"You let me die," he said simply, his mouth drawn tight in a frown.

"No," she countered, but he took a step forward.

"I gave my life for you, and you forgot about me!" he shouted angrily. A tear slipped down Sonya's face, betraying her cool exterior. "Did I really mean that little? Just an arrogant jerk who wanted nothing more than to get in your pants? You didn't even fight Kahn for me. You're nothing but a weak, pathetic creature, and I regret even talking to you," he spat at her, with venom in his voice.

Her mind pounded with his words, every one like a knife to her heart. She swallowed the huge lump in her throat and willed herself to speak. She knew it was a test, but her heart and her mind couldn't agree on a course of action. Her heart finally won, and she spoke softly.

"After Alex, I vowed never to trust anyone ever again. But as time wore on, I learned that I could open up to others without getting hurt…that I could trust." She took a step forward and reached out her hand. He slapped it away and leveled a menacing glare at her. She ignored the look and continued.

"You showed me that," she continued, "You made me see that I'm not alone, as long as I can swallow my pride and accept others' compassion."

"What would you know about compassion," he spat maliciously, his eyes holding an evil gleam. "You're heart is made of ice, and you could never be anything other than a bitch. It's a sad truth, Sonya Blade, but nothing can thaw your heart."

A sob escaped from her as she realized the truth in his words. She fell to her knees, her mind screaming in anger, but her heart surrendering to the dark abyss. Then, like a flash, her eyes lit up with hope. My heart! That's it! She looked up and smiled at the being in front of her.

"But something did, Johnny. You did, and for all the times I've promised myself never to love again, my heart wouldn't listen this time. I love you, Johnny Cage."

The air around her shimmered, then, as if someone had thrown a rock into a stained-glass window, the world shattered. The last thing Sonya saw before falling into oblivion was Johnny's face.

She awoke in a blank room, white walls on all sides. A figure was coming to her from a distance, and she stood shakily from her kneeling position. As the figure grew closer, she could see the sleek blackness of its coat and its lithe muscles shifting under the skin. Instinctively, she went for her weapon, realizing she hadn't had it for a while now. Not since I first met Johnny. Shaking her head clear, she focused on the black panther slinking towards her. As it neared, she could see the panther's golden eyes shimmering in the light.

As it neared, she felt her fear melt away, only to be replaced by a sense of peace. The panther stopped in front of her, gold eyes gleaming, and waited. Sonya reached out her hand and placed it atop the large cat's head. Her body jerked violently, and she felt as if she was flying through the air. The cat never left her side as she landed in a field. Animals were running and skittering around, and it looked like a paradise. Oh God, I'm dead, she thought frantically. The panther moved from her side, but looked back expectantly, as if wanting her to follow. She did, slowly at first, but soon she was walking along side the animal, letting it lead her. They came upon an open area, where a few animals rested. The panther joined a wolf by the pond and laid down next to it, laying it's massive head on the wolf's back. A regal crane let out a cry as it flew from the water to land in front of a massive cougar. A mustang came up out of the pond from its swim and shook off the water. Sonya eyed the creatures in awe, unsure of what to do next. The panther stood again and slunk back over, nudging Sonya towards the water with its muzzle. She took the hint and let it lead her to the water's edge, where she peered in.

Gasping, she took in the forms of her friends, each recovering from their ordeals and looking for her. She turned back to the panther.

"How do I…?" In answer, the feline reared up on hind legs and planted its front paws into her back, sending her into the water. But instead of the splash she was expecting, she kept falling, until darkness overtook her once more.

"I think she's coming around," the voice was muffled, but was definitely Liu. She groaned softly as Jax lifted her head off his lap.

"Hey, Sons, you okay?" She shielded her eyes against the light and sat up, a little woozy from her fall.

"What happened?" she croaked, accepting the sap from Kitana.

"We made it," the princess replied happily. "All of us. We passed our tests." Sonya jumped up in excitement, but immediately realized that it was a bad move. She turned around and deposited her breakfast into the bushes. Jax held her hair off her face while Kitana rubbed her back.

"Thanks," she said, wiping her mouth with Liu's proffered handkerchief. "What do we do now?" she asked suddenly, realizing how close they were.

"The legends say Yowan is the Keeper of Souls. No one knows where he is," Kitana said.

"Whoa!" Jax yelled, "You mean Yowan's a person? I thought it was just a place where they kept souls, not an actual dude! And what do you mean legends? Do you know how to get this guy back or not?" Liu held up a hand.

"Let's find this Yowan first, then we'll see what's next." Kitana smiled approvingly and Sonya nodded, but Jax didn't move.

"That is a horrible battle plan, Liu, and it's gonna get us killed." Sonya turned around.

"Hey, look at the upshot. If one of us dies, at least we're already here," she smiled teasingly.

"That's bullshit, Sonya, and you know it," he returned, jogging to catch up. They took the time to take in their surroundings, the foreboding castle in the distance looming over the landscape.

"I guess we go there, huh?" Jax asked. Kitana just nodded gravely, steeling herself. No one said a word as they crossed the barren and charred plains.

"Stay on the path," Kitana called, and Sonya looked down. They were indeed on a stone path that led right up to the castle. She looked around, wondering what was beyond the path, so she voiced her thoughts.

"Legends say that when a person dies, their bodily fluids and tissues are deposited into this field. It is known as the Field of Blood."

"Sorry I asked," Sonya mumbled, willing her stomach to stay where it was. She remained silent the rest of the journey, not wanting to know anymore about the legends. Jax seemed to echo her sentiments and occupied himself with discerning their location.

"I don't even see the forest we came out of. Where the hell are we?" he asked loudly.

Kitana replied without turning. "We traveled to another realm, to where Yowan is. His Tower and Field move randomly across the realms."

"Has he ever occupied Earth Realm?" Liu asked.

"Yes, long ago, before Rayden became your realm's protector. He then decreed that Earth realm would no longer be home to Yowan, and he moved to the Netherealm."

"So what do legends say we have to do to get Johnny back?" Sonya called out from the rear.

"Well, the hard part is rumored to be passing the test to get here. I suppose we just go to him and ask for his soul."

"Why does that sound too easy?" Sonya shot back. She and Jax exchanged skeptical looks, but continued on. Once they reached the gates, they stopped. A huge rot-iron gate blocked entry to the Tower. Twenty-foot stone gargoyles sat on either side of the gate, holding very large axes, looking at each other. Kitana held up a hand, pointing to the gate.

"Look at what it says," she whispered, as if she feared awakening the stone beasts. The warriors read the inscription on the iron.

Many brave warriors tried to pass

But their brave souls have joined me too

The guardians decide the fate of all

And only the truest will make it through

"Why is that not encouraging?" Jax chuckled dryly. Sonya turned to them and took a deep breath.

"I'm going in alone. I know I can make it through, but I do not want to risk anyone else's life."

"What!" A chorus of voices rang out.

"No way in hell Sons! You dragged me this far, I'm going all the way."

"Remember what Rayden told us? We're a family now, and we have to stick together," Kitana affirmed. Liu stepped forward.

"No way am I bailing out now. You and I have been through everything together. This is just one more step on the journey." He laid a hand on her shoulder and she smiled.

"Fine, fine, but I'm going first." She whirled around and marched through the gargoyles, pushing the gate open unafraid. Liu and Kitana stood, eyes wide, watching her. Jax just chuckled.

"That's the Sonya Blade I know," he said, and followed Liu and Kitana. Kitana made it through completely, focusing her mind on helping her friend find her love. Liu thought of his brother, and the tournament as he passed, and he, too, remained unharmed. Jax nodded to himself and strode through. But as he approached, he eyed the guardians warily. He didn't even know this guy, what the hell was he doing? Before he could think, the gargoyles eyes snapped open.