Chapter 11: The Funeral
The Special Forces have won. They defeated the revenants by destroying their source of power to create an undead army. The victory came at the cost of many soldiers, including General Sonya Blade. She sacrificed her life to ensure that they would win, and ordered Commander Cassie, her daughter, to leave much to her reluctance. She and Johnny were grieving for their loss. The Special Forces have arranged a funeral for Sonya Blade.
Commander Cassie is giving a speech about her with Johnny, her friends and boyfriend by her side. Dark Raiden wanted to attend, but everyone demanded that he'd not show up since he already insulted Sonya's sacrifice, which offended Cassie and Johnny. He could care less anyway, as he was more concerned for the Revenant's defeat.
"Her name was General Sonya A. Blade. She was stubborn, yet headstrong and willing to get her hands dirty. She has fought hard against many foes and has come out on top, especially with the likes of the Black Dragon, Kano, and Outworld led by Shao Kahn. She fought hard to save millions of lives, including mine, my dad's, Jackson Briggs and his daughter, and the entire Special Forces. She fought to her last breath, always risking her life for her family. Her sacrifice was not in vain. My father, Johnny Cage, will be reading General Blade's Will she wrote in case she died." Cassie gives her speech. She steps aside and stand between Alex and Jacqui, with the former holding her hand.
"My name is Johnny Cage, now former husband of Sonya Blade. At first, we were not on even terms with each other, but we started getting along more since we joined up to defeat Shao Kahn. She inspired me to leave my movie career and join the Special Forces. We have fought hard to prevent Shinnok from taking over Earthrealm. Our family wasn't perfect, even after we divorced. We have rekindled our relationship, but it did not last long. Sonya asked me to open this will in case she were to pass." Johnny said. He opens the will.
"To my daughter Cassie Cage: I always knew that you would be the best of us. You have devoted your life wanting to follow in my footsteps. I couldn't be even more proud. I am making you the new CO of the Special Forces. I know it will not be easy, as nothing ever is in the Special Forces. But I know you will pull it off. I love you, my daughter." Johnny quotes. Cassie looks down and tears drop. Alex holds her hand tight.
"To Jacqueline Briggs and my ex-husband Johnny Cage, I would like to give you two promotions to Sergeant and Colonel. Jacqueline, I am sorry that you have been through alot with your family, but I know you are strong and smart. Johnny, I am sorry about us. You were right about me. I was too devoted to my work over everything else and I feel like I forgot. I was glad to have the family back together after the final defeat of Shinnok. If it weren't for you and our daughter, none of you would be standing here today." Johnny reads before heading to the next paragraph.
"To Jackson Briggs. I hope you recover from your injuries. I wish you didn't went through all of that pain. You didn't deserve it. You devoted your life to save lives and pulled through no matter what. You've raised a good family. You've always been a close friend to me. Like a brother-in arms."
"Kung Jin, Kenshi and Takeda. You three have been the finest warriors anyone could ask for. Despite your past, you've had help from us, and in return, you helped us. I hope you find and bring down the Red Dragon. You all did not deserve to lose what you loved at their hands. You helped the Special Forces make it this far in life. Thank you."
"Finally, to Alex Torres. We have not been on good terms with each other at first because of where you were from, but you convinced me to trust you. You were willing to risk your life for my daughter and our team. You've earned yourself a rightful place among us. You are special to us, even with or without what you could do. I am sorry I couldn't help you with it, but I do hope you'll figure it out. Thank you for being with us for the past three years. We will never forget." Johnny reads.
"To General Sonya Blade!" Commander Cage said.
"To General Sonya Blade!" The entire Special Forces yell. The soldiers fire their guns in the air three times out of respect for General Sonya Blade. Cassie still looks down, having doubts about being the new CO on the same day her mother promoted her to Commander. She drops more tears as she mourns.
Cassie finds herself back in the Netherrealm, where only she was alive. She finds all of the soldiers dead, including Takeda, Jin, Johnny, Jax and Jacqui. Sonya is once again trapped in the rubble.
"Cassie, help me!" Sonya yells for her
"Mom?! Mom, is that you?!" Cassie asks in worry.
"Cassie, I can't move! Hurry before they come back!" Sonya said.
Cassie runs to where she was buried. Sonya is in the exact same spot as before. Cassie tries to move as much rubble as possible to rescue her mother.
"Hang tight, Mom! We'll get you out!" Cassie said as they try to get her out, removing as many rocks and rubble as possible.
"Cassie. I promoted you to Commander. You helped lead the team down here. They're all dead no thanks to you." Sonya blames her.
"What? No, that's not true. I did everything I could to help!" Cassie said. She tries to shrug it off, trying to deny the responsibility thrusted down on her.
"Tell that to your superpowered boyfriend." Sonya tells her.
Cassie turns to Alex, only to see him on the floor, covered in blood. He was dead.
"Alex? Alex! Wake up, Alex!" Cassie tries to shake him but it was no use.
"He is dead, Cassandra Cage. So is your mother, and all of your friends. You led your team into a trap. They're all dead because of you." Revenant Liu Kang said. Cassie tries to stand, but Revenant Kung Lao cuts her legs with his hat, forcing her to her knees. Revenants Kabal and Kitana hold Cassie in place by her arms so she can't move. The evil chosen one charges up fire in his hands and shoots at Cassie and she is engulfed in flames.
"No. NO!" Cassie yells
Cassie suddenly feels her shoulders shaking and she wakes up at a fast speed. She gasps for air. She sees Alex in her private quarters. He was the one who shook her awake.
"Cassie? Are you okay?" Alex asked. She doesn't respond. The first thing she does is hug him tight. Alex hugs her back. "It's alright. You're here. Just breath." Alex said as he hands her some water. Cassie drinks a quarter of it before setting it down. Alex puts his arm around her as he rubs her back.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up, Alex." Cassie said with a sad look.
"You didn't. I was about to go to sleep but I heard you screaming for Sonya. I ran in here and you were having a nightmare. Cassie. Please. Tell me what happened." Alex looks at her with great concern.
"It was horrible. I saw myself back in the Netherrealm. Everyone was gone. Jacqui and dad. Mom was in that pile of rubble. Then the next thing I know, you were dead too. Mom and Liu Kang blamed me for her death." Cassie said before she put her face in her hands.
"We both know it's not true. You did everything to try to save her. Sonya would never ask you to do a suicide mission or blame you for a casulty, her included." Alex tries to reassure her.
"But it's true. If only Liu Kang and Kitana weren't in the way, I would've saved her. But she isn't here. Some Commander I turned out to be. What if I'm not ready to be CO? I could end up causing someone else's death for all I know. Yours, Jacqui's or dad's." Cassie is scared. She can't help but shake at the feeling of the responsibility she has now.
"You won't. You've never messed up on your leadership not even once. In fact, you've improved said skills. No one is blaming you, Cassie. I know it's a big burden, but remember what she said. You devoted your life to follow in her footsteps and be the best of them. She's always considered making you her successor." Alex remembers what she wrote in her will. "Besides, the blame should be on me."
"What do you mean?" Cassie asked.
"I should've beat those two revenants faster so I would've helped you beat Liu Kang and we could have helped Sonya. I could've probably absorbed part of the earth to get her out, but I wasn't sure if I could do it or not or risk crushing her. I was too desperate to save her." Alex looks down. Cassie grabs his hand.
"Hey. Don't say that. It's not your fault either. You were right. Mom would want me to take this. She was the one who inspired me to join her in the Special Forces. I wanted to make a difference so no one else would almost end up like me. It was her that made me who I am today. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for how smart she was. My friends have come to save me from time to time, you included." Cassie tells him.
"That's a good thing. You're the best leader we've ever had, and it's gonna continue to be that way. Just do not let it get you down, don't let any doubts get to your head. You've got people here that need you most. This is why you're our commander. I'm here for you, so are Johnny and Jacqui. I know you can lead the Forces. You're smart and the bravest person I've known. No one could lead better than Sonya or you." Alex said. He places a hand on her cheek.
"Thank you, Alex." Cassie looks at him and is touched by his words. She caresses his face and thanks him by giving him a kiss. Alex kisses her back and turns to leave for the night.
"Good night, Cassie." Alex said. He tries to leave but she holds his hand tightly and pulls him back down. She grabs Alex's face and kisses him again. He kisses her back as his hands feel her arms, how strong she is.
"Please don't leave me. Will you stay with me? I don't want to go through this alone." Cassie pleaded.
Alex nods without hesitation and they both get into bed. He holds his girlfriend close in his arms and waits for her to fall asleep on his chest. His eyes felt heavy almost immediately. He remembers Sonya asking him to promise her that he would protect Cassie for the rest of his life as long as they love each other. Alex yawns, kisses her forehead and falls asleep.
In the Netherrealm, the revenants lament the loss of their castle and the loss of the power given to them by Shinnok's head. Without it, they can no longer build an army. Despite killing Sonya Blade, this was not enough to make up for their loss.
"Without the Cathedral and Lord Shinnok's power, we stand alone. We are vulnerable." Revenant Liu Kang said.
Clouds of sand surrounds them and soon, a mysterious being forms into a person. Someone they have not seen before. It was Kronika. SHe has finally regained her true strength.
"Who are you? One of Raiden's Elder Gods here to taunt us?" Revenant Kitana questions her.
"No, Kitana. I am much more. Behold my power." Kronika said as she uses her time powers and rubble starts flying from the ground, and within seconds, Shinnok's Bone Temple has been restored, as if it was never destroyed to begin with.
"What power is this?" Revenant Kung Lao asked, amazed.
"I am Kronika, Keeper of Time." Kronika tells them before she transports the revenants to her Keep with the hourglass. Five mysterious torches stand right in front of the hourglass. "The Sands of Time guide the destiny of the realms and every soul in them. I have crafted them to keep the realms in balance. However, because of Raiden, my work has been irrevocably tainted. You, Liu Kang and Kitana have felt that pain most acutely."
"So you have the ability to control time and space. Stories have been passed down for centuries, but they were merely dismissed as rumors." Revenant Nightwolf claimed.
"A mistake that shall be corrected. I am a one of a kind being. I am a Titan." Kronika replied.
"What can be done, Kronika? The past is the past, is it not?" Liu Kang asked.
"It does not need to be. I intend to wind time back to the start and restart history. I am powerful with my power, I cannot create the New Era alone." Kronika said.
"The New Era? How will that be any different from now?" Revenant Sindel steps up.
"In millions of ways. Most importantly, Shinnok will return and Raiden will no longer exist. I can craft your destinies for you." Kronika answered.
All the revenants look at each other and smirk, all agreeing on the same idea. "How do we begin, Kronika?" Revenant Liu Kang asked and Kronika smirks as well.
In Outworld, in the Kolosseum, many people have gathered to witness the execution of the Kollector. A six-armed Naknadan. He is to be killed at the hands of Kotal Kahn, who has taken up the mantle since the death of Mileena. Kollector tries to break free, but fails with Kotal's men being the strongest. The audience roars with excitement while throwing objects at the thief. He growls out of annoyance and anger.
"You have escaped me for years. Sucked dry the bounty of Outworld's people. For today, your debt has been paid. And now, the judgement is death." Kotal announced, making everyone happy.
"You kill me, Kotal and you lose profit. You are nothing without me." Kollector tells him. "Shao Kahn approved of this law with his word."
Kotal stares at him as he holds out his hand and his followers bring his giant sword. "Your leader is dead along with his law. Outworld will never again suffer from his corruption. It will be cleansed upon your demise. Let this be a lesson to all who still favor Shao Kahn!" He slowly lifts his sword to strike at his head. But then, a big earthquake happens, interrupting him. Sand begins flowing and spinning around the entire colosseum.
The next morning in Earthrealm, Alex wakes up first and finds himself in Cassie's room. He sighs in happiness as he strokes Cassie's cheek. He was still tired after cheering his girlfriend up after her nightmare, but it was worth it. He hopes that he convinced her to not blame herself. He runs his fingers through her blonde hair and kisses her forehead as she wakes up.
"Hey, sexy. How was your sleep?" Cassie asked.
"Awesome, thanks to you." Alex tells her.
"No. It was thanks to you. Thank you for waking me up from that bad dream and giving me words of encouragement. Always the one to put a smile on my face. You're right about me. Mom would want me to be the best there is." She smiles as she leans in and kisses him. Their kiss starts to get deeper until the entire room starts shaking.
Alex and Cassie quickly got out of bed and got dressed. They are in their uniforms and grab their weapons and run to the center of the base. Johnny and Jacqui run with them to see what's going on. Dark Raiden appears out of nowhere to see the possible danger. Takeda and Jin are already prepared to face what's coming. Sand starts spinning around the area as they cover their eyes. The sand starts clearing slowly. They see three figures start to materialize. They look awfully familiar. Something similar to this has happened before when Alex showed up in Earthrealm three years ago. They see Johnny with a blue jacket on and no shirt and his tattoo reading his name. His hands are covered with some sort of sports tape. Sonya Blade who is not in her usual general form and she looks just about Cassie's age. She wears tight black pants and a short black vest, nearly exposing her breats. and Jax, who has his cybernetic arms, but he is younger and has no facial hair. He sports a black jacket. He looks just about Jacqui's age.
"By the Elder Gods!" Dark Raiden said, getting their attention. He slowly turns into sand himself until there was nothing left. Dark Raiden distingrates. He was no more. All that is left is Shinnok's amulet as it hits the floor. Alex walks over to pick it up slowly, being careful not to do anything bad to it. He turns to the entire group.
"Okay, what the hell is going on here?" Alex asked.
Note: I thought a funeral would be a good idea to give the mighty General a proper send off, since in the game, it felt like they just forgotten that she died almost immediately. The nightmare was added because I wanted to give Cassie the feeling of pain, doubt and fear, let her express her emotions more to those closest to her. And to help remind her that she isn't alone. And she has people to help her grieve. Until next time!