Loose Lips, Sink Ships
*Special Forces Central HQ*
"Are you sure you heard this right?" Jax asked.
"The Lieutenant had her repeat her story over and over more times than I could stand," Jacqui confirmed.
"So, she wants us to risk the safety of Earthrealm to get revenge against the daughter of the original emperor?"
"Aren't we doing that anyway?" Jacqui asked.
"No, Jacqueline. Your training is for you to protect Earthrealm," he clarified. Jacqui folded her arms and turned away.
"If you say so." As she was leaving the room, Sonya was walking through the door.
"Lieutenant."
"Briggs. Major." Jacqui waved her hand as the door closed. Sonya took a seat in the break room.
"I heard the intruder talked willingly this time," Jax joked.
"It would be nice if they all would," she added.
"So, what's the plan? We buyin' it?"
"Even if what she says is true, it wouldn't be smart to attack Empress Kitana. I know her tricks from the tournament years ago. She'd use us as an excuse to legally merge the realms."
"Wouldn't that be against the commandments of Raiden's friends?" Jax questioned. Sonya softly rubbed her temple.
"Don't get me started on that."
"Speaking of tournament, have you tried to reach out to Hornbuckle?"
"I've never spoken to him beyond the tournament. Besides, he is no longer the Champion of Earthrealm," she confirmed. She pondered on whether she should get Fujin to bring him there.
Chan and Fujin met up with Kira and Kobra at the same plaza he and Mileena visited last week. Fujin wore a more natural attire to blend in with the crowd as to avoid any attention from potential believers.
"Kira. Kobra," Fujin greeted. The two of them bowed.
"The One time we don't ask for you and you decide to show your face," Kira joked.
"Things have changed a lot since you two left the Temple."
"Yeah, it seems forgiveness left when we did," Kobra responded. Fujin looked around the plaza.
"What is it about this place that makes it romantic for Black Dragon members?" Fujin asked. Kira and Kobra stared at one another. Kira blushed as she turned her attention to Chan.
"Where did you go off to that day? You had us worried sick," she exclaimed.
"I can't say," he muttered.
"The vampire told us the same thing," she responded. Chan tilted his head as he stared into the hole in the middle of the table.
"Is she still…"
"It was scary, I'll give you that," she commented before pulling out a deck of cards.
"Her ankles were missing, only to be regenerated by her blood. Nothing like I've seen with Quan Chi," Kobra explained.
"You were able to talk to her though…right?"
"Yes." Kira shuffled the cards in her hands as she narrated. "She was pissed about what you did to her. However, she said her respect for Lui Kang was the only reason she had no ill will towards you. After we mentioned your name, of course."
"Not many people in Outworld would know about Lui Kang except those participating in the tournament years ago."
"She never mentioned exactly what she meant by fighting the good fight," Kobra admitted.
"However, she said something insane. Something about having a plan to revive the ten warriors who would overthrow Kitana. Including your brother Lui Kang and master Kung Lao."
"Necromancy has done us no good at any point in history. That is a dangerous game," Fujin responded. Kira stopped shuffling the cards.
"We already know the dangers. Which is why we need to stop her?"
"What has Kitana done all these years?" Chan pondered.
"Apparently, she's wronged a lot of people," Kobra stated. Chan continued to stare into the hole in the table. Kira reached out her pinky.
"Chan." He shook his head and stared into her eyes. She rested her elbow on the table waving her pinky in the air. "When it comes down to it, promise me that you will kill her." Kira stated. Chan frown as his attention turned to her pinky. He started to reach his finger forward, only to have Fujin rest his hand on his shoulder.
"Somethings happened at the Special Forces building not far from here."
"Lead the way," Chan responded as they both left their seats. Kira and Kobra remained seated as she started dealing the cards between her and Kobra.
"We'll pass," Kobra stated.
"Why—" Chan stopped himself and nodded. "You're right. I forgot." He steps near Fujin and grabs onto his wrist. Fujin raised his hand and immediately disappeared in a gust of wind.
At the Special Forces of Japan Headquarters, weapons are drawn on two servants of Raiden: Wynd & Rayne. Both arrived in response to Sonya's call. Not the warmest welcome they'd expect from those they protect. Understandable, however, as the Special Forces headquarters of America was attacked before by the Blood Witch, Skarlet, once before.
The supernatural is not as uncommon as it used to be with the Special Forces own members having supernatural abilities as well. Jackson Briggs, Johnny Cage and his daughter Cassandra, Kenshi Takahashi and his son Takeda, and Kung Jin who was a relative of Kung Lao. Even Sonya was learning to use some of her past abilities naturally without the use of technology. The M.O.C.A.P suits were used to bring the supernatural to the natural. Technology once held by the Black Dragon was now in their control allowing the average person to have the same traits and abilities as a supernatural person.
A gust of wind flowing around the room distracting them long enough to drop their guard. Fujin and Chan appeared behind the women. Chan inspected their attire and masks wondering about the personas beneath them. Fujin walked between the two and stood before Jax.
"I am to assume there has been a misunderstanding," he wondered while rubbing his lower lip.
"Ms. Blade called, and so we came," said Wynd.
"And in return she and her mortal friends decide to point guns at us, which would be most unwise for them all," added Rayne.
"We called for Lord Fujin, not you two," Jacqui responded.
"Jacqui!" Jax peered towards his daughter. She looked at him and huffed as she put her weapon away. Jax nodded towards Sonya. Everyone cautioned their weapons as they walked out of the room. Left behind were the core members of the American Special Forces team and Kenshi. Takeda remained along with Kung Jin while Jacqui and Cassie decided to handle other matters.
"It's been a few years," Chan stated as he shook their hands.
"A few is an understatement," Johnny Cage responded. "By the look on your face I'm guessing they aren't with you or is it just the masks?"
"Jonathan Carlton, your powers have yet to return. As have your ability to humor us," Rayne responded.
"As a champion for Earthrealm I'd assume it would be my right to ask who you two might be?"
"How pleasant. At least someone knows the right questions to ask," Wynd stated as she rolled her eyes towards Sonya. Sonya simply shook her head in disgust. Jax place his hand on her shoulder and shook his head as well.
"I'd hate to cut this reunion short—"
"As I've had two these past few weeks."
"We seem to have a serious situation on our hands." Jax looks towards the glass as do the others. Inside was Li Mei, handcuffed and sitting in her chair badly beaten. Her eyes seemed lifeless and dull, but she was very much alive. She had many bruises and smudges along her arms and face from the events in Outworld. Chan's mouth slightly opened. His body inched closer to the window as he inspected her injuries.
"What happened?" Chan asked.
"We know you have ties to Kitana. It might be best for you to see if what she's saying matches up with what you know," Jax requested.
"I have never had ties with Kitana, but I do know this woman." Chan looks at Jax. "I'll…see what I can do."
"It's strange seeing that you've had a lot of Outer World experience after those nightmares of yours stopped occurring," Johnny joked. Chan didn't smile as he stared at Johnny. Sonya punched her shoulder as she gave him a cold look.
"Just give it up," Sonya whispered.
"I'm certain Cassie's birth gave Sonya nightmares after realizing you were signing the birth certificate," Chan responded with a grin. He waved his hand as he walked towards the door. An ouch was heard along with a few snickers. He could also faintly hear Johnny say low blow man.
As Chan entered the door, Li Mei looked up. A glint of light could be seen in her eyes as she recognized the young shaolin. She raised her hands in the air. The silence was more evident as the rattle of the metal chain echoed in the room. Chan walked around her as he continued to inspect her injuries.
"It's nothing to worry about Chan. I'll be alright," Li Mei reassured. Chan reluctantly stood behind the other chair in the room.
"You seemed…troubled before I entered the room." Li Mei stared at her cuffs as she lowered her hands.
"Regardless of the current situation, I'm just happy to see you," she responded.
"I'm glad to see you so that I could thank you. Without you helping us with our training, we would have never been able to defeat Quan Chi and his NetherRealm Forces. Some of them out there were around during that event and they wouldn't be here if it weren't for you," Chan praised. Li Mei smiled as a tear rolled down her left eye. She wiped it away with her finger and continued to stare at her cuffs.
"I'm thankful, Chan. If only I would have kept up with my training, my mother would still be here too." Chan lowered his eyes. His lips drooped as he stared into her eyes. "Instead, I chose to build houses for a living." She released a heavy sigh as she slumped down in her chair. "Some use that turned out to be."
"You can't blame yourself for that, Li Mei. We all have a role to play." Chan sat in the other chair and stared at her cuffs as well. "And right now, your role is to tell me everything you've told them." Chan requested. Li Mei sat up slightly. Her eyes aimlessly wondered the room and her fingers danced along one another.
"Alright, it started months ago…" Li Mei gave Chan a synopsis of everything that has been occurring in Outworld over the course of a few months. From the downfall of Empress Mileena to the Rise of Empress Kitana. She included a few details such as the downfall of Shang Tsung and the Bounty System that was created as a response to Outworld's failure at the previous Mortal Kombat Tournament. Chan seemed disturbed the more she spoke of Kitana's actions during the Civil War. He understood why Mileena felt that Kitana might be hiding something from her.
In return, Chan tells her of his experience with Kitana and Mileena over the past few weeks. He mentioned details of what caused Mileena to start distrusting Li Mei and how much she's changed over the course of a day after spending time with him. He talks of Kitana's Operation Reklaim which confirmed Li Mei's suspicions of why her mother was targeted. He theorized that Kitana specifically sent Mileena to take care of the Red Dragon due to the attempt on her life that Li Mei mentioned. He tells her that the day her mother died was also the day he, Kenshi, and Fujin were called to participate in a confidential assignment involving the Vampires, Saurians, and Knightwolf, all who are targets of princess Kitana.
"So…," Li Mei began as she stared directly into Chans eyes. Her fingers were now clasped together, "where is Mileena now." Chan stared at her. His lips remained sealed. She took a deep breath. "Chan, I trust you and I'd hope you trust me. So please, just tell me where Mileena is," she pleaded.
As the door opened, Chan turned around. Li Mei uses her magic to disintegrate her cuffs and rebuild them into a metal choker around his neck. She quickly raises up from her seat and removes one of the legs from the chair. She transforms it into a blade and points it towards Kenshi. Before he could touch his mind, Li Mei tightened the grip the choker had on Chan's neck.
"Your Telekinesis won't work on my Architect Magic. If you or anyone else out there comes any closer…" Li Mei slightly peeks at Chan's neck.
"I can feel the anger and discontent in your heart. You don't have to do this," Kenshi pled.
"This is Sonya Blade," she says over the room intercom. "Li Mei, you said you came for our help. What you've just done has put you at risk of having a permanent bounty on your head. "
"I'm done talking, Sonya Blade."
"If you're going to run, then do it. I don't ever want to see you in Earthrealm again," she commanded.
"I will personally carry out the deed if you do. I see all as Raiden and Fujin do," Rayne confirmed. Li Mei huffed as she created a portal behind her. She backs herself into it along with Chan and closes it shut. Kenshi walks from the interrogation room and shakes his head. Jax swiftly turned on his communicator.
"I need all forces to search the perimeter for any signs of the prisoner or the Asian kid." He sprints out of the room as he mutters curses to himself. Sonya slams her fist against the wall and starts to follow behind him.
"If she wanted to escape all this time, why didn't she do it before?" Johnny asked.
"She needed Chan," Sonya theorized before leaving the room.
"He is one of the few individuals in the world who can create portals to travel from one location to another," Kenshi explained. "He can't travel very far himself without a Portal Stone though, so they must be somewhere close."
"Their presence is no longer on Earthrealm," Fujin confirmed. Wynd and Rayne stood beside him and held onto his garb.
"Johnny, when did my son and Jin leave?" Kenshi asked. Johnny looked around and noticed they were missing. He looked at Fujin who seemed troubled before leaving with Wynd and Rayne.
"Uh…you wouldn't happen to be able to track them down with your telekinesis, would you?" Kenshi shook his head and rushed out of the room. "What? It wasn't my fault." Johnny responded as he followed behind him. "Three times, Johnny," he muttered. "Three."
End of Chapter 21
(Upcoming—Miracles)