Chapter Fourteen - The Return
Sonya, Jax, Johnny, Kung Lao, Sub-Zero, and Frost walked through Outworld. They could feel the eeriness of the environment on the edge of their skins as if someone was following them ready to attack from behind. What disturbed the group most of all were the green souls flying above them.
"It's as though they are attracted to something," said Johnny.
"It's obvious that it has something to do with Shang Tsung," replied Sub- Zero.
"Either way," said Jax. "We'll find out."
They all walked in silence for another two minutes before Kung Lao broke it.
"I wanted to visit an old martial arts master who is a native here," he said.
"And who is that?" asked Sonya.
Kung Lao answered. "His name is Bo' Rai Cho. He taught Liu Kang a move that helped him defeat Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat tournament ten years ago. I would like to learn the same move as well. I feel that it would increase our chances in defeating the Deadly Alliance."
"Well, I can safely say one thing," said Johnny. "Liu Kang always defeated the bad guy and we were always the sidekicks. Not that I minded, it saved me the stress, but now with him gone, we have to work on how all of us can defeat the bad guys instead of relying on him every time."
"For once, I agree with you," answered Jax.
"Go right ahead," said Sonya. "We'll meet up with you soon."
"I'll come back as soon as I can," Kung Lao answered. "I'll see you all soon."
Everyone bowed to Kung Lao. Kung Lao returned the bow and went on his way.
"Is that his way of leaving us behind?" asked Frost with a bit of harshness.
"Quiet," replied Sub-Zero staring at his pupil. Frost narrowed her eyes and turned away.
The group continued walking. Sonya's mind drifted a bit back to all that's happened. She wondered how Alex was holding up back in Earthrealm.
She also wondered if both Kenshi and Cyrax were all right out there in Outworld.
'I really do hope they're alive,' she thought feeling a bit grim.
It was then that she noticed a black figure in the distance. Sonya stopped in her tracks and stared at the figure. She saw the black figure walking about and going further away from the group.
Then, Sonya noticed a shimmer on the person's face as they turned their head. She narrowed her eyes, knowing that the person had a piece of metal on his face. It was no mistake as to who this was.
"Kano," Sonya growled.
Everyone with her noticed that she had stopped walking and turned to her. "What's up, Sonya?" asked Johnny.
"You see that figure in the distance?"
Everyone turned to where she was looking. Indeed, they too noticed the figure in the distance.
"Yeah, what about him?" asked Frost.
"It's Kano, I know it," Sonya replied.
Jax looked at the figure, then back at Sonya. "Are you sure?"
Sonya took out her handgun. "I know it. I'm going after him. I'll catch up with you guys soon." Sonya immediately began to go after the figure.
Jax looked at everyone else, his back turned to where Sonya was going. Before he could speak to them, he too noticed another figure not too far. He immediately recognized the figure wearing green pants, black boots, a green and black military hat… and a cybernetic heart over his chest.
"Hsu Hao," Jax growled.
Sub-Zero, Frost, and Johnny turned around and noticed the figure.
Jax took out his machine gun. "That's the traitor who destroyed the OIA. I'm going after him. Follow me in about five minutes." Then, he began running after Hsu Hao.
Johnny turned to the ice ninjas. "Well, it seems like everyone's going off doing their own thing today."
"That's what vengeance can do to you," replied Sub-Zero.
After five minutes, the three of them began to walk in the same direction Jax went.
Back on Earthrealm
Alex looked through an old family album that her aunt had given to her just before she joined Special Forces. It was filled with many pictures containing her parents, her aunt, and herself at a young age.
She took her time looking at each and every picture and thought about the good memories behind them. There were many pictures of her father back in his military days and some pictures contained her mother working at the old bakery shop back in her small town in Florida.
Since her parents passed away, the only other living relative left was her Aunt Maggie, who lived in the same Florida town she grew up in. She and Aunt Maggie became close especially after her mother's death. However, Alex's military career tended to keep her away from home, and she was only able to speak with her aunt once a week if she was lucky.
Alex then placed her hand over her stomach. Being only a few weeks along, her pregnancy wasn't noticeable as of now. She had managed to speak to Aunt Maggie once since Jax and Sonya had left for Outworld. She had told her about Kenshi, but she couldn't bring up the courage to tell her that she was having his child.
'Perhaps, I'll let her know next time I speak with her,' she thought.
Suddenly, she heard what sounded like someone landing hard on the ground just outside her bedroom door. Alex jumped from her chair.
'What the hell was that?!' she thought.
She walked over to the door and quickly opened it. She gasped when she noticed the very familiar cyborg getting up from the floor. On the ceiling, what looked like a portal just closed right up.
"Cyrax!" Alex cried out, feeling relieved to see him.
Cyrax shook his head, and then looked over at her. "Alex! It's good to see you!"
Alex managed to smile a bit. "It's good to see you well and alive! Come in." She motioned Cyrax to come in her room. Cyrax walked in and sat on her bed. Alex closed the door and sat at her desk, turning her chair towards her bed so that she could face the cyborg.
"I experienced one hell of a ride," Cyrax said. "How have things been since I lost communication with you all?"
Alex's small smile faded. A little sadness came over her blue eyes. "Well, a lot happened since then. We were really worried about you, what happened?"
"Well, it's a long story, but I'll try to make it as short as possible," Cyrax said. "This reptile-like creature attacked me while I was talking to Jax. He ripped up my arm panel and then tried to kill me. I managed to defend myself with my spin kick and he ran off.
"Then, a vampire named Nitara came to me. She needed my help in retrieving an orb that bounded her native realm with Outworld. The orb was located within the depths of molten lave. Since I was a cyborg, it would be easier for me to survive down there than for Nitara herself. If I retrieved the orb, then she would return me to Earth.
"So I went with her, then I went into the molten lave. My censors almost burnt out as soon as I put my head in. It was really bright and hot down there, but I wasn't about to give up. After a long search, I found the orb in the deepest part of the lava. I grabbed it and quickly made my way back up.
"When I did get back to the surface, I gave the orb to her. Then, she took what looked like a crystal necklace and summoned a portal. There was only enough time for me to bow to her before I was swept into the gateway. Then, I landed right in front of your door. A softer landing would've been nice, but at least I'm back home now."
Then, Cyrax's chest opened up. A machine popped out holding a bottle of Heineken. Cyrax grabbed the bottle.
"Although I didn't complete my actual mission," Cyrax said. "We should at least celebrate my return! Join me for a drink!"
Alex almost laughed. "Didn't Jax tell you to not bring beer with you on the mission?"
"Yes," Cyrax answered. "But this shows that he should do a cavity search next time. Besides, this was the only bottle I had and I was saving it for a special occasion." He brought the bottle to Alex. "I'll let you take the first sip."
Alex pushed the bottle away. "Thanks, but, well, I have a story to tell you myself. You see, after we lost contact with you, we sent Kenshi out to look for you. A over two weeks later, the OIA was destroyed. Yours and Jax's suspicions were correct about Hsu Hao, by the way. He turned out to be a traitor. He's obviously involved in an organization whose after us. Basically, not only have we lost contact with you, we lost contact with Kenshi as well. Jax and Sonya are in Outworld right now looking for you two."
"I feel so special," Cyrax said. "But what about you? How come you're here and not kicking Outworld butt?"
Alex lightly put her hand over her stomach. "Well, for one thing, Kenshi and I are together now-"
"I knew there was something between you two," Cyrax said with delight.
Alex smiled a bit and continued. "Well, eh, here's the thing... I happened to miss a couple of days of my contraceptive pills and, well… I'm pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Cyrax spoke. "Wow… you two didn't waste any time! I'm surprised you two didn't run off and get hitched before that!"
"Be quiet," Alex laughed, the redness coming over her face. She was glad that Cyrax was back in one piece. He knew how to make her laugh, even in the grimmest times.
"Well, I congratulate you," Cyrax continued, raising his beer bottle in a toast. "But hopefully, everyone else will come back in one piece, especially Kenshi… for you and your kid. Does he know?"
Alex should her head sadly. Before Cyrax spoke, she stood up. "Yeah… I should get in contact with Sonya right away to let her know that you're back."
"Good idea." Cyrax opened the Heineken bottle with one twist. "So, eh, when's the baby shower?"
"I'm not sure," Alex replied. She grinned as a thought came to her. "But I'm only sure of one thing right now and I apologize ahead of time. There's going to be no beer there."
"Darn."