Chapter Thirteen: Confrontations – Johnny Cage, Kitana Kahn and Liu Hasashi, Part One

SNAFU'S NOTES: So...the reason why I'm pumping out chapters like a madman is because my grandmother had passed almost a week ago. This is my way of working through the grief (aside from getting drunk, kicking the walls and reckless driving). After this chapter, I should be calmed enough. But it's my grandma, and that shit hurts like hell.

At the same time, at Cage Incorporated...

Paperwork. If there was something that was the bane of his existence when it came to running a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, it was the gods-damned paperwork.

Johnny needed the distraction. Although, his expertise would be better in helping with the preparations of the inevitable conflict with Kronika and her forces. He had proven that he could plan for the long term with the Montilyet Operation. But even he had to admit that all things military-based was better planned with Jax and Sonya, while all things stealth and the occasional wet-work was done with Hanzo and Kuai.

The office of the Chairman of Cage Incorporated was simple, but had a modern feel to it. It was also modeled the same way as his New York office; two couches facing one another with a coffee table in between, an expensive-looking walnut desk with two chairs placed in front of them. A couple of shelves displaying various awards, photographs and countless articles and accolades on them, detailing the Cage family's rise to prominence in San Francisco, and elsewhere.

On the far end of the office, was a 50-inch flat-screen TV, which was on, but muted, the news being that of the 'strange whirlwind-like anomalies' seen all over the world.

Johnny knew all too well what those anomalies meant. Kronika was trying to merge the two Earthrealms into one, which would make it easier for her to destroy Earthrealm.

Easier said than done. Kronika's power, while immense, was limited, as to what she could do.

Johnny stood up from his desk, and stretched. He had been at this since eight in the morning, preparing contingency plans for his company, and relaying orders to Rebecca, who resided in London with her family, overseeing the European Offices there. All Cage Incorporated branches and offices were on high alert. One word from the Chairman, and the entity would go into a worldwide 'administrative lockdown.'

He had to hand it to Hanzo. He or the others wouldn't have taken the necessary steps to protect themselves and their respective factions had not his spy within S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't given him and the other the heads-up.

Speaking of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Helicarrier sat moored in the bay across from Alameida Point, having arrived late last night. Before that, a text message from Hanzo, confirming his and fellow gods' worst fears.

The Avengers knew that Team S-F were the hosts of the Phoenix Force. Conflict with the Avengers was now inevitable. Conflict that the Exiled Gods cannot afford, not with Kronika having discovered their location.

Good thing that Kitana wanted Cassie to test the prototype stealth camouflage on Emma. Cassie had balked at the order from her father when he told her to have her drone tag along when she went to see Alex. Only when Johnny and Sonya told Cassie the reasons why (i.e., her and her team being hosts to the Phoenix and Kronika having discovered their whereabouts), she relented.

'Only took them sixteen years to find us,' Johnny thought as he looked over some files regarding a joint project with the Olympic Group. He had worked with the Olympians in the past, and once you got past her ego and her penchant of flinging her husband's thunderbolts when angry, Hera Argeia was actually pretty affable to be around. Johnny's saving grace was that he was a family man and his fidelity towards Sonya. 'Now comes the waiting game. They will come for us.'

Sonya once said that if things had been different back in Earthrealm, had he not taken the easy way out and became an actor, then Johnny would've been at home working as an analyst. Of course, Johnny pointed out that had that happened, then he wouldn't have been invited to Mortal Kombat.

Speaking of the Olympians, there was also Cassie's engagement to Alex Aaron. He and Sonya had spoken with Phobos at great length, and they both approved of the newly-christened God of Fear. It also helped that Ares himself approved of Cassie. Beating Shinnok's bony ass helped in turning his opinion of her in his favor.

He looked at his watch. He had a meeting with Bruce Banner in less than twenty minutes regarding an upgrade to the hydroelectric facility that provided power to Alameida Point. Bruce Banner had been his pet project in how to control one's temper. Tai Chi helped the scientist greatly. That, and Hulk can speak coherent sentences instead of sounding like a caveman (think how Hulk spoke in Iron Man and Hulk: Heroes United).

It was the least he could do. After all, Banner had been hiding out in San Francisco for a while. Amadeus had set up a meeting with Banner, with the promise of getting the military off his back if he worked for him. Banner had declined at first, but when Cage said that the job was in the area of renewable energy, Banner agreed.

Johnny had came through with getting the military off of Banner's case, but it came with a stipulation. Banner was placed under house arrest, and could only leave Alameida Point for a couple of hours each day. That suited Banner fine.

But what made Banner laugh was the fact that Stark thought he had shot him (and the Hulk) into space. Instead, they shot a Skrull impersonating Banner. This became evident when the Skrull impersonating Hulk came back to New York and ravaged the city with a vengeance. Banner had been captured by the Skrulls, but had managed to escape captivity, but not before they released the Skrull impersonating Banner onto the planet.

Stark and the other Avengers only found this out when the real Hulk came to New York and fought his Skrull counterpart, the Skrull Green Scar's lieutenants had been killed in the chaos, leaving the fight to be one-on-one, beating it into the ground. The Punisher had finished the Skrull Hulk off, allowing the real Hulk to escape New York.

Inadvertently, the Hulk had saved New York City from his doppelganger.

Johnny decided that he needed a break. Standing up from his desk, he walked to the window, and looked out into the green space below. Sixteen years of relative peace. Sixteen years of raising a family and building up the business. Now, Kronika was at their doorstep and had drawn first blood with Kano killing Elektra and absorbing The Hand into the Black Dragon. That put Hanzo and the Shirai Ryu at risk.

'So this is it,' he thought. 'The proverbial calm before the storm. I am seriously getting too old for this shit.'

BEEP.

Johnny's reverie was broken with his desk intercom activating. He walked back to his desk and flipped the switch on. "Yes? What is it?"

"Pardon the intrusion, Chairman, but Master Liu Hasashi is here to see you," Mey's voice replied.

"Send him in," Johnny replied, cutting the intercom off.

Moments later, the door opened, Mey having opened the door, and bowing as Liu entered the room. Mey closed the door behind her. Liu was dressed in casual attire as to not attract any unwanted attention from the clan's enemies; leather jacket/hoodie, complete with a yellow streak going down the right sleeve, a dark shirt, denim pants and boots.

He was walking with a purpose, yet Johnny sensed a great deal of apprehension coming from the younger man. "Liu," Johnny greeted.

"Chairman Cage," Liu replied.

Johnny frowned. "Kid, I've been knowing you ever since you barely came up to my knee. You can do better than that."

Liu rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry, Uncle Johnny."

"Much better." Johnny gestured to one of the two chair in front of his desk. Liu took a seat, while Johnny took his. "Couldn't stay away from San Francisco, could ya?"

"It has a charm," Liu replied. "Especially Chinatown. Besides, I still have an extra day before flying back to Japan."

"Here on Shirai Ryu business?"

"No. Personal," Liu replied. "I need to talk to you regarding Kitana."

Johnny leaned back in his chair. "Oh?"

Liu frowned. "Don't act surprised, Uncle Johnny. You knew that our lives were intertwined from the start. You, my father, and everyone else."

"That we did," Johnny admitted. "But we didn't push you two together. You and Kitana did that on your own."

"True."

"So, personal gripes aside, what brings you here?" Johnny asked.

Liu said nothing. He instead, stood up, and pulled out an item from his pocket. Johnny saw that it was a ring box when Liu had set it out on the table. He picked it up and opened it. An engagement ring sat on velvet. From the looks of it, it was pretty damn expensive.

"This is quite the step, Liu," Johnny said as he closed the box. "Are you ready for such an act?"

"You and Aunt Sonya are still together, not counting the time you and her divorced in Earthrealm," Liu said. "Same can be said regarding Father and Uncle Jax."

"Did you speak with Hanzo about this?" Johnny asked.

"I did. He's not too keen on having you as an in-law, but he wants to see me happy."

Johnny chuckled. "Yeah, that's Hanzo, alright." He picked up the ring box and held it in his hand. "Marriage isn't easy, Liu. I should know. I've been married three times, twice with Sonya. It's a long, winding and bumpy road. A least you two didn't elope while you were on the training trip."

"The thought crossed our mind, Uncle Johnny," Liu said. "Honestly, I'm scared more of Aunt Sonya than you. You're more flexible and more reasonable."

"Mmm..." Johnny looked at the ring box in his hand. "I'm proud of both my daughters. You know that. Both have their strengths and weaknesses." He turned to a picture of his family, Kitana and Cassie both being much younger. "Kitana...when Sonya and I adopted her, she was this mousy withdrawn little thing from a two-bit orphanage. Now, she living her dreams. Kitana may not have my blood, but she's my daughter all the same. She's a Cage. That being said, should you break her heart, I'll personally flay you alive. Whatever I leave behind, Sonya and Cassie will have their turn. Understand?"

Liu swallowed as he nodded. "I promise you, Uncle Johnny. On my honor as a Hasashi and as a Shirai Ryu, I will love and cherish her."

Johnny nodded. "Good." He then smiled. "I know she will say yes, Liu. So let me be the first to say welcome to the family."

Before Liu could reply, the door opened and in walked Kitana. "Dad? Dad, I got those reports you asked for..." She stopped when she saw Liu with her father. Almost immediately, that goofy smile she always gets whenever her sweetheart was in the area came back.

Fortunately, Johnny was able to swipe the ring box and hid it in his desk drawer. Kitana didn't see the sleight of hand.

"Liu? What are you doing here?" Kitana asked. "I thought you were heading back to Japan."

Liu shrugged his shoulders. "I kinda screwed up my travel arrangements. I won't fly back until tomorrow. So I figured now would be a good time to drop by and see you...after showing Uncle Johnny the proper respect due."

"Well, you're in luck," Kitana said, looking at her watch. "I'm on break as of now." She was looking at Liu, but was addressing her father. "And since I'm on break, lunch is on..."

"Is the Chairman in?" a female voice asked from outside the office. "I need to see him. It's urgent."

"He's in, Miss Walters, but...hey, wait!"

Johnny inwardly groaned. 'So it begins,' he thought.

The door opened, and a literal giantess walked into the room. Johnny stood at six-foot-one, but this woman had six inches over him. Built like a bodybuilder, but still looking feminine, in her signature white-and-purple leotard, only this time, she added a pair of cargo pants and a pair of tennis shoes. Long hair was pulled back into a ponytail. But what made her stood out was that her skin was the color of emerald.

Aside from Bruce Banner, Johnny also had dealings with his cousin, Jennifer Walters. Mainly because she was on retainer as Cage Incorporated's corporate attorney overseeing the company's West Coast interests. During the events of Civil War, Jen was originally with the Pro-Registration forces, until Bruce reached out to her following the Illuminati shooting his Skrull duplicate into space. This ended with Jen breaking Tony's jaw and quitting both the Avengers and the S.H.R.A.

Jen signed on under the military registry, and relocated to San Francisco, thus protecting her from reprisal from S.H.I.E.L.D. and from Stark. Johnny hired her on as his corporate attorney at Bruce's recommendation. She did, however, accompanied Bruce back to New York when he faced off against the Skrull Hulk, and returned back to San Francisco once the Skrull was defeated.

Johnny suspected that while she was no longer with the Avengers, Jen still spoke with them, even represented whem on occasion if the occasion called for it. Someone on the Avengers must've given her the heads up.

"Is it true?" Jen didn't beat around the bush. "About Cassie and her team being the hosts to the Phoenix?"

Johnny saw no reason to lie to Jen, so he told the truth. "It is. I thought you wasn't with the Avengers anymore."

"I still keep in touch with them," Jen replied. "Sue left me a message."

'Well, that confirmed it,' Johnny thought. He wasn't exactly on the Invisible Woman's good list following the incident with Amadeus.

"I'm guessing the next question you want to know is why, right?"

Jen folded her arms. "An explanation would be nice."

"Can you imagine what would've happened if it was discovered that Cassandra was the host during the Civil War?" Johnny posed. "Can you imagine the Avengers going to war against S-F, the Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei?"

Jen took a moment to think that over. Her employer did have a point. He was protecting his daughter, as any good father would have done. She could almost understand that. Almost.

"I see your point," she admitted. "But even you, of all people, know that you possibly can't hide something this big of a scale from Rogers or Summers. Both of them got a wizard and a sorceress on their payroll."

"So do we," Johnny replied. "It's because of Nightwolf that the Phoenix can't affect Cassie and her team in any shape, form or fashion."

"But you of all people know that..." Jen was cut off when Kitana's phone began to ring. The ringtone was the hook of a song by Dazzler, notifying Kitana that she had a text message.

Someday you'll notice – I pray that you'll realize

These wings on your back aren't a dream

At last, you'll have all you need to escape to

The world where you'll finally be free...

Curious, Kitana fished out the phone, unlocked it and opened her texts, silencing the text message's tone. "It's from T'Challa," she said.

Johnny frowned. "T'Challa? What does he want?"

Kitana shrugged her shoulders. "Dunno. All it says is that he needs to talk with you on an urgent matter and that he's on the way with Storm. All he says is that he knows." She then connected the dots. "You think T'Challa knows about Cassie and the others?"

"Knowing T'Challa," Jen interjected, "he probably does, Kitana."

Johnny looked upwards as the whine of a jet engine grew louder. "Well, that was fast." His building was the only one with a heliport, as the engines were now over their heads. He turned to Jen, Liu and Kitana. "You three, with me."

Jen frowned. "Do I have a choice in the matter?"

Johnny smirked. "You know the answer to that, Walters." He raised his hand upward. In an instant, he, his daughter, (unknown to her) her fiance and one green-skinned-giantess were enveloped in a gale of wind.

From a distance, the aircraft looked like an Avengers Quintjet. But as Kitana emerged from the gale of wind alongside Jen, her father and Liu, she knew that it was anything but. The aircraft was Wakandan in design, complete with VTOL and stealth capabilities.

Kitana should know, as she saw the design schematics in Shuri's lab. It wasn't T'Challa's personal jet, as that only held him. No, this was different.

The engines whined down and stopped. The back door slid open, a back ramp sliding down, striking the asphalt. Storm was the first to disembark, floating down from the VTOL. She didn't look very happy. T'Challa, however, was a different story. He was in his full Black Panther costume, cape gently blowing in the wind. And as always, they did not come alone. Following behind the King and Queen of Wakanda were the Dora Milaje, the all-female special forces/bodyguards to the royal couple.

T'Challa had been staying at the Wakandan Embassy alongside Ororo and Shuri. When word came from Stark regarding the Phoenix Force and their hosts, T'Challa acted. As he was on good terms with Chairman Cage and his adopted daughter, he opted to head over to Alameida point to confront the Cage family patriarch. Storm accompanied him, as she was friends with Cassie and knew first-hand of the carnage the Phoenix Force can do.

While he was surprised to see Jen standing among, T'Challa would not be denied. The man he wanted to speak to stood among the group he brought with him to the rooftop.

The Chairman of Cage Incorporated and the Monarchs of Wakanda stepped forward, both sides on their guard.

T'Challa spoke first. "Chairman Cage."

Johnny bowed his head slightly in respect. "Your Grace. Queen Ororo."

"We can skip the pleasantries, Johnny," Panther said.

Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so, T'Challa." He looked Panther up and down. "You're in the suit. Am I in trouble?"

"That depends on how this conversation goes." Panther took a step forward. "I know about the Phoenix Force, Johnny. I know that Cassandra and her team are the hosts."

Both T'Challa and Storm were expecting either Johnny or Kitana to deny it, in some shape or another. What they weren't expecting was him confirming it. "Finally figured it out, huh?" Johnny asked.

"I was informed by both Stark and Rogers."

"You are aware of what the Phoenix has done to Jean, right?" Storm asked, still upset. "And now, your daughter and her friends wield that same power that consumed her. By the Goddess, I thought Tony was reckless, Johnny. But you...you and your wife have the cosmic equivalent of a nuclear bomb contained within Cassandra and her team."

"No faith in Nightwolf's skills, Storm?" Johnny asked.

"More like Ororo being a pessimist," an electronic voice said from overhead.

Johnny and the others looked up. Iron Man was hovering overhead, having arrived from the Helicarrier to confront his business rival, only to find that Panther and Storm had beaten him to it.

Now there was a new danger. Tony was an Avenger, but there was nothing more dangerous than a father protecting his daughter. Especially when said father was a mutant known for flinging around wind sharp enough to affect anything on the molecular level. And people called T'Challa 'The Most Dangerous Man Alive...'

If anything, Johnny remained calm. T'Challa respected that.

"I'm reckless, but Sonya keeps me in check," Johnny admitted as Iron Man lowered himself to the ground, standing alongside T'Challa and Storm...and keeping his distance from Jen, as he remembered the last time. "Genius and madness are both sides of a coin. It's how I managed to remain in business for so long. You of all people know that, Stark." When Iron Man tried to speak, Johnny cut him off. "Not here. We'll talk in my office."

"Fine," Iron Man said.

Panther turned to Oyoke and barked out a sentence in Xhosa. She would accompany both him and Ororo. The others would remain with the VTOL to guard it.

With a snap of fingers, mini-gales of wind enveloped the God of Wind and his charges, leaving only the Dora Milaje behind to guard the VTOL.

Iron Man looked around at the office. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time he had actually been inside Johnny's San Francisco office. For a billionaire industrialist, Johnny Cage had simple tastes. In a way, it reminded him of his own father.

Johnny Cage was a family man, and on a nearby shelf, were various pictures, framed newspaper clippings and countless awards. In all, the office had a rather homely feel to it.

The Iron Avenger checked out the photos on the shelf. A photo of him and Sonya, back when they were younger, standing in front of the courthouse, flanked by a beaming Cassie and Kitana, both children. A courtroom wedding photo. The second wedding photo of Johnny and Sonya was more recent, back when they renewed their vows; Sonya looking radiant in her wedding dress while Johnny was dashing in his tuxedo.

Photos of the Cage family at Cassie's West Point graduation and at Kitana's Oxford graduation, Kitana posing with Shuri with Kitana's parents and Shuri's brother and sister-in-law in the background, looking as proud as they could be. But it was the group photo of the Exiled Gods together that confirmed that Johnny and Sonya knew both Kuai Liang and Hanzo Hasashi. The photo looked to be at least two years old, three at the most.

The photo of himself, Cage and Rand at the gala back in New York stood front-and-center, along with a photo of Cage sparring with Rand. Another one showed him sparring with T'Challa himself. And the most recent one taken during the San Francisco Festival several days earlier of himself and of his family.

But one photo stood out. It was hidden, among the photos on the shelf. Iron Man scooted the other pictures blocking it so he could get a better look.

It was a photograph of Team S-F. Iron Man recognized Cassie and her team, the Iron Avenger chuckling softly at her hideous undercut hairstyle, which she tied back into a bun. Also in the photo, were Cassie and Jacqui's parents. However, there were some minor differences.

First off, was Jax and Jacqui. Iron Man didn't see the bionics on Jacqui's arms, but rather, they were on Jax's arms instead. On top of that, the man looked older. As for Johnny, his hair was streaked grey at the sides, not to mention that he looked older, and he could see a tattoo poking out from underneath his chest. Johnny had no tattoo. Sonya looked the same, but had the rank of General, rather than Colonel. The photo was taken at some kind of temple.

Both Panther and Storm had settled in on the couch, with Oyoke standing behind them, T'Challa having disengaged the nanomachines that made up his mask. Jen was leaning up against the wall, arms folded. Kitana offered them something to drink, of which the three Wakandans and Jen politely declined. Now, Kitana stood alongside Liu, both flanking Johnny.

"There's no secrets here, Tony. Take the helmet off. I want to see your face."

Johnny's voice had turned Iron Man from the shelf of pictures and other tidbits. He complied...sort of. The faceplate snapped upwards, revealing Tony's face.

"This meeting was inevitable. Believe me, I'd wish it wasn't," Johnny said, looking at both Panther and Stark. Jen said nothing, but continued to monitor the events, and like T'Challa, hoped to keep things civil between Cage and Stark. "I can say with the utmost confidence and assurance that you or the Avengers have nothing to worry about. The Phoenix Force is safely contained within its hosts. Steps have been taken to ensure that it remains that way in the foreseeable future."

"What steps?" Storm asked.

"Matokan wardings and enchantments. The benefits of having a Matokan shaman on speed-dial," Johnny replied. "Nightwolf is a formidable sorceress. You yourself know this, Stark."

"I know she and Stephen came up together at Kamar-Taj," Tony confirmed. "Strange said that she was good. Real good. He also said that you would vouch for Nightwolf if it came down to it."

"And Strange knows it's true," Johnny said. "He knows of Nightwolf's skill. The Phoenix isn't influencing Cassie or her team in any way. Only in extreme situations, does the power fully manifest."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Tony asked.

Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "You didn't ask. And besides, the last thing I needed was you and the X-Men fighting over who gets the Phoenix with everything else going on from the Civil War to the Skrulls' invasion."

"You know we can't take any chances, Cage," Tony said. "Not with the Phoenix. Johnny...we've never seen eye-to-eye on many things, but the Phoenix Force is too big of a threat. We need to place your daughter and her team in protective custody until we can find a way to remove the Phoenix from the planet."

"You seriously think that surrendering Cassie and her team to S.H.I.E.L.D. authority is a good solution?" challenged Johnny. "You haven't looked at it from all angles, Stark. There's the Lin Kuei, S-F and the Shirai Ryu. I'll save you the trouble and tell you right off the bat. The answer is no."

"You're at a disadvantage, Cage," Tony said. "I got the numbers. For your daughter's sake...don't do anything that you'll regret."

If anything, Johnny looked amused. "Me? At a disadvantage? Hardly. You know as well as I do that if you make a play for Cassie and her team, Mr. Toasty and the Snowman aren't as forgiving as I am. And that's not saying what my wife and Jax will do."

"He's right."

Tony turned to Liu.

"Papa...I mean, Grandmaster Hasashi and Grandmaster Liang are quite fond of both Takeda and Kung Jin," Liu continued. "All of you know of their reputation...and of the power they wield. And Uncle Jax and Aunt Sonya are just as bad in regards to Cassandra and Jacqueline respectively."

"Are you speaking for your old man?" Tony asked.

"Merely stating the facts, Mr. Stark," the Shirai Ryu ninja replied. "If the Avengers make a play for either Takeda or Jin, then both Father and Uncle Kuai would see it as an insult, and would retaliate."

Tony knew that both Johnny and Liu were both right. He remembered the carnage wrought by Johnny and his friends at the HYDRA facility. It was something that he wanted to avoid at all costs.

Before Johnny could continue, his phone began to vibrate. Holding up a single finger, Johnny fished out the phone from his pocket and unlocked it with a single swipe upon seeing that it was Cassie. "Heya, Punkin. Now's not a good time. Stark and T'Challa are both here. They know about the Phoenix Force and your team."

As Kitana and the others watched, Johnny's countenance turned from general annoyance to one of alarm. "What?! Who?!" he demanded. A pause, as Cassie's reply was one he didn't like. "Kano?! HERE?! Are you alright? Where's Alex?! I thought he was with you!"

Storm jumped at the outburst. Oyoke almost went for her spear. T'Challa and Stark looked at each other. Liu and Kitana also shared worried looks.

Now, Johnny was angry. "Shao Kahn? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! HE WANTS YOU?!" he exploded. He was going to continue to rant, but his expression went from irate to (somewhat) calm. "Rogers and Summers were with you? Thank God."

Both T'Challa and Tony looked at one another. The X-Men knew about the Phoenix Force as well.

More importantly, who in the hell was Shao Kahn?

Ignoring her father's outburst, Kitana moved to her father's seat and sat down. Logging out of his account, Kitana used her username and password, logging into her own account. Fingers flying across the keyboard, Kitana quickly accessed Emma's hard-drive.

Johnny looked at Kitana. "She's already ten steps ahead of you, Cass. She's trying to find it now."

"Not trying, Dad," Kitana said. "Already did."

Connecting Johnny's laptop to the flat-screen on the wall, Kitana opened the video file. Cassie had started recording just moments after Cap and Widow made their presence known.

"Yeah. Kitana just pulled it up," Johnny said. "The stealth camo's working pretty well. And there's Summers and Frost."

"So much for a diplomatic solution," Tony muttered.

"And there's Kano," Johnny muttered as Kano and the Black Dragons accompanying him made their appearance.

Kano. Now, there's a name to match the face. Tony would remember that, along with T'Challa. Then, Shao Kahn emerged from the portal.

"Kuso..." Liu cursed, as memories of fighting Kahn inside the Koliseum rushed through his mind. "It's him..."

"I take it that's Shao Kahn?" Tony asked, pointing to the image of the Konqueror on-screen.

Liu nodded, lips in a grim line. "I fought him in my past life. He's dangerous."

"Resurrection's pretty straight forward," Kitana explained to Tony. "Reincarnation's much trickier."

Tony and Jen both understood. Well, kind of. "Oh." they both said in unison.

"By the Goddess..." Storm watched as Kahn fought Cap and Colossus. "That man is a monster."

"You don't know the half of it," Kitana replied. "He's my stepfather. Well, WAS my stepfather in my previous life."

Meanwhile, Johnny was still on the phone with Cassie. "...I'll have Kitana send Sonya and the others copies of the video. I want you to head over to the hospital and pick up Vera. Take her to my place, and lock it down. Understand?" He ended the call, scrolled down his contacts, until he stopped at the one labeled THE WIFE. Sighing, Johnny called Sonya.

"Sonya? It's me. Don't say anything. Just listen. Kano tried to take a stab at Cassie and Alex a few minutes earlier..." He winced as he held the phone away from his ear. Kitana and the others could hear Sonya's outraged screams and also winced. Meanwhile, the video was showing Wolverine joining in the fray, teaming up with Cap and Colossus in fighting Shao Kahn.

Johnny placed his phone back to his ear. "Calm down, Sonya. Cass and Alex are both fine. Bit banged up, but fine. But there's more. Shao Kahn's taken a liking to Cassie." Again, he pulled the phone back from his ear as Sonya's screams of rage were heard. Again, he waited until Sonya calmed down before talking again. "Check your email. Kitana's sending you and the others the video of Kano and Kahn. Just in case, I'll have 'Ana send a copy to Jacqui and the other kids as well. Stay safe, babe. Love ya."

The video ended with the intervention of Nova, forcing Kahn and his forces to retreat through the portal. Then, the video ended.

Tony turned to Kitana. "You said that Kahn was your stepfather? So what were you in your former life?"

With a straight face, Kitana replied, "A 10,000 year old princess and master assassin. Jade was also an assassin, and my bodyguard."

"She's not the only one," Liu replied. "In my former life, I was a fighting monk with the White Lotus Society. The same with Kung Lao."

Tony turned to Johnny. "And what's your story?"

Before Stark could get an answer to that, the office's door's opened and in walked a dark-haired, bespectacled man, holding a stack of folders in his hands detailing the progress of his green energy research. He looked liked any other employee working for Cage Incorporated, but to everyone inside the office, he was anything but.

"Sorry I'm late, Chairman, I got those documents detailing the improvements for Alameida Point's hydroelectric facility..." the man looked up from his documents, and saw not only his cousin, but also Black Panther and the last person he wanted to see.

"Oh. It's you," Bruce Banner deadpanned.

"Nice to see you too, Bruce," Tony replied.

Ignoring Tony, Banner turned to Johnny. "This a bad time, Chairman? Am I in trouble?"

"In order of asking, Doctor, no, you're not in trouble," Johnny clarified. "I am..." Johnny trailed off as he turned his head to the window.

The alarm on his laptop went off scant seconds later.

Cage Incorporated was built using S-F and Cyber Lin Kuei technology. One such technology concerned the use of portals. While the Exiled Gods can create portals and their demigod offspring can teleport, the portal technology used by S-F was a closely-guarded secret.

That, and their portal detection software.

Tony also sensed the energies from the portal's appearance. His faceplate snapped shut. "JARVIS, talk to me. What's going on?"

"Unknown energy detected," the AI replied. "I'm marking the point of origin now."

"The east parking garage," Johnny confirmed as Kitana punched in several keys on her father's laptop. "It's a portal, all right."

"Friendly?" T'Challa asked.

Johnny shook his head. "No. It's not Sonya or anyone else I know. But the million-dollar question is who just arrived on my doorstep."

Kitana worked her magic on the laptop, switching from Emma's video to the closed-circuit cameras, primarily those in the parking garage. Cage Incorporated had two three-story parking garages, located not too far from the main office. As it was the weekend, it was mostly deserted.

Using her father's laptop, Kitana tapped the keys, trying to find the intruder. It didn't take her long before she found him. Johnny's face fell as he recognized the intruder. The last he saw of him was over forty years ago, during the Outworld Tournament. Last he heard, Shao Kahn stole his soul and used it to power Sindel up to the point that she massacred most of Raiden's champions.

But here he was, alive and well. Oh, Johnny knew this guy well. After all, he had the hots for Sonya back when he hosted Mortal Kombat. Dark hair, black clothing, black longcoat with the image of the devilish-looking red dragon head on the back.

Johnny groaned. "Oh, you gotta be shitting me. Out of all the people Kronika sends to my fucking doorstep, I get Mr. Soul Sucker."

"Kronika?" Storm repeated.

"Long story," Johnny admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "But she's a bad guy. She has it for both Cassie and me, on the grounds that we kicked her son's ass."

"Oh, I can't wait to hear this," Banner muttered.

"You and me both," Jen seconded.

Iron Man pointed to the images on the screen. "So...bad guy?"

Iron Man's question was soon answered when the Man in Black looked around, before looking up at the security camera that was placed overhead. He smirked at the camera, before raising one hand. A single, fiery skull materialized in the palm of his hand. Then, he flung it at the camera, destroying it, the shrieking, burning skull making everyone jump slightly, save for Johnny. The SMPTE screen greeted them, along with the caption CAMERA 11 DOWN in a black box.

"Okay, that confirms it," Iron Man said. "Definitely bad guy." He turned to Johnny. "Who the hell was that?"

Before Johnny could respond, Liu beat him to it. "Shang Tsung. Outworld sorcerer. Chief Shadow Priest to Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld. And a dangerous martial artist. I should know. I fought him in the past twice in my former life."

Kitana turned to her adopted father. "Looks like the past has come back to haunt all of us."

"I'm only surprised it took this long," Johnny said.

"This is a challenge," Liu said.

"No. Not a challenge," Johnny rebuked as he rolled the sleeves of his henley to his elbows. "It's a trap. Shang is not known for playing fair. And since I'm playing host, it would be rude not to welcome him properly."

"I'm coming with you," Liu said, removing his jacket.

"Same here," Kitana said, reaching inside her boots to pull out her fans. When Johnny began to object to the both of them, Kitana cut him off. "I know the risks, Dad. But you can't stop me from fighting."

Johnny sighed. He turned to Banner. "Bruce, you're with me. Given the situation, we might have a need for You-Know-Who." Then, he turned to Jen. "You too, Walters. Time to earn some hazard pay."

Bruce sighed as he removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah. This is definitely a trap," he said.

Johnny opened his drawer and pulled out a pair of shades. Kitana noticed the ring box, but said nothing, assuming that it was a gift for Sonya. "I know. But I hold a slight advantage."

"Which is...?" Iron Man prodded.

Johnny smirked. "I wasn't always a mutant, Stark. Sure I have the warrior bloodline, but Shang's working on old intel." He turned towards Stormchaser, hanging from a rack. Stretching out his hand, the sword - formerly the property of Fujin - answered its master's call and hovered over to Johnny, who plucked it out of the air and secured it in his belt behind his back. "And besides, I like fucking up the bag guys' plans. It livens up the day."

Small gales of wind enveloped said god and his companions, until they vanished.

At the parking garage...

If there was one thing that was for certain, that Johnny Cage had proven to be the most unpredictable of Raiden's champions. And much to his shame, Shang Tsung thought for certain that the man himself was shallow and egotistical.

Well, that was true, to a certain extent. But from what Quan Chi and the others had told him, his shallow personality hid quite the shrewd individual. He was able to beat Goro, a feat not even Liu Kang couldn't do, and something that still irked the Shokan King to this very day.

Then, when Shang pitted Johnny and Liu against each other, Johnny forfeited the match, allowing Liu to face Shang in kombat. He survived Sindel's rampage that killed most of Raiden's champions, and survived Shinnok's war against Earthrealm, even going as far as to defeat the fallen Elder God himself, a feat that his daughter would soon reenact during her and her team's desperate raid on the Sky Temple.

Cassandra Cage was the spitting image of her mother. The fact that Shao Kahn desired her spoke volumes. She was quite the kombatant, having beaten Sindel, Kitana and D'Vorah in rapid succession before facing off against Shinnok, using the same powers her father used to survive his own fight with the fallen Elder God.

Shinnok hadn't forgotten that event. Which is why he wanted to personally torture Sonya Blade for the crimes of both her former spouse and daughter.

Oh, wait. That part was incorrect. Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade had reconciled, and looked rather happy together, from what Shang had saw. A shame. Shinnok can be very vindictive when it comes to torture. And his plans including killing Sonya, then reviving her as a Revenant. A fate worse than death.

Oh well.

Johnny chose to use the winds, rather than using a portal to transport himself and the others to the parking garage. 'The element of surprise,' as Sonya and Jax call it. When you hang around military personnel, let alone marry one and raise another, you pick things up.

But Johnny wasn't stupid. As the winds dissipated, he spied Shang at the far end of the garage, looking out into the city, hands clasped behind his back. Shang blowing out the camera had also shortened some of the lights out; a minor matter, as it was still daytime.

Johnny looked around. Aside from Shang, there was no one else present. But Johnny wasn't stupid. He turned to the others accompanying him. Both Panther and Iron Man were alert, while Storm was watching Shang with a wary eye. Kitana had pulled out her fans from her boots, and they were in her hands, folded. Banner had a look of calm on his face. Liu and Jen were both was ready for a fight, and Oyoke gripped her spear even tighter in her hands.

Johnny wasn't fooled in the slightest. The God of Wind had long since sensed the presence of those accompanying Shang. Another thing he had picked up from hanging around Sonya and Jax were hand signals. One raised hand brought the others' attention to him. First, he pointed to the pillar on Shang's left, before holding up a single finger, before repeating the same gesture in regards to the right pillar. Then, he pointed to the exit stairwell at the left corner, then raising his index finger again. When he pointed to the right exit stairwell, he did not hold up his index finger this time around, as his middle finger joined the index finger.

Kitana and the others knew what Johnny meant. 'One behind each support pillar, another in the east stairway and two in the right stairway.'

The God of Wind turned to Iron Man and the others. "Follow my lead," he whispered. "Stay on your guard." After getting nods in the affirmative, Johnny turned back to Shang. A loud, sharp whistle from Johnny's lips caught Shang's attention. "Looking for me?"

It had been well over forty years, but seeing the former host of Mortal Kombat still brought chills down Johnny's spine. The shapeshifting sorcerer turned around, and found himself staring down not only Johnny, but the assortment of heroes and the reincarnations of Liu Kang and Princess Kitana.

Tanya was the first to emerge from her hiding place. She was the one behind the support pillar on Shang's left, her Dragon Naginata extended and in her hands and a smirk on her face. Both Iron Man and Black Panther recognized the woman instantly.

"Is that...?" Iron Man whispered.

Panther nodded. "She must've been at the festival to spy on Cage and his family."

"Well, you called it, T'Challa," Iron Man conceded. "Definitely a bad guy."

The second companion surprised Johnny. Last he heard of her, D'Vorah had killed her with a literal kiss of death. But now, Mileena emerged from behind the second pillar, alive and well. Clad in the same attire she wore when she led her rebellion against Kotal Kahn, only the mask was gone. Sais in hands, she spun them, readying herself for battle.

Behind their masks, Tony and T'Challa both winced. Mileena was an exact copy of Kitana...only with jagged Tarkartan teeth on either sides of her face and stilted golden eyes.

But it was the fourth companion accompanying Shang and the two women that made Johnny and the others worry. A soft, inhuman growl turned Johnny and the others' attention to the left stairwell, taking note that the door was ripped from its hinges.

A pair of hands gripped the doorframe. Then, a second pair of hands, situated lower, joined the first pair. While having only three fingers each, the hands were massive. Johnny had a pretty good idea as to who was behind Door Number One.

And he emerged. Just as Johnny remembered him. King Goro of the Shokan emerged from the doorway, ducking through before rising to his full height. Far from the disgraced Shokan who lost his arms at the hands of Kotal Kahn, he was anything but. Johnny took note of the scars on his arms from where they were restored, obviously by either Shang or Kronika. Eight-foot-two, and tipping the scales at five-fifty, all muscle and bad attitude. A walking example of overkill.

Goro was known for holding grudges, and his loss to Johnny Cage enraged him to no end. His loss to the actor had cost him so much in the eyes of the Shokan. Shokan were meant to die in battle, not return in disgrace.

"Whoa," Banner said. "That's a big guy."

"Yeah," his cousin agreed. "For you, at least."

Shang stepped forward several steps, while Goro and Tanya positioned themselves behind and on either side of the sorcerer.

"Johnny Cage." The deep baritone of Shang Tsung greeted the former actor.

"Shang Tsung," Johnny replied flatly. "Last I heard, you died."

"Oh...I did. But as you can see, I got better."

Johnny tilted his head to the side. "You're looking good. Lost a bit of weight? Then again, a healthy diet of souls can do that to a person. You're not here to catch up on old times. Last time that happened, you sicced a horde of screaming Tarkarta on me and the other champions."

"How perspective of you." Shang began to walk in a slow circle around Johnny. "Out of all of Raiden's champions, it was you that surprised me the most. Liu Kang was the easiest to figure out. But you...you turned out to be the wild card."

"Raiden did say that I was a hero," Johnny replied, "only that I needed time to prove it."

Now, Shang stood before Johnny yet again. "For once, Raiden was right," he admitted. "You bested King Goro in kombat..."

"A fluke, if anything," Goro growled.

"But then, I was told of your later exploits," Shang continued. "Even I could not believe them at first. You bested Lord Shinnok, a fallen Elder God. Not even Liu Kang or Bi-Han could accomplish such an exploit. You fought against the Revenants on multiple occasions. But what shocked me most of all is that you not only charmed Sonya Blade, but even sired a child with her. A child with what I discovered, not only inherited your warrior bloodline, but also matched your feat in defeating Lord Shinnok." He looked around. "And now...this. You have certainly increased your station back from your previous occupation."

"You actually sound impressed, Shang."

"Only slightly."

Johnny turned to Goro. "How you been, big guy? Your nuts healed yet?" Johnny chuckled at the death glare the Shokan gave him. If looks could kill, then he'd be a pile of ashes. So Johnny continued to twist the knife. "Don't you owe me some sunglasses?"

The cape Goro wore was flung off his shoulders, revealing all four of his arms. "Here is what you are owed!" he roared.

"Goro. Calm," Shang ordered before Goro charged full-bore at Johnny. "He's only provoking you."

Goro glared at Shang, but complied. Still glaring at Johnny, Goro took a step back.

With Goro placated, Shang turned back to Johnny. Or rather, the assortment of heroes at his back. Such strong souls, indeed. But his interest was in Kitana Kahn and Liu Hasashi. From what he had seen, the two reincarnations of the Revenant Emperor and Empress had grown incredibly strong under their adopted parents.

"Now, Goro, I understand," Johnny continued, glancing at the fuming Shokan. "The both of you were besties for many years. Mileena? Well, she's your creation. Tanya? I'm surprised she didn't stab you in the back. Then again, it's Kronika, so I'm not that surprised."

"You know of Kronika?" Tanya asked, shocked at this revelation.

"Of course. I was Raiden's champion for many years after my predecessor bought the farm. I also know that she's not too happy with either me or Cassie kicking her baby boy's teeth in. I also know that in order to properly invade this planet, she needs the Revenants to absorb the souls of their reincarnated counterparts. And I also know that Shao Kahn has taken a liking to Cassie, much to the chagrin of both myself and Sonya. Otherwise, he and Kano wouldn't have tried to snatch her."

"You don't seem too concerned about the Emperor's interest in Cassandra," Shang said.

"Oh, I am. I would be even more concerned if Kahn and Kano actually succeeded. They didn't."

"A setback, if anything," Shang said dismissively. "The Emperor will not be denied his prize. As for you, I have reason to expect a much different outcome."

"And what do you have in mind for me? Kombat?" Johnny challenged.

"You know me all to well," Shang admitted. "I always wanted to see just how good you are in Mortal Kombat, Cage. Show me the power that bested Shinnok."

Johnny smiled meanly. "And who do you have in mind, Shang? Which one of your friends would like a shot at the title?"

"Who do you think, Johnny Cage?"

Liu blinked. The voice was...his, only it was not. It was darker, and sounded... dead.

Shang smirked as he backed away and stepped to the side, as this was their fight. From the stairway, two figures emerged.

Liu and Kitana had both been warned about their Revenant counterparts alongside Lao and Jade. But seeing them emerge from the stairway sent chills down their spines.

It was like looking in a mirror for the most part. While Liu and Kitana were alive, their Revenant counterparts were not. Slate-grey skin with glowing veins, hellish reddish-orange eyes glaring at Johnny with all the hatred they could muster. Both were dressed in their respective Revenant Armor, identifying themselves as the rulers of the Netherrealm.

Out of curiosity, Iron Man scanned the newcomer's vitals. The quick scan didn't surprise him. No heartbeat, no pulse. Stone-cold dead. Or rather, undead.

Part of Johnny should be surprised, but after decades of Mortal Kombat, inter-realm intrigue in both Earthrealm and this version of Earth, and building a successful business, hardly anything surprised him anymore.

Johnny turned to Kitana and the others. "You guys might wanna step back. I got some scores to settle with these two." When Kitana looked worried, Johnny reassured his daughter. "I'll be fine, 'Ana. Trust me." He turned back to the two Revenants, cracked his knuckles, and walked forward.

"Welcome to your death, Johnny Cage," Revenant Liu intoned. "You are one of Raiden's remnants that remain. The last remnant of Hope. Raiden has poisoned your heart with it."

Revenant Kitana unfolded her fans. "As Lord Shinnok has decreed, so shall it be: remove the shadows from the light, and the shadows will grow. The legacy of life is death. As Lord Shinnok have decreed. Soon, you and the others will see the truth, as does all who oppose Lord Shinnok's will."

"I already heard this speech from your boss," Johnny replied. "Wasn't impressed back then. Still not impressed now."

"Shao Kahn and Kano may have failed in abducting Cassandra Cage," Revenant Liu said, "but your luck ends here, Cage."

"Raiden and Fujin are dead," Revenant Kitana said as she unfolded her fans. "We may not have been able to bring about that pathetic god and his brother within our ranks, but you shall be the first of Raiden's remnants to fall." She pointed to the assortment of heroes standing alongside Johnny, Liu and Kitana. "After you, they will be the first to join Lord Shinnok."

Iron Man raised both hands, repulsor blasts at the ready. Oyoke readied her spear. Storm had conjured lightning in her hands and both Jen and Panther were poised to strike. "Thanks, but hard pass," Iron Man said. "Problems aside, I kinda like living."

"Stark!" Johnny barked out. "This is my fight! Stay outta this!"

Iron Man hesitated, but lowered his hands.

"So you wish to die?" Revenant Liu taunted. "It will not be quick, for you, Cage."

"Oh, I'm not gonna die today, Liu-Liu," Johnny replied. "But Shang does have a point. Let's keep this between old friends, shall we? Just you and me, rockin' the pillars of Heaven. Champion vs Champion. Let's have our match that was decades in the making. You wanna get nuts? Oh-ho-ho, let's get nuts!"

Revenant Kitana's response to Johnny's challenge was to fling one of her bladed fans at the former actor. For the two Revenants, anger rapidly evaporated to shock when instead of dodging the attack, Johnny responded by snatching the fan out of the air.

"Now, that was rude, Princess," Johnny sneered, before folding the Revenant Empress' fan back up, and flinging the weapon blade-first back at the Revenant Empress.

For Shang Tsung, that was the first red flag. Johnny Cage was skilled, but not skilled enough to catch a spinning bladed fan out of the air, unless he was willing to lose several fingers trying. But he caught it and threw it with enough force that it impaled the concrete support pillar, rather than the Edenian Revenant, who barely dodged getting her own weapon impaled in her face.

"Looks like Kitana wants to make it a three-way," Johnny smirked. "That'll make things interesting." Now, the smirk was gone, and Johnny grew serious. "I still owe you for the Sky Temple. If you thought what Cassie and her team did to you was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. We'll settle this old-school. No jokes. No gimmicks. Just some good old-fashioned kombat."

The folded fan vanished from the pillar, leaving only five marks from where the blades had impaled it, and reappeared in Revenant Kitana's hand. Unfolding it, the undead Edenian prepared herself for battle. Revenant Liu raised one gray hand and a dark fireball blossomed in his palm.

"You and Raiden are one in the same," Revenant Liu sneered. "The both of you are idealistic fools."

Johnny smirked as he adjusted his glasses. "Funny, coming from you. If memory serves, you were as well. Only difference is that I'm still alive. And the both of you are still dead."

That did it. Revenant Liu flung the demonic Dragon Flare at Johnny, who sidestepped the attack. Behind him, the reincarnated Kitana and the others also got out of the way as the fireball sailed past them, smashing into the concrete pillar at the far end of the garage.

This match was over forty years in the making. For Johnny Cage, at least. Shang Tsung, as well as the Revenants and those accompanying him were in for a rude awakening.