Chapter 18

Jax showed all the Earth Realm warriors to their seats in the rows reserved for family and close friends as he himself, as Best Man, went to go get Johnny. Five minutes later, Johnny and Jax came out and took their places on the dais near the bridesmaids and the priest. Shortly after that, the wedding march started and Sonya appeared at the far end of the walkway with Ho Sung Pak holding her arm and Kitana on her other side.

Sonya walked in exact time to the music and took her place next to Johnny as Kitana took her place at the head of the bridesmaids' row. The Priest called out in a clear and resonant voice: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to see this man and this woman joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony. If there is anyone here who can give just cause as to why these two should not be married, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Naturally, no one spoke up.

The Priest continued with: "Who gives this woman away today?" Ho Sung Pak spoke up firmly and said: "I do." Ho Sung Pak then held Sonya's hand out to Johnny who took it in his, and stepped down into the same row as Ronin and Kung Lao. The Priest took up his oration again: "Do you, Johnny Cage, take this woman Sonya Blade to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to care for her, cherish her and forsaking all others, swear to be by her side in good times and bad, in sickness and health till death do you part?" Johnny said: "With all my soul, I do." Turning to Sonya, the Priest said: "Do you Sonya Blade take this man, Johnny Cage to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to care for him, cherish him and forsaking all others, swear to be by his side in good times and bad, in sickness and in health till death do you part?" Sonya said: "With all my heart, I do." The Priest asked next: "Do you have the rings?"

Jax opened a small compartment on his right arm and handed Johnny his ring while Kitana opened a small pocket on her dress and gave Sonya her ring. In turn, theytook each others' left hands in their right andrepeated in unison: "With this ring, I thee wed." The Priest said: "You may now kiss your bride." Johnny lifted Sonya's veil and kissed her passionately as she returned the kiss. As they turned to face the assembled guests, the Priest said: "It is my pleasure to present to you, for the first time in public, Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Cage!"

As the newlywed couple walked down the isle, they were bombarded by rice from every direction as Ronin slightly pointed to the ceiling and let loose some low voltage fireworks of his own to augment the rice shower. The assembled guests all 'oohhed' and 'aahhed'. Ronin thought to himself: 'A fitting send off for them.'

A few hours later, Ronin had been able to gather the Earth Realm warriors together in one place, away from the main body of the reception and spoke: "I know I am new to this gathering of skill and power but I had to do one thing I felt was needed most. My intent was not to inflict any kind of emotional turmoil and if I hurt anyone's feelings with what I am about to show you, I will make amends in any way I can. Ronin formed a ball of lightning with both hands and called aloud: "I call forth the spirit traveler who came with me this day. Appear before us all now . . . Liu Kang!"

Flinging the ball lightning above his head, it exploded in a show of fireworks similar to that which Ronin had called forth earlier. In the glow of electric particles, Liu Kang appeared where he had been standing next to Ronin. The sudden intake of breath all around was startling as Liu Kang's form solidified. There were no words to be said at first as Kung Lao took a tentative first step and said: "L-L-Liu?" He looked at him and smiled and said: "Yes my brother. I am here, if only for a short time. I can finally say goodbye to you all. My friends and comrades."

Kitana was next to step forward. She held her hand out to him. For this brief moment, he was able to interlace his fingers with hers as he said: "I will always love you Kitana but now you must allow me to die and move on with your life, you must live." He motioned to Kung Lao who stepped over. Liu interlaced the fingers of his other hand with Kung's as he said: "Brother, I am not angry with you. You didn't abandon me that day at the Wu Shi Academy. It was my time to die, nothing could have stopped that. Be happy together, for my sake as well as your own."

Placing Kitana's hand in Kung Lao's, he let go and turned to Johnny and Sonya. "It's about time you two got together. Even as a monk I could see the way you danced around each other. Live a long time and be happy together." Turning to Sub-Zero he said: "It was an honor to fight by your side Grand Master Sub-Zero, even if only for a short time." Sub-Zero bowed low and said: "It is I who am honored to have known as great a warrior as you Liu Kang." Liu returned the bow and turned to Jax who was, despite his best effort to hide it, visibly moved when Liu said: "Take care of those two and yourself you big lug." Jax was unable to say little more than: "You know I will."

Liu Kang turned to face the one he had known as Raiden and said: "Ho Sung Pak, thank you for your guidance over the years. I learned much about myself and about life from your simple lessons. Thank you so very much for everything." Ho Sung could only wipe his eyes as he said: "It was more than a duty to me. More like a privilege. Farewell." Ronin felt a tug of emotion himself as he looked on from the side at the group of comrades-in-kombat.

Liu Kang lastly turned to face Ronin and said: "Thank you for allowing me this chance Lord Raiden. I will be forever grateful to you but now its time for me to go." Ronin nodded his head once as he pointed off one side with his hand, and cast a small ball lightning thatformed a portal that seemed especially bright and warm. Liu Kang stopped just short of it and turned to his friends one last time and said: "One day, our spirits will be reunited my friends, but I am in no hurry for company. So take your time, enjoy your lives and the lives that you will create. Farewell."

Liu Kang stepped into the portal as it closed behind him. Everyone in the room was caught up in the emotion of the moment as Ronin turned to leave; Johnny and Sonya stepped forward and said together: "Wait Raiden, wait." When Ronin stopped and turned around, they both came up to him. Johnny spoke first: "Thank you very much. That was the best wedding present we could have possibly gotten."

Sonya reached across to Ronin and hugged him tightly and said: "Thank you, thank you, thank you so very, very much Raiden." Letting him go, she said: "You will always be welcome in our home if you ever want to visit. For now, come with us. There's still a hell of a party going on and you're one of us now so come on." She put her hand on his shoulder and drew him into the circle of warriors.