I wake up in the hospital. I'm guessing it's the ER, because I've got two very freaked doctors working on me.
"Give her another unit of blood, and some pain killers. Keep her as comfortable and sedated as possible."
"Hey, doc." He looks down at me, and smiles.
"What's your name?"
"Jessie."
"Well, Jessie, you've been stabbed."
"Chee, and I thought all this blood was yours."
"And with that personality, I see why," I try to sit up, and the pain knocks me back down, "Take it easy, you've lost a lot of blood."
"Where's
the knife?"
"The detectives have it."
"Think I could get it when I leave?"
"You're not going anywhere for a while."
"Great, I get a doctor with a hearing problem. Can I get it when I leave?"
"Why?"
"It's a MK Black Dragon knife. It's a replica of the one Kano pulled on Sonya in the movie. I want it."
"Most people are more worried about themselves than the weapon."
"If I'm talking to you, I ain't that bad off. Now, can I have the damn thing or not?"
"The detectives have it. You can ask, but they usually keep it in evidence."
"Damn, that would've been a sweet addition to my collection." It dawns on me this doctor probably has no clue what I'm talking about. I look past them, to see a figure in front of the curtain. He looks at me, and smiles. I start laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"How much more of whatever this is do I need to make him look like Sonya, instead?" The doctor looks down at me like I'm crazy.
"Take it easy." He whispers something to the nurse. She shoves a needle into my arm, as I pass out. When I wake up, he's still there.
"Don't be afraid."
"Afraid? You're Raiden. If you wanted to fry me, you'd have done it by now. I just wanna know why I'm seeing you, and not Sonya."
"Why would you see her?"
"Well, if I'm dying, I would've preferred to see her, instead."
"And what makes you think you're dying, Jessie?"
"I thought I was when I saw you."
"No, it didn't hit anything vital."
"Then why don't I feel anything?"
"Because you're stoned."
"Ah, is that what this is? Now I see why people get addicted to this stuff. No pain, just giggles."
"You'll be fine." I look at him, and start laughing.
"I don't believe it."
"Don't believe what?"
"You really do look like Christopher Lambert."
"I thought appearing in a mortal form you'd recognize might make this easier."
"I didn't know you were a shape shifter."
"I can."
"I guess there really can be only one." I laugh at my joke, which as Raiden looking confused.
"Would you prefer the energy form?"
"No, that's cool. These doctors think I'm nuts now, talking to someone they can't see. Can you imagine the drugs they'd give me talking to a fuckin orb?" I start laughing again.
"You are quite the MK fanatic, aren't you?"
"Depends. Would you call owning anything MK I can get my hands on a fanatic?"
"Yes."
"OOPS! I guess I am. I'm more of a Sonya fan, though."
"Really? You're a Sonya Blade fan. I wouldn't have guessed."
"You're not sorry, you're misinformed."
"What?"
"You told Johnny that Sonya couldn't beat Shang Tsung. You're not sorry, you're just misinformed."
"Sonya can't beat Shang Tsung."
"BULLSHIT! She's the best of the fighters, bar none. She would've kicked his ass all over the tower," I look up, to see a freaked out nurse standing over me, "Hey, did you see the MK movie?"
"Yeah, my son likes the game."
"Can Sonya Blade beat Shang Tsung?"
"Which one's Sonya?" SIMPILTON!
"Never mind. Bottom line, she can beat him on Earth, in Outworld, Netherealm, or wherever the hell you take her next." The nurse leaves, spooked. Which one's Sonya? Peon.
"You honestly believe that?"
"HELL YES!"
"How'd you like to meet her in person?"
"Been there, done that. I made my dad drive me across the state to see MK live. I actually got to meet Kerri Hoskins. She was ABSOULUTLY AWESOME! I, however, went from being 17 to 5 in 2.8 seconds. God, that poor woman must think I'm crazier than these damn doctors do. On the other hand, I'm 26 years old, and dream about hanging out with Sonya Blade. Top that off with the fact that I'm sitting here arguing with a drug induced hallucination, and I'm starting to think I'm nuts, too."
"Would you like me to come back tomorrow?"
"Sure, why not. Maybe they'll dope me up enough to see you, and Solid Snake, and Kane." I'm still laughing, as he vanishes. Man, right drug, wrong dose. Story of my life. Maybe I can fake enough pain to get more. Shit, they give me any more, they'll never let me outta here. OK, forget more. The nurse is probably talking to the macadamia nut ranch right now to make my reservation. I laugh again. For someone who just got stabbed with Kano's blade, and had a conversation with a cool looking hallucination, I'm actually in a real good mood. I can barely keep my eyes open. I finally drift off.
"There's nothing to say that freak at the club wasn't lying his ass off. Kano could be a thousand miles from here by now," I crouch behind them, watching silently, "This is a waste of time. Come on, Jess, back me up here."
"No, he's here."
"Wonderful. Thanks for the help." Sonya looks back at both of us, glaring.
"You two idiots give away our position, I'm throwing you both off the pier," I wait until she turns around, and grin, as we watch a boat pull into the dock. I don't think Sonya even notices, "That's Kano. What's he saying?" I look through my binoculars.
"I think he's saying come to poppa."
"I'm gonna poppa his ass." She pulls her nine, and runs for the boat he got on. I follow her.
"Sonya, come back here! Hey, Sonya!" Yeah, like that was gonna work. I'm following her, as we get off the loading ramp onto the deck. She spins around, noticing me.
"Where's Jax?"
"I think he stayed."
"You should've stayed, too."
"Yeah, but what's the fun in that?" Not watching, she walks head first into Johnny Cage.
"Do you wanna get," She shoves the nine millimeter hard under his chin, "Rough?"
"No, do you?"
"I'm Johnny Cage, and you are?"
"Where's Kano?"
"I don't know who you're talking about, but I'm sure I can help you find him." Annoyed, she shoves past him.
"Outta my way." I laugh, following her.
"He was kinda cute, huh?"
"Get his number later. We've got a job to do." I follow her under the deck.
I wake up in a private room. Shit, I was due in to work at 4 AM. I look up at the clock. It's noon. DON'T LET ME BE FIRED! I painfully pull myself up, grabbing the phone. I dial the number.
"Burger world."
"I'M IN THE HOSPITAL, DON'T FIRE ME!"
"I know, I called the ambulance."
"So, I'm not fired?"
"Of course not! You OK?"
"Yeah, they gave me some real good drugs." I laugh, remembering last night.
"Any word on when you'll get out?"
"Not yet. The doc still hasn't been in to see me."
"Let me know when you do."
"Thanks, Frank."
"I didn't think I was that much of an asshole."
"You're not, I just can't afford to loose my job." I hear a door close in the background.
"Bottom line, Jessie, you're a good worker. You're weird, but you're a good kid. Just let me know when you want back on the schedule."
"Thanks, Frank."
"Rest up, we'll be here." He hangs up. He's cool, thank god.
"You're welcome." I see Raiden standing next to me.
"Oh, shit. I'm not stoned, am I?"
"No, you're sober this time." I take a deep breath.
"It's stress. It has to be. I'm loosing it. You CAN'T be real!"
"Why not, you think Sonya is."
"Well, you got me there. What the hell do you want from me?"
"I need your help."
"Wonderful! He needs my help. I'm having a nervous breakdown."
"You're fine."
"I'm talking to a Chinese thunder god, I AM NOT FINE! The ship has sailed, and it left without me! Oh, God, I'm loosing it."
"You're not loosing it. You're as sane as those doctors are."
"Oh, boy, I'm really screwed."
"Sonya trusts me, do you?"
"Great, now he wants to play in my psychosis." The door opens, and Brian walks in, out of breath.
"Hey, Jess. How are you?"
"I'm nuts, how are you?"
"Frank told me somebody stabbed you. You OK?"
"Yeah, in the stomach. I should've had them turn it a few more times. Cut off a few more pounds. As for OK, I lost the little mind I had left."
"What do I have to do to convince you I'm real?"
"If you're real, then appear to him, too."
"That's simple. Do you want to warn him, or should we just give him a heart attack?"
"Jess, who are you talking to?"
"Brian, sit down. I need a favor." He sits next to me, and I turn to face him.
"What's up, Jess?"
"In a couple of seconds, you could see something over my shoulder. I need to know what you see."
"Jess, come on, there's nothing . . ." I watch all the color drain from his face, "Oh, shit."
"What do you see?"
"I . . .Uh . . ."
"Brian, what's there?"
"Christopher Lambert in Raiden garb." I lay back, stunned.
"Oh, God, he's real. Brian, call my dad, tell him I love him. He's gonna zap me." Raiden laughs.
"Maybe later. I need you."
"You can wipe out planets. What the hell do you need me for?"
"Kano's back. He's found a way to enter this world."
"That's way the hell out of his league. Who's he working with?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't you go get Sonya, and she can kick his ass?"
"Sonya's in danger. She doesn't know he's back."
"So, he's gonna try to take her out, and she has no idea it's coming?"
"That's why I need you. I can't directly interject myself into the lives of mortals. That's why I couldn't help you in the alley last night. But, since he did enter your dimension, I can transport you there, if you want."
"When do we leave?"
"JESS, THIS IS NUTS!"
"No, man. If she needs me, I'm there."
"You're screwed up. You're bleeding. What good are you gonna do her?"
"Apparently he knows about your fascination with Sonya. That's how you got stabbed in the first place."
"Then I'm a sitting duck, anyway. Might as well go out swinging."
"You're right, you have lost it."
"I'm not nuts. Well, I am, but not this time."
"You're a sucker. Give you a sob story, and you'll break your neck to help."
"Brian, you're my friend. Respect me on this one."
"You're talking about jumping dimensions. This is straight out of the Twilight zone, for Christ's sake."
"Respect it, or deal with it, 'cause I'm outta here."
"What about your job?"
"It's burger world. You could get a trained chimp to do that shit."
"I'm not gonna convince you, am I?"
"No, but I do need you to do something for me. Go to my apartment, and get my glove."
"You're nuts."
"Yeah, I am. You gonna do it, or not?" He smiles, shaking his head.
"Yeah, I'll be back." He walks out, as I turn to Raiden.
"She's not gonna like this."
"It's good to hear they portrayed her reasonably well."
"Where are we going?"
"There are several alternate earths. The one I'm taking you to is the MK Universe. All those characters you like so much from those games are real. All of them are real."
"Am I in for culture shock?"
"A little. It's not all that different from your world."
"Cool."
"I didn't say you weren't in for a shock. Just that it's not cultural."
"What's that mean?"
"You'll see." I don't like that stupid grin on his face. Brian walks in, tossing me the glove. I slide it on my left hand.
"Thanks. Get my clothes."
"No need." Raiden waves his hand over me, and the hospital gown is replaced by a green t-shirt and black jeans.
"Nice taste. Help me up."
"No need for that, either." I sit up on my own.
"No pain."
"You're quick, aren't you?" I shoot Raiden a dirty look, getting up.
"Please, be careful." Brian pleads, as Raiden opens the portal.
"You sound almost concerned."
"No, I just don't want to loose my best customer." I grin at him, walking through the portal with Raiden.