Chapter Seventeen: Confrontations - Sonya Blade, Part One
SNAFU'S NOTES: Special thanks goes to Ted Hsu for proofreading this.
At the same time, at Special Forces Desert Command...
It was known among the rank and file of the desert base that Professor Charles Xavier had close ties with the commanding and executive officers of the Army's Special Operations Detachment Inferno, due to their children having been former students of the Xavier Institute For Gifted Youngsters.
Xavier was one of several people who knew the truth behind the Exiled Gods and their origins, but was sworn to secrecy. It also helped that Cassie and Jacqui's parents had no problems with mutants, and helped them any and every way they could.
Xavier could understand the deception. They were from another Earthrealm, refugees from their home, and they could forget about going home again. They were heroes, forced to flee due to circumstances beyond their control.
So when Professor Xavier emerged from a stepping disk courtesy of Magik, with Erik Lensherr accompanying him, the guard at the front gate was alarmed, but calmed down when he recognized the good professor. But, given Magneto's past as a villain, the guard had every right to be concerned, especially with Magneto in his trademark attire and helmet.
At least Xavier was able to gain access to the desert base.
The fastest way to Sonya's office was through the tank garage bunker. As Xavier had once visited the desert base in the past for part of a tour, he knew where to go.
There, both Xavier and Erik watched the hustle and bustle of Inferno Squad hard at work, reparing the tanks, man and mutant working together. Some even stopped and stare at the elder mutants, wondering why would they grace the desert base with their presence. The two men must've made quite the sight; Charles in a simple suit, while Magneto was in his normal purple-and-red attire, cape flowing behind him, helmet now in his hand.
"You see, Erik?" Xavier said as they crossed the pathway. "Man and mutant can live and work together, if united under a shared cause."
Erik nodded. "If you want me to tell you that I'm impressed, Charles, then it will take a lot more than this. It's a start, I'll admit. But we have a long way to go before your dream is made a reality."
He heard of Inferno Squad's reputation, as well as of its two commanding officers. The Army had long since allowed mutants to join up, seeing the potential in using mutants to defend Uncle Sam and their allies. The Soviet Union soon followed with their own elite group of mutant soldiers.
"Oh, ye of little faith, old friend," Xavier chided. "Inferno Squad is known for taking in misfits – human and mutant alike – and train them into competent soldiers. You yourself know that both Sonya Blade and Jackson Briggs are mutants with close ties to the Institute."
"I've also had my own encounters with them in the past," the Master of Magnetism admitted. "Albeit on the opposite side. Personally, I'd rather fight Sonya than Grandmaster Hasashi." He then cut Xavier off. "Yes, Charles, I know all about Cassandra and Jacqueline's tenure at your school." He shook his head. "It boggles the mind as to how they, along with Grandmasters Hasashi and Liang, were able to keep the Phoenix Force a secret for a long as they did."
"Any parent would do anything and everything to protect their children, Erik," Xavier said. "You, of all people know that."
Erik sighed. "A lot of good it did to our race, Charles," he grumbled. Even now, he still felt guilt over the circumstances that led to the Decimation, as it was his own daughter that had caused it.
After a series of corridors and hallways, with the assorted rank and file giving them a wide berth (it also helped that Magneto was in full costume, helmet in his hand), they reached Sonya's office, where they were greeted by her secretary, who eyed both mutants warily, despite being one herself. She knew who these two men were, as they were quite famous (or in some cases, infamous).
"Can I help you?" she asked, giving both men the once-over.
"We're here to speak with Colonel Blade on an urgent matter," Erik replied cordially. "I'm Erik Lensherr." He gestured to Xavier. "This is Charles Xavier."
"The Colonel is expecting the both of you." The secretary then pressed the button on her intercom. "Pardon me. Colonel Blade?"
"Yes?" came the reply.
"Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr are here to see you."
"Send them in," Sonya's voice ordered.
Five minutes earlier...
Sonya Blade knew that this day would come. No, not the Avengers and X-Men discovering that Team S-F had the Phoenix Force. No. She was worried about Kronika. She and Gods-know-who-else aside from Kano, that is. She was brooding. She hated to play the waiting game. While she wanted to take action, even she had no idea as to who Kronika had in her corner aside from Kano. She had been impatient once, and it cost her the life of her former partner/fiancé then.
Never again.
She hadn't thought of Kano for the past sixteen years. Now, he was here, and drew first blood by killing Elektra. Even worse, Kronika was only half-successful in merging Earthrealm with this Earth. Only way the Titan of Time could fully merge Earthrealm is for the Revenants merge the souls of the reincarnated kombatants with their own.
Including Kitana's soul.
That didn't sit well with Sonya. The reincarnated Edenian wasn't of her blood, but she was still her daughter. She had grown attached to her, and just as Cassie was more attached to Johnny, Kitana was more attached to her. She was not of her blood, but she was still a Cage.
Sonya closed her eyes and silently counted to ten, trying to get her temper under control. Some say that between the Exiled Gods, Sonya had the shortest temper out of the five. Johnny had been working on getting her to control her temper. So far, it's been working.
Without opening her eyes, Sonya addressed the second party in her office. "You were supposed to warn Jax or me about this beforehand."
Silence. Then, the outline of a woman appeared, seated on the couch. "Are you referring to Kronika or the Avengers and X-Men discovering the truth behind the Phoenix Force's hosts?"
"Both."
The astral form began to solidify. A redheaded woman in a red leather waistcoat. Her black pants and black turtleneck was slightly visible, as the waistcoat was closed. Black boots adorned her feet. Her solid white eyes were covered by a pair of stylish-looking, red-tinted sunglasses.
"You've been brooding ever since you've arrived," she noted.
"Am I that easy to read?" Sonya asked, opening her eyes.
"You really want me to answer that, Colonel?"
"I thought the point of having a psy-ops specialist meant that we could be at least ten steps ahead of our enemies," Sonya whined.
Julia Carpenter – formerly known as Spider-Woman, now the second Madame Web – gave a look of faux sympathy. "I've done excellent work. You can't deny that. So, what are you planning to do?"
"For the moment, nothing," the Goddess of Thunder replied. "Right now, dealing with the Avengers and X-Men is my top priority. So, what happened? You didn't see this coming?"
"Kronika's partial merger has weakened my power," Julia admitted. "The web has been rendered, but not completely broken." She adjusted her glasses. "What I can tell you is that Commander Rogers have the full backing of the President in regards to finding and containing the Phoenix Force."
"Shit," Sonya cursed. Her loyalties may have lied with the government, but she was a mother above all. Was she willing to go to war with the government, the Avengers and the X-Men just to protect Cassie and her team?
'I died a hero twice,' Sonya thought, remembering what Raiden had told her about the original timeline before he had reset it at Armageddon. 'No way in hell am I going to become the criminal now.'
She then asked Julia, "Aside from Kano, what other threats does Kronika have drawn to her side?"
Julia 'hmmed.' Sonya knew she was concentrating. "The web is hazy, but I see Kronika attracting shadows of the Exiled Gods' past; villains long since dead, now brought here. She has drawn quite the host from key points in time. And she will soon unleash them on this planet."
"Aside from Kano, who else has Kronika drawn to her side?" Sonya asked again. She needed to know who else Kronika was bringing to this world.
Julia concentrated again. "A couple stand out in particular. Two sorcerers; one who consumes souls, while the other twists them into something...not human..."
Sonya knew right off the bat. "Shang Tsung and Quan Chi." She stood up and began to pace. "Anyone else?"
"The rival Dragon to Kano."
Sonya frowned. "Daegon." She still owed the bastard for what had happened to Cassie and Jacqui. While it was true that Kano had ordered the kidnapping of her daughter and niece, it had been the Red Dragon that delivered Cassie and Jacqui to Havik and Reiko.
"The brother of Kuai Liang and his student, both having succumbed to the darkness..."
"Bi-Han, or Noob Saibot as he calls himself now. And Frost."
"A conqueror and his wife..."
Sonya stopped mid-step. "Shao Kahn and Sindel. Fuck me..."
"You said you wanted to know, Colonel," Julia defended. Sonya could only nod before Julia continued. "Shinnok and Cetrion are more than obvious, given their familial ties to Kronika."
"First things first, I gotta warn Johnny and the others," Sonya said. "Each one of these guys you mentioned have beef with either me, my husband or my friends."
"That's not counting Black Sky's uncle," Julia added.
Sonya's frown deepened. Grey Cloud. Damn. She sat back down "Given what you told me, we have two choices: either Kronika and her goons picks us off one at a time, or we go and ask for help from Rogers or Summers," she surmised. There was a good chance she might need both of them, Sonya knew.
Julia shrugged her shoulders. "More or less. But expect visitors today."
Now, Sonya was alert. "Who?"
"Professor Xavier and Major Danvers, or course," Julia replied matter-of-factly.
Sonya groaned. She really wanted to hit her head on her desk. Why couldn't Jax be in charge of the base this weekend?
"If it's any consolation, your husband and fellow gods each will receive visitors from both the Avengers and the X-Men," the second Madame Web confirmed.
"Like that will make me feel any better." Sonya snorted.
Sure enough, the call from the front gate came. Xavier and Lensherr were already here. Deciding that now would be the best time to get it over with, Sonya allowed the two mutants access. Looking up from her phone, she saw that Julia had disappeared.
Sonya closed her eyes and allowed herself to calm down. Once she was done dealing with Xavier and Danvers, she would get on the horn with Johnny and the others and warn them what Julia had told her.
Then, her intercom crackled to life. "Pardon me. Colonel Blade?"
Sonya opened her eyes and pressed the button on her intercom. "Yes?"
"Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr are here to see you."
"Send them in."
About two minutes after Erik and Xavier gained entry to the desert base…
Through a series of events, Thaddeus Ross became the Red Hulk. He was also supposed to be dead, buried with full military honors. That was the price he paid in becoming the Red Hulk in his attempt to finally bring down The Incredible Hulk.
So when Thunderbolt Ross emerged from a dimensional rift, opened by the Scarlet Witch and accompanied by the woman in question and Captain Marvel, the guards at the gate were on high alert, in camo fatigues complete with rank, to say they were shocked was a complete understatement.
"Gen...General Ross?! But...you...you died, sir!" the guard sputtered.
"I know. I got better," Ross replied. "Stand down, son. I'm here on official S.H.I.E.L.D. business. Where's your X.O.?"
"She's in a meeting, sir," the second gate guard replied as he and the other guard lowered their weapons. "With Professor Xavier and Magneto, sir."
Behind Ross, Captain Marvel and the Scarlet Witch exchanged worried looks. More so than the Scarlet Witch. She and her father had a falling out some years prior. This would be the first time Wanda has seen him since their fallout.
Carol Danvers was feeling the same amount of dread. She once looked up to Sonya. But all that changed when they found themselves on opposing sides of the Superhuman Registration Act. Then, they came to blows in regards to whom Carol thought was Julia Carpenter.
It was the closest Carol came to losing, as Sonya brought forth the full fury of her powers to match Carol's. Had it not been for Iron Man intervening, then the match would've ended in Sonya's favor.
Ross, in the meantime, nodded in acknowledgment. "As you were. The both of you."
"Sir, yes, sir!" the guards shouted, returning to their posts, as Ross led the two women inside the base.
General Ross knew his way around the base. He was among a small group of people who had been given a tour of the base, among them being Charles Xavier. The tank bunker brought back memories back when he used to run a tank battalion.
The looks the three Avengers were being given varied. Shock and awe for Ross. Scrutiny for Carol. And outright hatred for Wanda, given what she had done, as she was the one responsible for the Decimation.
All in all, it was a miracle that no one took a shot at the Scarlet Witch.
"It could've been worse," Ross mused once they exited the bunker and into the admin wing of the base.
"That's yet to come," Carol said.
"Honestly, you should've handled that matter more carefully, Carol," Ross noted.
Carol snorted. "That's rich, coming from a guy who was obsessed with capturing the Hulk. You pretty much kept tank companies in business with all the tanks Banner smashed."
Before the verbal argument began, Wanda stepped in between and played peacemaker. "Okay, guys, calm down. This fighting is meaningless. We need to focus on the task at hand. A task that is now made harder with my father and Professor X present."
Sure enough, the former General and the former Air Force pilot calmed down. Without saying another word, Ross turned on his heels and resumed walking down the corridor. Carol and Wanda followed close behind.
Now…
One thing Sonya liked about Xavier was that his presence always put her at ease. She rose from her chair to greet both Xavier and Erik properly. He was one of several people who knew the truth behind her family and Cassie's team. While a bit annoyed at the deception, Charles understood the reason why.
"Colonel Blade," Xavier greeted, shaking Sonya's hand.
Sonya smiled warmly at the bald-headed man. "Sonya's fine, Professor. We've known each other long enough." She then turned and shook Erik's hand. "Erik."
"Colonel Blade," Erik replied. "A pleasure, as always."
The two men took a seat, while Sonya returned to her desk. "I wouldn't have come here if it wasn't important, Sonya, but it concerns Cassandra and Jacqueline."
"The Phoenix Force."
Erik nodded. "So you know that Cassandra and Jacqueline are the hosts?"
"Yes. But your intel is flawed," Sonya said. "Aside from Cassie and Jacqui, Takeda and Kung Jin are the other two hosts."
Silence. Both Xavier and Magneto took a moment to digest the news. Four hosts for the Phoenix Force? And the other two were Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu?
"Well...this complicates things," Xavier said.
"You have no idea, Charles," Magneto said. To Sonya, he asked, "How long?"
"Three years," Sonya replied. "Originally, Cassie was the host, but even with her powers, she couldn't contain it. So Nightwolf split it into four halves, and implanted them inside Jacqui, Jin, and Takeda."
"And the Phoenix can't influence the girls?"
Sonya shook her head. "No. They can draw on the cosmic powers, but other than that, Nightwolf's wards and charms keep it properly contained."
Before Xavier could reply, Sonya's intercom buzzed to life once again. "Excuse the interruption, Colonel You are not gonna believe this, but General Ross is here to see you."
Sonya's eyes widened. The Thunderbolt himself, here?
"He's being accompanied by Wanda Maximoff and Lieutenant Colonel Danvers," the receptionist added.
"Ugh..." Sonya groaned. "I do not need this shit today..." she muttered as she pressed the button on the intercom, all the while. "Send them in." Better to bite this bullet now, before it bit her in the ass later.
The door opened. Sonya stood up, just as General Ross entered the room, followed by the Scarlet Witch and Captain Marvel. While they had been warned beforehand by the gate's guards that Xavier and Magento were present, the three avengers were still shocked to see the two men.
None more so than Magneto and the Witch.
"Father." Wanda's voice was flat, emotionless.
"Wanda." Magneto's was the same.
Meanwhile Sonya greeted Ross. "General Ross. This is an unexpected surprise. You're looking good for a dead man."
"I get that a lot nowadays, Colonel," Ross replied. "Unfortunately, this isn't a social call. I, along with Miss Maximoff and Captain Marvel here are on official S.H.I.E.L.D. business."
"I was wondering how long it would take for Stark and the others to figure it out," Sonya mused.
"Why?" Carol demanded, stomping towards Sonya's desk. "Why did you and Johnny keep it hidden from us? You of all people know just how dangerous the Phoenix Force is!"
"Carol..." both Ross and Wanda warned her, but Carol ignored them.
"It was bad enough that your entire family defied the Act," Carol continued, "but this is taking it too far! What if the Phoenix broke free. What if..."
"I don't like your tone, Lieutenant Colonel Danvers."
Carol's rant died on her tongue. Even though she was a superhero, the glare in Sonya's violet eyes and the calm frostiness in her voice could make even Maria Hill flinch.
Johnny called it the 'Blade death stare.' Back in Earthrealm, Johnny himself was on the receiving end of it so many times that he was immune to it. By the time she made General and was in command of S-F, she had mastered it.
Sonya's temper was already infamous following the Union Vale Incident, and even Ross himself had seen the kind of damage she can do, be it with her bare hands or with her tech. If she wanted to get real sadistic, then she would've used the lightning. The last thing neither person wanted was to invoke Sonya's fury.
The blonde colonel took a moment to calm herself down. "When you have children of your own, Danvers, you would do anything and everything to keep them safe. Placing them under house arrest solely because of them being the hosts will do more harm than good."
"It's only a temporary solution, until the threat passes," Ross said, playing the mediator.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers see the Phoenix as a threat," Magneto interjected. "That may be true. But what if the Phoenix isn't a harbinger of doom, but rather a second chance at life for our people? To reverse the damage the Decimation had caused."
"It's too risky, Erik," Captain Marvel said. "I'm sorry, but the needs of the many far outweighs those of the few. The Kree has seen the Phoenix destroy civilizations. Planets even. We move Cassie and her team to a location off-planet. It's the only way to be sure."
"I know about the Phoenix more than anyone, as its power consumed Jean," Xavier said. "But it is a beacon of hope for all mutants. Your daughter and her friends are the Mutant Messiahs, Colonel. We are on the brink of extinction. The Phoenix Force can bring us back from the brink."
"The Phoenix Force is too dangerous to contain," rebuked Carol. "The only feasible solution is to have it contained." She turned to Sonya. "Colonel...Sonya...please. I know there's bad blood between us, but you have to see the bigger picture. Cassandra may be your daughter, but she is also a soldier, as is you. You have to let us do this."
Sonya's eyes narrowed. "If the roles were reversed...could you do what you're suggesting to your own children, Carol? Would you help them control their powers so they would see it as a boon...or a burden? Or would you lock them up and throw away the key?"
"I..." Carol began.
"It would not come to that, Colonel Blade," Wanda replied. "Team S-F will be in protective custody, under S.H.I.E.L.D. supervision. Just to be certain that the threat passes."
"And then what, Maximoff? You'd release my girls? Or would you find some half-assed excuse to keep them detained further? And what if they resist? S.H.I.E.L.D.'s not in my good graces, especially with the stunts you guys pulled with the Act."
Before Carol or anyone could respond, Sonya's phone began to ring. As it was on her desk next to her laptop, all Sonya had to do was to lean forward and see that it was Johnny calling. She picked up the phone and answered it. Out of habit, she greeted her husband with, "Colonel Sonya Blade."
A pause. Then, Sonya saw red as she shot out of her chair. "KANO?! HERE?! WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?! WHERE'S CASSIE AND ALEX?! I THOUGHT HE WAS WITH HER!" Lightning arched throughout her body as Xavier, Magneto, the Scarlet Witch and Captain Marvel leapt back at the outburst.
Sonya calmed herself down, but the respite was brief.
Lightning crackled and ran in arcs along Sonya's body. Her violet eyes began to glow as she ranted and screamed into the phone. "SHAO KAHN?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! THAT ASSHOLE SHOULD BE DEAD! I'LL KILL HIM MYSELF IF HE LAYS A HAND ON MY DAUGHTER!"
She immediately caught herself. Now, apart from Xavier, the others knew too much. She calmed down...mostly, as the lightning was gone and the glow in her eyes vanished.
Sonya tossed the phone onto her desk and sat back down.
"Earthrealm?" Xavier asked, concerned.
Sonya nodded grimly. "Earthrealm," she replied as she logged into her email account.
"Earthrealm?" Magneto, Captain Marvel, General Ross and the Scarlet Witch repeated.
"Keeping secrets, Charles?" Erik asked, turning to Xavier. "Such a thing is unlike you."
"I asked him to," Sonya replied as she opened the email sent to her by Kitana. "Xavier found out the truth about my and my family's true origins, and those of my fellow Gods." Sonya then paused as she realized what she had just said. Now, everyone, save for Charles, was shocked. The proverbial cat was now out of the bag. "Shit."
"You're not a mutant?" Magneto demanded as Sonya resumed working. "But a God?"
"Sonya A. Blade, former General of Earthrealm Strategic Defense, now Colonel of Special Operations Detachment Inferno, Goddess of Thunder, to be precise," Sonya replied. "It's a lot better to claim you're a mutant than proclaiming to the world that you're a God. Having the people believe you're a mutant is more tolerable. Less religious nutbars trying to kill me or my family. Okay...found it."
She opened the video. Ross was the first to get over his shock and walked around Sonya's desk in order to get a better look at what she was looking at. Soon, Sonya found herself crowded as Erik, Xavier, Wanda, and Carol pooled around her to look at the footage from Cassie's drone.
"You used to be a General?" Ross asked as they watched Cyclops, Colossus and the White Queen confront the Avengers, Cassie and Alex.
"Yes," Sonya confirmed. "First four-star General in the family. Dad only made it to Major. Just that it cost me my marriage and it almost cost me my daughter's respect. I was born mortal, but ascended. Long story."
"That would make you as old as the good General, Xavier and myself," Magneto pointed out.
"Just about," Sonya admitted. "I look good for a woman in my seventies." Her eyes glowed slightly as she recognized Kano. "Son-of-a-bitch. It's Kano, all right."
"That's Kano?" Carol asked, pointing to the smug-looking Aussie on-screen. "He's the guy that killed Elektra."
"I know. Hanzo has a spy in The Hand." Another lie. But it sounded much better than saying that Hanzo had a spy within S.H.I.E.L.D. "He told Hanzo, and Hanzo told me and the others."
"Care to explain who he is, Colonel?" Ross asked.
"He's the leader of the Black Dragon," Sonya explained. "He'll be working for you while taking money from your competitor. If the price is right, he'll stab you in the back. Literally."
"And that's Shao Kahn, I assume?" Carol asked, pointing to the image of Shao Kahn emerging from the portal. "He doesn't look so tough."
"That's what you thought about me, Danvers," Sonya pointed out. She ignored the glare from the younger woman as the fighting began. "Kronika. It has to be..."
"Kronika?" everyone parroted.
"She's the Keeper of Time, back where I'm from," Sonya explained as the brawl commenced on screen. "She has it in for Johnny and Cassie due to the both of them kicking Shinnok's ass. The first time, Johnny did it to save me. The second time, Cassie did it to save her father."
Speaking of Cassie…
Sonya's smartphone rang. Looking at the screen, it was Cassie on the other end. Sonya accepted the call immediately, putting it on speaker. "Cassie? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mom," Cassie replied. "Bruised all to hell, but I'm fine."
"Where are you now?"
"I'm with Aunt Vera. Dad told me and Alex to pick Aunt Vera up and take her to the Cove."
"Belay that order," Sonya snapped. "I got a bad feeling about this. Remain at the hospital until further notice. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Sonya ended the call. "Kano and Shao Kahn attacking Cassie and her fiance...that's no coincidence..." she mused.
She would have no idea as to how right she would be in the next several minutes.
The phone rang again. This time, it was the landline. Not really thinking, Sonya pressed the button on the speaker. "Colonel Blade."
"Colonel, this is Makecki at the front gate. We got a situation here."
Sonya focused her attention to the phone, the fight now forgotten. "What kind of situation?"
"There's a weird-looking lady meditating in front of the main gate. She just...appeared!"
Sonya went rigid in her seat. "Define weird," she said, praying that it wasn't who she thought it was.
Alas, her hopes were dashed. "Um...purple-looking skin...and I think she has seaweed for hair..."
Sonya cut him off. "Lockdown the base! NOW!" She ended the call and punched in a second number. She didn't have to wait very long for the call to connect. "This is Colonel Blade. We are at Level 1 Lockdown. I repeat: Level 1 Lockdown!"
Warning klaxons began to blare as Sonya teleported out of her seat, and materialized standing and walking out of the door. Ross and the others quickly followed her.
Sonya was speaking into her wrist-comm when Carol and the others caught up with her. "This is Colonel Blade. We are at Level 1 Lockdown. Target is at the front gate! I repeat: the target is at the front gate! Hold your fire until I get there!"
"Colonel!"
Sonya ignored Ross' calling her name as she stalked forward.
"This woman has you spooked, Colonel," Ross said.
"Not, 'spooked,' General," Sonya replied as she rounded the corner. "Remember what I told you about Kronika? Well, she has two children. Shinnok was her son. Cetrion is her daughter."
"So Plant Lady is Cetrion?" Carol asked.
Sonya nodded. "Cetrion. Elder Goddess of Virtue and Light. From what Raiden told me, very, very dangerous."
"Raiden?" Magneto inquired.
"My predecessor. He passed on his powers and immortality to me," Sonya replied. "I'm not the only one. Johnny, Jax, Hanzo, Kuai and Nightwolf...we were born mortal, but ascended into godhood."
Wanda connected the dots. "Kronika has it in for you and your family because they bested Shinnok."
"Fallen Elder God obsessed with death. That's Shinnok," Sonya confirmed.
"Sounds like someone Thanos would take a liking to," Carol mused.
"Either him or Hela." Sonya muttered. "This is gonna get real ugly in a few minutes."
Outside…
The Revenant of Elektra had valuable information in regards to the location of the Exiled Gods. Shang Tsung looking into the souls of Liu Hasashi and Kitana Kahn during the mission.
Among that intel was the location of the Exiled Gods.
Cetrion was assigned to deal with Sonya Blade, both her and her brother. She hoped that Sonya would see reason and peacefully surrender, lest all she cared about would burn, their souls used to refresh her brother's ranks.
All she had to do was to bring Sonya out to her. Easy enough. Her mere presence alone will alert Sonya, drawing her out.
Cetrion could almost feel her Mother's final victory. She took no pleasure in taking the life of someone who served Earthrealm with such valor.
But Mother's will would not be denied.
Sonya knew that the firearms would have no effect on Cetrion. It was a show of force, one done out of habit back when she was in command of S-F.
No, this was a matter she had to deal with on her own.
Sonya was Raiden's successor. She trained for a time under Thor, spending a month in Asgard. But Cetrion's power dwarfed that of her own, regardless of her own growth.
Cassie had survived her confrontation with Kano and Shao Kahn. She could only imagine what kind of hell Kronika would unleash on Johnny and the others. If Shao Kahn was here, then it was a possibility that Kronika would summon the likes of Shang Tsung or Sindel to fight for her side.
'At least they don't have the Infinity Stones,' Sonya thought as she led Ross and the others through the bunker as armed soldiers rushed towards the front gate. She could almost imagine the carnage Kronika and her crew would leave if they got a hold of those damned stones.
The desert heat hit her full blast as she stepped outside. The armed soldiers parted for her and the Avengers like Moses parting the Red Sea, giving her a wide berth. No one dared to oppose or hinder the Colonel, unless they wanted to ride the lightning.
Lightning arced along her fingertips, but Sonya calmed herself down, the lightning vanishing. She could only imagine what Cetrion wanted. No, with Kronika, it was more than obvious.
'Johnny and Cassie wrecked the timeline by defeating Shinnok,' Sonya thought. 'Raiden decapitating Shinnok was the capstone. If anything, Kronika wants to wipe out anything and everything with ties to Raiden, including us.'
Sonya reached the front gate. And saw her.
Despite not having that many encounters with Cetrion, Sonya recognized her almost immediately. Lavender-colored skin, green seaweed for hair, and her clothing consisting of crystal-like matter, plants and the chunks of crystal floating behind her in a half-moon shape.
She sat on the ground in what was known as 'the Buddha stance;' legs folded underneath her, her right hand raised and facing upwards, the left hand held at shoulder level. Her eyes were closed.
"That's Cetrion?" Xavier whispered.
"That's Cetrion," Sonya confirmed.
"Why is she not moving?" Carol whispered.
"She's waiting for me," Sonya whispered back. "Danvers, you're with me."
Before Carol could rebuke that order, Ross cleared her throat. "Carol. Back the Colonel."
Carol glared at the older man. Ross glared at her back. Carol huffed under her breath as she walked behind Sonya, who was slowly advancing towards Cetrion.
Then, Cetrion opened her eyes. Shining, glittering green eyes, focusing on Sonya, but also taking note of the mystery woman behind and to the side of Sonya. Sonya stopped in her tracks, as did Carol, as Cetrion rose from the ground, until she was able to unfold her legs, allowing her to properly stand.
Cetrion clasped her hands together. "Sonya Blade. As always, you serve with honor. That is the highest of virtues."
"Cetrion," Sonya replied flatly. "I was expecting Kano."
"He is accompanying Shao Kahn in capturing Cassandra Cage," the fallen Elder Goddess replied. "She will not be harmed, so long as she pleases Shao Kahn as his enforcer and concubine. There is nothing you can do. Cassandra's fate is inevitable."
Cetrion was expecting Sonya to be in a full-blown rage. But she remained calm.
"Then I guess it's fortunate that Kano and Kahn both failed in their task." Sonya took malicious delight in seeing Cetrion's surprised expression. "They both were forced to retreat."
If Cetrion was shocked, then her gaffe was brief. She dismissed Sonya's rebuke with a hand wave. "No matter. Shao Kahn's will shall not be denied. Cassandra's fate is inevitable...as is yours, and those of Raiden's remnants."
"My fate?" Sonya was amused. "And what is my fate?"
"You will bring forth Mother's balance by dying," Cetrion replied. "Your former spouse will soon share your fate, along with Jackson Briggs, Hanzo Hasashi, and Kuai Liang. I offer you the choice, of a quick and painless death." She stretched out her hand, gesturing to the soldiers standing behind Sonya. "Surrender willingly, and the lives of your subordinates will be spared."
"Do you seriously take me for a fool?" Sonya snapped back. "Since when is an Elder God a keeper of their word, let alone you? If I die, what's to stop Shinnok from taking my soul?"
Cetrion closed her eyes and sighed. "A pity. I was told you would see reason," she said, as two cloudy, shadow-like forms began to glide towards both Sonya and Carol. "Yet, you chose poorly, Sonya Blade."
Sonya wasn't focused on Cetrion, as the darkened clouds rapidly encircled both her and Carol. Eyes widening, she grabbed Carol and leapt back, taking the superhero with her. "WATCH OUT!"
It had been in the nick of time, as two large, skeletal hands clasped the air where both women once stood.
"Oh, no..." Sonya whispered. "It's him..."
The massive, skeletal hands unfolded, revealing the last person Sonya wanted to see, aside from Kano.
"So that's Shinnok," Carol whispered. Sonya didn't bother to reply.
"We meet again, Sonya Blade," Shinnok said as the hands vanished.
"Last time I heard, you were nothing but a living head," Sonya replied. "I'd hope not to see you again, Shinnok."
Shinnok chuckled. "With Kronika, all things are possible. I was denied your soul many years ago, Sonya Blade. Now, Johnny Cage is not here to save you."
"If you knew what I knew, she doesn't need to," Carol quipped.
Shinnok turned to Carol. "You. Do you follow Sonya Blade?"
Carol stepped forward. "I don't. Earth doesn't need another wannabe despot or her kids making demands." She raised her fists, now glowing with energy. "Right now, you're trespassing on this planet. Pack it up and leave, or else."
Shinnok chuckled. "You have fight in you, child. For that, you will be the first to join my ranks once you die."
Behind Shinnok and Cetrion, a massive portal opened, reminding Sonya of the one Shang Tsung had opened back at the Wu Shi Academy. Only this time, instead of rampaging Tarkarta, a horde of Netherrealm Oni charged forth as Shinnok and Cetrion stood on the sidelines, screaming for blood.
"Oh, shit," Carol cursed.
Ross removed his hat and tossed it to one of the NCOs. Then, he transformed into the Red Hulk.
But Sonya did not look worried. She cracked her neck muscles and strode forward.