Chapter 7

Man vs Machine

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Location /Date / Time Change

"So... how do you think they took it?" Toxik asked as the two studied the maps of Earthrealm.

"About as well as anyone could finding out they died..." Cassie said, glancing over at her mother. "I'm just glad they didn't collapse at the news."

"Why would they do that?" He asked before following her gaze. "Wait... did your mo-"

"Think you could go check on Nightwolf?" She interrupted, fighting tears. "He hasn't come back from his little retreat yet."

Xiuhcoatl pulled on his waist and he quickly left her side. He walked past Johnny who patted his shoulder, much to the assassin's confusion. Toxik left the room and walked through the base before finding the 'hanger' as Cassie called it. The scent of heavy smoke filled his nose and he followed it outside.

Kneeling in front of a small fire was the Matokain warrior, his eyes closed. "I know you're concerned about me." He said, standing up before turning around. "Face me." Nightwolf said, confusing the Outworlder. "Combat will ease your worries."

Toxik shrugged before dropping into a fighting stance as Nightwolf did the same. Toxik shifted forward before throwing a punch that Nightwolf pushed aside. The spirit warrior raised his leg for a kick only for Toxik to catch the foot and yank on it, sending the Matokain to the ground.

The human reached to his leg and pulled out his axe before swinging it. Toxik jumped over it before trying to stomp on his opponent, only for Nightwolf to twist his leg and send Toxik tumbling over. The tribal warrior summoned a knife to stab down, only for the hybrid to block.

The Outworlder raised his legs and wrapped them around Nightwolfs neck and pulled, trying to break his arm. The Matokain guardian spread his legs and lifted Toxik off the ground before slamming him down. Toxik groaned in pain before the two rolled back from each other. "So what brought this about?" Toxik asked, standing up.

A green glow rolled off Nightwolfs arms before they turned into a transparent bow and arrow. "I read your file." The Native said before firing a spectral arrow.

Toxik jumped back before ducking another arrow. "And you pity me?" He asked back, unfurling his whip and wrapping it around the front leg. Toxik pulled on the tail and sent Nightwolf to ground. He raced forward and drew a knife only for Nightwolf to stand up

"I wasn't always this noble warrior." Nightwolf spoke up, summoning a spectral knife. "I almost sold my tribe out to Kano. But I realized that by saving myself, I would doom my people." The two blades clashed and they starred at each other. "Our past is important, but you cannot let it dominate you."

The two pushed back as a bolt of lightning came down and Raiden appeared with the Shaolin warriors behind him. "Hyoka, what did the Elder Gods say?" Nightwolf asked as the tribesperson walked over, Toxik staying put.

"We must find the one known as Kronika." The god said. "Wrest the control of history from her. If we succeed, our destiny can change."

"So what Toxik and the others told us is true? You were... 'involved' in our deaths?" Kung Lao asked, making Raiden turn around.

"Yes, had the timeline continued my actions would have led to your deaths." Raiden confessed. "But the Elder Gods have assured me that such a future is not preordained. This is only one of many possible timelines."

"That's a lot to take on faith!" Toxik said, walking forward. "Especially to someone who has faced your wrath!"

"Rest assured, Toxik, I will not become that person." Raiden said. "I will not bring harm to any of you. You have my word."

"Thank you, Lord Raiden." Liu Kang said before the three monks bowed.

"We must find Kronika's Keep and strike it, as hard and as fast as we can muster, before all is lost." Raiden said before the five walked back into the base.

"Have we learned anything about Kronika's effect on Earthrealm?" The god asked Cassie.

"We're tracking sights all around the globe with major temporal anomalies, but the picture's still fuzzy." The blonde replied.

"Our daughter is something else, isn't she?" Johnny asked Sonya.

The woman in the sweatsuit chuckled before turning to the actor. "Cage, I'm not 'your' Sonya." She said, confirming what Toxik thought.

"Sorry, all too easy to forget." He said stepping back.

"Now, who are you?" Sonya asked, turning to Toxik.

Raiden walked by them, looking for a place to teleport. "My name is Toxik. I am one of Kotal Kahn's most trusted warriors. I was sent here as a goodwill gesture to your world."

"That's nice." She chuckled. "That's not what I meant. I mean why are you so interested in Cassie."

The assassin turned to Johnny only to see him walk away. "I... I helped her defeat Shinnok two years ago. I was hoping we could strengthen the relationship between our realms before... Raiden went crazy. After that, our realms were once again at odds." An explosion echoed through the base, making him grab a knife and Xiuhcoatl. "We're under attack!"

"No, that's just Jax at the firing range." Sonya chuckled. "So, I take it you're interested in Cassie. Not sure I want another Johnny in my life."

"Do not worry. Zaterran's are extremely loyal." Toxik replied. "We don't abandon those we love, especially the women."

"Whatever you say, pal." The two looked to see the two Johnny's walk over and sat down next to a screen. "But I do hope you scored a bit before your face turned into psoraisis." The older Johnny face palmed as Toxik cleared his throat.

Sonya took the chance to walk over to another screen, next to Cassie. Johnny stared down at the older blonde as his younger self leaned over. The woman glanced down and he turned back to the screen. "So I marry Lieutenant Princess over there?" The younger version asked. "I always have had a thing for blondes. Ever since-"

"Suzie Donardo, junior year." The older man finished. "Trust me kid, you didn't miss much. That woman over there is the real deal."

The actor lowered his shades and looked at Sonya. "Oh, I have eyes, brother. As younger you, I swear to tap that at the early possible convenience." Everyone in the room stared at him as Toxik glared at the younger version. "What? It is foretold!"

Present Johnny stood up and grabbed his youthful versions ear, dragging him out of the room like a child. "How on Earthrealm did your father ever turn from THAT to the warrior that beat Shinnok?" Toxik asked Cassie.

"I wouldn't have phrased it like that, but I'm with you." Sonya agreed before turning to Cassie. "Who's your father... I can't believe I just said that."

"Look, my dad isn't the Johnny you know." Cassie told her future mother. "He... grew up. I like to think you rubbed off on him. As a kid, I looked up to you both."

"My dad, your grandfather, was my hero." Sonya said. "Called me Private Pun'kin."

"Hey, that's what you called me." The daughter added, instantly making the conversation awkward. "Let's get back to work." She mumbled before walking away.

"Cassie, wait." Toxik walked after her, reaching a table. "I... I think I know what happened, and I'm sorry. Your mother died and you couldn't save her. I wish I could have helped, but-"

"Don't worry about it." Cassie said, punching his shoulder. "You couldn't have helped me anyway. It's... It's just nice to see you again. And for the record, I'm sorry about what Raiden did to you. I should have known you wouldn't just leave."

Before the hybrid could speak again, Sonya walked over and pushed Cassie in the shoulder. "You left me behind."

"What?" Both male and female asked.

"My final mission?" Her mother explained before the younger blonde saw the screen.

"No. I'm not doing this. Not now, not with you." Cassie replied before turning around.

"Damnit, Cassie! You abandoned me!" Her mother asked, spinning her around

"She wouldn't do that!" Toxik interrupted.

"And how would you know!?" Sonya asked. "You've been gone for two years! You don't know how she could have changed!"

"Not like this!" The assassin shouted. "If she did something, then you can bet she had a damn good reason!"

"And what could that possibly be!?" The mother asked.

"Your orders!" Cassie shouted, finally joining the conversation. "Read the full file, lieutenant!" Red lights flashed on the screens before an alarm started blaring. "Go to condition red!"

"What's happening!?" Toxik asked.

"This time we are under attack!" Cassie replied before grabbing a mic. "We're under attack! I repeat, we are under attack!" An explosion rocked the base before the door to the command room was shut. The soldiers began barricading the door with whatever they could as a flame began cutting through the door.

"What do you want me to do?" Toxik asked as the soldiers aimed their guns at the door.

"Suck it up and get ready for the fight of your life." Cassie replied, pulling out her guns. Toxik nodded and pulled out a knife as his Xiuhcoatl hardened in his other hand.

The door burst opened and both Kano's and a swarm of Cyber Lin Kuei charged in. Under a swarm of gunfire, Toxik rushed at one of the machines and thrust Xiuhcoatl in his chest. He jumped off and dug his claws into the ceiling before throwing some knives at two others.

A roar caught his attention and he jumped away from a stream of flames. Landing on the ground between human blood and robotic fluids, he rushed under the blaze towards red and white one, who cocked its fist back. He then opened his chest and launched missiles at the hybrid who jumped over one before grabbing another.

Just as he landed he turned it around and sent it flying back. It exploded and took out a cluster of robots before he was hit in the head by the older Kano. "Think your hot stuff?" Kano asked. He pulled a knife from his boot and stabbed into Toxik's leg. He cried out and gripped his leg as he rolled a bit, letting Kano see his face.

"Yesh, and they call my face messed up." His red eye began glowing before firing a beam that hit the burned half. Kano kicked the fresh wound and chuckled. He picked the assassin up and threw him at Sektor, who fired another missile. It hit true and sent Toxik flying into the back wall before he dropped to the ground.

His head ringing, Toxik pushed himself up as Johnny cried out for his wife and daughter. The Outworlder turned around and found the younger girl on the ground. He quickly raced over and helped Cassie up as Johnny, Jacqui and Jax reached them. "Breath, breath."

The girl slowly opened her eyes and found herself staring at Toxik, blood trickling from his head. "What happened?" Johnny asked.

"They... took Mom- Sonya." Cassie said.

"I'll find her." Toxik said standing up, only to grab his punctured leg in pain.

"You two need to rest." Johnny said. "Jacqui, can we find out where they went?"

The black girl raced over to a computer and started typing into it. "Tarmac B."

"Careful..." Toxik spoke up. "These... things. They're stronger than they look."

"Don't worry about me." Johnny said. "Just keep herself." The assassin nodded and the older man raced out of the room.

Toxik pushed himself up only for Jax to push him back down. "Get some rest for a second. We need to take care of that leg."

Jacqui raced over with a medical pack and opened it up. She quickly applied some bandages and taped it up. "Can you stand?"

"Let... me try." Toxik replied before pushing himself up. His leg burned in pain before he collapsed onto the overturned table. "I think I need help."

"Here, let me." Cassie said before hooking his arm over her shoulder. "Alright. Let's go help my dad." The others nodded and started marching through the damaged base until they stepped out of the hanger.

The four walked out ready to fight only to see the present Kano holding past Johnny captive as their counterparts were on the ground. Sonya was in the grasp of two cyber ninjas when the older Kano aimed his gun at Johnny's head. "Don't even think about it. Between Ninja Mime and Lady Liberty, we have all the leverage. We're leaving."

A pair of jets flew over the base before one landed. Kano and the robots lead the hostages to the ship as a man with twin blades on his back walked out. "Kabal, get my lesser half."

"And the base?" Kabal asked.

Kano chuckled before pulling out a button. "Taken care of." He pressed the button and a beeping was heard. The group allied with Kronika entered the ships and they took off when something was thrown out. Toxik raced over and jumped as best he could, catching Nightwolf. He hit the ground and his leg gave out, forcing him to drop to the ground.

The warrior clutched his arm before standing up, Toxik using him as a support. "I failed again..." He mumbled before Cassie ran past the two. "No, don't!" The girl stopped at the cliff edge and pulled out her pistol before firing a shot.

The others reached her as she pulled out a black square. On it in glowing yellow letters was the word 'tracking'. "Let's get them." She declared.

"So, are we just going to ignore that beeping sound?" Johnny asked.

Everyone turned around and found Sektor standing behind them, his body sparking intensely. The crack of thunder caught there attention before a bolt of lightning summoned Raiden. "Never thought I'd be glad to see you." Toxik chuckled.

"Am I too late?" The god asked as he marched forward.

"Actually, you're right on time." Johnny said, motioning to the ninja robot.

Raiden pulled his hands back and a bolt of lightning erupted around the group. A bolt of electricity suddenly surrounded them before it faded. The warriors found themselves in a Japanese garden surrounded by red trees. Hanzo Hasashi walked out of a pagoda and towards the group.

"Now that is what I call a miracle." Jax said as Toxik dropped to the ground, the pain in his leg too much.

Raiden turned to the ninja and bowed to him. "Grandmaster Hasashi, I request the Shirai Ryu's hospitality. My Sky Temple is compromised and we must have a safe place to gather."

The grandmaster stared at the god before bowing. "Lord Raiden, welcome to the Fire Garden."

"So... how screwed are we?" Jacqui asked as Liu Kang and Kung Lao walked over.

"We must heal our wounds." The god declared, looking at Toxik. As the others walked to follow Raiden, Sub-Zero walked over and pressed his hands over the burnt flesh, his cryomancer powers cooling the wound.

"Thank you." Toxik said, bowing in respect. "Shall we find the others?" The grandmaster nodded and the two quickly found the group at a small bridge.

"The Elder Gods are gone? Shinnok is Kronika's son?" Cassie asked, catching Toxik up to speed. "No wonder she sent the Black Dragon after me and Dad. We both kicked his ass."

"That can't be it." Toxik spoke up. "I was with you when we beat Shinnok, but at the base they treated me like anyone else."

"Toxik is correct." Raiden added. "Vengeance does not drive Kronika. She seeks to restart time to balance light and dark among the realms."

"What can we do, Lord Raiden?" Liu Kang asked.

"Gather Earthrealm's forces, locate our missing allies." The god declared. "But this will be for naught if we cannot count on Kotal Kahn's army. Cetrion has informed me that Shao Kahn has captured Kotal Kahn."

"What!?" Toxik shouted pushing forward. "Why didn't you say so sooner!? Send me to Outworld now! We have to save him!"

"You're too hurt." Johnny said, punching his bad leg making him buckle.

"Kung Lao and I will go." The monk spoke up. "We will rendezvous with Princess Kitana."

"Thank you both. May the Elder Gods-" The god stopped himself before clearing his head. "May you be victorious." He raised his hand and the two vanished to Outworld.

"And the rest of us?" Jacqui asked.

"We must begin searching for Kronika's Keep." Raiden said. "It is beyond the realms and has proven to be beyond my sight."

"Do you know of Kharon, Lord Raiden?" Scorpion asked.

"Kharon... of course." Sub-Zero said.

"Who is Kharon?" The Thunder God asked.

"Master of the ancient ship of the dead. Sub-Zero and I met him during our time as Revenants." Scorpion explained.

"He travels in the space beyond realms, transporting souls of the damned to the Netherrealm." Sub-Zero added. "If the Keep lies there, Kharon will know its location."

"Would he help us?" Raiden asked.

"It is possible, but I cannot be sure." Hanzo replied. "We will leave immediately to investigate." The two masters bowed before turning to leave.

"The Shaolin will join us as well." Raiden said. "Liu Kang and Kung Lao will aid the preparation when they return from Outworld."

"Good. I'll be leaving soon to go after Johnny and Sonya." Cassie said before turning to leave. The two Briggs turned to join her when Cassie stopped them. "No, Raiden needs you both for an intel op."

"We need to get Sonya back." Jax said.

"Undoubtedly." Raiden spoke up. "But Kronika's behavior makes it clear that while mighty, she is not all powerful. Otherwise, why would she steal Jinsei from the Dragon Grotto?"

"You think she's still building strength?" Jacqui asked.

"A high probability." The god declared. "But with the Dragon Grotto's fountain now sealed, there is no greater source of energy in Earthrealm than the Well of Souls beneath Shang Tsung's Island."

"Then we'd better go check it out." Jacqui said before the two black fighters turned to leave.

"I regret that I cannot join you three on your endeavor." Raiden said, turning back to Cassie, Nightwolf and Toxik. "I must keep a constant vigil for signs of Kronika's further time tampering. The three of you are some of the finest warriors in all the realms. You will defeat the likes of Kano. But proceed with caution. If either Johnny or Sonya die, you will cease to exist. And it is beyond my power to save you from that."

"But I'm injured." Toxik replied.

"We can keep getting you treatment on the way." Cassie replied before turning around. "So, you coming or not?"

I didn't want him to go to both locations, because I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be possible. So I'm having him help save Cassie's parents. Saving Kotal would have been to obvious. I will say this, do not expect it to be pure canon next chapter. See ya then.

Beta read by General Feng Xiang