I don't own Mortal Kombat
The D'Vorah Effect
Prologue: The Plea
Cassie Cage stepped past the Special Forces who were guarding the holding cell, the guards were pointing machine guns at the cell, not that it would do them much good. Cassie didn't know of a kombatant who couldn't break out of a cell, and slaughter regular soldiers faster than they could react. She wasn't sure why this particular prisoner had asked to see her, after all Cassie had kicked her and her bosses' ass only two weeks ago. Hell, she wasn't even sure why she agreed to see D'Vorah, the bug lady had tried to kill her father after all. "Whatever you want, make it quick, Ladybug, arrangements are already being made to ship you back to Outworld and let Kotal Kahn deal with your treacherous ass," Cassie said coolly.
D'Vorah flinched, no doubt she knew what Kotal Kahn would do if he got his hands on her. Outworld had a brutal justice system, even the smallest infractions ended in death, and treachery was no small infraction. Not that Cassie had any pity for the yellow insect woman after she tried to make her father a snack for her larvae. "This One wishes to swear herself to your service, Cassandra Cage." D'Vorah even went as far as to genuflect in her cell.
Cassie was momentarily stunned, she didn't know what to expect when D'Vorah had asked to see her but it sure as hell wasn't this. "Why the hell would I trust you, Ladybug? You're not exactly known for your loyalty. You helped take Mileena out of power in Outworld, betrayed Kotal Kahn to help bring back Shinnok, oh and you tried to turn my dad into a snack for your little maggots. If we weren't trying to salvage the Reiko Accords I'd put a bullet between your beady little myself."
Anger flashed in D'Vorah's eyes, she probably didn't like her larvae being called maggots, but to Cassie's surprise it vanished as quickly as it came. "This One understands why you would be unwilling to take me at my word. However, This One had a reason for my actions, Cassandra Cage," D'Vorah said.
The Special Forces Sergeant quirked an eyebrow in mock interest. "Oh? This should be good."
"This One's sole purpose is to secure the survival of the Hive. Whoever can best ensure that This One will serve. This One joined Shinnok's forces because Elder Gods have great power."
"I don't see why I should care about what happens to your little bug brood," Cassie said.
"You defeated Shinnok, you have the power to protect This One and the Hive, and in exchange This One will be your loyal servant. In Outworld Earthrealmers are considered soft, too kindhearted, but now This One needs that kindness. This One is the last remaining Kytinn. To hand me over to Kotal Kahn is to doom the Hive to extinction."
Cassie froze. Sure, she had no love for D'Vorah, and for very good reason, but this just got a lot more complicated. There was no small part of her that wanted to tell D'Vorah to go to hell and let Kotal give her the axe, but at the same time that would mean wiping out an entire species. Could she really live with that on her conscience? Earthrealm was supposed to be better than that. "Alright, I'll talk to my mother about letting you out, but I can't make any promises."
"Thank you, Cassandra Cage," D'Vorah said, she did sound grateful, but Cassie knew how good an actress she was.
"Don't thank me yet, Ladybug, this decision is up to my mother."
General Sonya Blade couldn't believe what she was hearing. The fact that it was coming from her daughter made it even more shocking. "You've got be be fucking kidding me, Cassie, you want me to give asylum to D'Vorah of all people? No, I'm shipping her off to Kotal and that's that," Sonya said.
"Believe me, Mom I don't like D'Vorah any more than you do, but she's the last of her species, if we give her to Kotal Kahn the Kytinn race will go extinct," Cassie pleaded.
"Even if that were true, which I seriously doubt given D'Vorah's history, I don't give a damn. Maybe she should have thought about that before she teamed up with Shinnok. Preserving the Reiko Accords is far more important than possibly saving one Outworld species."
"Kotal's already violated the Accords once, not to mention his questionable associations... Are we sure we can trust him? Unlike you, I'm not comfortable with letting an entire species go extinct," Cassie said.
Damn, Sonya had to admit her daughter had some good points. "Even if I could get D'Vorah asylum in Earthrealm, she's far too dangerous to let roam free, Sergeant Cage."
"I'll take personal responsibility for her ma'am, she wants to swear personal loyalty to me anyway," Cassie said.
"That's not good enough, Cassie, not even close. This could all be a ploy to get you to let your guard down so she can get revenge for you beating Shinnok. Kotal's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but he's the best Outworld Khan we've had to deal with by far, and Earthrealm just isn't ready for another war."
"You think I can't handle D'Vorah if she gets out of line, Mom?"
"That's not what this is about, Cassie, and you know it. You're my daughter and I love you. I don't want you taking unnecessary risks. With that bug around one slip up and you're dead," Sonya said gently.
"I know how to watch my own back, I don't need to be coddled," Cassie growled.
Sonya sighed. "Is this really the hill you're ready to die on, Cass?" She never imagined her daughter going to bat for D'Vorah.
"Yes, it is, we're supposed to be better than our enemies. Better than Outworld, better than... we used to be. Humanity has let too many cultures die out, we have a history of trying to exterminate things that aren't like us. We have a chance to stop something like that, and on the off chance D'Vorah is genuine we get another powerful warrior to defend Earthrealm."
"I can try, Cassie, but if it comes to a choice of saving D'Vorah and keeping the peace with Outworld I'm going to choose peace."
"That's all I can ask, Mom," Cassie said.
Kotal Khan sat across the table from General Sonya Blade, the conference room was too plush for his liking but Earthrealmers weren't as hardy as the denizens of Outworld. This was just the latest of many meetings they'd had since the defeat of Shinnok. His play for Shinnok's amulet had damaged relations between the Realms. Neither Earthrealm or Outworld was in any shape for another conflict. Kotal had barely ended the civil war in Outworld and Earthrealm was still recovering from Shao Kahn's devastating invasion. It was in both realms' best interest to make sure the Reiko Accords stayed in place.
It would take some serious legwork on both sides to restore the trust that had been lost. These negotiations were about creating some kind of equitable settlement that would start them on that path. However, as they discussed things Kotal could see that Sonya Blade was distracted. "Is something wrong, General?"
Sonya jerked back into focus. "Actually, yes there is, Kotal. I have some questions about D'Vorah."
Kotal clenched his fists. D'Vorah. That treacherous Kytinn deserved death, weaseling into his good graces so she could help revive Shinnok. He couldn't wait to bring his sword down and sever that disgusting head from her neck. "What do you wish to know of that traitor?" Steel laced his voice, just thinking of that creature was enough to make him lose his composure.
"Is it true that she is the last of the Kytinn?" Sonya asked. Where had the Earthrealmers gotten that information? No, that was obvious, D'Vorah herself. What was that insect planning? "Yes, that is true. Shao Khan razed their hive shortly after he merged their Realm with Outworld because they refused to swear loyalty to him."
Sonya sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that, Kotal. D'Vorah has requested asylum in Earthrealm and intends to swear her allegiance to my daughter."
"Surely you are not considering granted such a ludicrous request?" Kotal roared, "That duplicitous worm is obviously trying to escape punishment for her actions. She is an Outworld criminal and deserves Outworld justice!"
"I don't trust D'Vorah as far as I can throw her, Kotal. I'd love nothing more than to hand her over and let you deal with her. Problem is, she is the last of her kind, and we Earthrealmers aren't in the habit of aiding genocide. We're trying to move beyond the darker chapters of our past."
"So you would help a criminal escape justice?" Kotal slammed his hands on the table causing cracks to appear in the wood.
"You have no room to talk on that score, Kotal Kahn, considering you gave Kano and his Black Dragons, notorious Earthrealm criminals safe haven so long as they provided weapons for your civil war," Sonya snapped.
"I did what I had to in order to protect Outworld from that madwoman's whims, and Earthrealm also benefited from my actions, or would you rather be dealing with Mileena instead of me?"
"At least Mileena was straightforward, you broke our non-aggression pact so you could claim Shinnok's amulet for yourself. Here's the deal: You give us D'Vorah and we'll forget all of that," Sonya said.
"Your point is well made, General Blade. Very well, D'Vorah will be kept in Earthrealm custody. I am not pleased with this outcome, but if it will keep the peace between our reams I am willing to love with it," Kotal Kahn said.
"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Kotal Kahn, and rest assured that if D'Vorah steps one toe out of line she will be dealt with."
D'Vorah stirred as the door to her cell opened. That could only mean one of two things: Either Cassandra Cage had managed to pull the strings needed to spare her life, or she was being taken back to Outworld where she would most likely meet her end. The Kytinn knew it was best not to make any sudden moves until she knew which scenario it was.
She almost breathed a sigh of relief when Cassandra Cage stepped into the room, but for all she knew the Earthrealm warrior was just here to inform her of her impending death. D'Vorah looked around and began planning her escape route, other than Cage no one in the room would pose a challenge. She could easily break out of the shackles they'd placed her in.
To the Kytinn's surprise Cage stepped into the cell and unlocked the shackles herself. "You lucked out, Ladybug, my mom was able to convince Kotal Khan to let you stay in Earthrealm, under my supervision."
"No doubt you were the one who convinced your mother to pursue that course of action," D'Vorah said.
"Yeah, but don't think that makes us friends, D'Vorah. I just didn't want the blood of a species on my hands."
"Your reasons do not matter to This One, Mistress, all that matters is that you can protect the hive. Therefore I live to serve you." D'Vorah once again bowed to the human. For her part Cage looked uncomfortable.
"Wait, you were serious about all that servitude stuff?"
"Of course, Mistress, This One owes you her life. You have protected the Hive and have the power to continue doing so. It is only right that I serve you in return.
Okay, so here's the deal guys, there are two years t cover before Mk11 starts, I'm going to use that the build up the Cassie/D'Vorah relationship. However that doesn't men there won't be action in that time. I'm hoping to fix Mk11 with this fic and take things from there.