to the side and spoken with him at great length. Then, she told him to seek Hanzo out himself for his side of the story.

Hanzo had been expecting a fight when Blaze arrived at the Fire Gardens, as he knew well of the Ghost Rider's reputation. And Hanzo, regardless of his divinity, had skeletons in his closet from his time in the Netherrealm. Nightwolf had played mediator between the two, ensuring that violence did not ensue.

There had been some tension, but Blaze saw that Hanzo was trying to reform., and he was remorseful for his time spent in the Netherrealm. The fact that he had adopted the reincarnation of Liu Kang and raised him as his own child had tipped the scales in his favor.

Either way, Blaze left the Fire Gardens, but not before giving Hanzo a sharp warning.

"Your crimes in the Netherrealm are grievous, Grandmaster. Horrific even. But the eyes don't lie. Raiden saw something in you. He sees in you the path to redemption, as do I. Don't squander it, or else our next meeting won't be as...polite."

Since then, Blaze has been watching the Exiled Gods' every move from the shadows. He even worked for Cage Incorporated for a time as a freelance stuntman under its Entertainment and Media Division. While Johnny Cage was no longer an actor, he held to his roots, buying out a failing stunt school and transforming it into the top training academy for rising stuntmen and women.

Ironically enough, Johnny himself had gotten his start in Hollywood as a stuntman.

He was in San Francisco, taking a break from stuntwork (and hunting the guilty), but then, a strange, dark feeling crept over him whilst enjoying a cup of coffee, having been bought from a street vendor, perched on his bike, the din from the street festival still loud despite it being a block away.

As the Ghost Rider, Blaze knew that when it came to stuff either seriously strange or the supernatural, you always go with your gut.

His intuition proved him right when an older-looking man dressed in all black rounded the corner, accompanied by a sensual, dark-skinned beauty. From the look on their faces, seeing him perched on his bike, dressed in a white T-shirt and his usual biker leathers, gloves and boots, casually sipping his coffee when the street was supposed to be deserted was something that they didn't plan on.

"You two stick out like a sore thumb, and that's comin' from me," Blaze drawled. In his hand, the coffee slowly began to get hotter. "Welcome to San Francisco, tourists. Come to see the sights? Or to spy on Cage and his family?" He took another sip of his coffee. "From what I've seen and heard about you, Shang, I'm thinking it's the latter."

Shang frowned. "You know of me?"

"The soul doesn't lie, Shang Tsung," Blaze replied. "And yes, I know who you are." He glanced over at Tanya. "And I know of her as well. Tanya; whose name is synonymous with treachery and betrayal. I'm surprised she didn't stab you in the back."

Slowly, Tanya pulled out her nagninata, unfolded it and held it at the ready. "Since you know who we are, then it's only courteous that you introduce yourself," the Edenian said.

Blaze responded by swinging one leg over his bike, allowing himself to stand. Shang and Tanya both noted that with each step he took, the asphalt smoked under his booted feet. "Me? I'm just a simple stuntman. It's the other guy you should be worried about." He finished off his coffee and tossed the styrofoam cup to the ground.

"What 'other guy?'" Tanya sneered.

And before Shang and Tanya's eyes, Blaze changed.

Shang had seen Scorpion immolate his opponents with hellfire in the past. This event reminded him of something similar to the way that Hanzo finished off his opponents. Hellfire consumed his face, revealing a burning, grinning skull, yet his clothes did not burn. A length of chain materialized, wrapping itself over one shoulder, now sporting small spikes, as did his gloves.

"Me." The Spirit of Vengeance pointed to Shang. "You consumed the souls of your victims; a man who fears death. You are guilty." He then pointed to Tanya. "You claim you love your homeland, yet you betray its people for personal gain. You are also guilty."

Before the Rider could follow through on that threat, a torrent of sand appeared, consuming both Shang and Tanya. Unknown to Rider, Tanya had been given a small talisman from Kronika. Once she broke it, then it would transport them back to the Keep, unharmed. When the sand dissipated, both Shang and Tanya were gone.

"Gone. For now," the Rider hissed, reverting back to Johnny Blaze. "Looks like I'll be hanging around town for a while longer. This should be interesting."

With that, Blaze hopped on his bike, gunned the engine and took off into the night.

Several days later.

Utopia - the island home of the X-Men.

Before that, it was known as Asteroid M, an orbital space station that Erik Lensherr used as his base of operations back in the days when he was a mutant terrorist. However, the base was destroyed in a battle with the original members of the X-Men when somebody had accidentally initiated the self-destruct sequence.

Under Cyclops' orders, Asteroid M was brought forth from its watery grave outside of San Francisco. Following the split between himself and Wolverine, Cyclops had moved those who supported him there. Utopia was less than perfect in its inception, but it was off American soil, and thus, was safe from persecution at the hands of the government, particularly Norman Osborn and his H.A.M.M.E.R. forces.

Hence, the water purification system that Kitana developed and managed to keep pure water supplied to Utopia.

The mayor of San Francisco, Sadie Sinclair, authorized food supply drops to the island on a regular basis. Johnny Cage had donated some of Cage Incorporated's tech to help get the island up and running.

To keep the island from sinking back into the ocean, Magneto had approached Namor with a proposal: that he built a large support pillar that not only kept the island from sinking back into the ocean, but also act as a new home for the Sub-Mariner's scattered people. Namor agreed to the proposal and as a result, New Atlantis was born.

Today, three out of four members of Team S-F were visiting Utopia.

Jacqueline Briggs and Takahashi Takeda did not look worried as they stared down their challengers. In fact, the engaged couple had a look of bemusement on their faces. One girl was armed, the other was not.

For Jacqui, it was a good time as any to test out her new bionic implants. Sleek, feminine, they reminded Jacqui of her father's original bionic implants before his death back in Earthrealm. Only she had on a pair of fingerless gloves on the hands, and on the right arm, was the Shirai Ryu bandanna wrapped around the wrist. She was clad in her old kombat fatigues back when she was a Specialist in Earthrealm (i.e., her Boot Camp Costume), which she used to train and work out.

Takeda was dressed in his standard Shirai Ryu shozuku, headband keeping the bangs out of his eyes, his eyepatch covering his artificial eye. He could've removed it, but the eyepatch made him 'more sexy,' according to Jacqui. 'Kinda like a ninja pirate,' she added. He didn't have his dual serrated lashes, but rather Sento, once belonging to his father, now his.

Their opponents? Two girls, a blonde and a redhead.

The blonde was Russian in origin, not as long as her mother's own, but long none the less. While she was dressed in a sleeveless T-shirt with the words DAZZLER WORLD TOUR emblazoned on the front and a pair of track pants, the one thing that seemed out of place was the metallic gauntlet that had encased the entire length of her left arm.

Said hand was holding a sword. The sword was of the Russian's woman on creation, created during her time when she was trapped in Limbo. The blade was in its most basic design - a longsword, reminding Cassie of Excalibur.

She had a more personal connection with Jacqui. She was the second teacher to Jade Briggs in the mystic arts. She was the The Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, this Earth's version of the Netherrealm. She was also a borderline sociopath due to the years spent in Limbo (while mere seconds passed on Earth). It was a miracle that Jade herself wasn't insane from her time in Limbo.

The woman's name was Illyana Nikolivena Rasputina. Or in English, Illyana Rasputin.

The woman to her right was also about her age, with shoulder-length red hair and green eyes, wearing only a simple tanktop, shorts and tennis shoes. Her background was...complicated, to say the least. She had been the first mutant born after M-Day, the destruction of Cerebra heralding her arrival. The sole survivor of her hometown being destroyed by the Purifiers, Cable had saved her life. After a series of events that cultivated with a battle between the Marauders, the X-Men, and Predator X, Cyclops had allowed Cable to take the baby with him to the future.

Trained in combat and firearms alongside her own mutant abilities, which turned out to be known as pluripotent echopraxia. Simply put, she could perfectly duplicate the power-signature of mutants that are physically near her. Aside from that, she was also a telepath like Cassie, Takeda and Jacqui.

She was supposedly the original Mutant Messiah before the Phoenix chose Cassie, which was later split into four. Hope Summers.

Cassie and Jacqui mentored both Hope and Illyana in kombat. Under their tutelage, the two mutants were starting to become formidable fighters in their own right. It was Cassie and Jacqui's pet project in regards with the two. And in turn, both Magik and Hope admired the demigoddesses a great deal. So much so that Magik took both Cassie and Jacqui into her confidence regarding her plans for her older brother.

She had planned on making her brother the next Juggernaut, not only to make him understand what damnation truly felt like, but to convince him that she was not worthy of his love and care.

Both Cassie and Jacqui, thankfully talked her out of that plan.

"Petey loves you, Illyanna. You are his sister. I know what it's like, having the corruption eat away at you, every single day an attempt to keep the darkness at bay. It's one of the reasons why I joined the military, to protect those who can't protect themselves. Don't throw your relationship with your brother away over a grudge." Jacqui.

"You have parents that love you. Jade and Kitana both adore you." Magik.

"My relationship with Mom wasn't as good in the past. We get along now...but back when I was younger...much younger...it was strained. Learn from our mistakes and don't repeat them. Better yet, if you go through with this, Jade will be very disappointed in you." Cassie.

When Illyanna had asked her what she meant, Cassie had remained silent on the matter.

Since then, both Magik and Peter have been getting along better, after Magik had confessed her scheme to her brother. Colossus had forgiven her.

Cassie Cage stood on the balcony overlooking the training yard, clad in her own workout clothes, her pair of Aviators covering her violet eyes.

The elder Cage didn't have to wait for long for the match to begin.

Sento drawn, Takeda parried Magik's Soulsword, and shoved her back, causing the sorceress to lose her footing, Magik cursing in Russian as she regained her footing. Jacqui, on the other hand, assumed a basic boxing stance and was casually dodging Hope's swings.

A hard open-palmed strike from Jacqui knocked the wind out of Hope, stunning her. But she ralled and began to lay on the offense.

"Jacqui! Heads up!"

Takeda's shout made Jacqui turn her head. Takeda had dodged Soulsword by side-stepping Magik, but she kept on going, closing in on Jacqui. Sensing Hope behind her, the Briggs demigoddess of lightning grabbed Magik's sword arm. A second open palm strike to the breastplate made Magik drop Soulsword. Quickly twisting Magik's arm behind her back, Jacqui spun her around just as Hope recovered and fired off a straight punch.

POW.

"OW! THAT HURT YOU..." Magik degenerated from English to Russian with a bit of Limbo-speak mixed in as Hope's fist impacted Magik's skull.

Still holding onto Magik, Jacqui leaped into the air, and drop kicked Hope, before flinging Magik to the ground. Hope quickly recovered, and went on the attack.

Takeda intercepted Hope, while Jacqui dealt with Magik. Willing Soulsword to her hand, Jade's mentor forced Jade's adopted sister on the defensive.

From her place on the balcony, Cassie noted that Magik's swordplay has improved. She had been practicing the last time she and Jacqui visited Utopia with Alex, the God of Fear giving her some pointers. She also noticed that Hope's hand-to-hand kombat had also improved since their last meeting. But both girls left plenty of room for improvement, something that Cassie hoped that her fellow demigods also took notice.

If there was one thing about Cassie shared with Team S-F, it was that they had the same distinguishing characteristics about their fighting style when serious. They were professional and direct. No wasted movements. Their attacks were designed to cripple and in worst case scenario, even kill.

Takeda ducked under Hope's backfist, then he shifted his feet so that the follow-up punch only brushed up against his shoulder, and ducked under the right cross. The Shirai Ryu demigod of Earth then bent backwards to avoid the roundhouse to his head, recognizing the attack pattern as one that Cassie used. Imitation was definitely not the best form of flattery.

Cassie frowned, as she recognized the attack pattern as well.

Takeda's leg caught Hope's in a leg sweep, knocking the girl to the ground.

Meanwhile, Jacqui was still on the defensive against Magik. She would had used her stepping disks and her sorcery, but Cassie had forbade it. Soulsword was perfectly fine, which also meant that Jacqui could use her electrokinesis.

Hanzo and Hotaru Hasashi had watched Magik spar with Soulsword and admitted that she was talented with the blade. The Shirai Ryu god and his wife passed on a message for Magik through Takeda, saying that if Magik want some tips and tricks, then she should seek them out.

"It seems that both your friends are enjoying themselves."

Cassie's analysis was interrupted with the arrival of more people. The first two, she really didn't mind. The third, however, she wanted nothing more to do than to mentally strangle the bitch.

She had a bit of history with Scott Summers. While she had spent four years and the occasional summers at the Xavier Institute, she spent the first month and a half of summer vacation at the school when her family returned back West. They were friends, herself, Scott and Jean. While she found Scott to be cute, Cassie saw that he had eyes for her fellow telepath.

When Cyclops and Wolverine had split over their differences in regards to the surviving children, Cassie saw that both men had a point, but the children should be given a choice as to how they want to live their lives. She didn't get that choice when she was a teenager, as she was forced into her family's legacy when the Black Dragon had kidnapped both her and Jacqui, thus starting the Blood Code incident.

Cassie turned to the elderly man. "Normally, I'd tell her that kombat isn't for sport, but she knows that already, Erik."

"You always was such the taskmaster, Cassandra," Erik replied.

"I'm surprised to see that you're not down there with them," Emma Frost said. Smirking, she added, "Worried about damaging your expensive sunglasses?"

Cassie sniffed. "No. More worried about putting on all my clothes, unlike you."

"Obviously, you're merely jealous of my beauty and my physique, which I have no problem flaunting."

If Emma only knew the truth.

"No, my problem with you is that you think your so high and mighty. I thought you'd gotten over that from your Hellfire Club days."

"That was a long time ago, Cage. Scott can tell you that I've reformed."

"And many other things, I'll bet," Cassie said, glancing at the visor-wearing man.

Scott Summers looked down at the two-on-two fight. "There's too many openings in Hope's defense," he said.

"I know," Cassie replied. "Jacqui and I taught them better than that. But Hope's falling back into her old habits. I was the same when my parents first taught me."

"Goes to show that you're not Little Miss Perfect," Emma taunted.

Before Cassie could retort with an expletive-laden reply directed at the former supervillain, Cyclops played peacemaker. "Emma. That's enough."

Emma smirked, knowing that she had gotten under Cassie's skin. But Cassie took the time to deliver her own response towards the White Queen. "When all is said and done, between you and me...I'm the more powerful mutant between us."

That made Emma's smirk disappear. "Regarding that boast, agree to disagree, Cage."

"Not a boast. Just fact." Her smile then grew sinister, her tone saccharine as she dramatically pulled down her Aviators so that Emma could see her eyes, her voice radiating false sweetness. "If you want...we can test that theory right now if you'd like."

Emma didn't like the tone in Cassie's voice. Usually when Cassie spoke in that tone, violence would ensue. And she had heard what she had done to Madame Masque when both her and Jacqui were kidnapped. And Emma knew that Cassie had no problem in fighting dirty.

Cassie's fighting style could be summed up in four words by Cyclops: "No mercy, no quarter."

"I'll pass," Emma said, trying to keep her cool, but deep down, Cassandra Cage scared her. It was like provoking a sleeping dragon.

Cassie pushed up her shades back on her face. "Smart move, Frost," she said before turning back to the fight. After a moment, Cassie opened a mental link to the four down below. 'Stop!'

Magik, and Hope did so and faced the elder Cage. Meanwhile, Emma had also opened up a link, allowing both Erik and Cyclops to listen in, while Takeda did the same with him and Jacqui.

'Hope, you're fighting a lot like Kung Lao. You're putting too much strength into your shoulders,' Cassie noted. 'That's why you can't follow up your attack patterns, and your attacks are becoming predictable. When you become predictable, you make mistakes. Let your strength flow through your entire body.'

Hope nodded. 'Okay.'

Cassie turned to Magik. 'Illyanna, you're favoring your left side too much. You know how to fight bare-handed because Jacqui and I taught you alongside Hope. Mix up your attacks.'

Magik nodded and gave the older woman a salute with Soulsword.

'I know from experience that substance is preferable over style,' Cassie continued. 'But sometimes, you can have both. Your powers don't define you. There are people out there – mutant and human alike – that are looking for ways to take your powers away. How are you going to fight them then, when you've done nothing but use your powers as a crutch? You two know better than that.'

Hope and Magik nodded.

"No truer words ever been said," Erik noted. "You two can learn a lot from Cassandra and Jacqueline."

Cassie broke the mind link. "This match is over. Hit the showers," she ordered.

The four kombatants nodded and ambled off to the showers, Cassie turning to join the girls in the womens' showers.

'Pompous little pedant,' Emma thought, a final parting shot.

Cassie's response to Emma was the one-finger salute as she walked inside the compound, not breaking stride.

"Real smart, Emma," Scott scolded, "pissing off Cassie."

"So I ruffle her feathers a bit," Emma defended. "She's a soldier. Keeps her sharp."

"Up until she decides to do what she had done to Madame Masque," Scott said.

"Perhaps you should keep your aggression towards Lieutenant Cage down to a minimum," Erik warned. "She may not show as much restraint the next time."

"You worry too much," Emma waved Erik off. "I can handle Cassandra is she wants to fight."

"I wouldn't hold my breath, Emma," Erik said as he walked away.

In the womens' locker room...

Hope Summers and Illyana Rasputin had already finished their showers and were dressed when Cassie Cage emerged from the shower stall, a towel wrapped around her body and the other around her head. Jacqui had already finished her shower and had left the locker room to meet up with Takeda.

"There you are," Illyana chided. "Any longer, and you'd be a prune."

"Funny, Rasputin," Cassie said as she walked over to her locker. "And I thought mutant sorcerers didn't have any sense of humor."

"I'm not just any sorceress, Cage," Illyana replied.

"I know," Cassie said as she opened her locker, located right across the Russian-born mutant's own. "You're the Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, and Ruler of Limbo...and a borderline sociopath."

"You forgot that one part where I trained Jade for a year," Illyana noted.

"That too," Cassie amended.

"Coming from you, Cage, I'll take that as a compliment," Illyana said. "Just be fortunate that I'm a good guy."

"Good guys can be sociopaths too," Hope said as she tied her shoes. "Wade Wilson, for one."

Cassie scoffed. "Deadpool? Seriously? That freaky-ass merc made the mistake of grabbing my ass during a photoshoot a while back."

Cassie worked for her father part-time as a model when she wasn't on assignment, and was quite popular. She did automotive spreads, no nudity. One day, while doing a photoshoot in Seattle, she encountered the Merc with the Mouth and made the big mistake of goosing her ass. Cassie knew that the Merc With The Mouth had a hard time dying, and didn't pull her punches.

Wade had his jaw smacked off its hinges by Cassie's baton. Then, to add insult to injury, Cassie posed for a selfie with Deadpool (who had given a thumbs-up, despite his jaw being obliterated), of which she posted on her Friendbook page. The photo had ended up with over 300 likes and reposts.

Wade had sent Cassie a thank-you card several days after, as he had spent the week with Mistress Death as a result.

While Cassie had her back turned, the blonde sorceress had noticed the elegant tattoo that covered the length of Cassie's back. The image was that of a phoenix. As the showers had separate stalls, Illyana didn't notice it. "Wow. Nice ink, Cassie."

Cassie, who had gotten a pair of panties on, turned her head towards Illyana. "You like it? I got it a while back."

Hope, having finished tying her shoes, looked up. Fortunately for her, Illyanna hadn't noticed her green eyes nearly bugging out of her skull, as she recognized the tattoo almost instantly.

The tattoo of the Phoenix.

Hope's heart was pumping in her chest. But she managed to calm herself down to ask the following question: "What kind of tattoo is that?"

"The Phoenix," Cassie replied as she slipped a shirt over herself covering the tattoo.

Hope nearly fainted. But she kept her composure as Cassie continued to dress. "You guys are gonna head out tonight?" Cassie asked.

"Can't," Hope replied, silencing Illyana with a glare. "Cyclops is being a hard-ass for some odd reason or another. No one leaves the island."

"He really should lighten up," Cassie replied, oblivious as to what was going on as she finished dressing. "Oh well. I need to drop Cassie off at the house anyway."

Once Hope was sure that Cassie was gone along with her friends, Illyana turned to Hope. "What the hell was that all about?" she demanded. "You know that we both got permission to go to the mainland..."

Hope cut her off. "Remember when Captain American came here a couple of years back because he and the Avengers thought that I was the host to the Phoenix Force?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"You know I'm not the host, right?"

"Of course."

"Remember what Cyclops said about how we can confirm the Phoenix's next host?"

The realization began to hit Illyana as her eyes widened. "The tattoo of the Phoenix on the chosen vessel's back. Cassie...?"

Hope nodded. "I saw the same tattoo on Jacqui's back earlier in the day. I should've made the connections sooner. We just found the hosts for the Phoenix Force."

Illyana summed up this revelation in just two words. "Bozhe moi."